​Weathering the Storm with the WP #166

I know when I wrote last it was greetings from Lithuania, and that was true, but I am back in the states and just returned Monday from my week there and now, my last round-trip European trip for the foreseeable future. Not that I won’t be traveling; I will be. Of course, I will be leaving again for a quick domestic trip or two, but what was different about this recent trip was it was the last round-trip to Europe, given in 5 weeks’ time, from today, I will be doing my one-way trip to Europe. It is that close now and I can feel it, but there is so much still to do on this side of the pond. ​

My time in the Baltic States was wonderful, well, mostly because I did get a stomach virus or a 24-hour bug, but it happened the night before I was to participate in a morning hot air balloon ride, but better safe than sorry and now I am back to health. The meetings I had and the conference I believe will be fruitful and for being in a destination so close to the front line of one of today’s geo-political, the people in these countries do not reflect an outward fear of being next door to the big bad bear. The people go about their lives and seem to enjoy it. I saw this in all three of the Baltic States. These are countries that look forward to the future, have a modern infrastructure, but at the same time, appreciate their three distinct cultures and histories. ​

I wish I had a chance to do the balloon ride, over Trakai, but having been there before, about 8 years ago, and recalled walking around the castle area. It would have been amazing to see it from a different perspective, from the air. I do recommend, regardless, that it be a place to visit as part of your time in Lithuania and it is only an hour out of Vilnius, if that. The old towns of the capital cities, in this case, Vilnius and Tallinn were impressive, more so, Tallinn, as I had to reflect some 25 years, since I was there last, post-Soviet era. As everyone, I wish I had had more time to explore, but we hit the highlights and while we did not spend time in Latvia’s capital, only flew out of the airport to get to Tallinn, I had been there before in the same trip, some 8 years ago, on the same trip to Lithuania.  ​

The other place we visited over the course of these several days in the Baltics after my conference and trade show, was Tartu, Estonia which was a new place for me. It is a beautiful university town about 2 hours, give or take from the Russian border and a two-hour drive from Tallinn. It is a vibrant city and seems to be a younger city, because of its large student population. Its old town is also wonderful to stroll in and lots of green with its parks and river that runs through it. The best meal I had, after my system finally seemed better was a simple mushroom cream soup with wild picked mushrooms from the region and an amazing pork chop, pan fried potatoes and a cream sauce, which also had mushrooms, but since the chop was so good, with a tomahawk bone out presentation, it was so good without anything. Just the chop and it was huge. Sometimes the simplest things in life are the best, and this one was, and not dried out. ​

In the end, I met some wonderful people, explored some amazing places, and look forward to planning your adventures to these unique countries with so much to offer, including a natural history, cultures, uniquely different and friendly people wanting to share their homes. Something to consider, even in these crazy times. The distances are relatively short, and a high-speed rail system is being built to connect to the countries. The roads are fine though, and I would be fine driving there. And if you do not want to drive, you can get between the cities by airplane in less than 2 hours, depending on where to where with Air Baltic and the yes, the Wandering Puffin is here to arrange that next adventure and prepared to provide you with the best experiences now and into the future. ​

Now, back here in the states, the countdown does continue to that last departure date from the US and there is so much to do, but I feel much more confident that everything will fall into place. I simply need to keep plugging away, with the downsizing, making sure all paperwork is in place and making sure the balance is there with all the trips being planned and arranged for my valued clients and that driving force. The thing that, as you all know, keeps me going, is my wife across the pond. Yes, we had a chance to speak almost every day, while I was in eastern Europe, an hour later that she is in Rome (or ahead, as some of you like to say), but back here, the time difference is back to 6 hours. It won’t be long though, when I can be with Rosa again, in person and for the rest of our lives. Still so much to do for both of us on both sides of the pond, and they will get done. The departure date is set in stone, and I will be on that plane on that day, ready or not, but I will be ready. 
As always, I hope you have enjoyed my offerings each week and appreciate that you have read my blog posts and look forward to continuing with sharing. As always, thank you so much for your support of Rosa’s and my little world now that they have been merged into one. We truly appreciate your support and congratulations. Stay safe, healthy, and most importantly happy, and as always, your shared comments and thoughts are most welcome!!!