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.

Traveling solo. . ."all you have to fear is fear itself."

I decided to make this blog my travelogue too. I've been suffering from procrastination. So much that I am finally blogging about my trip to Europe 2 years ago. Better late than never though, right? I resisted sitting down and writing about it. Don't know why. I had notes that I took in real time but they have gone missing. Another reason I should get it down in writing sooner rather than later.

Two years ago, I was very afraid to take my trip mostly because I was doing it alone. In 2000 I went to London and Paris with my sister and I vowed I would return to Paris again before my passport expired. The plan was to do it with someone. Alas, in 10 years, although men came, they mostly went and in 2010 there was no one in my life to go with me. I asked an internet friend and he diplomatically turned me down. I think he thought I was propositioning him. I wasn’t. I just wanted company.

So with great trepidation and as much determination, I decided to plan my trip. My coworkers encouraged me. They told me it would be fine. I nearly changed my mind and didn’t go but I’m glad I did.

I did it all alone. No travel agency except Expedia online. I googled and researched online. Tripadvisor was extremely helpful. I bit the bullet and my trip was set. The day after classes ended, I was out of here!

Life lesson: You can travel alone and be safe. My rationale was that I do it here in the states all the time. Using the same caution and common sense, a woman can do it in Europe too.Go for it! I did and now I'm no longer afraid.