I've not traveled much in my ripe old age of 33 years and 11 months so getting on an airplane still gets me excited. I don't mind the lines at the airport, (but using my husband's frequent flier status was way cooler than I expected and I may or may not be spoiled ) and exploring new places scares me before it thrills me, {except Paris. I was made to live in Paris. More on that later}.
I'm back home and working on laundry filthy with the dust and sweat of ten days in Europe, normal household chores, folding paper airplanes, nursing a sick child and carrying a baby on my hip (because he luuuuubs his mama and I luuuub him too). I have too many post ideas to draft, so for now I have chosen to create of list of observations/discoveries from my first trip to Europe. Let's begin:
1. Everyone in London wears sensible (which generally equals ugly but comfortable) shoes everywhere. I was so depressed to wear the same slouchy black boots day after day. I'll be avoiding them like the plague, although they did keep my feet warm, dry, clean and comfortable.
2. Londoners walk FAST. Like fast, on a whole new level. They bump each other and keep on truckin'. Watching the sidewalks reminded me of my years working downtown and of the rabbit from Alice In Wonderland singing "I'm late. I'm late for very important date; no time to say hello-goodbye I'm late, I'm late, I'm late!" The energy level is very high on the streets and is both exhiliarating and exhausting. (My calves look better than they have in years btw.)
3. If you're at a pub in London and you see what appears to be a footstool at your table do not put your feet up on it. It is not a footstool but rather another seat and they do not appreciate Americans who want to put their feet up and relax with a pint. Feet down. Pint up.
4. The USA is a very young country. I was completely taken by the history in both London and Paris. London in particular, the sight of 1000 year old palaces intermingled with modern glass skyscrapers is beautiful and in some odd way harmonious.
5. I can survive traveling on the tube all by myself without anyone jumping out to snatch me, throw me in a van and behead me on a YouTube video. The tube was a very safe, cheap and quick way to travel around the city. I never felt threatened. Everyone just kept to themselves, no conversations, no eye contact, no harassment. It was great. But don't dawdle. Again, they move quick in London.
6. Drinking in Europe is part of their lifestyle, like having coffee and sweet tea in the south. I never saw a drunk person...not one. But everyone was having drinks with friends and family at all hours of the day. Here in the States we have used media to portray drinking as something you do TO get drunk and for no other reason. It is not that way over there and it was refreshing to see everyone drinking in moderation.
7. If you have a love affair with food then you LOVE Paris. I LOVE Paris and it loves me.
8. If you have a love affair with fashion and shopping then you LOVE London. The shopping was unlike anything I have ever seen. I do LIKE London but I don't LOVE shopping. I love food. See no. 7.
9. Indian food is delicious. Vietnamese food is delicious. A scotch egg is delicious. Hard Cider is delicious.
10. Paris is meant to be enjoyed leisurely, with a glass of wine, a plate of cheese, sliced cured ham and a baguette traditional. Skip the hike to the top of the Eiffel Tower, learn some common French phrases and head to Le Marais neighborhood for the best food you have ever eaten. If only we had boulangeries, patisseries and fromageries on the streets of my city like they have in Paris...I'd be in heaven. Food is so much more than just food and I found an entire city of people who agree with me!
11. Hand sanitizer does not exist across the pond.
12. No one is as friendly and hospitable as folks from the Southern United States. It's my favorite part of OUR culture.