Time gets away so quickly. With 3 kids and a full-time job and no nearby family, all responsibilites fall on Jefe' and me. But....and I thank them so dearly for this....my parents were the dolls that they are and came to stay with the kiddos for two weeks while Jefe' and I went on a school-sponsored field trip to Europe. Ten days in Italy, France and Spain with 45 students grades 9-12 and 10 adults. I'm sure it sounds like a job, but it was the trip of a lifetime. The students were fabulous, the locales were divine and the 10 days passed so quickly, when I finally caught my breath, I was on the return flight to the US.
Of the three countries, Italy was by far my favorite, with the Vatican and Monaco coming in 2nd and 3rd (okay, 5 countries if you count those two lil' ones). Rome, Florence, Pisa, Orvieto, delightful. Had I time enough and cash, I would go back in a heartbeat. Knowing that I trod where ancient Romans did is hardly fathomable. Seeing the colliseum, walking the Roman forum, leaning with the tower in Pisa....
Looking at the timeline from the Roman Forum, the colliseum, the medieval towns in France, the modern architecture in Barcelona, it is evident how time in the US is different from time in Europe. The kids were a little impatient when the Spaniards took so long to clear the dinner table. Some folks were annoyed when shops were closed early. But seeing how life can be lived on a different time-table is refreshing.
I cannot wait until summer. Spending those 10 days traipsing through sights makes me want to take my own kids out on the land. Whether we visit every zoo in a 300 mile radius or take every boatride on every lake within 100 miles, or window shop in every little village, I want to make sure to take the time to enjoy what little time I have with them.
I'm so envious of this trip that y'all went on! Like you said, to be able to walk on the same land that people of ancient civilizations did is just amazing. I hope the people who live there don't take it for granted!
ReplyDeleteI'm always so grateful that we had parents who enjoyed travel, who took us on trips as often as possible, and encouraged us to do the same. We sure are lucky!