Countdown - 3 hours Before Leaving for Airport

Wow, okay if I'm this bad about keeping up my blog while traveling I'm sorry. I was scolded by a friend for not posting regularly. Forgive me my friends, believe me I have not been idle. So, I've been trying to see everyone before I leave, completing some paperwork so my brother can track me down easier, and taking care of every other little detail that adds up to more time then you think. I've had some great conversations with friends over food and drinks, fire pit ambiance & life discussions (won't forget the smell - it sure says FALL to me), celebrating my birthday (yes, you guessed it I'm 29), and seeing little Sydney all dressed up for Halloween! Seriously, there hasn't been a cuter Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz EVER!

I feel anxious and excited all at the same time and although a few people have said that I'm brave I don't really feel that right now. I hope to gain some new insight into the world, people, other cultures, and ultimately myself. Don't worry, I'll return somewhat different I'm sure but still the same foundation! This will truly be a journey with ups and downs but isn't that real life anyway. And, to be able to experience those in some incredible places around the world isn't half bad I think!

I hope to get updates from everyone through this blog but also in more detail by email. I think you all know me well enough to know that friends and family are so important to me. That makes it hard to go on this trip, but at the same time easy because I know I have such great support in all of you. My friend Pedro told me to have fun on my belated post college backpack trip. So, I just figured out I was supposed to do this a long time ago evidently. Thanks Pedro!

And for those of you who have shared your concern over my safety, I'll keep your thoughts close. As another friend told me, do as Magnum P.I. said, "Trust your instincts." Okay, that might have had more to it but my memory isn't as good now that I've had another birthday. Oh, it's also good to know that I have someone ready to send a ransom for me - Just in Case! :) I do have some travel insurance that includes medical coverage so that should help with other stuff that might happen.

So my flight leaves at 6:15 a.m. - UGH yes that means I should be there by 4:30 a.m. Luckily, I'm about 10 minutes away from National Airport - and even more lucky for me my dear friends Dana & Doug agreed to get up at an ungodly hour to take me. Love you guys, now get some sleep!

I think I will finish packing and maybe try to sleep for three hours or so if I'm not too excited. Oh, darn - I forgot the Tylenol PM to help me out. I miss everyone already but look forward to continuing to update you and eventually share my stories with you in person next year.

Countdown - 6 Days to Go!

Okay, I just lost my whole LONG posting that I just about finished. Agony! Now I don't feel like rewriting everything - CRAP! Well, I'll attempt it but I doubt it will be as thorough or interesting. What the heck did I say anyway?!

Hmmm, okay only six days to go! Of course I still have things to finish up although it's probably less then I'm thinking. I had a great party that Mike and Scott held for me at their condo on 10/22/05. Thanks so much to everyone who came, I have some great photos. As soon as I figure out how to upload, share, etc., my photos you might see them too!

Oh, and thanks to Mike & Scott for helping me Sunday night when I left their place and my car wouldn't start. Just what I need prior to leaving for almost six months right?! :) Ended up having to replace the battery and Mike actually helped the guy who came (sorry bro!). This also meant I missed coming to usher the Jane Franklin show at Dance Place (which also included my JMU Dance professors so I'm even more sorry I missed it!).

So, on with the update on planning. Carrie and I had a late start (traffic on my part) getting to the Indian Embassy yesterday but it went pretty smoothly. Although, I might say different after I try to pick it up this afternoon! Last night we almost finished booking the first two nights at hostels in each city when we arrive by plane. Only, Rome is left.

Thanks to Johnette and Marie for sending me some contacts for Costa Rica & Belize, I'll be contacting them just after I finish this posting! I haven't actually made any reservations yet for either although I know pretty much where I think I want to go.

Costa Rica - Fly in to San Jose (maybe stay one night) and go to Monteverde Cloud Forest and then to Playa Samara on the Nicoya Peninsula.

Belize - Fly into Belize City (maybe stay one night) and see the Mayan site Lamanai and then go ferry to Caye Caulker and stay there.

Of course I still have all sorts of little things to figure out, purchase, etc., but I'm doing okay. I am nervous but also very excited. This may sound really corny, but I sure have realized how many incredible friends I have and how lucky I am to have a an incredible family!

I'm taking a little flat photo album thingy (one of those cheapy small things) so I can carry you all around with me!

Countdown - 12 Days

Aaghh! Is it really only 12 days before I leave the country for 5 1/2 months? Okay, so I've been planning this trip for awhile and mostly I'm prepared. A few things here and there left to complete but nothing so essential. Of course, right before I leave I get in a car accident but luckily everyone was okay. I put on the brakes so I wouldn't hit two dogs running across the street and wham the guy behind me just whacked into me. Car and body are both still driving!

I'm so excited to leave but I must admit I feel a bit sad to leave my family and friends. But, you'll all be here when I get back right?! You better!

Seriously, thanks to Dana & Doug for welcoming me (and my load of stuff) into their home. It's been great to hang out with them and to be there with Sydney as she grows and changes (10 months old Nov. 1). Heck, she is already walking all over the place and aiming for the stairs (she can do it too!) and wherever else she shouldn't go! Aunt Jenn will miss her dearly!

And, thanks to my family for all their support and love even though I know most of them think I'm crazy! I told them I would keep in touch regularly by email, and now through this blog I've created.

Thanks already for some suggestions and keep in mind where you might want to join me on my travels!

J.

My First post

Hello World!!

Here I am, Jenn, getting ready for my big adventure around the world. I am leaving in two weeks and I can't believe I haven't started this blog yet. I have been intending too, because I know all of you, my friends and family, are interested in following my travels around the world. I will start by giving you an itinerary of my trip and enlisting your help to share any of your travel experiences you think might be helpful. Also, let me know if you have friends or family in these areas who might want some strange visitors. :) I'm on my own for Costa Rica & Belize and then my longtime friend and sometimes travel companion, Carrie, will join me for the remainder of the adventure.

Nov. 1 - San Jose, Costa Rica
Nov. 8 - Belize City, Belize
Nov. 17 - Rarotonga, Cook Islands
Dec. 3 - Auckland, New Zealand
Dec. 24 - Sydney, Australia
Jan. 9 - Bangkok, Thailand
Feb. 1 - Siem Reap, Cambodia
Feb. 3 - River Boat to Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Feb. 4 - Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam
Feb. 12 - Delhi, India
Feb. 26 - Tel Aviv, Israel
March 10 - Athens, Greece onward to the islands (Santorini & maybe Zakynthos)
March 17 - Rome, Italy
March 30 (or so) - Leave Italy for Paris, France
April 16 - Back in DC via BWI

PS. I can't believe I'm really doing it! Thanks to my family and friends who have been so supportive, it makes a big difference to me.