SPAIN 1: Meet the World with a Perma-Smile

'Wandering re-establishes the original harmony which once existed between man and the universe.'  ~Anatole France


"Why Spain?" you ask.  "Why not?" I retort.  I want to see and experience it all.  Travelling to me is a treasure hunt.  I want to search the world for the little pieces of 'me' that I wouldn't be able to discover in any other way.  There is no better way to stretch yourself in every way possible than to step outside of your comfort zone, go beyond the box that you have created for yourself and put yourself in uncomfortable, awkward, and at times dangerous situations.  I love a good challenge and this is one that I have chosen to respond with a big dumbfounded, ear-to-ear smile.  Here's where the smile began to creep in . . .


I'm in Chicago with 15 minutes to catch my plan to Madrid, and I still haven't come to the realization that I am leaving my friends and family behind for a country I know very little about.  They scan my passport and ticket, red lights begin to flash.  'Uh oh!' I think.  She scans it a few more times, each time red lights and a disapproving look.  She enters my information manually, but gives the security officer near the scanning machines 'the look'.  I check my watch - first mistake.  I wait in line, shifting nervously from one foot to the other - second mistake.  I take off my shoes, coat, hat, watch, necklace, and coat.  Unload my computer into the second bin, and place my backpack in the third.  I have never had so much stuff at the airport before - third mistake.  The man who previously received the disapproving look asks me to step into the scanner - first time that I have had to do that.  I placed my hands above my head and my feet inside the proper markers.  They waved me through.  I began to walk towards my things and was firmly told to wait.  'Okay.' I thought. 'They are waiting to view the picture or some sort nonsense.'  After a bit of confusion, a few tugs to put me in the 'proper' spot on the mat and more firm words that gave me no information as to what was going on,  I asked the fiercely unhappy man in front of me, who was obviously there to make sure that I didn't escape, 'Is there something wrong?'  He didn't want to answer.  I asked again.  He leaned forward and whispered 'There is an, um, abnormality in your groin.'  This is where the smile started! 'HA! Of course there is!' Why did I reply: "I will strip down naked right now if that shows you I have nothing to hide! My plan leaves in 10 minutes!"? Two woman than escorted me to an enclosed room where they checked every inch of my things and refused to let me touch or even look at my things.  They then continued to let me know every step that they were taking as they handled my unmentionables and kept asking me if I was hiding anything in my groin.  I was starting to believe that perhaps I was, so I pulled my pants out and looked down saying, "I'm pretty sure that I don't, but I'll show you if you want!" I kept cracking jokes at everything they said; which seemed to help lighten the mood- first good decision.  I couldn't help but smile at the situation.  I told them I only had 5 minutes to catch my plane to Madrid and I would prefer if I didn't miss it.  They took down all of my information and then said, 'You have a lot of stuff - you better run!'  So I did just that. I grabbed my things, threw on my shoes, and took off running! I jumped over bags, shoved past people, stopped to catch my breath and laugh as I thought of Home Alone - I have always wanted to run through the airport and slide through the gates to catch my plane - I guess I got my wish! I arrived at my gate hot, sweaty, and out of breath only to realize I'm still in America and none of the people around me are speaking a lick of English.  At that very moment, doubt crept into my mind and for about one second I thought 'I am over my head here.  What have I got myself into this time?' The moment passed and I spent the next 22 hours travelling to another world.


I arrived to Jerez de la Frontera three layovers, three flights - all at least an hour behind schedule, sleep deprived, and without my luggage.  That's right - they lost my luggage in Chicago! Thank you Chicago for the amazing experience! I was an hour late to Jerez and prayed that my ride hadn't given up on me, but there he stood with a sign in hand reading: Kassi Blanchard.  Always wanted to arrive at an airport and feel so important that I had my own sign! 


Quick Recap:


*Get Groped by Airport Security
*Run through the airport frantic to avoid missing my plane
*Lose Luggage
*Someone holding a sign when I arrive


Check & Check!!! I think I can say without a smile and a positive attitude it would have been mostly a negative trip.  In fact when the man behind the lost luggage counter, who barely spoke a word of English, asked me if I had any complications on my trip I replied, 'No.' 'Any delays?' he asked.  Oh yeah! This happened and that happened and then . . . 'You call that no problems?' he asked with a chuckle.  All I could do was smile and shrug. 


My host, Andy, and I drove while chatting all the way to Alcala de los Gazules, where the Pueblo Blanco awaited us.  As I took one step out of the car I felt a smile radiant from deep within me.  A deep joy that I have only felt a few times in my life, and even more rarely allow myself to feel vulnerable enough to show.  My first thoughts as I looked toward the white city set on a hill were, 'I love my life! Finally I am doing what makes me happy!' I have never before experienced the complete harmony that exists when you are walking step-in-step with the universe and the plan designed for your life.  It is an indescribable feeling that can only be expressed with as a perma-smile!


Recap Once Again:


*Meet every day with a SMILE
*See every obstacle as something to LAUGH at
*Get in step with the universe, God's plan, for your life and LIVE every day to its fullest
*Let it radiate from deep within and be VULNERABLE enough to show it!


A good friend once told me: "There is enough unintentional hurt in the world, that we shouldn't be intentionally evil to one another.  Rather we should live every day as though we couldn't fail.  What would you do if you knew you couldn't fail?"