Ithaca

[raven]

Ithaca, NY to my front door just off the Cowley Road: 4000 miles, three flights, two trains, and one long and bizarre detour through upstate New York, oh my. Also thirty hours in transit. Sic transit gloria mundi. My head hurts.

The problem, you see, is that Ithaca-Tompkins regional airport is an, um, regional airport, and lacks such modern conveniences as instrument-aided landings and X-ray scanners. (All bags are opened and inspected, and bottles of liquid opened, and then the suncream cap not screwed down again properly leading to suncream everywhere, TSA I'm looking at you.) And when I left, early in the morning I think yesterday, there was fog. Thick, slightly eerie, muffling fog, and I was watching while the visibility dropped to twenty metres and then ten, and then nothing at all, and then the incoming flights from Philadephia and Newark circled the runway and turned back, and then the airport was closed.

I went to the Delta desk with a feeling of encroaching despair. (US domestic airlines, hi, they all indiscriminately suck.) But for once, they didn't. I frantically explained that unlike the people around me I was not making a short hop, I was trying to make a connection through Detroit to Heathrow. The agent typed and clicked while I panicked, and then said, how about this. "We fly you out from Elmira, NY, to Detroit, then to Paris, then to Heathrow."

And before I could say anything else, "We'll get you a cab to Elmira. Oh, and I'll put you in first-class transatlantic."

I could have kissed him.

The taxi-ride through upstate New York was eerie. Elmira was the closest airport with the capability for take-off in fog, so that's where the diversion took us, and it was about an hour's drive through a landscape that soared around through the low-lying mist. In England, the landscape rolls; there it loomed. Elmira when it appeared was pretty tiny, and the aircraft even tinier - propellors! - but it got me safely to Detroit, and thence onwards towards Paris. The upgrade was fabulous. I got served dinner on a tablecloth! And then slept lying flat whilst 30,000 feet above the Atlantic. It was marvellous. I even caught myself wishing the flight were a couple of hours longer so I could really catch up on sleep. (I have just emailed Delta about their wonderful customer service, in lieu of kissing their agent.) I got home this afternoon entirely exhausted, but it really wasn't the worst experience ever. I even got to practice my very bad French in Paris.

But, but. Ithaca, you guys. Ithaca is gorgeous. (Despite the tourist board's sloganeering, I liked it so I put a U in it.) It really is. It is teeny teeny tiny - you wander around the downtown area and keep coming to the end of it by mistake - and a good half of it is made up by Cornell, which sprawls handsomely around the town with its imposing buildings and enormous swathes of greenery. Everything is so trim, so pretty, with the gorges as these sudden, beautiful gashes in the landscape. Because I am the smartest person on the planet, I picked Cornell's reunion weekend as my weekend to visit (how I found somewhere to stay is still beyond me), and the town was buzzing with people, and something of their excitement was in the air; at any rate, I thought it was auspicious to see Cornell for the first time when it was surrounded by people who loved it enough to have travelled miles to get back that weekend.

The law school, in particular, was having its fifty-year reunion, and was thus full of balloons and the class of 1960. They all added a suitably surreal touch to what was a surreal journey - I mean, I applied to Cornell, I was accepted, I've seen pictures, but still I couldn't picture myself there, in those halls that aren't so much hallowed as entirely alien, and I don't know if I can yet. But I made a step, I think; I made several steps. I opened a bank account, I signed a lease, I discussed with the registrar which courses I should take, I figured out Ithaca's rather marvellous public transport system, I climbed a lot of hills. (Am I doomed to hills? I currently live halfway up about the only hill in Oxfordshire.)

Mostly, I was surprised by the kindness of strangers. I got lost and was led to where I was going for miles out of their way by gently amused undergrads, a guy who was passing made calls on my behalf when I missed an appointment with a potential landlord, the people at the law school loaded me up with information, leaflets and gift cards to the local bagel shop. Strangers stopped me when I was clearly going in the wrong direction and put me right. About twelve different people assumed I was an admitted freshman but were still kind when I told them I wasn't. I would say, o hai, do I look seventeen to you, but I'm sort of afraid of the answer. One of the undergrads blushed and told me he liked my accent. What a wonderful place. And I'm glad I thought so, because I'm committed now: I signed a lease, and fell in love with a local restaurant (Moosewood, possibly the best vegetarian restaurant I've ever been to).

