Slope Magazine Spring 2022

Slope.

Spring 2022

CONTRIBUTORS Editor-in-Chief

Photographers

Samantha Krevolin

Kaylee Zhong

Amanda Kaplowitz

Amanda Kaplowitz

Michael Suguitan

Creative Director

Samantha Krevolin Sydney Albert

Kaylee Zhong

Writers & Editors

Laken Pomerantz

Photography Director

Amanda Kaplowitz* Amelia Robinson* Hallie Finkelstein

Ben Parker

Julia Mangeym*

President

Lexi Zammiello Mary Gaffney*

Kendall Lieberman

Paige Barlow*

V.P. of Operations

Samantha Krevolin* Sydney Albert Victoria Correa

Erika Bloomgarden

(* for editors)

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TABLE OF CONTENTS Cornell Student Life New Freshman Dorms

6

100 Years of the Cornell University Chorus

8

Covid-19 Under the Radar: The Class of 2025’s Rocky Start

11

Travel What People Don’t Tell You About Studying Abroad

14

A Love Letter to London

18

My Experience at NOMA: The #1 Restaurant in the World

21

Flying Fiasco

24

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LETTER FROM THE EDITORS Samantha Krevolin and Amanda Kaplowitz

As this semester draws to a close, we’re able

anything and everything they desire. So

to reflect on just how crazy and chaotic,

even while we were abroad, we were able

yet fun, it has been. This was our first

to connect with one another every week

semester taking on the role of Editors-in-

and learn a bit about the happenings at

Chief, and both of us were many miles away

Cornell from a student perspective. Slope

from Cornell’s campus studying abroad

gave us a unique insight into student

in different cities. Running the Mag team

life this semester, and now, the readers

completely virtually with a six hour time

will have the chance to do the same.

difference proved to be challenging, but, as This edition of Slope magazine perfectly

this magazine proves, incredibly rewarding.

encompasses life as a Cornell student We couldn’t have made it through this

in Spring 2022. The articles cover a

semester and produced such an amazing

vast range of topics from COVID, study

magazine without the help of everyone

abroad,

new

at Slope. From the dedicated writers and

campus

–

editors, to the brilliant design and photo

members

buildings that

of

the

all

and

clubs

influence Cornell

on

various

population.

teams, and the E-board members who filled in for us when we couldn’t (major shoutout

We’re looking forward to continuing our

to Mary Gaffney!), thank you for loving Slope

time as Editors-in-Chief next fall and

as much as we do! It’s been an honor to

returning to some normalcy with (hopefully)

work alongside you all, and we’ve certainly

in-person meetings and a physical print

learned a lot throughout this semester.

edition. We can’t wait to churn out even more relatable, witty articles and make

What makes Slope so special to us is the

Slope Media Group even more incredible

fact that the writers are able to write about

for old and new writers and readers.

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5

New freshman dorms Lexi Zammiello

Netflix

Kaylee Zhong

6

Before the 2021-2022 school year, Mews

lounge has bright yellow walls with a black

and Court-Kay-Bauer were known as the

and white checkerboard floor. Each of the

best places to live on North Campus. Every

other floors are painted in a bright or navy

freshman dreamed about living in these

blue. Contrastingly, when a person enters

dorms—that is, until Ganędago and Toni

Ganędago or Morrison Hall, the first thing they

Morrison Hall were built last year. These

see are the plain, white walls. Students have

dorms now replace Mews and Court-Kay-

described these to students living in other

Bauer as the new and improved places to

dorm buildings as very long, white hallways

live on campus. The modern architecture

with doors that do not have handles: boring

is unlike any of the other dorms on North

and dreary. Students have also mentioned

Campus, and these dorms are filled with

that the only light that can be seen walking

amenities

lack.

through the halls are the bright, red EXIT signs.

Toni Morrison Hall has two floors, is for

Despite these plain hallways, however, each

females only, and is equipped with everything

lounge is a bright blue color with floor-to-

that a student needs. It has a cafe, gym, and

ceiling windows. Additionally, these two new

a dining hall. In addition to offering multiple

dorm buildings are suite style with single

places to relax and hangout with friends,

and double rooms that share a bathroom.

