Well, we leave in 30 days.....

Unbelievable.  How do I know it's 30 days? Well, I logged into Delta's website to see if our PDX-ATL flight had been upgraded to first class, and it said "Flight departs in 30 days."  What?  I can't believe it's that close, I'm barely thinking about packing and who knows what I still need to buy!!!!

I did manage to get a cool new wireless keyboard for my ipad.....I have to say, it might be the best $50 I've spent.  Currently, I'm sitting at Big Al's in Beaverton and watching the Seahawks try to lose to the Packers on Monday night football.  And they have free wifi, so I brought my ipad and my fancy new keyboard in and it's pretty cool.  I can type super fast, and there's a guy to bring me drinks.  Why can't I do that at home?  Well, Chris is out of town, and Edgar doesn't have opposable thumbs, so here I am.  

Anyway, back to the trip.  I've got all my clothes (I think) and just ordered a new bathing suit (old one looked ragged when I checked it out yesterday) so I think I'm probably covered there, now it's just figuring out what clothes end up in my suitcase(s.)

I've already booked our hotel for Barcelona, the hotel in Dubai and our tours for Alexandria/Cairo, Safaga/Luxor and Aquba/Petra, so I think we are ready to go there.  Last bit is to figure out if there is ANYTHING else that's not listed on our tour that I want to see in any of those places.   Plus figure out what to see in Dubai.  Fortunately, we've been to Barcelona before, and have no specific plans while we are there.

Did I tell everyone how much I liked this keyboard?  I totally think this was an awesome purchase.   

Okay, I think I'm going to wrap this post up, sorry there are no pictures, but other than Big Al's, what would I post???

Oh, and no, we haven't gotten upgraded yet on the domestic portion of our flights, but I'm confident it will happen.....probably time to call Delta again and have a polite conversation.........

It always feels more real when the luggage tags arrive!

Well, they finally showed up! The luggage tags have arrived!   For those who haven't cruised before, the most exciting thing used to be when the documents showed up with the luggage tags.  Now, all the documents are sent electronically (so YOU can pay for printing) but you can usually order luggage tags, with your name and cabin number preprinted.  It looks so official.  Everyone keeps saying well, you can print your own, or just get the from porters at the pier but it's NOT the same.

I always like to put 2 on each bag, just to make sure the bag makes it to my cabin.  Why? Well, one time when we cruised out of Lisbon, we had changed rooms very close to departure and when we got to the pier, the porter attached the tag to the bottom of our suitcase.....which than didn't make it too our room with the other luggage.  Lucky for us, we had a fabulous cabin attendant, who spent several hours scouring the ship and FINALLY found it in a pile of luggage with "no" tags.  Or a tag on the bottom, in this case.

So remember, always put multiple tags OR ensure the crazy Portuguese porter doesn't put the tag on the bottom of your suitcase.  Always makes for a better trip when you know you have your stuff!