To Dream the Possible Dream

I am not a rich person. Financially, I am not even middle class. I have lived most of my life with less, sometimes by choice but mostly not of my free will. But I have come to believe that success cannot be measured by dollar and cents but by the happiness quotient.

I have always wanted to travel but lack of time and money has always been a hindrance. Now I have learned that if you have the time, money is no object. Really. And we make time for what we really want to do.

My trip to Europe was a budget trip. I wasn’t interested in fancy restaurants or posh hotels. The thrill was that I would be on another continent, an ocean away. It was an adventure not luxuries that I was in search of..

I figured that I travel in the U.S. on a budget; I can do the same in Europe. Yes, having a small inheritance appear strategically helped immensely. That meant I wouldn’t bankrupt myself to go but I would have gone, regardless. I had lived frugally for a whole year and saved up my money to make this trip possible.

Everything was done cash, no credit. I spent 12 days in England and Rome for under $2000, if my calculations are correct. That includes airfare, train fare, hotels and food.  It took a lot of armchair research to make it happen. And as the commercials say, "if I can do it, anyone can!"

Me in front of the Trevi Fountain in Rome, wishing for a return trip.