Wednesday, Sep 21st, Santa Rosa, United States

For forty years, we've told ourselves we were saving traveling in Europe until we were old.  It would be when our bodies no longer could easily climb and descend tall stairs and trails.  It would be when we our tastes would not savor as much spice and risk.  It would be when we'd run out of exciting things to see, and people to meet. 

On this trip, from August 12th to September 21st, Europe's eastern border stretched to the Black Sea.  We traveled from Germany to Romania.  We found we're not yet old.   And what we found in the countries was not what we thought it would be.

It's people were richer, in every country.  They had experienced more trauma, had fought against tyranny, sacrificed more happiness, and won more freedom than we ever imagined.  As a result, we didn't find a dull grey landscape populated by oppressed and depressed people.  Instead, we saw places being restored which revealed a thousand years of vibrant community living.  Full of color and ancient stories.  Teeming with generous and peaceful souls.  We met people who are seizing the day to claim their right to exist in this world against its common problems.

Our bodies may be losing their ability to handle all of those cobblestones and stairs and trails, but we found exciting adventures and people worth the risks.  The greater Europe we found is full of spice, and we will be savoring it for many more years..

 


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