Guest Post: Isabella Lives Vicariously

Thanks to Isabella for volunteering to write a post for today! You can check out the often-hilarious adventures of Isabella, ShankRabbit and Peanut on her blog, A Look On The Random Side.

When Cate asked me to write about travel, I almost passed that up for something more interesting - like pocket lint or flu shots. I haven't traveled anywhere of note. A handful of trips within the U.S., but nothing to write home (or you readers) about. No stories of backpacking across Europe, or class trips to Costa Rica. Nada.

I have nothing against travel - in fact, I love it - but every time I've had the chance to go somewhere outside of the USA, I've been given the kibosh.

1. High school: parents went to Ireland on a half business / half personal trip. As a consolation prize for not going, they brought me back a wool sweater, a four-leaf clover and a Claddagh ring (sounds cliché, but oh-so-true).
2. Senior class trip planned for Puerto Vallarta. I was told I couldn't go, even if I paid for it myself. Something about drinking and debauchery...blah blah blah. So, I went to work at a summer camp in northern Wisconsin while my friends relayed the stories of their adventures.
3. My second year of college I had the opportunity to go to England. Trip was cancelled 4 weeks out. I was reimbursed and put the money toward a security deposit on my first apartment (thinking back, I should have just planned a trip elsewhere instead of giving my money to a landlord who didn’t believe in written lease agreements. Ah, live and learn).
4. Planned a trip with a small group of friends to go to Spain for my birthday (my #1 dream destination). One by one, they dropped like flies - school, work, family, washing their hair...

So, here I sit, completely jealous Cate gets to jaunt around Spain and Scotland.

I sure hope she shares some great stories and pictures when she gets back. I need a way of experiencing other countries, outside of the Travel Channel.

Never fear, there will be stories and pictures when I return. Probably so many you'll be sick of them. Thanks again!