So, tomorrow is the big day. My suitcases are finally (somehow by the grace of God) packed. My Italian translation app has been downloaded. My Spotify playlist has been updated for the plane. My alarm is set for 7a.m. (ew), and my first flight is at 10a.m. from Atlanta to New York. After a lovely 5 hour layover in LaGuardia (I'm sure you'll hear a lot from me during that time period), I will finally be boarding the plane to Italia! We're going to arrive around 4a.m. American time and 7a.m. Italian time. I'm pretty sure that time change is going to be a complete bitch the first couple days, but I excel at sleeping so hopefully my skills will come in handy.
Packing is literally the most stressful thing about going on a trip. The fact that checking bags is insanely expensive posed a real problem for my over-packing self. I am checking one (stuffed to the brim) bag, and carrying one super heavy backpack. That is it. Somehow, I managed to fit 7 pairs of shoes in my bags. Don't ask me how, but the physics gods were on my side this evening as I scrambled to fit my belongings into my suitcase while having a mini panic attack. I checked the weather for Oxford and Lucca, and that only made my heart rate rise even further... It was supposed to be hot in Lucca (80s/90s) and cooler in Oxford (70s during the day, 50s at night), and also rain in both places. So now I had to worry about bringing pants, shorts, jackets, rain-jackets, and boots. Somehow I managed to fit that entire list into my bag, along with a bunch of other stuff too.
Flying is the second most stressful thing about traveling. I'm not a great flyer, I'll admit it. Every time my plane takes off I say a quick prayer that it will land safely in it's destination, trying not to jinx it. My worst nightmare is when the "fasten seatbelt" sign comes on for turbulence. I always close my eyes and grip the armrests and think "this is it" over and over again in my head. I actually pay attention during the safety instruction by the flight attendants because, you know, just in case. So you could say I'm not exactly looking forward to my day of flying tomorrow, but I know it will certainly be worth it when it's over. Plus I get to sit between my lovely sisters the entire time, so at least I'll have entertainment..?
Although I have my reservations and anxieties, I am mostly extremely extremely excited to be headed abroad for the rest of the summer. I'm definitely at a point in my life where I need a change, and a break from a lot of things. I think this summer is the perfect opportunity to go abroad and I am so grateful that I get the chance to explore Europe. I'll probably be posting a shit-ton of cheesy tourist pictures, so I apologize in advance for those...
-Madeline
Packing is literally the most stressful thing about going on a trip. The fact that checking bags is insanely expensive posed a real problem for my over-packing self. I am checking one (stuffed to the brim) bag, and carrying one super heavy backpack. That is it. Somehow, I managed to fit 7 pairs of shoes in my bags. Don't ask me how, but the physics gods were on my side this evening as I scrambled to fit my belongings into my suitcase while having a mini panic attack. I checked the weather for Oxford and Lucca, and that only made my heart rate rise even further... It was supposed to be hot in Lucca (80s/90s) and cooler in Oxford (70s during the day, 50s at night), and also rain in both places. So now I had to worry about bringing pants, shorts, jackets, rain-jackets, and boots. Somehow I managed to fit that entire list into my bag, along with a bunch of other stuff too.
Flying is the second most stressful thing about traveling. I'm not a great flyer, I'll admit it. Every time my plane takes off I say a quick prayer that it will land safely in it's destination, trying not to jinx it. My worst nightmare is when the "fasten seatbelt" sign comes on for turbulence. I always close my eyes and grip the armrests and think "this is it" over and over again in my head. I actually pay attention during the safety instruction by the flight attendants because, you know, just in case. So you could say I'm not exactly looking forward to my day of flying tomorrow, but I know it will certainly be worth it when it's over. Plus I get to sit between my lovely sisters the entire time, so at least I'll have entertainment..?
Although I have my reservations and anxieties, I am mostly extremely extremely excited to be headed abroad for the rest of the summer. I'm definitely at a point in my life where I need a change, and a break from a lot of things. I think this summer is the perfect opportunity to go abroad and I am so grateful that I get the chance to explore Europe. I'll probably be posting a shit-ton of cheesy tourist pictures, so I apologize in advance for those...
-Madeline