I have been back from our European vacation for a little over a week and have had time to think about part two of the lessons I have learned.

1. FLY FIRST CLASS.  This became crystal clear to me when we were flying home from London.  Greg had scored some first class tickets from our frequent flyer miles.  Apparently, it is about $8,000 if you paid the cash price.  But as far as I’m concerned it  is absolutely, without a doubt in my mind worth the expense.  To begin with, you get to spend your time at the airport in the Sky Lounge.  When you enter the doors the  hostess offers you champagne,  cooks you breakfast and they offer the most prized commodity in an airport.  Peace and quiet.

Next, you board the plane and enter Nirvana. Your own private pod, with a massaging chair that turns into a bed, television, blanket, pillow, Bose headphones, pjs, slippers and a  Cole Haan convience kit, complete with eye shades, socks, toothbrush, lotions etc. They offer you a drink (in crystal) warm nuts, appetizers, entrees, snacks, and an ice cream sundae for desert.  They had me at the warm nuts.

 

 

2.  MAKE SURE YOU ALWAYS HAVE CHANGE with you because it may cost you to use the toilet

3.  “GOD LOVES A TRIER” you should always ask, the worst anyone can say is no.  The ticket agent in London told me this when I asked, hopefully if we could get theatre tickets for that night.  I love that expression, we ended up with great seats to Kinky Boots.

 

 

4.  IN MOST EUROPEAN HOTELS YOU MUST PLACE YOUR HOTEL KEY IN A SLOT  for the ac and lights to work.

5.  EXPLORE NEW PLACES on your own don’t always need a tour

6.  IT IS MUCH HARDER TO EVESDROP when you don’t know the language.

7.  EAT LIKE A LOCAL, it’s always fresh and delicious.

 

8.  Please “MIND THE GAP WHEN DEPARTING FROM THE TRAIN” in Great Britain this is your reminder to not fall between the train and the platform.

9.  MEET NEW PEOPLE, they have different life experiences than you.

10.  IN EUROPE MOST PUBLIC BUILDINGS DO NOT HAVE AIR CONDITIONING, so dress accordingly.

11.  BYOB bring your own bag to the grocery store.  If you don’t you will be charged for one.

12.  EXPERIENCES, NOT THINGS, or at just small things that you have room for in your bag.

 

13.  IN MOST RESTAURANTS AND BARS  the toilet will likely be located down  a dark set of stairs.  don’t worry if the light goes off, just jump out of the stall and wave your arms like a crazy person, the lights will likely go back on.  This actually happened to me in Corsica when I was trying to change out of my bathing suit.

 

 

14.  BEWARE OF WONKY WIFI,  just because they say they have wifi does not mean you can connect.

 

15.  LOOK TO THE LEFT AND THE RIGHT   (they may drive on a different side of the road than us)

 

16.  GO WITH THE FLOW, not everything will go as you planned, enjoy the journey.

 

17.  FOLLOW THE LINE LEADER, he will always get you home.

 

18.  LIFE GOES ON WHEN YOU ARE AWAY, so get over it.  But have someone check on your house while you are away.  Things may break, like our air conditioner in 115  degree temperature.

 

19.  IN EUROPE THEY SERVE FRENCH FRIES with every meal, they may call them chips but they’re French fries.

 

20.  IF YOU ORDER A CAPPUCCINO  it will cost you less if you stand and drink it at the counter

21.   ENJOY ALL THE DELICIOUS FOOD AND WINE, but don’t fool yourself, you will have to work that stuff off.

22.  IN THIS LIFE WE MAY NEVER BE HERE AGAIN, SO ENJOY EVERY MOMENT.

 

23.  TRAVEL WITH SOMEONE YOU LOVE, if they get on your nerves the love thing may keep you from killing them.

24.  DON’T BE AFRAID TO TRAVEL, IF YOU ARE THE TERRORISTS WIN.