Where Art Thee, Lost Luggage?

Lost luggage, it happens to nearly every traveler at least once in their lifetime. Hearing the doorbell ring at 3 am after the airline remembers to direct your bag to your final destination isn't all that uncommon. But I am now on day three without any luggage, and what an experience it's been.

Apparently my bag disappeared into some black abyss. Last night I couldn't sleep, asking myself why I had to pack every single one of my favorite articles of clothing in my black duffel bag bound for San Diego. Perhaps I could have chosen to leave my favorite maroon shorts, my best overcoat, or my fanciest sweater and button up set safely behind in my home? But no, I had to take the best of the best to San Diego. And now I wonder why. Even more disturbing, why does a misplaced bag feel like I've lost a runaway child?

I've spent hours on the phone searching for my precious beloved, and nothing seems right without the extra presence. I haven't even had the opportunity to change my underwear.

Fortunately Frontier Airlines allowed me to spend $200 on clothes and they claim they'll compensate for what I spent even when they find my beloved black duffel. (Perhaps it's time to change that underwear.)

But nothing can replace the items carefully tucked away in my duffel bag. I mean, I take pictures of every single item I own before giving it to Good Will or the Salvation Army. Somehow I feel like the photograph can help me remember what I felt and experienced when I wore the clothes I gave away. It works for me, but now we're talking about parting with clothes I haven't photographed or even emotionally distanced myself from.

Of course I'm exaggerating here, and I am quite lucky for many reasons.
1. I made it to San Diego safely. Better my bag than me.
2. None of my friends or relatives have gone missing in the past few days.
3. I'm fortunate to have clothes I like.
4. At least I have my health.

I try to look at the positive in the situation, and I haven't really shown my disappointment to those who surround me.

Even so, oh how I miss my dear lost luggage. No matter where you are, allow my blogging voice to travel toward you at 340.29 meters per second. No matter where you are, you'll get my message eventually. I send you this:

Lost Luggage--

Please find home quickly. Your mother is sighing deeply, waiting for you expectantly. She can't sleep without you, and she hasn't even changed her underwear. Don't get sold in an auction in Alabama. Come home, lost luggage, come home. I'll treasure you like never before.

Love,

Lauren

P.S. If you come back, lost luggage, I'll wear your clothes as I dance around to Ben Lee's new songs from his latest album deemed Ripe.

Mi Viaje

This is somewhat of a shift from the previous blogs but I'm in Spain for the weekend. I arrived on Wednesday night/Thursday morning and I'm leaving on Sunday.

So far I've seen all the Gaudi Architecture (including parc Guell), all of Passeig de Gracia (the equivalent of a huge Newbury Street in Boston), Parc Montjuic, the Castle at Montjuic (which is INCREDIBLE architecturally speaking), the Barcelona Botanic Gardens, Palau Nacional, and the Olympic Stadium. I found an amazing lookout over the city right before sunset too, and sat and listened to a man play flamenco guitar while the sun went down over all the buildings. It was one of the most incredible experiences of my life. I also spent a little while watching some people play soccer on a cement "field." I felt like a real local watching them slip everywhere and yelling at each other in Spanish.

On my trip I've noticed that 1. I'm one of the tallest girls in Spain. 2. Everyone here speaks quickly and many of the words I've learned are different than the words they use in Spain. 3. People are generally really nice here. 4. I love Barcelona and would like to live here for about a year.

I've got a day and a half left in Spain, and then it's back to Oxford until Friday. It's hard to believe that in seven days I'll be back in Amherst. My emotions are mixed. In a lot of ways I am excited to go back home, but this has also one of the best experiences in my life. I've learned a lot and feel so thankful to have had the experience. I'll certainly miss it overseas, but there's no reason why I can't go back.


And now for a music recommendation:

The Maccabees - "Toothpaste Kisses"

This is also a brilliant acoustic performance by the same artist.