You haven't heard from me since May because I've been having such a fabulous time traveling in Europe. Took my laptop with me with full intention of keeping in touch, but except for the occasional email sent back home, there simply was no time to write.
When there was time, for instance, during my stay in Carcassonne (France) in the country-side there was no internet connection available which is just as well as there were too many beautiful, medieval villages to visit and breath-taking country-side to see. Saw lots of places, took thousands of photos, and had the most terrific time which I hope to be sharing with YOU as soon as I chill out.
Still slightly burned out from the fast pace of the final weeks-- but getting there--back to normal!
The Eurail Global Pass is a fantastic idea for someone like me who doesn't like to plan her travel. At the same time I love having lots & lots of options! This ticket included access to over 21 countries-- perfect for me because many times I was able to let my heart dictate direction & spontaneously hop aboard a train.
Oftentimes, simply choosing my destination right off the information boards in the station.
Must mention that a good part of The Netherlands are ideal for spur-of-the-moment travel as many of the countries and cities are within reach in a few short hours or less.
This was not the case everywhere else. Other places, like Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, Milan and in some others it was not possible to jump on a train without making a reservation. Obviously, once the vacation season kicked-in at the end of June, it was best to reserve ahead of time because I couldn't know if there would be an available seat or not.
Anyone considering using the Eurail Passes for travel in Europe should be aware that it's a "pre-paid" ticket for all the countries you purchased on it, but a separate reservation may be needed or even mandatory. This will require in most cases going to the train station. Forget about thinking you can do this on-line—it simply is not a service that Eurail Pass holders can enjoy. On-line reservations are available, but only for individual ticket sales.
Anyway, back home, yesterday, 3 weeks after my return, I got on the subway and took an A train to join a friend for dinner in midtown Manhattan at Café Cielo on 8th Avenue around 53rd Street.
By the way, this is a great pre-theater restaurant/bar with fantastic service and delicious Italian food! I had my usual Veal Picata and my friend enjoyed his fresh grilled tuna very much.
After not using the subway system for almost 4 months, and managing to avoid mid-town for the past few weeks, I definitely felt like a tourist in my own city. The intense heat in the station was not much fun though-- probably well over 100 degrees!
Oh! How I miss those 1st Class European trains and lovely, huge, clean stations!
The noise level and endless procession of people are like nowhere else that I've experienced this Summer (well, maybe in Venice minus the subways).
It definitely felt like an underground inferno! I had forgotten how much I disliked the entire process of using the subway, especially in Summer-time during rush hour, which in NYC is almost all day long and into the evening.
Yet, there is another side of the city below the pavements that sometimes catches me completely off guard and it includes Music! On the 59th Street & Columbus Circle platform there was the most incredible sound coming out of a box with its owner singing along to the Temptations hit, "My Girl".
This box-- whatever it was-- had the best speakers I ever heard-- definitely concert quality!
Despite the heat, grime, fried food odors, and stinky sweat from homeless and home-bound humanity, this mind-blowing, life-saving sound blasted at amazing decibels dissolved the anger, angst and apathy off the faces of even the most jaded commuters.
That is except for the young woman on the bench sitting next to me reading her book.
Suddenly, magically, it was a party! Everyone looked more relaxed and maybe even a little bit in love. Smiles started to appear ... riders momentarily in the station that I could see through the open doors and windows of their train cars looked like they wished they could get off and join the fun.
What does it take for a New Yorker to give up their seat? Maybe the right kind of music? Well, that may be stretching it a bit, but everyone sure looked happier to me.
I know I was.
Walking uptown on 8th Avenue from 50th Street, I realized how tall, magnificently tall the buildings are and understood for the first time why visitors would find NYC enthralling.
These are the real thing baby! Real skyscrapers scraping and scratching the clouds! Yes, I was very impressed not having seen a really tall building in months I had forgotten about them and their power to make you look up with respect.
Below them on the street, people were dashing around like crazy and walking right into me because they were focused on getting as quickly as they can wherever it is they are going. I almost got mowed down twice by pedestrians on one block. I suppose it'll take me a little while to get my NYC walking feet back in gear.
But I do have to say that the cars, here, in comparison to anywhere else I've been this Summer are far more predictable. Dublin should get first prize for the worst drivers anywhere-- they plow into each other when traffic is at a standstill! Tell me, how is it possible to have a car accident when no one is moving and the entire street is bumper-to-bumper?
Saw it—just as my friend B said it was about to happen-- couldn't believe it!
OK now about gifts: Lucky me, I received some lovely things from my friend. & yes, of course, I had a gift bag to give as well of many souvenirs specially chosen for him from my travels.
Let me brag for a sec about the goodies I received: flowers (I love flowers, especially roses!); huge box of Godiva chocolates (I love chocolate!); and a very sweet, soft teddy bear. Wow!!! Thanks J!
As you may suspect, I believe that giving, and receiving gifts are among the most important activities we do in life (thus this blog!). I love thinking about selecting them, giving them and equally receiving them.
It's good to remember to never say no to a gift-- no matter how small it is, no matter how much you believe the giver may need it more than you do because the good feelings generated from giving and receiving are most important.
Do the right thing: just take it and say: Thank you!
Or...
Just give a gift today, and spread the happiness!
