A Fairly Boring First Post, but I'm Tired

Hello from Amsterdam!

I'm happy to say I made it to the Netherlands just fine today. My big success of the day was navigating from the airport to Amsterdam via train, then to the hostel via tram + a decent walk with no map. Whew. I got to my hostel around 1:00, dropped my backpack and spent the rest of the day wandering around (and drinking a monsterous "pint"of Amstel). The city is beautiful and wonderful; I've never seen so many bikes in my life. They fill the streets and cover every railing and bridge, and it's quite funny to watch everyone zip around on their bikes in work clothes, carrying groceries or pushing kids in these little front carts. The only major Amsterdam sight I've seen is the Red Light District. I stumbled upon it while walking, and frankly I got scared and left. Other than that, it's been pretty drizzly, so I'll try to take more photos and post some of them in the next few days.

Anyway, just wanted to give you all a quick update that I'm here and alive! I'll be back with some photos soon.

Auf Wiedersehen, People!

Hello out there! And thanks for coming. My big departure day is finally here! I'm heading out today for a six week tour of Central and Eastern Europe. This trip is something I've been thinking, dreaming and talking about for quite a long time - needless to say, I'm pretty excited to finally make it happen. 

I've got a few things left to round up before heading out, so here's a speedy outline of my (non-) itinerary:

1. I'm flying to Amsterdam today. 

2. I have a hostel booked for the first three nights. 

3. My trip is mostly unplanned.

4. I'm taking just one modest backpack.

5. Eventually there will be a flight from Berlin to Budapest.

6. My rail pass will see me through Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland and Austria.

7. I may or may not have families to stay with in Northern Germany and Poland.

8. I will be traveling for six weeks.

9. Yes, I'm traveling alone.

10. I'm not nervous, and I think that's crazy.

Pierogies, brats, beer and goulash are some of the things I'm most excited for. Did I mention I will not be anything like a vegetarian during my travels? I'm also pretty darn excited about the bikes in Amsterdam, the baths in Budapest, the German in Germany, the sleeper cars on trains (I might eat those words later), the chance to work on my photography - and to just wander through the next six weeks, seeing what I can see.

I'll try to post pictures and little tidbits here and there along the way. I'm not bringing much money either, so I figure I'll have plenty of time to sit and write (with a Kaffee or Bier at hand). That's quite an exciting prospect in itself. 

Thanks for all the encouragement, well wishes, suggestions, champagne sendoffs and words of kindness. You've all been so wonderfully supportive. And please keep sending recommendations my way. See you all in November!