The wife and I are a day away from another visit overseas. We have enjoyed travel, though preparations can sometimes feel burdensome. All the reservations, research, and anxiety can take a toll on the pleasure of anticipating a huge change of pace and place and culture--a dose of the world as it is in another location.
One of the things I like most is the release from my regular activities--from visiting longtime friends and family to mowing the lawn and making myself a peanut butter and honey sandwich. I enjoy those things, but having a hiatus from them and then returning to them full of new and novel experiences makes them all the more comforting.
Last summer in Italy we were immersed in the ancient history and culture of the place, from Greek and Roman statues and monuments to work from further back or unfamiliar--Etruscans and others. We loved the food and drink, both new and traditional. But we also enjoyed modern conveniences like high speed trains.
It's hard sometimes to try to share those experiences when we return; friends and family who have less interest or experience in travel often don't share our love for novelty, and after politely listening to snippets of travel tales, they update us on what we missed in our absence.
Still, we love our jaunts, whether we cross an ocean or not, and we'll continue. Last year, Italy. This year, Finland, Estonia, and Latvia. (Sorry, Lithuania, you'll have to wait for a future visit!)
