Transitional homecoming.....

Being home.....Let's just say it's been quite a ride so far.  Emotionally, physically and every other way possible.  Transitioning back has not been as easy as I originally thought it would be.  I knew it would be difficult and I would go through some culture shock but I guess I wasn't fully prepared for the reality of how it would feel and look.  Now don't get the wrong idea here...it hasn't been bad at all just weird.  I guess I will just dive in and tell you all about the week and we will just see where it leads from there.  My homecoming couldn't have been more love filled.  The emails were flying in from people who knew I was home with well wishes from those who weren't able to see me and plans to get together from others who were around!  It warmed my heart to feel the love of those who had sent me on this adventure welcoming me back with open arms (and  

Little Londyn

emails).  From the moment I walked into the airport at midnight where Gracie and David were waiting to pick me up to arriving at the home of Mike, Priscilla and Greyson (which would be my home for the next month)  I immediately remembered what has made San Diego so wonderful.  Not the weather...although it helps...it's the community of people I have here that made me miss home a bit while I was living my life in Europe.  
One of my first visitors the day after I got back was Melissa and her sweet daughter Londyn.  She came wearing a Union Jack shirt in honor of my trip which was really adorable.  This morning at the park was just the beginning of the stream of kids that passed through my world this first week.  Seeing all of them was a huge reality check of how long I really was gone.  Everyone of them had changed so much.  Kind of overwhelming to see it all in this first week.  Do to the wonderful

Pool Time with Tamra, Priscilla and the kids!

invention, Skype, I was able to see most of them while I was gone and they still remembered me but the changes still were huge.  Getting to spend time with everyone and their families has been so fun this week.  There have been many events like pool time in Coronado.  The day was a little grey but the kids didn't care and the pool was heated so we weren't complaining.  We also headed out to a super cute small ranch hidden in the hills in Del Mar where all the kids got to take pony rides.  It might have been the cutest thing I have ever seen. Just check out theses adorable photos below...

Elle Showing the boys how it's done!

Greyson's first pony ride....I think he likes it!

Just hanging out

The kids had a wonderful time and so did all the parents. Of course I always love being the cool Auntie that everyone likes hanging out with too.
Now in the midst of all this kid time I somehow managed to get a nasty flu from one of the little lovelies.  I'm talking knocked out, dead to the world, chills, fever, razorblades in my throat and hacking up my lungs sick.  Are you getting a clear enough picture of this....now add in some jet lag and trying to transition back into the country and maybe you can start to get a glimpse of what coming home has been like.  Like I said before being back is not bad it's just weird.  I feel a bit like I am walking around in someone else's life right now.  I left because I needed and wanted to hit the reset button a bit and I had always dreamed of taking Europe by storm. Having done all of that and now coming back to the place I left it feels the same but oddly very different here.  I am not the same girl that left here almost a half a year ago but being back I fear I could easily slip back into the comfort zone and I refuse to let that happen.  It is definitely hard to come back to a place that you have known as home and try to maintain the new part of yourself.  As I have been getting together with people this week the first question everyone has asked me is "Are you happy to be home?"  That really has been one of the hardest things to answer.  Such a simple question but unfortunately the answer isn't quite that easy.  My answer so far is " I am just not sure."  Of course I am so happy to be surrounded by all my amazing friends who have been beyond supportive but I also loved being in Europe and really being my own person experiencing life and being inspired.  The second question I get is "So what are you going to do now?"  That one is my personal favorite so far...not really.  However I know that the only reason I hate it is because it means I really have to think about what's next and honestly I have no clue!  Please don't stop asking me this question, even though I hate it, because I need to keep it in the front of my mind.  It is the most overwhelming thing to think about but also the most exciting.  Since being home I have been able to think about what I can do for myself with my design label and that is exciting.  I also have been able to look at being a nanny again here part-time which also brings me so much joy and I don't feel bad about wanting to do it.  I know that I am not a "corporate america girl" and I need so much more out of life then a job behind a desk.  I also have learned from this trip that I really have to be true to the desires of my heart because you are only truly happy when you are doing that.  I know this transition is going to be a daily roller coaster ride but that's what keeps things interesting.  I know that I have amazing support from all of my friends to help me get through this and you all will and already have been holding me up to help me get back on my feet.  
From day one of this adventure before I even left everything has just fallen into place.....That is my daily reminder that if I just keep pursuing this new life here one day at a time it will all fall into place.  Who knows what that will be or where that will lead but I am positive it will be amazing......The story of the Green Book will continue and I can't wait to see where it leads!

