Zwei Wochen (2 Weeks)

It is getting so close. I feel so ready yet, so unprepared. I have worried about almost everything about which I could worry. At this moment, I have none. In five minutes, that could be completely different.

My packing list and itinerary are 99% complete. I just have a few more items on which to decide.

Tomorrow, I hope to complete my shopping.

UPS

My Land's End and Amazon orders have arrived! Thanks UPS!

Christmas Shopping

Being that I live in a warmer climate and have never travelled to Europe, I had/have so many things to purchase for my trip. I spent my Christmas morning online shopping for most of my items. I bought a coat and other winter items from Land's End. I bought travel adapters from Magellan's and Amazon. I bought some hostel-surviving supplies from Rick Steves. All of my items shoud arrive by Friday, January 4!

I still have a few items to buy from brick and mortar retailers...

With 4 Weeks to Go, I Am All Things...

As I woke up this morning I realized that four weeks from now, I will be in Germany…AMAZING! This is making me, all things about this trip.
I am excited! I have never gone on a vacation this long before. I have never left the continent before.
I am scared! Besides my visits to Montréal and day trip to Tijuana, I have never been somewhere where English is not the primary language spoken.
I am worried! I am trying not to read the weather reports about the blizzard that is attacking the Northeast. I cannot have bad weather that delays my flights or interferes with my touring. I do not want to leave my mom…..
I am overwhelmed! I have a laundry list of items to take care of at work and at home and for general and specific preparation for my journey.
I am trying not to annoy everyone around me, with my constant talk of Europe!
As I mentioned earlier, I AM EXCITED!!!!!!!

Alleine im Deutschland und im Österreich: Das Buch

There is this website called Blurb, that allows you to self publish your own books. They can be printed as hard or softcovers in varying sizes (landscape, portrait, square and large landscape). The prices range from $12.95 to $159.95 for a single copy, depending on the number of pages.

I have been thinking how cool it would be to have my trip turned into a book! I would then tell people and they could purchase copies of their own! Raven and Thecla already said they would buy one....

So, my plan is to develop the copy from this blog and my journal as the text for the book, with the photos as supplements. I would also love to include blog comments too!

How great is all of this?!?!

Scratch Plan B!

So for the past month, I have been working on a top-secret plan! I had invited someone along for my trip. My mom has a good friend, Chris, who loves to travel and had never been to Europe. He was visiting and I told him about my trip and he was very interested in accompanying me. So, I went into planner mode and began to contact my previously arranged hotels and hostels to see if they would be able to accommodate my changes. They were. I was very excited. Now, I would have someone to photograph me at landmarks and with whom to experience the journey. Also, this would greatly please my two IPMA moms, Elise and Joyce! Yesterday, I was informed that Chris would not be able to join me… So now, it is back to Plan A: Europe Alone.

Things Are Coming Together!

I just go through periods (days) where I am all about preparing for Europe and others where there is no activity. This is one of those periods where I was all about Europe.

This week alone, I purchased my ticket to see the Bayersische Staatoper perfrom Madama Butterfly at the Nationaltheater in Munich and booked my housing for Salzburg.

A few months ago, I signed up to be placed on the waitlist for opera tickets. I wanted to see Ariodante on January 16 and Madama Butterfly on January 17. As time progressed, I decided to only go see Madama Butterfly. This past week, I received notice that my ticket request was granted, but I had until October 31 to purchase the tickets. I am soooooooo excited! I get to see Madama Butterfly...one of the most famous operas!

I have been trying for months to book my housing in Salzburg. The place I was trying to stay has not opened for 2008 bookings. I could understand the delay in June, July, August and even September. Now that October has passed and it is now November, I cannot anymore. So, I booked elsewhere. I originally was going to stay at a hostel, now I will be at a hotel. Originally, I was going to only have internet in the lobby, but now it will be in the lobby and my room. I, also, get a television to watch the news. I am very happy.....

Packing for Two!

No, I am not pregnant! I am, however, going to be packing for two (2) trips at the same time... I found a few days ago, that I am going to New Orleans from January 10 - 13. I leave for Europe on January 14. So, in early January, I will have two (2) pieces of luggage open: one (1) for New Orleans and the other for Europe! Then, I will take a early flight back from New Orleans on January 13 so, I can do laundry and final preparation for Europe!

Just 5 Words...

TODAY, I RECEIVED MY PASSPORT!!!!!!

Well, a little more than five (5) because I must note that, it only took nine (9) weeks.... This is compared to the 10 - 12 week averages, with more of a focus on the 12 than 10, that have been posted lately!! :-D

Wortschatz Panik

I have been struggling with the best way for me to refresh my German language skills, since I booked my air travel. Today, on my way to work, I went into somewhat of a panic.... I was listening to my favorite morning radio station, Q100's The Bert Show and I realized that most of the simple sentences they were saying I could not translate into German. How am I supposed to survive if I cannot translate a simple sentence?!?!?! I began to breath and really listen to what they said and was able to do a few words at first, then I was able to work on a couple of sentences. If I just take that approach to my standard vocabulary (Wortschatz) and translate my most common words, then my most common phrases, then my not-so-common words and then my not-so-common phrases, I should have a pretty decent Wortschatz in six months (im sechs Monaten)!! Viel Glück zu mir!

Munich Housing...Check! Frankfurt Housing...Check!

Yesterday, I took another step in preparing for my trip. I was finally able to book my housing for my stay in Munich and Frankfurt.
It has been taking awhile for me to have access to my Munich housing because I am staying at a hostel. I had e-mailed them a month or so ago and was told that housing for January 2008 would not be available until November. I was not too happy with having to wait that close to the day to book, but Europeans tend to be a bit more laid back than Americans. Actually, everywhere people tend to be more laid back than the US. So, something last night told me to try to book my lodging on their site.... Low and behold, I could do it!
Then, I was thinking since I am having all of this luck, let me try Salzburg and Frankfurt. Salzburg was a no go...for now. In Frankfurt, I had planned on staying in an actual hotel due to my early departure for the train station then to the airport.