Saturday, June 20, 2009

I'm Home From Europe

A few months ago I think I mentioned here that hubby and I were planning a European vacation to celebrate our 25th anniversary. Our anniversary was May 26. We left on our much anticipated trip on June 6, returning June 16. This was our first time out of the US, and I must say, a whole new world has been opened to us. We had the most phenomenal time!

When we were trying to decide where to go, my friend Judy C. recommended taking a river cruise through Europe. There are many of these trips available, and after much research (hubby's job) we picked a Rhine River cruise, starting in Amsterdam, traveling through Germany and France. Then we spent the last two days in Lucerne, Switzerland.

I think the note I sent Judy when we got home earlier this week describes our experience well:

WOW! We knew it would be fun, but it far exceeded our expectations. The ship
was wonderful. The food was great. The service was outstanding. We loved all
the walking tours and excursions. I can't say enough about how wonderful the
trip was.

Mark is already planning another trip for us. We feel like a whole world has
been opened to us. We did and saw things we never dreamed we'd experience.

While on the trip, we happened on a quilt shop in Koblenz, Germany, met a
quilter from New Zealand who gave me two little quilts she'd made, met someone
who wants to hire me to make a quilt for her (she happens to live in Cahaba
Heights), and got hired to teach quilting at Samford After Sundown next winter.

It was so ironic that there were three people on the ship from B'ham. The woman
from Cahaba Heights (who I think will be a lifelong friend), plus a couple who
live in Forest Park (he's the one who arranged by e-mail for me to teach at
Samford). It's really a small world.

One of our tour guides (in Heidelberg) and I really hit it off, and we are now
e-mail pen pals. We met so many interesting people from all over the world.

The hardest part of the trip was coming home for two reasons:
1. I didn't want the trip to end!
2. I'm still feeling the effects of jet lag. I keep waking up at 3 am, ready to get up and and start the day. Then I wilt by mid afternoon.

Hopefully, I'll be feeling more human soon and get back into my studio!

4 comments:

lesthook said...

Oh! How fun! My 2 daughters and I did the overnight Rhine River cruise once. It was less than 8 hours? I think. It was in 1990,right before we came back from 3 years of living in Germany(military). Thyey fired off fireworks at the old castle ruins to simulate battles. Fun!!

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

That sounds like an incredible trip for your 25th anniversary. And all the connections you made - wow!

Marty Mason said...

So glad your trip was a such a wonderful experience. But, I must ask....did you buy fabric at the quilt shop you found in Germany? Come on, fess up!!

Jackie's Stitches said...

Sounds like a wonderful trip! My husband and I have not traveled together outside the US as yet but hope to do so soon. I know that when we do, we'll want more!