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They say that hind sight is 20/20. I think it’s closer to 20/15.
As I look at all my photos and think back about our experiences over the past year, I realize that we have been very lucky. No major mishaps, nice apartments/neighborhoods, wonderful people, and above all: each other.
I just want everyone to know (including the powers that be) that I realize how lucky we’ve been.
Part of the reason I’ve been looking back on my photos (other than organizing them for more blog posts…be patient with me) is because it’s Friday. One of the e-groups I belong to is called Photo Friday. Each Friday they deliver an email that includes a concept. Last Friday the concept was “The Good Life”. We’re supposed to submit a link to a photo that we feel expresses this concept. I think I have several photos that could illustrate this, but I can only choose one to submit.
As I look through my photos taken over the last year, the photos that ping my heart the most are the ones that document the little things. The kitchen in our apartment in Milan with (empty) wine bottles lined up. The kitties laying in the sun on the balcony. The bike path behind our apartment building in Brussels. Again, so many photos of the little things that made our lives good.
The photo I’ve chosen was taken the first day I arrived in Milan. It was my first cappuccino in Italy. I remember finding it strange that I had to stand at the counter and drink it. I also know that it was the last time I had a cappuccino after 11AM. Soon after my arrival, a friend informed us of the cafe etiquette that it’s considered gauche [out of fashion] to drink cappuccinos after lunch. I really miss my morning cappuccino!
So here it is (sigh), my first cappuccino in Italy…my “The Good Life”.
If you had to pick one photo to express your “The Good Life”, what would it be?
Not including today, I have only five more days left in Europe. This time has gone by like a trip on the autobahn…a blur. And I still have things I need to do before I leave.
I’ve had more adventures here that I have not yet blogged about. So you all get to “enjoy” our European adventures even after I’m back living in the states.
One of the things that’s been setting me into a slight panic before I leave, is what to take with me. There was less panic each time I left the US, because I knew I’d be back and friends would be visiting (with prizes). Leaving Italy was another story. Even though we have a few cities near us with decent areas of authentic Italian restaurants (pizza!), groceries, and pastry shops, it’s never the same as the real thing. So what to bring home? I missed a few things even while living here in Belgium. Luckily I had a chance to go back to Milan last month and pick up a few things I missed. Now I turn to my time in Belgium and think about what I’ll miss. What can I bring with me? Not much. Most of the things I love here in Belgium are perishable. Or are extremely heavy (beer!). But I’m sure there will be at least one box of pralines for us in my baggage. I can’t take too much, since I’ll also be traveling with the cats.
Traveling with two cats is strange. It makes me sick to my stomach with stress and worry. And I’m sure they’re not too happy while traveling either. I could be guessing this from the constant meowing and the cowering in the back corner of their kennels. Keep your fingers crossed for us on the return to Boston! I’ll be documenting the trip so that I can blog about our experience. A lot of good information came from people who wrote about their harrowing pet travels on blogs and websites. I am going to do my best to pay it forward. Plus it will keep me busy, which will easy the worry a bit.
Chris probably won’t start missing things for a while since he will probably have to come back to Europe a few times this year (and he’ll be in Italy two weeks after I leave). And he’s associated this year with a lot of hard work, where it’s just been one big adventure (and housework) for me.
When you travel, do you always bring something with you that you can’t do without? Food, books, music, clothing, etc? Add a comment about it, or answer one of the following (click on “comment” to bring you to the comment section):
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If you were leaving the US to live in a foreign country, what would you need to take with you (that you didn’t think you could get in the new country)?
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What do you think you’d bring back from Italy (even if you’ve never been there)?
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What would you bring home from Belgium?
I’m curious to hear about what others think about the comforts of home, and of course souveniers from life.
I’m most certain that this is my last blog until I get home next week. Like I said, I got a ton of stuff to do still. Until then (and since there are no photos in this post) please feel free to enjoy the photos in my flickr…photos usually make it there before I blog about them.
A bientot and ciao!
Today is St. Nicolas day in Belgium (and other countries).
So that’s pretty cool. Kids here get gifts today AND on Christmas.
Makes all of December a fun month.
Which is excellent since the weather has been pretty un-fun. Lately the sun has only come out for 15 minute bursts. Or you can see that the sun is shining somewhere in the distance, but where we are standing…clouds.
Ok, enough about the weather!
Legend has it that St. Nicolas came to the Netherlands from Spain in December.
He brought with him moorish servants (more on that later). In Belgium, Sinterklaas leaves prizes for the children on the night of December 5th. December 6th is St. Nicolas Day.
So the Belgian stores have been gearing up to this day since Halloween. Yes, Halloween. There have been masive displays of St. Nicolas related candy and treats everywhere. Additionally, kids books and toys have been pushed.
This is how I originally found out that St. Nick comes to Belgium on the 5th. I kept seeing a lot of cardinal like figures in chocolate at the stores. But what I was curious about was the little figure dressed in colorful renaissance dress with African features. So I did what any geek does…I googled it. Here’s what I found on Wikipedia.
Here is the candy that made me curious about the figure with Sinterklaas:
