FINAL COUNTDOWN

IT'S HERE! It's happening. It's the final countdown. 
I may be somewhat sick. My liquids bag may be overflowing. But it's still HAPPENING. We are leaving tomorrow! So I guess I should totally be in bed since it's like 7:30 and I'm waking up at 4:00. But THAT'S not happening. Madeline's not here yet. So how could I go to sleep?

I'm having tomato bisque. Going to sleep. Going to Greece!
Might update the blog sometime while overseas... maybe.

Love you guys! This is gonna be one hell of a trip!
-Monica

And then the countdown gets real...

2 weeks. We only have less than 2 weeks to get it all together. And all I have is a million questions running through my head. No, honestly. Probably a million.

The things I'm asking myself:

-When am I taking Madeline's suitcase?
-Am I packing this weekend?
-Do I even know what I'm packing?
-One or two pairs of pants?
-Cardigan, sweater, light jacket or basic hoodie?
-Why do I keep buying more stuff when nothing will fit in the case?
-Should I pre-load my Starbucks card before we leave?
-Do they even have Starbucks in Greece?
-Am I making a journal?
-Should I just buy a journal?
-Is there still time to learn basic German?
-How do I manage to look alive while flying?
-Will there be hot guys at the airports? (Answer: yes, duh.)
-Seriously, what am I wearing on the plane?
-Is it actually physically possible to avoid jet-lag?
-Do I need a bigger purse?
-How can I hide money without a fanny-pack?
-Do people wear makeup on long-haul flights? Just me?
-What food am I bringing on the plane?
-Do they actually allow food to be brought on planes?
-How will I pack my contacts, solution and meds?
-What sunglasses case do I bring?
-Do I really have to bring my glasses?
-Can I actually afford to eat and still see tourist attractions?
-Will I meet Johnny Depp in Venice?
-If I can't, why can Angelina Jolie?

Isn't Brad enough for you, Angelina? 

I read an entire book today. But I have to admit, it was not the book I was supposed to be reading. I have not been studying basic German like I promised myself I would. From the conception of this trip over 100 days ago, I promised myself I would be the one who could communicate, even if only vaguely, with locals in every country. Sprek-en-zee Deutsch, anyone? But I'm failing myself. Francais? Facile? Greek? Kalimera. Italian? Bonjourno! It's hard to keep all the little touristy greetings seperate from each other, though. I need to make my journal so I can jot down my languages/translation information. Maybe I'll do that today.

So I won't post again until I get my act together with my basic knowledge of French, Italian, Greek, and German. 

Au revoir...

-Monica

Is this real life?

       Everything is perfect. We leave in 18 days and everything has been perfect for a while. I mean, we finalized almost every last ferry ticket and hotel reservation yesterday (need a confirmation from Venice), working morning to night, and it's all going to be worth it. We all have tons of stuff to get done in the next couple of weeks. I'm singing at a wedding a song that is still missing a verse. Diana is preparing a cake that has to meet the bride's hopes and dreams. Amelia is doing the slideshow, not yet having the songs to sync it with. And Madeline, Amelia, and myself are also in charge of the guestbook table at both the ceremony and the reception. (Basically, Madeline just has to sit and look pretty. But I'm pretty sure she can do that.) Things must be done! But they will be done. I will sing, Amelia's slideshow will be beautiful and we will all be in awe at the cake. It's so strange how everything can come into place so quickly after being nothing at all.

I'm getting to the point soon, I promise.

But back to the purpose of this blog.
You wouldn't think things would be changing in our itinerary at this point. I mean, we're leaving in UNDER 3 WEEKS. How can things be changing? We must have it all together at this point. We must have known exactly what we were doing, like, 60 days ago. But no. And that's okay! Because everything got better. This and that got moved around, multiple country eurrail hopes and dreams were dashed, a rental car was arranged and we get to make our own path somewhere between Nice and Paris. I would like to thank my brilliant Aunt for choosing that path. How could an idea like this really come to be?

If you close your eyes and imagine you're in a fairytale - maybe there's a vast forest. Gorgeous mountains with snow at the tips of the peaks. Water all around. And of course there's probably a castle somewhere in that mix. What if you wanted to enter that fairytale? What would be a close comparison, where could fiction become reality?

