In the Beginning...

And away I go! This is my first real vacation since Kenya in July 2006 (and, by what twist of the universe is it possible that my dear friend and Kenya companion Eden is back there now?). I'm highly overdue, and I've picked a pretty darn good one (if I do say so myself). Over the next 26 days, I will be exploring both oft-traveled and hidden corners of Europe. It's the grand middle- and upper-class American rite of passage, and now it's my turn to backpack across Europe. Here's a little taste of what I have in store (play with the city markers - they talk back!):


View SEE, do you see? in a larger map

The incredible journey starts meeting my parents in Dublin. I have waited 27 years for this. My dad and I have always said we were going to go to Ireland (The Homeland!) together someday. It's finally here! I'm suspended somewhere between elation and disbelief. From Dublin, we rent a car, test our expert driving skills backwards, and make our way to Galway. But, to get to Galway, we have to cross my river. I get to see it, touch it, smell it, play in it. Water is cleansing, but to have my river washing over me is a power I can only imagine. At least for a few more hours. As my darling nephew pointed out, if Noah's Ark was in the River Shannon, it would be like we were hugging each other. It's my mission to make that happen, and get a picture to memorialize the event. The parentals and I will spend 10 days looping the southern half of the Emerald Isle. We've got some amazing things in store. And, yes, this non-beer-drinking gal will be imbibing in at least a couple of pints of Guinness. I hear it tastes like a milkshake. I can't wait to get my parents drunk. On a pint.

Love my parents and all, but everyone needs some alone vacation time after 3 years. (Seriously!) So, I put them on a plane back stateside, and I jet off for two days in Paris. Being so short on time, I'm not anticipating any of the big tourist traps, except, of course, a glimpse of the Eiffel Tower. Mona Lisa will have to smile on me another time, so I'll get my smiles from my host Dule. A meandering to Montmartre and a stroll on the Seine, a picnic in Paris, oh I'll be back again.

From Paris, I head to Lauterbrunnen, a tiny town in the Swiss Alps of less than 3,000 people. Why, oh why Lauterbrunnen? Behold. "Wow!" is what I said, too. 60% of the land is rivers, glaciers or mountains? Sign me up. The 72 waterfalls aren't bad either. I've got an amazing hike all planned out. I hear a restaurant in town makes about the best apple strudel. I'll have earned it after hiking all day, right? I'll be hosteling it on this stop, because you have to, or it's not really backpacking.

Next, I'm off to Val Gardena in the Dolomites. This string of the Alps in north eastern Italy was just named to the UNESCO list of world heritage sites for it's dynamic mix of geological features. With photos like this (click on the link to see the mountain pics), it's not hard to see what all the fuss is about. Dear Eleonora has agreed to host me and show me the glorious sites. The hills are alive!

La gamba Italiana of my great adventure continues on to Roma. No one could be want for awe-inspiring sites. I'll spend the days discovering the Trevi fountain, the Vatican, the Coliseum and some surprises along the way. My couch queen Maria will clue me in to the local side of things in the evenings. Bring it!

Ultimo, I bookend my trip living out childhood dreams with time in Napoli and climbing Mt. Vesuvius. Pasquale, the host who thinks American visitors are more fun than going on holiday in Spain, uses Vesuvio as his alias - so he knows how to do the volcano right! Experimenting with pasta sauce in his small kitchen and drinking copious amounts of Lacryma Christi and other Italian wines are also on the docket. So, you won't blame me if I never materialize back in California.

I promise, I really will do my best to keep my blog updated as I'm wandering. But you'll have to excuse me if I don't have internet for a few days. Good things come to those who wait. I promise I won't make you wait 3 years. I think.