Let's Go!

After many months of planning, our departure date is finally within reach. Like all families about to embark on a trip, each member has their own vision of what their ideal trip will be like. My husbands ideal trip: relax, see some incredible sites, enjoy the sunshine, and read a good text book (he doesn't read fiction).

My vision: Hopefully this is where all my research has paid off. I want to see as much as possible and since we have our own itinerary figured out we should be able to hit the ground running (okay maybe walking). So much to see and so little time! I know we'll probably have to forego a few sights if the kids are feeling overwhelmed and tired but I'm okay with that and hopefully we'll be able to return someday. I also plan on doing some relaxing onboard the Disney Magic and I'm looking forward to reading my fiction book.

Sydney's (Age 11) ideal vacation: It can be summed up in 3 words, "MAKE NEW FRIENDS." She can hardly wait to hang out in the ships kids club and meet some new friends. She's already told me she wants to be in the club during dinnertime because then she will get to eat with the other kids. "I think it will be fun to go out to dinner and talk with all my friends!" I am happy to report she has no confidence problem!

Eric's (Age 8) Vision: Staying in Barcelona and practicing his limited Spanish on the locals. He knows how to say El Gordo Gato (The fat cat) so we'll see how far that gets him! He's promised to try Tapas (similar to appetizers) and will try anything that looks like mini hotdogs.

As you can see, we each have our own ideas about this trip. Interesting to see how it lives up to our expectations.

As many people know I am the queen of light packing. We will be gone for a little over two weeks and our luggage consists of one carry on per person. The kids will also each have a backpack with things that will hopefully occupy them during our travels. I thought I had it all figured out when I was thinking about what each child would take in their suitcase. That is until Sydney told me the other morning that she had already done some packing and had put alot of items in her suitcase so I said "Let me see what you've packed." I figure that she is only a "light packer in training" so I must cut her some slack! Let's just say that I didn't think about the fact my 11 year old daughter might have ideas of her own and apparently there are some things that she "just can't live without!" However, I did have to stand my ground on a few items and when I was wrestling the extra large binoculars out of her hands that we "absolutely have to take," I knew I was doing the right thing!

Well all the planning is done and now it's time to fly!

The Best Laid Plans

I pride myself in being super organized when it comes to travel planning. I think of all the possibilities and even have back up plans. I mark everything off my checklist so I don’t forget anything. Swimsuits? Check. First aid kit? Check. Comfortable shoes? Check. Raging volcano in Iceland that has stranded thousands of travelers and created the worst air travel nightmare in Europe’s history? Well I guess I didn’t think of EVERYTHING that could go wrong! The good news is that we are flying into Spain, which seems to be the country least affected by this volcano. Let’s just hope it doesn’t do another major eruption or else I will have to personally have a little talk with it! This is a perfect example why it is so important to purchase travel insurance on your trip. When the unexpected happens it’s nice to know that you are protected. Some policies cover travel delay up to a certain amount that compensates for additional costs such as hotels. Some of the stranded travelers have been sleeping in the airport for 5 nights! If I had to sleep in an airport for 5 nights I think my usual pleasant demeanor would be a distant memory!

I was talking to Sydney the other day about this Volcano and since this is a pretty major natural disaster asked her if anyone was talking about it at her school. She looked at me like I had lost my mind and said, “Why would they? It doesn’t have anything to do with us and ya know, kids are just interested in themselves!” I guess I have my answer.

We are continuing to watch the situation and at this point it looks like we should have no problem getting to Barcelona. Hopefully the volcano, who’s name no one can pronounce, simmers down. I have my own name for it!