Study Abroad Tips: How to Sleep in an Airport...

It was around midnight when we arrived at London Stansted. We were exshausted after our week of travels and just wanted to get a few hours of sleep in before our plane back to Germany. We looked on sleepinginairports.net (yes, it really exists) and it warned us that this airport was the worst in the world to sleep, but we figured it couldn't be that bad. Little did we know...

Hannah, Cait and I wandered the airport for a bit until we found open spot (the rest of the walls were covered with other sleepers). We then bundled up with every last layer we had in our bags hoping that would keep us warm and comfy. We had our scarfs wrapped around our heads like Mother Mary and at least three pairs of socks on a piece. With our backpacks as pillows and our coats as blankets we tried to snuggle together and fall asleep. FAT CHANCE. The ground was FREEZING! We were inside, but it didn't feel that way. After a few hours of trembling, we all got up and walked around hoping that would help. Nope...still cold. Then Momma Nel had a great idea...lets do what the homeless do...USE NEWSPAPERS. Other people in the terminal were sleeping on them, so we figured it must work. We grabbed all the free newspapers available and laid down our fort. It actually WORKED! It was spectacular.

We snuggled up (still in all of our clothes) and actually got a full hour of sleep! Sadly, we were then woken up by staff telling us we could go through security. We did just that, and then found some benches to sleep on for the last remaining hours while we waited for Lauren, Becca and Matt. We fell asleep alone, and woke up with the airport packed! It was kinda a scary feeling. Thankfully, we had all of our stuff together and made it on the plane safely...but it was not an easy night.

Enjoy...

Sleeping in Airport Tips:

1) Get newspapers! As many as possible. The thicker the layer the better.
2) Keep your passport, ticket and 20 Euro/Pounds/Dollars in your bra or pants...just in case.
3) Sleep on your bag and lock it if possible.
4) Make sure you are not alone.
5) Bring an eye patch if possible, works wonders.
6) Don't sleep with your ipod in...if something happens, you need to be able to hear.
7) Bring a Parka...