Confession time: I’ve been living a few days ahead of this blog. Today I fly Seattle-Copenhagen after a quick break at home.
Essentially empty nesters — Anne and I wait for phone calls from Andy (our 20-year old who is assisting on our family tours, Rome to Paris in 14 days), and try to imagine what Jackie (our 17-year-old) is up to in Morocco. She is on her high school summer travel program — in a Berber village with no cell phone, email, computer, or iPod. With only a note pad to collect thoughts, she knows she’s in for an African village culture shock that will change her self-described materialistic, suburban outlook and put things in perspective.
Sitting on our neighbor’s deck for a plush Puget Sound sunset, we marvel at the majesty of the birds and the massive container ships gliding out to sea, and settle into a fine and leisurely dinner. Our friends note from my blog that I am wild about Sagrantino wine. They have a bottle — which I never thought I’d see outside of Umbria — and we pop it open. I say we have so much to be thankful for…nature, our health, kids embracing the world, this wine…and then my cell phone rings. My dad has had a little stroke and is in an ambulance heading for the hospital.
After spending much of the night at the hospital we learn everything’s okay. The next day as I talk with my 40- and 50-something friends it’s clear — so many of us are both marveling at how “grown up and independent” our children are, and, simultaneously, how dependent our parents are becoming.
Apart from family activities and fun, my mid-trip break was filled with business — making sure our radio shows were taped and good for the rest of the summer (including two fascinating hours interviewing Lonely Planet founder Tony Wheeler), getting ducks in a row for the four TV shows we’ll be shooting next month, and meow, meow, meow (I went to a party where people said that rather than “and so on”).
Now I’m on a plane for Copenhagen, ready to resume my trip. The man next to me is snoring while somehow holding a glass of Bloody Mary mix in his hand on his lap. Should I take it away before he spills it, or not intervene?
Dear Mr. Steves, Best wishes for the second half of your summer research. I hope your father is doing well and makes a full recovery. Best, Lee
Rick; Thank you for doing the blog…it connects people in a very personal way to your travel and life philosophy. Best wishes for your dad’s recovery..my family has literally spent the last year with my dad in and out of hospitals, several surgeries..one he was not expected to live through. He is miraculously recovering finally. Your blog on Eastern Europe (where his and our ancestors originated) has inspired me to research the area and take a tour to explore our roots. With my daughter moving out this summer, I am finally starting to feel like an adult myself (never trust anyone over 30…or is it 50 now :<)?). Happy July 4th and keep on bloggin'!
Hello Rick! I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy this blog and your work in general (your best of europe book was a life saver!). I’m sure your daughter is having an eye opening experience in Morocco…I sure did! My cousin and I visited there in March, including a Berber village in the Atlas mountains which was probably the highlight of the trip.
Howdy! Hope your dad gets better soon. I’m looking forward to the rest of your trip, especially Germany.
Rick Hope your Dad is well and will recover quickly. Glad you had a break at home. As you say we all need a “vacation from our vacation”. Keep telling us great stories about your travels, your friends in Europe, and the cultural items that are absolutely fascinating. Enjoy the second half.
7-4-07 Sometimes we need to pause and be grateful for our blessings. Travel allows each person to compare how they live to the places visited. Generally, we see a brightness in the eyes of those who we visit, and realize that monetary considerations are not a foremost priority. Rick, have you ever, or would you indicate the airline(s) you choose? Thanks, Allen
Happy 4th of July!
We visited Denmark a couple of times, we found it to be a delightful country, but found people of both extremes, those who liked us and the US, and those who thought the US was the worst country in the world. We had a large “coffee table†book about the US that we had purchased in Vienna, but the young people in Copenhagen just could not believe the photographs were real. They said they had never been told that the US looked anything like that. The fact that the book was printed in the German language, in Vienna, gave it some validity in their mind. One man complained about the US, then bragged that he sent his two high-school aged daughters to the US to be educated. Another man complained about how we treat immigrants, then said, “But this is Denmark, we don’t want any immigrants.†Strange, but a beautiful country.
