One of my lifetime dreams was to travel to Europe. I loved the architecture, the history (even though not my favorite subject), the different life and slow culture intrigues me. I promised I would take my daughters one day. I absolutely love to travel. I love to be home on my little farm with donkeys, chickens and doggies, but I love to experience the world and the culture. Most of all I love to dig into the real culture outside of the tourist area. I only got to do this just a little on this trip, but most of all my husband and I got to watch our girls faces light up, as they experienced the world.
We had a stop in Marseille, France. We were exhausted from flying and lack of sleep, so we just took a taxi to Notre-Dame de la Garde. I am not Catholic, but I wanted to light a candle and leave it burning. For those close to me, you will know the circumstances that have been going on in my life and my heart's burden. Notre Dome and the taxi ride was a great first experience for the girls, although really it wasn't their first experience of different cultures. The ship alone was a crazy experience for them. My girls can make friends with anyone, but they found it is hard if you don't speak the same language. My biggest wish is to speak another language and it sucks learning as an adult. Luckily, they both met friends from Northern Ireland and they are continuing to pen pal with them, so looks like a trip to Ireland is in our future.
Our second stop was in Villefranche, France. This was the French Riveria and oh my goodness, it was amazing. I ran outside on the track on deck 12 of the ship and just was amazed at the beauty of the place. We just stayed in the port town and walked around shopping and exploring, playing on the beach and smelling the sweet flowers that were everywhere. We at the best "fresh" being the key word pizza there. The highlight of it all was my daughter was able to eat both ice cream and pizza in Europe. They process their dairy different, which she can deal with. The whole time she was there she had no issues, but has already eaten something since we came home that made her sick. Now she wants to move there. I am game!
The next day was the Tower of Pisa in La Spezia, Italy. It was lots of fun. Little smaller in person then in movies and pictures, but lots of fun for the kids to take crazy pictures. The best was turning your back to the tower and watching 60 people be in funny stances of all kinds to a picture. Oh what we humans do for fun!
Then it was Rome. We didn't have time for everything, so we just did a sight seeing tour and then walked around the outside of the Vatican, which was massive. The girls are itching to go back and it was fun, as my husband has been there and done tours before, so he gave us some background info. We got these little sandwiches there and I thought they were amazing. Again my daughter was scared to eat cheese, but was great!
Our favorite place was Sorrento and Pompeii, Italy. Sorrento was so beautiful, quaint and full of life. We had real pizza from a little locals place my husband had found 8 years ago when he was there. We were the only people there and the food was again key word "fresh." I love the moped in the restaurant lol Love European life!!!
I ran 3 different times, all on the running track. On the last day at sea, everywhere I could see was the Mediterrian Sea and I wanted to pinch myself.
The food on the ship, honestly wasn't that great. Spain on the other hand was amazing. We had an amazingly long wait in Barcellona, Spain airport and so we ate Tapa. Which was so good. Even my kids tried Calamari, which they both loved, even my picky eater. I got this amazing Caesar salad, that wasn't really a Caesar salad. The chef made it all fresh right by us and it was beautifully presented.
Three hours later, we where still in the airport, don't even get me started on this airport, and hungry again. So this was our snack. Love Europe, can't say it enough. I would move there today if I could. Coming home was nice, I missed my donkeys and puppies and my own bed, but the food is nasty and going to work not as much fun! Plus my car broke down so we had to find me a new one. Thanks to my sweet husband he makes it not stressful at all.
I am excited for the next step in my life though. On July 24th I officially start my Doctorate program through North Central University. I will be pursing my Doctorate in Marriage and Family Therapy. This has been my silent dream for a long time. Something I thought I could never do, but God has laid it on my heart a few months ago that the dreams He puts in our hearts are for a reason. This is the only AAMFT certified that I can do, as there is nothing close to me. I am excited to start this journey and to see where God takes me in the future with my career. Please pray for me as this is a journey that will take me 4 plus years to finish, but in the end I will be Dr. Meg. My daughter asked if she will have to call me Dr. Momma. lol
Thanks for taking the time to read this extremely long post and hopefully I put the itch in you to travel the world or at least pursue your dreams, no matter what they are. You live only one life, live it to the fullest!
