The World Traveller Returns... and Prepares to Leave Again

I returned a week and a half ago from my Capitals of Europe excursion - it was wonderful. London felt like home, Paris was Paris, and Prague was a great surprise. I've got billions of pictures. Here's a few highlights.

London

Paris

Prague

Berlin

            The trip was fantastic. It would be impossible for me to describe in one short post. What I can say is this: I cannot wait to go back. September 16th, I'll be back in London - thank goodness.

            Though I look ahead with great anticipation, I'm trying to be here, in the present. Spending time with my family, praying for my grandfather, reading (the Bible and my growing library), and trying to earn some money for next year.



Preparations for Capitals of Europe Tour

       Two weeks from tomorrow, I will be leaving for a 12-day excursion to London, Paris, Prague, and Berlin. Needless to say, I'm ecstatic about leaving the Midwest and visiting four amazing cities that I have never been to before. The whole trip is quickly becoming a reality as I buy new clothes (H&M is a dream. So glad they have them in Europe!), pack up my passport, re-load my Visa Traveler card, and receive a new set of luggage from my grandparents. It's been three years since my trip to Spain, and I am beyond ready to be in Europe again.

       I'm viewing this trip as a little taster of what the next year will hold - a chance to learn a bit about traveling with friends, work the kinks out of my packing strategies (Yep, that will be quite a process, I'm sure), familiarize myself with the transportation systems, and decide where I'll need to go back to (Paris!). I hope to do most of the big "tourist-y" things this time around so that next year I can really explore and not worry about making it to Buckingham Palace just to say I've seen it.  I hope the group of students I'm going with are adventurous and willing to dive into the history and culture of each city.

       This will be a much needed break after the stressful, boring semester I've had. It's been mostly work and little play. I need some play now, and I'm really looking forward to playing in Europe.