hillary allison-- european vacation

I am on an official countdown. Not a yearly, or monthly, nor daily countdown; I am on my final hourly countdown for Spain. Yes, I am on the brink of Barcelona and I couldn't be more excited (or nervous). I am flying all the way... alone, and although I've ventured across the Atlantic before, this is the first time without my parents (hehe).
All the packing is taking me forever. Six weeks is a long time to be from home and although I vowed to only bring 'necessities', I'm learning that my definition of 'necessities' has vastly grown since my last six week venture from home (aka summer camp). So what to bring, what not to bring.

I feel a little bit more prepared for my journey after I saw the street (thanks Google Earth) that I'll be staying on. For some reason I've not been able to help but picture Spain like Zimbabwe. I've been trying to pack stuff that you would think to pack when visiting indigenous tribes who have never visited a CVS. Spain, however, is not Zimbabwe and they have heard of Pepto Bismol, so I need to chill. The street I'm living on is charming actually and seems civilized, again, not Africa.

Wish me luck with this endeavor. 100 pounds and two bags later I'll be wishing you had.