I’m back. My once a week posting plan didn’t work out so well. But I’m not going to dwell. I’m going to delve.
Lots has happened. In a nutshell: drove to Munich and back (under the channel, through France, into Germany, down to the base of the Alps, back through France, back under the channel, home); flew to Boston for a week (morning, afternoon, and evening plans. almost. every. day.); have watched spring attempt to be sprung here in England (still chilly, but daffies snow drops and crocuses are popping there heads up); amongst all of that, the Dragon Tattoo books happened (every spare second my nose was in #1, 2, or -still-3).
Exciting stuff.
The Munich trip was wonderful. It was 1200 miles of driving, which Finn accepted with ease and grace…has anyone ever used these words to describe a 2.5 year old?? He did have his travel tray, personal speakers with the lion king soundtrack, trains, snacks, etc. to occupy him throughout. But I think we were all excited to be ‘doing Europe’ the way we had envisioned. The farmlands in northern France were vast and quite different to those of England. We stopped in Metz, an interesting old town with the classic cobble stone streets, rivers running through, patisseries, and cathedral. Then on to Munich with its beer gardens and amazingly gorgeous weather (60′s and sunny every day). On our way back, since it was yet another spectacular day, we detoured through the Alps. We got as close as we could to a fairytale castle, covered in snow. Wow.
Boston. There was some concern that my first visit “home” would cause major emotional upheaval. I must admit, I did feel very at home. Seeing friends and family was deeply fulfilling. There was a sense of settling in, a warmth toward my fellow Bostonians (I was pretty surprised too). It was snowy and bitter cold. There were no signs of spring. People are obviously wrecked by the intensity of this winter. But I wasn’t there for the weather…I was there to get a serious injection of familiarity. And thats what I got ten times over. A new veggie restaurant/cafe has opened in Central Square, Finn and I went three times. We had a pizza party with Finn’s friends who he’s known since birth. The seven months away appears to have only brought them closer. We visited with Grammy and built a Thomas train track with Bubba. We took the T. Drove on the correct side of the road, with a little initial hesitation, all the way to Newburyport. We saw one friend after another after another. Barking Crab; Science Museum; JP Licks; Upper Crust; Wilderness Workshop; Trader Joe’s; Whole Foods; Target. We spoke loads of Spanish staying at a friend’s place on Boston Common, where Finn fell deeply in love with Dora and I fell for arepas. We were rediculously busy. Leaving Boston was hard. But coming back to England was lovely. Our home is here for now, and it truly feels like home.
We have a better idea of our 2-5 year plan now that we’ve been here for a stretch and done the first real trip back to Boston. But because things can change in the blink of an eye, I’m not going to share at this point. I’m dedicating myself to staying in the present. Enjoying the rolling green hills and the early spring. Meeting our family in the pub and chatting away the afternoon. Planning camping trips all around Britain, and maybe France too. There’s a slower pace here, but its all good. Back here I have time to finish the Dragon Tattoo trilogy…
Pretty cool report. You’re a writer! Keep ‘em coming, ‘Em!
I also wanted to add that I ADORE Colombian arepas — hence one of my fake names, Arepo Sabaneta — and life is even better if they come with guanabana con leche, a fruit drink. One of my new friends down there from my trip a year and a half ago (a childhood buddy of my homestay host) said that when she visited the States some years previously, she had taken many, many boxes of arepas with her, so she would always have them.