One of the goals of our trip was to visit as many friends and family around the world as possible whom we don’t normally get to see very often. Over the past two weeks, we’ve spent three days staying with family just outside of Paris, reunited with a high school friend in Berlin for a weekend, hung out with an American buddy in Zurich, and were welcomed by more relatives in Latisana, Italy. The hospitality they showed us was humbling and truly meant the world to us. We were able to borrow a car for two days to drive all over France. We were cooked delicious meals, and went out to eat at some great restaurants. We were taken on tours of multiple cities and given a glimpse of what life was like as a local in each of the spots. Everyone was incredibly generous and for this we say – merci, danke, grazie, and THANK YOU!
Cousins in Italy
Walking along the Berlin Wall
During this time, we’ve realized not only how important it is to be good houseguests (grateful, courteous, respectful, etc.), but even more so, how meaningful it is to be good hosts. As a traveler, there’s nothing better when you are feeling exhausted from a long day on the road than to be welcomed into someone else’s home with open arms, some good food, and a place to rest. It will forever be a priority in our lives to welcome our friends and family into our home (whenever we have one again) and reciprocate the same level of hospitality that we have felt on this trip. As friends and family reading this blog, consider this your open invitation to come stay with us!
Museumsinsel (Museum Island) in Berlin
Grossmünster Church
What else has happened during the past two weeks? Well… we took our first two overnight bus rides. One was a 15-hour stint from Paris to Berlin and the other was a few days later from Berlin to Zurich of roughly the same duration. We had the opportunity to wander around the Museumsinsel (Museum Island) in Berlin which is another UNESCO World Heritage Site. In Zurich one morning, we took a hike up the Üetliberg Mountain which rewards climbers with a beautiful panoramic view of the city and lake below. In Northern Italy, we spent time strolling around the streets of Latisana, the beach of Lavignano, the piazzas in Trieste (very close to the Slovenian border) and finally, the canals of Venezia.
View from the top of Üetliberg Mountain
Gondolas floating in the Venetian Lagoon
Up next is some time back in beautiful Sicilia!
-The Morts
Chris, you, your sister and parents have been great hosts since ’92 in October for the southern Mt. Washington crowd. We just enjoyed your parents hospitality again and want them to know its always been great and thanks. Years ago you even burned a music CD for us for the road, a bargain at 50 cents. Don might not have bragged to you, but he was one of the group that made the summit and the hike down this year.
I remember very well always hosting you guys… or being around when my parents did! Glad to hear you guys had another great trip this year.