Well, here. That's where.

I won't go into too much detail. But we're visiting the Chateau de Chillon. Our hotel looks like the castle from Beauty and the Beast. We're going to swim in a pool that has the SWISS ALPS in the background, for goodness sakes. SWITZERLAND. Only a little bit of time. But still. There doesn't have to be a prince for me to know a fairytale when I see one!

-Monica

Don't Worry, Be Happy

Europe is 23 days away, and there are so many things to be done!

Of course I am ECSTATIC the trip is so soon, but naturally I can't brush off the feeling that there is not ENOUGH time left to prepare. There are still tickets to purchase, hotels to book, reservations to make, things to buy- you name it, it probably still needs to be done. We're even making last minute changes to locations, accommodations and transportation. I'm constantly worrying over what could go wrong when we arrive. What if a hotel reservation didn't go through? What if we get pick-pocketed? What if I don't bring enough money and end up broke halfway into the trip? Monica and I made a packing list last night of everything we need to bring, but do I even have a suitcase to pack it in yet? Of course not! Oh, great. There's another thing to stress about. How in the WORLD am I supposed to pack 3 weeks worth of clothing in one carry on suitcase? An impossible feat, surely.

Whenever I find myself thinking these thoughts- and STRESSING over them, I take a minute to laugh at myself. Read the first 5 words of this blog post again, Amelia. Europe is 23 days away! I'm about to leave on the trip of a LIFETIME and I'm stressing about silly things! I consider myself the luckiest person alive to be traveling to the 3 most beautiful countries in the world with the 3 most beautiful women in the world. Sure, things still need to be done, but they'll get done. And I'll bet at least 10 things will go wrong within the first few days in Europe, but who cares? They'll make for a better story down the road!

Even though sometimes I seem stressed out about the silliest things, I can't help but smile when I really look at the big picture. In exactly one month, I will be on my way from the stunning Greek Islands to the spectacular city of Venice with 3 of the most important people to me in the world. There are not words capable of describing how this makes me feel.

So, next time I complain about how I don't have enough time to pack, or how jet-lagged I'll be when I arrive to Athens, please, stop me. Take me by the shoulders and give me a little shake. Look me in the eyes and tell me:

life is beautiful, we're going to Europe!

-Amelia :)

Travel toiletries

So Amelia and I (Monica) have put together a CRAZY long list of travel toiletries... not saying that we'll have all of these, but it's nice to put it all in one place and everyone can keep track of what they want for themselves. This is massive so start prepping now, people...

Hair Products
-Shampoo
-Conditioner

-Hairspray

-Hair Mousse

-Sea Salt Spray

-Detangler Spray

-Heat Protectant

-Headbands

-Ponytails

-Scrunchies

-Bobby Pins

-Clips

-Barrettes

-Hairbrush

-Comb

-Hairdryer

-Flat Iron

Skin Products

-Sunscreen
-Vaseline
-Moisturizer 
-Blemish Cream

-Toner

-Lotion

-Lip Chap

-Makeup Wipes

-Make-up Remover

-Make-up

-Make-up Bag

-Face-masks

Dental Products

-Toothbrush
-Toothpaste
-Dental Floss


Eye Products

-Contacts

-Contact Solution

-Glasses

Hygiene/Other

-Tide to Go

-Wrinkle Spray

-Eyelash Curler

-Eyebrow Brush

-Tweezers

-Nail Clipper

-Nail Polish

-Nail Polish Remover

-Razor
-Perfume
-Body Spray
-Deodorant
-Medication
-Baby Powder
-Feminine Products
-Compact Mirror
-Body Wash
-Gum
-Hand Sanitizer

Relax

Everyone knows I'm the one who posts the most on this blog. I know what you're thinking, people. 

"Yeah, you post too often Monica. Relax."

My dog is so cute.

ANYWAYS.

On my time off I am ALWAYS thinking of this trip. Thus I always have things to say, and tips for my fellow wanderers and/or blog followers and travelers. So I'm going to tell you my rough ideas for my personal essentials for packing for 3 weeks AND how I plan on getting it in one little carry-on.

