DAY 26 – ZERMATT SWITZERLAND

Today is a day to check out this charming little town and grab some groceries. Restaurants here are very expensive, so I’ll grab some things to keep in my hotel room for when I don’t feel like going out.

            Zermatt is an auto-free town – and the main streets are designed for walking. It’s only about a mile end-to-end. There are free electric buses on two different but intersecting routes – so I opt to hop on the bus, and I get to see the city better that way too.

            Almost every building in this town is finished in natural wood, white stucco, or stone. And most of the buildings have balconies which are lined with flower boxes filled with coral geraniums or pink & purple petunias. The only bright colors are the flowers or the beautiful flags hanging from rooftops down the middle of the street.

            And the few vehicles that are allowed are also all electric. (Not like a Tesla – think electric worktruck from China.) There are a number of these electric worktrucks, hired out to do all the deliveries around town. – plus some e-shuttles for the hotels. And e-car taxis – that are 30 SFR (Swiss Franc) to town. That’s about $30 for a 1-mile ride. YIKES! The only “real” car I saw was a police car (and I think there is only the one). Not only does it eliminate the pollution from the vehicles, but it’s soooooooo much quieter because of it.

DAY 25 – MONTREUX TO ZERMATT

First view of The Matterhorn from the balcony
of my hotel room, just after sunset.

I awoke early and sat out on the hotel balcony, overlooking the lake for a while. Then, because I skipped dinner last night, I checked out of my hotel and walked along the waterfront, looking for breakfast. I found a cute little street café, and opted for Croque Messier (nowhere near as good as on the Champs Elysees). It’s a quiet Sunday morning, with few people out and about. There’s a drummer on the street corner – and church bells in the distance. And sailboats crisscrossing the lake. It’s the stuff of romance novels – which doesn’t quite fit this traveler flying solo.

            Although the shops are closed, I windowshop. Clothing with colors too vibrant for me, and shoes that are beautiful but do NOT look comfy. There’s an amazing lighting shop, with a centuries-worth of exquisite antique lamps and chandeliers – the window stuffed so full it’s difficult to distinguish individual lamps. The myriad of crystals and strings of tiny beads somehow either magnificently preserved or lovingly restored.

            Another train ride today. Yesterday was about getting near The Alps – their majestic peaks visible through every twist and turn. Today it’s about getting right into the heart of The Alps.

            I change trains at Visp, Switzerland, and there’s a stiff breeze. It’s cooler here – barely 80-degrees at the hottest of the day, which makes sense as all the peaks of the surrounding mountains are still snow-capped, even this late in June.

            I arrive at my destination – Zermatt, Switzerland. It’s literally the end-of-the-line for trains. And because it’s so remote, it even makes unscheduled stops at little one-horse “towns” along the way – for many, their only access to the outside world.

            Zermatt is right at the foot of The Matterhorn. Skiing in the winter, hiking/biking in the summer. It’s cooler here – highs in the mid-60s, lows in the upper-40s. A far cry from the 100+-degrees this time of year at my new home in the Arizona desert.

            And Zermatt will be my vacation spot while on vacation. I’ll stay just over a week. Moving around every few days has been wonderful – and exhausting. And I’ve decided on this beautiful locale for some respite.

DAY 24 – THE GOLDEN PASS EXPRESS TRAIN

Time to bid Arrivederci to Milan. My hotel was OK – Milan is expensive, and this was more like a dorm room with a private bath. It was horribly decorated in a peach color that wasn’t even in style in the 90s – but it was clean and the owners were nice.

            From Milan I headed for Lucern, Switzerland. I’d heard about the Golden Pass Express Train, and planned my travels to include it. According to some sources, it’s the most beautiful train ride in the world – through the Swiss Alps.

            The Polizia were checking passports as we boarded, which slowed things down a bit – but fortunately this train had reserved seating. The First Class Train Car (which cost me all of $13) only has 14 seats – and there were 4 other Americans on board. They all got off together at the first stop, an adorable village named Como (on Lake Como) – and I was tempted to hop off with them. But my schedule didn’t allow for it this time – so I settled into an empty train car to enjoy my ride.

            Today is all about The Ride. Lovely comfortable trains, with huge panoramic windows, winding through the mountains. Charming villages and beautiful lakes coming in and out of view. THIS is what makes train travel so charming. I had brought the necessities with me: some Frizzante Acqua (sparking water), delicious cheese, and Swiss chocolate – what more could I need?

            As time drew on, the views of Italian vineyards were replaced by Swiss orchards – an amazing number of them Espaliered. And home styles morphed as town by town passed by. There were two sure ways I knew we had crossed the border: the announcements went from Italian and English to German and English, and police again boarded – and I was asked for my passport again.

            As I listened to the German, Frau Mahabir’s junior-high German class came flooding back. In high school I could carry on a decent conversation in German, but that was many many moons ago – and I regret that I didn’t have the opportunity to keep it up.

           

The Golden Pass Express ends at Montreux, Switzerland – so I had reserved a hotel for the night. Montreux is right on Lake Geneva, so I booked a room with a balcony and a view of the lake. I got settled in as the sunset, so I sat there and watched the sun reflecting on the water as it set in the west – and stayed out there as the moon rose in the sky. I have no idea if any restaurants serve good dinners, because I was so mesmerized by the view that I opted for a granola bar on the balcony. And I sat out there until people on the street below started to finally quiet down, quite late.

            If you’re ever in Switzerland and have the chance to ride the Golden Pass Express – do it! And get tickets in the nose, right up front. It’s an unparalleled view and experience.

DAY 23 – SFORZESCO CASTLE & MICHELANGELO’S PIETA & DA VINCI’S VINEYARD

One of the places that Alessia recommended visiting was Sforesco Castle in Milan, so I headed out. It’s HUGE and very impressive, set right in the middle of the city and beautifully reserved. The Castle walls are incredible – and the detail at every entrance is beautiful.

            Inside the castle is a small museum that houses Michelangelo’s The Pieta – the unfinished sculpture of “Mary mourning over the emaciated body of the dead Christ.” (There’s another Pieta in Florence, this is the Milan Pieta.) It’s a small section of the castle, and it’s interesting to see this unfinished piece – where the legs are smooth an finished, but the faces are still rough-hewn and in process. You can tell that it would have been an amazing piece when finished.

