My husband and I returned last night from 17 days in Europe and while I’d like to think I’m coherent, the truth is I’ve not slept more than a couple hours in the last four days. Jet lag anyone?
I’ve downloaded more than 1000 photos, so far, and I’ve got a lot a notes, so today I’m just going to provide a series of general observations about Europe. More detailed blog posts will come later!
In order of our visit, here are some general thoughts:
United Kingdom
*The Imperial War Museum‘s World War I wing makeover was not as good as I had hoped.
*The new museum design appears to be aimed at engagement with young audiences–which is good–except by putting them at children’s levels, only the people standing in front of the exhibit can manipulate the information and read it well.
Lion hunt from Assyria, at the British Museum
*The British Museum has a surprisingly effective system to move people calmly from the enormous building in an emergency.
*Middle Eastern and Greece exhibits in London enabled me to view ancient treasures without having to travel so far or into danger.
*It’s easier to drive a car in northern Italy, Slovenia, Austria and Germany, than Sicily.
Agrigento, Sicily
*There are far more roundabouts than traffic lights in Sicily.
*While our car was so small we couldn’t fit our three suitcases, two backpacks and one large purse into the back, it was more than sufficient for maneuvering tight spots and turning around when lost, not to mention parking, in Sicily.
* Sicily has terrific and awe-inspiring Greek ruins.
* The top of Mt. Etna likes to hide in the clouds.
*Marzipan candy may look delicious but it really doesn’t taste particularly good.
Rome
*Listening to Rick Steves’ podcasts while waiting 70 minutes in line to enter the Vatican was an excellent use of time.
*You really can’t trust the weather reports. Our predicted pouring rain day was gorgeous with blue skies!
*A moderately fit middle-aged woman can climb 551 stairs to the top of St. Peter’s Basilica in about 20 minutes.
*If you need a memory stick for your camera, you can buy one across the street from the Vatican, but it will be very expensive.
Venice
*San Marcos square is always splendid, even when it’s raining.
A week ago.
*On my fourth visit, it was fun to actually spend the night near San Marcos Basilica.
*The Rialto Bridge really isn’t that far from San Marcos.
*Ah, the music . . . even opera highlights were glorious.
Slovenia
*My phone never did work in that country.
*Our relatives are well informed and have interesting observations about living in a small corner of the EU. (It was also true of friends and relatives I’ve visited in Romania and Hungary).
*Teenagers can make terrific translators.
Lake Bled, Slovenia
*The countryside (and caves) are beautiful.
Austria
*The roads, bridges, tunnels are terrific. When I first visited the country as a child, we were terrified driving a VW bus over some of those passes!
*We enjoyed two opportunities to hear live music–and those hills were alive with similar sounds!
*Ibuprofen can only be purchased through windows in Apothecary doors on Sunday mornings.
*The mountains are gorgeous.
*Salzburg guides are too proud of their archbishop’s disobedience toward God.
Lake Wolfgang, east of Salzburg
Germany
*Be careful when you stay at a B&B facing a church: bells may toll all night.
*Dachau was well documented and we learned a lot about why Germany turned toward Hitler after WWI.
*More traffic lights than roundabouts.
*The VW vans made me nostalgic for VW vans we’ve owned!
And in all five countries homages to lions were everywhere!
Tweetables
33 jet-lagged observations about Europe Click to Tweet
Too tired to blog: 33 thoughts on Europe Click to Tweet
Photos and thoughts after 17 days in Europe Click to Tweet
I enjoyed this tidbit style of blogging. It reminds me of reading a Twitter thread. Nice tasty observations…thank you for sharing your experience.