Rory and I had initially planned to go back to Arizona for Christmas, but we got sidetracked by so many things over halfway around the world that we didn’t even notice the end of December creeping up on us.

It’s almost 2009 (in just a few hours!). Soon after, it will be January 8th, five months from the day we left. I already have a time frame in mind for when we come back, mostly to ensure that I will return. I wanted to spend a full year traveling, but my parents are right, it is more tiring when there is no planned or visible point to stop and gather our bearings.

We are leaving Oz in two weeks for South America. Another adventure awaits!

Rory and I have been essentially lounging around Milan for the past few days, not doing much. I window shop a lot, too terrified to actually buy anything. One productive thing we have done, though, is come up with a tentative itinerary for the rest of the year. We’re thinking of something like this:

• spend the rest of August traveling Italy.
• roam other parts of Europe from September to December (said other parts TBD)
• head down to Australia in December, go over to New Zealand after a month or two.

That’s it so far. Rory also wants to check out parts of Asia, South America and Africa. We’re planning on the southern hemisphere for the end of the year/beginning of next year since it will be summer for them.

We’ve also decided not to stay in hotels whenever possible. We’re mostly looking at short-term renting (if possible) and sublets. We want places with kitchens, residential neighborhoods, nearby grocery stores and delis, etc. Places that will feel more like a temporary home.

We’re also looking at part time and/or short-term jobs wherever we go. I don’t want to be a roaming tourist for too long.