(I still don't really know how I'm going to accomplish this.)

First of all, they say that rolling (weird, I know) as opposed to folding clothing saves a lot of space and makes clothing less likely to wrinkle.

Start with shoes, and stuff those with socks or underwear, or bathing suit to keep shape of the shoes AND save space. Now that's savvy. Pack the shoes heel to toe at the foundation of the suitcase. Fill gaps at the bottom layer with bras, underwear, swimwear, tights, small clothing garments. Make an even layer.

And follow that with the bulkier items (jeans, shirts, dresses, skirts, pants). Below is an excellent video of HOW TO PACK LIGHT.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIk8v__Osm8

I'm thinking at least:

5 dresses

7 tops

5 shorts

5 skirts

2 pants

1 jacket

1 hoodie

Is that too much? Too little? I have no clue! Someone advise me.

Honestly, I have to make an update after I practice (yes, that's right, practice) packing my stuff into my suitcase.

In other news, I bought my main travel shoes! 

This is my attempt of the day at modern art.

It totally almost put me out of house and home to buy these. But the sport check guy was so convincing! My only concern with these is how can I rock skirts and dresses with them? I don't know. I'm not a supermodel so it will be a challenge. At least they make my feet look smaller than they are!

I have very few more things to do in preparation for the trip! And the list gets smaller everyday, along with the countdown;)

-Monica

This will be some kind of crazy adventure

60 days, people! 60 days and only a few little hours until our fairytale begins. I know it's going to be like nothing ever before. This will be some kind of crazy adventure with you all. 

I may be at work but this is where my brain is.

Can we just throw some confetti in the air and put on some music and all celebrate together?? I think that's what we should be doing. We should all be together already and just throwing a big going away party for ourselves. Life couldn't really get any better!! This will be the perfect summer. It's time to throw away inhibitions and just bask in the world.

After 40 hours of work in these past 5 days it just keeps me looking forward to every day. It's just that little thing in the back of my mind that brightens every moment. It's all leading to THIS. Yup, I'm going with YOU GUYS. I couldn't have made it happen without the three of you.  We were born to travel together. 

We're leaving the 8 months of snow and the ice behind...

That's what's so perfect. And it just makes me want to blast certain songs on repeat and lie in the sun and be happy. (That's totally what I'm doing right now.)

Except I have to go to work. 

Peace!

-Monica

salut les amis!

Hello there friends! ^_^

My name is Madeline and I'm your friendly neighbourhood Smurf. I just have to say to my fellow wanderers, this is a pretty neat blog you've got going here, and I am so stoked to be a part of it and a part of this trip! Thanks for all the organizing, planning, sweat, tears, and whatever else went into making the Europe trip a reality. Also thanks to anyone who views or has viewed this blog (whoa, you exist?!)

Lastly, at the risk of looking like a desperado, I guess I'm having a helluva time trying to raise enough money to not be a hobo once we get there. I already have a job (that's the baffling part), so if anyone has any get-richer-quick ideas (besides selling parts of myself) any input would help and be greatly appreciated! One love.

Madeline out.

Voyager, comme c'est beau

 My passport arrived in the mail! 

Which is pretty much just taking me another step closer to the trip, and gives me one more little thing to be excited about! And I am. Thank-you passport Canada! With the day off from work, I feel like I've dedicated a lot of today to planning the trip and what I need. Yet I've still neglected to look for the last hotels that we need to book. How do I manage that? I'm a natural procrastinator.

And when I procrastinate, I do it my way.

I keep thinking about how I'm going to pack. Who thinks about that this far in advance? Well, I do, I suppose. How many dresses, skirts, shorts and tops do I really need for the trip? What about toiletries and electronics? And is it honestly going to all fit comfortably, and not bursting at the seems like my usual suitcases are? The last time I packed for a 5 day trip I could barely fit everything in. And that was the same suitcase I plan on using for the trip. Needless to say I'm a serial over-packer.  It seems to be (to me) a major challenge that I am supposed to pack for what is undoubtedly the most thrilling, adventurous, multi-country European vacation of my life thus far - in one small suitcase.

Ever heard of this new thing called checked luggage?

