backpack through Europe

I just got back a few days ago from a 100-day, whirlwind tour of Europe where I spent all of the money I’ve been working my ass off for 1 1/2 years to get, I’m exhausted, and it was the best decision I ever made! Anyone considering this, just do it! You will not regret it!

and it’s strange because I started planning and saving for this trip 15 months ago, and I’m so used to thinking about it in the long-term that it doesn’t quite seem real to me that I’m leaving in only 16 days.

Update:

I have my return ticket: a standby ticket from Istanbul to New York on August 30 (standby because I might change that to August 31).

I have my backpack, a new digital camera, a 4GB memory card, my pack-towel, and almost everything else on my packing list.

I am done saving for this trip (finally)! I have $8000 set aside for it ($80 per day), which I think will be sufficient.

I’ve also booked a bed in Amsterdam (one of my first destinations).

Now all I have to do is wait out the next two months, and I’m off.

I just bought my departure ticket! Boston to Frankfurt, one-way, on May 22 with a 10-hour layover in Dublin! I still have to buy my return ticket, but now it’s official that I’m really going! I won’t be able to do anything at work today, I’m too excited!

Alright, I decided I wanted to do this several months ago, so I’ve been putting as much of my paycheck aside as I can, and when I get my paycheck next week I’ll have $4000 put away. Yay!

Then I’ll have until I graduate from college in May to save up, so I’m hoping I’ll have at least $8000 by then, and hopefully I’ll be able to wrangle a Eurail Pass out of my parents as a graduation gift.

I’ll be going for just over 3 months, and I’m so excited that I’m already planning an itinerary, even though I won’t be leaving for another 9 months.