New Start...Again :-)

It is hard to blog. I find it difficult to put in words our experiences. I do not know what to write and because of this do not write at all. As of today, I am renewing my commitment to blog and share our experiences…good, bad and everything in between.

Here we go…smile. To date we have been to Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Wales, UK, Italy, Egypt, Israel and Greece.

Spain and Portugal helped me further understand the inspiration of paintings and the draw natural beauty speaks to artist old and new. I was constantly overwhelmed with the natural light on a flower, brick or the lingering of a cloud. What I want to convene is the authentic beauty to be found in every little detail of these countries. I found myself envious of Spaniards and Portuguese. These countries need to be experienced at least once in a lifetime by everyone. I am on a mission to live and be a part of these countries and their cultures in the future.

Spain recommendations: Rent a car and drive. Be prepared to get completely lost driving through cobblestone streets, scratch the rental and possibly loose a side mirror. The freedom is worth every bit and more…drive. Take naps and be prepared to stay up late and eat dinner at midnight. Walk and walk some more. Toledo, Grenada, Madrid, San Sebastian and Bilbao. Become a sangria, olive and pinxtos connoisseur. Go to the mercados and stock up on pig, cheese and all the other goodies hidden within these treasures. Get lost driving along the northern coast of Spain.

I love the blue light in Lisboa! We did not get to spend much time in Portugal but loved every minute that we did. We stayed outside of Lisboa in Sintra. Sintra was the summer residence for royalty and the wealthy…lucky devils! It is nestled in the hillside and the last stop for the subway/light rail system to Lisboa. Perfect location to explore and catch our breath. Before that we caught a couple beach days in the Algarve Coast. Look for zimmers in residential homes when traveling through the Algarve Coast.

Ireland is as green as they say and the natural beauty of this country is also stunning and inspirational. What I will always remember most from Ireland is the giant bear hug I received every time someone spoke. It is not just the Irish accent I write about. It is the deep down sincerity and kindness attached to each syllable that left me absolutely in love with the Irish and this country.

Ireland recommendations: Look left and be ready to get cozy with the sheep while driving. Listen to local radio stations. Stock up on Guinness and Bulmer’s at the local supermarkets. Go to the English Market in Cork and buy the tzikiti…hands down the best in the world…Greece was not even able to hold a torch. Spend some time in the Ring of Kerry. Spend some time in Doolin soaking up the local music. Sunset at the Cliffs of Moher. Galway and Dublin. Go to the Chester Beatty Library in Dublin. Tours in Ireland are awesome. The tour guides have a wicked sense of humor and know their history…plus it is often included in the cost of the entrance fee...worthy. Go to the jail…very humbling…the Irish have been through some shit! Beans with breakfast, eggs that blow your mind and rocket salad.

The ferry from Dublin to Liverpool is a great option. I am not into cold weather at all and yet there were parts of Wales and London that made me a believer. Listen to local radio stations…the commentary was priceless. Rent a car and drive through Wales and end up at the Long Barn for a good nights sleep with the sheep. Hunt out and spend the night in one of the amazing five story houses in Bath. Circuses and I am not referring to the ones with cotton candy and tight rope walkers. Jane Austen. Walk your booty off in London and eat Indian food. Be the change you want to see in the world-Gandhi. Walk to Abbey Road even if you are not a Beatles fan…walk, walk, walk London. Return the Elgin marbles to Athens.

We did not get to see a lot of Italy because we were ramping up and then on the cruise. Rome is architecturally mind blowing. The Vatican Museum needs to regulate how many people they allow in their museum at one time. Regardless of feeling like I was wearing a bell around my neck heading toward the barn to be milked, I caught massive amounts of flies because my mouth was hanging on the floor from the beauty of the Sistine Chapel and surrounding works of art. On several occasions I found myself missing the Irish due to the Italian communication style. It is such a beautiful language to listen to however the attitude took a bit of getting use to. I was just getting the hang of it and then we left. I’ll be back. We visited Pompeii and I was so humbled by the innovation and genius of the past.

Egypt is dirty!!! The air stings your lungs from the moment you step outside. The automobiles have a language all their own and at first it seems everything exist at a near death breaking speed. It is a challenge and from the start left me with little desire to visit again. The visit leaves you washing your hands free and eager to be done. And yet I will go back. In the end, I am enchanted with Cairo and Egypt. Life is in your face and the city and county give you glimpses of their complex personalities which I do not want to ignore. It is a violation and abuse of every single sense in a human body. The country is full of friendly masochist and you just want to get to know them more.

Israel is shockingly clean after experiencing Egypt. There are road signs in three different languages and destinations are so well marked it would be a true challenge to get lost in the country…it also is rather tiny though-smile. We stayed in the Old Town in Jerusalem and did not get much sleep. Who needs sleep though?!?!? Smile. Worship can be heard 24/7. Our hostel had a killer roof top deck and I will always carry sunset and overlooking Jerusalem in my soul. Old Town is minute in size with so many different religions represented within its walls.

The best part of Italy, Egypt and Israel though was traveling with our families. Matt’s parents celebrated their 50th anniversary with this cruise. Aunt Pam and my mom also joined the celebration. The cruise had a mishap and the engine caught fire outside of Port Said. The damage was extensive enough to cancel the rest of the cruise. Matt’s parents and Aunt Pam went home, while my mom stayed with us and we made it to Athens (original end of cruise) on our own. I cherish any opportunity to spend time with Matt’s parents and am convinced Aunt Pam is one of the most amazing people on this planet and am blessed to know her. I am so proud of my mom. We really put her through the paces with a rigorous schedule. There were some dicey moments and she was a champ.

In Athens we met up with the McCormick’s and began our travels through the Greek Islands. Michael and Matt both have their stories of pirating through the Greek Islands many years ago. Carolyn and I have seen enticing pictures and heard incredible stories. And so the pirates and the virgins headed off to Santorini to explore. I was reminded of how deceiving a picture can be. There is a stark beauty to the Islands. There also is the reminder of what overpopulation and tourism if not handled properly can do to our natural resources. I loved hearing Michael and Matt’s stories of what the islands were like when they were there many years ago. I was saddened at the state they are in now. Trash floating around in the Mediterranean is not my idea of beauty. Stupid humans. Visiting the ruins of Delos is a must. Renting a scooter and having fish soup at Markos Fish Taverna at Kelafitis Beach on Mykonos Island is a must. Sitting down for a meal at Nickolas in Fira on Santorini/Thira is a must also. Find the Meat Deli in Mykonos town and purchase Louza…yummy!!! Try the Kopinisti cheese of Mykonos but avoid the Marzipan dessert.

Last night Matt and I said goodbye to the McCormick’s and are so grateful for the time we spent with them and their friendship. The past month will linger with us for some time and feed our homesickness. We miss our friends and family a great deal. It may not get noted often enough but we love, miss and think of all of you often. Thank you!

Tomorrow we head to Turkey via ferry. The ferry systems throughout the Greek Islands have been great and pretty easy to navigate. We plan to spend a night in Kusadasi and visit Ephesus and then head toward Cappadocia and the fairy chimney villages. We plan on stopping by Pamukkale to hang out in the thermal pools and check out the white ledges.
More soon!