After delayed, rebooked, upgraded and downgraded flights (NEVER FLY AIR EUROPA), we finally made it to Madrid. Our bags, however, did not. Documenting our nightmarish saga via Snapchat was one of the only ways we found some comic relief in the whole situation. In case you missed it, here are some photos from the longest 72 hours of our lives without clothes, toiletries, and other essentials:
All joking aside, we did finally get our all our bags and learned a few lessons along the way.
1. Spanish time is a real thing. While we were frantically trying to figure out what to do once we ran out of clean clothes, all the Spaniards we worked with (from the airline employees to our program coordinators) did not seem worried at all. They all embodied the "no pasa nada" mentality and were confident things would work themselves out eventually, which they did.
2. We're not in America anymore. As Americans, we're used to everything being a well-oiled, efficient machine. We live to work; the Spaniards work to live. As frustrating as it was when we showed up at the airport in the afternoon to pick up our bags, only to find out that everyone from that airline had gone home for the day, we're glad we'll be working only 4 days a week and know we'll learn to love the go-with-the-flow way of life.
3. The police have a height requirement here. The police also don't care if you walk through the restricted sections of the airport and don't even question as to why you're walking to baggage claim without having gone through security.
4. Gypsies like chicken wings. Ok, so this one doesn't really pertain to our luggage fiasco, but it's still a very true life lesson we've already learned. Pro tip: don't leave your paella sitting on the edge of your table or it will be compromised.
5. Is it really good luck if a bird poops on your head? We sure hope so. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Until next time,
Alex & Kat