Sorry to hear about your dad. We met your parents when we were on your Turkey tour in 1993, and enjoyed spending time with them. Hope his recovery goes well. Bev
Happy 4th and a quick and full recovery to your Dad! We love your shows and your books, have been reading your books for almost 20 years! Cheers from Hayward CA.
Hi Rick- I just watched your show on T.V. and then checked out your blog. I just arrived back two days ago from Copenhagen. My husband and I went on a Baltic Cruise. When in Denmark we learned that there is no such thing as cheese danish. They only have custard danish and were offended that we asked for cheese! Anyway, I wanted to let you know that I lost my father in February and now my Mother, who has dementia, is in a home and it is not easy to go through this stage of our lives. So know that you are not alone. I have always enjoyed your show and envy all the places you get to travel. Keep it up for those of us with only a couple of weeks per years of vacation. It gives us a way to escape without being there in person. Thanks, Carlene
hi rick, i just found your blog after being a fan of your show on pbs for a year! as a traveler i enjoy your witty take on europe. all my best to your dad and family, tobi
Hi Rick, Just thought I’d add to the chorus of best wishes for your Dad. Keep up the good work.
Hi Rick, I hope your father’s health is improving. I recently discovered your blog and first, I greatly appreciate the pun in the title and second, it is a unique venue for your readers and fans to learn more about your work and life. Thanks for making this corner of the internet consistently fascinating! Happy travels for the second half of your summer. I look forward to the new editions of your books. Cheers, Angela from Oregon
i hope your dad is doing well. i lost my mom in feb. and being a nurse i know how it is. hope you and your family are doing well, you seem like family to me after so many years of shows and books. i think you have done more than anyone for the independent traveler. after a long hard day at work i often watch your dvds while relaxing. they are like home movies of places i’ve been and keep dreams alive of the places i hope to be. good luck and thanks lynne schaum
Hi Rick, I love reading your blog and feeling as if I’m still travelling. I just returned from a wonderful 26 days in Italia. My sister-in-law and I booked our own hotels online, based on your suggestions, and spent 9 days in Monterosso al Mare in the Cinque Terre and 8 days in Cortona. It was a terrific opportunity to experience 2 different types of small town living,Italian culture, and such beauty. Your suggestions for hotels,restaurants, and train-travel were excellent! We also enjoyed Pienza and Montepulciano. Thanks so much for your inspiration and expertise! I’m sending healing vibes to your father. Colleen
Rick – best wishes to your Dad for a speedy recovery! My daughter & I spent 4 nights each in Rome & Venice (Pensione Guerrato) in May, and your books were invaluable to us, as it was perhaps a once in a lifetime trip. I’ve enjoyed “arm-chair” traveling with you through the summer so far, and look forward to reading more. I also have your 70 show DVD set!
Rick – Just got back from 2 weeks in Italy with my husband and our two “kids” – ages 16 and 19. Saw your Italy book everywhere and used it for our accomodations and siteseeing – thanks for all you do to make it easier for us to travel. Hope your Dad is recovering well.
Hello, Rick. My wife, Vicki, and I just completed your “Small Village Italy” tour. It was our third with your organization. We marvel at the quality of our experiences and the efficient use of our time. Thank you for sharing your life of discovery through your books and your tours. Best wishes for your Dad’s speedy recovery.
Rick, thank you for your insightful, personal blog. Our thoughts and prayers go out to your father, you, and the rest of your family. Here’s to a full and complete recovery! I’m also excited to read your upcoming thoughts on Denmark (good, bad, whatever). We have some good Danish friends that are, sadly, moving back to Copenhagen after blessing us with their presence for over two years here in South Florida. I guess this part of your research will mean just a little bit more….. Thanks.
