I've been doing my best thinking. And I'm thinking it might be time for another solo vacation. Philadelphia this summer taught me that there is something liberating and romantic-y about traveling alone. I've done some research, and people say Amsterdam is a great place for a woman traveling alone. I've always loved Van Gogh and Anne Frank; what the heck? It also seems to have what I love about a great city...Ambiance! I like a place to walk around, get lost in, soak up. A sight or two is good for me. I'm more about the ambiance. So, Amsterdam. Super walkable, lots of English speaking going on, mid-priced hotels with decent reviews, not a bad plane ticket.
Then, I look up exactly where Amsterdam is because I'm American, making my world geography borderline sketchy. It's only a 4 hour train ride from Paris. I can't be that close to the Louvre and not go! (Especially after Lori's fab Paris post!) And, it seems I can afford about two days of mid-priced hotels in Paris. So, B and I put our heads together (By the way, we don't have any full weeks together for at least another year, or I'd invite him to this one bc it's awesome! But don't feel too sorry for him, he's spent a week in Paris and a SEMESTER in France!). In my budget (summer school teaching money, of course!), I could: fly to Paris, spend two nights soaking that up. Check out at least two or three sights, but mostly sit at cafes! Then, take the train to Amsterdam. Stay 3 or 4 nights at cute little hotel with great reviews, walk around forever. Stare at Van Gogh's work, soak up Anne Frank's beautiful energy...Go home.
But then I also thought: OR, I could just not teach summer school and have a STAYcation right here at home. I love staycations. Sometimes, a lack of schedule leaves me a little unmotivated, though. Hmmm....I have about 1 week to decide, because I think I'll buy my ticket the 1st week in Jan. Fish or cut bait, right? These are tough decisions. It's a hard knock life, Daddy Warbucks.
