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Hi everyone! Tonight we're staying at the Salzburg Youth & Family Guesthouse in Salzburg, Austria. We've had a rough few days but I think we're over the worst of it. The day we arrived in Cologne Jill came down with a bad cough and head cold. She basically was a I zombie for the next couple days (when she was actually awake that is). It also turned bitterly cold in Cologne that day so rather than risk Jill getting any sicker we decided to head on to Berlin. It wasn't a complete loss though. We did get to see the Dom, or cathedral, and we have an open invitation for a proper tour from our new friend Ben.
Once in Berlin, we got settled at the St. Christopher's Inn. Jill still had what can only be called the modern plague so it was a very low key night. In the morning we took a bus tour of Berlin and saw the Jewish Memorial, the Brandenburg Gate, the remnants of the Berlin Wall, the CheckPoint Charlie Memorial and countless palaces, state ho uses and cathedrals. The architecture of the city was both beautiful and sad. A lot of the buildings still show damage from WWII and what wasn't damaged by war has been tagged with spray paint.

After leaving Berlin on Thursday we headed to Innsbruck, Austria. Jill was starting to feel better and I was just coming down with a head cold. The train ride took 8 hours all together but we met two really nice girls on our connection from Munich. One of the girls, Linda, is from Florida and working as an au pair in Munich. She and her friend gave us some tips on Austria and since Linda previously lived on Italy she gave us insights on what Italian cities to add to our lists.

We spent the night in Innsbruck and watched Austrian soap operas I'm the morning which we made up our own story lines for. For example:

"You can't marry her! I'm pregnant with our love child!"

After we checked out of the hotel we headed to Garmisch, Germany. It was snowing and the train ride through the mountains was really peaceful and pretty. You could see people cross country skiing along the train route in the valleys. Garmisch itself was really quaint, definitely the leiderhozen Germany you expect to see as a tourist. The murals on the buildings depicted fairy tales and biblical scenes. It was defintely like out of Hansel and Grettle.

While in Garmisch we attempted to go to the summit of the Zukspitze however due to weather conditions they weren't doing and trips to the top. I should definitely get credit for trying though! I took pictures at the base to prove we were there LOL.

And basically that is what has been happening the past few days! We're in Salzburg now, and are planning on exploring Vienna tomorrow. Italy is up next though so I'll write again once we're there. Oh, and I promise to get some more pictures and hopefully video up tomorrow morning!

Hi everyone! We arrived in Belgium yesterday. It's unbelievably beautiful here (I'll post pictures when I can get to a computer).

We spent Thursday and Friday in London. We left the airport and immediately headed for Trafalgar Square. Jill, being from California, was wearing flip flops and was the talk of the visitor's center. Everyone there was funny and most importantly helpful and they directed us to a hostel not far from the hot spots.

After getting settled at the hostel we went out for some fish and chips. It wasn't exactly what I was expecting but it wasn't awful!! We spent rest of the night checking out the Camden Town area of London.

Day two was much more eventful. It started off with me fainting in the shower at the hostel. Apparently that's what happens when you combine dehydration with a humid shower stall. No worries though, I only ended up with a minor sprained ankle. No head injuries luckily. I definately learned my lesson though for sure - always keep a bottle of water with me!

After the fainting incident we dropped our bags off at the train station and went sightseeing around the city. We saw Big Ben and Parliament, and we took the tour of Wesinster Abbey which was amazing. My favorite part of the Abbey was the Poet's Corner section. I couldn't help but notice though that the memorial for Jane Austen was smaller in size than that of the male writers and poets. Not very fair if you ask me.

It was a rainy, overcast day - shocking for London, I know - so rather than head over to the 'eye' we went to the London Tower and saw the Crown Jewels and the execution place of Anne Boleyn. The jewels were amazing. There was a diamond in one of the pieces that AFTER being cut down was 106 carats. My favorite of the jewels were the Crown Jewels of India though. They sparkled more than the rest. It is such a juxtaposition that they are kept I'm such a dark and foreboding place though.

After leaving the tower we went exploring the Notting Hill neighborhood and had dinner. We didn't make it back to the train station in time to pick up our luggage though so we ended up sleeping in the clothes we had on our backs. Luckily the hostel we stayed at had free towels and soap/shampoo so we were at least able to shower in the morning thank god!!

Ok I'm off to dinner but I'll post again when we are on the way to whichever country we end up I'm tomorrow!!

Most people traveling to Europe set up itineraries. They make up a list of where to go, what to see, when to be there... It's pretty standard procedure. I, however, have a slightly different 'To Do' list....

When I first told Rachel about my plans for backpacking Europe she informed me that I was "ruining" her life. She said I was intentionally hurting her and that I obviously didn't care about her, blah blah blah. Once she got over the dramatics though, she decided that, if she couldn't come along with me, she would just have to send me with a list of tasks to accomplish while I was there. And thus was born the concept for this blog.

As I complete the things on my list I'll update this blog with the photos and stories that go along with them. The full 'To Do' list is below for reference. In addition, I'll title each entry with the specific 'To Do' that it involves.

So, on that note..... Welcome to 'Been There, Done That'! Be sure to leave comments on the entries so we can keep in touch. The adventure officially kicks off on February 4th!

Rachel and Aunt Melanie's European 'To Do' List For Me:

1. Take a pic of a SMOKIN' HOT GUY in every country you go to. There is a catch - you have to be in at least 4 of the pics.

2. Go up the Zukspitz on a mountain bus. BE PREPARED!!

3. Update your blog at least every three days.

4. Pictures, pictures, pictures!!!!

5. Ride a camel. This one should be interesting!!!!

6. Be in two places at once.

7. Don't go home with someone you don't know... very important!

8. Buy a pair of shoes in Milan..who am I kidding those things are really expensive...at least try them on!!

9. Visit the Hanberry Hotel in Athen Rye, Ireland.

10. If you get to Ireland for St. Paddy's Day take a pic of a drunk Irish guy that has red hair.

11. If that guy asks if you want a drink, you can have one, but that is all.

12. Don't sleep in a train station. That's for your own good!

13. Take a ride on the "eye" in London, when you are there remember this list and your favorite cousin Rachel, who gave you this list, yet you left her in lowsy Mass.

14. Attempt to talk a foreign language.

15. Do not go to the "red light district" in Germany!!!

16. Visit Hallien, Austria, and call me when you are there.

17. When you are in Italy visit the leaning Tower of Pizza... Remember our trip to Maine... haha!!

18. Always remember to wear your vest.. you would freeze if it wasn't for me ... haha!!!

19. Introduce yourself to your long lost Hanberry relatives.

20. Aunt Melanie says bring back nice presents!

Photographic proof is necessary for every item on the list. For every item on the list that does not have photographic proof, you go down a rank in mine and Aunt Melanie's rank book!! Thank you for your cooperation. Enjoy your trip!!