European Yearning

I'm about to embark on a journey to some of the most wonderful places on the planet, but more importantly, I'll be sharing them with my much-missed, much loved daughter Emily.

This plan began percolating when Emily accepted a job as a teacher's aide in Madrid for 9 months.  In September, we shared a last tearful hug at PDX before she boarded a plane and took off on her adventure.

The last time Emily and I were in Spain together was in 2010, with my mom (Nana), at the end of Emily's time as an exchange student in Seville.  The trip was a welcome, wonderful multi-generational adventure that included fabulous food, a camel ride on the volcanic island of Lanzarote in the Canary Islands, coastal Malaga, and a crazy street party on New Year's Eve in Puerta del Sol, Madrid.

Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Home/Museum of Cesar Manrique ~ three generations

This trip begins in Madrid.  On Christmas day we'll board a fast train to Barcelona, known for its astonishingly eccentric architecture, Zarzuela de Mariscos (seafood stew), and the street dance known as the Sardana.  From there it's on to the City of Lights, Paris, for five days of delightful food, glittering boulevards, a wealth of museums and monuments and palaces, and a dazzling New Year's Eve.

Next stop on our grand tour is Siena, Italy, a nice break from the huge cities we'll have come from.  Then - at last - the Cinque Terre, the string of five picturesque towns along the Italian Riviera, linked by ancient hiking trails.  Emily and I have dreamed of hiking the trails together for many years. Now it's within sight!

We'll return, finally, to Madrid for a final week of Spanish exploration and delight.

I'm excited to document these travels and share my experiences, observations and photos with those who'd enjoy hearing about them.  Ciao, for now.