Signing Off

OVER AND . . .

Some observations as we sign off . . .

The doggone trains aren’t as cool as they used to be. We kept hoping for a comfy old train car with an aisle along the side and sliding doors and facing seats in the compartments and the countryside rocking past outside the window. And also maybe a good meal on a starched tablecloth with a good bottle of wine. No more. Instead, sleek rockets with packaged food in the bar car.

Segways. Love ’em. You know what they are . . . those two-wheeled thingies that look like they operate by suspending the laws of physics. Fortunately they are smarter than we are and can also read our minds so when you want to go right . . . you go right! Instead of trudging around humid cities and perspiring all over your clothing you zip along effortlessly while your clever young guide/leader tells you what you are looking at.

Selfie sticks. Forests of them. You might think that people would tire of looking at their own mugs after brushing their teeth every morning. Maybe there is a global epidemic of narcissism? Hard to say.

Remember Converse All Stars, the sneakers we used to wear? Somehow, miraculously, apparently without the benefit of marketing or advertising, they are everywhere, from Italy to Finland, on the feet of all the attractive young people in every color of the rainbow. How do you account for that?

The sound track of 21st century Europe is the rock and roll of 1960’s Your Town and Mine. Dionne Warwick / I’ll Say a Little Prayer for You. In stores. In airports. In restaurants. Etta James / At Last. Usually the original artist; sometimes a cover. Betty Everett / It’s in His Kiss. The world has not yet tired of that music. Fine with me. The Beatles / Michelle, Ma Belle. Nancy Wilson / My Guy. The Beach Boys. The Chiffons. The Ronettes . . . Sweet.

Forget about sending your offspring to college. Send them to tattooist school instead. Florid huge intricate tattoos. Everywhere. When you jump in the pool it’s like swimming with lizards.

The Danes speak better English than we do. Hell almost everyone speaks better English than we do. Time was, you needed to be able to speak some French or some German or some something. Now, before you open your mouth they greet you in English. We must have a special smell or something. It’s such a relief . . . but it’s also embarrassing.

Go spend a month in Greece. The Aegean still shimmers in as many shades of blue as it ever has. You will never enjoy a meal more than the Greek salad and calamari and taramasalata and beer that you graze through barefoot at the taverna on the beach at Micros Aselinos. Sail across with Captain Theo from Skiathos town to the little sheltered beach on the south shore of Skopelos to imprint on your mind forever those scenes of visionary wonder. Even though just now the Greeks themselves are limited to ATM withdrawals of 60 euros a day, you as a tourist can pump out all you want, because they know you will promptly spend it. Do your duty to Aristotle and Pericles and Zorba. Go spend money in Greece right now.

We slept in 32 different beds in 12 countries and did the entire schlep with backpacks instead of wheelie suitcases, tare weight under 25 pounds each.

Our destinations enriched us but not as much as the friends who extended their hospitality along the way. You know who you are. We miss you already. We love you. We shall return to mooch again.

And to all of you who followed along on your iPads and laptops, thanks for joining us and thanks for the comments.

. . . OUT!

Bill and Lori, Pocono Lake Preserve, Pennsylvania

19 thoughts on “Signing Off”

  1. What a great trip – how lucky you are! It’s been fun following you. Of course you’ll be glad to return to Sonoma and get some rest though…..

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    • We ordered fireworks for your return home but unfortunately they went off a week ago Saturday. They were fantastic……. as are the two of you.

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  4. You just let me know when you’re FINALLY home – I have questions for you (and a package for the grandchild). I’m buying my ticket to Greece next.

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  5. All of this lookie-see through your journey has been splendid — what joy to have shared in this awesome replay. This sign off tale made me laugh out loud. Thank you for sharing, its been wonderful.

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  6. Living life vicariously through the two of you. Definitely sounds like I need to whisk Marsha away to Greece. Now, if I only had my business arranged as well as you and could find the time…

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  7. Thank you so much for sharing your adventures with the rest of us desk-bound folks. Vicarious travel is the next-best thing! And now you have the foundation for your next career as a travel writer! Loved it.

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  8. What a journey!! And what a great blog. Wish I could write like that. You are one interesting hombre, monsieur, Herr, senior, but then like you mention, no need to know languages anymore, everyone speaks American. Daniel is at university in Trondheim, Norway, pursuing a PhD. The course work and thesis, all in English. Thanks for the interesting read. Take care. Jean

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  10. Fabuloso my friend! You enrich us all through Lori’s organization, the pencil behind your ear, and your longstanding friendship. Mahalo! Putter

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  14. What a wonderful adventure. Congratulations for putting it all together and confirming for the rest of us the importance of travel. Loved the image of swimming with lizards. See you guys in Oct.

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  16. Hi Bill and Lori,
    What an amazing trip you made. Thanks for the stories. Will you be able to remember all these places and countries you visited? You have truly “done” Europe. Are you looking forward to being back in Sonoma?

    We have 2 days left in Nova Scotia. Then back to France via 3 days in Amsterdam. We move out of our house in Grambois on august 14. Strange idea.

    Greetings,
    Ems and Glen

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  17. Thanks for sharing your trip. I almost felt like I needed to send postcards. It took me a second to remember who was travelling and who was travelling vicariously. Look forward to seeing you again soon.

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  18. What a wonderful adventure you had, one that you will treasure forever. Thanks for also providing some history along the way. Welcome home!

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