Send Amanda out of the USA (temporarily!) Yay London!

Hi family, friends, acquaintances, etc :)

So as a lot of you have already seen on Facebook, I have been contemplating for a while now to go on this trip to London through my college. 

Just to give some details about this trip...

This trip is run by St. Mary's College of Maryland and happens March 14th-23rd, so I will be gone all of Spring Break. (Sorry college friends coming home, I'll see you in the summer!)  

Included in this cost are: 

-round trip air fare

-accommodations in a central London Hotel

-Full English breakfast each morning 

-Five to six theatre tickets in London (I don't know what they are exactly yet, but as soon as I find out, I will gladly share with you all. Right now, "Book of Mormon", "Blithe Spirit" with Angela Lansbury, "King Lear", and "Matilda" are among the many being considered.)

-Half day guided motorcoach tour of London

-Round trip transfers between airport and hotel

-Hotel service charges and taxes

-Tour of Shakespeare's Globe reconstruction complex

-Walking tour of Shakespeare's London

-Visits to major London Museums: British Museum, Theatre Museum, Victoria & Albert Museum, Tate Gallery, National Gallery

-Walking tour of the West End

-Shopping at Harrods, Portabello Road or Camden Lock

-Breakfast meetings to discuss the day's plans

-Discussions of performances by Theatre faculty

(Optional special features: side trip to Stratford-upon-Avon, side trip to Canterbury or Bath, side trip to Hampton Court, side trip to Oxford or Cambridge.)

Yes, this counts for college credit. It counts as 4 upper level credits (which I'm low on right now) + fulfills the ELAW ("experiencing the liberal arts in the world") requirement. So I do have to write some papers; it's not just all fun and games. But what an amazing way of learning! I've only traveled out of the country to Canada before (still haven't been on a plane, this will be the first time) and I'm dying to go everywhere in the world!

Long story short (well, not exactly, sorry that I talk a lot), the only thing that was holding my decsion back was the amount of money. My goal was to NOT have to use all the money in my bank account and then some to pay for this trip + any extra expenses that come from being away in a foreign country (spending money, etc.) I did not think it wise because I need gas to get to school and work (and home!) and food (duh!) But I HAVE DEFINITELY DECIDED TO GO!  But I am not not NOT expecting anyone to feel like they HAVE to make a donation and I will be forcing incentives/rewards upon everyone because I don't want any handouts 

In total, as of right now, the trip is $3,800. I put this at $4,000 just as a lump sum, though there is no way I'm expecting that! Hell, I'd be happy with $10! Haha. There may be some other fees because I am paying the deposit late (because I waited until after the deadline and then decided to go- whoops...Hey, better late than never!) so I'm just estimating it'll be around $4,000 plus some spending money. 

The agreement I have with my family is that I will pay for this trip. I am receiving loans from my parents + using part of the money in my bank account that I graciously received from my grandparents and worked at Wawa for. The loans are done so that I can avoid not having any money in my bank account, especially because my hours at work are a bit low right now. 

I will be coming up with rewards, whether it be giving you rides to work when you don't have a car, babysitting your children, giving you acting lessons, bringing home souveniers and photos for you, whatever! Those are just some ideas. Let me know what you need and I will happily do so (unless it's illegal, immoral or uncomfortable in some way lol) So just because this doesn't say that I'm doing rewards, just know that I am. I just don't feel like doing "Oh, you gave $1? You get this reward. Oh, you gave $20? You get this one!" Especially because it's all up to you guys 

Also, I'm paying the $500 deposit tomorrow (1/25) and the rest of the money is due February 10th, so I'm stopping this campaign on the 9th. I know, it's not a lot of time, I'm sorry!

Sooo, if you are able to contribute anything, please do so and let me know in the comments what you would like me to provide for you! Please note: This site does take out 4% of the total money I earn, but there are no fees for you to "donate". I believe it all goes through PayPal also so it is safe. 

Any more questions? I'll do my best to answer! If you feel inclined, you are welcome to share this with people (I'm not posting it publicly on this site, but share on Facebook and whatnot)

Thank you guys for reading and I hope I made this entertaining enough for everyone (if you fell asleep, my b, my b.) 

I love and appreciate each and every one of you for your continuous support and love for me and everything I do. It means the world to me. Keep being amazing~

Much love, 

Amanda LePore