I usually like to write a “beginning” post when I’m sitting in the airport waiting to board the plane, but this vacation I’m not going to get the chance. I broke one of the hinges on my laptop when I was in Sri Lanka, and I’m worried that the computer will make it to the states in one piece. This is the same thing that happened to the other laptop and one time I open it up and wires started to sizzle. So I’m not going to be taking any chances with this one until I get a new one. I’ll wait until I arrive in Helsinki to make my first official post.

It’s about 11:20 at night and my flight leave at 235, and I’m already really sleepy. On the good side though I spent most of the day getting ready for the trip and I think I’m good to go.

So it finally happened. After about five months of indecision and a somewhat hesitant determination of my Summer plans, the time is almost here for me to leave. I’ve still got a day and a half before I actually leave Dubai, but I’m starting to get excited. Last night I made all the plans that I could for the services that I know that I’m gong to need, like car rental in Amarillo, travel insurance, and my room in Helsinki. Maybe that’s what has made it all seem “real” and has gotten the butterflies going.

I’m still not sure if my choice was the best one, but it’s been made and I’m going to have a great time. I’ll stay in Helsinki for three nights and then head for Sweden. I’ve also started to think about going to Norway in a more real sense. I figure that since I’ll be in the neighborhood, I might as well call on them.

I don’t think I usually write about the nerves starting up, but there is a more functional reason for this post. I want to make sure everything on my site is working properly. That this post will be added to the front page along with the image. It will be a lot easier for me to fix something now than on the road.

This is the information that I know for sure about the upcoming trip. The only reason I know it, is because these are the points that I’ve purchased tickets for. The in between parts are sketchy to say the least, but if I’m going from Finland to England I have to go through some other countries (unless I fly), so that’s where I’m more or less guessing.

Leave Dubai July 19

Helsinki, Finland July, 19

3 days Helsinki

2 days in Stockholm

1 week in Germany

2 weeks in Ireland, Scotland, England

2 days in Amsterdam

2 days Brussels

Leave London, England August 20

Clovis, NM August August 20-25

Arrive Dubai, August 26

Oh, and I don’t know if anyone cares, but I’ve enabled comments again. I was getting spammed by a bunch of people so I disabled them, but they’re up and running now though.

And, until I get this blog fixed it still doesn’t accept any comment (or entry) that contains apostrophes, it will tell you that the comment has been saved, but it actually isn’t. What you have to do is don’t use contractions, or put a “ “ or is it, “/” in front of the apostrophe. Sorry, but I know what’s wrong, but I can’t find a fix for it.