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!

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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.))