Packing List

It's much easier to pack to backpack Europe in the summer than it is in the winter. I over-pack so a lot of this may get left behind, but as of right now...this is my packing list:

Clothes
2 tunics

1 pair leggings

1 pair "long johns"

1 pair pants

2 cardigans

2 sweaters

1 scarf

1 pair of gloves

Underwear (lots)

Socks (lots)

1 pair pajama pants

1 T-shirt

Coat

Belt

Boots

Flip flops

Toiletries
Shampoo

Conditioner

Lotion
Razors

Toothbrush

Toothpaste

Fingernail clippers

Deodorant

Make up

Contact case/solution

Facial Cleansing wipes

Chapstick

Floss

Brush

Comb

Bobby pins

Headband

Elastics

Q tips

Hairspray

Soap

Travel Necessities

Money belt

Adapters/Converter

Padlock

Microfiber towel

Camera + charger

Cash

Credit/debit cards

Passport +copy of passport

ID + copy of ID

Train pass

Student ID

Watch

Other Items

Ear plugs

Sleeping mask

iPod arm band

Umbrella

Headlamp

Phrase book

Guide book

iPod + charger

Phone

Headphones

Hostel and train information

Glasses + case

Tweezers

Day bag

Pen

Notebook

Plastic bags/Ziplocs

Pillowcase

Hand towel

Tissues

Tylenol + other medications

Family contact information

Flight itinerary

Credit card theft #'s

Dual voltage straightener

Blow dryer

FAQ

1. Have you seen Taken?

Yes, yes I have. Three times actually. Great movie. 

2. When do you leave?

Tuesday, January 24

3. Who are you going with?

Me. Myself. and I. No group. No friends. No no one. Just me.

4. Are you crazy?

Maybe.

5. How long will you be gone?

2 months. I will be home March 27.

6.  Where are you staying?

Half of the time I will be in hostels...the other half of the time I will be staying with host families and working for them in exchange for room and board.

7. What is a hostel?

Hostels provide budget oriented, sociable accommodation where guests can rent a bed, usually a bunk bed, in a dormitory and share a bathroom, lounge, and sometimes a kitchen. Rooms can be mixed or single-sex, although private rooms may also be available. (from wikipedia.com)

8. How did you find the families?

This website.  Host families leave an "ad" telling what they offer, where they're located, and when they need help. "Workawayers" email these families if they're interested and work it out from there!

9. So, what will you be doing for the families?

In Germany and Austria, I will be working around the house...a honey-do list of sorts. Nannying...cooking...cleaning...etc.

In France and England, I will be working in the bed and breakfasts that the families own. I will clean the rooms, do laundry, cook, and work at the front desk. 

10. Where did you get this idea?

See this post.

11. Where are you going?

See the left hand column of this blog for the list of the places I'll go

12. How will you contact family/friends at home?

This blog. Email. FaceTime.

Feel free to email me at casiegardner11@hotmail.com and leave comments so I know that someone might actually be reading this. :)

Two weeks and counting

I just got the blogger app on my iPod so that I can update you when I have wi fi in the hostels or at my host families' homes. I'm getting more and more nervous, but I also can't wait to go!

Just to warn you all, this blog will probably contain more details than you care to know. Just remember that I'm alone in Europe and this blog is my main source of social interaction (hopefully not for long...i'll meet people over there) and contact with the real world.

So bear with me, and enjoy!!

Train pass...CHECK!

Dropped another chunk of change on my sure to be life changing adventure...



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With this pass, I have 15 travel days in:

Austria, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Belgium, Sweden, Switzerland, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, and/or Greece

First signs of Fear

As I have been trying to work out my itinerary, I have become stressed and scared about how I'm going to do all this. It's a good thing I bought the plane tickets before I really thought this through. Now instead of backing out, I just have to work through it.

Deep down, I know that this will be one of the best experiences of my life.  It will definitely be the best experience of my young adult life.  I have spent the past year checking things off my bucket list such as skydiving and running a half marathon.  This trip will check off more than half of my list, and it will be so worth it. I just need to get over there.

Things I need to remember:

"Fear is the thief of dreams." 

and

"Fear is nothing more than an obstacle that stands in the way of progress. In overcoming our fears, we can move forward, stronger and wiser within ourselves."

Good advice

I have been reading on Rick Steve's website practically all day.  So far, this has been my favorite advice:

Wear a real or fake wedding ring and carry a picture of a real or fake husband. There's no need to tell men that you're traveling alone, or whether you're actually married or single. Lie unhesitatingly. You're traveling with your husband. He's waiting for you at the hotel. He's a professional wrestler who retired from the sport for psychological reasons.

Plane tickets bought

Flight Information:

                                 Bkng                          Meals/ Seat/

Day Date       Flight     Status Class       City        Time  Other  Cabin

--- ----- --------------- ------ ----- ---------------- ------ ------ -------

Tue 24JAN DELTA 954         OK     T   LV SALT LAKE     1110A    V     33D

                                          CITY                        COACH

                                       AR DETROIT       444P        

Tue 24JAN DELTA 6           OK     T   LV DETROIT       630P     D     27C

                                       AR LONDON-       730A#         COACH

                                          HEATHROW      

Mon 26MAR DELTA 11          OK     T   LV LONDON-       900A     B     28E

                                          GATWICK                     COACH

                                       AR ATLANTA       130P        

Mon 26MAR DELTA 1835        OK     T   LV ATLANTA       945P     V     16C

                                       AR SALT LAKE     1157P         COACH 

                                                  

That's right people! THIS IS FOR REAL!   Even since I pushed "Confirm" on Delta's website I have felt completely nauseous...in a good way...I hope!  

My mom said it sounded scary, but my dad couldn't get over how awesome my idea sounded. He did have some advice, but mostly just about things that I need to be sure and see while I'm over there. I wanted to book my flights ASAP so that I could get cheap tickets.  These tickets only cost $773.90!!!  That's actually about 65 bucks cheaper than I was planning on from research last week, so that's awesome.  

I can't believe this is really happening. I emailed UVU and declined the offer to interview for their nursing program. It's official...I'm going to EUROPE!

I might pee. Or barf.