Behind the castle is a huge beautiful park (from the 1906 Worlds Fair) dotted with a few café stand, and park benches nestled in the shade under magnificent trees that have seen centuries of history. And the shade is appreciated, because it’s 92-degrees and still rising – and like most big cities in Europe the air quality is “Very Poor”, which I have definitely noticed. I don’t know how so many also smoke so much here.

            I then walked to the Da Vinci Vineyard, which was gifted to Leonardo by the Duke of Milan. There’s a large mansion, but only a few rooms are open to the public – with a beautiful garden nestled behind these walls. It’s like a secret garden hidden in the middle of the city, and it’s very charming.

            Then over to the Museum of Science and Technology – where, appropriately were the first automatically flushing toilets I’ve seen in my journey (in a co-ed bathroom, which is common, but I’m still getting used to.) Although there are other things here, I headed straight for the Da Vinci exhibit. I’ve always been fascinated by his inventions and mesmerized by his perpetual motion machines – many of which are displayed here. And he invented stuff for wool & silk making, printing presses, coin manufacture, and all sorts of random stuff. Some of it even too advanced for what they were able to make at the time.

            And on the way back to the hotel, there was a playful dog (on a leash) jumping up try to catch one of the pigeons swirling by. He was so cute and floppy that I couldn’t help but laugh, and his owner stopped as she was passing me. It’s been 3 weeks without Pippa, and I told her that I was missing my dog – as she let me pet hers. Just a loving floppy dog, with bangs hanging down over his eyes. I so wanted to just scoop him up for Puppy Snuggles, but that didn’t quite seem appropriate on the streets of Milan – so I let them continue on their way. And I grabbed my phone and scrolled through pictures of my Pippa. (Not sure I can make it 5 weeks without her!)

DAY 22 – ALESSIA & THE BEST STORE EVER

Today is just a day to roam around Milan. A quick breakfast at the hotel and I’m off and wandering. I end up in an area with a lot of upscale stores, so I just windowshopped and wandered.

            Then I met up with another old friend from my days at Tahitian Noni. Hard to believe I left Noni almost 10 years ago. Alessia lives here in Milan (she’s Italian, so that makes sense), and for a while we talked on the phone nearly every day for work. Today we met at the Garibaldi Train station, and her familiar voice rang out as soon as she saw me. A few minutes of hugs and hellos, and we headed to a cute Cake Shop for a treat while we visited. (OMG – the Pistachio Frappe was amazing!)

            It was fun to catch up after so many years. Her little girl isn’t quite so little anymore. And we talked about all the wonderful Noni coworkers we had over the years – catching up about some and wondering about others. You can tell true friendships because the talking flows smoothly and doesn’t stop – and we chatted away endlessly for hours.

            Soon it was time for her to get home to her family, so we said our goodbyes – and grabbed a quick selfie.

            Then I found heaven on earth! There it was -- my perfect store in this mall – RED: Read Eat Dream. It’s a Bistro Bookstore! These Italians are GENIUSES!!! I browsed the aisles for a time, then ordered a lovely Chicken Cesar Salas for dinner and flipped through a few books while I ate – which is totally acceptable here. Sure, Barnes & Nobles mostly have Starbucks, and Borders used to have a little café – this this is a REAL restaurant, menu, waiter, and all. If I ever pick up and suddenly move to Italy, it will probably be because of this store.

DAY 21 – MILAN– THE DUOMO & THE LAST SUPPER

Not my photo, but the
prettiest pic I could find.

I started my day with a continental breakfast provided at the hotel – the first one so far this trip. Many hotels had begun eliminating them or charging for them before the pandemic, and nowadays having them included has almost disappeared. I rarely pay for them, because they seem overpriced – and I’d rather grab a nice breakfast at café, usually for the same price. The nicest part of it being included is that I could eat before leaving the hotel, which means that I can just start my day and not have to look for anything until late afternoon.

            One of the reasons I picked this hotel was its accessibility to public transport. There’s a tram right across the street, and the Metro (subway) is just down the block. I pulled out my 2,20 Euro and walked to the Tram. The driver didn’t accept cash, neither did the ticket machine (and neither the driver or the few passengers up front spoke English). Public transport is usually easy, so I went online (on my phone) and bought a 2-day pass. But they don’t email or text it to you – and there’s only ONE location in all of Milan to pick it up, and it’s clear across town. (None of the steps indicated this while purchasing.) So I figured I might as well see that part of town – but honestly NO ONE scans tickets, and I did have a receipt if I got stopped.

            I headed down to The Duomo (yes, apparently every city has one) – and this one is in the heart of Milan, and it’s massive. It’s as wide as a football field, and nearly 2 football fields long – it’s over 350-feet tall, and it took 6 centuries to build. This is a church – an enormous, and absolutely exquisite cathedral. And since I cannot do better, here are Mark Twain’s words on this beautiful cathedral:

"Toward dusk, we drew near Milan and caught glimpses of the city and the blue mountain peaks beyond. But we were not caring for these thing--they did not interest us in the least. We were in a fever of impatience; we were dying to see the renowned cathedral! We watched--in this direction and that--all around--everywhere. We needed no one to point it out--we did not wish anyone to point it out--we would recognize it even in the desert of the great Sahara. At last, a forest of graceful needles, shimmering in the amber sunlight, rose slowly above the pygmy housetops, as one sometimes sees, in the far horizon, a gilded and pinnacled mass of cloud lift itself above the waste of waves, at sea--the Cathedral! We knew it in a moment. Half of that night, and all of the next day, this architectural autocrat was our sole object of interest. What a wonder it is! So grand, so solemn, so vast! And yet so delicate, so airy, so graceful! A very world of solid weight, and yet it seems in the soft moonlight only a fairy delusion of frost-work that might vanish with a breath! How sharply its pinnacled angles and its wilderness of spires were cut against the sky, and how richly their shadows fell upon its snowy roof! It was a vision!--a miracle!--an anthem sung in stone, a poem wrought in marble! 

            Then on to see Leonardo Da Vinci's painting, The Last Supper. They've recently turned the chamber it's in into an almost hermetically sealed room. Only 15 at a time, and only for 15 minutes -- to make sure that the moisture and temperature remain ideal for the painting. It's even more breathtaking than I imagined. And there's something so gentle and loving about the way Christ is depicted. No doubt the artist was inspired by God.

DAY 20 – ITALIAN VERSIONS OF AMERICAN GAMES

Well, it’s time to leave Florence. I check out of my hotel – which was an old 14^th century Palace, that now is a 6-room hotel. (It sounds cooler than it actually ended up being.) And I slowly wind my way toward the train station. I take another lap through the Leather District (just to see if there is something that I just can’t live without. There isn’t.) And I saunter down to the Duomo again, and take a lap around the Baptistry.

