I felt a bit of anxiety the month leading up to Jeanie's arrival in Norway. She was spending quite a bit of money, flying all the way from Western Canada and using her much-needed and appreciated Easter vacation to visit us and none of that was lost on me. I wanted her to really enjoy the trip and Norway and that led to a little bit of pressure to make sure the experience was a good one.
Stavanger is a small city and I was concerned that we might find ourselves bored. We planned 4 days away North of Stavanger over Easter, arranged a second car to allow us freedom to head out of the city during the week while Joe was at work and I started a list of possible activities and day trips that I thought we might enjoy. Even so, I worried that it might not be enough for my well-travelled friend.
Funny enough, we weren't bored at all. We visited museums, wandered the cobblestone streets downtown, chatted over lattes and chocolate, ate dinners out and cooked at home, browsed the shops and spent many hours on my terrace reading and talking. In fact, we never once used the second car because we were easily occupied with what was accessible without it and looking back on the list I had prepared in advance, we hardly even touched on all that we could do in the Stavanger region. In the end, it was a lesson learned; one doesn't need a big city to find interesting cultural experiences and activities for tourists.
Jeanie departed on Saturday and it's back to regular life for Joe and I. I was a little sad to say goodbye to my friend but after having met on 3 different continents, it's got me thinking... where to next?
So glad you got a visitor!
ReplyDeleteJeanie totally looks like Elizabeth Reaser, and you both look fabulous in that photo!
I always feel anxiety like this when a visitor is coming! But it sounds like you girls had a lovely trip :)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you guys had a good visit and you got to show someone around your home!
ReplyDeleteIt was so great Casey - like no time had passed at all!
DeleteSuch a great picture, Jay! It's exciting that the two of you have met up in three different continents already - I'm sure that's something most friends never get to experience together and must be so amazing! :)
ReplyDeletexx
Melanie
Thank you Melanie! It is pretty cool to have met in different locations but generally just thankful to be able to catch up in person!
DeleteIt's always so nice to get a friend from home visit isn't it? I had 4 of my good friends visit last year and I loved it. I get the same anxiety when people visit me but for the opposite reason. Since there is so much to do here I often feel overwhelmed with choices of where I will take people so they get a good flavour of the different areas.
ReplyDeleteI can definitely see that - I suppose in the end, we just want them to have the best experience possible!
DeleteI'm sure you were a delightful hostess =) Friendships are such blessings aren't they?!
ReplyDeleteThey sure are!
Delete(PS One of my best friends is named Katie H - I was a bit confused this morning!)
It's so important and so true to realise that with our best friends we don't have to do anything but be together and the time will simply fly away. When I went to Parma a few weeks ago, the friends I visited didn't plan anything special because I essentially gate-crashed their busy lives, but we were never short of something to do.
ReplyDeleteInteresting that you posted this just as I finished a post about what friendship means to me!: http://thulefiona.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/14-little-miss-vulnerability.html if you're interested.
xxx
Fiona
Thanks for the link Fiona :-)
DeleteIt was a completely perfect trip! The weather was great, the conversation was titillating and the lattes expensive :-). I mostly appreciated the time to talk about everything under the sun, to giggle like school girls (with Joe looking at us like we had lost it) and to relax on your balcony with kindle in hand. So fun, I can't wait to do it again...and as you said...where will it be?
ReplyDeleteSo happy to hear you had such a good time! I hear the weather turned it on too
ReplyDeletei definitely understand that feeling! can't even tell you how many late late nights and countless hours i spent planning my friends trip here.... i'm so sad they left . glad you guys had a great time!
ReplyDeletehow great that your friend was able to come visit! it sure helps with the home sickness! i have had the same feeling with my parents visit. they are fine even just hanging around home while we are working but i still wish that we were ale to see and do more on their trip! so good to hear that you and your friend had a great time!
ReplyDeleteSo nice to have visitors!! I often feel the same trepidation/anxiety when it comes to my loved ones visiting -- I always feel the pressure to make sure that they enjoy themselves thoroughly! Most of the time, however, my guests aren't demanding at all and it's just me worrying for nothing. Let me know when you're in London next! :-)
ReplyDeleteThat is so awesome that you guys have met on three different continents!! It sounds like a dream to be exploring museums and wandering around cobblestone streets!
ReplyDeleteoh yay! it's so easy and lovely to relax into your new life with an old friend - I'm thrilled you had a great time :)
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