Have you ever gone on a trip and panicked before you left because there was so much to do? Well, that is where I am now...a little panicked.

My plane tickets and itinerary just arrived today via FedEx.

I leave on Thursday for a 23 day trip through Europe. Never mind the fact that I don’t speak any language but Southern – that doesn’t bother me yet – I’m still thinking about my family, my work, my everyday obligations that I’ll be leaving behind, plus all the packing that I have to do (I mean, how do you pack for a 23 day trip anyway?).

Every time I make a list of things to delegate or get done before I go there is a new something-or-other that crops up. Well, this trip is a bit like Christmas…it is coming whether I’m ready or not and it is truly a gift that I know I’ll cherish.

I’ve always fancied myself an adventurer – not the climb Mount Hood and sleep with a dog to stay alive kind of guy – but one that believes life is for the living and is best experienced by doing. The more I do the more I learn, and the more I learn the more I realize there is to know. And for that reason this trip is very exciting…

So, here is my schedule.

Washington DC – March 8 – 9
Paris, France – March 10 – 14
Hamburg, Germany – March 14 – 19
Athens, Greece – March 19 – 23
Bucharest, Romania – March 23 – 28
Brussels, Belgium – March 28 – April 1

I’ll do my best to share what I see and learn.

Next time I'll talk a bit more about the great people and institutions that made this trip possible and why...

Thanks for joining me on this adventure!