This morning, I mentioned to someone that there is a surreality to think we have been home for a mere four days. So much activity has happened in such a short time. It’s all good, just quite a lot.

I don’t know about others, but there is always an adjustment period for me. Trying to get back into a routine, finding the rhythm of sleep, eat, socializing, exercising, along with work, hobbies, at the like can take a bit of time. One would think that the more one travels and returns home, the easier it would be. Yet, it really doesn’t.

We are currently in discussion about taking a year traveling. Of course, neither of us would actually stop working since we can do what we do from anywhere, but the idea would be that it would be a lot less with more focus on free time, relaxing, and such. While I do love this idea, I also consider the practicalities of–life in a suitcase, jumping from one place to another (even if it is month to month), and not really having a home-base until we actually return. Plus, there’s the house. Other people would be living in it as if it were their home….

This is, perhaps, the biggest challenge for both of us.

Over the years, we have had house/petsitters. Just about everyone has been great. Each have had little quirks, but all have left the house in reasonable condition. Friends have stayed while we were gone with the same result. Still, no matter what, when I get back, it takes me a few hours of angst to feel like I’m back in my own space. 

Inevitably, someone will move something. Or, they will use something I might have preferred they hadn’t. Or, they will forget to do this or that despite writing out a pretty thorough and clear document. None of it is ever red-flag inducing, yet all of it unnerves me. The unfortunate reality is that people do not live in spaces, even my own, like I do. I know, shock, horror! 😉 

So, the question is, is it worth the angst or should we shut the house up completely, or…? I am leaning towards the third option–yet to be presented.

Fortunately, we do not have any current plans to go anywhere for any length of time. We have a couple of short weekend hops on the calendar, but other than a possible visit for me to the US again, nothing is decided. Therefore, we have time to get ourselves resettled into our various activities.

Before I end this post, here’s a quick summary of our final week in Barcelona and where we are at with our “research”. We fit in a viewing of The Odyssey at the Phenomenal Cinema, which took us back to the days of going to the movies without assigned seats and limited snack bar items. We even waited in line for almost an hour to ensure we had a good view–and it was worth the wait. Then, we saw a flamenco show, which has always been a good time. The rest of the time was spent enjoying tapas and the conveniences of city life.

In terms of our “research”, we have mostly agreed that it’ll probably be London, if we buy a place. I know…that wasn’t one of our two cities, but it has always been at the top of my list. Since I love visiting, family can get there easily, and well, happy wife…we determined that because we require different things from being in a city, this would likely make the most sense. In the meantime, we are going to continue just visiting a city here and there, either together or separately depending on needs, moods, and time. 

Eventually, we would also like a lovely apartment on the southern coast of France; perhaps in Nice or nearby because we both love being near the sea and spending time next to it.

So, that’s the sum up!

Until next time,

~T 🔥🐉♋️