Followdear Europe – i miss you but am returning shortly. PS: i’m sure you’ve been holding your breath!
lately i’ve been teased that i’ve spent so much time in Europe that i might just consider relocating and going Euro all the way. perhaps having it as a home base would make more sense in my travel schedule & certainly in my newly formed habits.
don’t make leave you, Europe, sil vous plait
i can tell you this much, it is VERY tempting at times. i LOVE to travel lots of places but i do have a soft spot for Europe. AND after my 30 day tour, i have a kindred feeling with going European more than ever. i’m sure my European counterparts will shudder to read these words but, hey, i’m a chick from the US and these are the things that me make feel like it may be time to make the conversion.
money
that’s right. although i had to go from Czech Crowns, to Euros, to British Pounds and back to Euros, nothing about these changes in currency seemed odd like when i returned home and found the US dollar quite dull. i thought to myself, it really IS odd that they are all the same size and same color. it really IS a confusing currency let alone not very fashionable with its lack of colorfulness.
language
although i speak no foreign language fluently, it was bizarro to me when, at the end of my 30 day stint, i arrived in the UK and everyone was speaking English. can you imagine the culture shock i had when i returned to the States and there wasn’t even any English accent or funny British phrase to confuse me? how about a restaurant menu in a foreign language with the back pages in translated English. yeah, i miss it all.
wine with lunch
i’m not saying that people in the United States don’t drink wine with lunch, it’s just not nearly as common place. when in Europe and surrounded by Europeans having their rose with their baguette mid-day, it makes you feel like less of a lush for just succumbing to their obvious peer pressure.
crazy train rides
although i’d say i’m not the most savvy packer for train travel and while i find some of the rules & regulations a bit wacky over there in Euroland, i do miss all the funny exchanges i’ve had with other passengers and train staff. train travel is a bonding experience and i’m looking forward to hitting the rails again really soon.
airports & Paris flights
ever since the day of my departure from Europe (specifically Paris) i’ve considered repeatedly hopping back on a flight to Paris on a whim.
exhibit A: upon landing in the US at the end of my Eurotour, i heard a final boarding call to Charles de Gaulle, turned myself around and headed in that gate’s direction. only when i arrived at the gate did i remember i was no longer in Europe & sadly back on home turf.
exhibit B: when my traveling buddy, Leah, came to visit me in Boston & i was late to pick her up, she tweeted me saying she was going to jump a flight to Paris if i didn’t hurry up. i promptly replied, not without me. I WASN’T KIDDING.
well, i know you probably really don’t care about my Euro dilemmas that much. i can see your point. thankfully, my whining stops here as i will have a shot-in-the-arm cure-all next week.
that’s right! i’m headed back to Euroland to explore Switzerland & visit Copenhagen. so bring on the long-haul Euro flights, the crazy train rides, all the foreign currencies yet to be fondled, the multiple foreign languages that will confuse & delight me. AND for GODS SAKE, give me the wine with lunch!
Make sure we get a great deal of photos of you and Leah and you ingest mass quantities of vino! Be safe and explore!!!
OMG Mike – Switzerland was the BEST but somehow i got zero booze photos! Leah & i are in Spain next month – we’ll get some then 😉
Europe is braced for your arrival and the wineries are working overtime.
thank god! i’m coming back in March to Spain…tip them off to prepare as well. xx
I know – Europe is like home! Everything is so close and easy to get to! Miss having wine with lunch…afterall, it really is cheaper than water! So wish I was heading to Europe next week! Having withdrawals since the last trip! Have a great time!
Anita Mac recently posted…Le Nordik Scandinavian Spa – the perfect way to unwind
thank you, my friend. been there & back now but feeling the same – Euro withdrawal!!!
Europe would love to have you back Queen, infact, get on a flight immediately! xx
Scarlett recently posted…I’m Not The Only One People Hate At The Gym
darling…need to get back STAT. seriously what to relocate. xx
EXCITED for you!! A return is definitely a good thing 🙂
Kirsten recently posted…Magical Mysterious Scotland
thanks pretty lady! it’s one place i’ll be returning to over & over & over. i know you can relate 🙂
Wherever the vino flows!!!
AMEN
Maybe you SHOULD just stay.
seriously thinking about it TRIPTEASE 😉
I’m with you!!! Europe is.where it’s at.for me at the.moment. so many countries to explore and so easy to get around. We’re thinking of picking a home base and exploring from there. Nice sounds nice!!!
Bethaney recently posted…Our 2013 Travel Plans… Sort Of.
i think that’s a great idea. i’d like to do that myself. i’ve alway thought Paris would be a great home base…kinda central.
