Here's the deal.

So, since some of you may be wondering what exactly is going on here (although that seems unlikely as I don't talk about much of anything else), I am going to give a little info on this trip.

Now, I have always wanted to go travel through Europe- you know the dream where you can do anything at anytime. In the past couple of years I have tried to get a few plans together to go traveling, but it never worked out. After that, I said "I WILL go after I graduate college". Last summer, when I had a pretty well paid job, I decided how much money I thought I would need and started saving. It was pretty hard to say no to some things, but God has been very faithful in providing along the way. I know He is calling me to do this now. Since I am so independent (AKA stubborn) I am going even though no one can go with me. That's right, I am going to be free as a bird- no one to tell me where to go, haha. Well, here's the itinerary and here's the map...

Aug
12 Fly to Dublin
13 Dublin
14 Dublin
15 Edinburgh
16 Festival
17 WWOOF
18 WWOOF
19 WWOOF
20 WWOOF
21 WWOOF
22 WWOOF
23 WWOOF
24 WWOOF
25 WWOOF
26 WWOOF
27 WWOOF
28 WWOOF
29 WWOOF
30 WWOOF
31 London
Sept
1 London
2 London
3 Rebekah's
4 L'abri
5 L'abri
6 L'abri
7 L'abri
8 L'abri
9 L'abri
10 L'abri
11 L'abri
12 L'abri
13 L'abri
14 L'abri
15 L'abri
16 L'abri
17 L'abri
18 Paris
19 Paris
20 Paris
21 Beune, France
22 Swiss
23 Swiss
24 Swiss
25 Amst
26 Amst
27 Amst
28 Bacharach
29 Luther
30 Prague
Oct
1 Prague
2 Prague
3 Cesky Krumlov, Czech
4 Salzburg
5 Salzburg
6 Gwen (Zurich)
7 Night train to Budapest
8 Budapest
9 Budapest
10 Budapest
11 Ljubljana
12 Ljubljana
13 Bled
14 Bled
15 Zagreb
16 Plitvice Lakes, Croatia
17 Split
18 Split
19 Hvar
20 Hvar
21 Night boat to Italy
22 Venice
23 Venice
24 Lake Como
25 Lake Como
26 Milan
27 Cinque Terrre
28 Cinque Terre
29 Cinque Terre
30 Nice
31 Nice
Nov
1 Nice
2 Taize
3 Taize
4 Lyon
5 Lyon
6 Belgium
7 Belgium
8 Belgium
9 London
10 Chicago!!

How to read this list: The city is the place I will be sleeping (sometimes, though, it will be on a night train or boat). After September 25 (when I have a plane ticket from Switzerland to Amsterdam) is pretty much up in the air- it's basically a rough itinerary, anything can happen, right? Until then, though, I have solid plans (mostly with people, except London). Now let me tell you about something the things I am going to be doing.

• WWOOF: World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms is an organization that offers exchanges of work on organic farms for room and board. The farm I will be on is called Pillars of Hercules is about an hour outside of Edinburgh.
• L'abri: The best way I know how to describe this is like a "Christian study center". but that sounds really weird. It's basically a place where people can come any amount of time (I will be there 2 weeks) and study whatever subject they want to know about and ask all the questions they can. There is also an emphasis on community, which is something I need to learn about. I am excited about it. It's about an hour outside of London. Oh, and the night before I start, I am going to stay with my friend Rebekah's parents who live in the town where L'abri is located- that should be fun.
• Taize: This is a community of both Catholics and Protestants living together simply and in prayer. I will be there for just the weekend.
  
• Gwen (I think we all know who this is, if not I'll tell you all about her): That's right, I am going to see my girl Gwen Stefani live in Zurich, Switzerland. This is going to be so interesting- seeing a big pop concert in another country. I wonder if/how it will be different. P.S. this will be my 12th time seeing her (10 with No Doubt and 2 solo.. and that's in 5 states and 2 countries... oh goodness).
  

Well, I think that is pretty much the gist of the trip. If you have suggestions/comments please let me know your thoughts...