Month: July 2019

My bag is stuffed

I am in the home stretch in planning for my trip. I am leaving soon. I am leaving so soon that I am embarrassingly not really ready to leave yet. I guess all backpackers say that but it is true.

I mostly finalized my packing list this week and attempted my first packing. It was as expected. I have some major reductions to do. I still have so many things to fit in my already overstuffed bag and this is even after I eliminated a pair of pants, pair of shorts, and an undershirt.

All this stuff still needs to fit in here.

I could have gone easier on myself and bought a newer, better, and bigger backpack as I originally planned. However my Kelty that I bought in 2004 is of extremely good quality and I could not justify the upgrade.

So here I am, trying to decide if I can live off of 3 pairs of shorts and 2 pairs of pants for months on end. Thank goodness I have a number of shirts I can still toss.

The big pile of drugs I am bringing? They are staying for now.

Wish me luck.

Plan Plan Plan

My planning companion

My life is kind of boring lately (if you don’t count all the frustration I have had with my medical insurance lately -> maybe more on that later).

But I am not complaining about the boring because it is going to get real busy quickly and I need to put all this work in now to have an enjoyable time during my scheduled sabbatical.

Sabbatical you ask? Yes I kind of left my job of 18 years. Instead of going back to work right away I decided to take some time off and deplete my savings. How long I will be gone is up in the air at this point. All I know is I am starting in Europe and making my way around the world as long as I can.

For now it is all business – making sure cobra is lined up for emergencies (been a nightmare), get in physical shape in order to handle the stress of traveling (lots of gym time), and to plan my travels (coffee in the morning with kitty). I don’t want to plan every moment in advance but at least for the first month or so I want to ensure clean and safe places to sleep every night. Once I get my groove I may wing it a bit more.

My life is kind of scary and unknown at this point but I really don’t see any other path for me so I have to take it.

I’ll try to blog as I can but most of my posts will be after the fact for obvious reasons. If you are a friend who would like to reach out to me real time then drop me an email. See you later!