Sitting here in a new home base in Lisbon, in beautiful weather, I have unfortunately managed to hit a very unexpected and (for the moment) massive wall of traveler's blues - a road-weary feeling that hasn't occurred since a few dark and wet nights in Amsterdam last fall.
As such, some reflections seem necessary on what makes up the good life - ideas and items which I've either learned or had reinforced in the past year. I'll leave out the obvious (family, friends, charity) and the intimate.
Consume:
- fish
- stroopwafels
- (but stay away from fish-flavoured stroopwafels)
- wine
- Guinness
- real tea
- garlic
- Spanish coffee
- ginger
- pizza
- fennel
- less vitamins
Hang out with:
- dogs
Live near:
- beaches
- cities that have a Time Out magazine devoted to them (there are 56 of them)
Get on:
- a bike
- Skype
- a train
Make:
- more time
- less excuses
- an effort
- more meals with your partner
Visit:
- one new place per year, minimum
- old relatives
- neighbourhood shop owners
- urban parks
Watch:
- less reality TV
- The Daily Show
- gas prices less
See:
- Cirque du Soleil
- live music
Do:
- stay up till 5am very occasionally
- less texting
- more calling
- take pictures of your current hometown
- comment on your favourite blogs (the authors like hearing from you)
- learn other languages
Listen to:
- Thievery Corporation
- U2 (pre-mid-90s)
- Marvin Gaye
- iTunes Radio
Read:
- Alain de Botton's books
- www.theonion.com
- www.guardian.co.uk
- a book about your favorite city
- your Sunday paper
- www.mcsweeneys.net/links/lists
11 comments:
Great list Jeff. Here are a few of my favourite things:
- making soup from scratch (yes including the broth)
- making pizza (also from scratch including crust and sauce, ideally as you drink wine and listen to music - this should be shared with friends but solo is also pretty awesome)
- bubble baths (ideally also shared with others but great solo)
- running by the water (preferably the ocean where wildlife sightings are common)
- fresh flowers
- talking to someone elderly, preferably Italian, who works in a deli (always a good time)
- art house movies on a dreary day
- walking in the rain and not caring if you get wet
- sitting on top of a mountain summit
- swimming in the ocean
Is that a shot down your street? Looking forward to seeing more photos of your pad. Best of luck settling in.
Ric
Stroopwafels are great, but I would say "gevulde speculaas" is the thing to go for.
Only available in The Netherlands and the Dutch Antilles and not the whole year around. It will be in the super markets about now, just in time for the winter blues starting around now with the shorter days.
Ed.
Hey Ric - that is indeed a shot down my street; from my bedroom window/writing desk.
Ed - I LOVE that stuff... like a lead weight in the gut though.
I love this blog post! Thank you...
Can you get up on the roof where you live? I have never been to Portugal and often been intrigued by it. Would love to see more shots of the city.
those not-since-the-dark-and-wet-nights-in-Amsterdam blues, may I recommend Victor Frankl's 'Man's Search For Meaning'
Sometimes we wait and bear the wait, and that is our task.
David - thanks so much for the recommendation and the sage words. It really is appreciated. As for shots of the city - A) yes, I can get on the roof and B) there will be lots of pictures forthcoming. Best, Jeff.
Jeff,
hope your traveler's blues are lifting. I'd certainly agree with the listen to live music part, though my tastes differ from yours. real tea is always helpful, too. looking forward to hearing more about your time in Lisbon.
Jeff, I love your Blog Post--very inspiring. BTW can you introduce me to Melissa?? I think I like her list even more:)
Whits
Careful Whitty - she's in Vancouver as well...
Kerry - thanks for that. More to come from this city for sure, although it may be relatively short-lived.
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