January 17th, 2000, cont
So, with 50 days left until my departure date this is where I stand. I have a passport and am working on my visa. My flight is booked and the date is set (that’s where reality begins to hit I think…having a date!!!).
I have all the luggage that I think I will need; a 70L travel pack with a zip-on daypack. I’m hoping this will do although I might get one more bag – keep in mind that I will most likely be staying put for three months. I have read a ton of info (both online and in book form). I just purchased a guidebook – personally I went for The Lonely Planet: Scotland, but that’s just my own choice. There are a ton out there. I also found a Europe guidebook on sale big time so I got that as well…just in case! I am still looking into the whole train thing. I’m also trying to figure out where to stay for my first few nights in Edinburgh.
Mentally I’m just trying to think of what it might be like for my first few days. I know I’ll be lonely and that it will be very tough but I’m also trying to look at the positives of it. Meeting new people, seeing the world, accomplishing my dreams.
I found a really good book; “Gutsy Women” by Traveler’s Tales. I bought it a while back but picked it up again one day when I was feeling particularly apprehensive. There are some great tips and also some very inspiring quotes which totally made me feel better and definitely more gutsy! My suggestion would be to find something encouraging like that to read so that when you begin to wonder what the heck you are doing (which has basically been a weekly occurrence for me) you can read about other brave people doing the same thing as you.
I’ve also found that it helps to tell someone new about your trip. Convince them (whether they need it or not) why you are doing this and about how amazingly exciting it will be. Their reactions will either be negative and convince you that you need to get away from the people in your life or they will be positive and simply remind you that you are doing the right thing!
