It's Like European Vacation Without Beverly D'Angelo or Being on Pig in a Poke

After a month and a half of lovely visitors, I'm checking out of the country for a while. Cary Norton, John Yam, and myself will be trekking across eastern Europe for three weeks beginning Tuesday. Where will we be going? I'm glad you asked. We will be visiting the following countries, perhaps in the following order:

Hungary
Slovakia
Austria
Czech Republic
Poland
Ukraine
Romania
Serbia
Montenegro
Croatia


We will undoubtedly get lost, but as long as the North Star shines brightly each night, we shall find our way.







Here is a clip of how I imagine my time in the Ukraine to go (Substitute "Garrett" for "Rusty"):


I realize that the clip is from the 80's, but my uninformed American mind assumes that eastern Europe is 20 years behind the rest of the civilized world.

What I'm looking forward to the most are 1)Visiting my brother, Trevor, in Vienna 2)Being pounded on by old men the size of bears at the Turkish baths in Budapest 3)Saying I've been to the Ukraine 4)Being in countries where sporadic landmines exist 5)Getting away from a city where it seems like every 10 seconds someone is trying to get you to register to vote, donate to Barack Obama, or save the world via Greenpeace

What I'm looking forward to the least are 1)Body odor 2)Cyrillic languages 3)Gypsies 4)Being in countries where sporadic landmines exist 5)United Airlines charging me $15 to check my bag

Please feel free to call/write/visit/feel sorry for Helen and the cats. I know that I'd miss me dearly if I were gone for almost a month. Also, if you could, please make sure that the Chicago Cubs hold on to win their division so that I can watch them in the playoffs upon my return.

I will return on October 1st with what I expect to be gobs of stories and photos.

Until then,

xoxoGarrettxoxo