Neuschwanstein castle on a foggy day

This trip has been a long time coming.

Growing up in the middle of nowhere Pennsylvania, I’m itching to explore the world outside of camping, elk-watching, kayaking and hiking.

It’s time for some culture.

Coming to Point Park University in downton Pittsburgh for journalism and multimedia was my first step. I will graduate next spring.

Now I can spread my wings, not only outside of my city, but also outside of the U.S.A. Shout out to the John E. Fallon Jr. travel fund for making it happen.

Germany is a great choice because – as many of us are – I am a little German. My dad is all about it. He has been researching late into the night places we can see if we have time and showering me with stories about sneaking into castles without a tour guide when he was a lad studying abroad those many, many years ago.

I have to admit, I am ecstatic to visit Neuschwanstein castle. Not only because I am already a fairytale/fantasy buff to begin with, but because I just think it’s down right fascinating. But I don’t think there will be any sneaking around for me.

But I’m also pumped to put my research into action when we visit all of these media organizations. I’ve been reading up on some of the places we are going, and I am pretty impressed. I know I am going to come out of this a cultured individual and confident journalist.

I still have to take a trip to the St. Marys pit stop (Walmart) and plan out everything I am going to wear each day – because I am a meticulous list maker – and if I don’t, I will end up bringing way more than the 50 lb limit. (I still have no idea how I am going to make that!) Who knows if the bugs bite in Germany? Maybe I will need that bug spray!

We aren’t traveling as much as the Italy trip last year, but I think that’s OK, because there might be more time to take-in everything that there is to see around us. And it’s a lot. Berlin and Munich are fabulous places to be, especially as a young person.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I am going to make these two weeks last forever by making marvelous memories.