Bon Voyage!
How does one pack for a full year?
It’s sort of a ridiculous question, I mean who has 365 pairs of underwear (no judgement if you do)? But, how does one expect me to pack enough stuff to spend a full year away from home? Most travel blogs will tell you to only take the essentials, and buy what you think you need once you get abroad. It’s good advice, and it helps you realize you need less than you think. I bet just about every person on my study abroad group had multiple items that they wished they had left home. For me, it was shoes. I definitely packed too many shoes. Not this time, just the foot-essentials for me. As for everything else, well…
I am what my mother calls a “pack rat.” I keep everything. I get very attached to inanimate objects and my sentimentality usually makes me an emotional wreck. Over the past year I have gotten pretty good at packing (if I do say so myself), but packing for this trip the nerves kept making an appearance. The nerves were tiny whispers in my brain saying, no you probably shouldn’t pack that extra sweatshirt, but it does get awful cold at night; or something like well so and so got that t-shirt for you and would be hurt if you didn’t bring it. The worrisome nerves are a packers worst enemy.
Yet I somehow did it. One suitcase, a carry-on and a backpack are all I have with me. Was my suitcase slightly overweight? Well, no one is perfect. Besides leaving my stuffed Frankie doll behind would have just been cruel.
I am currently sitting in the Kansas City International Airport waiting on my Icelandair flight to Reykjavik. Once there, I will board the plane that will take me to my new life in the Netherlands.
My wonderful parents threw me a “bon voyage” party yesterday with family and friends. Serving American burgers and hot dogs, it was the perfect way to say goodbye to my home. Driving up to Kansas City with my parents and my brother, after saying goodbye to the most perfect dog in the world, the nerves made a reappearance. I’ve always described myself as an anxious person, and the full reality of what I was doing hit while on my way to KC. Then a funny thing happened once I made it inside the airport and got my boarding pass in-hand. The reality did sink in, but it was a good one. Anxiety was replaced with excitement. For once I am focused on what I am gaining, not on what I’m losing. I can’t wait for this adventure! That’s not saying that I’m not nervous about what’s to come, but the nerves are currently being silenced by my travel adrenaline.
The Family saying goodbye!
My next post will hopefully be from Holland. Feel free to leave comments to ask questions or just say hi! I would also love some travel suggestions! Talk soon.
