Europa...

When I got out of grad school and went to work way back in 1992, I figured the window of opportunity for me to visit Europe had closed. All my friends who had been to Europe had done it fresh out of undergrad and here I was, broke and lost, entering the job market without ever having set foot on another continent. Little did I know then, that as luck would have it, I would go on to make multiple trips to Europe and see more things than I had dreamed of and make some life long friends along the way.

Ten years later, we've been lots of places. I've travelled more than anyone in my family and have been lucky enough to lead a life that is both satisfying and rich in experience. So, you'd figure that on the eve of our trip to Barcelona, I'd be excited to get back over there after a three year hiatus. But I'm not. I know, it's an asshole thing to say. Many people will never have the opportunity to see another country. I should count myself among the lucky few. And I do. It's just that I'm trying to get on with having a life in my new adopted town and shit keeps getting in my way. Not the least of which are two week trips abroad. See, I've never had a real wanderlust anyway. I'm not a homebody, but nor am I the type who can't control his urge to split town and ramble. I dig new experiences and am always glad to have them, but I'm just as happy to tinker around in my garage as I am to jet across the planet. Happier even. I think part of it has to do with the fact that in my twenties, I spent a lot of time running from myself, so travel was an excellent distraction from my real life. In my thirties I finally caught up with myself and now have no reason to run. I'm happiest where I am.

So, Sharon and I have decided that this will be our last trip over for a long while. I have always wanted to see Spain, so this seems like an excellent ending to what has been a fun ride.

This blog will be on hiatus until November 9th.

See you then kids.