P-P-P-P-Plans

Hey-o from the middle of nowhere!
(I'm saying that as much as I can before I find myself spending a summer in the middle of "somewhere".)

So I fly into Toronto. THIS. MONDAY.
Am freaking out.
How much toothpaste do I need? Will my shoes be trendy enough? How will the time zones affect my random calls to Katie? What is with all of the random reviews of hostels across Europe that speak of curtain-less communal showers and boy-girl bathrooms!?!!!
There is SO much to consider.

Concrete things that we've already considered, however, luckily DO have us all booked up until the end of our time in Berlin, from planes and trains to hostels. Oh, AND hotel! That's right, "hostel" without that pesky "s". Inspired by Dani's awesome parents, my fellow awesome father has kindly paid for 3 nights at a Holiday Inn in Dresden, Germany!! This even though I didn't get my Masters like Dani did! (...wait... Dani, does this mean he loves YOU more than ME?! I'm so confused...) Anyway, the thought of plush pillows, a sauna and a pool have me giddy already. Well, giddy when I'm not hyperventilating over the immensity of it all.

So. For now, I'm just going to try to leave my worries behind. As long as I get through the T.dot airport in one piece (G20 leaders who depart the day I both arrive and then depart again from Pearson, your timing suckssssss.), all will be well. Heck, even if it's not, it'll at least make for one good story, right?!

Bonne vacances d'été, everybody! L'école est FINI!!!!!!!
xo

11 days, 4 hours, 14 minutes and counting!

uh-oh. we're already off to a bad start. a whole week without posting! somehow that week disappeared, and i have no explanation as to why; turns out unemployment can be extremely hectic??! ange -- i don't know how you're preparing for this trip while concurrently being a valuable, productive, contributing member of society. i would be drowning in to-do lists if i were you. i'm only barely staying afloat! but this is supposed to be part of the fun, right? the stress and anxiety and countless "i feel like i'm forgetting something" moments? sooo... much... fun! ok, in all honesty, my stomach is doing squealy-jumps about 27 times a day. i guess the anticipation can be stressful, but also really pee-your-pants exhilarating.

so, quick update: we're fully booked up until july 15th-ish. we have transportation, lodgings, and a vague idea of what to expect in scotland, england, and portugal, woot! as for germany and beyond, we should probably get crack-a-lackin', but it's looking like we might be winging it a wee bit. probably a good thing if we want to fully embrace the hobo-hippy-backpacker lifestyle for the next two months ;)

at the top of the to-do list is figuring out our frankfurt/dresden situation. we're taking a budget airline from portugal to frankfurt and booked it because of the awesome price. but frankfurt looks slightly boring... as in, big city, very commercial/financial, and seemingly lacking the character that draws me to visit places. so, that must be decided.

one final note: i DID book a hotel (notice the omission of the "s" from that word?!) in florence for ange and i becaauuuse... my parents are AWESOME! (sidenote to the final note: i convocated today, and the hotel stay is my magnifico present for surviving grad school.) thanks mama deb and papa joe! :D

ok. off to pore over some to-do lists!

*

Angie's Postscript: I am NOT a "valuable, productive, contributing member of society" who is "preparing" for this trip, unless you count my ability to simultaneously wipe snot off of a child's desk and wonder at the price & availability of cute tops in Hungary as valuable, fulfilling, work-and-trip-related multi-tasking.

FRIG. xo

(Also, I too thank & love, love, LOVE Mama Deb & Papa Joe. (LOVE.))

It's A Sign

Normally, I don't put much stock into my "horrorscopes", unless I think that they are truly fantastic.
Stock, you're in my horoscope. & it is truly fantastic.


I present to you, from the July edition of Elle Canada magazine, our most wonderful and prophetic map of ...well, our July:


"Pisces:
This is the best time all year for Pisces to party! Take mini vacations (or big ones). If you insist! Flirt, tease and enjoy seductive liaisons with new faces. Inject romance and thrills into existing partnerships. (Be imaginative.) Mars opposite your sign might create conflict. Sidestep this with fun diversions because by next month, this tension will be history. So somebody's going to piss me off, but I'll get over it... Good to know!! Keep things light. Look for ways to boost your income, because you can.

Scorpio:
You so need to bolt! THEIR emPHasis on "so". So prophetic, don't you think!? Do what you can to hit the road or the skies because you'll love a change of scenery. You're hungry for adventure and a chance to learn new things. Romance with a boss or someone older or richer might happen. Scandalous! Group activities are energetic and fun. Explore possibilities in publishing and the media. Um, duhhh. You're one half of a blog, sista. (Medicine and the law look good too.) Discussions with bosses and VIPs will help this month - demand the advantage."

*Okay, so the stuff in red wasn't actually in Elle... :P

...and by that you mean, "Yay! Purple! and Blue!"

the pink was temporary, as all pinks should be. ange, to help you understand this momentary blip, you should know that when i was about 7, i chose a pink even more flamboyantly flamingo-esque for my room. apparently it's still my default. which would also explain my raincoat colour choice for this trip :D

on a sidenote: i was reflecting on this age-old maxim--one that ange and i both hold in very high esteem--and trying to decide whether or not it applies to the hobo-rrific journey that will be this trip: don't forget your deodorant.

i mean, by day 40 is it even going to matter any more? (especially in italy??!)

Ew. Pink?!

Dear World,

Might I be the first to congratulate you on having stumbled upon this, our lovely travel blog for our summer's journeys. Brace yourselves for jealousy, awesomeness, and potential indigestion.

Might I also be the first to not take credit for it's flaming cherry pink hue. (I mentioned indigestion, did I not?!)
;)

Much love,
a.

ps, Dani you're loving this. :P (I tease about the PINK(!).)