Our European Vacation

I just realized that between August 2005 and June 2006, I have 4 weeks of vacation, and I have not yet decided what to do with them. Originally I thought I would desperately need to go home at some point during that time, and it's true that I would very much like to see my niece again before she's all grown up, but now that I am feeling more settled here the deep, gnawing homesickness has dwindled down to a dull ache. Plus, it costs a lot to be flying to Minneapolis all the time, and my vacation budget range is somewhere between "ridiculously inexpensive" and "dirt cheap."

And where can you travel for ridiculously cheap but... Europe! And here I am. And here you should be, too. Come visit me! Plan a trip to Europe and I will join you for a week (and two weekends) of it. I'm up for anything: the canals of Venice, the Prague Castle, the Baltic Sea, debauchery in Amsterdam (although that one would be admittedly out of character for me). Pick a city, or several cities. I can do as much of the trip planning as you need and want me to-- unless you are more savvy about traveling in Europe than I am, in which case I am quite content to grovel at your feet and be your vacation disciple. Most likely you DO have a better sense of direction than I do, so we'll just go ahead and rely on you for that part.

I mean this for real, and the invitation is open to all! Come alone, bring a friend, bring your grandmother. (However, for those whom I haven't met personally--unless a mutual friend can vouch for your personal integrity and lack of creepiness-- you will have to pass a rigorous screening and background check.*) Any takers? Even Christmas is fair game.

*No scary psychopaths need apply.