My Traveling Buddy

As time ticks ever closer to July 6th, I've found myself faced with the challenge of finding a traveling buddy to keep me company on this trip.

The good news is that, with the help of over two dozen people's input on the subject, I've finally chosen my lucky sidekick: a bright pink sock monkey named Juanita.

It came down between the Coach the Bear, Squirrley, or Juanita and, after hours of inner angst, I've chosen the multi colored monkey for three reasons:

1. She's bilingual and can help me with the language barrier (Italian is close to Spanish, right?)

2. She weighs less than two ounces compared to the 14 ounce whopper of a teddy bear.

3. I can smash her, easily fitting her in a shoe, or a compartment in my easel, or heck, even wad her up and put her in my back pocket.

Bonus reason #4: She won the hearts and affections of my Facebook friends who voted for her and I succumb to peer pressure quite easily.

So, that's it. I've got a little colorful mascot to carry around with me from country to country- someone to take pictures with, someone to talk to, someone to cry on, and someone to delight in the sights, sounds, and spectacular adventures to come.

Pack your bags, Juanita. It's going to be a wild ride.