Prepping for Prague

My departure for Prague is fast approaching and I feel slightly uneasy about how efficiently I've packed. I leave Friday morning and am fully packed, with the exception of a few clothes in the dryer, and almost everything fits in my checked bag with room to spare. I bought an underseat bag that I'm stoked about and plan on using it for the essentials: at least two changes of clothes, necessary toiletries, electronics, a book, and as many snacks as possible in hopes of avoiding overpriced airport food.

Before I started packing, I thought I was going to need a checked bag, carry-on, and underseat bag, and it was a bit daunting to picture myself trying to get from the airport to the dorms with it all. It feels good to know I'll be rolling around the airport with the bare necessities, but still have what I need to survive if my luggage gets lost. 

(In 2022, my brother and I participated in a two-week volunteer trip in Africa and our bags got lost during a layover in Newark, New Jersey that was less than 30 minutes because our flight there had been delayed. I thought the bags would have time to catch up during our 12 hour layover in Germany, but my bag didn't arrive until day nine and poor, sad, unprepared John's never arrived. It was our first time out of the country and neither of us had considered we might be without our checked bags. Thankfully, we had travel insurance and were able to experience shopping for clothes in Stone Town, and can look back and laugh about what had been a somewhat traumatic situation that turned out to be for the best.)

Having been without luggage before, I feel confident in my ability to survive without it. I also know it will be much easier to purchase things in Prague than it had been when I was without luggage in Zanzibar. Of course, this is planning for the worst-case scenario. My layovers are both over three hours and I have an Apple AirTag (thanks, Mom!), so you know I'll be watching my bag's every move. 

Some last minute things:

- make sure my parents know how to take care of my cat (more on that in a coming post)

- make sure my parents know how to take care of my plants

- get clothes out of dryer

Time to finish Gossip Girl!

Xoxo,*

Megan

*If you're not in the know, this is a reference to the show Gossip Girl. I hope nobody goes around thinking I'd actually sign-off xoxo.