Coming Home

It's hard to know if I can call this, or any of these trips, a success.  It feels like I should, I mean I did the core of what I wanted to do.  The week in Lisbon with Melanie was magical, for both the city and the company.  I made it to the south of France, and specifically Arles.  I  took the train up through Europe and made my way to Amsterdam and spent a week wandering along the canals.  In looking back at past trips, I never forget the hardships, but I always smile at the experience and the journey.

The only direction in my head as I metaphorically dipped my oars in the water was to explore Europe in Van Gogh's footsteps and see some of what he saw while his art took him throughout Europe.  I guess if I had to critique the trip in a harsh light I would have wanted to see more of where he lived.  Places like The Hague, Borniage,  St Remy.  But as it turns out traveling through Europe is quite expensive.  I guess it's a good thing that I don't think about money (too much), but it does leave one with a bump on the psyche when the harsh reality of the cost of plane and train tickets collides with my dream like reality.

My last solo trip to Europe, the Berlin, Copenhagen, Sweden trip has some real sparkling magical moments that somehow were lacking on this trip.  I did really enjoy Arles and not just because I was standing in the exact spots where Van Gogh painted masterpieces, but that was a big part of it.  If I had to pick a magic moment it would be the night shoot I did in Arles.  I took the tripod out after dark and got some great shots and felt like a I took a big step forward in my evolution as a photographer.  The concert in the ancient Roman amphitheater certainly added to the sparkle.

Usually by this time, after a spell on the road, I am very homesick and am counting the seconds until I get home and get to see everyone.  And, well, I am.  However, I'm also starting to think about where I want to go next. Travel truly is addicting.  I know that I want to go with someone, I'm really burnt out on solo travel for the time being, and I would love to do something outdoors, maybe a photo safari in Yellowstone or a rugged trip to New Zeland, who knows.  I do know that I'm not done yet and I still have so much to see before I take that one last trip..... to Los Angeles.