Ok, so it's about 32 days before I take off and never come back. Just kidding (that is of course assuming I don't meet a rich, handsome, European man - but I'm not holding my breath on that one).
On my last post I sort of explained how this whole trip came into existence, but at that point (bear in mind it was two years ago) it was really nothing more than an idea and a promise to myself. So when this all started I hadn't really told many people. I told told my family of course, and I think with it being so far away they didn't get too worked up about it because, as the expression goes, "Shit happens," and it could have fallen through. But here we are.
I think it was about last spring early summer I actually started to tell more people about this trip. There were a few who knew already: my Mom, brother, sister, my friend Brian S., and his mom Tess S. (I actually met with them two Christmases ago to start getting travel ideas). Since I was coming up on my graduation from college, people were asking me all my plans. Here is script of how most of the conversations went (R.P. = Random Person; ME = ME)
R.P. "So you're graduating in December [2011]?"
ME "Yup."
R.P. "So what's your plan for after graduation? Going to look for a job?"
ME "Not right away. I'd like some time off, plus I'm going to be gone for a month, and I have my sister's wedding this summer."
R.P "You're going to be gone for a month?!"
ME "Yeah."
R.P "Really? What are you doing?"
ME "I'm going to backpack around Europe."
R.P "REALLY?!" (at this point the volume of their voice has gotten louder)
ME "Yup."
R.P "Cool! Who ya goin' with?"
** After the first few times, I've started pausing in this place because I know exactly what's going to happen: Watch - or better, read the following.
ME "Myself."
** And it's at this point I get what I have coined, Parakeet Necks. Whomever I'm speaking with bobs their neck out, their jaw drops a bit, their eyes widen.
R.P. "YOURSELF?!"
ME "Yup."
R.P. "Aren't you scared?!"
ME "I'm a little nervous."
R.P "But all by yourself."
ME "All by myself."
R.P "Wow, I don't know if I could do that!"
** And from this point onward I get bombarded with a very common question "Have you seen the movie TAKEN?" and in addition to that, I also get a lot of what I think people think is 'helpful' advice and stories about bad stuff that has happened to them or people they know or stuff they've read in the paper about traveling. Awesome.
And if anyone reading this is doubting that this conversation doesn't happen, try it out yourself, and I'd be willing to bet, a very similar one will take place. It is sort of reassuring though. After everyone gets over their shock, they wish me the best and tell me they'll be thinking of me. It is nice to know that I have a lot of support. Even from the Parakeet Necks. I love all my avian friends and family.
Oh yeah, I got a ton of Parakeet Necks when I talked about Europe. Some of them I even had to stop talking to because they would worry about me so much.
ReplyDeleteI also got that "Taken" question. The girls in that movie were dumb. Be smart and use reason and you'll be fine.
ROCK ON!
Oh, yeah, when people mention "Taken," I tell them those girls were stupid. I'm hoping that if I become a part of some human trafficing schemes it's because I've uncovered some secret plot of a dirty foreign diplomat using his country's resources to illegally ship nuclear weapons into Africa and they need a way to get rid of me. But I'm hoping to just be a tourist and avoid internation conspiracies.
ReplyDeleteYou're a smart cookie, unlike the dumb chicks in "Taken". (Although I still couldn't bring myself to watch that movie until AFTER Brian got home.)
ReplyDeleteIt will be an AMAZING adventure for you!
I too will end with "ROCK ON" except I will add a little tidbit that I've heard come out of your mom's mouth on MANY occasions...ROCK ON WITH YOUR BAD SELF!
Hey....I've subscribed to your blog via email. I'll now get a notification whenever you put up a new post! Yay!!! And if I didn't request this before....TAKE LOTS OF PICTURES!! :-)
Thanks Tess! And even before my trip was an actual certainty, mom and I watched Taken together, and both of us were sitting on the couch, yelling at the t.v. (because we apparently believed the dumb girls could hear us and would quit being dumb).
ReplyDeleteI'm really glad you were able to subscribe. I was hoping I had set this up right. And pictures are of course, a garuntee.
I think I have one more post I'm going to try to get up before I leave, but then it'll be all Europe all the time.
P.S. can't wait for my send off party!