Ending and beginning again....

So it took Kels and I over 15 hours of travel on multiple trains, planes, busses and metros but we finally made it back to London.  It felt so good to be back in the place I started this adventure.  As I arrived I just had that great feeling that I get in this city.  After this past 5 weeks of hit and run travel and then our long travel day all we wanted to do was relax. ....hence the photo of us laying in the grass.  We decided London was our holiday from our holiday.  We were staying with my wonderful friend Helly, her boyfriend Wil and their flat mates.  I had never been over to Helly's while I was living in London but had heard about it.  Now you all know how I love vintage stuff so this old but charming place was right up my ally.  It even had one of those victorian toilets with a pull chain (modern plumbing though).  They set us up in the spare bedroom and it was just perfect.
Now even though we were in relaxed travel mode we still wanted to explore.  The first day I took Kels over to Richmond where I had been living.  We just walked along the river and did some people watching.  It was a beautiful day so there

London Bridge

were lots of couple out paddling around in boats.  Now I am sure in theory this was a great idea.  The guys would pack up a lunch, take their lady out in the boat and impress her with how romantic he was.  Unfortunately for most of these guys it did not end up that way.  Rowing a boat is apparently much more difficult then it looks.  Most of the guys were seriously struggling, barely getting the oars in the water and not really moving.  One guy almost dumped the boat over when he tried to stand up and move closer to his lady in the boat.  It was quite entertaining to say the least.  The evening was spent with the family I nannied for during the first 6 weeks of my trip.  It was so great to see the kids again and spend time with the parents.  I still can't believe how lucky I was to meet such a wonderful family that has become so dear to me over such a short amount of time.
Our next day we had a bit of a lie in and then headed into town.  Kels had been told about a great design museum by her brother so we were going to check it out.  Along the way we stopped off at the London bridge to take a few photos.  The design museum turned out to be a really cool place.  They had a

Crystals....

whole exhibit about the Olympics and Paralympics and how design has influenced all aspects of it from clothing, to equipment and even the actual site.  It was really interesting.  Especially the stuff about the Paralympics.  I had no idea about all those events and how it all worked.  The other exhibit they had was involving Swarovski crystals.  I am not a fan of crystals and bling really but this was incredible.  They had different designers create installations exploring the future of memory in the digital age.  I loved looking at each one and how differently the designers had explored the meaning and what had inspired them.  I also found a really great book in the gift shop about
remaking old clothing into new clothing...Ideas!

Olympic Park

The other event we decided to take on was the Olympic park.  I had been while I was in London but could only walk around the outside.  Since the Paralympics were going on while we were there we figured we would give it a go and try and get into the park and maybe an event.  We tried to get tickets online but couldn't so we just headed to the park and hoped for the best.  As we walked in toward the security check point there was a guy asking to see tickets.  Before we even got to him he said, with a huge smile on his face, "Are you guys trying to breach security?"  Of course we said No...we just wanted to know if there was any way to get tickets into the park or to the events.  He told us unfortunately you had to buy them

Park Live

online but then after a short pause he reached in his pocket and pulled out 2 park tickets and gave them to us.  Apparently someone who wasn't able to go in that day handed them to him and said to give them to someone who needed them.  Lucky us!!!  As we walked towards the park we were so excited.  It was the first time either of us had been to any sort of Olympic events.  Walking through the park you could just feel the energy of the games.  It was so electric but also relaxed.  The venue was beautiful and so well organized.  We tried to get tickets to some of the events that were still happening but were unable to.  Instead we walked over to what London called Park Live.  It was basically big rolling hills of grass with a huge

