5 days and counting...

Hello again, everyone!
For those of you that don't know. I recently quit my high stress, high travel, "corporate" job to explore careers where I'll have a more direct and meaningful impact on people. In the meantime I've decided to take advantage of my situation and spend 8 weeks traveling around Europe, exploring other cultures, meeting new people, learning about myself, and praying for what lies ahead. Here I sit 5 days from leaving on my most exciting adventure to date, and all I can think is "Oh my word...I have so much left to do!" Go to the post office...shop for a few more necessities...purchase my rail pass...finish rolling over my 401k...And yet, what do I want to do? Get online and explore my first two stops; Bruges and Antwerp (Belgium). :)

My itinerary so far looks like this:
Belgium
Ireland
England
Scotland
Iceland
Netherlands
Germany
Switzerland
Lakes Region of Italy

I've also found several really great websites so far to help with this trip. You should check them out when you get a chance.
www.airbnb.com - you can rent rooms (with or without breakfast) and/or whole apartments from people
www.womenwelcomewomen.org.uk - a closed network of women that can act as day hostesses in a city or allow you to stay with them - I'm really excited about this one.
www.journeywoman.com - a travel magazine by women for women
www.hostelworld.com - information and reviews of hostels around the world

I can't believe it's been 2.5 weeks since the last day at my former job already. I've gotten so much accomplished (including putting up a backsplash in my kitchen), have so much left to do, and recognize that I will definitely be looking for a job when I get back. If I didn't have this trip coming up, I think I'd be bored out of my mind. :)

Love, Love!