Practical Info - Departure
This is a new section of the Web site...we've received some questions from friends and family about what we packed, how are we budgeting, what will we eat, etc. So - this section, labled Practical Info, will be updated as we discover new things regarding the logistics and "practical" side of traveling for 6 months.

Based on our research and a little pioneering of our own, we developed some ideas concerning the practical side of traveling: Budgeting, Packing, Eating, Laundry, and Exercising. We suspect our ideas regarding these "practical ideas" will change along the way…

BUDGETING
JENNI: Our budget is about $80-85 per day for the two of us (we've saved about $15,000). This includes accommodations, food, admission prices, supplies, souvenirs…anything and everything is supposed to be covered under the per diem. We already know that the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona and Germany will be on the expensive side, and we're hoping Eastern Europe will balance everything out. If not, we are prepared to bring home a little debt.

PACKING
JENNI: We bought Eagle Creek World Journey packs in black and green. These packs have a removable daypack that zips onto the back - very handy! We practiced walking in them with books in the Houston heat, and never lasted longer than 45 minutes. But, at least we practiced! Eagle Creek turned out to be our best friend for packing…although their products aren't cheap and they don't have sales, they have put serious thought into organized travel, and almost everything we bought is Eagle Creek. Plus, they have a lifetime guarantee. I highly recommend them.

JOE: We packed 4 or 5 T-shirts each, 1 long-sleeved shirt, 2 pair of pants (that zip off into shorts) 2 pair of regular shorts, swim suit, 5 pair of underwear and socks, long underwear shirt and pants, walking sandals, tennis shoes, and a rain jacket. We also have a toiletry kit with pump bottles for soap, lotion and shampoo; some plastic bowls and plates with plastic dining ware; a substantial medicine kit (complete with 6 months' supply of Jenni's inhalers and birth control pills) and about 10 guide books for different countries.

JENNI: And we didn't forget hats, sunblock, our Swiss Army Knives, tape player, lightweight tablecloth for picnics (that doubles as a beach blanket and wrap), compass, emergency cards, insurance information, and copies of prescriptions. Ladies, I bought blouses that had built-in bras, and I also brought along 2 sports bras…no underwire for me!

JOE: We're bringing our IBM ThinkPad laptop computer and our Sony DV video camera to capture video and digital pictures and post them on our Web site as we go along. These are the most expensive things we're bringing, and we are mentally prepared to have them stolen. We have to come to that realization before we leave; otherwise, we'll be constantly worrying about out stuff. We also have made cassette tapes of some of our favorite songs along with a Walkman in case we get lonely. Honestly, this seems to me like we've over-packed. But we're just not sure what to throw out until we get some traveling under our belts. We'll see.

EATING
JENNI: We've got some great suggestions from the guidebooks on cheap places to eat, but we also know we'll be picnic freaks. Actually, I think the picnicking will be fun - it gives us a chance to see a real grocery store, shop for our own tastes, and then pick a beautiful spot to eat. And it's way cheap, giving us the funds to have a hot meal when we really want one. I also packed a small water-boiler (just stick it in the water and a few minutes later - hot water!) and some $.88 bowls and plates to prepare meals in the room. We can buy soup packets or oatmeal, even coffee or hot chocolate and have an easy meal on the cheap.

JOE: I don't think we'll have a chance to cook very much and I don't think we'll be able to afford very many hot meals. I eat a lot of chicken here, but do Europeans make chicken dishes? I am also very attached to ice water, but I'm afraid I won't be drinking much of that which concerns me.

LAUNDRY
JENNI: I imagine we'll be doing laundry in the sink every three or four days. My current preference for clean underwear and socks every day will gradually diminish as we go along, I think. We have a braided rubber cord with loops on either end that are great for hanging wet clothes - and I bought a few shammies about a year ago to serve as towels when we need them and to wring out excess water from wet laundry to make them dry faster. We'll also find a Laundromat for the big loads when we need them.

JOE: I hope we can find some cheap laundromats. The idea of washing clothes by hand does not appeal to me. I can't even imagine it.

EXERCISING
JENNI: I think we're going to get plenty of exercise - carrying the packs, walking everywhere, climbing things…I'm not worried at all. In fact, I think this will be more exercise that I'm used to from my sporadic jogs in the park or trips to the gym at home.

JOE: I'm a jogger, but not much of a walker. I think it will be a significant adjustment, especially since we're carrying these large backpacks. Also, Scott Credeur, trainer extraordinaire, was kind enough to show us some stretches and weight-training exercises we can do with our backpacks. We hope we can get into some kind of exercise routine. My ultimate goal is that we will get stronger and leaner by virtue of the increased exercise. And I hope we can catch up on some sleep. I can't remember the last time I had a good night's sleep.

So these are our ideas and plans before we take off on July 2 for Paris. I am sure things will change. Maybe we'll chuck half of what we brought - who knows? We'll update this practical side of traveling as we go along.