How do you say, "I sound like a fool speaking your language" in French?

        Ok so it's my last day of work and all I keep thinking about is this trip! Where should we book our hotels?, what should we see when we get there?, how in the world am I going to  try to attempt to speak French? I hear when you go to France, they seem to like you a little more if you try to speak their language. Since I don't want to be shunned upon, I figure that's what I'm going to attempt to do. As I was putting my best effort forth to fit in with the "Parisians", I discovered that it was probably a task that Ryan could take on. He's much better at rolling/groaning his "R's" to make them sound more like an "rgrrr". I plan to sit there and pretend I am a mute.
        Last night, Ryan presented this show to me on Netflix called "No Reservations" hosted by culinary genius Anthony Bourdain (his favorite chef hands down). This specific episode was focused on Paris and was comically entitled, "Why the French don't suck". It was really interesting to see Mr. Bourdain show what Paris is really like, how to communicate with the people, their particular customs and where the best places are to chow down on la nourriture, or as us Americans would call it, food. I must admit, despite Ryan salivating over the dishes being prepared, I was pretty scared. Blood sausage and a slab of pork made from a pig's head and tongue? No thank you! But, I guess I can't knock it until I try it, right?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-XbA7cKALA

And the dream lives on...

     I'm almost positive that my urge to travel initiated when I was in the womb. I can remember being five years old and pondering what it would be like to be where other people in the world were, what it would be like to live as that did.
     Often called a "drifter", I found myself never satisfied in one spot. I was always itching to be somewhere else. When I was barely old enough, I set out on the beginning of my travels, first starting with my home country. I made my way down the American East Coast, Midwest, Southwest, Hawaii, and back to my roots to California where I was born.
     I just couldn't get enough. Any money that I made I wanted to spend on getting to another destination. I would look longingly at the Travel Channel and wish I was wherever they were.
     My first trip out of the country was to Mexico. It was amazing to know that different cultures like this existed in real life and not only on television. The best part of it all was that I was seeing it with my own two eyes.
     Today, that same fire that has always been burning inside me still exists. And after so long of trying to satisfy this hunger, I am fortunate enough to be able to see yet another part of this fabulous world in Europe! To make it even more wonderful, I get to experience this with my best friend and future husband, Ryan. 
     We will be leaving out of New York City on June 9, 2011 with only our backpacks strapped to us. Once we depart New York, we will descend into Dublin, Ireland. From there we will make our way to London, England; Paris, France; Amsterdam, Netherlands; Mannheim, Germany; Zurich, Switzerland and to lastly Italy where we will explore Florence, Assisi, Tuscany, Naples and the Amalfi Coast. We will end our three week excursion in Rome, Italy.
     I will be updating our exciting travel adventures with blogs and photos on everything that we are lucky enough to experience together. Please check back and keep your eyes peeled here to see us make our way all throughout Western Europe! We would love to hear your feedback so we can feel like you are embarking on this journey right along with us!

Much love and peace, 


Laura