Let the vacation begin!

Following the completion of my CELTA course at the end of July, my vacation time officially began! I decided to take advantage of the proximity of Czech Republic to Germany (right next door) and take a bus ride to visit my friend Annetta who I had met when the Logos Hope visited Trinidad 2 years ago. She and her husband live in Klinenberg, a small village 40 minutes drive away from Frankfurt. It was so nice to be able to spend time just reconnecting and sharing with each other. We also spent time doing sightseeing in the neighbourhood - the ancient architecture was really lovely to see. I also had the privilege of joining in worship by a river while some new converts identified publicly with the Lord in water baptism - it was so cool singing the German version of worship songs that I knew in English.

Traditional German architecture

Overlooking the vineyards

Spaghetti and meatballs ice cream!

From Germany, it was then on to London, England. This was the third time for the year that I was getting to spend time with my sister and her family and I loved it! My nephew is the sweetest baby - he really doesn't cry unless he is fighting a sleep. He is now on to solid foods and he loves his belly - we can't feed him fast enough :) Because of his nap schedule, we limited our sightseeing to places close to where she lives in Greenwich. It was nice to visit places that were so close that we had never been to before. And of course, there is no such thing as too much time spent with family. I also got to spend some time with friends from secondary school, and one from university who drove with her family for 5 hours one way just to see me :) When I first met these friends, I had no clue that, 20 years later, we would still be in touch.

Who would have thought the sun would work in London in August?

Friends and flowers

Tulip staircase in the Queen's House in Greenwich

My next stop was the United States of America. The first state I hit was New Jersey, where I was able to spend time with some cousins that I had not seen for the past three years. It is always amazing to me how much her children love me, seeing as my visits to them are so few and far in between, but there is connection there that is unmistakably real and strong. Even though the time was short, it was really enjoyable. They refused to let me take public transport to the bus stop in Manhattan when it was time for me to leave. Instead they piled up the whole family into the car and drove me there, waiting until I was almost ready to go before they left. The love is real I tell you!

The girls made me a welcome poster <3

Cuzzin love!!!!

It reach to de next generation :)

From New Jersey I journeyed to Baltimore where I got to spend time with my younger sister and her family. It was such fun to spend time with my nephews - now that they are older, there are so many activities I can do with them and places to take them that they can appreciate and enjoy. One of the highlights of this trip was being able to take them for a ride on their local subway - a treat that they do not normally enjoy because both their parents drive. The joy on their faces when we took the bus home after a morning downtown really made you appreciate the simple things that gladdens the heart of a child. They are both so intelligent and adorable and I wish they didn't live so far away so I could get to see more of them. My last stop before returning home was Miami, where I got to see, as her husband puts it, my friend, but she is so much more than just my friend. I truly treasure any time that I get to spend with her and her family.

We took a day trip to Washington

The shark obsession continues...

Heart sisters :)

I thank God that my vacation really didn't cost me anything much. I had to get back to Trinidad after my course was over anyway - I just took the scenic route home ;) God has strategically placed my friends and families in the places I had to pass through so I didn't have to worry about board or lodging and there was no shortage of love as I got to spend time with those I don't normally get in person. For me, it was not so much about the places that I got to go, but the people that I got to enjoy them with.

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.
Proverbs 17:17