Europe?

Yeesh, this was never updated? Way to drop the ball..

So, yes, I was in Europe last fall with my mother. It was a different experience for us both, but one of the most rewarding travel experiences I have ever had. It was more work than simply traveling for me - which I mean in the best way possible (with a tinge of sarcasm, but not really).

What could be lengthy posts detailing our adventure, I will instead sum up here:

We traveled through the north of France visiting important Canadian memorials and heritage areas (Vimy, Beaumont-Hamel, Juno Beach, Passchendaele); we visited dear family friends in the Netherlands and in western Germany; I showed her where I lived in Finland for a year and we met more excellent friends; we VRBO'd and Air BNB'd our way throughout our destinations; we drove in a gutless yet fuel-efficient Chevy across western Europe; and I got the opportunity to show my mother my style of traveling with all its challenges, issues, and problems to solve giving way to the more rewarding victories and an almost zen-like understanding that things, usually, work out in the end, the universe unfolding before you as you thought only moments ago it was just further collapsing around you.

So what has sparked me to write this? Well, I'm off to Europe... again.. shortly.

Probably.

Details will follow, but it is a bit early to discuss at this point. I likely won't have time to meet old friends this time around as the stay will be brief and quite sincere, but I will keep folks who tune in updated as I can.

Til then!