Happy Cinco de Mayo, from one non-Mexican girl to you. Grab a taco, your best sombrero and an age-appropriate beverage of your choice, and let’s get this Monday party started.
It’s Monday round #2 here on ze blog – I’m kinda really very excited (aren’t you?).
On another note, it’s finals week, and I’m clearly being productive and learning about Operations and Information Management by posting travel goodies, right?
On yet another note, once finals week is done and summer has begun, Hump Day won’t be the only best day of the week. That’s right…there will be more. How much more, you ask? Find out by following along via social media (especially Twitter. As Mom would say, “You should Twitter that.”) and staying in on the latest and greatest that’s coming your way. Some fun announcements in store!
With that, I’m linking up with Brianna from Endlessly Beloved today for her Ten Favorite Things special – today, we’re talking/gushing over/ranting about travel, like the blossoming city girls we are.
one.
Wandering through a foreign customs by myself, trying to seem like a local whilst not totally losing my cool over potentially missing a flight. Or, in my case, ending up on the complete other end of the airport and needing to book it to make it to the right boarding gate. Ha. #winning.
two.
Pre-landing, when your plane starts to break through the clouds and your view is a snapshot of what you’re about to encounter. It’s the best sneak preview.
Nice to meet you, Chicago.
three.
Learning a new language. Is there anything more magical, thrilling, challenging or satisfying? Me thinks not.
Translation: Delicious.
four.
Sangria on the beach. But, to keep this from becoming a Let-me-tell-you-about-Spain post, I won’t bring up the paddle boarding and windsurfing and kayaking in the Mediterranean, or swimming amidst Greco-Roman ruins, or hiking up a mountain-side to hang out at a castle, or having paella served on a pan the size of a pancaked Pluto. I promise I won’t.
five.
Having hours and hours just to myself to read books and watch a movie or two on the plane. This is my sacred time, where the best-of-the-best from the “To Read” list are broken off of the shelf.
six.
Packing. People. I really love packing. As in, I’ll do it two weeks ahead of time just because I’m so dang stoked.
seven.
Collecting travel-size bath and body products from hotels. Don’t lie – you know you do it (and love it), too. You walk into a hotel, and before even checking out your view or level of bed bounciness, you head to el baño and smell your newest additions to the flight-approved bag of toiletries. Or maybe that’s just me.
eight.
Palm trees. They’re non-existent in both suburbia PA and Pennsylvania city-scene. Seeing palm trees means we’re not in Kansas (and by Kansas, I mean Pennsylvania) anymore!
Spanish palm trees. Tropical, right?
nine.
Staying with a host family. I was definitely more-than-blessed to get to know Spain through the eyes of this overly adorable elderly couple. The only really confusing time was when their toilet broke, and I’m 85% confident that I was blamed. Before you think what you’re about to think, let me explain – Spanish flushing systems are 100% different. So it wasn’t that the toilet itself was broken, but rather the lil’ flusher device was off altogether. I blame the mosquitoes that ate me alive at night. Those suckers are ruthless. But that’s another story.
My host parents and roommates x2. I’m tellin’ ya, they’re the sweetest Spaniards.
ten.
Coming home. Here’s to having the travel adventure of a lifetime, but getting the feeling of “home” back again. By “home,” I mean the warm, snuggly comfort of your own bed, a cup o’ joe in your favorite mug, and the chance to plan it all over again. #letsgoroundtwo
Want to join the link-up? Of course you do! Check out Brianna’s travel faves, and link up on her home page.
And folks, get excited for Hump Day. Woot WOOOOT.
