Miami's women's basketball team departs for its European tour.  • Europe Trip Index Page

Two year's ago when the program started fundraising, I was very excited about the opportunity to travel abroad with the team. As the last two weeks have approached, reality set in as to how I was going to provide the same medical services to the student-athletes as in the U.S. No ice, no use of electrical stimulation or ultrasound due the decreased voltage capabilities and figuring out how I was going to pack for eleven individuals plus myself.

My packing list was checked, rechecked and rechecked again because if I leave something behind who knows if I will be able to get it. June 23 arrives and the rechecking continues and I have a large trunk (filled with medical supplies - tape, ace wraps, etc.); duffle bag filled with water bottles, Gatorade and ice bags; my medical kit; a duffle bag with my personal belongings; and my suitcase with more clothing.

You may be asking yourself, "Has she overpacked?"

My response is - "Yes she has!"

The bus has dropped us off at Cincinnati Airport and it is my turn to check my bags. The joke has been will the trunk make it to Europe! My personal bags make it, the extra bag is on safely, the kit is going to be carried on the plane and NOW the TRUNK!

The trunk is wheeled to the ticket agent and she says, "We have to weigh it and it must not go over 70 pounds."

RIGHT - 70 pounds!

The portable scale is wheeled over and the numbers will determine its fate. The numbers start ticking and the final says - 138 pounds. Not much hope of going with the weight being 68 pounds over, so with the saddest face I could make I plead with the agent to help me get it on the plane. She states you have three options: leave it; get a taxi and drop it cargo (not a chance since we board in 20 minutes); or unpack it and repack the supplies into boxes so that it meets the 70-pound requirement.

Frantically, everything is thrown into three boxes so we can run to the gate. My baggage count has gone from five bags to eight bags and two hands to cart it all. We make it to the gate, spend a safe 16 hours on two planes, and to my wonderful surprise all eight bags appear. I breathe a sigh of relief and feel much better about my abilities to give the kids the best possible care.

After a very long night and increasing my baggage, things appear to be looking up for me due to the beauty of the Lammit River, Swiss Alps, St. Peters Church, authentic Ricola and inexpensive Swiss Army Knives.

Auf Wiedersehen,

Jennifer M. Beardslee, ATC