Himmelreich

I am so jealous. The East Coast gets another dose of snow, and what do we have? Spring. In February! that is so not fair. And to add insult to injury: Dallas gets like a foot of snow. DALLAS! Yeah the Texas kind ....I don't know of any other Dallas. So we get to sit up here -WHERE IT IS SUPPOSED TO SNOW- watching everything melt. You would think it was April. Its a travesty...and a sham.....and a mockery. A travishamockery!
I'm back from my little "vacation" to Europe. It is interesting; when I told people I had to go to Europe to compete, the reaction from them was not the emotions I felt. "They" get all glassy eyed, and ooh and ah. Me? I dreaded the whole thing. No, not the whole thing. I was looking forward to the competition, I just hate having to travel so far to get there. And forgive me for not being able to pick up languages at the drop of a hat, but I hate being in places where I can't communicate. I'm a grumpy old man at 39yrs of age.
Compared with some of my friends, a 9 hour flight across the ocean is a drop in the hat. For me however, it is something much more. I am grateful that we have technology such as hand held TVs and digital recording devices. These tools are essential for such an experience. Still, the airplane seat is nowhere for me to be for that long. I'm going to blame the SCI for that. Comfort is the last word I can think of when I am on the plane.
I also seem to feel every one's anxiety. I get into the airport and I just feel rushed or something. I "see" everyone trying to race for one spot ahead in the line. And all that racing and trying to get ahead of "that guy" occurs all the way until I sit in my seat: the walk to the gate, sitting at the gate, when they announce the boarding, and then when everyone is loading. I get this sort of "it would be better if most of these people weren't here" kind of feeling. Definitely not your love for your fellow man type thoughts. I attribute these thoughts that I have, to me projecting signals that other people are sending off. (I may be way off base, but this theory seems solid to me) So, all the people who are in the airport, are sending out vibes that resonate anxiety in me, as I react to what they are sending.
So, I am all edgy due to the travel.
On the other side of this coin, it is eye opening to be in another country. A whole different way of thinking. To see a Euro version of a van, a Euro version of a rest stop on the highway, a Euro version of a highway, etc. Accessibility is a whole 'nother issue as well.
The French alps are grand. Switzerland is amazing as well. And the Black Forrest region of Germany has its own charm. The France we were in, was Mountainous on a jagged scale. Blue skies, the ground covered in snow, sharp cold air, very dramatic. Germany was ....grey. We got there right after a snow storm, so we were introduced to more white. But the next day it started raining, and the true Germany came out. Western Oregon with less sunlight. It does not surprise me that the story Hansel and Gretel came from this area. Thankfully, our skiing was up in a pass, so the snow stayed there. Added bonus: the sun came out for my races. -on two separate days. I can thank my lucky stars, because it could have snow/rained on us.
Now I am home, and getting back in the swing of being Dad.