Taking Off

I feel like I should say I've been on pins and needles all week, wondering if our trip to Europe was going to happen, but as soon the stories of Eyjafjallajokull (don't you just love that name?) started filling the headlines, I immediately started getting used to the idea of staying put and having a wide open week in my studio.  I didn't pack, didn't wonder, didn't worry, didn't really think about it, until my husband came home Wednesday evening and said, "Looks like we're headed across the Atlantic."

I leave this afternoon on what is going to be a whirlwind of a trip that will take me to Amsterdam, Berlin and Copenhagen - three cities I have never visited and am eager to explore.  I am tagging along with my husband on a business trip, so part of my experience there will be getting us settled into each hotel, and, yes, carting around our big suitcase from hotels to airports and so on since he will have to meet me here and there.  Because I haven't given this trip a whole lot of thought this week, I literally do not have a single plan for this journey - I have no guidebooks, no plans, nothing more than advice and suggestions offered to me in emails and on websites, printed out on a stack of papers I'll be reading on the flight. 

Actually, that isn't entirely true.  One of the suggestions someone gave me for Berlin was a shop entirely devoted to licorice.  I am definitely checking that out; otherwise Berlin - and Amsterdam and Copenhagen - are all blank slates.  How exciting is that?  So much awaits me, and I have no idea what it is.  That is my favorite way to travel.

I'm taking a laptop with me this time around and will be posting photos throughout the week.  I have one entry for The 100 Books Project scheduled to go up over the weekend (this is one of my favorite stories yet), and then next week updates from Europe!

“All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware.”  ~Martin Buber

Comments

[Christianne]

I love this story. It's such a testament to living in the now. You've been talking about that so much lately, and it really shows in the way you responded to the volcano news. I love that it landed you here, suddenly traveling and having no plans. It feels like it would open you up to wonderment, to noticing things you wouldn't have noticed before and being open to things you might not have considered before. Sounds like a great way to travel!

xoxo,
Christianne

[Steffi]

Years ago, I played a game in my head recommending places in Germany to my favourite bloggers. I picked Berlin for you :) I'm curious to see how you like it. Have a wonderful trip!

[Tara Bradford]

Safe travels, Adventure Girl! Hope you're wearing your WW bracelet. Have fun, especially in Amsterdam. :) xo

[Liz]

oh bon voyage, et dit pour moi à... oh wait I can't write in Dutch or Danish or German (well German we can all say a few phrases thanks to that Mel Brooks movie)... okay okay, I digress... have a FABulous time and please take photos of the houseboats in the Amsterdam with your Hipsta! p.s. non paris?