2012: It has always been my dream to see Europe. There was always something prohibiting it though - more important priorities. Raising kids alone on a tight budget, many years of college that demanded my attention, and a full time job which prevented me from investing in travel and being away from my daughters.
Then in 2012 my life began to change. My children were launched and content, I was physically fit and healthy, I had saved money. I was ready. My passport was current. It was time and I was so excited.
It never bothered me, traveling alone, because I loved challenging myself and I was intrepid. I thought perhaps being totally alone for a lengthy time might get lonely, so I researched many travel tours where I could meet up with a group in Europe. I studied the countries and places I wanted to see. I used Google Earth to virtually put myself at street view to get a feel for the cities. I made lists. I scoured the web for ideas and built my dream piece by piece.
Eventually I settled on a Rick Steves international tour that would take me through Paris, Switzerland, Germany, and Italy which is the homeland of my grandparents. I decided to spend a few days alone in Paris ahead of the tour group's arrival. Then in earnest, I began an exhaustive time of blissful planning and shopping. I paid the down payment for my tour and bought my flight to Paris and my return flight from Rome.
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