A Lost Soul Returns home from Europe

The last time I posted I was darned set to travel the world in order to experience different cultures and view history first hand. With two trips within a six month period, I lost my way and can only talk of it now.

The trip to New Zealand was fabulous.  What a kind and gentle culture.  Almost everyone we met was gracious and unpretentious – strangers became family and for the moments in time we were together, we became friends.

But then May brought a much anticipated trip to Europe.  Sorry, but I just do not get it.  Rudeness and rip-offs prevailed.  Perhaps setting the tone was a bummer of a Rick Steves guided tour.  You heard me right.  The famous travel guru also sells guided tours so we signed up for “Seven days in Rome”.  Did I mention that it was actually less than 6 days?  And that the tour for active types (no grumps or wimps) consisted of folks who spent most their time napping, eating, and shopping?  What was that all about?  It serves no purpose to name names but an antisemetic guide did not help.  Please, fellow readers, investigate those Rick Steves tours thoroughly.  They are not what they seem – very expensive, somewhat boring, and definitely for the retired set!

Throughout Western Europe, I suceeeded in experiencing history first hand.  I did not always like what I saw.  The activities of the ancients (and not so ancient) church were apalling with their riches built on the backs of the poor who were not allowed seats in the very structures they built and supported with their meager wage.  There was no joy in learning this but it was an important lesson in that the trip to Europe instilled in me a renewed sense of patriotism. 

So perhaps the mission was accomplished.  I experienced history and learned enough to bless this moment in time, here in the United State of America, where freedom should never be taken for granted.  Where choice is embedded in our core, and where  religion is as private or as public as we wish.  I do not take it for granted and neither should you.