There really is nothing like being home. Home is where my heart will always be, but probably not where it belongs. Everyone, including myself, sees me living in Europe. I’m thinking I might actually fall pretty in love with Spain. Now to plan the next trip…Barcelona 2010!!!!

So, it took a total of about 28 hours to get home. Between customs, retrieving luggage, a bus ride, three flights, and a car ride home from LAX…yeah. I chose In-n-Out for my first meal back. There’s nothing I could imagine more thrilling that the taste of a good ole American cheeseburger. Delicious.

I slept a good twelve hours last night. I’m still pretty tired from the whole of traveling though. It’ll take a few more days to be completely back on track.

Today I met my friends for lunch. I opted for this tan drop-waist dress I purchased at a boutique in La Spezia. It’s got a lot of style, makes me look European, and makes me look super tan!
My friend, Chris, actually commented on how tan I was. I laughed. I didn’t mean to get tan. I wore sunscreen and hats and beach covers, but I couldn’t escape the happy sun. You know what I find strange…I had to sit in the sun for 3 hours or more to get sunburned in Italy…but back in California, I went for a 25 minute walk today and came home roasted. Is the hole in the ozone layer directly over California?? Probably. Each person has 5 cars…

It was strange to see all my friends again. It was as if I had never left, but it also felt as if I had been gone forever. We went to my favorite Indian restaurant for lunch. It was just as I had left it. The workers still knew me and welcomed me back with handshakes and plenty of naan!

In line for the Indian buffet (classy AND delicious), a man began talking to me. He was dressed in brown slacks and a pin striped white dress shirt with a solid black tie. It sounds a little odd, but it actually worked quite well on him. He was handsome, and let me cut him in the line. He said he had overheard I had just been on a long journey and he wanted me to get food before I fainted. How sweet! Nice people do exist!

He asked where I was coming from and then proceeded to tell me how he lived all over Europe for 14 years. Now, he splits his time between California and Buenos Aires, Argentina. Oh, how I want to see Buenos Aires. He talked it up a bit, too, which didn’t help my disease for travel. I asked if it was for business and he said, “Well, yeah, I’m a songwriter.” To be a songwriter and travel between to very beautiful places. I can’t say I’m not jealous. I’m about to meet back up with my friends and go for a gelato. It’s not as good as the gelato in Italia, but it will have to do!