Picture The
Hat Ladies
We went
We saw
We learned
We returned...with GRATITUDE...
For leaving on June 19th with the best wishes and prayers from our hatted (and unhatted) friends and family
For the 10 flights we took within Europe that arrived on time and had our luggage on their carousels.
For leaving Shipol Airport in Amsterdam the same morning and heading (safely) West at the same time as the Malaysian flight headed East over the Ukraine
For great traveling weather, which was more like fall than summer, and only included one afternoon of rain...which we walked through singing in...
For our stomachs that tolerated known and unknown regional delicacies...some of which should have been identified BEFORE I ordered them and not identified afterwards (has anyone ELSE ever eaten "black pudding?")...
For our legs and backs that carried us through days and nights of walking (in addition to trying to find our cabin on a ship that held 3600 passengers) and brought us safely to the top of countless towers that provided panoramic views of the great cities below
For outsmarting the pickpockets who tried to steal our valuables by distracting us by complimenting the new hat John had just bought me
For being able to visit the homeland of hatsisters Inge Schopman (Amsterdam), Andrea St. Armand (whose husband is from Estonia), Anna Glac and Chicago friend, Alex Remberiz (Poland) who provided invaluable insider tips.
For traveling with the best companions, Joan and Jeff Poet, and still being the best of friends at the end
For making new friends with people from other countries, especially my new "fan" from Japan, BECAUSE of Joan and my hats
For still being the best of friends with my husband, after a 24/7, 30 day whirlwind of togetherness
For returning home to our own toilets, balloons at our doorstep, champagne at our table, applause at Hatpy Hour, and my Father's shaving brush still sitting on my bedroom dresser.
It really doesn't get much better than that. Hope you have enjoyed our trip.
Suggestions:
Though many may have read The Diary of Anne Frank many years ago, it is worth reading again. Additional entries were discovered after its first printing. Moreover, it is wonderful to learn about The Anne Frank Foundation and houses in other cities created to educate and work toward understanding between people and cultures.
Though many may have seen Schindler's List many years ago, it is worth seeing again. We got it from the Library.
Finally, if interested in reading a first hand Memoir of the life of a young Jewish man running for his life during WW11, consider the Book written by the Father of one of our hatsisters, called Passport to Life by Emanuel Tanay. Contact me to obtain a copy.