airline incompetence

It may just be the recent Northwest and Delta merging but I have never been as frustrated with flying as I was today. The guy at the ticket counter, the delta guy I was speaking with on the phone, the flight attendants on the plane, all of them were definitely NOT doing "everything they can to make my trip on Delta more enjoyable". Pssh. To my comfort and relief, Ben hung out with me and helped get me $100 worth in travel vouchers (should have been more but I'll take it).

But other than that, the East Coast was amazing and everything I was expecting. I couldn't hardley tell that part of the country is densely populated; the parts of New Jersey and Pennsylvania we went to were small towns with open spaces and clean air. I loved how green and clean it was. I also really loved that delicious food is so easily accessible there! Crab, cheese, salami, Moroccan meals, apple pie..the list goes on. Even ate a philly cheese steak and an Amish smorgasbord (not so delicious but awesome nonetheless). AND, I saw Charm City Cakes! I only left 12 hours ago and I'm already itching to go back!

I have two days back here in Missoula before my dad and I leave for Manchester. We'll spend a couple weeks in Scotland and Ireland before he flys home and I fly into Denmark. Other than getting to Copenhagen, I have no itinerary and no plans (to my mother's intense dismay). I'm so excited and so scared. I've been trying to mentally prep myself to be ok with being alone for a month. I know its going to be tough but I also know that it will be great. I'm hoping Emily, Rosi or Jackie will meet me along the way but if not thats ok too!
I'm wondering if I should get the lonely planet book on all of Europe or if I should just wing it...

Picture1: Rusted fence with Baltimore city in the back ground
Picture2: Phillies game!

Dear diary...

Is it weird that I'm more nervous to go to New Jersey for 6 days than I am for 6 weeks in Europe? It may be due to the fact that Jersey is tomorrow and Europe is 2 weeks away. Or maybe its because I've never been to the East Coast before. Or maybe its because I'm staying with people I don't know for the first night. But all these explanations seem improbable.

In the 2 minutes that just I took to contemplate this thought I have come to an immediate conclusion: I have dreams about living in the green rolling hills and warm, breezy beaches that I picture as the East Coast (complete with big floppy hats and fly-away scarfs). I want to fall in love with it and I'm scared I won't! So silly...

I am so excited to start traveling! I've started to feel like a bum around here. My day usually consists of waking up around 9 (very late for my usual early rising self), reading until lunch, running errands with my mom and napping in the afternoon. It was nice for the first 2 days I got home but after that I started to feel like I have no purpose in life. Don't get me wrong, I love riding and running and picking wild flowers here, but I need something to do.

So luckily tomorrow I'm off! I'm calling it trip number 0.5 (zero point five) because its within the US. Not to say that it is any less of a trip! I just feel that only trips outside the US deserve a whole number.... Sorry nation.

The picture: One thing I love about this town is missoula farmers market. Spring time means tons of starter plants that make the market look painter's mixing palette.

Last day in Flag= one more day until my adventure begins.

Whoa!
My room is all pack up and really, there is no way its going to fit it in my car. But there's no sense in worrying about that now. We'll deal with that tomorrow morning....

Its like another emotional roller coaster ride. A bitter sweet beginning. A new chapter to my life's book. I love it. The changing, the sadness and the unknown its almost like crack. I dread it before it gets here, but when it is here I can see through the tough parts to the beautiful life I'm about to live.