Day 1, the journey begins

I woke up early this morning (Friday June 1) feeling nervous, but the excitement of the day quickly melted away any nervousness I had. Today is the day my life changes! I am traveling alone to Barcelona, Spain for 6 weeks to study and immerse myself in the culture. Barcelona has been number one on my bucket list since I was just a freshman in high school. Although I will be studying alongside other UNL students, this is the biggest independent step I’ve ever taken. This is a big deal considering I’m the girl that moved back home at 21, is constantly surrounded with people and has her mom make her a packed lunch occasionally. Traveling to Barcelona is going to force me to be this cool, calm and collected human to get through all the things I normally get through surrounded by my support system.  

Ironically, I was cool, calm and collected until it came time to say goodbye to my parents. Anyone that knows me knows that I am an upbeat, bubbly, happy person. On the surface I don’t let much bother me because I always look for the positive in situations. So naturally, I use that bubbly mask to hide how small I felt and how scared I was when I left my parents at the TSA line. I was keeping it together until I hugged my mom. That woman can break me down to the rawest form of myself, and she did just that. She kept it together and yet the tears started rolling out my eyes. Isn’t it supposed to be the other way around?! The funny thing is, I wasn’t sad to be leaving them, I was just overcome with emotions. My mom and I yelled out, “happy tears, they’re happy tears!”

I quickly pulled myself together when I realized that now it was just me, myself and I. I walked through TSA like it was my job, even passed a guy who looked well seasoned at this traveling game. I found my gate easily, sat down and finally had that “holy crap, I’m actually doing this thing” moment. I took a deep breath and smiled because I was proud. I knew the hardest part would be saying goodbye to my family. Don’t let them fool you though into thinking they’re so tough, my parents waited until I texted and said I was at my boarding gate to leave the airport.

First flight, piece of cake.

The layover started with me tripping probably 18 times because my little wheels on my suitcase were screaming for relief. I may have overpacked.  

Boarding my next flight was a bit of a doozy. I walk on to this huge plane with three rows, biggest plane I’ve ever been on! I find my seat and it was equipped with a mini pillow and blanket, so posh. I logged onto American Airlines to get Wi-Fi so that I’m able to check in with my parents and give them updates during the flight. Everything is going as planned until a storm rolls in and decides to delay all of the flights at CLT. My flight gets delayed almost two hours. We finally take off and my phone instantly turns into a paper weight. I can’t do anything on it besides solitaire. Someone please tell me what happened to the Wi-Fi??? That I paid for… Panic has officially set in and I’ve only been alone for 8 hours, great start.

All the sudden texts flow in and I’m back in business. Huge sigh of relief.

Now I’m finally starting to realize how much this trip will test my patience, and I’m okay with that. Maybe Spain will help me not to be on the brink of a panic/heart attack 75% of the day, who knows?

Anyways, time to sit back and relax for the rest of this flight. Next stop, Barcelona, España.

Hasta luego,

Tristen