Trip home Overview

There are some trips that are simply a way of getting from point A to point B, there are others that seem to be life changing experiences at the time, but turn out to be a simple collection of memories as time passes, then there are the truly life changing, the trips that have a paradigm shift in which you learn things about the world and most importantly, yourself. I firmly believe (and hope) that I am in the midst of one of these life changing trips. I am currently making my way across Norway on what can only be described as a breathtakingly beautiful trip… which of course means that you are free to ask why I am on my laptop rather than looking out the window. The places that I have experienced on my trip home have been fantastic, places that I already wish I was back in. The itinerary for the trip was such that I got just a taste of many different places, rather than the chance to really explore the inner workings of any one city. This has made for a frenetic pace, the feeling that I am constantly on the move. That part I am ready to be done with…but the places that I have been to, I can never be done with those.

Moscow was incredible, and very unexpected, like nothing I had ever imagined Moscow to be. It was a perfect transition between Beijing and Europe. Still slightly stuck in the communist era, but a big modern, bustling city firmly headed towards taking it place as a major European capital rather than the head of the Eastern Bloc.

St Petersburg stepped a bit closer to feeling like a European city, full of 18th century architecture, overwhelming museums, expansive palaces, historical sights and everything else that you would hope to find in European Capitals. The weather was hit or miss in St Petersburg, but that did little to take away from the splendor of this former Russian capital. It felt like I was in Amsterdam (the city St. Petersburg was modeled on) or Paris (the good parts). With just two days here, I had barely enough time to scratch the surface, making a cursory run through the Hermitage collection, a visit to Peterhof and a cathedral or two. There was so much here that I still want to see that a trip back is inevitable.

Helsinki was spectacular is a completely underwhelming way. It was calm, quiet, beautiful, and underwhelming. This is the only city where I felt like I did everything that I wanted to. Helsinki is a place that I could see myself living in, but I am not sure if I ever need to vacation there again. The people were outstandingly friendly and helpful which made my stay a complete joy. The food was excellent (though pricey), and the weather was good. It was a good midpoint for the trip, a rest before experiencing the rest of Scandinavia.

Stockholm has been my favorite stop so far. This is a wonderful city, full of history, beautiful architecture, water everywhere, good food and great museums. I could have spent another two or three weeks in Stockholm, there was way too much to do in the two days I had there. The best museum of the trip was found here, the Nobel Museum, which celebrates the achievements and lives of the Nobel laureates. The one downside of Stockholm, or for that matter all of the places I have been, was that they are not cheap places, you pay for the great weather, friendly English speaking people, clean cities and great infrastructure. That said, Stockholm is a must visit for everyone.

Oslo was the most recent place where I rested my head, and another great place. Oslo had a more industrial, big city feel to it than the other Scandinavian capitals, there was a certain charm to this. The museums here were excellent, showcasing Norway’s maritime history and unique place in the history of Europe, playing the role of neither power nor pawn, instead taking a place as intermediary, at times asserting their views into the shaping of European and World history.

The Capitals (and former Capitals) I have so far visited are now being left behind, for the more tranquil Norwegian interior and coastline. Bergen, the gateway to the Fjords awaits, sure to be even more impressive than anything I have experienced yet. After that, it is homeward bound, a time to return to the States after 6 months away. I am at a loss that it has only been 6 months, there are times whne it feels like much, much longer than that, but also times when it feels like there is no way that it has been that long. This trip and time away from home has taught me a lot, about the world and myself. The lessons learned in these last 6 months are bound to shape the decisions and experiences of the remainder of my life. I am thankful of the opportunities that I have had, the support that has been given to me in order to live through the experiences I have had.