Destination: Barcelona (via JFK and a Slew of Safety Regulations)

TUESDAY, September 2, 2008

For friends, family and former roommates or floormates, my desire to be prepared for ANY situation has been a source of great amusement. At school, I have supplied orange thread, a hammer, picnic blankets, cooking oil, and both real and artificial sweeteners all in the name of "What If Someone Needs It?" Well, the joke is now on me.

I made such a major effort to cut down on what I planned to take to Spain (believe it or not). I soon discovered my suitcase was a bit overweight (on the scale) and it was having trouble zipping up. I sat on it, stood on it, all to no avail. I nearly grabbed my two puppies to stick on top, but I just knew it was useless; they would be knocked off the top of a very buoyant piece of luggage. On Saturday, Sunday and Monday nights, I packed and unpacked this bag, trying so hard to make it fit. But even when I managed to shove everything in, it was over the 23kg weight limit (approx. 50.706 lb). Three time's the charm, right?

Essentially, my big red suitcase needed to go on a diet. Cutting calories would have been easy; deciding what to leave home--not so much. Out of necessity, I cut down my supply (and it was painful for someone like me) and switched suitcases, although I think overage charges will ultimately apply. I will still have the necessary bandaids as well as the needle and thread, but some of the all-occasion attire needed to go. I concluded that God must be trying to teach me that I really can't be prepared for everything and anything. In everything, He provides what I need when I need it, and just maybe He's asking me to trust Him a little more with the "what-if's."

So, beyond the luggage comes the actual traveling! I will be driving up with someone from my group to Manalapan, NJ where we will meet a third person. Her parents will then proceed to drive us to JFK, probably through rush hour traffic. The flight takes off at 9pm (EST) on the 2nd, and I am expected to arrive in Barcelona at 1:10pm (MAD) on the 3rd. I will spend three days in Barcelona getting over my jet lag and seeing the city, then I will be heading to Granada (with a brief layover in Madrid) on the 6th.

With all that said, and with my bags finally packed, I am ready to depart. The next time anyone hears from me, I will be across the Atlantic! Please keep the fifteen of us UD travelers leaving today in your prayers, that we make it onto the plane and arrive safe and sound.

Signing off,
Diane