Thursday, August 14, 2008
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Sweet Home Chicago!
Today, we've been in France, England and the United States. The guy at customs said "Welcome Home" - those words have never sounded so sweet.
WE ARE HOME!!!
WE ARE HOME!!!
Monday, August 11, 2008
We go home tomorrow. Wow.
Hey there, Kara here. I'm sitting in our hotel across the street from Nice airport where we will be tomorrow morning at 5:30 to catch our flight to Heathrow and then to Chicago. I can't believe we're done. I mean on one hand, yes, we've been gone for almost three months and and sure feels like it - London, Amsterdam, Berlin...they all seem so long ago! On the other hand I can't believe its already over. Strange feeling. I am so excited to go home...see our friends, family, LOLA! But also back to life and back to reality - find a job, pay the bills, blah, blah... This has truly been an amazing experience as Nicki said filled with so many ups and downs - but mostly ups :) I thought I would add a few of my observations and thoughts about the last 11.5 weeks of travel...
1. I don't think I will ever fully understand the complete lack of enthusiasm Europeans have for personal hygiene.
2. Patience will only get you so far - sometimes you just have to be aggressive.
3. I'm certain that between the two of us Nicki and I can successfully navigate ANY situation.
4. I'm also certain that since we got through this more in love and not killing each other, that we will have a nice, long, wonderful, happy life together. And I can't wait!
5. Tourists suck. Tour groups suck.
6. If a sign in a museum says "Do not use flash" then DON'T USE FLASH! Its not hard. Get your head out of your ass and help the artwork last longer.
7. I already knew that the CTA (Chicago Transit Authority) sucked but after riding public transportation over here - it just looks like a joke. A really, really bad joke.
8. I have a totally new, kind of surprising love and admiration for the United States. Our country is truly amazing and I am really happy to be an American. (that sounds so cheesy. sorry. but its true!)
9. I knew I would miss Lola but I guess I didn't really realized just how much. The moment I pick her up and she starts licking my face will be one of the happiest of my life. (such a cheeseball today!)
10. I don't need a cell phone or television - but I DO need the internet.
11. Don't wear flip flops in fountains.
12. People can really surprise you - in good ways and bad.
13. I really can get through a whole summer with very few clothing options! But I can't WAIT to get home and raid my own closet - it will be like Christmas!
14. If you don't understand what someone is saying in another language - just smile and nod, that will usually get you through.
15. I get seasick.
16. Seeing the Chicago skyline tomorrow will be so awesome!!!
Its been quite a ride - thanks for coming with!
Our last night on Corisca... 8-10-08
1. I don't think I will ever fully understand the complete lack of enthusiasm Europeans have for personal hygiene.
2. Patience will only get you so far - sometimes you just have to be aggressive.
3. I'm certain that between the two of us Nicki and I can successfully navigate ANY situation.
4. I'm also certain that since we got through this more in love and not killing each other, that we will have a nice, long, wonderful, happy life together. And I can't wait!
5. Tourists suck. Tour groups suck.
6. If a sign in a museum says "Do not use flash" then DON'T USE FLASH! Its not hard. Get your head out of your ass and help the artwork last longer.
7. I already knew that the CTA (Chicago Transit Authority) sucked but after riding public transportation over here - it just looks like a joke. A really, really bad joke.
8. I have a totally new, kind of surprising love and admiration for the United States. Our country is truly amazing and I am really happy to be an American. (that sounds so cheesy. sorry. but its true!)
9. I knew I would miss Lola but I guess I didn't really realized just how much. The moment I pick her up and she starts licking my face will be one of the happiest of my life. (such a cheeseball today!)
10. I don't need a cell phone or television - but I DO need the internet.
11. Don't wear flip flops in fountains.
12. People can really surprise you - in good ways and bad.
13. I really can get through a whole summer with very few clothing options! But I can't WAIT to get home and raid my own closet - it will be like Christmas!
14. If you don't understand what someone is saying in another language - just smile and nod, that will usually get you through.
15. I get seasick.
16. Seeing the Chicago skyline tomorrow will be so awesome!!!
Its been quite a ride - thanks for coming with!
Our last night on Corisca... 8-10-08
Saturday, August 9, 2008
3 more days...
