So here goes...my first attempt at blogging and sharing my thoughts and adventures with the cyberworld. I guess I'm not really a huge fan of blogging but in the name of efficiency I think I will have to let this slide for a few months, considering I'm not really the best personal correspondent...

Right now, I'm just over a week away from leaving the Land of the Free and I have quite a bit of homework to do still. I hear that it's all worth it to do it now instead of over there, but right now my id begs to differ and it's putting up quite the fight...all I really care about is the instant gratification of laying out on the beach and enjoying the good Californian sun one last time before I get swallowed by the clouds of Europe. I should probably hit the books again soon, but just to give all of you that care to read this a little preview of what's to come:

I'm leave from LAX the 19th, which is a little earlier than most. My original intent was to spend some time travel on my own and maybe see Scotland, but after a little research on prices and such, it seems to be a more expensive option than I bargained for. So, instead I'll be visiting more with my cousin who lives in London and get a little taste of the South African life in England!

Then, the 25th it's off to school again - woohoo! So, in case any of you were interested, this is our current itinerary...


British Isles
Hub -- LondonTuesday 8/25 - Sunday 9/20
London: Tuesday 8/25 through Sunday 8/30
Birmingham: Monday 8/31 through Thursday 9/3
London: Friday 9/4 through Monday 9/14
Transition via Rostrever, N. Ireland: Tuesday 9/15 through Sunday 9/20

Northern Europe
Hub -- BrugesMonday 9/21 through Sunday 10/11 21 days
Bruges: Monday 9/21 through Thursday 9/24
Normandy/Paris Friday 9/25 through Thursday 10/1
Bruges: Friday 10/2 through Tuesday 10/6
Transition via Amersfoort Homestays: Friday 10/7 through Sunday 10/11

Central Europe
Hub -- Berlin Monday 10/12 through Friday 10/30 19 days
Berlin: Monday 10/12 through Tuesday 10/27
Poland: Wednesday 10/21 through Friday 10/23
Berlin: Saturday 10/24 through Tuesday 10/27
Transition via Prague: Wednesday10/28 through Friday 10/30

Southern Europe
Hub -- Florence Saturday 10/31 through Sunday 11/22 23 days
Four-Day Break: Saturday 10/31 through Tuesday 11/3
Florence: Wednesday 11/4 through Tuesday 11/17
Transition via Rome: Wednesday 11/18 through Sunday 11/22

Europe Peripherique (Turkey)
Hub -- Istanbul Monday 11/23 through Monday 12/7 15 days
Istanbul: Monday 11/23 through Monday 12/7
Konya: Tuesday 12/1 to Thursday 12/3
Ephesus: Thursday 12/3 to Monday 12/7
Return to London, Monday 12/7

I come back December 8th - you know, in case any of you need an excuse to ditch class and come pick me up at LAX :) jk! but hopefully I'll get a visit in before I see all of you in the Spring!

Well that's about it for now...looks like I'm gonna hit the beach afterall so I gotta run!

PS if any of you tech savvy people wanna help me figure out this blog thing, that'd be great...I'm not sure I know exactly how to change all the fonts and layouts etc.

k, peace out!