“It went by so fast,” I said, as I rolled over to go to sleep last night. Almost two months in Europe is now behind us and we are heading home today.
Yesterday afternoon, I sat at the cafe in front of our hotel in Helsinki, on a pedestrian street, and did this sketch looking south, toward the harbor. When Tricia came down to join me I said, “We just don’t have this in the US,” gesturing to the pedestrian street, cafes, and the people walking by. “I can’t think of anyplace in the US like this, but I can think of a hundred places in Europe.”
This is what I miss most about Europe and to really sense it one must work to become comfortable in the culture. It is a desire to be part of the place, not just observing the place.
Epcot Center is an amazing showcase of eleven cultures around the world. I remember their attention to detail – the employees in the pavillions were actually from the country displayed. One of their goals is to make the world a bit better by expanding the visitor’s understanding of other places and people – an important goal.
Yet a depiction of a cullture is not the same as inhabiting a place and time. This is why learning a few words – hello, please, thank you – is so important. When possible, I go to the same coffee shop every morning, ideally one frequented by locals, after the second or third visit I am comfortable with a place, and the staff begin to recognize me. It is a long way from being a resident, but you begin to get a small taste of the place. I try to look as local as I can, blending in, not standing out.
I have ranted a bit about cruises these last few weeks, as I am writing this, it comes to mind that not only do the shore excursions crowd the city, they really do not give much in the way of experiencing the heart of a place. Even the excursions that stop at a local restaurant for local food do not, and cannot, give the same experience as going to a restaurant with no English menues, and ordering something different, taking a chance, while saying hello and thank you in the local language.
We fly out this afternoon, yet at the moment, sitting at the Espresso House cafe, watching folks walk by, I feel quite immersed, and I love it, I will miss it, I already do.
theTravelsketcher 
Nothing beats sitting in a cafe, watching the world go by.
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That is for sure.
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That did fly by
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I’m sincerely hoping for a good flight and a homecoming sans unexpected problems. You’ll be back . . . sooner or later . . . the cafes are waiting . . .
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I read this with cobblestones under my seat at an outdoor cafe in Torun, Poland so I see your point exactly. Safe travels home. Maggie
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Perfect, yes and thanks.
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I can imagine missing Europe desperately when leaving. If I ever have to, I will miss it very much.
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I hope you don’t have to.
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Nothing beats being immersed in the local scene. Hit and run day trippers and cruisers seldom get the point, but those who choose to live in a different place, even for a short time do. Safe travels. Allan
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Yes, you are so right. Like, ‘hit and run day trippers’
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Wow, two months already? I remember when you were talking about going on this trip. Doesn’t seem more than two months ago! Safe travels home.
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Yes i know.
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It’s incredible that you and Tricia spent two months in Europe– it really flew by! It’s true that many European cities have that pedestrian charm; it’s harder to find that in the US, but there are some neighborhoods within cities that try replicating it. Wishing you two a safe trip back home!
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Thanks so much
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