STYLE ALERT: Pack Light

50 lbs + 30 lbs + 20 lbs =100 lbs luggage

My Mom and I

     Today, my journey began!! After last minute nail appointments, diner omelets, and froyo, I spent every minute of the rest of the day to squeeze every last article of clothing into my bag.  In total, I had slightly over 100 lbs of luggage to bring to Spain.  I think it's time to admit that I'm slightly high maintenance BUT in my defense, I could not forgo a week's worth of workout clothes as well as soccer attire (cleats, shinguards, etc.).  I browsed numerous abroad sites, and I will attach MY personal packing list for reference.  A few noteworthy items that made the cut; Pretzel M&M's, organic crunchy PB, and green tea because these have the most comforting effect on me (I can eat spoonfuls of PB by itself.)
     My first flight at 6pm was to Lisbon, Portugal via TAP Portugal.  Originally I was the last seat on the plane, but immediately before I boarded a very nice young man upgraded my seat to the front of the plane; lesson learned ALWAYS be nice to airline employees or any employee for that matter because my flight would have been significantly less pleasant if I was 52 rows back.  However, I did encounter a few problems.  My 30 lb carry on luggage was so heavy that I almost gave someone a concussion while attempting to stow it in the overhead.  The 100lb stewardess rushed over to assist me while the line of people piled up, but everyone on that plane knew we were not capable of lifting that thing.  Finally, a strong Portuguese man helped me out and I was able to take my seat and enjoy the condescending "you stupid American girl" glares as the more passengers filed in.  Next, instead of speaking Spanish, the stewardess spoke Portuguese! Fortunately, there was a very nice English speaking man sitting next to me to help me out, who the stewardess confused for my father, she said something along the lines of "why does your papa speak portuguese but you don't"... awkward.  Aside from sitting behind the man that lounged his seat back pre-departure, a cranky baby was bawling for half of the flight.  If only my tranquilizer dart rifle had made it past security I would've been able to get some sleep!!!
     Next flight from Portugal to Madrid, I enjoyed the thorough patdown (as always) while I watched a security guard remove every ounce of my 20 lb backpack.  At least after he sprawled everything out on the table and found nothing he was courteous enough to give me an English "sorry."  I was started to seriously doubt my packing decisions when I realized that Lisbon airport has no escalators and at the gate you must walk down 3 flights of stairs to take a shuttle then up 2 flights to get onto the plane.  Wearing two winter coats made this chore even more enjoyable.  But that is what I get for being a stupid American girl packing enough clothes and beauty products to open a small department store.  At the end of the day, I made it to my final destination (Madrid) and rendezvoused with my teammate Veronica, and we made it to our hotel safe and sound.
     I learned a few valuable lessons today, and I will sum up my suggestions for anyone studying abroad in the post as well as create a document with my lessons learned from experience.

1. Pack as light as possible and make sure that you are able to independently lift your luggage into the overhead compartment unless you enjoy being flustered, overwhelmed, and scowled at for disturbing the boarding flow of traffic/ being a stupid American.
2. Wear comfortable clothes in layers.  I actually wore pajama jeans as well as my winter coat + leather jacket for my 16 hours of traveling. CAUTION:  There are only 2 times when pajama jeans are acceptable, travel and after holidays before the diet starts working.  
3. Be sure to have your passport/boarding ticket(s) in a safe yet convenient location.  You will be asked to produce these documents several times from the moment you check in to the moment you get pass through the foreign customs.
4. Keep a travel sized toiletries handy to freshen up during or in between flights. A few small products (such as hairbrush, toothbrush, facial wipes, deodorant, and lotion) can be the difference between being a ratchet American and a classy foreigner.  We need to maintain our dominance over the Europeans in as many areas as possible including hygiene.  Go AMURRICA.
5. Make sure your laptop, electronic devices, and liquid products are easily removed from your bag and wear a metal detector friendly outfit to make security a breeze and once avoid dodge the stupid American stigma.  
6. For people like me who suffer from security officers constantly wanting to pat us down; opt for a padded sports bra instead of metal underwire to avoid going to second base in the middle of the airport.  Also remove any type of metal jewelry (especially the ones hidden to most of the public) for the same reason.  Lastly, when being body scanned jeans with back pocket embroidery or big buttons will allow the officer to go below the belt. 
7. Always be nice to airport personnel.  Everyone has been wrongfully blamed for something when they have absolutely no power over the situation; imagine security guards who are wrongfully blamed in 10 diverse but equally colorful languages.  As my father and my grandmother before him always advise me, "its nice to be important but its IMPORTANT to be nice."
8. Strike up a conversation with a stranger on the plane but keep your headphones or book in hand. You could be introducing yourself to the Duchess of Alba. You never know.  I have actually learned about various opportunities from plane strangers as well as given great advice (very rewarding.)  One time a woman even cried because we talked the whole plane ride and I reminded her of her daughter.  Needless to say when she asked for my Facebook info I gave her a fake name.  
9. Protect your personal info.  Do not give out personal contact information.  Go back to 8th grade when a greesy-haired creepy kid asked for your number and utilize fake names/numbers in an uncomfortable situation.  If you actually want to keep in touch, ask for a business card or email address.  Also, do not use your home address on your luggage tags!!!  Personally, I use closed tags that require special maneuvering to see the info and only list my father's business address.  No matter where you are, there will always be sketch balls.
10. Bring snacks from home and an empty water bottle in your carryon.  Airport food is ridiculously expensive and you can fill up your bottle for free at a water fountain.  Also, airplane food is sometimes questionable and you do not want to add an empty stomach to your list of problems.
11. If meeting a group and no one else is on your flight, get someone's flight info (# and terminal) and agree on a meeting spot (who finds who.)  
12. Get used to public transport and be resourceful.  Use the lists of information provided to you whether its arrival/departure screens or which rail line to use.  And if you are not sure...
13. ASK SOMEONE.  There is nothing worse than accidentally ending up somewhere you don't want to be.  Not only could the area be dangerous, but you are more susceptible to criminals/thieves if you are lost and you LOOK lost.

     I hope that this list was educational and slightly entertaining.  Stay tuned for more delicious paella.