Ganędago Hall, sometimes referred to as

This layout encourages students to leave

G-town by the freshman who were unable

their rooms and interact with other students.

that

the

older

dorms

to pronounce its name (Gah-nen-dah-go), is the place to be when a student is in need

Overall, these new dorms are the perfect

of a study space. The first floor, along with

place for students to come together to do

each additional floor, contains a multitude

work in groups, study, or simply to hangout

of study spaces, which contains many open

with friends. They have ample study spaces,

lounges for people to be around others and

both silent and collaborative, for students

do work. If these amenities do not impress

to do work and spend time with others. The

you enough, what really sets Ganędago Hall

second floor of Morrison is known to be the

apart from other dorms is the first floor

perfect place to run into “Hotelies” the night

music room, where there are always students

before a prelim. Although it is a freshman-

practicing

only dorm this year, next year, for the 2022-

playing

their

instruments.

2023 school year, these dorms will transition While

the

new

dorms

offer

amazing

to being a part of the new Sophomore

amenities, a problem with these modern

Village on North Campus, thus beginning

buildings that many people fail to mention

the integration of sophomores onto North

is how they look on the inside. Many of the

Campus. I, along with many other students,

other residence halls on campus have walls

am excited to see what another year of these

that are very lively colors. Take Mews Hall

new dorms will bring to Cornell’s campus.

for example: the first floor along with each

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Netflix

Michael Suguitan

8

100 Years of the Cornell University Chorus Victoria Correa The Cornell University Chorus was founded

The jump from high school-level choir music

in 1920, and it is currently one of Cornell’s

to college-level choir music is pretty big, but

flagship

Cornell

Chorus is the type of class that will really

University Glee Club. Since its founding,

push your limits and make you realize how

the Chorus has engaged and empowered

much potential you have. Over the decades,

singers who wanted to start or continue

the Chorus has performed at venues such as

singing at Cornell. There are actually

Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and has

three choirs at Cornell - the Chorus, which

collaborated with professional orchestras and

is the treble choir, the Glee Club, which

other college choirs around the country. At

is the tenor-bass choir, and the Cornell

Cornell, we perform annually at Convocation,

Chorale, which is the mixed choir. In this

Homecoming,

article, I will be talking about the Chorus.

Weekend, and other university events.

I joined the Chorus as a freshman, which

While the Cornell University Chorus deals

was a good decision that would shape my

with choral music, many of its members are

experience at Cornell. I sang in a treble

involved in a cappella on campus. In fact, the

choir for the first time my senior year of high

Chorus has a subset a cappella group. From

school, and it was a different experience

1976-1991, Nothing But Treble was that subset.

than singing in mixed choirs, which I really

In 1991, however, After Eight became the

enjoyed. Singing pieces that composers

subset a cappella group of the Chorus. Both

wrote for treble voices was cool, and the

groups are still active on campus, so you

friends I made and the sisterhood we shared

should check out both NBT’s and After Eight’s

was amazing. I was so grateful that I could

semesterly concerts. I’m in After Eight, and

continue singing in a treble choir at Cornell.

it’s one of my favorite things to do on campus.

choirs

alongside

the

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Commencement,

Reunion

While the Chorus Centennial was technically in 2020, our centennial celebration was one of the many events that were postponed due to Covid-19. This year, however, the

The Chorus holds a special place in the

Chorus is finally able to hold an in-person

hearts of many current members and

centennial

current

alumni. That is why we are expecting a huge

Chorus members and alumni are super

turnout at the centennial celebration. For

excited. It will be this June during Reunion

many of us, choir is not just singing – it’s one

Weekend, and our director, many Chorus

of our ways of finding meaning in life. Singing

officers, and alumni have been putting

in Choir is a way for us to stay engaged and

in so much hard work in order to plan it.

energized, no matter what else is going on.

celebration.

