Last day stateside :)

Hello again all! So, after a 5 week hiatus (some of which was spent catching up on the U.S. portion of the blog and some of which was spent preparing for the Europe portion of the trip), I am back again. Tricia has been keeping us posted on Reunion Island, and this weekend we will reunite in Madrid and join forces. Watch out Europe!

So, I am sitting in Orlando International Airport waiting for my flight to Atlanta. I have way too much stuff. I tried to consolidate. Yesterday, when I realized my bag had shrunk to tiny and comical proportions, I ditched the dress, the sweater, two pairs of socks, 4 pairs of undies, several shirts, a pair of shorts, my travel pillow (so sad), and I went postal on my make up bag. I’m down to 4 items - concealer, powder, tinted moisturizer, and tinted powdered sunscreen (which I use every day when I’m going to be outside, so it’s a must-have). Also, the Frommer’s that I bought off Amazon for $4 got the axe, literally. My dad pulled out a giant knife and sawed the book into fifths - the portion on Spain, the portion on Italy, and the three portions before, after, and in between. I felt a little bad about it, but the thing’s 1500 pages long and weighs a ton.

So, my bag is down to toiletries, shower items (shampoo, little baby towel, washcloth), clothes, shoes (I need sneakers, right?) sleep-sheet and pj’s. I think that’s it. And yet it’s full and weighs 28 pounds. I also have a teensy tiny backpack, which is holding my teensy tiny computer and a bunch of food, and a purse with my ipod, camera, and necessary papers/passport/credit cards etc. Rick Stevens (who wrote a travel book) says to stay under 20 pounds, so I feel not that bad about 28. Plus, he didn’t bring a computer, he’s managing on ONE pair of shoes (I know I could get by with just the sneakers, but I’ll be infinitely happier with the sandals too), he stays in hotels so he doesn’t need shampoo or a sleep-sheet or pajamas, and he’s a guy, so his toiletry bag probably consists of deodorant, a toothbrush, and a razor. And every once in a while, I just might feel the need to look cute. Of course, if I want to look at all dressy, I’ll be wearing a sarong (men - think wrap-around skirt) and a black top. And flip-flops. And very little makeup. He did give me the idea for cutting up the travel book though, so kudos to him.

So that’s it. I breezed through the crazy long line at the Delta counter today when I called an agent aside and said in my sweetest little I’m-a-girl-don’t-you-want-to-help-me voice, “I already have a boarding pass, do I still need to wait in line just to check my bad?” *Smile.* He took me to the front and printed off my bag’s ticket in 2 seconds flat. Yay. J Security was quick too, and I must have a bit of a spring in my step today, because I chatted with the security guy for a while about Madrid and the weather there and how long I’ll be there. Or maybe he thinks I don’t look very trust worthy and was questioning my motives. One or the other.

Okay, getting set to board. Next time you hear from me, I’ll be on the other side. Theoretically. Cross your fingers!! J