            Along the way I stop in a cute Toy Store. It’s funny to see Italian versions of classic American Games:  Vita (Life), Cluedo (Clue), Taco Gatto Capra Cacio Pizza (Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza) – and my favorite L’Allegro Chirurgo (Operation), which translates to “The Merry Surgeon”. I watched a security guard stalking a young man with a backpack, and he tried to catch him by throwing a security tag at his feet as he walked through the sensors (sneaky!) – but he missed, and the young man continued walking, unaware.

            Another lovely train ride, with a snack box – but this time the Silcenzio car was completely full. Mostly Italian businessmen – most with laptops or books to read. No chitchat on this train ride – just silenzio. which was just great because it allowed me to watch the Italian countryside roll by, completely uninterrupted.

            Once in Milan, I grabbed a taxi (I was too tired to figure out the Metro system this evening) – and I ended up with an adorable taxi driver. He was probably in his 70s, and he was car-dancing to U.S. music from the 1970s – it was totally delightful.  His English was about like my Italian, but smiles are universal.

            He dropped me off at the hotel gate, and I was greeted with the delicate scent of honeysuckle as I entered the front courtyard. Unfortunately that’s where the scent stopped. But that’s OK, because it had been a long day and I was tired. Time to rest up to see Milan tomorrow.

DAY 19 – VESPA TOUR OF TUSCANY

So what’s more Italian than riding a Vespa through the Italian country side? How about crashing on a Vespa on an old country road in Italy! (UGH!) First, don’t ride with tourists – they have zero experience. And apparently my reflexes are fast enough to avoid getting hit by a reckless Vespa, but not good enough to avoid the curb she pushed me into. I’m fine. A few bruises – mostly to my ego. Other than that it was a lovely ride through the Tuscan hillside.

            After that I decided to stick to walking. I decided to walk through Florence and explore a bit more. There is a Selfie Museum, but instead I chose the Pinocchio Museum—called Museo Del Giocattolo e Di Pinocchio. The original story was written right here in Florence, and they are very loyal to the original style of Pinocchio – and not the Disney version. Very charming.

            And then I stopped at a restaurant I had heard about – Restaurant Natalino. Reservations are needed, and totally worth it. I started with a (raw) Zucchini Salad with Parmesan and Pine Nuts – drizzled with Truffle Oil. And then had Pear-stuffed Ravioli w Pine Nuts, in a Gorgonzola Sauce. One of the best meals I’ve ever had.

            I strolled through the Leather District and looked at all the amazing leatherwork – then decided to turn in early to let my bruised ego heal.

 

[And yes, I’m really fine. I write a few days behind – for safety reasons, and the bruises aren’t bad and are already starting to fade.]

DAY 18 – FLORENCE & THE STATUE OF DAVID

I got up early, anxious to see Florence. I wandered the streets for a while, popping in and out of shops – then found a café with an American breakfast (basically an Italian breakfast with added eggs and ham).

            Then I headed off to join a walking tour of Florence, since so many of the sites are packed into a fairly small area of the city. Our guide pointed out statues and buildings along the way, as we made our way to the museum that houses Michelangelo’s status of David. It’s definitely the main attraction in the museum, and we walked around to each side to notice the detail that this magnificent statue embodies.

            We then walked through the city streets, learning much of the history of the city – and a lot about the Medici family. And we could see the Duomo from most of the spots we stopped along the way – since there are restrictions that buildings cannot be built more than 3-4 stories high, to allow the Duomo to forever be the focus of the town. As it should be. The architecture is magnificent, and we walked around the Duomo and the adjacent Baptistry – and our guide pointed out so much of the history.

            Lastly we headed to the Piazza della Signoria and the Loggia dei Lanzi – and went through the history of each of the dozens of statues there. I’d seen pictures of most of these before, but it was spectacular to see them all in one area, and get to walk right up to them.

            And to wrap up my evening, I took a lovely gondola ride along the Arno River at sunset. There are beautiful stone bridges that cross the Arno River, and we gently sailed underneath their arches as Lupo, our gondolier, gently guided our boat along. People line the edges of the river, and we waved to them as we passed under. And a Old Italian Man breaks out into song each evening on one of the bridges, and the crowd joins in – so we were serenaded as we glided along.

            My sister recommended Florence – and she was right, it is beautiful.

DAY 17 –SPANISH STAIRS & TREVI FOUNTAIN

Well, I checked out of my very charming hotel in Rome – Hotel Canada (ironic, huh?) It was a very old hotel, and screemed 1930s – but was clean and refreshed. It had a very old elevator – the type where you have to manually open and close interior and exterior gates, and an old fashioned Bell Hop that took you to your room (and showed you how to work the elevator). And despite the elevator, there were still stairs required to get around. Stairs from the street to the front door, and more stairs from the front door to the check-in desk – and even 3 more stairs to get to the elevator. And all of Rome is like this – I doubt anyone in Rome has ever purchased a StairMaster.

            I left my luggage at the hotel and hopped the Tourbus to go to the Spanish Stairs – holy cow! Now THAT’S a lot of stairs! It’s 135 steps – but seems a lot longer – and it was built in 1725. It’s beautiful – and specifically built to connect the plaza below to the church at the top. It’s a steep slope, and a beautiful view of the church looking up at it from below. Then I walked over to the famous Trevi Fountain – but didn’t get to hop in it (like you see done so often in the movies).

            And another lovely train ride from Rome to Florence. I upgraded to Area Silenzio – which is a car with 14 seats, but there were only 3 passengers. They serve a cute little snack box on these trains, which really helps the time to pass. Airlines in America used to do that, but most barely do cookies and a drink anymore. Too bad, it just makes traveling feel a bit more classy.

            When I got to Florence, I walked to my hotel. It was a busy Saturday night, and the streets were filled with people. The path to the hotel was filled with cute shops, and very narrow sidewalks – barely wide enough for 2 people to pass, let alone with one dragging a suitcase. But walking in the cobblestone streets is not only dangerous, but makes the suitcase twice as difficult. And along the route, the Duomo – a magnificent church, and the dome you can see from everywhere in the city. And just as I got to my hotel, the 7pm bells began to ring.

            Well, hello to you too, Florence!

DAY 16 – VATICAN & SISTENE CHAPEL

That's the Vatican in the background,
from the Vatican Gardens
 -- after a long, hot, sweaty day.