One Eyed Monster

  big screen TV in the middle where you could watch events live.  It was so fun to watch the events and know that they were happening just a few feet away in the venue.  London also did a great job with making it a green venue.  Many of the buildings were made of very natural or reusable materials.  There were no regular rubbish bins everything was divided into all the different types of recycling.  The best thing was people were actually using them.  I saw numerous people standing at the bins dividing all their rubbish into the appropriate spots.  Now the only thing about the London Olympics that I wasn't so keen on was the mascot.  I don't really know why they decided on the one they did but it's kinda freaky.  I mean a one eyed monster...come on.  I did hear stories about little kids at the games being scared of him which I can understand.  Anyway, if that's the only bad thing I think they did pretty well.  Ending up inside the park was such a unexpected treat for us.  Watching an american athlete get a medal and hearing our anthem played is something you don't get to experience very often.  I feel quite lucky that I was a part of this great event in one small way.  When we were heading home from the park reality started to set in a bit. The trip was almost over.  We tried not to talk about it but it was one of those inevitable things we would eventually have to face up to.  We enjoyed a nice night with Helly and Wil.  The next morning I walked Kelsey to the bus stop and said good bye to her.  So Sad!!!  She was flying back to Boston to start her new adventure and I was left in London just the way I started this trip...on my own.

Leaving Europe behind....for now

I spent my last day just soaking in the sun at Hampton Court Palace and then had dinner out with Helly.  Wil joined us later and then Lauren stopped by also to drop off some stuff I had left with her.  The next morning there was some quick last minute packing then off to the airport.  I don't think it all really hit me till I was flying into San Diego that this was really over and I was back.  So many thoughts...What is it going to look like being back in this place but with all these experiences behind me.
As I write this sitting on my best friends couch I am not really sure how I feel.  I am so happy to be back and have some stability but still even with that I am overwhelmed.  Having the choice to really do whatever I want is amazing but also scary in the same breath.  I also really miss Europe.  I absolutely loved it over there. When I was asked what do I miss the most about it all I could think to explain it is I miss the lifestyle.  Not the lifestyle of being a traveling tourist but the actual living lifestyle in the countries.  There is just something about the way they live over there and the feeling when you are there.  It's a tough thing to explain.  I guess as I move into this next chapter back here in the states I will have to find a way to bring that feeling into my own lifestyle here.
As I was leaving London I was thinking that a door was closing but I suppose that's not true....I just have to open another one here and see what happens next.  This is not the end just another beginning with more adventures to come!  

Slowing down...

Rome was fantastic but super fast...we were ready for a bit of a slower pace and smaller towns so we headed to Sorrento Italy.  Getting there was pretty easy...not to much trouble.  From the train station we only had a short walk and lucky for me my suitcase wheel was still hanging in there.  It wasn't super excited about the cobblestone street and is really loud when it rolls but it's still rolling and that's the main thing.  The hostel was really nice and modern and our room was air conditioned!  After we checked in we just spent the evening planning out the next few days.  We were both pretty exhausted so we went to bed early with the intention of getting some sleep.  This plan was good in theory however it didn't work so well.  The hostel was having a party on the rooftop with a DJ that was really loud until about 1 in the morning.  Just when we thought it was over they set off massive amounts of fireworks that sounded like gun shots going off.  Not what you want to hear the first night in a new place.  We survived the night and got up early to go 

Body Cast in Pompei

 to Pompei.  With Kelsey's iPod loaded with a Audio walking tour (thank you Rick Steves) we headed into this city of well preserved ruins.  As we walked through the place you could really get the feeling of what the city and life was like for the people who lived there.  Since it was all so well preserved from the volcanic ash there were so many parts that were still intact.  Of course the most moving part was seeing the plaster casts of the bodies that had been found suffocated in the ash.  There were only a couple of them on the sight (the rest were in a museum in Napoli) but it was enough to understand what these people went through on that fateful day when there world was destroyed by Mt Vesuvius erupting.  It is quite a 

Sorrento, Italy

shame that this city was destroyed because it seemed like it was quite a thriving and exciting city.  They also seemed to be ahead of their time with a lot of the things in the city and they way it was laid out.  I guess we will never know what the town could have been.

