On Friday I returned home from 2 weeks in Europe. I visited London, Madrid, Barcelona, and Paris. It was a GREAT time!!!! At the age of 33, it was my first time out of the United States. Now I hope to spend at least one week in another part of the world every year, and I think I'll probably live abroad at some point in my life. I hope to post a few pictures sometime this week -- perhaps even some of a night out with Milty and his friends before he left London -- pending his approval, of course! I met another great Orger, HolaKetal, in Barcelona.

When I think of home
I think of a place where there's love overflowing
I wish I was home
I wish I was back there with the things I been knowing

Wind that makes the tall trees bend into leaning
Suddenly the snowflakes that fall have a meaning
Sprinklin' the scene, makes it all clean...

As the jet airplane began the descent into Denver, the pilot announced a "change in the weather" that would include possbile snow. Yecch! He carried on for about five minutes. The entire time I was waiting for him to stop talking about the snow and say, "Just kidding!" In picturing my return home, I had imagined that my sister would meet me at the airport with my convertible top down, I'd hop in and drive off into a beautiful Colorado Spring day. Well, so much for expectations.

Sometimes it snows in April
Sometimes I feel so bad
Sometimes, sometimes I wish that life was never ending
But all good things, they say, never last

It is good to be home. And thank God the snow is already gone. It's hard to be back at work after two weeks of leisure, for sure. It definitely inspires me to take steps to lead the life of my dreams, which doesn't include a 9 - 5 office job. And what a gift to have seen another part of the world, to see a different face of humanity. Particularly at this point in time, with so much craziness in the world around us, it was an eye opening experience. I saw firsthand something that Rick Steves explained in his travel books. I don't recall his exact words at the moment, but the essence is this: People in other countries are interested in Americans, but they aren't envious. The culture of "America is the Best Country in the World" is one that is ingrained in us from a very early age. And I don't see that not thinking of us as "Number 1" is in any way a swipe at who we are, who I am, or what it means to our role in the world. Life is not a contest unless we make it one. As for me, I'm more interested in "being", than "winning."

I've looked at life from both sides now
From win and lose and still somehow
It's life's illusions I recall
I really don't know life at all...

It sounds like you had a wonderful time...

I'll be travelling abroad for the first time in my life as well...within 3 months

Beautiful words...

Your trip sounds so wonderful.....

So glad you are safe, and home!

thank u both -- it was incredible!

madartista said:

Did you like Spain? The architecture? The people?

sag10 said:

No, I LOVED Spain!!! The architecture in Spain was incredible. I particularly fell in love with Barcelona and its architecture. The Sagrada Familia is breathtaking. The people were very warm and friendly. I got a few backwards glances being a Garcia that doesn't speak Spanish, but it was all fine. Mostly, with my limited Spanish skills, if I started speaking in Spanish, they would answer a few lines in Spanish, then switch to English. I was only in Madrid for 2 days because of a missed flight connection. One of those days was a Monday, and pretty much everything was closed, so I definitely want to go back. I should make up a t-shirt that says, "I flew all the way to Madrid, Spain, and El Prado was closed!" Still, through the rain and somber mood of the city, its beauty was easily apparent.

madartista said:

(just read today, I'm late as always, I know...)

I'm glad you had a great time!

madartista said:

wow, you quote Joni Mitchell !



i started crying when i saw the Sagrada Familia. the back of the church was so beautiful.



next time visit Amsterdam !

holaketal said:

Hi there!

Thanks again for being our guide for the afternoon!

Sweeny79 said:

thanks!!!

Fantastic. I agree, Barcelona is truly beautiful and somewhere I'd very much like to revisit in the near future. Wonderful to see you had a good time Madartista.

dawntreader said:

I was listening to Both Sides Now (2000 Version) during the trip. Love that song!!! I had always thought of it as a more personal inner view, but listening to it while I was seeing the world changed the meaning for me.

Sagrada Familia...

Amsterdam was almost part of this trip, but Paris was easier with the itinerary. Next time, Amsterdam for sure!!!

Where's the pictures?!!

I'm so jealous!

althom said:

i know. i'd be jealous if i didn't know me and i met myself.

Milty said:

Milty said:

with the police -- that fucker who broke in took the camera!!!!

I should get it back in 6 months or so...

I do have them downloaded on my parents' computer,
but it only has a dial-up connection and no burner.

Milty said:

u took the words out of my mouth.....

madartista said:

Sorry to hear that. I'm glad you are ok now