The Puma Den: Across the Pond

Day 1
It is Sept. 13, and I begin the adventure of a lifetime, maybe even several lifetimes. I am backpacking around the continent of Europe for three months, on a limited budget and only the clothes I can fit into my traveling backpack.

Due to the changing of the seasons over “across the pond,” I am forced to pack clothing for early fall temperatures ranging from the 60s to the 90s, as well as the bitter winter which I hear can be anything like 30s to 50s. So going into this I have packed: 3 pairs of khaki pants, 2 pairs of shorts, 3 t-shirts, 4 long sleeve shirts, 2 button up shirts, 2 pullovers, a rain jacket, 6 pairs of boxers, 7 pairs of socks, a pair of nice shoes, a pair of sneakers, a pair of flips, a pair of board shorts and my toiletries.

I will take the above things with me to the likes of: Ireland, Germany, Poland, Czech Republic, Amsterdam, France, Italy, Spain, England and leave out of Ireland again. I have given myself an average of two weeks in each country with only a few days devoted to Czech, Poland and Amsterdam. Since nothing is set in stone, I will have the freedom to stay or go when I choose.

Another kicker, I plan on Couch Surfing as much, if not all of the trip, I can. I want to do this because I feel it will allow me to not only see all the sites any tourist would want to see but, also give me a glimpse into the life of the locals.

My mother is attending with me in Ireland for eight days in which she has provided places for us to stay. Fear not, I will be back to Ireland to Couch Surf before I leave for home. I feel that this will give not only myself, but you the reader, an adventure and a look into the life of our friends across the pond!

So, I left my house in Williamsburg, Va. this morning at 7 a.m. and caught a flight from Newport News, Va to LaGuardia Airport in NYC. After a stop by the World Trade Center Memorial in downtown Manhattan, we made our way to JFK International to catch our flight to Dublin, Ireland. In part of the deal my mother used to book the flight to Ireland, we received First Class tickets. Currently I am sitting in the Oasis Lounge enjoying my second vodka drink and some wings…for free (so they say).

We leave in about half an hour. So the next time you hear from me I will be in Ireland, doing the tourist thing with my mother and plotting my next venture. I can assure you this, I will be at Oktoberfest and I have a couch to surf. I will give you more details as the date approaches.

As for now, enjoy life, keep reading and have adventures.