still some disorientation

I had to think for a moment or two when I woke this morning. I didn't know where I was and what I needed to do next. Then I remembered that I was home and didn't have to run off to see a foreign city. Nor would I be pulling my clothes out a backpack. The entire day could be spent in bed if I wanted, but I didn't.

On the ride home yesterday from O'Hare airport in Chicago, I talked non-stop about the trip. Suddenly an hour and a half had passed and I was home. Of course an hour and a half in a car is nothing compared to over eight hours in a plane or seven hours on a train. The comfort factor alone makes it a breeze to endure.

Once I was home, I did very little except drop off the film to be developed and dump all of my newly acquired foreign coins on my counter. There were far less than when I went to Europe two years ago and in some ways that made me a little sad. Foreign coins for me are a cheap way to get souvenirs. Somehow on this visit I managed to spend the majority of the local currency while I was still in each country. Then my remaining Euros were exchanged for American currency at the Chicago airport. All that I have left are some Danish, Latvian and Polish coins.

...

Fragments of the conversation that I had with the Polish businessman are still going through my mind. What we talked about added so much to my trip. The personal stories made it more memorable for me.

Honestly I had no idea what to expect from Poland and Warsaw as the capital seemed like a good choice. Now having been there and hearing what he had to say I know that we should have or at the very least could have chosen somewhere more scenic in Poland to visit for the first time. On the other hand, it was interesting to see a city that had been rebuilt after being leveled in World War II.

...

Two years ago I went to Europe for the very first time and I was amazed at what I saw and did while I was there. This time things felt different. Some of the wonder was gone and the overall pace of the trip was more rushed. At times I needed a moment to just absorb some of what I saw. I don't regret going though and will try to remember as much as I can of what I saw and did while I was there.

On this trip to Europe I didn't speak with as many people as I did when I was there two years ago. That one difference made me sad. Having the human connection makes the trip more meaningful. I can wander through numerous museums, cathedrals and palaces, but none of that can replace a one on one conversation with someone who lives in another country. Thankfully there was my Estonian connection and the Polish businessman. There were also a few smaller exchanges with people working in stores, but it would have been to nice to have had more contact than just those few times.

...

My parents gave me some good news. It seems that my mom and uncle were able to take my grandma home to her house for the day while I was in Europe. That must have been something for her. Even though it didn't last long, she was home again. My grandma could sit on her porch for the first time since she had her stroke and probably feel happy for the first time in months. I wish that I could have been there to see her expression.

 
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