Yesterday, it was time to put on our ruby slippers and return to our respective Kansases. Is that how you say Kansas in plural? How about Kansai, that's the name of a local sushi place here in North Vancouver. Cousin Lene is back in Denmark, SIL Ellen in Minnesota, and after three flights and 15 hours of flying I'm back home.
We've left our Slovakian Oz of three white tableclothed meals per day, a minimum of four daily spa services, and a fancy shmancy newly renovated palace of a hotel with helpful and friendly staff. You could never hope to do this in North America without winning the lottery. In Piestany, Slovakia, it's $81 Euro per night for everything, based on a double during the winter season. You can stay in other decent hotels/inns with the same services for under 60. A private room is not that much more. I haven't been home for a day and I'm figuring out how to save for the next time.
We met many people who had been there on a repetitive basis over many years. One man from Italy
had visited 120 times in 20 years. We each had our reason for wanting this trip, the aches and pains of aging, relief from injuries or chronic illness and escape from years of career challenges. We met two beautiful ladies in their early 80's pictured on the right - Lola and Sally, from New York - who had been there at least yearly for 35 years. They had by far the most compelling reason for seeking comfort from reality, being concentration camp survivors, having lost siblings and parents. They were so positive, of course not dwelling on that horrible part of their history, crediting their trips for making them better women and wives. I told them I'd be sure to let my husband know that.
It's catch up time, that's the price you pay for two weeks of high quality rest. I'll be writing lots more about the experience, but wanted to let you know I'm back in blogland, still high on luxury and the opportunity to spend time with two special in-laws. I realized that those two represent the best parts of my husband in the form of a woman. What a wonderful combination. Here we are, Ellen, Lene and me.
In case you were wondering, there was knitting content on this trip. Maybe we visited a country with a profound lack of yarn shops, but I was prepared for serious knitting work, packing along my blocking pins. Here is my Lead or Follow scarf blocking in Slovakia!
Welcome home! The scarf is beautiful - you have a way with them. :)
Posted by: Beth | February 23, 2007 at 05:33 PM
I'm so sorry that you had to come back down to reality, but glad that your trip was a success! Hope you'll be telling us more.
Posted by: Dorothy | February 23, 2007 at 06:03 PM
No! Not another gorgeous Lead or Follow! I am *not* seeing that, I am knitting a sock! Just stop it, Li. Seriously.
Posted by: Nadia Lewis | February 23, 2007 at 10:43 PM
Glad you're home safe and sound. You all look so relaxed and happy! Looking forward to reading more about your trip. And that is a killer scarf!
Posted by: Criquette | February 23, 2007 at 11:03 PM
Sounds like you had a wonderful time. I'm looking forward to the full report.
That's a beautiful scarf.
Posted by: Emma. | February 24, 2007 at 04:49 AM
Welcome back! Missed reading your posts :)
Posted by: nina | February 24, 2007 at 05:42 AM
Welcome back. Sounds like a fantastic experience!
Posted by: Maureen | February 24, 2007 at 08:10 AM
Being a lover of the spa thing, I have been just dying to see you back and to begin to hear about your wonderful trip! Welcome home, Li...my you look so youthful and refreshed!
Posted by: Lynne | February 24, 2007 at 03:02 PM
I'd like to get the gorgeous herringbone scarf pattern. Thanks!
-Amanda
Posted by: Amanda | February 24, 2007 at 04:06 PM
Li, I will have to check out that spa at some point in my future and take along some friends. I am going to Pebble Beach in June with Tony and possibly Munich in May. I can't wait to read more about your trip.
Posted by: Rosie | February 25, 2007 at 01:43 AM
Glad you had a relaxing time. It must be a wonderful place since people return there again and again.
Posted by: Kristen | February 25, 2007 at 11:56 AM
That sounds like a wonderful trip. Thanks for sharing some of your pics. Glad you got some down time and glad you are back:)
Ang
Posted by: angelarae | February 25, 2007 at 05:02 PM
Sounds like a wonderful trip. That's a beuatiful scarf.
Posted by: eyeleen | February 25, 2007 at 09:57 PM
So happy you had a relaxing trip. Lucky, lucky you!!!
I'll have to keep something like that in mind to do with my girls!
p.s. great scarf too.
Posted by: babette nardiello | February 26, 2007 at 02:38 AM