My Backpack

This is my super cool backpack that is going to make my journey much easier!!!! It's made by Eagle Creek and has all sorts of pockets and the little backpack that is sitting on the floor in front of the big one, is obviously detachable. So I have the large pack for all my stuff and the little pack for day trips, what a fantastic design. There is a cloth flap that covers the shoulder straps on the back of the pack, so nothing will catch on anything during the flight(s). It also has an attached rain cover... it's got it all.

Now my challenge is to figure out the best way to fill this thing. Hmmm, I think I have narrowed down the few clothes I'm taking and the few must haves that need to come with me. I have 30-days to make decisions and remove items as necessary! Yikes... only 30-days!

The beginning

How did I come up with this crazy idea to go to Europe in the summer of 2009?

If you know me at all, you know that I like to travel and I like Hard Rock Cafes. Not something I can explain to anyone who doesn't understand why I would travel to see a restaurant that serves the same food at every one. But it's really about the adventures I've had to get to each of the 24 cafes I've been to before. They have all been so much fun and yes, some cafes are much better then others, but I've enjoyed them all.

My Mom had tried to plan a trip to Scotland in 2008 and she had invited be to join her. However, we ended up skipping the trip, but I was intrigued that the UK/Ireland has 5 Hard Rock Cafes. By the end of 2008, I had convinced myself to take some time in 2009 and go to see those HRC's, however, in March of 08, I had also told my cousin Rosemary that I would some visit them in Egar, Hungary "someday". I've never been a person that says she will do something and not follow through. With this being said, I concluded that if I flew into Hungary, I could also see one of my other favorite things in life, a live Formula One race!! The plans begin!!

The race would be outside of Budapest, Hungary on July 26th, this narrowed down the dates of the trip. The itinerary in the beginning, included Greece and Italy, since they both had HRC's. I watched a DVD by Rick Steves on Greece and I realized that both of these countries would require WAY more time to see them then I had available to spend. I was disappointed, but I still had 8 countries that I would see. My trip stretched out to a 26 day whirlwind from Hungary to France, then around Great Britain and Ireland.

With a cue from my friend Andrew's friends whom backpacked across New Zealand a year or so ago, I concluded that it was my turn to take on a backpack and traveling alone had a great appeal. I purchased a book named "Princess with a Backpack", all about a girl from Australia that traveled Europe and had a plethora of tips on how to pack, what to bring/wear and websites for research. "I'm hooked" So I began e-mailing people I knew in Europe and began to research. Quickly the plans started to solidify.

In January of '09, I purchased a flight to Budapest, Hungary... I leave on July 21st at 3:55 pm and I fly through Frankfurt to Hungary and I land on July 22nd. I will be staying with my cousins Nick and Rosemary in Egar, Hungary, from Wednesday to Saturday July 25th. My cousin will bring me back to Budapest and I will stay there for the Formula One race on the 26th. I leave Hungary on July 27th, to spend 2 nights with a new friend, a Lady I met in Mexico in December '07 (she was traveling alone there, just like me), she and I had exchanged e-mail addresses and kept in touch. We never really thought we'd ever see each other again after we left Mexico. She lives in Vienna, Austria (3 hour train trip from Budapest). On July 29th, I will stay at a hostel in Salzburg, Austria for one night, someone told me it is a beautiful place and one of their favorites. On July 30th, I will take the train to Munich, Germany for lunch at HRC #1 of the trip. I decided that I would leave Germany that day and continue into Paris, France. I scheduled a hotel for 2 nights in Paris and have an 8 hour tour of the city on July 31st, along with going to HRC #2. Then on August 1st, I fly to Edinburgh, Scotland and I'm staying for 2 nights, plus visiting HRC #3. After a short train ride to Glasgow, I will be there for 1 night, then stay near the Glasgow airport in Preswick for another night. I then fly to Dublin, Ireland at 9:50 am on August 5th and spend 3 nights in Dublin (and HRC #4). From there, I'm taking a ferry to Liverpool and then a train to Manchester, England to see the HRC #5! From here, this is where it gets a little London Foggy (haha). I have the full intention to spend 4 nights in Wales, but I don't have any plans on where I'm staying, all I know is that I need to visit Cardiff for HRC #6, and from there it is still a mystery (6 weeks away from departure). During this time, I'm hoping to see Pembrookshire, Wales and Stonehenge in England. On August 11th, I'm scheduled to arrive at my step sister's home in Harpenden, England (30 mins via train from London), so I will then conclude my trip with a tour of Buckingham Palace and to visit the very 1st HRC!!!! This will be #7 of the trip and the 31st of my history, I'm so excited. Then on August 15th, I fly home to Denver.

I will continue to add to this blog while away, so that I can explain my experiences and show some pictures! I hope you enjoy the stories.