Well it is about time that I sat down to write this blog since I’ve already almost been here for two weeks. And I feel like I have been here for a month. I guess I’ll try to outline everything starting from the day that I left and if you have time you can read it. Hopefully I’ll be able to keep up with this a little more now that I have started it!
June 24th
I arrived at Dulles trying to look somewhat…European (or at east what I thought it might look like since I had never been here) in anticipation of the day long trip I would be making to what seems like half way across the world. OF COURSE my bag was overweight. Thank God my mother asked me if I was going to take a another bag, although when she asked me I quickly replied “No, I can’t” because I remembered that it was suggested that we only take 1. However, I checked into it again just to make sure because I realized that my last minute packing was not conducive to wise packing. They just don’t go hand in hand. So I checked two bags: one large suit case and a duffle bag. Anyway, after I rearranged some things and placed them into my carry-on and duffle bag my luggage was STILL 2kg overweight. (Side note: I hate that we all aren’t on the same measuring scale because I’m not even sure that “kg” is right) However, with a little politeness (by the way the woman checking me in was really mean) I checked my bags and then it was through the security I had to go. So as we’re standing there, I remember the 3fl.oz rule (why do these measurements keep coming up) And of course when I rearranged my stuff I placed my toiletry bag in my carry-on. Now I’m thinking great yet another problem! So I try to be really sneaky about it (and with the help of a little old lady behind me) I put my big tub of cocoa butter and tube of toothpaste in my back pack. And I reach the dreaded metal detector and conveyor belt… I wonder if they measure your heart beat too? Because the next thing I heard of course after I took off my shoes, earrings, placed my laptop in it’s temporary location and all the other crap the rent-a-cops make you place on the conveyor belt I walked though the metal detector nervous to see if my non 3 fl. oz. items will make it to the other side of the world with me. Well I make it through the metal detector but I have to go back because the stupid rent-a-cops are too lazy to push my tub of belongings through the conveyor belt. So I make it back through the other side and my heart starts to beat faster and faster because I see them looking at my cocoa butter ant tooth paste…and what do they say “BAG CHECK!!” I was waiting for all the lights in the air port to turn off and for all the security lights to blink red...but they didn’t. And two other cops came over and searched my bag. After they took my two weapons of mass destruction I felt this was going to be a long trip because I was really mad! I knew Spain would not have any cocoa butter to replace the kind that I use… but I had to get over it… So we get to the terminal which takes a good 30 minute because of the walk and I start to meet new people and we quickly form one of those “UVa cliques.” Small talk proceeds the “get-to-know-you” And soon it was off to Madrid, Spain we go on Iberia 4188!
Things to be learned: Never over pack. Airport workers are paid to be mean to you, don’t take it personal. In large quantities, cocoa butter and tooth paste kill so leave home without them. Flying in and from the US is so hard now because it wasn’t hard when it was supposed to be.
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