Friday Sept. 5th The Trip Begins!

So, my adventure began at 3:50am on Friday, Sept. 5th. I didn't need to get up that early, but I did...so I thought I would just get up and get going! I did a few last minute things, dishes, garbage, recycling, and some final packing and I am out the door and on to the airport. I ended up with my black back pack suitcase, a purse and a tote bag with mostly books...I thought it was pretty lightweight! I got to the airport without incident...I met a lady in the shuttle who brought her neighbor to the airport several hours earlier than her flight so his wife didn't have to get up and take him to the airport...he was in the national guard. We ended up talking about rigorous military training. Once I was checked in I decided I would stop and get something to eat...a yogurt parfait which was good and then wait until boarding. Once on the plane I decided to nap first. I think I got about 1 1/2 hours of sleep then I woke up and read THE CAMEL BOOKMOBILE which was an excellent book! I arrive in Chicago without incident, it did get a little bumpy on the way in...but nothing too major! The girl sitting next to me remarked on the fasten seat belt sign during the turbulence...we were so packed in our seats we weren't going anywhere...there really wasn't much room! Once in Chicago I decide that I may need to eat (a decision I will regret later) So I went to Chili's for a burger. I call mom, Tim calls me...and I talk to a couple ladies seated next to me. They both tell me that I should be careful in Barcelona, as they have some world wise friends who have been mugged there...picked on by a motorcycle gang or something. I head to the gate after eating a bacon cheeseburger and a coke. There really isn't anywhere to sit, so I stand...boarding the plane we show our passports and boarding passes. I sit on the aisle next to a girl from Madison WI, she is headed to a small town in France for a semester. She has never traveled overseas before...and is a little nervous, but excited. We are served dinner...Tim has told me only to get the pasta, nothing else! So..I get the pasta. It isn't bad. I eat and then decided to watch a movie. I watch MADE OF HONOR and WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS, both are cute movies. I tried to sleep, but could not. I figured I would regret that later! The airline served plenty of water, soda, tea, coffee...also had complementary wine and beer...imagine that. I stuck to water for the most part...I wanted to see if I would fall asleep. I read, I listened to my ipod. We were served breakfast as well (I really didn't need to eat in Chicago). Arrived in Munich without incident. I went through customs, that was virtually painless...and then I went on the hunt for a ATM so I could get some euros (per Tim's instructions) and then I passed by some great looking eating places...with German pretzels, etc, of course I wasn't remotely hungry...and so I got some water at a shop, found a bathroom and then headed to my gate. It was kind of muggy there! They still have the little booths for smokers in the airport! We went to board the next flight...we went through the ticket gate, walked down some steps, out into a bus....then we were driven to a plane with outside steps. Spain air...it was small, dirty and cramped. There was a delay on our take off...by this time I am feeling kind of sleepy! Which...is bad. We take off and I enjoyed the great view of Germany, I definitely want to return there someday! I am sitting next to some people going to Barcelona on holiday from Germany! The guy sitting next to me is reading about the Hell's Angels. We land in Barcelona...the plane erupts in applause...I ask the people next to me if this is normal, they seem to think it is strange. I am soooooo tired. I just start following signs for luggage claim. I get to the luggage claim and cannot find my luggage. I look at everything, can't find it. I finally ask...I have walked to Luggage Claim A, and my luggage is in Luggage Claim B...the big question is how to get there...and how can I tell Tim where I am? I get out into the regular terminal and ask several people...finally I figure out that I have to go back through security to get to terminal B and then go to luggage claim. I feel like life is in slow motion and I feel ill I am so tired and worried about Tim. Anyway, I get back around and through...I locate my luggage...then I come out into the terminal and NO TIM...I am frantic at this point...I keep searching the crowd...looking...no Tim...I am about to cry...but I stop myself. I decide to get the luggage on my back...walk up and down the strip of people and keep looking. Finally, I see him, and he sees me!! Oh my gosh!! We are so happy to see each other. He was worried about me...I explain what happened...and we head to the car. I help Tim navigate back to the hotel and then I fall asleep! WHEW! By the way, it is now Saturday Sept 6th.