Dream come true

2011 seems to be making up for 2010 in a big way. We've gotten to do lots of fun stuff this year, and next month (yes, next month!) we are fulfilling a dream of mine. We are going to Europe!!!!!!

I am super excited. I found a great deal on tickets to London, so of course I was super excited once I bought them. Then I went through a stress phase of having to plan out the trip. No travel agent for us (except for one who goes by the name of Katie). So I had to figure out where we would go (that was the easy part), then how to get from one place to the next (much more complex and stressful). And book hotels (not as complex, but time-consuming to do all that research to find hotels in good locations but not crazy expensive and not dirty icky either). Whew! But I've got most of that figured out now. All the hotels are booked, and the main transportation is booked. We will be traveling by plane, train, and (not automobile). I don't want to drive in a foreign country. I'm sure we'll also be using the Metro and maybe buses. But I am super excited for the trains, and to go through the Chunnel on a train, and to go on a night train! So now I'm down to the less stressful part of planning, like learning Italian and figuring out what sites to see and getting travel gear and all that stuff. Still lots to do. But I am going to Europe! Here is what I'm excited for:

The Eiffel Tower
Italian Riviera
Eating yummy French pastries
Italian gelato
Castles!
Stonehenge
Having our own compartment on a night train
Walking through little Italian villages
Seeing some amazing architecture
the Alps
Art and museums!
Cathedrals
Theater in London
Venice!
Exploring the Paris catacombs


I'm wondering what it will be like, if it will live up to my expectations. And how stressful it will be to travel in foreign countries. And I wonder which parts will end up being my favorite. I hope it's all amazing! I told Jack that this is a "ten times in a lifetime trip" as opposed to a "once in a lifetime trip," just so he knows this whole Europe thing will be happening again. :) Oh, and I feel like I belong to some sort of Rick Steves cult or something. I'm using his maps, his travel gear, his advice, his guidebooks, his hotel recommendations, etc. But the guys seems to know what he's talking about. One of his big things is traveling light, and we are going to try to fly there with just carry-ons. How crazy is that! If we make it, I will be super impressed with us. :) It would be awesome, though, because then you don't have to waste time waiting for your bags, plus you don't have tons of stuff to lug around. We'll see!

Well, that's my thoughts on Europe for now...just wanted to record some of the excitement. :)