“That’s what it’s like to be pregnant - but lower.” - Grandma

We’re all ready to head to the airport and fly 7 hours to Iceland, arriving at 6:30 am. Over the past two days, I’ve attempted to assimilate into Icelandic time, but I failed and ended up sleeping in until 3 pm GMT. So it goes.

I don’t know what will happen once I cross the Atlantic, but, luckily, one of my best skills is speculating about worst-case scenarios. I am including a list of all the ways that I anticipate this trip going horribly, horribly wrong. Then we can look back at the end and see how many I got right!

Here’s the list:

1. Getting the flu.
   Due to recent life events, I learned that getting the flu is by far one of the worst things that can happen to a person who wants to live a fun and productive life. If I got the flu, it would really but a damper on the whole backpacking thing.

2. Getting mugged in Rome.
   Rick Steves did us the favor of compiling a detailed outline of all the ways that Roman pickpocketing gangs can screw you over. As I am traveling with every precious electronic that I own, I anticipate that they will all soon be sold in an illicit Craigslist Rome posting.

3. Meeting an attractive Icelandic man, but not being able to communicate due to the language barrier.
   Since 75% of Iceland’s population lives in Reykjavik, it’s highly likely that I will encounter the most attractive man in Iceland, the Nordic Ryan Gosling if you will. However, since Icelandic is the most impossible language in the entire world, we will not be able to reconcile our cultural differences and find true love.

4. Study abroad program is a front for human trafficking.
   Amsterdam’s Red Light District is no secret, but do you know what is a secret? Every detail of my study abroad program. It could very easily be a front for prostitution.

5. Terrorist attack on the plane.
   I hadn’t even thought of this one, but my mom reminded me that it’s totally a possibility! We are going on A LOT of flights.

I could go on and on, but these are the top 5 tragedies I anticipate happening on this trip. We’ll have to see come July 26!