Eurotrek: The Beginning

It is now 2:18am, Swedish time. I made it to Sweden safe and sound. I wrote this blog entry before coming to Rome, but figured I'd post it now since I have internet. The entry for Roma will be coming soon!

What a looong day! Originally, my plan was to leave Ifrane on a bus at 9pm Sunday night, making it to Marrakech at 5:30am, and have over 12 hours before I caught my flight to Rome. However, as usual in Morocco, things didn’t go as planned and the bus was full when I went to book by ticket. The next bus didn’t go out until 7am Monday morning, and expected to arrive in Marrakech at 4:30. My flight was scheduled to leave at 6:30. “Cutting it close” was a very accurate expression in regards to this situation. It was a rather stressful eight-hour bus ride, compounded by my seatmate, a lovely older woman who proceeded to violently throw up while sitting next to me. Luckily about halfway through she got off, and I had two seats to sleep in for the rest of the way. Despite the worries, it was a beautiful trip. I’m always amazed by the Moroccan countryside.

The airport check-in was surprisingly easy, and my flight was delayed for about 20 minutes, so I managed to make it with time to spare. Now I’m typing this somewhere over the Mediterranean Sea, with the plan to post it when I get to my hostel tonight around midnight, depending on if their wii-fi works. I’ve watched my favorite Christmas movie (The Santa Clause –remember that one? Tim Allen is awesome), and am just waiting for this day of travel to be over. While I’m waiting, I’ll type my itinerary for Eurotrek 2011, subject to change of course.

December:

19-22 Rome: Staying in a Hostel, Meeting Becca, Rocky alum who is now an Au Pair in Rome for coffee 

23-27 Karlstad, Sweden: Staying with fellow rocky-ites Harald, our friend John, and Harald’s family. His mom as already emailed me her welcome, put me into the Christmas gift exchange, and made arrangements for me to get from the Airport in Stockholm to Karlstad. I’ve been promised Christmas cookies, cider, parties, and jumping in a frozen lake like the “Real Swedes” do. It will be fabulous. Since it really hasn’t felt like Christmas in Morocco, I’m getting all the Christmas in I possibly can until the 25^th.

27-29 Copenhagen, Denmark: Either staying at the apartment of my Danish friend from AUI or getting a hostel

29- Jan 3 Berlin, Germany: Staying in a hostel, meeting a friend from London and possibly a fellow AUI exchange student for New Years at Brandenburg Gate

Jan 3- 7 or 8 Prague, Czech Republic: Possibly staying with Grant Phillips, who is a friend of my friend Peter, a Rocky Alum married to a Czech girl, pending contact. He said they will for sure be able to show me around the city a bit.

Jan 8-14 Linz, Vienna, and Salzburg, Austria: Staying with Peter, my good friend who was on exchange at Rocky. He’s promised me “the whole Austrian experience”, including campus life at his university, skiing, and a visit to the Spanish Riding School.  

Jan 14-???: Dublin, Ireland: Staying in a hostel. This is the last ticket I’ve booked. I’ve talked about meeting a friend from AUI there, and weather or not that happens will decide what I do next. Tentatively, I will go to Paris on the 18^th and then back to Morocco on the 22^nd. All that is for sure about this leg of the trip is that I will be back at AUI on the 23^rd for classes to start.   

This is the great adventure, 2011 (and 2012!). I can’t believe I’m going to see all the places I’ve seen in pictures: The Colosseum, the Brandenburg gate, the Berlin wall, the “Little Mermaid” of Copenhagen, the castles of Prague, and of course the Spanish Riding School, which I have been obsessed with since childhood… I can’t even list all the things I want to see.

 I fear only two things: Travel fatigue, since I’m taking a train, plane or bus about 15 times in five weeks, and sensory overload, simply not being about to take everything in. But I find that these are great problems to have in life. J

Yes family, I will be very, very careful. I will check my pockets, guard my purse, not take candy (or drinks!) from strangers, keep my wits about me, and follow local laws. Hundreds of thousands students do trips like this every single year, and they don’t have a single problem. I’ve worked hard for this and I know with everything you’ve taught me I’ll be just fine. I will have my computer and wii-fi most places I go, and will for sure Skype you around Christmas. If you email me a day in advance with a set time I should be able to make it, remember that I’m 8 hours ahead now. I love you all, I’m so grateful I am getting to have this experience. Will write more soon from some of the most fabulous places!