Twenty-three days and counting

I have two weeks and three days until I leave the country for three weeks to ping pong around Western Europe. I have less than that time to prepare for/finish any number of group projects, homeworks, 20 page papers (only one thankfully), final exams, other detrius that school throws in my path.

I need to start planning what I'm packing. A rough list is sketching itself in my brain, but I need to write it down. I have to pack in a some-what smart way, seeing as I'll be gone long and will be hauling my crap on my back for three weeks. Luckily I don't have to pack the bridesmaid's dress I'm wearing for the wedding in Ireland in week 2 of my trip (thank you bride!). I'm just going to try and pack as minimally as possible, assuming at least once I will hit a laudromat. (I believe the key to this is packing a LOT of changes of underwear.)

I have my first two-ish weeks planned, but have about 4 or 5 days between my Germany school-related program ending and my return flight in London that are wide open. I would like to spend a couple days in London, but am worried about the cost. I am already planning on bothering a friend of a friend who just moved there, because once he slept on my futon, and maybe now he has a futon that can reciprocate. If anyone has any lost-cost solutions, or suggestions of how to spend my time, I'd love to hear them!

I am ready for the adventure and both wish I could play it totally by ear and simultaneously have all of my nights booked in some hostel or another. I plan on taking copious photos to share when I return, but don't be too jealous of me, because have you seen the exchange rates recently? Ouch.

In other news, my awesome friend Eliza is working on the new version of The Electric Company and it got written up in the NYT. I hope it succeeds!

Comments

[Mar]

Exchange rates or not, I'm a jealous girl, I'll admit. Especially the wedding in Ireland part. When the next three weeks start to get you down, just think about that beautiful green country side, great music and boys with fabulously adorable accents. That'll help motivate you!!!

[Amanda]

I know when I came back from my backpacking I wanted to burn the clothes I brought because I was so damn sick of them! I think the key is plenty of underwear and then approximately one outfit for each type of weather and lots of opportunities for layering.

[Natasha]

Remember to send your bridesmaid's dress to Mary.

Honestly? Screw London - go to Amsterdam. You can stay there for much cheaper and get a Ryan Air flight for next to nothing to London.

On the plus side of those exchange rates, at least now you can use your Euros everywhere. It used to be such a pain in the damn ass to get your money converted as you went through each country.

[Sharon]

Wow! What a nice way to unwind from the stress of school. Try not to worry too much about the exchange rate--enjoy yourself and know that this is a special treat for yourself. Hope you find a futon or two on your trip. Looking forward to viewing your many pics!