Both

One of the great things about the Chorus is that it is mostly student-run. Our wonderful director, Sarah Bowe, takes care of the musical tasks.

direction

and

other

important

Meanwhile,

the

Chorus

students

have an executive board, a council, and an alumni committee. I’m the social media chair on the Chorus council, so I manage our Instagram and Facebook pages. I post publicity materials, member spotlights, and lately, I’ve been working with the alumni social media subcommittee to post things regarding the centennial celebration. Other Chorus officers have been busy planning performances,

dinners,

and

various

other social events for Reunion Weekend.

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Ben Parker

Covid-19 Under the Radar: The Class of 2025’s Rocky Start Hallie Finkelstein Covid-19 has greatly affected all of our

We entered the 2021-2022 school year at

lives over the past two years. Every class of

a time where Covid appeared to be on the

students has lost opportunities and missed

decline. We thanked our lucky stars that

out on important life events. Most people

we had been born just one year later and

may have the perception that the class of

were able to have our parents and family

2024 suffered the most out of all the current

members move us into our new college

students at Cornell: missing out on almost

dorms. Although still wearing masks, we

the entirety of their freshman year and

were hopeful that things would get better.

having to start a new chapter of their lives

However, once classes began, students were

in a world where nothing was normal. There

overwhelmed by the high expectations and

is nothing that can compare to the class of

significant quantity of work that they had not

2024’s surreal first year of college; but just

experienced in nearly two years. With many

as everything seemed to be finally going

coming from an entire senior year online, or

back to normal, the Covid-19 variants struck

at minimum hybrid online, we weren’t used to

again and the class of 2025 has borne a

attending classes in person and having this

similar toll during their freshman year.

many responsibilities. Club meetings had

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been on zoom, and assignments and tests were completely virtual. This adjustment was difficult and caused significant stress for students who hadn’t experienced normalcy in almost two years. In addition to this stress, the surge of Covid cases in the beginning of the school year was extremely unsettling for students who had to miss 10 days of classes

the process that much more difficult.

and socialization at the start of their first year of college. As others were meeting

The beginning of college is a time when

people and trying to form close relationships,

teenagers are supposed to experience

students with Covid were isolated for 10 days,

freedom that they never had before and

further burdening in the process of adjusting

foster relationships with their peers. From

to a new environment. The social adjustment

an outside perspective it may seem that

was greatly impacted by Cornell’s stern covid

freshmen were able to experience normalcy,

rules. Rooms with a single resident were

but this was not the case due to Cornell’s

allowed one other person in their room and

strict Covid rules. Students were constantly

doubles were allowed to have four students

getting in trouble for trying to adjust and

total. This limited students from meeting

assimilate: having their school IDs scanned

friends in large groups and forced them into

for stepping into the common room without

the unintentional exclusion of other potential

a mask or having more than four people

friends in fear of getting in trouble with RA’s.

in their room. If you forgot to make your

College is normally very daunting for first

weekly PCR, you got locked out of Canvas

year students, but constant covid outbreaks

and couldn’t complete assignments. All

and the fear of contracting the virus made

these “consequences” for not complying with Cornell’s covid protocols were a detriment to students’ mental health. In the fall of 2020, before vaccines were available, the main concern was to keep students from getting Covid-19. However, after almost two years of a life completely focused on avoiding covid, many in the class of 2025 became fed up with

12

social isolation. With the peace of mind that everyone they were around was vaccinated, students wanted to meet new friends.

For a short while, starting in October, covid cases seemed to decline and students had the normal college experience that they had so longed for. This was until December

classes from their dorms, having to worry

2021 when the Omicron variant struck

about roommates and other distractions

Cornell’s campus. With finals around the

while classes were going on. Students

corner, many students were testing positive

then had to quickly transition back into in-

for covid. Cornell was not prepared for

person classes after having been online

the massive surge. Students who tested positive

waited

hours,

and

for the beginning weeks of the semester.

sometimes

even days, before being sent to isolate, posing

problems

for

roommates

All students at Cornell University have

who

suffered losses and mental health tolls from

desperately wanted to stay away to avoid

the Covid-19 pandemic. While it may not

catching the virus. This took a mental toll

have been so apparent to the rest of the

on students during the final examination

students and faculty at Cornell, the lives of

period as they were frantically seeking a

students in the class of 2025 have not been

safe place to sleep while studying for finals.

easy. After two long years, it is time that students begin to get back to their normal

We then had the late start of second semester

lives; Cornell’s decision to lift the mask

and the beginning of online classes. The

mandate in certain areas of campus has

Class of 2025 had never experienced online

already helped to do this. With nearly one tumultuous year under their belts, Cornell freshmen can only hope to achieve some amount of normalcy in the next three years.

