Tuesday, November 22, 2011

A Month?

I can't believe its been pretty much a month since I wrote something here. Seems to be a bit of a theme lately. This time I feel a little bit guilty since it feels like most of it was a whirlwind two week and 3 night holiday/visiting/relaxation trip to Scotland, the last known place where most of my blood originates. And then three nights in the middle was a whole other getaway over to Amsterdam.

Hee hee.

Yep, Amsterdam. Mostly just within the inner main tourist hub but still, that's the best part, right? Well if its me, and it was, and its your first time in Amsterdam, and it was, the inner hub is really the only place you need to go. Non-stop picturesque scenery, canals, languages, people on bikes, food choices, sex options, history, new smells, intimacy, art, solitude (somehow even solitude), fashion (in shops and on people), and good lord the coffee shops (pot-friendly and otherwise). Very cool.

Interestingly, to me at least, we (my excellent personal guide, the sister of my brother's wife, and I) stumbled across an Occupi camp late on our last night there. At one point early on I had been wondering if there would be an Occupi-Amsterdam camp so it was a little disappointing to just stumble across it rather late when most protestors would have been in the few tents clustered there. I didn't even take any pictures as I found the idea felt a bit intrusive, seeing as people were sleeping. In another way, though, there was kind of a (I hate to say) false feel to the scene...kind of a theatrical feel. They weren't out in any of the bigger open square type of places so they just seemed like part of the "show". I was tempted to try to get back in the morning, if even for a few minutes, before the flight back to Scotland. No time though, and that was honestly no big deal to me.

The main reason for the trip was just to see my brother and sister in law, and my now year old niece for the first time. Plus, everyone else in the family had had a chance to visit the "old country", so my brother wanted to be sure I had the chance as well. I am very lucky to have such a generous younger brother, especially given some of my behavior as an older brother when we were young.

I didn't spend much time running about the countryside of Scotland, beyond two weekend excursions to cool old castles just outside of Aberdeen. A gazillion pictures were taken at both. Some may well make their way on here. The rest of the time was spent in sheer relaxation and time with family, hanging out at their home or seeing some great restaurants and cool areas in Aberdeen. It was fascinating to spend plenty time with my niece and I just have to say, she is one brilliant little girl that I think might just grow up to rule the world. Seeing as there is already one Queen Sophia, I think she has a good start just in her name.

So yeah, sorry I ran off with no warning. I hope you all can forgive me.

6 comments:

LindaM said...

Aye Soapbox! LOL! I can't keep track of all your jet setting anymore! When will you just settle down and be a homesteader?!!! LOL! You know I'm joking right?
So Amsterdam and Scotland. I'm about as green with envy as the background color of your blog right now!
Glad you had a safe and happy trip:)

Stoney Creek Homestead said...

I am very envious too Jerry! I have always wanted to go to Scotland!! I am glad that you had a marvellous time! Visiting with family and sight-seeing all in one trip!! And of course you are forgiven!! That is a given!

Aimee said...

nice to hear from you again! Thanks for the update. I've only been to Europe once. When I graduated high school my mom told me to pick a country and I chose Italy, being a major Art Nerd. Also being 17 and blonde, I had a helluva time. I'd love to see a different part of Europe, and now that I'm 40 and married I think I can skip the sexy southern parts. Germany, anybody?

Teresa said...

Sounds like a great trip! Part of me would just love to jet around the world, but I'm way too much of a homebody. I'm sure it was fascinating to visit all those places.

Jerry said...

Thank you all for the comments. Part of me doesn`t even like sharing about this kind of thing because it feels like boasting since I know how many others are not so fortunate.

But...

Germany will likely be my next destination actually, Aimee. My sister in law is German and I suspect I will be invited to tag along on some trip there before too long. It will be doubly fun if my old cruise ship buddy who is now a rock star in Berlin still lives there when I go. Before then though, I must read Germania, and a lot more children`s books written in German.

Jerry said...

Teresa, I am kind of a homebody too, nowadays. Luckily I have a brother who won`t take no for an answer at just the right times, in addition to his extreme generosity.