Long Overdue Update!

The trip was great! Just the break from day-to-day reality we all were looking for. After three weeks of traveling around Europe with only a backpack we were all happy to see our full wardrobes.

Sorry I did not update promptly, but you know how work is when you return from a vacation - crazier than before you left.

Here are a few pictures to hold you over until I can do a proper update.

Things to Avoid - London

In General

• Getting involved in political arguments or discussions about religion unless you get to know people and their viewpoint very well.


• Speaking very loudly in public places. You will generally get "glared down" or politely reminded of the need for quiet if you're too boisterous when in museums, libraries and on public transport.


• Bad Manners - It is imperative you remember to use "Please" and "Thank you". If you need to make a complaint, do so politely.


• Racist, sexist or phobic comments and attitudes - leave them at home


• Trying to board trains without a ticket. There are large penalties for this. They are normally double the single fare.

At the Pub

• Smoking (this is banned in most public enclosed places which includes bus shelters and phoneboxes)


• Talking very loudly, unless the background noise is also loud.


• Whistling, tapping coins on the bar, waving notes or clicking to attract the attention of bar staff. These actions will invariably result in you waiting longer for service.
  As a rule, in a pub, there is no table service and you will be expected to pay on delivery of your order.


• Tipping: Avoid offering money unless the change is handed over on a small tray; instead, when you pay, ask the server to "have one for yourself" or "get a drink on me". They will add the price of a drink but may take the money instead of the drink. Do this with your first order and you will get noticed sooner next time you go to the bar. Further tipping is generally not needed, though it is well received if you make the offer of a drink on your last purchase of the evening.


• Upsetting a "regular". "Regulars" are identified by their overt friendliness with other patrons and the service staff.

Lessons Learned

Mentor: Someone whose hindsight can become your foresight.

As I prepare for EuroTrip 2010, I must say goodbye to a coach, mentor and friend who has pushed me to see the world and its possibilities in a light I had never been previewed to before. Over the years he has taught me to live in the present: body, mind and spirit. Eventhough his physical presence is gone, his lessons and will be with me today, tomorrow and always.

8 Days and Counting...

With only eight days to go, I am astonished that I have not hit the "Holy Hannah" moment of panic! Everyone is healthy and 3 of 4 travelers are packed.

Currency Ordered - Check!

Big item off the list today - we finally ordered our currency for Europe. The exchange rate was good so we jumped and placed our order. Should be here in 3-5 business days!

Voluntourism: Combining Travel and Service

Have you ever considered combining your worldly travel plans with humanitarian efforts? For many of you, this may be the first time that you have heard of the voluntourism concept. Prior to this you may have been unsure that these two experiences, and the joy and fulfillment associated with them, could be synergized and harmoniously blended into one consumable opportunity. VolunTourism represents the blending of your favorite passions and, perhaps, pastimes.

History, culture, geography, environment, and the recreation of exploration meet the inspiration of your voluntary efforts in serving a destination and its residents. Body, mind, and soul respond to the awakening of thoughts, feelings, emotions, via a labor of gratitude that is offered as a part of your overall itinerary.

The trend of voluntourism is providing our current and future leaders with perspective and balance. Voluntourism programs all you to utilize your “six” senses and interact with your destination in ways that had previously existed beyond your capacity of expectation. This is travel that unites your purpose and passion and ignites your enthusiasm in ways unimaginable.

For more information on voluntourism opportunities, check out the following organizations:
The God’s Child Project: http://www.gcpvolunteers.org/
VolunTourism: http://www.voluntourism.org/
Travelocity – Voluntourism: www.travelocity.com/TravelForGood/voluntourism.html

Cross Cultural Solutions: http://www.crossculturalsolutions.org/

Packing - Round 1

Packing is without a doubt one of the most challenging processes involved in taking a trip. I am now two weeks out from my departure day and am thrilled to announce that I have completed my first round of packing. I generally follow a “3-round packing” rule. Each time I cut out some unnecessary items and increase the open space in my suitcase – thus justifying a little more shopping on my trip :).

This trip I have instructed my crew that we will only be taking one carryon bag. This is proving to be an issue, but I think it will work out for the best in the end. Now that I am mostly packed, I will be helping each member of my travel team with their packing challenges. Tonight is Whitney’s turn. Let’s just say this will be the biggest hurdle :) Last year we took a trip to Central America for two weeks. Whit packed three large suitcases and a purse large enough to fit a toddler in…needless to say we won’t be repeating that step on the 2010 trip!

Currently packed in my suitcase:
2 pairs of pants
1 pair of pajamas
10 shirts
16 pairs of underwear
6 pairs of socks
1 pair of high heels
5 scarves
1 pair of high heels (I will be wearing 1 pair of practical shoes)
1 dress
90% of toiletries (1 bar of shampoo, yes bar)
1 camera
1 video camera (flip camera)
1 Passport
1 European phrase book
1 travel journal

15 Days and Counting...

22 Days and Counting...

27 Days and Counting...

Thoughts to Ponder...

All travel has its advantages. If the passenger visits better countries, he may learn to improve his own. And if fortune carries him to worse, he may learn to enjoy it."

-Samuel Johnson

34 Days and Counting...

38 Days and Counting...

Thoughts to Ponder

One hundred years from now it will not matter what kind of house you lived in...

What kind of car you drove...

What your bank balance was...

But what will matter is that you were important in the life of another.

--Adapted from a quote by Forest Witcraft

[Homeless in Milan]

Last night I was reading through a travel book - this time on Milan. I found myself getting so wrapped up in all of the incredible sites that we will see and the thrilling adventures we will encounter. As I stopped reading and sat back to reflect, I realized that I was missing the big picture.

No matter where I travel, my core intent is to always try to experience life as the locals do - the good and the bad. The sugar coating of the travel books had glazed my eyes and I was overlooking what really matters; the people.

In one hundred years, all that will truly matter is that I made a positive difference for the people I have touched whether in the USA, Pakistan or Milan.

41 Days and Counting...

Hair Care on the Go!

LUSH - Hair Care Line

Recently I was visiting with a friend about the strict airline restrictions on liquids. After our discussion it dawned on me that I need to find a hair care solution that is "flight-friendly." Research has pointed me in the direction of LUSH hair care products. They sell a variety of shampoos and conditioners in a solid bar form for all types of hair!

Interesting Sights: The Bone Church, Prague

The well-known story of the Bone Church in Kutná Hora (just outside of Prague, CZ) is that, in the 13th century, Jindřich, the abbot of Sedlec monastery, returned from a visit to Palestine with a pocketful of soil and sprinkled it on the cemetery surrounding the Chapel of All Saints.

This direct association with the holy land led to the graveyard becoming a sought after burial site among the aristocracy of Central Europe. At the time of the thirty years’ war in the 17th century, the number of burials outgrew the space available, the older remains began to be exhumed and stored in the chapel, and it’s estimated that the chapel now contains the bones of up to 40,000 people.

Thoughts to Ponder

There are no foreign lands. It is the traveler only who is foreign.
-Robert Louis Stevenson

A Fairy Tale Christmas

Christmas 2010 is sure to be a festive one in the lively city of Prague. The town square is filled with Christmas markets and the churches are overflowing with holiday music and plays re-enacting Jesus' birth.


The girls and I will be celebrating the Christmas festivities with the locals as we take part in the Prague holiday extravaganza. On Christmas Eve will be be attending a folk night excursion which is sure to include food, drinks and dancing!

56 Days and Counting...