Travel Memories

While I was getting ready today I was watching the Paula Deen goes to Europe show (I can't remember the exact name) and was reminded of how emotional traveling can be. Paula's husband Michael gave her a trip to London/Paris for Christmas and of course the food network tagged along. It was the first time for both of them in these cities and it was nice to see how she was affected by seeing these sites for the first time. She was emotional when she saw the Eiffel Tower and when her sons surprised her at the end she just lost it. I know, I know....it's chessy television, but it did get me to thinking about some of my travel memories and how I still hold them close to my heart. I thought I'd share a few of them with all of you.

As many of you already know I got the trip of my dreams in 2002. Dad's company was going to Italy for the trips they used to take every 18 months or so. We were all standing in Dad's kitchen after the food show when they started talking about it. My face must have lit up all over because Rome was the one place I had always wanted to go. Between my reaction and my "Uncle Luther's" very generous offer I was able to go. There are truly too many memories to share, so I'll try to narrow it down. The most memorable moment was when we first landed. We got off of the plane and started heading to "The Excelsior" hotel on Via Veneto. On the way we drove right by The Colisseum. Before I knew it I had tears in my eyes. I could not believe I was actually in Rome. I also remember simple meals of pizza in many a cafe, lots of gelato (the best ice cream in the world), and long dinners with some of dad's storeowners and more food then anyone could ever eat. We saw a lot of the sites, but I'll never forget Dad acting as the "tour guide" at the Vatican, walking in the church in Florence that I wrote a paper on in college, and bus numero due. It's funny, I wanted to go on the trip to see Rome, and ended up falling in love with Florence. If you ever get the chance to see this beautiful country......GO!!

The more I got to thinking about all of the trips, big and small, that I've been on in my 29 years (yes Dad, you have a 29 year old daughter, how did that happen?) it was little moments that came to mind and not the big things the destination had to offer. Although Mike and I saw lots of things in New Orleans last year, it's the times when we were just enjoying the city that I remember the most......like sitting on the sidewalk eating a Lucky Dog and watching the street artists, sitting on a park bench sharing a muffaleta from Central Grocery, watching the sunset from the rooftop pool, or sitting in the lobby enjoying the nightly hot chocolate/pb&j while watching a wedding party send off the bride and groom. I'm so glad we were able to see this city pre-Katrina. I don't care what the experts say, we must find a way to preserve this city and it's culture. There's truly nothing like it in this country.

Of course there are more family, girl, and other trips then I'll bore you with on here, but there is nothing like being with your loved ones just having a good time and not worrying about the outside world. "Guy's Day" at the beach in September 2004 with the girls will always be one of my favorite beach memories. We got up and it was pouring, so we went to the sports bar and acted like guys all day.....it was hilarious. We still talk about it. I still remember my first trip to Disney World. I wiggled so much in my seat on Space Mountain that I undid the seatbelt. It's a wonder I didn't kill me and Dad. Even though I only lived in Chicago about 18 months, I was lucky enough to see many of the sites. Between weekend excursions, going back with Flip, and visiting Kathryn/Andrew last year I was able to share my favorite parts of Windy City. It really is a great place.....if it just wasn't so blasted cold in the winter. Whether you're taking in a game at Wrigley, chowing down on a deep dish pizza at Gino's East, or just walking around looking at the great architecture you know you're in one of those special places where there's life all around you.....and they have Portillo's Italian Beef......my favorite food on the planet.

I hope you've enjoyed my little trip down memory lane. If you ever have some time remind me to tell you about the night at the beach with the girls at the country bar w/the swedish lesbian, a mechanical bull, construction workers from Texas, dancing twins, a midget, and people drinking white russians out of pitchers.