I started out with some "country" destinations. First Iowa, where the sunny fields were absolutely beautiful and calming to walk amongst with my much-adored Kelsey.
Then onto Bainbridge Island for the Harvest Festival, which was an idyllic, wholesome event with cider pressing, sheep shearing, and what seemed like the entire island in attendance.
This whole summer, being outside was the only time I felt semi-normal and like I could breathe. The next round of trips though, were to cities-- familiar and new.
First came Boston, (well I only spent a few hours in Boston proper, for the rest I was in the much less glamorous Woburn, MA)
Then onto Torino which quickly rose the ranks into my favorite cities. It felt so good to slip into the anonymous rhythm of a new place and walk and walk listening to music.
I loved everything about it; the ring of cafes around the main square, the quiet streets lined by soot-covered apartment buildings, and the beautiful silent river.
On the way back home from Italy I stopped in Eindhoven and Amsterdam (and crossed paths with my Manny).
It's funny how much both cities are starting to feel comfortable and familiar.
Maybe it's not being in nature I love, but rather beautiful surroundings and some time and space to reflect and allow feelings to start coming through. I would say "there's no place like home," but that's only a piece of it. There's nothing like seeing your home with fresh eyes and a fresh heart, knowing the world is very small, very lovely, very bittersweet.
