Well, we've come full circle and we're back where we started. I'll talk all about Europe and how wonderful our trip was in detail, but first I feel I have to preface by wrapping up the last month of my life. I found myself at a crossroads where I never thought I'd be. I was standing on the edge of -this will be what swallows me whole, crushes my spirit and leaves me never the same- and this will be the event that changes my life, intensely builds my character and determines how I will live from now on. Luckily, I've chosen the latter. I've recovered. Praise the Lord. Not to say there haven't been really crappy moments and I know there will be more, but I have a new perspective on how to deal with all that, and I've come out on the other side. With that said, naturally, I have rules. No one acts weird, overly sympathetic, timid or anything less than normal. I'm fine, and in the event that I'm not fine, I am brave enough to say so and tell you to leave me alone until I'm ready. Deal everyone? Super! Any who- again thank you for the thoughts and prayers. They brought me back to life.
Onwards, to our trip. I'll start with Germany. It's breathtaking. It's the most picturesque, beautiful, this is how God intended it place I've ever seen. Funny- all I had in my head about Germany, mind you I'm no history buff, was Hitler, Knotzies (sp), big wall dividing everything, everything ends in berg, wurst, kraut- gross. I'm happy to announce that I could not have been more wrong. The air is air you can actually breathe without coughing, the food is delicious, and the people (even though they stared at us like a museum exhibit because we were the only black folks some of them had ever seen) are super friendly. Now, with all that said, I must continue on to say- can I get a ride next time? Geez, I've never walked or as my Uncle Tony would say "go by feet" so much in my life. I hardly walk to my mailbox and it's right outside my door. My feet still hurt, but it's a small price to pay to see mountains, rolling green hills, castles, the Danube River, small villages where everyone knows everyone and still says hello and people in their 70s, 80s and 90s who can still walk up 5 flights of stairs, do their own cooking and cleaning and still try to learn English. It was amazing and to see my wonderful husband and the rest of his international family was heartwarming and great. I thank him for sharing that part of who he is with me.
Italy, oh Italia. I've never been in a place quite like it. I'm going to start on Italy with the negatives, just so as I wrap it up you can remember all the absolutely incredible things about it and still want desperately to visit or revisit. If you have no problem with must, like 6 year old boys playing football from 1 to 4 pm in Texas with no deodorant must, then by all means get on a public bus in Italy. Would it kill the descendants of the world's most brilliant engineers who brought us the Colosseum, Pantheon and Trevi Fountain to give the good folks of Rome some AC? I mean seriously, there were several times that I thought "if the events of the last couple weeks haven't killed me yet, this will." I thought I might burst into flame. I was just sweating uncontrollably- walking and sweating. Now, I admit we were a little spoiled by the super nice people in Germany, but the Italians not so much nice. They may be the rudest most unhelpful bunch I've ever come into contact with, and I work in Business Development. I'm a shopper. I'm a shopper and a spender and I've never experienced anything like Venice, Italy. I paid $7 for a can of coke with no ice- ice extra. Okay that's it for the cons, I promise, but seriously I hope you have like a million dollars when you go.
Italy is the most historic unbelievable thing I've ever seen. Venice is everything you see in movies, pictures, paintings and more. It's like being in a fairytale. The Grand Canal, the gondolas, St. Mark's Square, The Rialto Bridge- it's all so much better than I could have imagined. The airport lost my luggage the whole time we were in Venice, and I had to use Ant's "cleaning products" we'll say and wear his clothes, but who had time to care about that when I was in what has to be one of the most beautiful places on earth. I LOVED it. When you get the opportunity please visit. Rome was magnificent. The Colosseum (Ant's favorite part of the trip) was just as awesome as it looks in Gladiator. All the history that goes along with it is equally cool. Those are probably some of my favorite photos that we took as well, precisely why I think we took about 100. The Forum, the Pantheon, the Piazza Venezia and just walking through all the streets was just so neat. I enjoyed every second, even when we were roaming around lost. One of the other highlights for me was the Trevi Fountain. It's gorgeous and detailed and romantic and wonderful. We threw our coins in backwards so hopefully we'll return someday. If you have the chance, please visit Italy. Have some gelato (2 times a day if you want-it's that good), shop (I opted for retail therapy versus regular therapy with a person), eat (everything on your plate because it costs $50) and see all the ridiculously amazing sites. It's well worth every penny.
