Dear Internet,

I have not written issue #231 yet and after looking at my schedule for the next 1.5 months, I’ll need to put AMUN a brief hiatus until April 19. Stuff is picking up for Nerd Girl Industries (I’m booking more workshops and events) and we’re going to be on vacation from the middle of March to the beginning of April. While I’ll be home in time for the April 5 issue, I don’t want to rush myself so April 19 it is!

Mr. Lisa and I are traveling to (mostly) Eastern Europe! We’re heading to Slovenia, Croatia, Hungry, Slovakia, Austria, and Germany. We’ve booked another river cruse, this time down the Danube, but we’re visiting Slovenia and Croatia before the cruise for a few days. After this trip, I will have been to:

• Canada

• Mexico

• Scotland

• England

• Italy

• Germany

• Spain

• France

• Andorra

• Vatican

• Slovenia

• Slovakia

• Hungry

• Austria

• Croatia

• Belgium

• The Netherlands

• Switzerland

18 countries in the last 20 years. Not too shabby I think!

(I announced to Mr. Lisa that I consider Scotland and England (as well as Wales and N. Ireland) to be separate countries and he said the map community disagrees. I think if you told a Welsh person or a Scot they are one with England, they would have words with you.)

In 2027 I hope to go to Scotland and Ireland with Mr. Lisa since he’s not been to both and I’ve never been Ireland and I really want to see Kneecap live and head to Belfast. I read somewhere that trains from Belfast to Dublin are only an hour one way and happen all day long. I’ve looked at flights from Dublin to Edinburgh and it’s crazy cheap, like €50 one way per person. When we do the Ireland and Scotland trip, I’ll get over my fear of driving on the left side of the road and continue to try to not being an annoying American.

In 2028, Erika and I are going back to Scotland to find her a husband. We’re already making a list of places to go and things to do.

None of this includes possible future cruises with Viking. The ultimate goal is to do the around the world cruise which is six months long and costs (if I recall correctly) $60K per person. For that cruise, I will have to check luggage.

I’ve got my lists started, Thursday booked into a local kennel, car storage taken care of. I found my Euros from our last European trip and my passport and Global Entry are up to date. For clothes I’m hoping I don’t need to bring my winter boots. I’ve got Doc Martin Chelsea boots to wear in a pinch if I need them rather than bring my huge shit kicking boots. I’m already resigned I’ll need to bring my winter jacket, beanie, and gloves. (The beanie, interestingly, I bought in Switzerland!)

The only thing I lament is that I did not renew my Canadian passport yet and probably won’t until we come back.

While on my trip, I’ll be upload videos and pictures to my Instagram and TikTok accounts if you are so desirous to follow me there.

See you in April!

lisa x