The next day we decided to take it easy and head into Sorrento to walk around a bit and then hit the beach. We took the train in and just started wandering all the little streets.  The town was quite cute with lots of little alleyways streets and cute little shops.  I liked that a lot of the shops were also the places where the items were made.  There were shoe shops that they fitted you to a shoe then made it for you.  The place that sold gorgeous inlaid wood boxes had the factory right next door to the shop.  You just don't see that kind of stuff any more....it's all made very far away from where it is sold.  I really loved the concept of showing the workmanship of the product that is being purchased.  There was even a lady with her sewing machine right at the front of her store where she was personalizing items that people were purchasing.  No computerized embroidery 

Crazy lightning storm!

   machine where you type in the letters and the machine does the work.  She was basically using the sewing machine like a pencil and writing with it.  It was really amazing.  

After we strolled around the town we headed down to the beach.  Or I guess what they consider the beach.  They actually were quite clever about it.  They built out these wooden platforms over the water that you could put lounge chairs on or just a towel.  They did the same private and public areas like in France.  We were able to find one small bit of space that was real sand beach and was public so we just laid out there with our books and relaxed for the entire day.  It was such a nice day...until the clouds rolled in.  Once we saw them coming we headed home.  We made it back just before the big storm hit.  Once we got back to our hostel it was in full force with thunder and lightning but not too much rain so we went up to the rooftop to take in the 

Y.M.C.A.

view.  It was pretty wild watching the electric bolts jump from one cloud to another.  While we were up there we ended up running into a guy we had met and hung out with in Rome who was staying at the hostel for the next few days.  Small world!

The next day we ended up with a bit of a hitch in our plans...more rain.  We tried to go to a museum but couldn't find it so we ended up walking a bit of a different part of Sorrento which was very lovely then grabbed some lunch at a place called Buffalo where we had fantastic mozzarella cheese and buffalo meat.  We got home just before the major part of the storm hit.  We decided to just give in and take a "rest day" We relaxed in the lounge...our friend from Rome Harison joined us and we just relaxed till dinner time.  Now this is where it gets interesting.  The 3 of us went down stairs for dinner and during dinner we noticed a band setting up.  The band ended up playing most of the night and it was so funny.  It was a bit like a wedding band since they played all the classics you would expect to hear at wedding like Shout and the YMCA.  But they also were playing all sorts of U2 songs.  Now don't forget we are in Italy so these are Italians singing these songs.  With that being said we were able to understand only some of what they said even though it was in English.  It was quite comical.

Positano, Italy

Our next day took us to the town of Positano.  This involved a very windy road in a non air-conditioned bus along a really high cliff.  I was quite proud that I did not throw up and still enjoyed the view.  The drive was beautiful.  We were so lucky that this was the one really beautiful day of the week.  We spent the day just walking around this adorable cliffside town and then settled into a great spot on the beach and just relaxed all day long.  We even sat right in the rocks where the tide was coming in and let the water wrap around us while we read our books.  It was one of those moments where you fell a bit like you are experiencing something that normal people don't get to do.  After the beach time we decided to head back into Sorrento for dinner.  We made our way back to the town, wandered up the streets, then found the bus stop where we could catch a bus to get back down into town.  So lets just talk about this bus situation.  It had been ok coming up.  Not too busy and we had a seat.  This one was not like that at all.  When the bus pulled up it was like a mad dash to get on the bus.  A crazy free for all of pushing and shoving.  We got on 

Standing Room Only!

and were smashed in the aisle standing.  We were fine with the standing we just wanted to get back home.  As we were waiting all of a sudden there was a lot of yelling at the front of the bus.  Then the bus driver shut the bus off and walked out.  He left us on there sweating and with no explanation.  Eventually people started to get off and the cops showed up.  After about 30 minutes they finally said they were going to just move the bus about 1 meter to get us off the road.  The doors closed and the bus started moving but didn't stop after one meter it just kept going.  We were super excited however we still have no idea what the issue was and why the lady was yelling or why the bus driver go off.  All we knew was the bus was headed towards our home and that was a good thing.  We made it back to the hostel, ate some dinner, packed our suitcaes to leave the next day, watched a movie with Harison and then went to bed to prepare for our day of travel to London.  The final stop on this adventure.

