This is our first and only attempt at a blog. Please bear with us as we get used to sharing with you.
“You Are Doing What?” For the past few years we have been planning this trip (months really, but talking about the trip for years). Most every dollar spent, trip planned, dinner out, necessity bought, has been done with the idea that in three years time we would be spending a bulk of our fortune on a trip around the world (aka a small portion of Europe and North Africa). Each year passed and we saved money dreaming of the chance to take a few months off to travel. We wanted to experience a true gap year.
Although we have been saving, we have not been without fun. In the past couple of years we have eaten many amazing meals, taken summer vacations, rocked out at a fair amount of concerts, and even traveled to a couple of football games but the end goal has always been the “Big One.”
(Pictured clockwise: Costa Rica, D.C., Appalachian Trail, Alaska, Bama Football, NYC)
“How Are You Doing This?” We could not do this without the love and support we have received from our family and friends. Our parents have graciously (and maybe a tad begrudgingly) agreed to watch our dog (Champ) and house all of our belongings while we adventure. Without this support, our trip would be near to impossible. We have also benefited from our friend’s affirmations. Friends from church, work, and life have showered us with support and we have been strengthened by it.
“Where Are You Going?” This is the question everyone asks. We currently have fourish months planned on our trip. We do not know when our trip will end. We joke that we will head home once the money runs out, but we hope it doesn’t run out that quickly. Our goal is to travel for six to seven months. Truth be told, we’re not even sure if we want to be away from our homeland that long.
The current countries we are going to are Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Italy and Croatia. We hope to make it to the United Kingdom, Ireland, Czech Republic, Austria, and Hungary.
We did get lazy on some of the trip planning. Instead of going at it alone, we have a tour planned for Morocco and a Mediterranean/Adriatic cruise planned in the summer. We chose to use a tour company in Morocco (Gecko Adventures) as we were concerned about a severe language barrier/driving around the country in a rental car/any other issues two extremely white U.S. citizens might face. Our other pre-planned bit of this trip is the cruise around some of the Croatian isles with MedSailors. Hanging out on a yacht sailing around the sunny Mediterranean during the summer months as we visit cities and castles older than the US sounds nice doesn’t it?
“When Do You Leave?” It’s the final countdown (I hope you are all singing that in your head.) There is nothing more panic inducing/exciting as knowing you are starting you last week of work. This week marks our final days at the jobs we have held over the past three years. After our last days of employment we move out of Atlanta and three short days later we are on our way to Spain. It is an odd feeling when one week of your planner is filled with work meetings and the next is filled with flights, ancient mosques, castles and exciting foods. The Big One starts March 1.
We are excited about this journey and hope you join us for the ride.
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cornetravel 