How I caught the "Travel Bug"

The travel bug, as my family calls it, is something we get when we travel to a foreign place. For me, it was when my parents took me on a four month adventure to Europe. I was nine-years-old for my first big trip, and let me tell you, I got the travel bug real bad. Something clicked in me. I had to travel for the rest of my life. I am very appreciative of my parents for taking me on this trip. I may not remember everything as I was too young, but the feelings I got will never leave me. I have but photos to truly remember this adventure. Below I will include a synopsis of my trip. More posts about my trip and what I remember will come in the future.

Our trip started in August of 2010. For the first two months, my parents and I backpacked and tent camped. Our backpacking journey started in Scotland (which is my favorite place) and ended Rome where we shipped our camping luggage. I remember these first few months the best for it was an exhilarating experience for me. We camped in sheep pastures, campgrounds, and anywhere we could really find to set up our tent. Let's just say I'm a pro at setting tents up after this trip.

Me and my Dad getting ready to cook our meal in Ireland

Us waiting to have the motivation to set up the rest of camp on the coast of France

Me and my parents kayaked across the lake from our cabin in Scotland

I won't go too in depth for the first two months in this post, but I learned a lot about camping and what it feels like to live cheaply. I will say, we sometimes needed a break from tent camping, so we would stay at cabins or Bed and Breakfasts. I was homeschool for one semester, so during the nights we didn't sleep in a tent, this is where I would finish any homework I may have.

The only quiet place I could do homework in Corfu, Greece

Once we shipped our camping luggage in Rome, we gradually made our way to Prague where we met my Grandma. For the last two months, my Grandma tagged along with me and my parents while we explored Spain, Hungary, Germany, Belgium, Czech Republic, Austria, Canary Island, Puerto Rico, and finally St. Johns. My sister met us in Belgium and left in Barcelona. From Barcelona, my parents, Grandma, and me took a two week cruise to Puerto Rico. My brother met us in St. Johns where we tried camping on the beach (a story for another post). We ended our glorious trip in December and headed back home to Iowa.

My Grandma, sister, and me eating ice cream in Barcelona

Wondering where to go next in Brussels

Beach camping in St. Johns (trying to)

My brother and me taking in the rays in St. Johns

This is a very short post of my first trip to Europe. The travel bug emerged from within me while on this journey and continues to grow. Now wanderlust is the next thing I have caught! Please stay tuned as I will do individual posts on different cities and countries during this four month adventure!

If you have also caught the travel bug, embrace it! Once you have it you can never get rid of it!