Too busy

Only two more weeks of our trip and it has been unbelievable. We are in London and since we last updated our blog we were in Italy! That seemed like forever ago... I finally met Gulia Patrick's cousin who lives in Torino, Italy and then I met Aunt Judy in Bassano del Grappa where we relaxed for a few days and ate the best food of our trip. Homemade cooked meals ... we ate till we were full and then we ate some more. Words cannot describe Italy- One of my favorite countries we have visited. I was hard to board the plane to Barcelona after ten amazing days in Italy.

Barcelona, was more than I could expect! We couchsurfed with a young Catalonian Xavier where we spent three nights in his flat playing the board game RISK -Patrick was obsessed! We did spend the day light hours admiring Goudi's famous work in Barcelona. While snapping pictures of Goudi's work we unexpectedly ran into a traveler we had met in Greece over a month ago! This backpacker, Mike from Canada is also on a 3 month trip and we spent two nights with him in Meteora, Greece. While in Barcelona our paths crossed, so we spent another day sightseeing.

From Barcelona we flew to Paris- Aw Paris- Absolutely beautiful, another city that words cannot describe. Two days in Paris was not enough time to see all the history and sights. I must say that Croissants made in Paris melted in our mouths and locals carry around a baguette...What is the secret ingredient in French bread?

Paris to Amsterdam-we had a luxurious train ride and since we were eligible for youth prices we were in first class for less money than second. We arrived in Amsterdam and quickly fell in love with the Dutch.. by far the nicest people (also in Barcelona locals were very helpful). The second we pulled out our map locals would ask if we needed help and walk us to our destination. The Dutch know how to make the sweetest desserts. I ate waffles and profiteroles until we left the country. Three days in Amsterdam - I cannot write about our impressions because I am getting tired and I have to write about the REUNION!

Over 5 years ago I went to South Africa with an organization Youth With A Mission where I spent six months with volunteers from all over the world. There was a lot of Europeans and since Pat and I were going to make this trip I contacted my friends and they organized a weekend reunion. It was brilliant, there were over 12 friends who came and some with their new additions their beautiful children. It was a relaxing weekend of fellowship just catching up and watching videos from our time in South Africa.

From Holland we spent nine hours on a bus to London- Thank God the British accepted us into their country and now we are spending 3 days with a Slovakian couple Lenka and Vlado who we ran into several times in Egypt. We are staying on their couch in their lovely flat in East Finchley, London. Traveling opens up heaps of opportunities for friendships, I just cannot stop smiling! We worked so hard to save money and the sense of accomplishment when we boarded the plane in Los Angeles to embark on this life changing journey is a feeling I wish everyone could experience for themselves.

December 15th at 6:15 we arrive in Los Angeles.

Much Love

Paula and Patrick