Only thirty-nine days until I leave now.

I bought a camera the other day, a panasonic TZ1 - I think it is very cute and I'm looking forward to taking lots of photos with it then downloading them onto my ipod - I feel like such a nerd! Being that I know next to nothing about photography I asked my dear friend Esther to explain a few things. I have to admit, Esther mostly managed to confuse me. Ultimately I did manage to work out that optical zoom over digital zoom and megapixels determines the size of the photo when you print it.

You can see info about my new camera at: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Panasonic/panasonic_dmctz1.asp

In significantly less cool news my flatmate finally crossed the line of no return with his insults on the weekend so I am vacating my flat a bit earlier than expected. This means I get to save a bit more money and cross a friend off the mailing list. I must thank krista and esther who have successfully convinced me not to do anything evil in retaliation... I've come up with some delightfully cruel things though. Good thing I am not a nasty person hey? My pride and feelings were hurt and I'm turning my back and walking away...

But let's focus on more positive things shall we? I'm leaving in 39 days! That reminds me, I should ring my uncle and remind him...

KERBLOG

KERBLOG
This blog is being done by a man who has chosen to remain in Beirut, Lebanon, despite the falling bombs and his French passport. He is an artist and musician, posting his work and his experience while the bombs fall. How utterly terrifying this must be. I am so glad to live in a country without war and suffering of that magnitude. I can only hope this continues, and for this man, Mazen Kerbaj, and all the other people in Lebanon and Israel, and those in Palestine, that at least some form of peace can be found soon.

It's getting closer...

There are only 60 days to go until I depart these shores most fair. I am going through my not quite last minute in fact still having a significant amount of time til I leave stresses. I have been accused by many of being way too controlling and prepared but I firmly believe that any person who tells you the only way to travel is to work it all out when you get there has never spent time driving around at 2am trying to find somewhere to stay in below zero temperatures with seriously frayed tempers. I just don't want to go through that, I don't have fun when stressed.

I happily admit to being a tad meticulous at times. It's okay, I'm happy with my extreme organising tendencies, it's a good skill in my work.

The map is my stunningly artistic rendition of my journey through Europe. I must confess, the colours have no meaning beyond me wanting to change colours with great frequency. I found out not too long ago that I will be losing my travel companion after Tallinn as she has to return to England for work. My first reaction was horror, but immediately following the subsidance of that particular emotion was excitement. I am, for the first time in a very long time, going to go travelling alone. This may not be a particularly scary prospect for many people, especially as I have gone around the world before, but I am afraid that deep down I am as big a wuss as my cat who is afraid of the kitten that lives next door.

This is a huge and exciting challenge for me. I can honestly say I would not have arranged such a journey if I'd known from the outset that I was to be alone in my wandering. Having it thrust upon me is an excellent way to shake me out of my comfort zone. I am looking forward to wandering streets by myself, to inveigling my way into groups of travellers or locals, to doing what I and I alone want to do. I think this will be a very enlightening experience for me. I'm always wanting to escape from the world around me, how better to do that than to submerse myself into a city where I do not speak the language, and only a few speak mine?

I am looking forward to this adventure, and terrified of what I may find.