Hello, my name is Kristen and I love to travel. Even more than actually travelling, I love to plan it and talk about planning it. Wanted to share that, just in case you didn't know that about me, because it's not like I've shared it
before or
anything.
KC and I went to Australia in 2014. A few months ago,
we went to Europe. These were the 2 big trips that I wanted to do, the 2 biggest things on my life list. KC made me promise that Europe would be the last 'big' trip for a few years, though we could do smaller trips like Disney (ha, our bank account laughs at calling Disney a 'small' trip), and I promised.
Then he made the mistake of saying how much he loved Europe and we should totally do it again. So I got to planning. But the reason he didn't want to do another big trip is because we need to do other things with our money, and Europe pushes those things further and further away. Our house needs new windows, we need a new bed (we only have a full, feel sorry for us), we want to pay off cars, etc etc. Things that don't seem pressing but the further they get pushed away, the less likely they are to happen.
As much as I would love to go to Europe again, and I know we could technically afford it, the other night I think I came to the realisation that we shouldn't.
So. Because I love to share my thoughts and can't make a decision on my own... The options for summer 2016 are:
1. Europe.
The original choice, one I'm not quite ready to let go of yet. Once I get something in my head, I'm not good at letting go. Example: I can be sitting on the couch, fine and dandy, happy as can be, not thinking about ice cream. KC says 'let's go get a blizzard' and I'm like 'OKAY' and then he says 'nah, we shouldn't' and I say 'bitch please, you know you can't put it in my head and then take it away'. So we go get blizzards. I haven't told KC that I've come to the realisation that we probably shouldn't go to Europe because I'm still not ready to let go, and once I tell him, it will be real and he will be all logical and whatnot.
The plans were: Munich, Berlin, Bruges and Amsterdam. I was actually able to get the budget down super low and it really won't be that expensive... But of course, it will be more expensive than other options.
2. The British Isles.
I haven't looked into it too much, but I wonder if staying within the British Isles would be cheaper. We could see more of Ireland that we didn't get to see last time, Scotland, go back to England and I could do Jane Austen related stuff. I'm sure KC wouldn't mind that...
3. The West Coast.
The plans would be San Fran, Seattle and Portland. Maybe I'd throw in Disneyland to make KC really sorry that he made me ditch Europe. Haha jk but not really. Honestly, this trip could be just as expensive as Europe (believe me, I priced it). Although, we could use miles for flights...
4. A cruise.
I'm kind of slightly terrified of ships. But we could do a cruise. I think. His mom mentioned it, because we actually invited her and my brother in law on the Europe trip and when we were talking about it possibly not happening, she suggested it. I wouldn't know where to start, or where to go. I do know that I would want to go somewhere in the Caribbean so I could make
Kay come and meet me.
^^ I am not kidding when I say when I look at that picture, my stomach drops, my knees go weak and I want to cry. Hasn't anyone else seen Ghost Ship or Poseidon or I don't know,
Titanic?! WTF there is nothing around that ship JUST WATER and I need to move on before I vomit.
5. Hawaii.
I've been to Hawaii, KC has not. It's halfway between the US and Aus, so I could maybe make my mummy meet us. But, it's certainly not cheap. I only visited Waikiki and didn't love love love it, so I'm weary of going again but if we went, I'd want to see more.
6. Canada.
We could go to Canada. I've heard it's pretty. Martin Short always makes me want to visit when I watch the
O, Canada thingy at Epcot. Flights are surprisingly affordable.
7. Somewhere else in the US.
I have been to almost half of the states, but honestly, a lot of that was during my first trip to the US and it was a crazy whirlwind that I barely remember. Plus, I'd love to go places with KC. But when I think about where else to go in the states, I get overwhelmed. Partly because I've already been so many places and I want to go somewhere new, partly because there are so many places I haven't been and I just don't know where to start.
The thing is, I still want it to be a 'big' trip because I like big trips. I like taking 2 weeks and planning a fabulous holiday. The reason I really want to go back to Europe is because I think that it will become less feasible as we get older or have kids. That might not be true for everyone, but I think it will be for us.
Also, the other thing is I don't even know if I
want to go to Munich, Berlin etc. I mean, of course I want to go, but I don't know if I want to go as much as I wanted to go to Paris and Rome. You know? Does anyone understand my brain, when I don't even understand it? Help me.
Obviously, I am quite aware how lucky I am to have such a problem, when many others are unable to travel. I am lucky (and thankful) that my husband goes along with my dreams even though he does not have that wanderlust soul. I am lucky I work hard and am able to save my money to have the choice to go to these places. I am aware of that, and I am grateful to be able to travel. I will never
not be grateful. But I will also be conflicted on where to go, apparently.
Suggestions?