Two Weeks and Couting!

I'm leaving in two weeks exactly, and I actually feel semi-prepared and on schedule! Last time I went to Greece I packed half the night before and half the morning of, but I don't think that's going to cut it for a ten week trip. I've done a lot of research and read a lot of travel writing to wise up and learn from others' mistakes, and www.ricksteves.com has been an unbelievable tool. If any of you are planning on hopping off to Europe any time soon, go to his site first. It's a treasure chest of free information on Europe and travel in general. A lot of it is taken right out of his travel books word for word, so save yourself the money and check the site first!

I have also been trying to teach myself Modern Greek, but I've gotten lazy and stopped memorizing words and phrases. Hopefully I'll convince myself to pick that back up again before I leave. What's been most helpful believe it or not is the music -- it's a great way to familiarize yourself with the sounds of a new language and to start learning about a new culture.

Also, REI has a lot of clothes that are SPF 30 or 50+. Since I am completly unable to keep up with sunscreen, their sunshirts are how I'm going to survive the Mediterranean sun this summer. Check it out if you're planning on being outdoors a lot this year. You may think tans are pretty, but skin cancer is definitely not.