I fancy planting my own vineyard. I may need a chief winetaster?
consider me your girl Engineer on the Road
Oh and you want pretty currency? I’ll take you to the homeland, where we have pink and purple banknotes, among other bright colours, which makes it easier to find/tell what they are in a dark Glasgow back alley. Not that I’ve ever made a financial transaction in a back alley that is.
naughty naughty my precious Joshua. like the sound of the pink money though. i hope that’s Scotland’s biggest bill! 😉
I am soooooooo there to welcome you back! And we need a wad of Swiss Francs – which will confused me just a tad. And wine for lunch is promised – we never do that, by the way, only when Americans are around (to make you jealous!). Bring it on, Switzerland!
@mrsoaroundworld recently posted…A lux weekend in Paris with @AvenueStory
hahaha – well we did it Mrs. O. we survived the Swiss Francs, the different versions of Swiss German, Swiss French & Swiss Italian. the trains (which were nothing short of amazing). drinks with every meal! although, i barely survived the airport in Zurich. don’t know why every flight always has to be delayed there causing me to sprint through that airport from Terminal A to Terminal E. as much as i love Swiss i beginning to hate that airport!
Oh, how I love Europe! It’s been too long since I’ve been back, and you are seriously making me consider changing that asap!
Erin Marie recently posted…Feeling Tiny at the Colossi of Memnon.
ooooo i hope you can get back soon Erin. maybe one time with me?! girls trip!!
Ehh.. so jealous. 😛
Kieu ~ GQ trippin recently posted…Japan: Travel Costs & Highlights
sooooorrrry!
Plenty of good reasons to return…I was going to say you left off the food, but I suppose wine with lunch counts!
D.J. – The World of Deej recently posted…The Airbus A380 on Approach to Miami – Pic of the Week
hahaha YEAH it counts in Lola’s book 😉 wine is a major food group!
wine with lunch? correct: wine always. love to see that you’re rocking your swiss flask. if you DO go european, we shall join you! xo
thelazytravelers recently posted…laws to travel by- #32
i LOVE that Swiss flask. you could not have picked a more appropriate or perfect gift!!
Hope you run into Billy Ocean this time.
Traveling Ted recently posted…Exploring Huelva and the Doñana National Park
hahaha no Billie Ocean. i don’t even think i had one celeb sighting except when i looked in the mirror – hahahahahaha i kid!
You’re so not going without me!
Leah Travels recently posted…My Four Must-Dos Prior to International Travel
yeah, probably not! i need a roommate in my van down by the Seine River!
Trains and wine, ’nuffsaid. 😀 Have fun in Copenhagen – high on my travel list!
Pola (@jettingaround) recently posted…Photo of the Week: Golden Gate Bridge & Crissy Field
darling, you’d love Copenhagen. so charming, the people are so nice. i really LOVED it there!!
I am glad you got to tag along in Europe with Leah’s win of the free apts!!! Sounds like you had a blast.
Raul (@ilivetotravel in Twitter) recently posted…Photo of the Week: The Basilica de Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia
oh it was a BLAST but i wouldn’t say i was Leah’s tag-a-long. i was blazing a trail as much or more, darling. why do you think Europe wants me back so badly?!
I would love to hear what you think of Copenhagen! I am planning a ten day trip to Europe in May and my goal is London, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Berlin and Prague, with London being the only one I’ve been to. Would live done suggestions on Prague as well!
hi there! i really loved Copenhagen. it is a small city that you can really see in a few days. so pretty & the people are so nice!
suggestions on Prague…take a free city tour. the guides are AMAZING & all you have to do is tip them. well worth the time if you want to see the highlights and learn a few things!
I definitely can’t blame you for wanting to convert! Europe seems to have a lot of the things I love. Wine with every meal? Hells yes!
Tawny of Captain and Clark recently posted…Experiencing Life in an Indian Slum.
dearest Tawny,
i know you will feel just the same after your tour next month. it’s the kind of place that gets under your skin & you long to get back to all the time. looking forward to watching your adventures 🙂
Same here i love Switzerland, as soon as i get back from Vietnam ill be heading back there.
i never expected to love it so much Paul Rogerson. what’s your favorite place(s) to visit there?
Interlaken and lauterbrunnen fantastic for scenery and and adventure sports. Also took a great train ride that you drive your car onto and go through the mountains but cant think what that was called at the minute.
there is always the sequel… the fans might not like it the same, but ask the actors they have loads more fun making them…
stay adventurous, Craig
ps – wine at lunch, i do that here in the states too… but i am often alone with my order. a shame really.
Craig Zabransky recently posted…Sunset Sunday – A Stop for a Holiday In(n) Mazatlan
yes. for shame. let’s have lunch together soon Stay Adventurous & then you will not be solo in the wine partaking 😉
love the idea of a sequel!! xx
I really need to explore more of Europe. I’ve been only to Italy. I know – poor me, right? But hey, wine with lunch is commonplace there, too!
Francesca recently posted…On the banks of the Red Cedar…
wine with lunch is good anywhere in the world 🙂
Europe + Wine = Amazing
Ooooh love all of those cities!
CAN’T WAIT TO SEE UUUUU
Lauren + Leah : wope, too late; I’s already got Eu’roped years ago. It’s a big welcoming group, no? 🙂