In case you didn't catch the hint from the above photo, no, I would not call off my wedding. I just booked a trip to Amsterdam and Paris for this coming spring and considering I'm in the midst of planning and saving for a wedding, it probably wasn't the smartest idea to travel. 

I came across this new airline, WOW Air, based out of Iceland, that is offering super cheap flights to Europe. I mean, dirt cheap. Like, you can go to Paris for $250 one-way cheap. Factor in a couple hour layover in Iceland, which isn't that bad. How could I pass that up? Like the true journalist that I am, I questioned why it really is so cheap. Much to my surprise, there were numerous articles from very credible news sources about WOW that eased my overthinking mind. 

There has been talk amongst my siblings and significant others for doing some sort of trip in May and when we discovered we could book a round trip flight for under $800, there was no question. There was a $67 fee for luggage but still, it is almost half of what I paid for my flight ticket to Italy this past July.

But did booking it really pose no questions?

While I was convincing my twin sister into coming on the trip and having her tell me why she doesn't think she should do it because it isn't "fiscally responsible" right now, I started questioning my own decision to go. I was going against the very words I was persuasively and frantically texting her because looking in the mirror, I should not be going to Europe less than two years from my wedding. My brother wanted to book it before the New Year to prevent any increase in cost which gave us all but four days to decide, so we needed to think fast. Talk about pressure. 

As soon as I made up my mind, I could sense all of the shade that would be coming my way.

Tisk tisk Anita. You are planning a wedding that is very expensive and you shouldn't do anything to take away from your savings. 

But it's Amsterdam and Paris! And I'll never have the opportunity to travel this cheap to Europe, probably ever. 

An older, much wiser co-worker of mine convinced me. He said to me the day before I booked my flight something along the lines of, "Travel while you're young and able. Don't worry about the money, just make it work. Experience is far more valuable than money will every be." Now, he is married with three children and reiterated to travel as much as possible before Jake and I have anyone other than ourselves to worry about. It was a done deal. From that point, I realized I'm going to Amsterdam and Paris. 

Anthony Bourdain's show, The Layover, provided us with tons of good spots to go and all sorts food to try. Who knew Indonesian food was popular in The Netherlands? The history, canals, boat homes, Dutch food and herds of bicycles, why else would someone travel to Amsterdam? 

We plan on keeping it as cheap as possible, by staying in hostels and traveling light. My brother caught the travel bug since going to Japan in December so he has plenty of tips on how to stay alive in hostels that will get us through our trip. Hopefully. 

Is it just me or does anyone else think of the horror movie, Hostel, anytime the word is mentioned?

With so much happening in Paris right now, it's crazy we are going there. But, it's probably the safest it's going to be for travelers because of the heightened security, right? We have plans to take a three hour train from Amsterdam to Paris and eat our way through the city. I picture myself wearing a beret, in a super Parisian outfit, holding a freshly baked baguette and several kinds of the stinkiest cheese found in the city, walking over the Pont des Arts (aka the lovers lock bridge) and eating our goods under the Eiffel Tower. 

As a side note: when the 45 tons of padlocks were removed from the sides of the bridge this past summer, I cried a bit inside. What will happen to all of those lover's dreams?! More importantly, I'll never be able to put a lock with #Anderoni2017 on it. However, I'd rather not be able to put a lock up then have mine taken down and probably melted and destroyed.

We've gotten some tips from others who traveled to these parts and with that and Bourdain's must do's, I think we can get an authentic trip in each country. And I'm not talking about standing in line for three hours to go up the Eiffel Tower or other big attractions (other than the Louvre which I'll wait for). While I would love too, I want to spend my limited time living like a true Parisian would; eating, drinking and being fancy. 

If there is one thing to take from this blog post, it's that I would never call off my wedding nor is there something that would make me consider that. The title was click bait and if your still reading this, you were hooked. 

Amsterdam and Paris is happening, even though I financially shouldn't. Why stop my life in anticipation of one big, glorious party? 

I'm just going along for the ride. 

P.S. I'm already questioning my decision on using the first photo in this post but I couldn't resist. It's borderline nauseating because it's so in your face, but worth it. 

P.P.S. Check out and follow my new twitter handle, @theAGchronicles ! 

Happy Friday.