Journeys Far and Wide: Enjoying the Simple Things in Life

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Enjoying the Simple Things in Life

After an activity filled 4-day weekend. I woke up early this morning, fixed myself a pot of coffee, and pretty much did nothing for the day. Well actually, I did a lot of things. I finished a load of laundry; I took a walk around downtown Wiesbaden and checked out the Christmas market; cooked a late lunch; brought a book to the Starbucks and lounged around for 2+ hours; and came back to my apartment late afternoon and took a nap. Just the fact that I was able to have the time to make a pot of coffee and sit down to enjoy it was enjoyable. I don’t remember the last time I took an afternoon nap. But they were just ordinary, simple things that I have taken for granted. Things I have not done too much of lately -- taking the time and enjoying the simple things in life.

Although it crept into my mind a couple of times, I did not show up at work at all this past four days. Thursday, I took an early morning drive to Luxembourg and got back to Wiesbaden by 9PM. Friday, I drove to Köln to see the Christmas markets and walked around the city center. Saturday, I drove along the Rhine River, on the western side, from Wiesbaden to Boppard; stopping along the way for coffee and lunch. Winding down the extended weekend, today I stuck around my apartment and walked around Wiesbaden. The weather has been miserable – gray skies, and on and off drizzle. But it did not take away from my enjoyment of the weekend.

The following are photos from this weekend:

Shots from Luxembourg City

Photos from the Luxembourg American WWII Cemetery and Memorial:

Köln's Christmas Market and Cathedral:

5 comments:

Big T30 November, 2009 09:00
so did you drop a duece in Luxembourg?
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Big T30 November, 2009 09:02
or perhaps a deuce?
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Elvin30 November, 2009 09:23
Big T, Didn't have the need or the urge. But having spent 7 hrs there, eating lunch, and having a couple of lattes should qualify me to check this off on my visited country list.
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Big T30 November, 2009 11:24
Well there are those of us who have standards...
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Clubber Lang30 November, 2009 12:08
By the way, you can no longer read the text in the photo. I suggest either a text box, or a different photo. But, I'm just one man talking!

Think you can do New Years in Istanbul?
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WELCOME

"A man travels the world in search of what he needs and returns home to find it." -- George Moore.

I have always enjoyed traveling – seeing new places and meeting new people. Some have said that travel broadens the mind. I sometime think that during my journeys, I will uncover something deep and profound. I am again back overseas, in Germany, after 14 months in Seattle from March 2011 thru May 2012. I had been away from Seattle from February 2005 to March 2011 – in Iraq for one year, in Bosnia for 18 months, in Germany for 2 1/2+ years, and one year in Abu Dhabi, UAE. I was born in the Philippines, and have lived in Seattle, WA; Washington DC; Southern California; and Portland, Oregon. I have traveled in the US, Canada, Europe, and the Philippines. I have spent most of my life in Seattle.

Seattle is my home. It is where most of my family and friends live. My visits back home,when I am overseas, always invigorate me. I have discovered that it is in Seattle, my home, where I will find what I need. I don’t know how much longer this journey will continue; I do know that it will finish in Seattle.

Places Where I Have Lived

*** I decided to list all the places that I have lived at. I can't believe the number of times I have moved. My true nomadic spirit becomes especially apparent by the number of times I have changed residence. ***
Tagtagumbao, Cuyapo, Philippines - My place of birth; located in the province of Nueva Ecija. Tagtagumbao, a small rural village, will always hold a special place in my heart. It's the type of place where everyone knows each other. The are not many places like that anymore.
Bainbridge Island, WA - The first place I lived at after moving to the US. I lived there for two years, plus the countless summers spent there helping out at my sister's strawberry and raspberry farm.
Seattle, WA - I have lived there for almost twenty years total. I call this town my home.
Chevy Chase, MD - Just outside Washington, D.C. I spent six months there late 1984 thru early 1985 while I interned at US Nuclear Regulatory Agency.
Seattle, WA - Moved back to Seattle in 1985. Finished school at UW.
Pomona, California - After college, I moved there for work in 1988. It was close to my workplace, but I did not realize it was in the middle of gang country. The apartment was nice and new, but...
Rancho Cucamonga, CA - After six months in Pomona, this is where I moved to. Formerly, the town consisted mostly of vineyards. It was a growing community when I moved there. It's located in the foothills of San Gabriel mountains. I lived there for more than 6 years (1988 thru 1995).
Gresham, OR - A suburb of Portland. I lived there for about 5 years (1995 thru 1999). Portland is similar to Seattle, but without the congestion. It still has the small town feel. I enjoyed my time in the Portland area.
Seattle, WA - Moved back to Seattle in 1999 to live with my father after my mother passed away.
Green Zone, Baghdad, Iraq - I lived in the confines of the Green Zone my first two months in Iraq (Feb-Mar 2005). It was located in the heart of the city, where most of the former Iraqi regime's palaces and government buildings were located.
Camp Taji, Iraq - Located northwest of Baghdad, just outside the city. My Resident Office was located inside the base. The Resident Office served as the work area for 7-9 people. It also served as our living quarters. I was there for 9 months. (Apr 2005 - Dec 2005)
Eagle Base, Tuzla, Bosnia - Spent 18 memorable months in Bosnia (Jan 2006 - Jun 2007). I enjoyed my work and stay over there.
Wiesbaden, Germany - I was in Germany from Jul 2007 thru Feb 2010. I had a ball here. I took advantage of my stay here by exploring other parts of Germany and the rest of Europe every chance I got.
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - Moved here for a new job in mid-March 2010. I moved back to the US in March 2011.
Seattle, WA - Moved back to Seattle in March 2011.
Wiesbaden, Germany - Back again in Deutschland, in early May 2012