Running Amuck in Europe - Targeted Fall 2012

I feel I have successfully brought mayhem to most of the Continental US, and the Caribbean, and now it is time to consider branching out. Good call- right? Recently I have been considering a trip to Europe for the late fall. I may do one of those tour groups, but am also considering taking this trip alone.

Ever since my mother ( God love her) - learned of my plans to visit Europe alone, she watches Locked Up Abroad every chance she gets. Not only does she watch it, she feels the need to tell me about it. "Honey on Locked Up Abroad they showed a woman who was in Russia and was asked to hold a package for a stranger and was arrested for drug trafficking". I keep trying to tell her that Russia and London are far different, and besides I am not nice enough to hold a package for someone. 

When the locked up abroad horror story doesnt deter me, Mom likes to reference the "close call" I had on a prior trip to Mexico.  By " close call" it is apparently an insult to offer tequila to a pet donkey and parrot; I guess the animals were "on the clock" posing for photos and all with tourists, and the police frown on drinking on the job. Though to be fair, it was Cuervo Gold, and I was insulted that I was drinking it myself so I understand why they were mad; that shit is disgusting.

I also try to let Mom know that it is not on my agenda to visit countries that have the severe penalty for what I view as a trivial violation...say smacking a camel on the ass , or taking pictures of a church. So basically the Middle East and all of Asia is out.

Also, some of the countries actually set tourists up to get caught for things that Americans may not realize carry such a lofty penalty. For example - Russia has strict anti-piracy laws. If you are in possession of a CD or DVD that has been pirated, you face severe fines and possible incarceration.

I have also learned if you have prescription medication, you need to carry copies of your Rx with you to prove you are not a rogue drug lord peddling asthma medication to the innocent youth of Amsterdam. Nevermind the use of marijuana and the "philosophers stone" --better have a script for that asthma med.

So touring Europe alone might not be too bad. I could potentially meet some really nice people and according to Mom, I could also end up being a drug mule. See...mom sees all journeys as an opportunity to grow.  She is such the optimistic ;-)

More details to come......