30 days Back to It: See Squared's EuroTrip

On March 2nd, 2009, I'm taking off for my second trip to Europe. It's part pilgrimage, part excursion, but most parts walkabout. A month to "find myself," figure out what I want to do if I don't get into journalism school, and revisit some of the most formative experiences I can remember from the last half decade. This blog will have a few purposes:

1. Show everyone what I'm checking out with video, photos, and descriptive travel writing! (Thank you, college degree). Hopefully for those of you who haven't seen Europe or the parts I'm going to, I'll be able to give you a (diluted) taste of what's out there.

2. Document a "student"-ish travel budget. I will be telling you almost every cent I spend of my somewhat minimal travel easter egg. I say minimal, but I'll acknowledge it's a little more than usual since this is saved up college graduation money + whatever wages I have left from my internship. It should be interesting to see what happens when I hit Paris and how quickly that drains me. Let's say that for the next month, hitting 6 countries, I'm using approximately $5000.

3. Clothes and fashion. I'm also using this an opportunity to test and explore the bounds of fashion. I will be stopping in Paris, London, and Berlin. But I'll also be in Eastern Europe, where I'm hoping to pick up some of the pizazz there. I'll get a little Sartorialist and snap pics of people who inspire me, places where I find deals, and things I wish they had in the states but likely don't.

4. The last challenge is going to be making outfits from the few clothes I'm giving myself the freedom to bring. I say three bags, but mostly I'm going to try and travel incredibly light. I have a long history of overpacking (read: bringing my whole life with me), so I'm going to attempt bringing a few key items -- some travel pieces, some basics, a number of accessories, and only a couple pairs of shoes. In Europe, one of the most unconsciously stylish continents in the world, how posh can I be with what's in my backpack?

First post following the directives post? How much money I've already spent before my feet have even left American soil.

bisous,
cc