Shedding this Skin

I've said my goodbyes, stuffed my backpack, and confirmed my flight. I leave tomorrow morning at 6:53am and arrive in Hannover, Germany around 9am on April 1st. (If Jenn doesn't come get me as some sort of an April Fools, I will kill her.) Like most people, I dislike flying so I want you all to feel uncomfortable for me for the next 48 hours. At least my webcomic gets it.



From now on, if you want to reach me your best bet is e-mailing lizzydoeseurope@live.com

Hi, my name is

Elizabet, eh? I am from White Rock, Canada. You know, it's in British Columbia? A little southeast of Vancouver? Yeah, not many people know about it if they aren't from Canada. It's right above the US/Canadian border, so we see a lot of Americans driving through. About every other weekend my friends and I go to Vancouver to party, there isn't much to do in my town except look at the beaches. The ridiculously cold beaches. Or go drink and chill on the pier. I was born in Surrey, but my parents preferred the small town atmosphere of White Rock, and the views are better so we moved when I was about four. I don't remember it much. Any traveling I have done has been in the US, it's where my mom is from originally.

In other news, yesterday was my last day at the counseling center. It was hard, one because I was so ready to go that sitting behind a desk drove me crazy and two because I was leaving behind one of my favorite jobs ever. The team is great and I will miss everyone. Jacquie gave me a necklace that she bought in Africa of a carved traveler's foot and it is just so perfect. I plan on wearing it basically everyday of my trip. I now have a symbol.

Traveling Naked

Or almost. I started packing today and I'm bring 5 shirts (one long-sleeved, two ts, and two tanks), 1 pair of jeans, 2 sundresses, 1 jean jacket, 1 sweater, 1 swim suit, 6 pair of underwear, 1 set of pjs, and 4 pair of socks. I'm also bringing a towel, pillowcase, and king size bed sheet folded over and sewn like a sleeping bag/person pocket. If you ever watched Jim Gaffigan's "Beyond the Pale" stand-up, I hope you're giggling. (Hot pockkket...)

Also, the other day I did the math and it looks like I will be living off of $36 a day, so staying at a hostel will be considered splurging in my world. I will be living like a gypsy and (hopefully) loving it!

[EDIT 3/30/09] I ditched the PJs, swim suit (I'll buy one over there), a pair of undies, and a pair of socks. I added a scarf. Friggen freezing Germany...

The Beginning

I talked to Ben today, and he gave really good suggestions of where I should go and better yet, some contacts in Romania, the UK, Sweden and Italy. Though his advice to reach his Italian contacts was to go to Fat Clemenza's and ask the men who make pizza. It just so happens that I have dinner plans there with Teri tomorrow so I will have to try and tell them I'm a friend of Ben's (that English bastard) and Italians are the reason America has immigration laws. (That's the key to gain their trust, apparently.)

Ben also highly suggested that I claim to be Canadian because the American reputation is not so hot right now. He said I should choose a city and really research it so I have no holes. I think it will be fun.