It has been an amazing ride so far and I am so looking forward to being back in my London town!

Family, history and crazy cab drivers.....

After our lovely relaxing simple life in Cinque Terre we were headed off on the next leg of our italy adventure in Rome.  We had to take 3 trains to get there and I was seriously praying that the broken wheel on my suitcase would hold out for another set of cobblestone roads.  The first train ride was fine...no real issues to report.  But as you know, no travel day would ever be complete with out some sort of madness.  The madness we encountered on this one was on the 2nd train of our day.  We had about and hour ride to Pisa where we would then transfer to head to Rome.  We saw the train arrive and realized it was pretty full.  Once we actually got on we also realized

Worst train ever!

 that is was a very different type of train then we had been on before.  There were these cabins that seated 6 people then a long narrow hallway with seats that came out of the wall.  All the seats along the wall but one were taken so we grabbed it.  As you can see in the photo there was barely enough room for us to be in the hallway let alone with luggage.  At each stop people still had to try and get passed you to find other seats but the best part was when the "snack cart" tried to come through and just slammed into anything in it's path...luggage, feet, arms didn't matter.  Better move it or the wrath of the "snack cart" will consume it.  When we got off that train we were grateful and just praying that the next train from Pisa to Rome was better....and it was!  We arrived in Rome and were able to find our hostel easily.  We were lucky enough to get this place on short notice since our original housing arrangements fell through.  When we rolled up (yes my suitcase made it kinda rolling still...all 4 wheels still attached) to the hostel we thought we were at a bar not a hostel.  Turns out it was both....the entire bottom level was a bar then the rooms were upstairs.  It was a pretty cool set up.  When we checked in they put these bright yellow wristbands that you get when you go to a club so we

Nothing beats family time!

could get passed the security guard to get back into the building after hours.  You will probably notice the lovely yellow bracelet in most of the photos....don't be fooled I have not been to a rave every night in Rome....sorry to disappoint.  We just hung out in the bar that night and got ready for the next few days.
The next morning we took the metro into town to go to St. Peters Basilica.  I was very excited to see this but not half excited as I was to see my parents who were meeting us there!!! Yes, my wonderful parents had arrived in Rome just 2 days before we did.  Back story...My parents decided to take a bicycle trip through part of switzerland after my Dad's retirement this year and since I was already going to be over in europe and traveling around in August they decided to come out early before the tour meet up with Kels and I.  It was so wonderful to see them...I have to be honest I was kinda overwhelmed inside to see them.  I didn't realize how much I had been missing family till I gave them a big hug in the middle of Rome.  There is just something about the unconditional, genuine love and support of your family that

1,2,3....throw!

just makes everything ok.   Once we had all hugged and chatted for a minute we heeded inside.  It was sunday so there was a mass going on inside which seemed to make it just that much more beautiful.  Also later in the day when we were walking through the square in front of the Basilica there were hundreds of people dressed in white choir robes walking through into the church to perform for the evening service.  It was pretty impressive.  Ok...back to the day...next stop was the Trevi fountain.  As we walked there a slight afternoon shower started so lots of people cleared out of the area so we didn't have to deal with the crowds.  We didn't mind the bit of water and took advantage of the lack of crowds to throw

The Pantheon

our coin into the fountain which legend says secures a return to Rome and insures you find true love somewhere....we shall see.  Next stop on our sights of Rome day was the Pantheon.  With it's glorious dome and beautiful architecture it was definitely a highlight.  The open circle in the dealing let in light that made it look so stunning.  The details on the ceiling were the most impressive to me.  Also inside this building was Raphael's tomb which I was not expecting so that was a great little surprise.  We hit a few more points like the tomb of the unknown soldier and some ruins on our way to lunch.  We all enjoyed some rest after the long walking morning and just chatted and caught up a bit more.  In the afternoon we met up with a women who my mom had connected with via her work and book sales and she took us up to a spot a bit outside of the city where we had a great view of all of Rome.  This was such a great unexpected surprise.  We would have never made it out  there, since you needed a car to get there, if she hadn't taken us.  After we said good bye to my parents for the night and planned to connect up the next afternoon at their hotel.  Kels

