Vietnam bound Julie

So we meet again! I debated whether or not to blog again. Don’t get me wrong..I LOVED doing it last time, especially as a way to reflect, but it took a long time! I probably spent about an hour writing every night and while I enjoy looking back at my experiences, I debated whether or not it was worth the time and effort. Yet, here I am! So let’s see, where to begin. After my 4 month stint in SE Asia last year I knew I was hooked on international travel. After returning to the states, I knew I would be traveling again within the year (jobs are overrated, right?) I spent the summer waitressing at BGs and in the fall started looking for volunteer or internship opportunities in study abroad offices in colleges. To make a long story short, in September I started my internship at Merrimack College in North Andover MA in their international programs office. My time there has been incredible. It’s a small office, and Lauren (the director and my advisor) has been incredible and I have learned so much from her. Since I was talking travel every day, I decided it was time to start planning again. I knew I was going back to Vietnam. My kids are there (figuratively speaking Dad, don’t worry). Well there is this one boy in particular (I believe his name in Thoung, but will find out for sure this weekend) who has won over my heart. For the past year I have had countless dreams about going back to see him. And, as many of you know, I have a good way of convincing my mother to join me on my travels! So since I knew I was going to Ho Chi Minh City and I knew Erin (Scott’s girlfriend) was going to be studying abroad in Australia, I figured hey, while I am in the neighborhood I might as well stop by. Well it turns out it is not so much in the neighborhood (it will take about 12 hours to get from Vietnam to Australia) but, after 2 weeks in Vietnam mom and I will be off to Australia. Then, Merrimack has started a new partnership with a school in Melbourne, Australia so there is a great way to tie in some internship work while I am traveling (not too shabby of an internship huh!) So basically, I will be in Vietnam for a week, my mom will then join me for a week, we will then spend 10 days in Australia, she will leave and I will spend a few more days only to return home late on March 18th (party planners get ready!)

Ok so now to the good stuff, the itinerary! Ok well instead of retyping everything, you can just go to this link!

http://www.tripit.com/trip/public/id/73D8C552F33C

Tripit is this amazing website that lets you email confirmations and they put it into a nice little itinerary! There’s that for all of you who want to stalk my flights, hotels, etc!

So Wednesday night I was packed and ready to go. The plan was, one checked bag, one carry-on bag, and a backpack! I can openly admit I am an over packer, but honestly I was pretty impressed and everything fit in my bags. The last step was weighing them. The most important weight was that of my massive checked bag (couldn’t be over 50 pounds) and so I have this nifty little hand scale to weight it. The first time, 60 pounds. But I was so proud as it only took me one time to rearrange my bag so it was 50 pounds! I was all set and ready to go but wanted to weight it again JUST to make sure I didn’t have problems at the airport (as that has been an issue more than I’d like to admit). I was using the scale with my mom when all of a sudden I heard a snap. The right side of the handle had come undone and frayed to the point it was no longer a “handle”. So I had some choices. First, I called Kohl’s to see if they had the same thing is stock (which they did not) so then my mom offered some other luggage that was in the house but I wanted “my” luggage. (If you don’t already know by now I am a princess!) Last, but certainly not least, was to wait for Dr. Wilson to return home from work and that’s exactly what I did! The dining room table became the surgery room, with towels, screw drivers, pliers and wrenches. My job (in the beginning) was the important flashlight holder, but I quickly moved up ranks to screwdriver! The process was long, like a few hours actually, but we (ok, ok, DAD) managed to get the broken piece out to put a new piece in! A little duct tape and we are good to go!!! Well, I think those are all the details you need for now, at least enough to stalk me across the ocean. I am SO excited and feel so blessed to have this opportunity!

Hugs and kisses from a Vietnam bound Julie