Friday evening
Wow, I have checked the calendar and it is 34 days before I leave for the UK. I can't believe it is so close! So where do things stand?
I bought the wrong luggage. I bought the wrong backpack. I bought the wrong shoulder carryon. What I should have bought was a carry-on backpack that was square, and I have found the one I want. So I am now forced to try and find a way to sell what I have purchased already. I even painted my one bag.... it's very attractive and colourful and will stand out amongst all the boring bags in the luggage area. I shall paint the smaller bag to go with it and sell them as a designer luggage set on ebay. The other two pieces I will try to sell on ebay too. Need to recoup my money somehow.
My goal is to travel with one carry-on bag for the entire two months. That will free me up to enjoy the journey without worrying about the stuff I'm taking with me.
The first part of my trip is pretty solid. I will be in with my friend Simon for about 4 weeks. Then it's off to my friend Sussy's place for a week, to celebrate her birthday. Then to Cumbria, to my friend Chiefy's place. He will be home for four days and is then off to LA to visit his girlfriend. I will be house sitting for him.
The part of the trip that is still to be finalized is my spur-of-the-moment idea to go to Switzerland. I have two friends living in the same area and I am eager to see them both. I plan to stay in Fribourg, an 850 year old city that is celebrating it's birthday this year. It is such a beautiful place and I am eager to walk about those old streets and take in that old world charm. There are museums and cafes and all manner of things to see. Plus, I will be seeing Clara, whom I've known for seven years! And Nico, who is such a sweetheart! It's going to be a fabulous trip.
So far the plan is to fly out of Newcastle UK to Paris, France, and then take a train to Bern, Switzerland, and another train to Fribourg, which is approximately an hour away. I plan to stay in a hostel, something I've never done before!
Hopefully I will get these plans finalized this week.
I know this is costing me oodles on my credit card, but I may never get another chance to see this part of the world and I'd be foolish to pass up the chance.
Between you and me, I have been so eager to travel most of my life, that I'm already planning a return trip to Switzerland next year if I can pay off a portion of my credit card to allow for it. I've not even been there yet, and I'm chomping at the bit! Maybe I'll take Amazing Brother with me on that trip.
This trip would not be possible were it not for the amazing generosity of my friends letting me stay with them. That has saved bucket loads of money especially in the UK, where my paltry Canadian dollars won't go far at all. I am deeply grateful for them opening their homes to me and I look forward to spending time with them and sharing a bit of their lives.
Will write more when I've finalized all the plans. 