Hi Rick, Your last blog brought tears to my eyes. Life comes full circle and adds to our wisdom just when we thought we knew it all. I was pleased to hear that your dad is recovering. My Daughter Taree and I returned from Italy and Paris in May. We had a wonderful time thanks to all the help from your classes and books. I heard your name mentioned several times among travelers from all over the world. We found ourselves feeling like we were well cared for by you and your staff. Thank you!!! Claudia
Hi Rick, More best wishes for your Dad! The cycle of life is a turbulent one – the scary thing is to think that 30 years from now our kids will be saying how dependent we’ve become! (I find this thought helpful in maintaining patience and perspective.) Thanks for all your invaluable work. What I appreciate most about what you do is that you are opinionated. I traveled to Kauai recently with a guidebook and was frustrated by its blandness and lack of advice. p.s. I think I would intercept the Blood Mary Mix.
Since I attended your recent talk in Edmonds, it was a pleasure to see your wife, mom, and dad all in the audience and how gracious you were to introduce them. Mom raptly listened to her son’s humorous travel adventures while Dad took a little snooze, which I thought was very endearing. I’m sure he has the pleasure of hearing your stories told to him personally, so the fact that he attended your talk that day showed how much he loves you — even if he really wanted to take a nap! :) These are the things in life that are important and that we will remember. (Along with all those great travel stories we’ll be telling in the rest home!)
Well, I am glad someone went to Europe a long time ago as a pathfinder for the rest of us who want to travel to Europe someday. Next year I will go with my daughter to France for two weeks. April in Paris is a phase I’ve heard before and want to experience it. I certainly plan to use all the info you have on France. I plan to study French for the next nine months and plan to drive some in France, take the train, and maybe bike if I can persaude (sp!) my daughter to learn to ride a bike. I wish the best for your father. My father some years ago also had a stroke, recovered with a limp and carried on. I believe your father will do the same. Godspeed to you and your family. Mike
Hello Rick! I’m very sad to hear about your Dad, but I’m glad that you said his stroke was small and that he is recovering well. I hope the stroke didn’t effect his piano playing. My Mom used to be a piano professor, and I can’t even imagine her life without the piano. But life has to go on. I am glad you were home when he had his stroke. I’m sure he loved having you there in his time of need. Rick, you are wonderful! I hope to see you again in Edmonds next year. Music and travel, our interests we have in common. All the Best, Lisa P.
Rick, Just read your blog. Sorry to hear about your Dad–we know exactly what you mean, the kids are gone and now the parents need carrying for. We went from carpooling the kids to carpooling our parents. Remember 2003, when we traveled village Italy with your family?I can’t believe your kids have grown up so much. Say Hi to Anne for us. You sound very busy with your travels. Now that we are retired we are home in San Diego for the summer and will travel later in the year. Linda
Hi Rick, So sorry to hear about your father, here’s hoping his revocery is speedy! My husband and I and my best friend and her husband all went to Paris and London last year. We used your books extensively and actually cut and pasted them for our own daily itenerary. We had a fabulous time! We always watch your shows…love ’em and keep ’em coming!
Hi Rick! For the past six years since a friend who had just returned from Italy with his wife and mother-in-law loaned me his Italy guidebook, I’ve been hooked. When I said I was going to France, my brother from Kirkland gave me your French trilogy and phrase book. “Don’t leave home without it” has never been more true as your books have guided me through 8 Europe visits. As I read your poignant blog about your father, it reaffirmed what I have felt for some time: You relate to your audience through your honest impressions of life including your travel and your family. My college sons’ summer Europe trip last year, my dad’s health issues mirror your experiences with Andy and your dad. You expressed so eloquently my feelings about the Middle East situation and how our government is handling it (or NOT handling it). I applaud your candor. I’ll depend on them in September in my Eastern Europe travels. I’ve become a 50-year-old Rick Steves groupie! Godspeed!
Rick, My wife and I have been watching for as long as we can remember, and this entry reminded me of how long that has been! Your children are 20 and 17! I recall seeing them on your show as babies, sliding down a tube, being led through castles in strollers, carried in backpacks. As we send our daughter off to college, I see we have both grown together. We took your advice on a trip to Great Britain that we still fondly recall and follow your website often. Thanks for the company.