... the ridiculous optimism was getting to me. Don't get me wrong, it's great, it's just annoying.

If that makes sense...

I believe I've mentioned this before in a separate journal, but as it is coming up again in a more serious (heh) and realistic way now, I figured I'd write it up again. I suppose the journal is more for my sake getting it all down and sorted, rather than letting it all mix/rot (however you wish to look at it) inside my head. Again, like with the last one I can't really recall, if anybody wants to suggest a country, city or town, go ahead I'll likely stop by and be a lousy guest *snerk*

I figured the only way to go is the backpacker method - my Mennonite knowledge will come in handy I believe - because that's the only way to go. I haven't even been to Europe (or the rest of the world, save for the northern United States) but I'm already liking the idea of trains. I wish we had trains in Canada that didn't cost four grand to use...
Hosteling is a given, obviously, and with my track record I've come to terms with the fact I may have to sleep outside. Though I'm not quite sure what the wildlife situation is out there, is it relatively the same as in Canada? With all the woodland creatures wanting your vittles? i.e, bears, coyotes... chipmunks... It's mostly bears I worry about, which is a little stupid because dogs come in packs -_-

I'm reading up on it with this book I got for Christmas called Rick Steves Through the Back Door which I find fairly informative and it's giving me a rough idea what it will be like. Though preconceptions are rarely what you find when you actually get out there

I don't know how long I'd like to travel, but the budget willing I'd like to take two to three months off for it, maybe more. I don't know if I'd make that, but who knows? Make it flexible.

Basically Europe is on my list for the first time 'round; Ireland, bit of the U.K, Belgium, Netherlands (my friends family lives there), France, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, Austria, (Turkey maybe, I hear you need a visa to visit), Italy, Greece, and maybe hit Egypt if I can or want to at that point. I want to leave myself enough time to take in the culture and environments, rather than rushing through and missing the heart of it.

There's this SWAP program I may take first, or second: [link] that is more or less a visa service, except it's more in depth and helpful than just getting a visa and that's it. I think it would be interesting to work somewhere other than Europe and North America for this thing. Seeing as I'm already going to travel there, which leaves a few options left: South Africa, China, Thailand, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. I'm opting for the latter two, because it would be less of a culture shock if I'm going to live there for a while. Asia sounds great, but I don't know if I could live there (traveling to Thailand is another matter Carlotta..)

Anyways, I should probably be moving on.