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Samantha Krevolin

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What People Don’t Tell You About Studying Abroad Samantha Krevolin

This semester has been a whirlwind.

that I wish I knew beforehand, and I

In August, I decided I wanted to study

plan on sharing them to help everyone

abroad in Florence, Italy for the Spring

planning or contemplating going abroad

2022

to be as knowledgeable as possible.

semester.

As

someone

who

rarely travels, I was both very excited and nervous about this new adventure.

Everyone hits a point where things

I tried to get advice and tips from

will not go as planned, and that’s ok!

upperclassmen

But,

There have been several times during

since I am the oldest child and my older

my abroad experience when things were

friends at Cornell were not able to go

out of my control. As much as you try to

abroad due to COVID, I was not sure

plan your trips and schedule down to the

what to expect. Today, with four weeks

second, there is only so much you can do

left in my time abroad, I can proudly say

at certain points. Taxis will be late, trains

I found this semester to be everything

will be missed, and flights will be delayed.

I expected and more. Although I think

These instances are unfortunate but

~abroad changed me~ in some ways,

ultimately unavoidable. I could go on

there are things people warn you about

about specific experiences, such as my

that I found to be true. The language

friend’s Italian hospital visit from food

barrier and cultural differences are

poisoning, my allergic reaction in Spain,

real, and everyone will prepare you in

and another friend realizing she did not

that respect. However, there are things

pack her passport as we arrived at the

before

leaving.

15

airport to go to Prague. These situations

the same experience and hesitation

were in no way ideal, but they all helped

about studying abroad for a whole

me grow as a person and learn how to

semester. Everyone should know they

deal with difficult situations. Sometimes

are not alone when they experience

it may also work out for the better. I

this feeling. As independent as you may

learned how to use my Italian language

think you are, it is completely normal and

skills, pack and prepare for trips better,

justified to have some homesickness

and be calm in stressful situations.

when you are halfway across the world.

As independent as you think you

It doesn’t matter how many friends

are, you will miss home sometimes

you make, but the relationship you

After going to camp for seven years and

have with the friends you do make

going to college for three, I thought going

On my first orientation day, I had déjà vu

abroad with three of my best college

of Cornell orientation. Everyone around

friends would be a breeze. I was quickly

me was rushing to meet as many people

proven wrong. I had never been to Europe

and make as many friends as possible. I

before, so I was hit with a huge culture

was fortunate enough to go abroad and

shock during my first week in Florence.

live with three of my best friends from

One night I was alone in my apartment

Cornell, but that is very unusual. We

prepping for an interview when I had an

all wanted to make new friends as well.

internal panic. Although I was with some

Luckily, orientation allowed us to meet

of my best friends in a country I always

new people we never met at Cornell Netflix

wanted to visit, I wondered whether I

and our new classmates who went to

made the right decision. I called my

different universities like Wisconsin,

mom and told her I should’ve stayed at

GW, and Vanderbilt. My friends and I

Cornell, and she told me to wait it out

were also able to meet people in other

a week and try to enjoy myself. A week

programs within Florence who go to

later, I could not have been happier that

other

I had listened to her advice. Friends new

at night, going out to dinner, or just

and old opened up to me about having

through friends of friends. At first, many

16

universities

when

going

out

people rush to claim individuals and try

the street of a foreign country where

to show off how many “new friends” they

you don’t speak the language. Enjoy

have. Over the semester, I have learned

every second because you never know

that it’s more important to most people

when these moments will come around.

and me to have fewer closer friends who you will actually talk to after abroad than

Although

my

time

abroad

has

having names you can read off of a list.

