Welcome aboard!

Okay, so this is a little nerdy to me. But I've been inspired to create a blog so that Kirsty and I can detail our explorations through Europe. We'll see how this works though because I'm not sure about our access to computers.

First, let me explain this trip. I have always loved travel. I am fortunate that I have been able to do my fair share of travel. So in thinking about my future (it seems it's the only thing soon-to-be college grads do), I envisioned a year or two off before continuing my academic endeavors. There was so much that I wanted to do and when I realized I could graduate a semester early, grand visions of world travel entered my mind. I immediately shared said visions with one of my best friends, Kirsty, and she was all about it. Literally, in a matter of days, I decided to graduate a semester early and we made a commitment to make this trip work.

When anyone asks me what I'm going to do now that I've graduated, I excitedly reveal that I'm going to Europe (!!!). Inevitably, the next questions that follow go something like this: "Where in Europe? For how long? Are you going to work there?" To which I respond, "We'll be there for 3 months but we really don't know what we're going to do". People try to press me to for a game-plan, but the truth is, we really don't have any kind of plan. I do know a few things... (1.) The dates are Feb. 16 - May 11. (2.) We fly in and out of Madrid. (3.) It's going to be awesome.

I do have some sort of vision for this trip, which I think (I hope) Kirsty shares. My initial idea for this trip was to live in a city long enough to soak in the culture. I want to meet my neighbors, learn the lingo, become a regular at some local bar/pub/wateringhole. I don't want to work. I don't want to worry about a job, my career, my "future". I want to avoid computers except to let my parents know I'm alive and check in with friends. I just want to slow down.

We may not be taking the traditional path in getting a job, immediately going to grad school, etc. But life is short. Taking time off is not necessarily the right path. In fact, it may not even be the wisest path. I'll probably end up broke and directionless after this trip, but that's what makes for a good adventure. I guess we'll see!

much love,
- alex