Ah, the memories...

Feb 10, 2006 21:36

So, here I was just minding my own business walking through our office when all of a sudden...there it was! Sitting on a desk near mine. Silent, alone, yet wanting to be seen.

A jar of Nutella!

Now to some it might seem strange for someone to be so drawn to a nutty spread, but the excitement and memories that came rushing back at me when I saw it were just crazy. I immediately grabbed the jar, opened the lid and took a giant whiff. Nothing is like it. (And I wonder why I have an ongoing weight battle!) I just stood there breathing in the delicious hazelnut-chocolate aroma and wishing I had a loaf of white bread, a stick or two of blue bonnet spread, and about 5 jars of Nutella. The owner offered me a taste, but I couldn't do it. I knew one little sampling would send me spiraling to a point of no return.

I was so shocked and amazed to see this delicacy, this love from my late teens, just sitting on a desk. I was talking on and on about it and my co-workers couldn't figure out what was going on. They just don't understand.

I explained this was a blast from the past. I had gained 20 lbs. in one summer over this item. I had smuggled 20+ jars back to the states upon my return from Germany. It began an infatuation that will not easily end. Yes, I know this wonderful item can be found in the local Kroger, but it's just not the same as knowing one came directly from Germany. I've never let myself buy a full jar here in the states - even when there was a coupon for it in the paper. I just can't. I did purchase a small packet of it once in St. Louis at World Market.

Once I finally calmed down and realized people were thinking me quite odd, I started thinking about my first trip to Europe. We were so young and naive and full of wonder, yet thinking we knew so much. The small mind of a small town girl was exposed to the world. We had such a great time. We laughed, we learned, and we saw so many things (some of us missed quite a few things as well - those blasted museums with their upper floors!). That trip also created a desire for travel, one I continue to feed - just haven't made the European trip lately.

Then I realized it has been 13 years this past month since my last trip. We flew in and out of Italy. It was with a girl who worked at O'C at the time. She has recently had a liver transplant. All of these ideas, memories, thoughts were just rushing at me.

The memories of my 2nd trip - the lost passport, the delicious dinner in Venice, Christmas Day mass with the Pope, food poisoning, abductions, and on and on.

I remember the train rides from the first adventure. I remember the stickers, the T-shirts, the cassette players, the cat, the tennis "games" in the street, the nuns, the possessed camera, the Agatha Christie books. It will be nineteen years this summer since our trip. Wow, how our lives have changed.

So, my brush with the past had been stirring a little the last few days as I've begun listening to a book on tape; part of it is set in Switzerland. It is a book I would probably never read, "The Sigma Protocol." It's all about mystery and intrigue - and it is 12 cassettes long! There has been racing through the streets of Zurich, and travels on country roads. All of it making me want to return to see the beauty of the area.

Oh, well, perhaps in a year or so I will be able to return. John's mom and I have discussed taking a trip. I think we would have fun. Before I was so afraid to leave the boys - afraid something would happen to me and they wouldn't know me. John thinks I should go. I still don't know if I could or not. We'll see.
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