(fortunately) not come to an end quite

Whether it’s people in your program

yet, these are some things that stood

or not, make sure to take the time to

out to me that people do not seem to

get lunch or go out with new people,

talk about when advising about abroad.

but also, don’t try to spread your arms

I think everyone should be as open-

too wide and be seen as unreliable

minded as possible when going into their

or flakey. I truly believe I have made

semester abroad and appreciate every

friends I will have for years to come,

second because I know it sounds cliché,

and I could not be happier about that.

but it does go by in a blink of an eye. It is a once and a lifetime experience, and

You

will

life

when

have you

the

time

least

of

your

expect

although there are major ups and downs,

it

the experience is well worth it. I would

Everyone going abroad thinks the most

not trade my experiences for the world

fun parts occur at the craziest sights.

and I’m going to soak up and appreciate

Although I was blown away by the Eiffel

the next few weeks as much as possible.

Tower, Parc Güell, and Coliseum, I often made the most memories simply by spending time with my friends. Some of my most memorable times were missing a train in Rome after going downstairs and back up the same stairs, thinking we were going to a different platform. Or making new friends at a late-night food place in London. Or getting lost wandering

Samantha

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Krevolin

18

Amanda Kaplowitz

A Love Letter to London Amanda Kaplowitz

I wish I could say I’ll be returning to Cornell

that going abroad to London was one

with a crisp British accent and a newfound

of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

tendency to (dangerously) attempt to drive on the left side of the road. But, while these things

For starters, yes– it is fairly similar to New

may not be true, I am coming back holding a

York City. But since when was that a bad

special place in my heart for the city I’ve called

thing? Adjusting to life in a new city can

home for the past four and a half months.

be hard, so having some semblance of familiarity with its resemblance to home

Don’t get me wrong– I have been so lucky to

was something I really appreciated.

And– Netflix

travel to so many amazing new places around

in my opinion at least– it is a cleaner,

Europe every weekend, and have absolutely

prettier, more polished version of NYC.

loved being able to experience new cultures and explore. But having my home base in

Something else I absolutely loved was

London has been something I’ve grown

the fact that everyone speaks English.

to

You

appreciate

and

cherish

immensely.

don’t

need

to

worry

about

not

understanding the language, but there I’m no stranger to the fact that people think

are still some fun slang words to pick up

London is the most similar to America

on. For example, I will now exclusively be

and may consider it not as coveted to go

calling my apartment my “flat,” and the

abroad compared to say Italy or Spain. But,

trash “rubbish.” Plus, the accents are reason

I’m here to dispel all of those stereotypes

enough to love speaking to people here.

and

stand

on

my

soapbox

preaching

19

All of the different areas to explore in London are another reason why it’s such an ideal place to reside. I feel like I didn’t even get to check off everything on my bucket list after having lived here for four months. The city

So, I’m not only coming back with pounds

is so big and houses so many fun activities

in my wallet, a greater appreciation for tea

and amazing restaurants that you’ll truly

and scones, and an in-depth knowledge

never get bored. I could spend a lifetime

of the tube lines, but I’m also returning

in London and still discover new things

with a new sense of independence and

everyday. Notting Hill and Camden Market

a huge amount of personal growth that

are two of my favorite spots to hit, but believe

I’ve acquired by navigating a bustling

me– there are a lot more to choose from.

city. I’ve been fully immersed in a place that’s so perfect, I don’t want to leave.

So, London, thank you for everything these past few months. See you soon.

20

Sydney Albert

My Experience at NOMA: The #1 Restaurant in the World Sydney Albert I wouldn’t call myself a picky eater, but if

in Copenhagen, I naturally began to curate

you had told me a few months ago that I

a list of restaurants I wanted to go to. I

would be drinking out of a crab shell and

threw Noma onto the list on a whim - it is

eating oyster ice cream in the middle of

the number one restaurant in the world

Denmark this semester I would have hardly

and happens to be in Copenhagen. Noma

believed it. When I decided to study abroad

was already completely booked for the

21

four months I would be in the city and the food itself seemed like it would be a little too adventurous for me. But still, my friends and I trolled the Noma website every week searching for any sign of availability. None of us know the next time we will be returning to Copenhagen; it felt like our only opportunity to try this world-renowned restaurant. After having no luck for weeks, I was in disbelief when one of my friends called me up and told me she had a table for four on hold and I had ten minutes to decide if I was going. I was in.

