I am back. I stopped trying to blog about the trip after Day 5. There was just too much traveling after that. I will be processing this trip over the next few weeks, I am sure. But for a few highlights, keep reading.
My favorite way to get to know a place is to do what I can to pretend like I am from there. Basically, don’t look like a tourist. So one day, I put my headphones in and walked around with my camera, trying to avoid the typical tourist traps. I took some shots of the city. I did visit a church from the 13th century. I will be posting a Flickr album soon.
I think I got to walk in the footsteps of my ancestors. Based upon a DNA test my mom had me take for genealogical purposes, and what I know of my family history, my “people” on my paternal grandfather’s side probably originated from somewhere near where I was.
I loved getting to hang out with my mom. We have been living different lives in different parts of the country. There are aspects of our relationship that I have missed. I enjoyed talking politics over coffee and sausages (soooo many sausages). I also enjoyed getting to see her fence. She is not happy with how she did. She says she “choked.” Everyone I spoke with says she is a better fencer than she realizes. She just gets in her own way sometimes. I recommended she find a sports psychologist. She thought that was an interesting idea.
I learned a lot about myself. I learned a lot about my family. I got closer to my mom. I am very happy to have had this opportunity. I am tired. I need another couple beers, melatonin, and one more night and a nap, and I expect I will be back to normal. More to come, I’m sure. In the meantime, here are a few photos I took:
