Coming Home

So my contract is almost at an end now. One more cruise to go when we get to Amsterdam. I have to say that this trip definitely met and exceeded my expectations. I got to see a part of the world that not so many people get to see (Scandinavia, Russia, etc..). I got to do many free excursions in the many palaces, museums. The Hermitage in St-Petersburg is the most luxurious palace/art gallery I've ever set eyes on. But most importantly, I became good friends with my band mates and the other musicians on the ship. We had many laughs, playing cards, watching movies, bowling in Lithuania, eating pizza at midnight up in the guest area (when our dinner meals in the mess didn't satisfy), playing Scrabble (Sam still holds the championship title), and lets not forget drinking some beer together and venting on how bad guest entertainers can be--speaking of which, the singer last night (I won't mention his name), not only had a terrible voice, he also fell off the stage! No worries, he's ok. I just hope he takes that as a sign that he doesn't belong on the stage.

I'm happy I took many pictures this time, over 300, plus a few videos to make things more real. So I can't wait to come home and show everyone. I'll be back in officially 2 weeks from now. Time does fly on a ship.

If there is any lesson I've learned while in Europe is that the world isn't so different no matter where you are. Although architecture, languages, social systems may differ, people are people. You get the same joys and sorrows over seas. So in the end, there really is no place like home. I've learned the true meaning of what home is all about. All the treasures are there already, we just take them for granted. At the end of the day, I'll be happy with a house of my own, enjoying a satisfying steak meal with some wine with someone I love, and a job I enjoy doing. That means more than seeing all of Europe or any other part of the world.