We

walked

into

the

restaurant

and

immediately felt like royalty. The kitchen

Sydney Albert

was situated right at the front and every single chef stopped cooking to greet us and welcome us to the restaurant. When we reached our table, we were given warm

the menu worked. Well, sort of, since there

towels and an intricate explanation of how

was actually no real menu. We were going to be given fifteen courses of whatever the chef wanted to serve. The only hint we had was that it was their ocean season.

I was obviously expecting fish, but when the first dish arrived I was still completely taken aback. It was a full crab shell that had been filled with broth. We were instructed to hold the shell like a flask and drink from it.

So we did, and it was so fascinating to see how creative innovation could be applied to the consumption of food through this dish. The next few courses were equally as delicious, filled with fish, spices, and vegetables I had never even heard of.

Somehow, it all melded together well, and the portions were perfectly sized so that none

Sydney Albert 22

the questions we had about the restaurant.

The service was impeccable, so we asked about their training. She told us about the preparation process for each season, and how the team brainstormed the flavors and presentation for each dish. It was so much more than just a meal; it was quite literally a science. On our way out of the restaurant, we even caught a glimpse of the lab that they use for food experimentation.

While the food itself was amazing, the service and ambiance is what made the experience an 11/10. It was the most enjoyable four hours I have ever spent in a restaurant. I

Sydney Albert

now have such a greater appreciation for food and culinary art, and how cooking

of the strong flavors were overpowering.

can serve as a form of expression. While these 15 courses will certainly give me

Thirteen courses of uniquely flavored and

an aversion to fish for a while and my

perfectly plated dishes made their way to

standards for seafood are now well above

my table over the next three hours. Finally,

Plum Tree’s finest, I can confidently say

I saw a scoop of ice cream making its way

these are sacrifices that were worth making

over to our table. I felt so excited for a

for

this

once-in-a-lifetime

experience.

sweet palette cleanse. But then I heard the description, oyster ice cream, and started to get nervous. Did they really need to take it that far and potentially ruin ice cream?!

The answer was yes, but it was far from ruined. The oyster taste was barely there but still served as a reminder of the oceanthemed meal. Definitely an interesting mix of ingredients, but I wasn’t complaining.

After the fifteenth course was served and we could barely stomach another bite of food, our waitress took some time to answer all

Sydney Albert 23

Flying Fiasco Ben Parker

Mary Gaffney It’s 5:48 a.m. Hadar walks into Maddy’s

customer service. Though I was aware of this,

childhood bedroom, where I’m sleeping

it’s difficult to understand how frustrating it

on her fuzzy, cream-colored carpet next

can be until you experience flying troubles

to Maddy, who’s asleep in her bed. We’re

yourself. Us Cornellians experienced this

awaiting an eight o’clock wakeup for our flight

firsthand as we tried to get to our Spring

out of Philadelphia. “Mary, Maddy, our flight

Break destinations. Whether you took JetBlue

was canceled. We need to rebook.” I wake

to Punta Cana or were simply trying to make

up, scramble for my phone in the unfamiliar

it to Florida, like me, it’s likely something

room, and drowsily attempt to navigate

about your travel did not go as planned.

the American Airlines app. We rebook to another flight at 12:57 p.m. into West Palm

This was my first Spring Break in over three

Beach, which is only forty minutes north - no

years. I never had a textbook one, complete

problem. If only this cancellation was the most

with beaches, bars, and bad sunburns, so

complicated our travel plans would become.

my friends and I started planning months in advance, securing the location and the best – and cheapest – Airbnb and flights.

