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A new meaning to "all but the kitchen sink"
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My bags are officially packed. And for this trip, that's saying something.
For those of you who are a bit outside the Butts family loop, my family is moving out of the house we've lived in for 25+ years. I graduated from Ithaca College in May and intended to get a job for the summer before taking this trip. When the house sold a few days after graduation my job hunt came to an abrupt halt and I turned my focus on what needed to be done at home. I spent the early part of the summer working on my own, and in July my mom stopped working at the hospital to join the packing and moving effort. This Europe trip will follow a similar pattern: I'll be traveling by myself for the first two weeks and she'll join me for the last two weeks. (Equal trip for equal work?)
With a trip departure date set for just a few days before the new home owners take possession of the house, my packing list included the usual toiletries, swimsuit and a camera as well as beds, dressers and the contents of the refrigerator - a packing list of literally all but the kitchen sink. Now after a summer's worth of packing and moving, the house is empty (minus the few odds and ends that no one knows what to do with). My departure for Europe serves as a very welcome and definitive end to what has felt like a never-ending job.
Given the chaos that has reigned in our lives for the past several months, preparation for this trip has been pretty scant. My half of the trip is relatively planned out with accommodation reserved and flights secured through the London, Bath, Barcelona, Paris and Strasbourg legs of the trip. Once Mom joins me in Venice, we'll pretty much be flying by the seat of our pants. We have a place to meet and sleep in Venice and a flight to get us from Rome to Athens, but Lonely Planet and Rick Steves will have to help us fill in the gaps as we go. This goes very much against my strong organizational tendencies, but I'm going to use it as an exercise in spontaneity and run with it.
I depart Tuesday evening around 5pm from Rochester. My cousin Susan is visiting from Louisiana (which coincidentally allowed her to run from Hurricane Gustav) and she's also flying out of Rochester that evening so we'll get to hang out at the airport together. She's traveling on to a work commitment in Nashville, and I'm connecting through Cincinnati to London. I'm due to arrive in London the morning of September 3rd.
Here's where you can expect to hear from me throughout the trip:
September 3-6: London
September 6-7: Bath
September 7-10: Barcelona
September 10-12: Paris
September 12-15: Strasbourg (visiting Butts family relatives)
September 15-17: Venice (meet up with Mom)
September 17-18: Siena
September 18-22: through Tuscany to the Amalfi Coast
September 22-24: Rome
September 24-29: Athens to Mykonos and Santorini
September 29-October 2: Athens (meet up with cousin Megan and her boyfriend Scott)
October 2: Athens back to London
October 3: Fly out of London to home
I'll try to post at least once per destination and put up photos when I can.
I'm signing off to do some last-minute prep (like making sure I have my passport). Thanks so much to all of you for keeping up with my travels, and for all of your love and support no matter where I am in the world! Talk to you next from the other side of the pond!
Amanda
Latest Comments (7)
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AH! (reply)
Sep 2, 2008 12:27 EST by jennamactwenty
Like you said, it's only one month, PHEW! Hehe can't wait to keep reading and we already miss you!!!
LOVE YOU! LOVE YOU!
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jealous... (reply)
Sep 2, 2008 09:07 EST by penjeff41lax
Amanda!
You make me want to jump on a plane and go do something exciting! Currently - I just finished a morning jog - sadly without you. I spend most of my time doing homework -- so a trip anywhere sounds exciting! I know you are going to have tons of fun! Rock Europe!
Jeff
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Have fun! (reply)
Sep 2, 2008 08:55 EST by flash1617
Amanda,
This sounds like a VERY exciting trip. I am incredibly jealous. You will LOVE Barcelona. I think it is my favorite city ever. Not sure where you are staying, but when I was there I stayed in the only youth hostel just a bit outside of the city. It is absolutely gorgeous. I recommend taking the bus tour. It sounds stupid, but it took me to absolutely everything I wanted to s... show all
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Bon voyage! (reply)
Sep 2, 2008 06:50 EST by hslowe
Heck yeah - a travel blog! I will love following your adventure and finding out which places you enjoy most. Safe travels and much fun! - Heather
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Re: Hope you manage okay WITHOUT the kitchen sink! (reply)
Sep 2, 2008 06:13 EST by sherryvolk
Apparently I was too impatient. I clicked twice!
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In reply to:
Can't imagine how you will deal with that sudden impulse to wash dishes! Will be traveling with you, mentally, and praying for a most wonderful time! What a blessing you've been this summer with your selfless dedication to the needs of your family!
Blessings! Aunt She... show all
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Hope you manage okay WITHOUT the kitchen sink! (reply)
Sep 2, 2008 06:12 EST by sherryvolk
Can't imagine how you will deal with that sudden impulse to wash dishes! Will be traveling with you, mentally, and praying for a most wonderful time! What a blessing you've been this summer with your selfless dedication to the needs of your family!
Blessings! Aunt Sherry
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Hope you manage okay WITHOUT the kitchen sink! (reply)
Sep 2, 2008 06:12 EST by sherryvolk
Can't imagine how you will deal with that sudden impulse to wash dishes! Will be traveling with you, mentally, and praying for a most wonderful time! What a blessing you've been this summer with your selfless dedication to the needs of your family!
Blessings! Aunt Sherry
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