More than anything else, I was sorry to leave. I think I'm really doing this.

Comments

[brewsternorth.livejournal.com]

And I'm glad I thought so, because I'm committed now: I signed a lease, and fell in love with a local restaurant (Moosewood, possibly the best vegetarian restaurant I've ever been to).

Possibly the best vegetarian restaurant in the US. I think we've a copy of their cookbook somewhere... *envies a little* Sounds like you hit on a college in a town that fits you to a T.

Wow for US domestic airlines that didn't completely suck, though good grief, that's quite the travel saga.

[loneraven.livejournal.com]

*grins* I believe you, the food was fabulous. And, yes, Ithaca charmed me entirely, travel saga notwithstanding! (Though I could perhaps live without this sort of mishap every time I go out there!)

[sophiahagia.livejournal.com]

Yay, glad you liked it. Weather-wise, this weekend was kind of hellish, with the fog and rain and stuff.

Also, I didn't know Ithaca even had an airport, regional or otherwise. The things you learn.

The town is very teeny and cute, and it's nothing like the rest of central New York. But I think you'll enjoy your time there.

[loneraven.livejournal.com]

You know, I had you in the back of my mind while being shuttled around the state! At least I know one person within a hundred miles, etc.

[leiascully.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you liked it! Hooray!

[loneraven.livejournal.com]

*happyface* It was marvellous.

[marymac.livejournal.com]

That sounds beautiful.

I would say, o hai, do I look seventeen to you, but I'm sort of afraid of the answer.
Yeah don't, because then they say, 'Well yes, you do, aren't you wee?' And then you have to find somewhere to hide the bodies.

[loneraven.livejournal.com]

*laughs* You're absolutely right. I cannot help looking wee!

[littlered2.livejournal.com]

That sounds so nice; it's great that you think you're going to be happy there. Yay!

I love it when public transport actually has good customer service; the Delta people sound awesome. (In January I was going to Wales with my boyfriend, attempting to make a connection to a train that only ran once every four hours. It being the month of the heaviest snow in decades, the train we were on was delayed so we would have missed it, but the conductor, when he saw our tickets, went off and phoned the stations ahead of us on the line and arranged for us to get off further up and have a free taxi take us to our door. It was amazing and restored all of my faith in humanity.)

[loneraven.livejournal.com]

What a great story! That is amazing, and I suspect it only happens in small places. :)

[littlered2.livejournal.com]

It was so nice, and so completely unexpected. (I was able to quickly return my way of thinking to normal, though, when on my journey back home I missed my last connection by about ten seconds, with the train leaving despite a woman slightly ahead of me in the mad dash for it begging the guard to hold the door for a second and let her on. He shut the door in her face. Ah, Southern Rail.) And it definitely counted as a small place - the train station we were aiming for was a platform in the middle of fields, where you had to flag the train down to get it to stop and the only information available was a box on a post with a button to press which autodialled the train company and delivered a prerecorded message in Welsh and English. It was lovely.

[abyssinia4077.livejournal.com]

Oh, god, you are making me So Incredibly Nostalgic! I spent 10 weeks at Cornell, seven summers ago, and I completely fell in love with Ithaca (the winters are very rough though, so I hear). I have several friends in the area (two grad students, one working), if you want some connections also.

Moosewood is awesome. Aladdins is awesome. There's an Indian food restaurant I loved, but may not be loved by someone who actually knows what Indian food is supposed to taste like.

The farmers market is the best place EVER EVER (rows and rows and rows of fruits and vegetables and meat and eggs and cheese and flowers and wine and crafts and ready-to-eat-food and the whole town descends to it and the lake on Saturdays and there's music and dance and, oh, I loved it).

Also, in the fall, be sure to head out to Cornell's arboretum, which is gorges (yes, I'll type it that way :P ).

So glad you liked it! I hope it turns out awesome.

