Money, Money, Money

I love that ABBA song, ever since I first heard it on Mamma Mia!.

Through great grace and miracles, I landed my first job, working at a cooking school. This is going to the primary fundraiser for the European trips, even if it is rather small wage. I earn more than 10x as much per hour as a harpist, but harp gigs are sporadic and unpredictable. And it's a lot more work.

The way I figure it, Italy is going to be the *most interesting* to save for because I'd like to go with a group that will have a deadline for the cash. It's also sooner. After Italy, I'll have six or seven months where I can work almost full time. I'm planning on getting another job then, too.

To clear up misconceptions, I have been to England many times before. That's the result of having a British father and loads of fun cousins and amazing grandparents. But I have never lived there, and I have never been to continental Europe.

Welcome to Girl Meets Europe

Hey.

My name is Gabrielle, I live in America and I want to go to Europe. There are more facts about me, but these are the most relevant.

This blog is going to chronicle where I want to go, how I'm going to earn the money to do it, how I get there, and of course, all the fabulous times I do have when I arrive. There will be probably be lots of faux pas in Paris, but stil.

The goals are a two-week trip to Italy and then a semester in England by myself with family (i.e., I have loads of extended family members there who are too kind to refuse to let the Yank cousin come and stay) with a triumphant three-week Grand Tour (OK, England and France and perhaps a bit of Spain or Italy) with my two best friends.

How can I afford this without finishing school/getting a Wall Street banker? I've been a geek in school and seriously, I have a semester to blow off and do whatever. As far as money, I just got a job last week and so minimum wage, prepare to meet TRAVEL AGENT.