About me

On December 22, 2012 - at 5.30 in the morning, I left my home and Germany for what I thought was the last time. My beloved Alfa had been sold, my furniture and my most cherished belongings had been shipped to Berlin for transport to the US.

As I shut the door, leaving the keys inside, I knew that this chapter of my life had finally come to an end. Over the years, this place I had called home had become my sanctuary… my fortress. It was the place to which I retreated when the world treated me badly… the place where time and my life seemed to stand still… 22 years of marching in place!!!

On that fateful day, I flew to the US to start a new life in the town, perhaps in the home - and most certainly in the shadow of the lives - of my daughter and her family (3 teenage daughters, husband, AND dog). I would be the full-time ‘resident’ grandmother I had never been. I would attend concerts and recitals; perhaps take a job selling real estate; or become active in the community. Who knew what that life... that future... would have in store for me?

But that life was not to be. As I licked my wounds - while receiving copious amounts of hugs, good ole TLC and luxuriating in the role of Nana - I realized I was really not quite finished with being ‘me’. My daughter’s life and home are truly wonderful (everything I … her loving mother … would wish them to be).

But that is not the life for ‘me’ - I need to get back to being ‘me’.

Me... my batteries re-charged... leaving to roam...

So now, 6 months later… my furniture and other stuff is still in Berlin.  I have been back to Germany on 3 somewhat long trips … and my life has begun anew. As the old saying goes: when one door closes, two more open.   

What am I doing now? I am ‘roaming thru Europe’ - by car (virtually living in Peugeot!!) - partaking of much of what Europe has to offer... tweeting, blogging, writing  … about my experiences, ... about new places I have been visiting, ... about memorable places I have been revisting,...  about things I have been seeing and doing;... about new people I have been meeting.

I have been having the time of my life, while taking time to smell the roses. Now I want to share that experience with others - other babyboomers, other women.

I invite you to join me... at first, virtually via  my website: www.roaming-thru-europe.com;  blog: www.roaming.thru.europe.blogspot.com; Twitter: Roaming-thru-Europe@vicki_roaming; or  Pinterest: Roaming-thru-Europe.

Soon,  I will invite you to join me and others as we roam thru Europe.  This fall (hopefully September 2013)  I will begin to offer hosted, 6 to 8 day, self-drive tours in the countries I love most: Germany, France, Italy Switzerland.  

Wouldn't you like to roam thru Europe a bit, visting the places and doing the things that you have always dreamed about?