Transported
In case you missed it:
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A couple of weeks ago I bought a basil plant at the Farmers Market. I love fresh basil and the amazing flavour it brings to food.
A few days after I bought it I reached over to rip off a few fresh leaves to put in our spaghetti and the smell of the fresh basil overwhelmed my senses. In that instant I was transported back to Italy. I could literally smell the margherita-basil pizza we ate outside while listening to the waves lap the rocks in Cinque Terre.
I could remember how I felt after our second bottle of wine when we were reminiscing our trip so far on the streets of Rome, as the waiter brought some sort of dish – that had a lot of basil in it – to the table next to ours.
It was crazy how this smell of fresh basil literally transported me back to those places so suddenly.
I closed my eyes for a minute and thought about that amazing trip that, literally, changed my life. It changed my outlook on the world. It changed my relationship for the better. It changed me. I took a big, deep breath and breathed in the delicious smell of my basil plant and pretended I was back in Italy, sipping wine, taking life one day – one minute – at a time.
Then I opened my eyes and I was back in my tiny kitchen, in our tiny house, making spaghetti for me and Eric to eat while we curled up on the couch and watched Prison Break. We would go to bed early as we both had to work the next morning. I smiled because I knew, that even if where I am now isn’t as romantic or special or exciting as the place I was just over a year ago – I’m right where I belong.
Has the smell of something ever transported you back to a certain place or time?
Travel Dreams
In case you missed it this weekend:
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Exactly one year ago today Eric and I were walking out of the Schiphol airport in Amsterdam, embarking on a 3-week backpacking trip through Europe where we visited Amsterdam, Paris, several places in Italy and Greece.
It was the trip of a lifetime.
You can read my recaps here, here and here.
How can it have been a year already? I honestly think this last year has gone by faster than any other year in my life thus far. Is that a sign of getting old?
I think about Europe and our time there almost every day. That trip really sparked a love/passion for traveling in me and I cannot wait until our next big trip (probably our honeymoon).
Here are a few pictures from our trip (hopefully ones I haven’t shared too much before):
It was always a lifelong dream of mine to visit Europe and I’m so glad we did it!
Other places/trips I’m dying to go on in my lifetime include:
- England, Scotland, Ireland (possible honeymoon)
- Costa Rica (another possible honeymoon option)
- African Safari
- Japan
- Australia/New Zealand
- China
- Egypt
- Bahamas
- Eastern Canada (PEI and Newfoundland!)
- New York City
- Back to Italy
- Back to Paris
And so many more. I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t turn down any trips to new and exciting places. I love traveling 
My trips planned so far this year include Ottawa next week on a business trip and to hang out with this girl, Minneapolis in August to visit this lady and a *possible* Disneyworld/Harry Potter World trip in November!
Where is your next big trip? What are some places your dying to visit?
Current Daydream
This blog idea is borrowed from Tina at Carrots n’ Cake!
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What: European Vacation
Where: Italy
When: April/May 2010
For new readers: The full recap of the 10 days we spent in Italy!
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As usual, I’ve said “yes” to too many things and have overloaded myself while trying to balance a hundred plates at once. Life is just a little bit overwhelming lately and I’ve been daydreaming about a vacation where I haven’t got a care in the world (like the 3 weeks spent in Europe last spring!)
On the bright side, Eric and I are going on a small getaway this weekend to the nearby ski resort. We are staying in a hotel tomorrow night which I cannot wait for! There is something so relaxing about staying in hotels.
Hopefully our small, little getaway will be just what I need to feel refreshed and rejuvenated once again. Check back Sunday night for a recap
What are you currently daydreaming about?