Kaló taksídi!

You wouldn't think packing is super difficult, right? Well, actually, if you've ever traveled for longer than a week, have even the slightest OCD tendencies or have two X chromosome's, then you probably hate packing as much as I do. Although I can honestly say I've never hated it as much as I do right now.

I am a notorious overpacker (even for a girl) so I knew packing for this trip was going to be frustrating to say the least. The question was not "Do I really need it?" but instead "Can I make it fit?" Don't worry. You can rest assured that I've pack a variety of wardrobe options, suitable for a multitude of occasions, half of which I won't even touch during the next six weeks. But, come on ladies, you never know, right??? You're probably thinking this packing attempt didn't go well...and you're thinking right. After realizing that the cost for overweight bags on an international flight was insanely high, I decided that maybe I'd follow the wise words of the old adage that "two is better than one," ditching the single ginormous suitcase I had, and downgrading to two smaller ones. So, tomorrow, if you happen to run into a tall, lanky 18 year old American girl dragging around two wheeled suitcases (stuffed to capacity), lugging a duffel bag (bursting at the seams) and hunched over from the weight of her backpack, don't laugh. Just remember, she probably did her best to bring only the bare necessities. It took a lot of organizing, re-situating, test runs and the occasional futile kick or punch, but with the help of my wonderful mother, we finally accomplished the nearly impossible task of squeezing way too many clothes and survival items (I mean, come on, I need my hairdryer) into way too many suitcases.

So here I sit, exhausted from my six hour packing endeavor, trying not to fall asleep too soon. Fortunately, excitement will be on my side tonight. Although I'm not sure that now is an appropriate time to be excited seeing as there is a ten hour flight standing between Greece and I.

Let's just say that sleeping aids will be utilized. Sure, maybe I've only flown twice (once if round trip doesn't count), but I can assure you that there is not much worse than being in close quarters with tons of strangers, all sharing the same recycled air and bathroom for ten hours. Correction: There is only one thing worse than that, and that is having to endure that and then arriving at your destination (which is seven hours ahead) early in the morning when your body is saying "it's bedtime" and your brain is saying "it's Greece time." So, to combat the relentless exhaustion that will, no doubt, plague me during and after this flight, I'm planning to stay up a little later than usual tonight, in hopes that the shorter night's sleep might actually help me sleep a little bit on the plane. I have fully accepted the fact that I am a clueless traveler, and this supposedly "genius" tactic may in fact be the bane of my existence for the next few days. Let's just hope sleepwalking isn't frowned upon in Greece...

Regardless of all the potential issues or complications that could occur during travel, I am nothing but excited for this trip. To be honest, even with my suitcases packed up and my passport set out, it still doesn't feel real.  But no matter how unreal it feels, this is happening. In approximately 30 hours, I will be in Athens, Greece. Destination: Rhodes.

Until then, yassas! Here's hoping for safe travels, Kaló taksídi, as the Greeks would say!