postcard 41: the pros and the cons of it

any idea what's next?

In just a couple of short months we will have been in Europe for a year. I’ve gotten the (totally fair and logical) question several times in the last few weeks: do you know what you’re going to do next?

If you’re reading this, chances are that you already know that we wouldn’t be Mikaela and Topher if the answer was yes, but if not, I thought I’d give you a little peek into the daily conversations we have about staying versus leaving. This pros and cons list is, albeit, very silly, and the reality is much harder. We fiercely miss home and our people. That’s the biggest thing that pulls at us. But we’ve fallen in love with Europe and I don’t know if our adventure here will ever feel complete. The longer we stay, the more our hearts find that they belong to two continents.

We have big conversations that have us hiding under the covers and run to the coast to escape our problems. We splash out into a tepid sea as the sun beats down, and walk through lavender fields at dusk. Ultimately, it’s a decision for another day. I promise, you’ll be the first to know what's next. Until then, we’re hitting the road again this weekend.

-Mikaela

Do We Stay or Do We Go?

Pros to Living in Europe:

• coffees cost $2, max

• amazing cheese selection

• Aperol spritzes!

• being able to jump in the car and experience a new country and totally different culture on a weekend trip

• cost of living

• Christmas markets

• cappuccinos or beer on every trail

• the way sitting on the patio feels, a breeze blowing in off the sea as we enjoy drinks/dinner/coffee al fresco

• being close to the mountains and the sea

• avoiding the dumpster fire that is American politics

• kicking the can down the road of figuring out what's next for us

• olive trees, citrus trees, vineyards

• spending every moment of every day together as a family

• living amongst the casually ancient

• green markets to get fresh, seasonal and cheap produce at

• hyper regional products. Like living in the region that produces the world's best olive oil or stopping in Parma for parmesan cheese

• no pink tax

• American citizens can vote ONLINE while living abroad

Cons to Living in Europe:

• our people don't live here (aka, the one that really matters)

• mid chip selection

• Mexican food is a joke

• Colorado winters are elite

• hard for Topher to work here and we are well in our way to spending all of our money

• no pikas

• road tripping is $$$

• no window screens + scary bugs

• public toilets are RARE

• no Fly by Jin chili crisp

• I miss my nice desk chair

• working evenings sucks

• pretty much zero English human interaction

• so. much. humidity

• no ice or straws or cold coffee or American sized drinks

• soy sauce is so expensive

• rice comes in very sad quantities

• making dollars, living on euros

• always needing cash

• visas are a headache

• Hazelnut doesn't get nearly as much doggy interaction as she did at home (no dog parks, doggy day care, etc.)

• no dryer = crunchy clothes

• super hard tap water

• getting the bill and paying in restaurants is so awkward and stressful