Night walk beauty

   and I decided to do a night walk so see the city in lights.  It was well worth it.  Everything was glowing and warm with the soft lights.  I have really loved seeing the way these cities come to life at night.  There is such a different feel about them at night then during the day.  Maybe it is partially because I am not sweating to death but I think it is also just something magical that the lights do.  The most beautiful part for me was the Colosseum.  We had not seen it during the day so our first view was at night with the lights.  It was so impressive.  Just as grand as you would imagine it to be.  Actually I take that back....you can't really imagine it....none of the things we see and learn about in the history books can prepare you for the real thing.  It's beyond words.

Colosseum...so much history! 

The next morning we got up bright and early and went back to the Colosseum to see it in the daylight and go inside.  I was overtaken by size of this structure.  It is massive!  There also were so may layers to it.  All the underground cages and holding cells for the animals and slaves.  The wooden stage that went over these where the performances and fights would take place, and all the levels of seating.  It is just like our stadiums today only they had this all figured out in the first century.  Kinda crazy to think about when you are walking along who walked before you.  Which gladiators roamed those cells and Ceaser was in the same spot I was.  It just blows my mind to think of the history that we are wandering

Poolside Toast!

   through.  We spent a good 4 hours just walking all the ruins and grounds in and around the Colosseum.  It was well worth it but our feet were killing us by the end of the day.  Possibly our shoe selection played into that since we were in sandals but hey, that's what the Romans wore right?  Anyway, after that day we needed some relaxing so what better way then with my parents at a pool!  We spent the evening with them just lounging by the pool, eating dinner and having some of my Dad's amazing birthday cake.  The night was great up until we tried to get home.  The place my parents were staying was a bit outside of the city so we had to take the train and the metro to get there.  Also from their hotel the train stop was a bit of a walk in the dark so we thought we would be smart and take a cab....worst idea!  We got in the cab that the hotel had called for us so we figured it was reliable....not so much.  My first red flag was when he started the meter at $12.60....we were driving less then a mile down the hill mind you.  We questioned him and he just played it off and said something in italian then kept driving.  When we arrived at the station we asked again why is it so high ($15.80 at this point).  He started yelling at us in italian and Kels said "Sara...Get out" and reached across me and opened the door.  I went to get out and he took off again.  We then start saying " No, No, Stop!  We have money just tell us how much!"  He then stopped the car again and we opened the door and I got out quickly.  He pushed a button and displayed another amount that was more realistic and Kels handed over some money, grabbed her change and got out.  Unfortunately he still charged us the ridiculous amount but at least we didn't have to jump from a moving car.  We started running to the train station because we knew we were tight on time for the last train.  We missed the one we thought we were taking but Kels found that there was one more coming...or so we thought.  After waiting for about 10 minutes we saw a man hop down from one side of the track, walk across the track (which is strictly forbidden to do) and hop up right in front of us.  This track hopper looked at us and said "No more trains tonight."  My heart sank.  I really didn't want to get into another cab at that point and there were no more trains.  Luckily our track hopper had another solution...the bus.  He directed us to the correct bus stop and it was pulling up right as we arrived.  We got home safely then joined some of our friends from the hostel for a drink on the river.  A crazy but memorable night.
The next morning we met my parents early to go into the vatican museum and the Sistine Chapel.  Going in there was a huge moment for me.  I would have never in a million years have thought I would get to see such a  famous piece of history but here I was getting to see it right along side my parents and my great friend.  It was one of those moments that just reminded me of the amazing journey I have been blessed to travel.  After a lovely lunch we said goodbye to my parents and I barely held it together.  It was so great to see them and share part of this trip with them.  It just made me wish I could have everyone with me along the way at different times for little parts of this trips.  I suppose my words will have to be enough to make it feel like your with me.
I could go on and on here but I won't...I will leave you here and pick it back up in my new location of Sorrento Italy.