I hopped on the Tourbus again, but this time stopped at the Colosseum. It’s spectacular! It’s amazing to think that it’s almost 2000 years old and has survived all these centuries. I rode around the city, passing hundreds-years-old churches – each one more beautiful and grand.

            Eventually I hopped off to have Spaghetti at a charming old restaurant – and sat at a table on the street (all restaurants have them here) and watched the masses roll by.

            Then, the highlight of my trip to Rome – the Vatican and Sistene Chapel. The Vatican contains a large museum, filled with hundreds of years of statues and paintings. Our guide was very knowledgeable and shared highlights along the way.

            And then we got to Michelangelo’s painting in the Sistene Chapel. No pictures or talking allowed, which did seem appropriate to the reverence the subject matter deserves. I’ve seen pictures of it for years, but there is just something about seeing it in person, in this beautiful chapel – it truly takes your breath away.

            After a long day, I just wanted a taxi to my hotel – so I waited in line. A few rude tourists cut ahead, and those of us in line agreed to the order we should get taxis in. A woman with her college-age daughter took the taxi just before me – but the mother didn’t speak English, and the daughter was discussing the high fare with the taxi driver. He had quoted her twice the expected price – so we quickly chatted, and decided that our hotels were close enough that we would share my taxi (since my driver quoted a much better rate). The drivers were upset that we were skipping the one, but we weren’t going to pay as much as he wanted – so we hopped in and let them be upset. And it was nice to have a few minutes to chat with these lovely women from Finland. And we all saved some money by being willing to share the taxi, just from starting a random conversation on the streets of Rome.

DAY 15 – ARRIVE ROME

Once on the bus to Rome, I immediately fell asleep – just as the sun was rising in Lyon, France. My first sunrise in Europe – but determined not to be my last.

            A short nap later, and I awake to . . . The Alps! It feels like I’m back in Utah, driving to Park City – with the lovely drop in temperature and the clean crisp mountain air. There are miles and miles of tunnels cutting through the hills here – all far too long to hold your breath through (and yes, I did try.)

            Along the hillsides, small town – and even a few small vineyards. This is just the edge of the Alps, and they will be gone soon – but here the clouds hug the hilltops, and you can still feel the morning fog on your skin.

            On the bus, the chatter has transformed from Spanish to Italian – which I also don’t speak, but bits of Mr. Rizzo’s high school Italian Class come rushing back, and my “gracias” has turned into “grazie”..

            One thing that is FAR superior in Europe – the Truck Stop Food. The sandwiches are amazing, fresh fruit is available, and chocolate bars … well, let’s just say that I’m not looking forward to American chocolate.  My Caprese sandwich has thinly sliced ham, ripe tomato slices, homemade mozzarella, and fresh basil leaves. Who wants Subway after that?!?!?

            On a road running parallel to the highway, I see a small red car (probably a Fiat) – and once again I’m an 8-year-old having an imaginary race. I watch the car until the trees get too thick. I won!

            Soon enough we arrive in Rome, and after the very long trip I just wanted to get to the hotel. I stay at a charming hotel, and as soon as I step into my room it feels like the 1930s. It’s clean and comfortable, and I drop my bags and head out for some quick evening exploring – and to find dinner. I walk by a few places, then I find a pizzeria. This isn’t like a pizza place I’ve ever been too – and as soon as I walk through the door, I’m hooked. There are dozens of types of pizza, some I would never imagine on a pizza. And quite honestly, I’m not the biggest pizza fan – but I think this place might have won me over.

DAY 14 – LEAVING BARCELONA

After checking out of my hotel, I had a few hours – so I hopped back on the Tour Bus. Barcelona is wonderful, and I rather wish I had booked more time here. I could just drink up the ambiance and architecture forever. As I walk back generally toward my hotel, I decided to have one last meal here in Barcelona. I had skipped breakfast, and it was now mid-afternoon – with a long evening ahead of me. I order the Fried Camembert with Tomato Jam and then a breakfast dish with potatoes and eggs. And a very brave little sparrow joined me for lunch. [OMG – the camembert was amazing, and the tomato jam was divine. (If you’ve never had tomato jam, I highly recommend it. I mean, tomatoes are a fruit!)]

I grab my luggage from the hotel and head for the Bus Station – which is more like a train station (and nothing like the Greyhound Bus stations in the U.S.) I had such a wonderful time on the City Touring Buses, and the BlaBlaCar was great – so I decided to take the BlaBlaBus from Barcelona to Rome. NOT recommended.

            First – it’s a  L O N G  bus trip of 21-24 hours. And although buses have improved over the years, they still don’t have enough leg room. But mostly, people on the bus are far less considerate. One woman talked on the phone for hours. One older woman watched obnoxious videos without headphones. And the man in front of me reclined his seat all the way, so it was completely in the way. And although the inner-city buses had wifi, the cross-country ones did not. Next time I’m flying!

            And the “transfer point” was at Lyon. On the schedule it looks easy. Off at Lyon, on at Lyon. But they drop you off under an overpass and vaguely point “up”. Oh yeah – at 3am, with the bus & train stations closed. And EVERYTHING in the area closed. The only people around were some homeless men sleeping outside the station.

            Fortunately for me there were 2 young men from Columbia also going to Rome – so we roamed around together for an hour, trying to figure out where out bus would be. All of which would have been MUCH easier if I spoke Spanish or they spoke English, but we got by with Google Translate and a lot of charades. Eventually we got somewhere – and about 5am things started waking up. And at 5:30, as scheduled, the bus to Rome showed up.

DAY 13 – BARCELONA SITES

After a lovely day of just relaxing, I’m ready to head back out. I head to a Pastry Shop to grab a Nutella-filled croissant (genius & delicious!) – and walk back to the Arc de Triompf. Today I’m back on the Tourbus – but this time I spend a bit more time in the lower level of the bus. (The sunburn isn’t quite gone, and I don’t want to risk it.) I hop on the bus, this time to the Sagrada Familia – officially called Basilica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Familia. It was started in 1882 -- and it still isn't finished! Antoni Gaudi is a very well-known name here in Barcelona, and was the architect of quite a few building around here. Gaudi died in 1926, but his plans continue to be followed. He is quoted as saying "My client (God) is not in a hurry." The outside of the cathedral is spectacular -- and my favorite part of the inside is the amazing windows. Simply spectacular. A "not-to-miss" in Barcelona.

