Updates from an airplane

Alright friends, ready for an update? I know it's long overdue.
Here's the short version:
Flight from Atlanta to Chicago was delayed due to computer malfunctions (or sequestration if you want to listen to the pilot's version of the story).
They told us they were holding our connecting flight,because there are 14 of us. They lied.
We missed our flight by 30 minutes (ish), arriving in Chicago around 6:30/645ish (Chicago time). We then spent the next 5 1/2 hours on the United Airlines merry go round of terrible customer service. Mad props to Professor Horvath and Bilal for getting our flights rearranged. Apparently United had automatically rescheduled us for Sunday night, meaning we wouldn't get to Budapest until AFTER orientation. The solution was then to split up our merry group onto two separate flights. The Munich group (Professor Horvath, LB, David, Tina, Christy, Megan, Emily, and Aly) was to fly out Saturday at 2050. That was, at the time, 22 hours away. The Frankfurt group (Professor Dever, Morgan, Michaela, Melissa, Bilal, and myself) were set to fly out Saturday at 2215. By the time we got new itineraries, fought with United about where our luggage was (receiving 5 entirely different answers), and got hotel reservations for the night, it was past midnight Chicago time, which is 1 am EST. Please keep in mind that we had been playing the airport game since noon. However, we finally ended up at the hotel and in our rooms around 0200 Chicago time. Sleep didnt happen til even later.
The next day started with us Carrollton kids (Morgan, Laura, Michael, David, Bilal, and myself) roaming Rosemont (the area around the hotel) in search of food. I promise you that Denny's food has never tasted so good. Afterwards, we met up with the  Newnan students and formulated a plan to spend a few hours in downtown Chicago rather than spending the day in the airport. I could go into more detail about that, but I'm typing this while 6 hours into a 9 hour flight and I have yet to sleep. I'll summarize by saying that we saw some pretty incredible landmarks, saw a TON of weddings, and ate the most amazing Chicago pizza. That pizza alone almost made up for the airport chaos- almost. By the time we got back to the hotel, the Indian wedding, which we had seen inklings of earlier, appeared to be in full swing. We were drooling over the stunning Saris and traditional dress. The beauty and complexity of the Saris was incredible, and it was amazing to even be a spectator for a few hours.
The trip to the airport was fairly uneventful, as was the 4-5 hours of hang time we had. Thanks to the deck of cards purchased in Atlanta, we were thoroughly entertained through games of Go Fish, Gin, and Blackjack. Perhaps the most exciting piece on my end was that I managed to French braid Morgan's hair with a broken arm. If you don't think that's incredibly challenging, then I will be the first to tell you that you are sorely mistaken. I'm counting it as my daily PT, if that's any indication.
Our plane and its staff are German, and I have never been more grateful to have a decent grasp of the language. I'm comfortable conversing with the staff and even explained the circumstances surrounding my arm to several curious members (probably since I was boarding early). I also enjoy the language enough that I've watched several tv shows and movies in German on the back of the seat in front of me.
            Sidenote: When did airplanes get to be this nice??? I can choose between upwards of 50 shows/movies and listen to almost all of them in a variety of languages, make an audio playlist of songs including Imagine Dragons and Bon Jovi (which explains why I dreamed about the song Livin on a Prayer), or play games. I did not expect this kind of entertainment in Economy class. However, Just to prove that flying hasn't entirely changed, the seats are still tiny and cramped, and they're about as comfy as wooden benches.

As for my current seating, Im between a very nice Greek woman and a similarly pleasant Polish man. Morgan and Michaela are in the center aisle, only two seats from me, Professor Dever and Bilal are behind them, and Melissa is currently kicking my seat. (Just kidding! But she is behind me.)

((Flying over Dublin!!))

Alright friends, it's been fun, but I believe breakfast is on its way and I am ravenous, so this concludes my journal for Saturday. I'll write another paragraph or two when we arrive in Budapest.
Peace, love, and rubber ducks! (Please see the German translation of modern family for more clarification).
Sincerely,
A very tired Jess

Ps- nicknames so far:
Laura- peanut butter
Bilal- Buster
Morgan and I collectively are the Wonder Twins