Share Four Somethings - January

Christmas seems a distant memory and yet I feel January flew past! It dissolved into a holiday in Europe and a flurry of Sydney festival days and nights and yet I feel I haven't done anything! (In no small part due to a lazy long weekend).

And so here we are!

Something I loved We had what is probably our last holiday with our youngest - I loved showing her Paris and I loved spending all that time with her (in thrift shops mainly but regardless!) Unfortunately she got sick halfway through the trip so barely saw much of Italy, but I did get some nice dinners with my husband, which was nice to share with him, as well as touring the Vatican together. I am sad that is the end of my holidays with my kids, but I've had so many precious ones, I have to be grateful. 

Something I learned The gladiators were short - around 5'2- 5'8 (but 5'4 was sort of the best) There were women gladiators too - the women fought against other women or animals, and the men fought men and animals. The gladiator name came from the sword they held, and they notched the handle with their wins.

Something that went well The logistics of the trip went well even with snow chaos at airports and train and taxi strikes in Italy.

Something I let go of  The first time we went to Italy (in the 1990's) the food was so much better than ours - even the fruit. This time, in both Franch and Paris, we only had one 'you must go there!' meal. We had plenty of lovely meals but nothing really blew our minds - some of the rooms did, and of course the history and art did but I think Sydney food scene has really powered ahead - Of course, I'm not really comparing like with like - we know where to eat and we cull out the bad so only go to the good places, be it takeaway, casual or fine dining. The restaurant picks in Paris and Rome were just off a page, So I may not be entirely fair....maybe I should go back and research more? Back then too, we had less money, went out less so eating in restuarants for lunch and dinner during travel would probably also seem more amazing. Anyway, I've let go of my harsh judgement of our food offerings if that's the right word...or at least become more appreciative of our cuisine. Let go of that famous cultural cringe....

And I guess that's the best bit about travel, sure you have fun, learn and see amazing things but as Terry Pratchett said  "Why do you go away? So that you can come back. So that you can see the place you came from with new eyes and extra colors. And the people there see you differently, too. Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving."

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