    There is also Casa Mila -- with a HUGE woman's head in front (which sounds rather odd, but it's quite wonderful) -- not to be compared to the Lichtenstein Head down by the waterfront, which is very pop modern.

    I also find a Chocolate Museum. It has chocolate houses (like gingerbread houses) of some of the famous sites in Barcelona -- including the Sagrada Familia (above). Along with equipment and history of chocolate, are the many things they have made in chocolate -- including some amazing animals. And of all the gift shops, this definitely has the best smelling museum store ever! They even have chocolate tiles that match the tiles on the streets of Barcelona. Barcelona Chocolate Factory -- yummmmm!

    And there's the Picasso Museum which has 4251 of his works. The building is spectacular, made up of 5 palaces from the 13th & 14th centuries that have been combined together. And Picasso himself donated much of his work to this museum personally, during his lifetime. We've all seen the "typical Picasso" styles -- but here they also have some of his early works, including a lovely traditional oil self-portrait from when he was a young boy studying art. I don't recall seeing much "traditional style" Picasso art -- but he was classically trained early on, and went on to develop his unique style. It was interesting to see his range and evolution as an artist. I also realize that I missed my calling as a Picasso Model.  

DAY 12 – DAY OF REST (and sunburn) IN BARCELONA

Well, a little too much sun, on top of a lot more walking than I’m used to – and I decided to actually take a day to just Chill & Relax – on vacation.

            I don’t do that very often – just a vacation to relax. I feel like I always need to be going somewhere and doing something. My brother John is really good at taking time away to heal the soul – he definitely knows how to vacation to unwind. Maybe I need to take a lesson from him.

            So today I took the time to sleep in, eat an abundance of fruit and cheese for breakfast, and just hang out at the hotel and relax. And I do mean just relax – no TV, no books, nothing. For some reason I can’t get English subtitles on TV – and the only channels in English are BBC and CNBC (and news is not conducive with relaxing). And American Streaming Services don’t work outside the U.S. – so no movies. And that was probably a good thing. Just time alone with my thoughts (scary, right???)

That I was too sunburned to spend any time outside was definitely a contributing factor (and I was sooooo glad Sandrine had brought me some Aloe in Paris!) Sparkling Water, amazing fresh fruit, and that new blank notebook I bought – perfect way to spend a vacation day.

            I’m not very good at vacationing. I always need to have an agenda. But I’ve decided that it’s OK to give myself permission to just NOT. Not plan anything. Not need to accomplish something. Not need to be going and doing all the time. So, today, I’m Not.

DAY 11 – BUSES IN BARCELONA

I’ve learned that a great way to see a lot of sites is to buy a ticket on a tourbus. Most major cities have them (or multiple versions) and for a reasonable price you can get around to the major attractions. So I started out grabbing fruit and pastry at the local Supermercat, and headed for the Tourbus. This time there are two different routes – each about 2 hours – so I hike to the Open Top of the bus, and sit back to see what there is to see around the beautiful city of Barcelona.

            I start down by the pier, loop through the heart of the city, eventually switch routes, and head up into the hills. The architecture throughout the city is spectacular, and there seems to be an old church in almost every neighborhood. Along the way, the tour highlights a neighborhood known for it’s delicacies, so I hop off for a late lunch. And since I’m in Spain, I decide to get some Paella. Many years ago I had a roommate that served her mission in Spain – and I remember her making Paella. THIS is not what she served us. I have to admit that the very long antennae and the weird little creatures with all the legs were a bit much for me – and I’m a pretty adventurous eater. But once I figured out how to not get the antennae stuck in my teeth, it really was quite delicious. (I opted to not eat the multi-legged creature as it seemed rather rubbery.)

            Back on the bus, and my next stop a Bookstore. I can’t resist a good bookstore – except that all of these books are in Spanish. Oh well!  I opt for a blank notebook and head back for the bus. And my last stop for the day – another Arc de Triumph. This time it’s Arc de Triomf (Paris is Arc de Triomphe.) This one is from the 1888 World’s Fair – and this one is MUCH easier to access.

            In Barcelona there are Supermercat stores EVERYWHERE – like more than every block. Not quite what we would call a “super” market – but more like a neighborhood convenience store that is more focused on groceries than junk food. They have the milk/egg/cheese/break – but also some fruit/veg/meat. So I stop at one close to my hotel and grab some sort of meat pie (and more fruit, of course, I’m addicted!) I take it back to the hotel and settle in for the evening.

DAY 10 – HOLA BARCELONA

Although I know there are some wonderful tourist sites to see, as I was researching online, one of the things that stood out to me was the sea and beaches of Barcelona.

            I sleep in (a recurring theme) then walk through a park across from the hotel (on my way to the beach). It’s a huge park – almost 200 acres, and includes many statues, a castle, a humongous fountain, and even the city zoo. There are lots of bikes and bike rentals in Barcelona – and lots of bike lanes, where they definitely have the right of way. And the 4-story fountain is beyond impressive. There was a man making bubbles in front of the fountain –  which had the children mesmerized. This park, Park Ciutadella, being across from the hotel – and the proximity to the beach, is why I selected this hotel – and it was a great choice.

Growing up in California, I went to the beach a lot. But the beaches here are sooooo different. First – the water. It ranges in color from a bright turquoise to a deep rich navy blue. And it’s clear, so clear you can see your feet as you begin to walk into the ocean. The sand is soft, and the only negative is that the distance from the boardwalk to the surf isn’t very deep – maybe 20-30 yards – with river rock that has collected at the water’s edge.

            I walk along the beach for a while before laying down a towel and sitting on the sand. I love the feeling of running sand through my fingers. Eventually I lay down and fall asleep, but not for long. There’s a popup bar at the edge of the beach, so I opt for a bite to eat.

            They have an amazing salad – with avocado, kiwi, and pistachios. But the non-alcoholic drink options are limited, and Coke Zero is the only thing without sugar – so I ask for Ice Water (which I again have to explain).

            I do love open-air eating – and nosh away. There are large cruise ships in the distance, and sailboats coming in and out of the nearby harbor. I lazily watch from the shore for a while, before packing it in and heading back to the hotel.

 

 

DAY 9 – AU REVOIR PARIS

Time to bid Adieu to Paris -- and Sandrine. I had an early and long train ride, so we got moving early. The hotel is only a few blocks from the train station (which is why I picked it). And there’s a darling bakery just next to the train station entrance – so I grab a few croissants for breakfast & lunch.

