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I popped my European cherry. Finally traveled across the pond!

Yes. Yes. Yes. Out of all the places I have traveled to, I never made a trip to Europe or the UK.  Ok, so here is a little background info on why it was never a priority to make it there.  When I was in 5th grade my parents had me in private school, so as you can imagine I was around a lot of priveleged kids. Before school was out for Christmas break, me and the kids in my class were talking about where we were going for the break. “We’re going to the Swiss Alps…We’re going to St. Barts…..We’re going to Fiji…..We’re going to Paris” I was only going to Philly. Nothing fancy but it was a big deal to the kids in my neighborhood. Anywho, I wanted to fit in so I said “We’re going to Paris too” to one of my classmates. Most, if not all private schools had a class directory. My classmates parents called my parents trying to find out the details of our trip to Paris. smh. My step-mom called me downstairs and said “Lauren, why is Mrs. Johnson on the phone asking what hotel we are staying in in Paris?” Boyyyy did I have the boo-boo face. Thinking back now, I could only imagine what it had to feel liks as a parent having to tell another parent “my child lied…. we are not going to Paris”  which really meant “we ain’t got that kind of money” lol. Things kids say and do to fit in. Needless to say, I was scared for a long long time.

I planned my trip to Spain 2 days before I hopped on the plane. Tickets to Spain from California were $1,500 round trip. That wasn’t happening. I was determined to go so this is where things got fun. Figuring out the cheapest way to get there. (The challenge excited me!) I use priceline.com and skyscanner.com when I plan my trips. I figured I would find cheaper tickets if I left from the east coast. So New York became my unofficial starting point. Tickets from New York to Spain were still pretty expensive. The plan then moved to just getting to Europe. Once you get to Europe, moving around is pretty cheap. That’s when London came into the picture. Tickets to London from New York were $1,200, but I could bid on priceline.com and get it for cheaper (I’ll post about bidding a little later) Priceline accepted my bid for $800. Whew! At that point, it got real! I was going to London. Holy shit. Now I had to figure out how I was getting to New York and how I was getting to Spain. Tickets from San Francisco were $289 one-way. Shhhhh. I wasn’t paying that! I bid on that ticket too. I got it for $170. I reached out to a few of my friends who traveled through Europe and found out the cheap airlines. Most are similar to Southwest airlines. The most important thing to note are the baggage fees and implications! You will get got if you don’t do your research. Let me tell you. An extra 50 euros if your carry-on was too heavy or if you needed to check more than one bag. I packed the lightest I’ve EVER packed in my life. Not quite “backpacker” light but — I usually pack at least 6 pairs of shoes everywhere I go but only took 3 pairs of shoes- light.

Air Europa had a ticket for $105 to Madrid from London. Scorrrre! So I’m $1075 in. Not too shabby when my initial start was $1,500. It was now time to figure out where I was staying once I got there. I can’t tell you how important it is to make every relationship count. My accomodations were all based off relationships with people in my life. My best friend from Bermuda went to grad school in London so she had a few connections there. She made a few calls and had me taken care of. I had a place to stay in London before I flew to Madrid. No hotel needed! I stayed with a friend in Spain, so everything was all good. I just had to get there!

I added an international plan to my verizon phone so I could communicate with my parents. I told my Dad I was going to Spain the day I left. No bueno. I know if I wasn’t 25 he would have came through the phone and kicked my ….

I always take an airport bathroom picture.

I arrived at London Heathrow on Tuesday night at 9:30. I had to get to Stratford. Definitely WASN’T taking a cab . That would have been 78 pounds which is about $118 US dollars. I figured out how to ride the tube (the subway/metro)

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I wasn’t concerned that it was late or that it was my first time there. I’m down for the adventure. It was about an hour commute for 7 bucks! Can’t beat that. Of course I got lost. Too busy taking photos trying to flex on IG. I missed my transfer stop but I was in LONDON, I wasn’t tripping! The good thing was everybody and their moma was trying to help. A big smile goes a long way. I’m sure my cute face helped too.

I left from London Gatwick airport to Madrid the following morning. You have to literally walk through a mall to get to your gate. Good strategy. But damn. I wanted to cop so much stuff.

