Maybe it is because we lived in Seattle, a place where it rains 75% of the time, that when summer comes, people tend to go a little frantic and crazy and try to smoosh a whole summer of sunshine into a few weeks of play. Maybe it is just the way Matt and I are wired but I realized today that we have been doing WAY too much, too fast, all the time. STOP breathe and enjoy the moment. Slow down. You move too fast. You've got to make the moment last. Kick back and feeling groovy. (or something like that as the Simon and Garfield song goes).

 

I think we are going to consider trying out holiday the German way. How about taking a month off and just relaxing? How about kicking back on a beach somewhere relatively cheap with a somewhat inexpensive rental house for a few weeks and just, well, relaxing? I think that is what we should try next summer. Too much traveling, too many impatient tourists, jammed packed days, and well just plain madness does not make for a relaxing time. We actually planned to be in Paris until Thursday of this week but decided to come back earlier because of both the cost (the good deal didn't turn out to be such a good deal) and we just plain needed some time to ourselves to get life in order. The Germans have it right. We should try and actually take a holiday, not cram a bunch of stuff into a short amount of time to make the most of our time and money.  Americans try to schedule every moment and then wonder what went wrong when they have a moment to sit back. That is the American way of course but I am starting to realize that this is probably not the healthiest way. Europeans stop and take walks on Sundays because most things are closed. They walk to the local bakery and get some bread. They sit outside and really enjoy a cup of coffee not because they need the cafeine boost but because they want to sit and enjoy it. In Paris I saw people tapping their fingers on the table after they rushed through a 3-course 30 euro meal wondering where their waiter was with the bill. They aren't going to bring the bill unless you ask and they aren't going to assume you want it straight away either. Sit back and stay a while. Don't gulp that cup of joe but sip that cappuccino. It actually tastes better when you stay and watch the crowds stroll by!

 

Yes, don't get me wrong: I am grateful we got to see so much this summer. I am a lucky person. We won't be able to do this with two kids. SO the time was now but I feel like we are done for a while. Done. We need to have more than a home base; we need a home. Aachen is our home and I am happy we are back. A big sigh here. I am looking forward to the quiet rainy nights full of watching old TV shows late at night with Matt after Olivia goes to bed. Or even better, curling up with a good book and settling down with a pair of fluffy slippers and a cup of tea. Fall is coming and I am looking forward to it. Here, here to quiet, peaceful nights!