Let's Get Ready to Rumble!!
Trip Eve!
30.11.2011
So it's Wednesday, the night before we leave for our Christmas Market cruise in Germany and Austria. It is slightly possible that I could be more excited, but it's a very tiny chance, within the same order of magnitude as the odds of winning the lottery or being hit by lightening. Waiting until the absolute end of the year to take one's big vacation is, in retrospect, too incredibly difficult, like trying to make your Halloween candy hold out until Easter. Face it, the chocolate is long gone and all that's left are the Tootsie rolls and the Sweet-tarts. Next year, I'll space it out better. Although, in point of fact, one cannot take a Christmas cruise in July, more's the pity!
I have, however, channeled my excitement into my usual obsessive preparations. With six shirts and six outer layers, I have a list of 14 different combinations of outfits, all neatly packed in my packing envelopes. I have long-johns and extra socks. I stopped the mail. I paid my rent. I unplugged the appliances. I have a prescription of Cipro, just in case. Heck, I even had a measles titer drawn just to confirm my immunity to the measles. Here's a tip: don't do it. It costs $450--just get the extra measles shot. It's cheaper, and it can't hurt. I am concerned, though, that my packable down jacket isn't warm enough--I will conduct experiments at work in the morning in case I need the backup coat I have in the car.
New this trip: my iPhone! I have downloaded maps and a talking translation app. I will let you know how this stuff works out relative to the traditional books and maps I usually use. In the meantime, watch this space. First stop: Nuremburg, Germany.
