So the thing is, when you are out trying to make things matter, you lose track of time and, all of the sudden, it is Jet to Joy June.
May was a great month. When you begin to try and make each moment significant, it's amazing what sort of things fade to the background. I watched a lot less television (well, Netflix anyway) and spent more time with more people. I also forced myself to get off of my behind and try to get organized.
Phew! I'm glad that's over! Time to hit the Hulu queue!
Being focused and productive for things that matter can be frustrating and our circumstances can make them even more so. Finding joy in the midst of all of it is a battle, but a battle worth fighting.
This month is Jet to Joy June in the Year of Dreams. It is a month where, despite circumstances, joy is what will be [attempted to be] chosen.
For me, this may be easier than some. This month (16 days to be exact) I will be jetting to Europe for a two-month long adventure.
In case you didn't know, this is Europe.
When I was 15 years old, I dreamed of traveling to the places I learned about in history. Having visited my grandparents in Kenya when I was 10, then later visited them in Costa Rica in my teenage years, I developed the travel bug pretty early. Exploring new places and new cultures was kind of an obsession.
At 18, I went on a mission trip to Mexico and made a new friend, who quickly became one of the closest I'll ever have. We clicked immediately and began talking of the travel adventures we would one day have together. At 18 years old, I began a Euro-trip bank account. An external savings account that paid a little more than average interest and would take three days for me to get any money out of it (preventing me from frivolous spending). The account spent most of it's life with under a $500 balance that would get depleted for car maintenance or college textbooks or lab fees...etc...) and replenished when I'd get an extra babysitting job or with Christmas money.
And then it grew. I set a tentative date for "the summer after I graduate college". Well, that summer is here and, a couple of weeks ago, I transferred all of the money from that account into my main checking account and began booking hostels and transportation.
It's happening.
The very friend I shared a bunk bed with, cracking jokes and dreaming of traveling Europe with 7 years ago will be my travel-buddy for half of the trip. We will be joined by another mutual friend, making it even more fun.
Not to mention, God has been opening doors for this trip all over the place. The power of Global Community is being witnessed through the planning of this trip. Friends, friends of friends, friends of friends of friends, and even safe and helpful strangers have generously opened up their homes to give us a place to stay in many of the cities we are visiting.
And so here is the itinerary 16 days out:
June 22-28: South Germany
June 28-July 4: South England (the third of our trio meets us here)
July 4- July 20: Driving a Rental Car throughout Northern England, Scotland, and throughout Ireland (after a ferry ride), then back to London via Wales - Staying with friends, friends of friends, couchsurfing and in a cabin or treehouse at a protest site.
July 20-24: Rome (both of my travel companions fly back to the US on the 24)- Couchsurfing
July 24-30: Florence- staying at a Camping Hostel
July 30-Aug 2: Vienna - Couchsurfing
Aug 2-4: Salzburg - Hostel
August 4-10: Paris- Couchsurfing and Friend
August 10-13: Bruges - Couchsurfing
August 13-16: Amsterdam - Hostel
Two months. One dream.
It will be easy to Jet to Joy this June.
Hopefully it will not be too difficult for you, either.
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