Have I gone insane?

While my head's not throbbing too badly, I decided to use my time wisely and conduct a bit of research about what there is to see and do in Paris.

I found myself a useful little site with lists of the things there are to see and do in Paris, and it's got me thinking that I just want to take J's suggestion of just 'showing up and exploring' and run with it.
The plan thus far is 5 days in Paris, 5 days in Prague and 5 days in Amsterdam (was going to do 5, 4, 5 but what's an extra day, hey?). Surely 5 days is sufficient time to explore and wander and discover new and exciting things about a culture that is totally alien to me? I'm uncertain at this stage as to whether J will be joining me in Prague & Amsterdam, but if so, he has been to both of these cities (well, der, he lives in The Netherlands, of course he's been to Amsterdam!) and can be my tour guide - he doesn't know this yet ;) He'll be joining me in Paris, and he's yet to explore Paris himself, so I'm sure we'd be able to keep ourselves well entertained for 5 days, right?
I fear that if I create a list of things I want to see/do/experience, I'll be bitterly disappointed if I miss out on something, or if it's not as fabulous as my wild imagination has created it to be in my mind. If I just show up and run amok, with J in tow, I think it would be much more fun, and really be the Adventure I'm wanting it to be.

Tell me I'm crazy if you wish, but doesn't the idea of 5 days in Paris, wandering around finding wonderful things to see/do/experience, with no planned itinerary sound pretty darn cool?

Thursday Tidbit

Well, I lasted two hours at work. Until the nausea and dizziness kicked in and I just couldn't bear to be there any more.
Off home, into my 'nest'. Under the doona, dvd on, teddy bear to cuddle. Achiness, dizziness and nausea are free to leave my body at any time they deem appropriate - but really, sooner would be better. I'm thinking this all a combination of leftover cold/flu symptons rearing their ugly head again and an adverse reaction to the two local anesthetics I had yesterday at the dentist.
Fun times for all.

So what am I watching?
Gilmore Girls
How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days - nothing like a bit of Matthew to cheer a girl up. Seriously, that man makes the world 'Bullshit' sexy *swoon*

And at the moment, on repeat, I'm listening to Krezip: Sweet Goodbyes (on repeat) J sent it to me in a chat one night and I love love love it. I now have their 'Best of' album, but this song is just gorgeous. It may also make me think of him, which may also make me happy.

Hope everyone else is having a healthy Thursday!
xx

More Planning

I decided to research my Europe trip a little more yesterday, and step one was to pick what cities I want to visit.
Into my 'Europe on a Shoestring' I delved, laptop at the ready to convert currencies and work out where was going to fit into my budget. Paris: non-negotiable, must be at Eiffel Tower on Valentines Day, so might as well see the rest of the city; Amsterdam: free accommodation, would be absurd to pass up on that; Anywhere in Italy: my guide suggested that it would be double the cost of either Paris or Amsterdam. Hmmm.
Flicky flick, check the map for cities that aren't *too* far away, as I want to limit travel time and maximise explore time. Consider somewhere in Switzerland (dreaming of chocolate here) but decide against it (can't recall why) then recall a suggestion of Prague. Straight to the section on the Czech Republic, tappity tap into a currency convertor. Done. Prague is it. Ridiculously cheap and J advises me that it's an amazing city. I'm sold. Accommodation for about 12AUD a night? I think I can handle that. Yes, it's in a dorm room, but it's only for four nights. Paris accommodation will be a private room, Amsterdam accommodation in J's house. I think I can handle four nights in a 10-bed dorm room if it's going to cost me less than $50.

Basic itinerary as it stands: Brisbane to Paris, Paris to Prague, Prague to Amsterdam, Amsterdam to Paris, Paris to Brisbane. (It's cheaper to get a return flight, from what I've found so far, and I'm sure I could handle a jaunt back to Paris!)

But I'm not excited ... Honest?