It's funny, before I used to get complaints that my blog was too "talky" now I look at it and see all the wonderful photos and wonder if I don't have anything to say about the experience. The more I think about trying to recount what Europe is like the more I am at a loss for words. I will say this though. A cruise ship may not be the best way to do it, but it is a great way to introduce you to this continent and make you want to come back for more.

I am writing this in Stockholm, Sweden which now hands down is my favorite port. The architecture, the people the water ways. I got totally lost for an hour and half today and never cared for a moment. (unfortunately the pictures are from Russia I will have a ton of stockholm that I will be posting soon) Europe is a wonderful place people seem far more relaxed herre. Maybe its becaue of the socialized medicine and low murder rates. They know how to enjoy themselves. I walk by parks and they are always packed with people just lying on blankets talking to other people. Not rushing around in a car talking on a cell phone but actually having human interaction. If Europeans really don't like Americans I haven't felt it. Everyone has been nothing but patient and sweet to me. Of course they could then be scoffing at me behind my back (but then I lived in the South for awhile so I'm used to that too.)

The toursist sites are wonderful and worth seeing but for me what I like best is finding some quiet spot and watching a culture surround me. On this last cruise I've spent more times at cafe's and parks just listening and watching and drawing. I feel very much at peace most of the time. In some ways it makes me sad that we Americans don't seem to know how to just stop and live and work for living instead of working to live and praying not to die.

So on this next cruise Jamie is coming. Ahhh to be in love with someone in Europe it makes you know that you are really alive.


Oh and just for fun in Russia they have Subway, they may have capitalism but the bread lines aren't leaving anytime soon. Now they just have a choice of white or wheat.