Welcome Back! I am sure you have missed my writings, trust me so have I. Writing has always been a productive outlet for me (thanks Therapist! You're the real MVP), and so if my words can lift someones mood or educate them on what NOT to do, then I am all for it - think of it as a public service.
Okay, well let me begin by letting you all know about my travels to Barcelona. I left Sunday evening, and I was scheduled to arrive by 4pm. Unfortunately, my flight was delayed at JFK, and in turn delayed my connecting flight. Once I finally made it to Stockholm an hour and a half late, I of course missed my connecting flight. Because I missed my connecting flight, it was up to the airline to get me on the earliest direct flight to Barcelona, but of course that is impossible for certain airlines to have competent staff. I ended up getting booked for two flights, first to Copenhagen, and then to Barcelona. The new flight did not leave until four hours later. So while I am in Sweden, I am just casually thinking about this decision I made to move to Barcelona. Sidenote* My mother has always told me not to assume, for those of you who do not know, I decided to move to Barcelona in order to complete my Masters in Global Health and Policy at Universitat de Barcelona. After finally leaving Sweden, I flew to Copenhagen, which was delayed as well due to heavy rain. Very bumpy ride, but I did not die (bright side).
As you might have guessed it, my Landlord/Roommate was not happy about this tardiness. I ended up landing in Barcelona at 1215am, and was not able to get my luggage until 12:45am. Now, that I have my luggage I proceed to the ATM in order to take out my rent money to give my landlord, and pay for my taxi. Of course, despite setting a travel notice, Bank of America has cut my card, due to unusual transactions. I only have $200 cash on my person, and the exchange is closed because I landed so late - wonderful, we're off to a great start! I finally get a taxi, and now I am on my way. The fun will begin soon my lovely readers, stay tuned.
With all the delays I encountered, I was updating my Landlord/Roommate. I arrive to the apartment at 1:20am. She is absolutely not thrilled, which is understandable. I tell her how I was unable to use my card at the Airport, but she can hold the US money, until I go to the bank in the morning and withdraw her rent. This young woman said no, she put me out and told me to get a hotel for the night, so I went walking from hotel to hotel looking for a place to stay and nowhere had any available. I went to four, and nothing. Kindly so, the receptionist at the fourth hotel, called five more for me, and the last one had something available. I ran there as fast as I could with all of my luggage, paid the 200€ (outrageous!), and once he gave me the key, I lost it. All of the composure I had, was completely relinquished from my body. At this point it is 2:15am. In case any of you forgot, I am alone, in a foreign country, with no phone and I know no one. I cannot forget to mention I have a fever and a cold now. So to say I was extremely upset and stressed is the understatement of the century.
Currently, I have a place to stay for the next month and a half. Within this next month, I will be actively looking for a new place to live. I can honestly say I have learned a lot from this experience. Remember how I mentioned I would love for people to learn from my mistakes? Here is the teaching lesson - take a lot of money out in America. I travel a lot, and I like to think I have this down. I have never taken out a large sum of money before reaching a country, because I have anxiety about being robbed, and then what? I always carry some cash on me, and then withdraw money in their currency once I arrive. So a note to myself and others traveling, take at least $500 in cash with you. Hindsight is 20/20, $200 was too little, and I would not have felt comfortable with $1,000, but because anything can happen it would have been better to have had more on me, than less. Even if you tell your incompetent bank you are traveling, call them multiple times to make sure they truly understand what that means. Lastly, do not let a horrible experience jade your view, and make you question a decision you already thoughtfully made (easier said than done). Honestly, after this fiasco I was ready to buy a ticket and come home, but I know I am not a quitter, and my masters is very important to me. Things do not always go as planned, but isn't that what an adventure is? And now I have a story to tell you all, advice to give, as well as a learning experience for myself.
School starts on Monday, and I am more than excited to begin a routine, and of course in the midst of my stress, I have managed to take a few pictures, so please enjoy and keep me y la bruja in your prayers!
Happy Reading,
Fabiola
