Was Good to Be Home...What is Next?

After seven weeks of traveling through Europe, I made my way stateside to see family and friends for a full month. Arriving first in North Carolina for a combined visit and dog sitting, flew over to Iowa to celebrate a birthday, then visited Green Bay and Milwaukee. It was so good to connect without a screen, visit my favorite places with my favorite people. I even enjoyed some of my favorite and missed food and drinks!

Lucky for me, I have generous family and friends who made room for me as I made the rounds as a middle-aged couch surfer. There were happy hours, visits, meals, crafting and shopping. THANK YOU to everyone who hosted, fed and entertained me in the last month! Much love. You name it we packed it into the visit, which seemed too short, one thing was the same everywhere, everyone had the same questions:

What was your favorite place?

This is hard! I still don't have a good answer because they were all such amazing places and all so different. Each place had an amazing quality that called me to visit.

Italy -

So much good food! So much fantastic wine! And all in a place with natural, preserved beauty and history. I have been to Italy three times and am already thinking about when I will return. It is definitely in my top five favorite places.

Sicily -

My train trip to Italy was one of the most relaxing things I did. I know does that make sense when I have had beach time and a cruise? But really, there is something magical about train travel. It requires nothing of you...you find your seat, settle in and fill the time with naps, snacks and a great book while you watch the world pass by. Sicily was filled with history and traditions, usually centered around family and religion, that still drive their daily activities, food and events.

Greece -

I was fortunate this time to be part of Greek Orthodox Easter celebrations. Plus, I had family time. So even if it didn't include one of my favorite pastimes, beach time (which it did), it would have come to the top. You simply cannot beat Greek islands and beaches. You also really can't beat Greek food- seriously, I don't know if I can ever eat US store-bought Feta again.

Vienna -

This was a last-minute add-on city (with an amazing train ride) so I could get to Berlin to meet friends. I am so glad I did, it is such a beautiful city. My neck hurt from looking up at the stately buildings. And, there was a Panda Bear!!! I loved the beer garden, even when I was attacked by a hedgehog!

Berlin -

Ah, Berlin. Well, I liked the beer. I enjoyed catching up with friends. It amazed me how old the city is but how new everything is since most buildings were destroyed by war. Berlin is hard to understand because you can't possibly ignore the history of oppression and conflict. Of course, this isn't just in Berlin. Everywhere I stopped in Europe shared a story of how conflicts have changed the landscape and lives of their people. I will never understand why we don't heed the lessons from our collective history.

Iceland -

Science Fiction vs Lord of the Rings...that sums up the landscape of Iceland. I am not sure I could live there but it is an experience to visit. This was my favorite place to be serenaded! Our bus driver in Isafjordur was a songwriter and choir member. He sang to us as he masterfully managed some crazy mountain roads and long tunnels with one lane.

Norway -

The cruise to Norway showed off the grand views of bluffs, mountains and waterfalls I was hoping for. The cities were as quaint and Nordic as I expected. It is a grand and amazing experience, that makes you feel small as you stand in awe of nature.

Belgium -

It was just one small town, Bruges, but it was like walking into a fairy tale. I expected a Disney Princess to skip down the street singing and town folk breaking into song at any moment. You could smell the chocolate and the Belgian waffles as you walked down the cobblestone streets. After a healthy amount of sweets, the yummy dark beer hit the spot!

Did you miss the US?

Yes. and, No. However, it is a bit complicated. I am not living day to day with all the responsibilities and tasks that need to be done when you are raising a family and working, so I can only reflect as a budget traveler.

Even in large cities, Europe seems to be at a slower pace than the US, more interested in the experience than the destination. Places seemed smaller and more simple than in the US. I didn't miss the big box supermarkets and the excess and largeness of the suburbs. I loved the markets that popped up in small and large cities. They seem to eat cleaner than we do, even their junk food has fewer preservatives than in the US.

However, one big thing I missed was big, roomy and functional showers and bathrooms! Probably best to skip the details here but some bathrooms in Europe can leave something to be desired!

Are you ever going back to work?

Yes. Eventually. I really am too young to officially retire and I find I sometimes miss being productive. But I don't know what I want to do, or where to do it...feel free to comment if you have a great idea!

What was your favorite food?

Oooooh that is too hard. I love so many things! I do eat a lot of street food and homemade things from the market because eating out alone gives you too much food. You can see some of my faves here: https://www.wishhandwander.com/post/favorite-pastimes-eating-and-drinking

What was Iceland like? Did you freeze?

I froze in 1 of the 4 days I was on land. Needless to say, going to see a waterfall in the driving rain, was not my best day. The other days, it was like a good spring Wisconsin day- a bit warm when the sun is out and cool in the shade.

What are people saying about the US?

Oh. You probably don't want to know. They think we are gun-toting, really wealthy, loud people. Unfortunately, I can't say they are wrong about some of it. They think we have lost our minds. They ask about politics--is he really going to be President again? Honestly, I don't know which 'one' they are talking about some days.

Where to next?

Yesterday, I started (and stopped -another post coming) my journey back across the pond. This time I will be gone for 16 weeks, returning in mid-October. The travels will include time in Greece with family, Albania, a retreat in Northampton, Croatia, Ireland, maybe a train trip through Switzerland, and a transatlantic cruise from Lisbon to Miami. Some of it is up in the air, so if you happen to be over this way, let me know. I like to connect with people when I can.

I definitely needed the stop in the States and the time with my people. One thing I missed more than anything and that Europe cannot offer, is time with my people. I missed my girls, my family and my friends who are family. I wish I could bring everyone with me but since that seems impractical. Hit me up with comments and messages!