With classes complete and the job search just starting up, we needed a break.
The United States wasn’t looking ideal for a post-completion celebration, and neither Andrea nor I really wanted to stay in Ireland for the time being. Ideas were bandied about, itineraries considered, and a final idea settled on. Bulgaria!
We start our journey in the airport, on the planes, and with a lovely little robot keeping the floors of the airport clean.
(Ed. note: Ben had completed classes at this point, but hadn’t actually officially graduated – that would come later, in October)
On July 4th, I learned that the robots have started taking over Austria.
I hadn’t expected to learn this, of course – so far I hadn’t seen any hints of an AI overthrow while in Vienna. Just normal people, everything running smoothly… I should have known it was too good to last.
As I walked through the Vienna airport, looking for a good spot to settle in and have some breakfast, I heard a beeping ahead of me, and saw one of those floor cleaning things puttering along… though its driver seemed to be taking a break, because I didn’t see a person on it.
Of course, the reptile part of my brain got curious, and told me to jump on and take it for a spin while the driver was away… I wouldn’t do that, obviously, but the call of the void exists whether we listen to it or not. As I got closer though, I noticed that it was moving… and that there was caution tape around the seat. It wasn’t that the driver was taking a break… the machine WAS the driver! The caution tape proved it, reading “Caution: Autonomous cleaning in progress”.
So yeah, robots. Takin’ our jobs.
Aside from that, the flight to France was lovely and quick. I had a lovely Viennese brunch, read a bit on the plane, reviewed a whole ton of photos, and even got some climbing recommendations from the guy sitting in the row with me.
Got some great views as we descended into Marseille, and… yeah. Definitely a nice and lovely flight! Fully recommend both Vienna and Marseille airport
Two days later, and a few dollars more expensive… but my flight from Greenland to Iceland was as quick and simple as I could have possibly asked for. My Airbnb host dropped me off at Nuuk airport, I checked my bags, I grabbed a latte, and our flight was delayed.
I read my book, accidentally tried to board the wrong plane (thank you, gate agents, for catching me!), boarded the correct plane, went through the quickest security check I’ve ever encountered, and… then we flew.
Over mountains and ice flows, glaciers and oceans.