Even with a fantastic trip to Europe I'm definitely glad to be back. I missed home. I missed my friends and family. I missed my work. I'm looking forward to the next chapter of our lives. You know, everyone tells me that everything happens for a reason and that someday I'll know what to make of all this. That gives me hope that something new is coming and I need to be ready for it. So that's my plan. In the meantime, I'm sure they'll be more posts full of my completely inappropriate thoughts and comments. Try to control your excitement.
Until then, it's just another day in the life.
Onwards, to our trip. I'll start with Germany. It's breathtaking. It's the most picturesque, beautiful, this is how God intended it place I've ever seen. Funny- all I had in my head about Germany, mind you I'm no history buff, was Hitler, Knotzies (sp), big wall dividing everything, everything ends in berg, wurst, kraut- gross. I'm happy to announce that I could not have been more wrong. The air is air you can actually breathe without coughing, the food is delicious, and the people (even though they stared at us like a museum exhibit because we were the only black folks some of them had ever seen) are super friendly. Now, with all that said, I must continue on to say- can I get a ride next time? Geez, I've never walked or as my Uncle Tony would say "go by feet" so much in my life. I hardly walk to my mailbox and it's right outside my door. My feet still hurt, but it's a small price to pay to see mountains, rolling green hills, castles, the Danube River, small villages where everyone knows everyone and still says hello and people in their 70s, 80s and 90s who can still walk up 5 flights of stairs, do their own cooking and cleaning and still try to learn English. It was amazing and to see my wonderful husband and the rest of his international family was heartwarming and great. I thank him for sharing that part of who he is with me.
Italy, oh Italia. I've never been in a place quite like it. I'm going to start on Italy with the negatives, just so as I wrap it up you can remember all the absolutely incredible things about it and still want desperately to visit or revisit. If you have no problem with must, like 6 year old boys playing football from 1 to 4 pm in Texas with no deodorant must, then by all means get on a public bus in Italy. Would it kill the descendants of the world's most brilliant engineers who brought us the Colosseum, Pantheon and Trevi Fountain to give the good folks of Rome some AC? I mean seriously, there were several times that I thought "if the events of the last couple weeks haven't killed me yet, this will." I thought I might burst into flame. I was just sweating uncontrollably- walking and sweating. Now, I admit we were a little spoiled by the super nice people in Germany, but the Italians not so much nice. They may be the rudest most unhelpful bunch I've ever come into contact with, and I work in Business Development. I'm a shopper. I'm a shopper and a spender and I've never experienced anything like Venice, Italy. I paid $7 for a can of coke with no ice- ice extra. Okay that's it for the cons, I promise, but seriously I hope you have like a million dollars when you go.
Italy is the most historic unbelievable thing I've ever seen. Venice is everything you see in movies, pictures, paintings and more. It's like being in a fairytale. The Grand Canal, the gondolas, St. Mark's Square, The Rialto Bridge- it's all so much better than I could have imagined. The airport lost my luggage the whole time we were in Venice, and I had to use Ant's "cleaning products" we'll say and wear his clothes, but who had time to care about that when I was in what has to be one of the most beautiful places on earth. I LOVED it. When you get the opportunity please visit. Rome was magnificent. The Colosseum (Ant's favorite part of the trip) was just as awesome as it looks in Gladiator. All the history that goes along with it is equally cool. Those are probably some of my favorite photos that we took as well, precisely why I think we took about 100. The Forum, the Pantheon, the Piazza Venezia and just walking through all the streets was just so neat. I enjoyed every second, even when we were roaming around lost. One of the other highlights for me was the Trevi Fountain. It's gorgeous and detailed and romantic and wonderful. We threw our coins in backwards so hopefully we'll return someday. If you have the chance, please visit Italy. Have some gelato (2 times a day if you want-it's that good), shop (I opted for retail therapy versus regular therapy with a person), eat (everything on your plate because it costs $50) and see all the ridiculously amazing sites. It's well worth every penny.
Even with a fantastic trip to Europe I'm definitely glad to be back. I missed home. I missed my friends and family. I missed my work. I'm looking forward to the next chapter of our lives. You know, everyone tells me that everything happens for a reason and that someday I'll know what to make of all this. That gives me hope that something new is coming and I need to be ready for it. So that's my plan. In the meantime, I'm sure they'll be more posts full of my completely inappropriate thoughts and comments. Try to control your excitement.
Until then, it's just another day in the life.
1 comment:
Hey, Jess welcome back! It looks really pretty, I hear the architecture is ri-daynum-diculous. The pic with you and Ant in front of the sculptures reminds me of Vegas. Hope you truly enjoyed yourself.ttyl
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