Eurotrip 2009

Ever since I was a little girl with teased bangs and crimped hair which resembled corrugated cardboard, I've loved travel and adventure.

In fact, I remember how I felt at just four years old when I was about to embark on a very long, very hot drive (sans air conditioning) with my parents, sister and friends to Florida. I could nearly taste the excitement in the sultry Summer air.

I grew up in a house that did not have another house behind it. Instead, when I walked just slightly beyond my backyard I was walking through another world; a world of rolling hills, thousands of trees, obscure paths and massive rocks to climb. It was my playground.

In Newfoundland, I think that's how many of us grew up. At least those of us who lived outside of the city.

Yet, for me (and for Craig too, fortunately) that same spirit of adventure and love for freedom and new experiences I had as a kid never dissipated. I think it's hard for a lot of people to understand why we aren't looking for a place to settle and have a family now that we're married. Some people have always dreamt of that; their house, their babies, the quaint city they would live in.

Not me. I do eventually want a house and maybe even a place to call "home." But right now, I'm happy to say that the world is my home and that's how I like it. There's nothing wrong with
that - it's just a different lifestyle than what most are probably accustomed to. And there's nothing wrong with settling right away either if that's what floats your boat.

To satisfy the hunger that Craig and I have to see the world and do as much as we can while we still can (because you just never know) - we've decided to go on a backpacking adventure in Europe.

I remember when my parents took a group of students to Europe on a school trip. I couldn't go. I was thoroughly disappointed back then, so this is a trip long overdue.

We leave July 31 and return August 21. Not as long as I would have liked, but we have to get back and get, um, settled into an apartment that we don't have yet.

Here's what we're thinking:

England --> France --> Switzerland --> Italy --> Greece --> Austria --> Germany

(Other possibilities, depending on time constraints, include: Belgium, Scotland, Ireland).

We're not planning to book a tour or hotels or anything - just playing it by ear and going with the European flow. Most of our trips in Asia were kind of spontaneous and unplanned. It's more fun and exciting that way not to mention it leaves lots of room for new opportunities!

So, it's official because we booked the flights last night. First stop: London, England!

If any of you have been on a Eurotrip, give me ideas! Give me your must-sees!