Wow. I sold my car, though for less than I had hoped. I bought my ticket to Germany, and can now actually focus on the trip of my life, so far.
I have been debating for a while whether to take my guitar on this trip. I would love to get back into doing some more regular and serious songwriting, and have never been able to do that without a guitar. On the other hand, I hate having to lug some monster of a thing around and always be the one knocking some kid in the eye when trying to maneuver my way into a thoroughly overstuffed bus somewhere. Today I went to a store called Trade up music (47th & Division in Portland - I recommend!) and found a Martin backpacker guitar for $120.00. It's more than I expected to spend, but damn...what a great little thing. Full acoustic sound, 2 pounds, the size of a ukulele with a long neck....perfect. I can strap that thing to the back of my pack and go. I put it on layaway immediately.
This whole travel-then-move scenario is becoming increasingly real, and I'm not alltogether ready emotionally. I'm working as a nanny right now, keeping my head above water before the big move, and I have totally fallen in love with this kid. Rowan will be one in ten days and he is truly the world's mellowest baby. Cute as all get-out, and fascinating to watch. In the two months I have spent with him, he has learned to walk, started some serious cooing and other verbal experiments, and is picking up little things like how to wave goodbye. It's all so fascinating, I feel like I should be keeping notes for some future infant development thesis. Of course leaving Rowan is going to be just one of the goodbyes that will be rough, but this one may well be permanent...thus the consternation.
Selling my car has really helped jump start my physical trip preparation as well. Since its departure, I have been walking about two hours a day and riding my bike to and from work. I'll be borrowing a little baby backpack to use instead of the stroller, so that Rowan can help strengthen my back for long hikes with my pack. We'll see if this helps.
The countdown to departure is currently at 30 days. Eeeeeek!