V-Love’s Lonely Planet

My desk seems so exposed and boring. I guess that is expected with the packing up of my picture frames, bobble head turtle, colorful page tabs, lotions, and magnets. While tomorrow is my last day in the office, I have promised to work from home until the 2nd to confirm all of my deals are closed out for the quarter. It’s been a joy working here and I can honestly say I’ll be sad to not see these folks on a daily basis anymore.

People keep asking me how I am feeling. The obvious answer is scared, anxious, and excited. And not to be traveling alone, but because from here on out I am not really sure where my life is headed. It’s somewhat exciting not knowing where I’ll be or what I’ll be doing 4 months from now, but I’ve always been a practical planner who likes knowing what she is doing on a weekly basis. But I think the loss of a steady income and not knowing what I’m doing from one day to the next will be good for me. Not only will I learn to spend more wisely than I already do, but I’ll appreciate what little time I have in each location, and I’ll make the most of my stay and the people I meet along the way.

I knew I would need to pack dancing shoes!

A sigh of relief but also some nervous and anxious energy is flowing from my body right now. Being emotional in front of your boss when you go to turn in your 2 weeks notice is not exactly professional but my eyes just could not hold it in. And everything is made much more real. No turning back now, I’ve got the entire world in front of me to explore.

I wish I could pull myself away from the internet, the magazines, the Discovery Channel, and all of the blogs for a while but it’s addicting to read about travel. While it’s educating me on how to be a better traveler, it’s also opening up my eyes as to how many places I actually want to visit in my life time. Everyday I discover a new location. I just hope I live long enough to see them all.

And this weekend I was able to check a few more things off of my list:
• Travel Insurance with IMG. I heard great things about worldnomad but IMG was half the price for the same coverage. I’m all for saving a few extra bucks here and there.
• Peru trip is finalized, itinerary is set and I’m ready to go…besides needing to buy new hiking boots.
o Lima, Porto Maldonado (jungle), Cusco, Inca Trail, Puno (Lake Titicaca-floating reed islands)
• Europe is another story. I’m trying to complete my itinerary so I can start booking hostels but I keep adding new locations.
o Basel, Zurich, Luzerne, Rome, Venice, Florence, Assisi, Siena, Pisa, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Paris, Brussels, Brugge, and Amsterdam. I think this is all I can afford and all I have time for.

Good article on traveling light

No, not a week away from starting my travels but a week away from sitting in front of my boss to tell him "I'm here to turn in my 2 weeks notice." When I left Boeing (my previous Employer), ... [Continue reading this entry]