I’ve made a decision, and it feels good.

I’m going to get away. For my birthday in July. I’m going to leave DC the night of the 17th (Friday) and not come back until the night of the 26th (Sunday). [Well, I’ll do exactly this if all works out with schedules/expenses/etc.] I’m going to take a full week off of work without feeling guilty. I’m going to pick a city, get a room at a hostel and cheap round-trip flight. I’m going to go.

I’m thinking Rome. I could do Rome for about $800 between a room and a flight, for 8 days. I want it to be somewhere familiar, but not somewhere I’m actually ‘home’ (not where I grew up, not crashing with family)… Somewhere I can feel comfortable but still be entirely away.

Some audience polling… Suggestions for destinations? I prefer cities, Europe/Latin America/West Coast USA, and someplace I can basically have a backpack and a passport and be good. Have you ever just taken off on your own? I once decided to move to an island, and so I did. I once decided to leave for six months without a care in the world, and so I did. Any travel stories that just have to be told? Am I just trying to run away again? I don’t think I am, I know I’ll come back, but temptation to just be gone for a little while, like napping with your eyes open, it’s too great.