            Although I’ve mostly figured out the Paris Metro system, the long-distance trains are much more complicated. Plus, the track isn’t posted until about 15 minutes before departure. I hear a few people saying something something “Barcelona” and pointing – so I follow a cute little Spanish grandma toward the tracks.

            There’s a group of Americans (mostly teenagers) gathered – and their Tour Guide is very informed, so I eavesdrop and follow along. [It’s much easier to eavesdrop on conversations in English, since I don’t speak anything else.]

            This train is huge – double-decker, and dozens and dozens of train cars. Fortunately, I have assigned seating – so I just need to walk along until I find the correct car, then make my way to my seat. Unfortunately, these cars are not quite in numerical order – but eventually I find my train car and enter. There are about 32 seats in this section, in groupings of 4, with a table in the middle – like you’re ready to deal cards or picnic or something. And most of these foursomes are those American Teenagers – including 2 across the table from me. (I totally lucked out and the seat next to me was empty.)

            I settle in for a 7-hour train ride, from Paris to Barcelona – although I’m quite sure it will feel much longer with a few dozen American teenagers aboard. Adults keep coming around and counting heads, and eventually all are accounted for – although the group was split into 2 areas. (Thank heavens!) They’re obviously excited – and they’ve obviously had too much caffeine or too much sugar – or both.

            Everyone sits as the train pulls away, and in a few minutes we are outside of the city – and there is more of that glorious French countryside. Each window looks perfectly framed to be captured on an oil painting. And each pastoral village that we pass has a centuries-old cathedral rising up in the center. As much as I love traveling around America, everything is relatively new in the U.S. – and every city and town in Europe is steeped in history. And I just drink it up.

            Eventually the serenity of the scenery outside overtakes the bustling of seat swapping inside – and I fall asleep. (My usually horrible sleep habits are MUCH worse when traveling.) A few hours later I awake, with the French countryside still rolling by outside – and a much calmer group of teenagers inside. An older woman (probably my age) is sitting with this cluster of teens, and eventually I ask where they are from. Turns out they are also from Arizona, near Scottsdale – and they are a group of French & Spanish classes on a 10-day trip. (The caffeine/sugar has thankfully worn off some.)

            A few more hours pass, and then we’re notified that we’ll be stopping and needing to change trains – because there’s something wrong with this one. (NOT what you want to hear!) So we head for Perpignan, France, to switch trains. Fortunately we’ll be in the same assigned seats – but it does mean we need to move all of our luggage (and the luggage racks are very full).

            At Perpignan, the train we are to board isn’t there yet. So we pour out onto the train platform. A few hundred of us. There is a group of about 10 Gendarme in the middle of the platform – which probably contributed to the patience of the group. And there was someone on the platform handing out bottled water while we waited. We were already over an hour behind schedule, and this delay added at least another hour – but eventually the replacement train arrived and we were back on our way to Barcelona. A group of 6 heavily-armed Gendarme come into our section (after we've left the station), and one walks up to someone behind me and asks a question in French – then seemingly satisfied, the Gendarmerie move on to the upstairs section.

            By the time we arrived in Barcelona, I was tired. As much as I love train travel, long travel days can also be exhausting. I understand why many choose to fly within Europe instead – but that’s not the experience I wanted this time. So I’m grateful for the time on the train, and I’m now grateful that it’s over.

            And I’m in Barcelona! It feels different. But tonight I’m just going to find my hotel, check in, take a long shower – and rest up for adventuring tomorrow.

DAY 8 – HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME

After many years of fabulous birthday parties, the pandemic made that type of celebration unfashionable – and these past few years my birthdays have become rather anti-climactic. Well, this year I decided to get back to celebrating surviving another journey around the sun – so this year I get to spend my birthday in Paris. After a late night seeing Paris, I decide to sleep in. Then I walk to the local patisserie and grab something akin to a French Calzone – and a lovely Strawberry Tart.

            My friend Sandrine drove down to spend the day with me, so when she arrives we hop on the train to Paris – and start at the Eiffel Tower. It’s always so much more fun to travel with someone – so I’m incredibly grateful that Sandrine gave up a couple of days to be in Paris with me.

            We hopped back on the TootBus, and started riding around Paris. We ride around and enjoyed the sites for a while, then opt to hop off on the Champs-Elysees. OMG – this is like the Paris version of Rodeo Drive in California – and the shops are incredible! It’s a hot afternoon and way past lunch, so we stop at Le Fouquet’s – a fabulous restaurant with dining right on the sideway on the Champs-Elysees. The inside of the restaurant is dark and rich, with headshot photos of famous movie stars – from both French and American movies. But I prefer to eat outside, on the Champs-Elysees, right in the shadow of the Arc de Triomphe.

            OK, can I just say that the French really know bread. OMG! Everywhere I go there is bread. People tend to purchase fresh bread every day. And I see people walking around with long skinny baguettes sticking out of the shopping bags frequently. And this restaurant is the same. I don’t even know what kind of bread it is, but it’s fabulous! And the butter!!! Even Sandrine went on about how good the butter was.

            For lunch, I select the Croque Monsieur, and Sandrine has the Cheeseburger – and they’re both AMAZING! Getting “diet” soda isn’t so easy here, so I ask for Ice Water – which I have to explain. I guess around here Ice is only for Mixed Drinks. So I end up with a bottle of chilled water – and an “extra” glass of HUGE ice cubes to add to my drinking glass.

            Meals are much slower and more relaxed – more of an experience. There is no rush to get our food to us – and no rush to get through the meal. Afterward, we had to flag down our waiter to get the check – which is just what you always have to do here.

Cooled off and happy tummied, we walk along the Champs-Elysses looking at all the stores People are lined up outside the “big name” stores – and a few are let in as a few leave, with arms loaded down with high-end shopping bags. I don’t need a Dior dress or a Gucci bag, so we just walk and talk – and don’t find any store interesting enough to go in. (Sorry, we’re just not shoppers.)

At the end of the street is the Arc de Triomphe. And we get there just as the military is lighting the Eternal Flame in remembrance of the Unknown Soldier from WWI. (They light it every evening.) The Arc de Triomphe is in the middle of a large traffic circle, with 12 streets radiating off the circle – and it’s a driving masterpiece to navigate it, with cars/buses/taxis/motorcycles all crowding in – and no traffic lanes to follow. We stand on the curb and try to figure out how to cross this crazy street, and finally find the stairs to the underground tunnel to access the center. We sneak into one corner of the fenced-off area, and Sandrine asks the French Soldier about some of the details – which he is happy to share. There are brand new recruits there, and some seasoned paratroopers, and some lovely older retired soldiers – they all participate in the ceremony.

