Vacation is GOOD!

Kotor, Montenegro, hiking to the Shrine of Our Lady of Health

I can’t believe it’s been a week already since we returned from our holiday in Europe! We had an excellent time, as we always do. (This is our 15th year of taking 2 weeks and heading off to Europe during the summer.) Our trip was packed full of beauty, adventure, delicious food and drink, and friendly people as we traveled through Montenegro, Albania, and Corfu, Greece.

First stop was Kotor, Montenegro, a picturesque little town rain or shine – we know because we had both. Mostly the former, which turned out to be perfect for just easing into vacation mode and getting used to the idea that we don’t have to do anything but relax and enjoy ourselves. Fortunately, the day we decided to visit the old town, the sun came out – and we had this beautiful view. The hike up to the Shrine of Our Lady of Health was an impromptu inspiration with big payoffs.

One of my favorite moments was the last evening in Kotor, having dinner at Ombra Bar and Restaurant. It was raining and most of the tourists had left town with their bus or boat tours. We were the only two in this little cave-like place, with 3 servers, a couple of their friends and the owner’s beautiful 9 or 10 year old daughter, fresh out of her dance class. We enjoyed local Niksicko beer, and awesome hand-made garlic bread, Greek salad, arugula/ham/mushroom pizza for our meal. Something about the place was super relaxing…maybe we’d finally found our vacation groove, maybe it was the peacefulness of the evening with the rain gently falling outside, maybe it was the fun energy of the staff. Until they tried to put on the World Cup soccer match, we all had fun watching the monitor that shows what’s happening around back on the patio (so the servers know when they are needed). Mostly there was nothing but empty chairs and drizzle out there. At one point, though, a young couple stopped to kiss under one of the patio umbrellas. The girl’s smile and their laughter was precious when they discovered they were on camera.

Vacation is good, rain or shine. Kissing is good, in public or private.