Of where've I've been and what I've seen.
Tall buildings, big cities,
Cultures different from my own.
History, Modernity,
Foreign languages galore.
I've feasted my eyes
On sites straight from postcards.
History books come alive
With much new meaning and grandeur.
Ancient buildings,
Huge cathedrals, local shops and markets.
So many paintings -
Art that will take your breath away.
Rivers and bridges,Quaint towns and tourist centers.
And I have tasted
What brings these people life.
Whether in restaurants,
Grocery stores, or someone's home,
I have been humbled
By heart-felt service and exquisite tastes.
Paella and sausages
One from Spain and the other in Germany.
Gelato, wine,
And the best pizzas in Italy.
Home-cooked specialties
Baked with excitement, and a joy to share.
These too I have smelled
My mind storing and memorizing the scents.
Freshly baked bread,
Waffle cones, and meat sizzling on the grill.
Country and city smells,
Cows, rivers, fields, and forests.
An old manor house,
A used book, or a fresh garden.
Air thick with pollution,
Hot dusty roads, and cool summer rain.
And now we listen -
To everything from roosters to children laughing.
Honking horns, tires screeching,
People talking, cheering, yelling, and crying.
American pop music
Playing in clubs and restaurants alike.
Pushy street vendors
Selling knock off purses, sunglasses, or laser pointers.
So many languages
With unique accents, dialects, and sayings.
And lastly comes touch
As we journey through the lands of Europe
I've held train tickets,
Bus passes, metro cards, and flight confirmations.
Maps and a camera -
Fitting into the tourist stereotype.
Shaking hands, giving hugs
Meeting new friends and reuniting with old ones.
Blisters from garden tools,A hot mug of tea, soft blanket, and a book.
My feet have stepped
On ground once walked by Romans.
And now I've returned -
Sitting on my back porch in Colorado.
Birds chirping happily,
The sun just peaking up through the trees.
With tea in hand,
A piece of toast, and my journal.
Ready for new adventures -
A continuing exploration, a never-ending journey.