This has been a pretty ridiculous summer, full of happy and some not so happy surprises. I am now typing with my bum arm which isn't quite so bum anymore, in fact I get to take the cast off as soon as we get home :) When we were preparing for this trip, we both thought that it would be good for us to get some perspective on the world, and ourselves. We've seen some of the most extraordinary sights on earth, enjoyed some simple quiet moments, met amazing people, and gotten ourselves into and out of all kinds of chaos. So, I thought I'd compile a list of a few things I've learned and experienced.
1. Every situation can be made at least a little bit better with a cold beer.
2. The prospect of being homeless in a foreign country is not as scary as it may seem
3. I don't NEED a cell phone
4. US Politics is as annoying in Europe as it is at home
5. English is a beautiful language
6. The Italian healthcare system hasn't progressed much since 1945
7. Absence indeed makes the heart grow fonder
8. The US Dollar sucks
9. The Mediterranean Sea is astonishing
10. Soccer can actually be fun to watch
11. Sometimes you need a vacation from your vacation
12. Be careful where you use your debit card
13. backpacking is a great relationship tester
14. I've never been more in love with Kara than I am after being together 24/7 for 75 days.
15. Never underestimate the human's capacity for both generosity and extreme indifference
16. There won't be a happier moment than returning home to our fantastic friends, our baby, our city and our life.
1. Every situation can be made at least a little bit better with a cold beer.
2. The prospect of being homeless in a foreign country is not as scary as it may seem
3. I don't NEED a cell phone
4. US Politics is as annoying in Europe as it is at home
5. English is a beautiful language
6. The Italian healthcare system hasn't progressed much since 1945
7. Absence indeed makes the heart grow fonder
8. The US Dollar sucks
9. The Mediterranean Sea is astonishing
10. Soccer can actually be fun to watch
11. Sometimes you need a vacation from your vacation
12. Be careful where you use your debit card
13. backpacking is a great relationship tester
14. I've never been more in love with Kara than I am after being together 24/7 for 75 days.
15. Never underestimate the human's capacity for both generosity and extreme indifference
16. There won't be a happier moment than returning home to our fantastic friends, our baby, our city and our life.
Friday, August 8, 2008
BREAK A LEG AMBER AND JASON!
We wish for nothing more than to be there on your opening night but alas, we are still here, far away. But we will be with you in spirit...listen for our laughs. Love you and miss you - can't wait to see the show. XOXO
Also, we are having an amazing time here in Corsica - boating, swimming, snorkeling, beautiful views and last night we had quite an eating experience. The neighbor and friend of Marielle's brother is a gourmet chef with his own restaurant here in Corsica. Last night he cooked a five course meal for us complete with three different types of wine for the different dishes. HOLY MOLY. Don't worry there are pictures. Tons of pictures. We got to watch him prepare some of the dishes too which was almost as much fun as eating it.
Only 5 more days...
Also, we are having an amazing time here in Corsica - boating, swimming, snorkeling, beautiful views and last night we had quite an eating experience. The neighbor and friend of Marielle's brother is a gourmet chef with his own restaurant here in Corsica. Last night he cooked a five course meal for us complete with three different types of wine for the different dishes. HOLY MOLY. Don't worry there are pictures. Tons of pictures. We got to watch him prepare some of the dishes too which was almost as much fun as eating it.
Only 5 more days...
Monday, August 4, 2008
Well, shit.
At least it happened at the END of the trip...
Here we are in paradise, budgeted down to the last dime to get us home before going into the red, and our debit card number gets stolen. Yup, someone in Japan has spent all our remaining travel money. After calling the bank, our parents, crying and freaking out we have finally calmed down.and realized its not the end of the world...we are so lucky to have friends that will not let us starve or be homeless here in France. Thank you Marielle and Alexis. Man o man... talk about feeling violated! Jackass. We have no idea how it happened either, we have both cards in our possession. Well, tomorrow we sail to Corsica so things are looking up :) At least we didn't break any bones...oh, wait...
Here we are in paradise, budgeted down to the last dime to get us home before going into the red, and our debit card number gets stolen. Yup, someone in Japan has spent all our remaining travel money. After calling the bank, our parents, crying and freaking out we have finally calmed down.and realized its not the end of the world...we are so lucky to have friends that will not let us starve or be homeless here in France. Thank you Marielle and Alexis. Man o man... talk about feeling violated! Jackass. We have no idea how it happened either, we have both cards in our possession. Well, tomorrow we sail to Corsica so things are looking up :) At least we didn't break any bones...oh, wait...
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