In the last month, I got to visit some incredible places and some not so. (Yeah, Russia, I'm looking at you). Sitting on my Transatlantic flight I decided to put down some notes before coming home and attacking 2600 pictures whilst trying to get them in order.
I was lucky enough to do a very different but also super-long trip in 2007 when I conquered Central America for 8 weeks. In 6 years, a lot has changed so being away from home and family is much more difficult now than it was then. Knowing the little one missed me, I knew if I were going to be gone from him I had to make it uber worthwhile. Without further ado:
Upon arriving in England, I was whisked away to Swanage, the South of England. What a beautiful and relaxing place. I loved getting to go on a SUP for the first time (I actually stood there like a champ!) and eating some oh-so-good smoked mackerel. The three hour nap on the beach was not too shabby either. The company of Alexa and Rob is unparalleled so instead of mentioning them on every line I'll just say thank you for being so generous with me. I love you both.
Catching up with old friends is great no matter where you are and seeing Alyona in London was no different. Every time we hung out we ate burgers, drank wine and talked. Is there a better way to catch up? I have now visited Alyona in every place she's ever lived since I've known her: Southfield, Lansing (roomie!), LA, NYC and London. Awesome.
From England, I headed to Belgium to see Dzenana, my always stylish and fabulous hostess. Sure she waited for me at the wrong train station but what would I tease her about if not that? Brussels was an incredible city, a mix of my favorite parts of Hamburg and Paris rolled into one. I can't wait to take Remi and Pasha there. The highlight? Market that turned into a giant street party with the freshest food, great vibe and people that were there to enjoy each other's company and the beautiful weather. My only regret is that I didn't stay in Belgium longer. And that I am not bringing back a suitcase full of chocolates. Next time.
For my birthday weekend, I found myself in my home country of Latvia. I was promised that a lot has changed since I was there last in 2004 but the Latvians are still rude, the ladies are incredibly hot and put together (I definitely understand why Latvian girls are the most sought after mail-order brides in Eastern Europe) and the city quiet.
Reuniting with my classmates and picking up where we left off is a great feeling. It's amazing that there is still so much to talk about with people I went to school with 21 years ago. Great company cannot be substituted. I wish our school (which has been sold and no longer exists) kept track of how awesome we turned out. Sitting at the table we are an impressive group; 2 business owners, flight attendant, teacher, business intelligence dude (official title, I'm sure :)), doctor and a university professor. I don't know the last time I went to bed when it was light outside, but it was that fun.
After Riga, it was time to move on to Sweden, the herring country. Easily, one of the most beautiful cities visited on this trip yet what stands out the most are the people. Madeleine, a girl at the coffee shop who spent an hour filing a police robbery report for us (her English and willingness to help were like no other). Manuel, a Chilean guy in a Greek restaurant who did everything and anything to make sure we had a fantastic dinner after a long long day. Leif, our gracious airbnb host who didn't kill me for getting my bag with his house keys stolen and the list goes on. The food in Sweden was the best of the entire trip and man, did I eat a lot of it. Look for pictures of my aunt and I climbing roofs. Scary.
In Moscow, where the skies are gray and people grayer (is that a word?) there are few highlights. My sister in law Lily's trainer who kicked my culo was definitely one. Attending a dinner full of expats was another. A place where mostly non-russkis get together to make connections and maybe make a friend. I chatted with some very interesting people but the highlight was Lily's lentil salad. Whoa, that thing was good.
Back in London, Alyona, Pasha and I watched the crazy show that's "Limbo" and danced the night away at the after party. Fire eating girls? Check. Bendy guys? Done. Why not swallow a sword? Yep, they do that here too. Aaaand, I tried my very first ham flavored chips. They were so weird in a good way but I couldn't find them anywhere else for the remainder of my time in England. This turned out to be my one and only ham chip event. This part of the trip contained a lot of naps and slow motion (must we go somewhere? moments). All good. Oh yes, Alyona, Alexa and I ran a 5k. All I remember is that I was slow and it was hot. While we were running, Kate popped out a Prince. End of story.
Pasha and I took off to Scotland for our first sans-kid vacay in 2 years. Edinburgh's architecture was unlike anything I've seen before and our apartment was in the center of it all. Beautiful buildings, delightful people, crazy weather. That about sums it up. We toured the Parliament, tried Whiskey while learning all about it, saw Rodin among other things at the National Gallery, listened to a concert at the St Giles Cathedral, made 12th century coins at the Bank Museum, shopped at HM and ate haggis. You can Google what that entails... We were proper tourists, even renting a car to drive on the left side of the road all the way North to The Highlands. Staying in a small Scottish village, surrounded by nature and beautiful lakes (Monster at Loch Ness, yes please), castles and little else was rather neat. I may have taken 400 pictures of the lake but I'm not telling.
Back in England, it was time to wrap up my adventure. Sipping on afternoon tea for almost three hours by the Kensington Place is a good way to finish, if you ask me. Sure, we may have eaten 4 other meals that day but that's all tiny and unnecessary details.
As I head to Toronto to start the trek to get closer to my family, I think about how cool it is that I know so many people all over the world. I don't know how it happened, I surely didn't seek out globe-trotting friends. While looking at a variety of standby flights and deciding which destination will get me fastest to MI, I knew there were people whose couches wouldn't mind me all over the US, not to mention the ones I've visited. The cities I visited were beautiful for sure, but I'm most thankful for getting to spend time with my family and friends. Thank you for letting me invade your houses and lives, and taking the time to show me around. Next one is on me.
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