Visiting Europe

I have just returned from three weeks in Europe: two in Finland and one in Paris.   What a lovely trip it was!  Seeing family in good health was a relief, seeing Helsinki progress into an international hub of culture with its soul still intact, and experiencing Lapland in its beauty and solitude was truly rewarding.

We drove across the whole country, swam in the lakes, shopped in the local markets, and marveled at the midnight sun in the north.  Sauna was always at the center of social life.  No meeting of friends takes place without sitting in the heat of the sauna at some point.

In Lapland the reindeer wandered across the road several times and we had to keep one foot on the brake just in case.  While walking in the woods several lemmings crossed our path.  They are the cutest little creatures with hamster shape and size but colored like a calico cat.  They say this is the year of the lemming.  Thousands begin their migration as I write.  Mosquitos were scarce this year - lucky us!

We also drove into Norway through Kilpisjarvi just a day or two after the horrible tragedy in Oslo.  We visited Skibotn and Nordkjosbotn, two tiny towns in the north.  We did not notice anything unusual except that there was a moment of silence at noon.  The horror of the recent events had not sunk in yet.  (I don't know if it ever will.)

Our last week was reserved for Paris!  A city so full of life and wonder it is difficult to put it into words!  Versailles, Louvre, Arc de Triomphe, Sainte-Chapelle, Musee d'Orsay, Eiffel, Seine, Latin Quarter...  And we just scratched the surface.  Paris is so big and full of history it's mind-boggling.  And all those locks on the bridges across the Seine!

Although I felt like I could have stayed in Europe, returning to Seattle was sweet: own bed, our little dogs, an efficient clothes dryer, my iPhone (did not want to turn it on in Europe except in free wifi spots).

Someone told me that I am a gentler person in Europe than in the States.  Made me think about the way of life here: hectic, competitive, non-trusting.  How can I preserve the gentleness and trust without being exploited?
I must try.