[and, yes, flying sucks. I always did in and out of Syracuse, the three times I've traveled there. And had a similar adventure to yours, leaving Ithaca at 3am to fly to Santa Barbara and...well, let's say it was similar to yours right down to "how about first class for your longest flight?" But I can vouch for the ease of the bus between Ithaca and New York City!]

[loneraven.livejournal.com]

Aladdins! That's the Greek salad place in Collegetown, isn't it? I had my lunch there, the second day, and it was nom. Oh my, I did love the place. I would love to be put in touch with people once I get there, I live in fear of becoming Iona-no-mates.

And thank you for the tip about the farmers' market, too!

[forthwritten.livejournal.com]

So that's where you went! It sounds great (especially the nice agent at Delta) and Ithaca sounds beautiful.

We should meet again before you go to Cornell, y/n?

[loneraven.livejournal.com]

It was goooooorgeous. *smiles* Y Y Y! Definite Y to meeting up again. Remind me once exams are over!

[sunlightdances.livejournal.com]

Squee! Oh, I'm so pleased. <3

[loneraven.livejournal.com]

I am so happy! :)

[isiscolo.livejournal.com]

Aw, what a wonderful experience for you. I hope Cornell lives up to its preview!

[loneraven.livejournal.com]

Oh, me too, me too. *happyface*

[fyrdrakken]

Very glad you found a helpful travel agent when you really needed one. Even gladder that you were so pleased by the town you'll be living in for a bit.

[loneraven.livejournal.com]

Thank you! :)

[proskynesis]

Yay! So there are good things after all. :) It sounds gorgeous, and a wonderful place to be with kind people. And hills are tiring but excellent.

And first class! It is my dream to fly first class in a plane one day.

[loneraven.livejournal.com]

It is yaaaaay! :) And, you know, I said just that about an hour before the airport closed. "I wonder if I'll ever get to fly across the Atlantic first-class."

[macadamanaity.livejournal.com]

OMG I had no idea you were already on your way here! I actually drove through Elmira and near Ithaca YESTERDAY on my way back to NYC from Toronto. I would have said hi! Welcome to NY State, in any case!

ALSO: How soon before I can start tempting you down to the city? Like, say, for the Doctor Who finale party (and by party I mean "a few of my friends lounging in front of my TV shouting abuse at my router until the torrent downloads and then maybe taking shots to get through it emotionally") I'll be throwing on the 26th?

[macadamanaity.livejournal.com]

Ah yes, reading comprehension skillz: I don't has them. Clearly this post explains that you went from Ithaca back home. ::fail::

[loneraven.livejournal.com]

*grins* no worries, dude. I will be around for the next series of Who, but I imagine you'll have got me to NYC before then!

[macadamanaity.livejournal.com]

Glad you liked the town & school so far, anyway. When do you hit stateside proper?

[rosariotijeras.livejournal.com]

The next time you're on a transatlantic flight, though - oh, how you will long for it! When I flew home last Christmas Eve I was upgraded to first, and served a five course meal culminating in an ice cream sundae.

Oh, and congrats on landing in the most adorable town in America!

[loneraven.livejournal.com]

*laughs* How awesome! And, hey, you're right about Ithaca's adoreableness. I really am looking forward to August, now.

[nerves-patterns.livejournal.com]

squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

[loneraven.livejournal.com]

<3333

[the-acrobat.livejournal.com]

Hurray! I am so glad that you liked Ithaca! I am also so excited about having everyone I love, you know, *draws a circle around an area of an imaginary map* there.

Moosewood! I have never been to a Moosewood restaurant, but I am *so* committed to their cookbooks. Right now I'm working my way through their breakfast book, and it's really brightening my mornings!

Ooh... as for the "looking seventeen" thing, I get that too. Still. *flails*

[loneraven.livejournal.com]

It's going to be so great! We will have to do an awesome road trip and collect everyone! *happyface* And we should go to Moosewood together, yes. And eat VERY LARGE DESSERT.