I wanted to buy these so bad! I did buy an universal adapter for 17 pounds, which didn’t make it back to the states because I lost it!

Ok so this may not be a big deal to most but the fact that the baggage carts were free had me tripping!

I got my stuff and headed to the airports information desk to find out the best way to get to where I was staying. Take the bus here and take a taxi from there. I got on the wrong bus. Nobody spoke English. After many 3-4 word phrases and hand gestures I managed to get directions to where I needed to go. I got off at the nearest train stop. I remember my mom saying “be careful in Spain… they pick pocket.” I took a page out of my late grandmothers book. I put my money in my bra! My passport too. Believe it or not this was the first time I was actually traveling by myself.

Madrid was beautifulllll.

I went exploring when I got the energy. It kind of sucked not having someone to take all my pictures. The cost of traveling by yourself. People were nice enough to take photos but I need a personal photographer. (in due time)

The next stop was Barcelona. The cost of a flight was more than I was willing to pay. The other alternative was taking the ALSA bus.

The best time to take it is at night so you aren’t wasting the day traveling. I took the 11pm bus from Madrid. I got to Barcelona the next morning at 6am. About a 7hr ride. Not as bad as I thought. Plus it was only 31 euros.

Before I got on the bus I used the lockers at the bus station to hold my luggage so I could explore before my bus left. I have been blessed to be able to hold my own. I can make friends and strike up a convo everywhere I go.

Always good to make an impression everywhere you go. Never know when you’ll be back.

Met the owner of the Flamenco club. Good Hookah and rum! Will be back:)

Ok. Soooooooo I fell in LOVE with Barcelona.

 (I thanked God over and over again, it was pretty breath taking)

Like what the hell had taken me so long to get there? One of the most beautiful cities I had ever been too. I’m a sucker for any place near the beach. Yeah, I love the beach like the next chick to tan and be cute in a bikini. But I really love the beach because bodies of water are so massive and larger than life that in turn it inspires me to be just that. Larger than life.

  It was definitely NOT hot enough for this!

 

Crazy views!

Paella is amazzzzzzing! You must try it. It’s a signature Spanish dish. Zara is the SHIT in Barcelona. SMH. If you’re like me, I love clothes. To my surprise I practiced self-control! I was really good.

I thought I was too cute headed to dinner!

    

Justin Bieber in Barcelona.

 English menu though. Us Amerians are high mainetnance.

 

Amazinnng olives and I hate olives.

One thing I promised myself before I left was NEVER to visit Spain for such a short time. Next time I’ll visit for at least a month and not 4 days!!

My flight back to the states was from London so I had to get back there from Barcelona. I ended up flying on British Airways. The ticket was $165. I bought it hours before. It probably would have been cheaper had I planned a little more. (If you haven’t noticed, I don’t like planning things far in advance. It doesn’t leave room for flexibility.) The first checked bag was FREE! I don’t know about you but baggage fees are a big deal to me. It’s crazy how flying has changed since I was 5.  I flew into London Gatwick and took the National Express bus into the city of London. An hour and half ride for 8 pounds vs. 25 pounds for the express train. The bus dropped me off at the Victoria station.

 I had to pay to use the bathroom! SMH. It was such an unfortunate situation. After an hour ride I had to go. Not only did I have to find coins to get through I was doing the pee dance. I looked crazy. Cute. . .but crazy.

One of my mom’s oldest friends lives in London and he took me right in on my last day in London. I was the ultimate tourist, plus I had a photographer:) WIN-WIN

 I had on every jacket I packed! It was freezing in London. I guess I’m officially spoiled by Cali weather. I can’t deal with the cold.

I flew home on American Airlines. I may be late butttt there were plugs at every seat. Finally, an airline that offers some type of convienance for all those extra fees.

My trip was amazing. A few things I concluded. London makes me want to hustle and get money. Sooooo much money there. sheeesh! Spain makes me want to fall in love and be beautiful. Definitely have to spend at least a week or two in London and Barcelona to really get the feel of the place. I am so grateful that I was able to travel across the pond, even if it was only for a few days! I will get back very soon. I’m thinking this summer:)