We’ve long heard about exacerbated travel troubles due to COVID-19. This spring especially, with pent-up demand due to the

I decided to check a bag because I am terrible

lifting of COVID restrictions and the usually

at packing efficiently and we had a direct

busy spring travel season, everyone wants to

flight. Once we arrived at the Philadelphia

fly. During the first weekend of April, airlines

airport, I printed my bag tag and dropped

across the country canceled or delayed more

it off at the American Airlines counter.

than ten thousand flights due to weather,

Made it with forty-seven pounds – phew.

labor shortages, or technology problems, Our group seamlessly made their way

creating long lines and wait times for airline

24

through security, got a coffee, and took

away to get help, but the line of disgruntled

turns going on walks while waiting for our

passengers was as far as we could see.

flight. At 12:10, the lady at Gate B5 began making announcements, and a few minutes

Our group was split up. Rachel and Sophie

later, she invited the first few groups to

sprinted to their new gate and flew to

board. There are only a few seventy-

Charlotte, where they would connect and

something-year-old passengers in front of

ultimately end up in Florida late that night.

me in Group 6, and suddenly I noticed the

Hadar was by herself on an 8 p.m. to Ft.

monitor at the gate change. “CANCELED.”

Lauderdale, and Maddy and I end up on a 9

There is a collective groan, and everyone

p.m. to West Palm Beach, with standby status

started checking their phones and asking

for the 8 p.m. Maddy, Hadar, and I spent

the workers, “Is that real? Is it canceled?”

the next several hours skulking around the

“Uh, we’re not sure, but let us ask the pilot

airport, making phone calls, watching March

to see if anything has changed.” Soon after,

Madness, and searching for flights that

passengers deboard, and the cancellation

wouldn’t leave us sitting in PHL for the next

is confirmed. The frantic nature of this

eight hours (or more). Travel anxiety took

moment was nearly paralyzing. We tried to

over, and I wondered if I would ever get to relax

secure another flight without having to pay

and enjoy a nice Pina Colada on the beach.

hundreds of dollars more, but any selection was sold out. We then ran to the American

Maddy and my names kept falling lower and

Airlines Customer Service Desk a few gates

lower on the standby list for Hadar’s flight,

Ben Parker 25

just as our chances of making it to the beach.

My blood pressure rose as they call names to claim tickets. Boarding was delayed. My phone buzzed. “FLIGHT AA 2188 CANCELED.” I moved as fast as my legs could take me.

We needed to make it to gate A17 and talk to someone to see if Hadar could get on our flight and ensure Maddy and I had seats. We

Somehow, they recruited another pilot and

were the first ones to the desk and could

crew for our flight. Boarding began, but

see all the seventy-somethings from our

Maddy and I held back, struggling with what

earlier flight at the gate waiting for 9 p.m.

to do if Hadar could not get on the flight.

to come around. Maddy and I got seats, but

Only a few passengers remained, and the

all they could do is put Hadar on standby.

boarding agent yells at us, “If you girls have

“Hadar, we can’t leave you,” I said. Maddy

seats, you need to get on the plane. We are

responded, “We’ll never get there if we don’t

counting seats.” “You guys go. I’ll figure it

go now, and it’s easier to find flights for

out,” Hadar says, holding back rare tears. We

fewer people. I’ll give you my mom’s number.

hesitantly walked down the jet bridge, looking

She’ll pick you up.” As the worker printed

back at every chance. We waited for the

boarding passes, another worker informed

elderly couple in front of us to find their seats

him that there was no crew for this flight.

and turned around at the last second to see

Due to weather, they were stuck in Palm

Hadar and her pink carry-on running down

Beach and never made it to Philadelphia.

the bridge. We all started jumping. The people around us started jumping. But we couldn’t

I walked away, and tears fell. I wasn’t even

relax until the aircraft took off – recalling our

sad - I don’t even like Florida that much to

earlier flight. We knew everyone else on the

be honest - but I was exhausted and at a

plane had a long, difficult day of travel. Hadar

loss, wondering if we would ever get there.

kept saying, “It feels like we’re in a movie.”

Flights for the rest of the week were sold out.

After about two hours, all three of us landed in West Palm Beach, and the passengers on our flight applauded. It was 11:30 p.m., thirteen hours after we arrived at PHL. We made our way to baggage claim.

But where is my suitcase?

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