[soupytwist.livejournal.com]

Oh, wow, I am so glad it seems like that is ACTUALLY HAPPENING and like it has the potential to be utterly wonderful. I really hope it is for you. Holy shit, dude! *hug*

(If it helps at all, which I completely understand it might not, my holy-crap-moving-continents-for-school adventure was in fact brilliant: tough at times, but wonderful. And you are way more experienced and prepared - just going from the stuff I know about! - than I was.)

[loneraven.livejournal.com]

Oh, thank you! I hope it's awesome, too; it's so enormous I can't hold it all in my head at once, but things like this make it clearer.

(That is really reassuring to hear! Moving continents, I can do this, yes. :P)

[soupytwist.livejournal.com]

I didn't really believe mine was happening until I turned up with all my worldly goods in a country I'd never been to before! It's completely whacked, but at least it won't be boring. :) You can totally do this.

(And I bet Cornell will have a bunch of decent support networks in place for people in your situation, too; my suggestion would be to find them asap, cause if it's anything like mine that's where the useful and interesting people are who can make a decent base to start from. But you almost certainly would do that anyway, and as usual with this sort of thing the really important bit seems to be turning up. :) )

[loneraven.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the tip, I do appreciate it! Indulge my curiosity: where were you, and what were you doing? It was in Canada, right?

[soupytwist.livejournal.com]

I was indeed in Canada! I did my second year of undergrad at York Uni in Toronto and then gadded about the continent visiting people in random places until I had to leave. :) It was fantastic. I don't know how applicable my experience will be to the US, but I'm totally up for answering any nosy questions!

[loneraven.livejournal.com]

Oooh, that sounds so amazing. Could I ask: how did the academic shift work out? Did you get used to the different pedagogical style quickly, or was it hard? And how bad was the culture shock, really? I know these are how-long-is-string questions, but, worth a try, right? :)

[soupytwist.livejournal.com]

I loved it, and yes of course, ask away. :)

The academic shift was entirely doable - there were moments of "wtf" and finding it difficult, of course, but I found sorting the timetable out at the beginning by far the worst of it, academically. Tutors and departments were almost universally fantastic at helping me minimize the effect my different educational background might have on my grades. (They didn't volunteer or think of it themselves, and putting the effort into going to find help was absolutely relevant, but once I managed that they did mostly do very well.) I found it more work but not more difficult work, if that makes sense.

Culture shock... was much more than I was expecting. I went in thinking that yeah, Canada had differences and everything, but I had read and seen TV about it and also they talked English so how hard could it be. This was ENTIRELY wrong, as I discovered when I asked someone in my first week whether he was part of the queue and found he didn't know what a queue was. It's the little things you don't know to look out for that smack you in the face, mostly! I found it both exhilarating and knackering: it was like both bad days and good days were made more extreme. Learning new things a lot was fantastic, but, as I am pretty sure you know better than I do, constant explaining of both self and surroundings does get very knackering, and finding some place where I could get away from that was absolutely necessary. (Mine was having cocktails in the uni bar with the other exchange student from Blighty, haha.)

[vikingwriter.livejournal.com]

That is so awesome you got a chance to fall in love with your new home before, say, the week before you're to begin classes! And while all US domestic airlines do totally suck, since the delta/northwest merger, those two (still weird to think of them as one) have gotten much better it seems.

[loneraven.livejournal.com]

Yes, so I believe! At any rate, they were much, much better than I remember either Delta or Northwest having been on their own...

[deepbluemermaid.livejournal.com]

I will not regale you with my many tales of woe and joy about long-haul travel. Suffice to say: thank goodness you had a decent desk agent! And Ithaca sounds lovely.

Also, in related news: I am currently searching the Cornell website. Why? Well, apparently Cornell's engineering students are rather good at programming autonomous small robots to play football against other teams. Cornell has won Robocup (the Robot Soccer World Cup) more than once.

...this is what doing actual research for fic has reduced me to (in my current Leverage fic series, Hardison goes to MIT and has fun with robotics). Why did I stop writing pure porn?! This plot shit is HARD, dude.

[loneraven.livejournal.com]

Cornell has won Robocup (the Robot Soccer World Cup) more than once.

Sincerely, thank you so much for this formation, my life is so much better for the knowing of it.