We have one more “event” for the day, so we hop on a city bus to get back to the Eiffel Tower. It’s dinner time and the buses are over-crowded – and there is zero air circulation. It’s like a portable sauna riding around the streets of Paris.

But we get to the Eiffel Tower, and head toward the Bir-Hakeim Bridge – and follow very unusual instructions for this event. “Walk to the middle of the bridge…. Jump!”  JK – but it did say to walk to the middle of the bridge and head down the stairs. There’s a little island in the middle of the Seine, and this is how you access it. It’s called “l'ile aux Cygnes” which translates to “Isle of the Swans” – but there aren’t any swans around. At the far end of this island is where the French (mini) Statue of Liberty is located. And at the close end – is our Cruise Ship, for a Dinner Cruise.

Spending a few hours cruising up and down the Seine River through the heart of Paris, and seeing the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, and all those fabulous sights from the river is the perfect way to end my birthday. And the dinner was delish too.

DAY 7 – EXPLORING PARIS ON MY OWN

Another day in Paris, but this time I have the whole day for exploring. I get up early and hop on the next train into the city, and as I come up the metro stairs…there it is – my first glimpse of the Eiffel Tower! Bucket List = Checkmark! I keep walking along and get to right underneath the Eiffel and just stand there looking up for a few minutes -- and it is glorious! There really isn’t anything quite like it.

Just at the corner is a cute café. Seems like the perfect place for breakfast. I opt for an omelet in Paris at the base of the Eiffel Tower. You’d think that was the Frenchest of breakfasts, but that’s not even considered a French breakfast – it’s VERY America, and called so on the menu. In fact, the French Breakfast is Café (coffee, or cocoa) with orange juice and a pastry (chocolate croissant) – and it’s when you add the omelet that it becomes an American Breakfast. So much for me thinking omelets are a French Breakfast thing.

For the past 3 years, I have literally barely left the house. I mean, the whole world shut down – and so did I. And even with the world back and turning, I’ve become a homebody – and now I even work 100% from home. I leave the house maybe once each week, mostly to play piano at church – that’s it. But here, I’m not only getting out but there’s a LOT of walking. Like a LOT.

But walking still limits what I can see, so I decide to hop on a TootBus that drives a loop which covers the main sites in the area. I love sitting out on the Open Top and feeling the city roll by. There’s the Alexander bridge, with the beautiful gold statues – and countless castles and palaces scattered throughout the city. And multiple bridges as we criss-cross across the Seine River (that runs from Switzerland to the ocean). And of course the Louvre, with it’s unmistakable glass pyramids – followed by the Notre Dame Cathedral that we all watched on tv when it burned a few years ago.

I hop on and off at a few stops – just to see some of the charming neighborhoods (and try some of the local cuisine along the way). And as the evening approaches, I hop off at the Musee D’Orsay – and walk the streets back up to the Louvre. Unfortunately the Louvre closes earlier than I expected, so I don’t have time to go in – so instead I stroll past the street artists selling their paintings. Along the way I find Monnaie de Paris – the Paris Mint (and the only thing other than restaurants open past 6pm). I’ve been to a number of U.S. Mints, but this is my first foreign one – and it’s amazing. The United States is just a baby compared to European countries. There are coins here dating back thousands of years. (I mean, who doesn’t like money, right???)

I walk back toward the Louvre – for my Paris at Night bus tour. OMG – Paris is wonderful all day, but its beauty gets all lit-up at night. The Champs-Elysees lights a path to the Arc de Triumphe – and the Dior storefront is incredible all lit up at night. And the Basilica of Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre is beautiful. Paris at night – incredible.

DAY 6 – BACK TO PARIS

 

Even Train Stations
here are amazing

OK, so I bought a Eurail “unlimited” pass so that I’d have the freedom to be flexible and change plans – and just hop on whatever train I wanted to. Except today – there are literally ZERO trains available today. (It might be because of the “Planned Demonstrations – aka: Riots – over the change in Retirement Age in France.) Anyway, I couldn’t find a train – but I have hotel reservations in Paris. So, Sandrine recommended BlaBlaCar – yes, like Blah Blah Blah. It’s a carpooling/ridesharing app – and when you get into the car together, you Blah Blah Blah (chitchat) on your way to your destination. Fortunately, a nice Frenchman was heading to Paris – so I could catch a ride with him, for less than $20.

            Unfortunately, his English was about as good as my French – so there wasn’t very much Blah Blah Blah. But he had Google Translate on his phone, so we could at least cover the essentials. Along the way a third joined us – a nice young French college student, who spoke excellent English and was also fluent in Russian. For most of the ride, they Blah Blah Blahed their way through the French countryside (in French) while I enjoyed the scenery. (And I can’t be sure, but I’m pretty sure they were talking politics because I think I heard Macron and Putin each mentioned.) I’d rather not be able to get dragged into a political conversation, so I was happy to be left out. [And, admittedly, I did doze off a time or two along the way – still catching up from the 9-hour time difference.]

            I have to admit, that the BlaBlaCar thing is pretty slick – and I might use it again. It’s a very simple app – but it’s really handy.

            A few hours later, we get to Paris and young Maxim and I bid “Au Revoir” to Gilles and hop on our respective trains. And now that I’ve had a bit of experience with Paris trains, this journey was much easier (and I was only 3 stops from my hotel anyway.)

            I walked toward my hotel, and there was a Burger King on the way. I know, who goes to Paris for Burger King???  But it was a very hot afternoon and I was very thirsty – and Coke is Coke everywhere. (Although they don’t have Diet Coke, only Coke Zero – but that’s good enough.)

            All of the American Fast Food Places here (McDonalds – called McDoo, BK, etc.) have the touchscreen menus to order, which helps with the language barrier. I recognize a few words, and pictures help – and when asked “Avec de la glace” I knew GLACE was ICE, which I definitely wanted. I don’t drink as much soda anymore, but on a hot day a cold coke is a very nice thing.

            About a half-mile and I’m at the hotel, get checked in, and head up to my room. After a shower, I venture out to find dinner. Ironically, my closest choices are a Chicken joint, a Pizza Hut, a Sandwicherie (these French take their sandwiches seriously, but I’m sandwiched-out), so I opt for the Greek Restuaruant.

