Having a look at the best part of our holidays:
We can't tell you how grand it was to meet and learn and come to love all of our relatives. It was so special to be able to see them and talk to them face to face when we are separated from each other by thousands of kms. We have truly fallen in love with Holland and then Germany is a very close second. We would say that we have visited several very special places and met some wonderful people all along the way and were lucky enough to have suffered no setbacks or problems in our 4 months overseas.
Before coming home:
We spent two nights back in the outskirts of Brussels getting our things ready and resting up for our long trip back. Our first flight left at 6 so we were up and out by 4 a.m. Then we had four long hours to wait around in Heathrow Airport before we could board the plane. To our surprise, or frustration, we're not too sure yet, we sat another hour in the plane because the maintanence check hadn't been done on the plane earlier in the day. So, just as we were to pull away, we shut down and sat, or rather kept sitting. We got into Toronto a bit later and so we didn't have as much time with son Ryan and granddaughter Austyn but it was a precious hour nonetheless.
Home Town: Winnipeg is brown - brown, I tell you, and cold. Actually, we keep having these feelings as if it's fall here and that we need to get out our winter clothes soon. This is because we haven't had a winter this year and keep forgetting that we still have the entire summer season to look forward to. It is so nice to be back in our own bed and our own home. No sign of food anywhere but that's easily fixed.
Our van started up without a hitch after months of resting, which was nice. My grass needs to be cut. Today I'm unpacking all the boxes of things put away for 8 months - it's like Christmas. Tomorrow we head out for a little holiday with a school group.
Yup, you heard me, a holiday.
Well my dear loved ones, this is probably my last entry in what has been an enjoyable recount of our many days learning about the world. We've discussed how we probably did approx. 60 000 kms all total - including trains, bus, and van driving. We are feeling pretty darn lucky to have had the chance to do this trip.
Now for that awaited list of things that we need to change for the next time.
1. Each person should have their own camera.
2. Why backpack? Millions of people move with their little wheely suitcases all over the world. We're getting ourselves one of those. No more backing it for us.
3. We wouldn't change it now but it's important to have learned. 4 months away from our own country and our own home was too long. It turned out to be very difficult to find the things that were needed such as deodorant that actually worked, skin cream that didn't irritate our skin, foods that didn't upset our systems, beds and pillows - and quietness - that afforded a good sleep.
Alas, this is "The End" to this part of our life's story. But, the memories of all the places and things that we experienced and the connections to our new family members and new friends from around the world will strongly remain.
Tschuss, Ciao Ciao, Aurevoir, Bye