 Yes, yes. I know. There is always the option of checked luggage. But it is exactly that, an option.  My fellow wanderers and myself have concluded that risking losing our luggage is not worth checking anything. I've personally been through many airports with checked luggage, and have never experienced the tragedy that is a lost bag. But I know many who have. And it's true that it would be a major nuisance if any one of us lost our bag in the journey. One that we can't afford to risk. Plus, isn't it just generally a good idea to travel super light when you're traveling Europe by planes, trains, boats and possibly automobile?

I've been there, and it wasn't pretty.

The last time I got on a plane I had two checked full 50 pound suitcases, a guitar, and my carry-on - I was moving, so it was pretty much that or give up most of my stuff. Everywhere I hauled the load (pushing one suitcase in front of me with the guitar balanced on top, carry-on bag on my shoulder, hauling the second suitcase behind me in what was an almost circus-like marvel) things would drop or swivel wrong or I would fail to fit through doors. It took all of my physical strength to haul my way across a parking lots. It is NOT something I would want to experience again. So light travel is the way to go. And when I'm hauling that suitcase up all those steps in Santorini... I'll thank myself that I'm not 'that person' again. Steps and suitcases do not go hand in hand.

Google images has taught me that Santorini is a land of many steps.

Not to mention that carrying that kind of hefty luggage does NOT seem like it would be a fun thing to have to do in Venice. Okay, I lied. I would do anything in Venice. Practically anything sounds good to me if it's there. But water taxis and an overdose of luggage sounds like a bad combo to me. So there you have it. Why to travel light. 

Probably the best way to get around a city, ever. 

Why is traveling so great? To me, it's kind of like this beautiful, prolonged dream that has seeped into reality. You're free. You live in every moment. You can meet the most amazing people and the most insane people. You can be you and know that the future is in your hands, and that you never have to see anyone again but anything could change in an instant. So travel is beautiful. 

And that's why I'm always finding ways to do it.

-Monica

The Europe Bag

First of all, I was totally inspired by Amelia's last post. As you can see.

Yes, it took me less than 24 hours after seeing her blog post to buy the bag. I just bought it in blue (pink and red were sold out), but then I got to thinking that Madeline should get the bag, too. And she has blue hair (at the moment), so she should totally have this blue bag. If I can procure it in pink or red I'll give it to her (out of the goodness of my heart). And we can all rock the bag in different colors! It is the perfect little Europe travel bag.

I also went out and got a worldwide outlet converter set for only 5$! It comes with a nice little black travel pouch. I have to say, I am truly obsessed with travel shopping. There's just so much to look forward to when one goes shopping for their trip!  It makes everything feel so much closer to reality. I still have to get some decent travel shoes, extra camera batteries and a bunch of under 100ml toiletries, hair products etc. So more to look forward to. And more savvy purchases to make!

Great travel bag? Awesome! Dupe for a designer? Even Better!

Okay, I cannot be the only one who is completely obsessed with the Rebecca Minkoff Mini Mac bag! It is the perfect purse for travelling- Why? Let me explain...

Rebecca Minkoff Mini Mac

• Super small and light! Perfect for all the necessities while out on the town (Digital Camera, Money, Lip Chap etc...)
• Goes with literally any outfit!
• Awesome protection! My mother (a fellow happy wanderer) actually had her purse cut off of her while she was sleeping on a train in Europe (goes to show you can never be too safe)! The chains on the strap would make cutting the bag off very difficult...
• Cross body bag style- Comfortable and once again adds to the protection of the bag!

However, at a hefty $200 (Yes, you read that right!), the Mini Mac is not exactly reasonable for those of us who are students on a budget… 

Today, I quickly ran into Walmart to pick up a few things. As I walked by the handbags, I did a double-take. I found a bag that looks very similar to the Mini Mac! It has all the pros of the Mini Mac, with a much more reasonable price tag. It comes in tons of colours and is absolutely wonderful! 'How much is this bag?' you may be wondering? $14! (And yes, you read that right!) This is the perfect bag to take to Europe (I'm planning to use it as my summer purse as well!). 

$14 Walmart Bag
(The IPhone is for size comparison)

Anyway, I hope this may have helped one of you readers! 

-Amelia
:)