- Strap on enough gear – cameras, phones, belts, bags – and you begin to look less like a tourist and more like a professional (what I don’t know). This may be a new look for me.
- Some places leave you as a particular sensory memory – a smell, a kind of music. But I am becoming so much more aware of color on this trip. Mykonos will always be white and primary colors; Santorini, white and blue; Malta, sand-colored; and Venice, (my favorite colors) turquoise, ochre, and ancient dark red brick.
- People are people no matter where you go. Some will be grouchy no matter the circumstances. And some will be joyful. (And I think I know why!)
- European plumbing challenges the bravest heart. In Greece, just because a bathroom says WC (water closet) and has a picture of a lady, does not mean a thing. One lady went into one with two other friends. There were three stalls. They all opened the doors to a hole in the ground. On the flip side, I went into one last trip in the Vatican and it was huge and modern. Problem was, there were so many knobs, pullies and cranks, I couldn’t figure out how to flush! I tried a few and nothing happened. I finally just slunk (is that a word?) away. I was afraid if I continued I would shut off the water to Vatican City. Now I’m in Prague with a beautiful modern shower and a completely wet floor, wall, and door. And a slightly panicked me. Yesterday in Italy I got a face full of cold water. Today I remembered to push the shower wand away from me. But there were six additional shower heads, three to my left and three facing me. Yes. It happened. I turned on the water; three shower heads greeted me up and down with cold water. I fumbled the door closed (with the water running) and began to mop up water. Then I jumped in the shower and started turning knobs. I’m very clean.
- Steve does love to have change jingling in his pockets (not really; but it improves the story). However, now if I ask him to buy me a coke, there’s a good chance he’ll pile out pennies, quarters, half euros, tenth euros and Czech koruna coins. Actually what he does is hold out a handful of coins and let the shop owner just have a ball. I’d rather be thirsty.
