I was compiling a list of all the places that I will be staying at while I’m away and came to a realization.  I will be staying at AT LEAST 12 DIFFERENT PLACES within 5 weeks!   LOL.  From the moment that I step off the plane I’ll need to learn the transportation system (i.e. trains, metro, buses) for each particular city in order to get to my hostel/hotel.  I will not be relying on cabs..they are just too expensive and I don’t want to be hustled because I’m a tourist.  Then once I get to my base of operations for each leg of the journey, I’ll need to plan my next move ahead of time so I can be on top of train departures, booking confirmations, etc.  I’ve been told that the language barrier will not be an issue but I’m pretty sure I won’t be running into many native English speakers outside of the UK.   Some nights I’ll be sleeping on the train and 1 night I’ll be sleeping on a ferry boat.  I think my major challenge will be when I jump off the ferry boat in Sardinia, then have to head to the airport to rent a car and try to find my hotel room which is located an hour away…all while driving on the side of the road that I’m not used to and trying to follow signs that are completely in Italian.  Thank God for GPS! LOL.  All that I have to say is that when all is said and done I can definitely chalk this trip up as a major accomplishment in my life.

Wow, I cannot believe that there are only 5 days to go before I begin my journey. There are so many different feelings and emotions flowing through me right now. I was thinking to myself earlier today that this trip is going to take me through many different changes. My sense of taste will change as I travel through different countries to taste the local cuisines. Not to mention that countries in Europe don’t use the preservatives or fillers that America uses in it’s food. Then from sights to sounds as I experience different scenery and listen to different dialects. And last but not least, the overall culture of the places that I visit will definitely slap me in the face I’m sure from the moment that I step off the plane. These are definitely challenges that I’m looking forward too and will test me unlike I’ve ever been tested in my life. 5 more days…

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This is my favorite scene from the movie The Shawshank Redemption.   It’s a very deep and powerful scene that I believe speaks to us all.  Many of us are so caught up in the rat race that we fail to see that we’ve become institutionalized.  We rationalize that we are free but we truly are not.  To even fathom the idea of doing something different, challenging ourself to new adventures, or even think differently frightens us.  It is this way of thinking that makes prisoners of us all.  But if we can change our ways of thinking I know we all can find our own Zihuatanejo

So I was listening to this talk radio show the other day and they were having a discussion about things that you’d like to do before you die.  Then someone called in and said that they’d love to go to Amsterdam and see the Willy Wonka Chocolate Factory there.  Apparently there is some kind of Willy Wonka themed park somewhere in Amsterdam complete with a chocolate fountain, glass elevator, and Oompa Loompas!  At that very moment a light bulb went off in my head as I pictured myself going there after a night…and quite possibly a morning…of partying in Amsterdam.  Talk about a freaky experience seeing these little orange and green guys running around a chocolate lake.  Well after doing much research and digging I have to inform that the whole thing is a false alarm.  According to the website http://www.dechocoladefabriek.nl/ydc.html it doesn’t open until 2011.  Oh well, so much for that fantasy, hehehe.  Nevertheless, with or without Willy Wonka I’m sure I’ll still have a great time in Amsterdam!  Less than 3 weeks to go!

Well, today is my day of reflection.  Back in the day I came up with the idea of setting aside one day per month (the 7th) to reflect on goals and accomplishments that I’ve fulfilled and that I have yet to fulfill.  On this particular day I fast for 24 hours, from midnight to midnight, and only allow myself water to give my digestive system a break.  On this day it’s pretty obvious that I’m reflecting upon the adventure that I will embark upon next month.  As the day gets closer I have mixed emotions.  With the stories in the news about swine flu, terrorist attacks, and plane crashes I have to be honest I’m a little scared but nothing will stand in my way of taking this journey and making it one of the most memorable experiences of my life.  My mind has become a haven for a collage of train reservations, hostel bookings, flight plans, restaurants, and attractions amongst other things.  As I develop a road map of my trip from start to finish it gets more and more exhausting.  Imagine what it will be like actually doing this stuff.  But nevertheless, deep down inside I know it will all be okay even if I don’t stick to the script.  Right now there are two distinct time periods in my life…before my trip and after my trip.  Something tells me that I will be a totally different person after this, perception wise at least.  I guess we shall see…