EUROPEAN TRAVEL: AIR, SEA, LAND

One theme of European travel is just getting there.

Once there more themes kick in. Why?

Why not.

So far it’s been riding bikes, cruising rivers and canals, the clocking miles and miles on my shoes and sandals.

I’ve been practicing bike riding in the gym, not for leg conditioning but seat conditioning.

The plan is to ride from Belgium to Holland. I hope my riding partner/wife has the same plan, which brings up an important part of European travel: communication.

What’s to communicate? Be agreeable to start. How is it possible to have a bad idea in Europe?

At the moment I’m looking over a roof view over Bruges and it feels like a Van Gogh painting.

It’s a walking place, canal place, and bike place. It’s also a cruise ship destination, so the tide of tourists rolls in regularly.

European travel has this in common: everyone wants to see something to awe them into silence. (I’m quietly writing because of the awesome views all over the place.)

An unexpected theme is staying in the trees. Get a room in the trees wasn’t a plan, but it’s a good idea.

Plane, train, taxi, boat, bike, walk, it’s all on the menu.

What else is there? Everything you haven’t thought of. I haven’t thought of as much as my wife, which is normal. Am I agreeable? Yes, happily so.

She’s got the map, the directions, and the ability to ask anyone where we are.

Me? I’m still under the impression I know where I am. Do I? Of course not, but landmarks help, even at first sight.