Button Up

As we wrap up this amazing trip, we are first so grateful for Mandy who had to do much more than anticipated. She has survived hurricanes, Lilly’s pinworms—LOL, meltdowns, first day of school, church activities, and so much more. Truly, she is now prepared for just about anything and her maturity and confidence has shown through with flying colors. As much as we are grateful we are so proud of her! Most appreciated has been her cheerful attitude and handling of situations with such good humor and aplomb! She is such a wonderful, amazing, and darling girl and we love her soooo much. Maddie and Lilly have been in such great spirits and not whiny when we spoke with them and we are thankful for their helpfulness and sweetness and we love them sooo much, too. They have handled missing their parents and enduring a possible hurricane (with Maddie dragging in all of the outdoor furniture LOL) and many experiences quite well for their ages. We are very proud of their bravery and trust in their sister.
Some memorable experiences include the waiter in France asking if I have gas?, want gas? (we then figured out that he was asking if we wanted carbonation in the water—LOL), Steve arguing with a dishonest taxi car driver in Athens L, of course, running for the cruise ship tender in Villefranche, all of the lovely white clothing worn in Santorini and Capri, playing our cruise ship game of who got the better deal J, Steve calling our cabin steward Edouard instead of Wendell—go figure, Julie our fabulous shopping and port info lady—she knows her stuff, signing up for tours late on the dock with Pia therby avoiding all of the hurry up and wait stuff, ginormous, it’s nap, super nice bartenders who always got our “drinks” (sodas) right, watching Steve stuffing himself and then troll for food after dinner after eating 3 appetizers and 2 entrée’s and 2 desserts and too many rolls to count, I love the room service breakfast and in particular the brioche, and of, too many others to mention. Special mention to crazy lady, drunk obnoxious guy, and mean husband man. Love the funicular/funicula cable cars in Capri, Santorini, and Barcelona! And why is it that you cannot find the same yummy yogurt, bread, and pizza here in America?? Why, why, why??? Is it the water, the flour, the ovens, the cows??? An, I am sooooo going to miss crepes and yogurt and baguettes and pizza and GELATI!
In particular, it has been touching to have walked where so many have walked before thousands of years ago and to see what our children have seen as they have traveled around Europe. We have so much in common with every culture and something to admire in each country that we don’t have. It has been an amazing journey and what a way to cap off 30 years of marriage!
As they say…
Cheers, Au Revoir, Arrivedirchi, Ciao, Bye-Bye