Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
I purge fairly regularly, which means memory prompts are important to me. As someone who moved households so many times I lost count, cutting down on whatever became a habit. It usually happens in spring and fall, but sometimes the in-between strikes and the donation and garbage bags come out.
This photo is full of memories of trips taken, experiences had, history explored. Some I’ve already blogged about. Some were before this site went live. Trinkets I’ve kept to prompt the memory. But why keep the tidbits when a photo will do the same thing? Purge.
Memory Prompts & Purge the Old to Let in the New
David at The Galleria dell’Accademia. If you go to Florence and don’t pre-arrange to see David … well, I have no words. He left me spellbound.
The Van Gogh, Hermitage, Dutch Resistance Museums in Amsterdam. A return trip is in my future because I need to experience them again and find the ones I missed.
Madrid’s Prado Museum and seeing an original Hieronymus Bosch painting. (Feeding my love of Harry Bosch, thank you Michael Connelly.) KitchenStories restaurant (Hemingway Never Ate Here) gave me a love of Paella—even though it arrived with intact shrimp. Yech.
La Cave au Cassoulet tucked downstairs in a Lyon grotto. Feeling warm, watching the kitchen staff, leaving with happy taste buds.
Churches scattered throughout Italy. Climbing to the Santuario Nostra Signora di Soviore above Monterosso. Discovering it at that moment when you need to refill your water and use the facilities. Leaving a contribution because the water was free to hikers. Your Cinque Terre trek from Monterosso up and over and down to Vernazza was invigorating, but burnt your calories.
New Orleans and the National WWII Museum shortly after it opened. Wanting to go again to witness the expansions and learn additional stories. Wandering through the Louisiana State Museum: the 1850 House. A mere glimpse of what life was like—for certain folks—back then.
My Glenaran wool scarf from Ireland. Waylaid by a defective plane from Zurich, we were overnighted in Shannon. One more place I want to return to and see more of the area.
I’ve been to Siena twice, but never for the Il Palio. Wouldn’t that race be incredible to see first hand? Siena captures your heart with its history and culture. And yes, eating food that’s been traditionally eaten in the region for generations and drink wine that local families produce.
Purging Life-Stresses with Memory Prompts
Standing in Parma’s 1197 Battiserio: This is why packing lightly, surviving airports, and eight-hour flights are worth it. It’s why I don’t care if I ordered squid or salad. The experience of walking on ancient stone, marveling at a building that’s been standing for centuries. We see what’s been seen for eons and let our minds be boggled.
Americans have short memories when it comes to history. But visit Italy, Wales, Germany, France … and history is not in the past; it’s everywhere. Buildings fifty years old in Pittsburgh are torn down and replaced with ugly, modern construction. Throughout much of Europe, structures are repurposed. This was once a castle and now houses a hand-tooled leather store. Once produce cheese? Now it sells wine. Office buildings have open windows. There’s a busy park in the middle of a business center. There is time, always time for a hello and a kind word. Timelessness surrounds us and the reminder to live in this moment to purge the negative. To hang on to the memory prompts of the positive.
When You Go
Open your mind to the new. Don’t expect a 12 oz cup of American coffee. Get a 3 oz cappuccino and taste like you’ve never had coffee before.
Getting There
Don’t hesitate to use local transportation. Can I tell you how many times locals have explained how to buy a train or metro ticket? In Amsterdam, a fellow even bought one for me!
Hours
Dining hours are not American’s 24/7. Check with the concierge or with a local shop owner for the best place and right times to dine.
Tips
Tipping in Europe is far different from America. In many countries, being a wait person is considered—rightly so—a profession and is treated as such. Read before you go.
Tours
I’m not big on large group tours. There are delightful one-on-one tours to be had, so seek them out and enjoy!
Food is a memory prompt for me. I remember the pizza in an outdoor cafe near the Coliseum in Rome, the gyoza in a Chinese restaurant in Yokohama, Japan, the beef bourguignon in a cafe in Les Andelys, France, the baguette at the Shoba Park Hotel in Tokyo,and so many others.
Those are wonderful memories, Ken. And remind me to keep catching up on your posts. Japan!
In the past few years I have discovered my love of camping. We were finally able to get our little dream camper. And I mean little! So much fun to take out and we don’t even go far! There is so much to see right here in our area of Montana!
There is so much to see in the big wide open of MT!