Ready to go home

I'm ready to go home now.

I've spent nearly two months in Europe now and wow I miss the United States. I miss being around my friends. I miss my dog. I miss having a routine. I miss my car. I miss Mexican food and In-n-Out. I miss working on things. I miss playing music. I miss the beach.

Even though I've learned a ton about the culture and history of all the different places I've visited, I haven't been exercising my brain as much as I would have been back at home. I don't have the general sense of urgency to succeed/improve in Europe that I feel in the States. I miss that feeling.

I'm flying out of Rome on November 6, so until then I'll probably chill around town enjoying a slower paced life.

This long vacation has given me a couple of things that I want to explore when I get back to the states.

I developed an actual taste for art. Before this trip, I had never looked at a piece of art and felt something. The Museo del Prado in Madrid changed that; specifically the work of Francisco Goya. It felt like his seasons paintings flipped a switch in me; now I want to see all the greatest masterpieces in the world.

I've been going around to the different art museums in each city I visit; I wish I could go back to some of them again just to get another glance at my favorites. I mainly like paintings; the other mediums just don't do it for me. I have yet to develop a taste for abstract art - I guess I just don't get it (yet).

I think I'll do another blog post on some of my favorite pieces that I've seen on this trip.

Anyways, I'm looking forward to going back to the States.