Flights and Luggage Tips.

The Initial Flight Over

So I sold or got rid of everything when I moved. I had amassed a massive amount of junk while in college and had kept it in a storage unit while I was figuring out my life in Key West. For those of you looking to move to another country, please look up how much it is to ship things overseas before you assume you can just FedEx (250 for a 50lb box) your boxes. Your best investment is going to be in huge ominous pieces of luggage that you can buy for cheap at the thrift stores. Trust me when it comes down the final moments before your flight and you know you have everything you need that... its the best feeling in the world.

Luggage 

Big ugly and cheap, something you will not miss when you throw it away and is big enough to bring all of your junk over. I was fortunate to have large bits already ready to go when I decided on the big move. But you can find luggage at the salvation army for pennies then what it costs new and ducktape is your friend. IT JUST HAS TO ARRIVE AT THE OTHER END IN ONE PIECE. 

Buying International Tickets

NEVER USE AMERICAN BOOKING SITES. I swear to god, the amount of money I paid for a flight over was in the sub $325 range. The amazing part was that I booked less than 45 days out and I still got a cheaper flight than most domestic American flights. (Download google translator to your computer.... it will help you now and it will help you later) and BUY TURKISH AIRWAYS. They have 2 checked bags at 50lbs each and a carry on with a personal item included with the ticket aaaannnnnddddd the food is incredible on the flight over. When I visited Europe the first time I flew TAP ( Air Portugal). They do a great job at TAP but the people at Turkish airways, as well as the number of extras they offer, just dominates the competition. 

Entering Europe and The Schengen Visa

Never fly directly into the country you plan on staying in from the United States. I flew into Portugal and had a layover there for a few hours. The European Union website states that you must have a return ticket to your country of origin if you are entering the Schengen zone with a tourist visa. That visa will last you 90 days but.... here is the tricky part. If you fly into the Czech Republic directly from the United States and you don't have a return flight they will ask you a slew of questions, where are you staying, who are you staying with, how are you getting there, and what is the meaning of your visit to the Czech Republic. Now in rare circumstances, they will ask for a bank statement showing you have the money to live here in the country. If they don't believe you or you do not have this paperwork they will ask you to turn around and go home. TO AVOID THIS NONSENSE. Fly into another country and then hop on a domestic flight into the Czech Republic. 

I came into the European Union through Portugal, the moment the immigration agent heard I was not staying in his country they sent me on my way no questions, no return ticket, and no bank statement. It was as easy as walking through a domestic terminal in the USA.