I used to blog more about my trip planning. Maybe I’m just too lazy to write as much! Who knows?

But trip plans have been going on for quite some time. Flights were booked quite a while back. Trains were booked as well. Even one bus. Hotels are reserved. And now I’ve managed to do a number of restaurants. One area we are visiting has few options and I didn’t want to end up doing what one blogger had to do — going to a local store and buying food to eat in his room. And then, because we’ll be on a walk, restaurants for that week had to be reserved since the area gets crowded and people get turned away from eating establishments. Even simple, pub-like places take reservations, wouldn’t you know?

So the numbers:

Flights: four
Trains: fifteen, including one overnight train
Bus: one
Rental car: eight days
Lodging I reserved: fourteen
Lodging for the walk, reserved by the company I chose: seven
Restaurants reserved: twelve

Yep, lots of planning. Tons of research. And oh such fun! (No, I’m not being sarcastic.)

Flights, trains, and the bus are paid for, as is some of the lodging. The walk has also been fully paid for. I like getting some things paid up front so that we don’t have a crazy high bill when we get home. But who am I kidding? It’ll still be crazy high!

I’ve done my “trial packing” and it might stay as it is, but I have to wait and see what Dan does. If he moves from the Osprey backpack to roller luggage I will end up doing the same. Men’s clothes are more cumbersome, and so is all of his camera gear. While we prefer to do carryon, sometimes it’s simply not possible. I’m fine with whatever happens — our flights allow for checked luggage so there’s no fee added.

Prior to our departure, which is Monday, I have two performances of La Traviata to play (the end of my tenure with OSJ!), and four students to teach. Plus I have to straighten up the house and, the morning we leave, wash all the linens for our house guest. Better busy than bored, I always say!