            While I ate my lovely French-ified Greek dinner, a number of kids came in with a few coins looking for a treat. I’m guessing this is a regular occurrence, because the owner talked with each of the kids and carefully looked at the coins in their hands before selling them something sweet. So nice to see a small businessman taking care of his community – and the community feeling in this corner of Eipnay-sur-Seine (right along the Seine River) is strong and very charming.

  

DAY 5 – REMEMBERING THE GLORY OF THEIR SPIRIT

Today is June 5 – and tomorrow is D-Day, the remembrance of when in WWII the Allies invaded Normandie. So today Sandrine and I went to the Normandie beaches and U.S. Military cemetery. The closest beach happens to be Utah Beach. It’s a cool day – overcast with strong breezes, and the water is churning and whitecapped. There are a few statues of American Soldiers as we walk to the beach – and there’s a solemnity in the air. There’s a Roosevelt Café here —because at the time France was occupied by Germans, and they didn’t know how they would be able to turn things around. D-Day changed everything, and they celebrate Americans for this.

            We then head over to Omaha Beach – which is a memorial and cemetery. Sandrine tells me that the French Government gave this land to America – so I’m literally stepping on American soil. The magnitude of D-Day really hits you here. There are 9,388 American Soldiers buried here. 9,388 that never made it home. 9,388 Americans that paid the ultimate price for freedom on that one day. One day.

            The crosses marking each soldier are lined up perfectly, so that not only every single row is in perfect alignment – but as you walk along, each aligns perfectly diagonally also. It is the precision you expect from our military – and it’s executed flawlessly.

            The cemetery is right at the beach, so as you walk along the path the graves of the soldiers stretch out to your left and the English Channel stretches out to your right. It’s peaceful, even with many visitors for D-Day around. And occasionally an old military plane will fly low overhead, preparing for tomorrow’s festivities. French President Macron will be in attendance, for the 79^th Anniversary of D-Day.

            As we continue walking, there is a small building – on its wall is inscribed: “Think not only upon their passing. Remember the Glory of their Spirit.” Elsewhere is inscribed: “Greater love hath no man than this that he lay down his life for his friends.”

            That sums up military service for me. How grateful I am for the brave men & women who have fought and continue to fight so that I can enjoy the freedom of being an American.

 

DAY 4 – CHERBOURG-EN-COTENTIN, FRANCE

After a wonderful night’s rest, I awake to a beautiful Sunday morning – and I’M IN FRANCE!!! I’m at Sandrine’s, on the northern coast – but we got in so late that I didn’t get to see much of it. We sleep in – then head out to a Patisserie to grab the makings for a yummy breakfast (and snacks for later). And – we take the pastries to the beach, and eat and catch up on each other’s lives. It’s a beautiful coastal town – right on the English Channel. There’s also a park there, with kids and families, and lots and lots of dogs. People flying kites, kids riding bikes on the sand – it’s so nice.

            When the wind picks up we pack up – and head on to another beach (there’s TONS of them here). And the entire French coastline is beaches – and they are all 100% public. People can build “near” the beach – but no one can own private land that blocks people from the beach. (How I wish California were set up like that.)

            As we walk toward the beach, there’s still quite a wind – so we opt to stop into the little restaurant there – and old stone cottage, with fabulous windows overlooking the ocean. Oh, and they serve crepes – like any respectable French restaurant should. We sit and visit and enjoy the ocean. As I pour the last of the water into Sandrine’s glass she shares a tradition that whomever gets the last drop of water from the carafe will be the next to get married. (Hmmmm, I may start strategically pouring more water.)

            After a bit of driving around and sightseeing we stop at a grocery store – and I load-up on fruit. I am a big fruit lover – and the fruit here is AMAZING! The apricots are incredible. And the raspberries are perfectly soft and sweet – and I’m pretty sure it’s all vine-ripened, because it all tastes soooo much better. I eat as much as I can handle – to the point where don’t care about dinner. And that’s the perfect way to end the day.

 

DAY 3 – FIGURING OUT HOW TO GET AROUND PARIS

WOW – that was a looooong flight. But any day that starts with landing in Paris is a good day. More exploring will happen in a few days. Today is about getting to my friend, Sandrine. She lives a few hours from Paris – so that means it’s time to activate my Eurail Pass, and figure out how to get to Cherbourg, a port city along the northern coast. The Charles DeGaulle Airport is enormous – and I found it a rather confusing. After leaving the plane, I looked for something that would get me to a train.

            Thank heavens Verizon has an International Plan, and my phone just works automatically – including data. (How could we survive without cellphones anymore?) A quick search on Google Maps, and conferring with the directions Sandrine sent – and I’m off and wandering. My flight ended up being a few hours late, so I have missed the last train today to her city. And there isn’t ONE good app to reference to figure out what trains are running. I look at the Eurail site and Google Maps (and a couple of others) and eventually decide on a train that will get me somewhere close to her. I have to take a bus, and the subway, and then 2 different trains – but eventually I’m heading north.

            Trains are a lovely way to travel – and one I wish was more common in the U.S. I love to sit by the window and watch the serene countryside roll by. I tried to pay attention as the train stopped along the way – but I haven’t slept much the past few days, so I’m not exactly at my sharpest. They announce the towns at each stop, but I can’t understand the announcer – and most of them are far beyond my feeble attempts to prounounce the signs on the platform anyway. Fortunately I don’t have to worry about it, because this train is end-of-the-line and stops for the night at my destination (so there’s no way I can miss my stop – thank heavens!)

            A Facebook Message to Sandrine as I’m getting close, and she’s waiting for me as the train arrives. Sandrine – being the wonderful friend that she is – has stopped and grabbed me a sandwich and some fruit (and of course, some chocolate), since I haven’t eaten all day. And it’s almost sunset when I arrive. Ahhhhhh! I lost a whole day somewhere along the way – but I’m here, in France – and I’m ready to dive in!

            Sandrine and I worked together at Tahitian Noni many many years ago – and Noni Friends are Forever Friends. A few years ago she reached out and asked if she could come stay with me in Provo – for 4 months! Well, not exactly 4 months – her plan was to come visit me, and then plan all of her mini-trips (Canada, California, etc.) all based out of Utah. I was her “home base” for her trip – which made it much easier for her to plan, plus I got to see her between each of her trips.

            So, I decided to follow her lead – and I’ve planned this European Trip similarly – starting and ending with visiting her. It not only gives me an anchor point – but ensures that I get a good visit in with her also.

            Because despite all of the wonderful sites I’m sure to see over these next few weeks, I have no doubt that the PEOPLE along the way will be what I truly enjoy and remember the most.