Life is good! I just turned 30 years old, and only have three regrets in life. Aside from not experiencing dorm life in college and dropping piano lessons after high school, my only other regret comes from not taking the advice of my former boss. I was an intern some 9 years ago and I can still hear his voice today; "Joe, before you graduate, go backpacking in Europe".
Really? Leave my part-time (minimum wage) job and graduate a semester late? Travel alone without my girlfriend, family, or college buddies? For these reasons, I (wrongfully) put off world travel, until now!
Finally, after 7 years of working in the "real world", I wanted to experience something completely unique and out of my comfort zone. Traveling through Europe was just what the doctor ordered. My travel certainly wasn't backpacking, but just as fun and filled with adventures I am sure.
I met people from all over the world as well as folks who lived three hours from my hometown. I got lost in Paris and asked for directions in French, only to get lost again hours later after giving a stranger my map of the city. I paid one Euro for wine and 3 Euros for Coca Cola. When in Switzerland, I spent the last of my Francs on beer and did not have enough left for water. I bought dinner for two college ladies in Rome because they were both still studying in school and were nice to me.
Most importantly, I shared experiences with new friends, both old and young, and began my journey to see as much of our beautiful Earth as possible.
Why did I walk into a travel agency? Read the next page to find out.