A Rosanna moment

Yesterday I had a Rosanna moment. This means nothing to you all I realise, and probably not even to Rosanna, until I explain. And even then probably only Rosanna will 'get' it (if I'm lucky).

I remember sometime last year when I read my good friend Rosanna's blog one day and she announced that she had woken up that morning and decided she was going to Europe. If I have my details correct (you never can be sure with this brain of mine), she woke up, decided she wanted to go to Europe, and booked her flight that day. I was awestruck. But so full of admiration.

This happened to me yesterday. I decided I'm going to do a big trip in 2009. And it will most certainly include Manhattan, NYC, because that is the place I have wanted to see most for as long as I can remember.

I didn't book my ticket that day like she did, but I've bought my Lonely Planet doorstopper on New York City, and I've joined the Lonely Planet Thorn Tree Forum and peppered the members there with endless questions. Should I do a tour? Should I go it alone? Should I explore other parts of America...or dare I say it see some of Europe (I know you will say a loud 'yes yes yes!' to that Rosy)? But most of all, how much should I have saved up for a trip such as this? How much do I need to slave away for the next two years at my jobs? How many magazines should I stop buying? Does it mean I have to give up my beloved Boostjuice? I answered many of those latter questions myself and have already pledged to stop buying magazines and make Boosts only a treat. But seriously, anyone who has ever travelled overseas, please talk to me. Offer me some advice. I am hungry for it. I am a novice. I know nothing, and I want to know everything.

I became so so excited last night when I got replies to the thread I began on that forum, and then later when I sat at my desk, got out my calculator and roughly calculated how much I will be able to save over the next two years if life doesn't throw me too many curve balls between now and then which cost a lot of money. I at first thought two years would be plenty of time to save (and I'm assuming most of you will too), then I thought, hey maybe not, and then I got out my calculator and was pleasantly surprised with the amount that showed up. Maybe I actually can do this.

I'm so excited. This is the most I've ever put into this. I've always just had dreams. I've never actually taken them further. But today I went out and I actually bought a Lonely Planet book and I have spent all afternoon and night reading it. Tomorrow after uni I'm going to go to the travelagent and have a chat. I know I need to do a lot more research, and speak to a lot more people, but it really feels like I'm going to actually do this. That come 2009 I will be travelling overseas.

Almost everyone who reads this blog knows me, and knows my email, so if you have anything could you email me? Or leave a comment here or whatever. Just extend your travelled hands to this enthusiastic novice. Thanks a bunch.








Mostly though...I just want to know how much money I will need to save :) But anything else would be helpful also.



Oh and another thing...what do you think of...Contiki?