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Published: March 26th 2008
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Stockholm
A view across the water way. Well kids, I hate to say it but the "Around the World Trip" has officially come to a close. Tis sad but true. Several weeks ago I embarked on what was to be my last harrah and admittedly it was an ambitious one, even for this well seasoned traveller! In 14 days I covered 4 continents, spent a total of 50 hours in there air and according to the bags under my eyes slept no more than 10 hours in total throughout the trip.
First stop was Bangkok to meet my nephew Sebastian. He is absolutely adorable as one would expect an Enright to be! Unfortunately he did not get the memo that Auntie Tracy was coming to visit and he should therefore be on his best behavior. I got 48 hours of one very unhappy 2 month-old but I was assured it was the result of an allergy to his formula and not because he was scared of the strange lady with blond hair and blue eyes. It wouldn't surprise me as this child has more Thai women swarming around him than a rich Russian man in Patpong (if you don't get the joke, don't feel bad. If you
Cheeky Baby
At a mere 2 months old he's already got us all wrapped around those little fingers! do, I hope you enjoyed your trip to Bangkok). A nanny, 2 maids, mommy, grandma and usually a few extras that have stopped by to coo at him for a while...that's the Asian way! But in all honesty he is a gorgeous little bundle and last I checked still had blue eyes so there is some hope for the everlasting Enright gene to carry on!
I kissed Sebastian goodbye and hopped yet another long haul flight to Stockholm. I had threatened to get to this seemingly gorgeous city for years and figured if a trip around the world didn't warrant the stop nothing would. My close friend Diala whom I had studied with in Kyoto 7 years previously was ready and willing to put me up and let me say that was a blessing because if there's one thing I can say about Stockholm it's that it is PRICEY! And that's coming from a girl who lives in a city that doesn't seem to offer a decent main course for less than $30. But apparently there is expensive and then there is Scandinavia. Diala actually has an apartment in the city which is a feat in and of itself.
She was on a waiting list for 9 years before getting her place and even then it was considered a major victory! All housing is government subsidized and seemingly always in high demand. Other than being very pricey, Stockholm is gorgeous. I was a little concerned about my decision to go to this city in the end of February as it's not exactly the warmest month of the year. That said I hit the jackpot and got 72 hours of blue skies and stunning views across the river. Admittedly it has been far too long since visiting any location in Europe and I forgot just how amazing the architecture and cities are in that part of the world. A highlight was visiting Stockholm's City Hall which hosts the Nobel Banquet for the Peace Prize recipients. Although a newer building compared to those that surround it, it was built to appear of a different era and the adornments are impressive to say the least. I'll be sure to provide a more detailed account when I am called to accept my own Nobel! Sadly, my stay in Stockholm closed with a vicious case of food poisoning which thankfully ended before I had
Stadshuset
A view of City Hall at dusk. to board yet another long flight.
New York was to be my next stop but I figured since I had to fly over the UK anyway I might as well stop and have lunch with a friend. I got a few laughs from immigration when I explained I was just going to get a baked potato in town and would be back for the sequel in a few hours. My friend Faye had recently moved back to London after a 3 year stint in NYC and she was kind enough to meet me at Heathrow and ride the train into the city for a bite to eat. Without a doubt that was the shortest "out of airport" international visit I have ever made and miraculously the clouds even parted for me offering a rare blue skied day in the famously gloomy city. I jetted back to Heathrow and after going through six different security checkpoints and taking my shoes off about 12 times I finally boarded my flight back to New York.
After three 8+ hour flights in only 7 days I was relieved to be staying in NYC for a week. Since most of you reading this
actually saw me in New York I will spare everyone from the nitty gritty details of the trip but suffice it to say I basically ate and drank my way through the city...and with little effort, I got everyone else to do the same with me, including my best friend, Julia, who surprised me by flying in from San Fran. Unfortunately the lovely weather I had in Bangkok, Stockholm and London did not follow me to NYC. I don't know if my blood has just thinned being in Oz or what but it was freeeezing there. Moreover, I sadly had to admit I was no longer a "New Yorker" when i failed to elbow and curse my fellow pedestrians when trying to navigate a crowded 7th Avenue. Ahhh, the end of era. While I may not be a resident I will never cease to love the city that taught me so many important things:
(1) There is nothing a glass of wine cannot fix (okay, more likely a bottle or two but i was trying to sound responsible)
(2) There is no distance that cannot be covered in 3" heels. If Carrie Bradshaw can do it, so can every other
NYC girl and we all have the stress fractures to prove it!
(3) It is worth it to ensure your dry cleaner, shoemaker, nail technician and coffee guy all become your best friends, you never know when you will need to call on them in an emergency.
(4) Be weary of those who don't have a therapist, they're in denial. Beware of those who have multiple therapists, they're in denial.
(5) It's okay that you know your local bartender's middle name, birthday, favorite color and greatest fear...it will help facilitate a free #1.
Alas a farewell was in order and with the help of good food, good booze and great friends it was a memorable one. Thank you to all that helped make it so special.
I barely landed back on Australian soil before hopping another flight down to Melbourne and being treated to not one, not two, but three Pugh men and a weekend of car racing at the Australian Grand Prix. Now, like many of you I had my doubts as to the intrigue of watching a bunch of testosterone-filled "boys" see just how fast they could drive round and round a slab of pavement. Doubts
be gone. Although I didn't become a flag toting, bikini sporting fan alla Nascar style, I did keep my eyes glued to the track as the Formula 1 cars came zooming by and admittedly excitedly waited for the next crash - of which there were many. You won't find me anxiously seeking out the Grand Prix on TV, but you will definitely see me at future races!
So, I suppose this is goodbye until I have some other exciting adventures to share with you all. Thank you to everyone who has diligently read each of my entries and a double thanks to those that send little notes in response. It gets a little lonely here on the other side of the world! Believe it or not I am back to Phuket next week to see the whole family but this time it's only because I have to leave the country to change over my visa. Damn that immigration...i hate when they force me to take a holiday in a tropical location! Hugs and Kisses to you all.
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