I was just sitting here at my computer and all of a sudden I thought of a little cafe <BR>in Lugano and the feelings I had there while watching the sun set. It just swept over me and this happens often as I remember pleasant memories, the feelings themselves come back.<BR>Tell us some of your experiences.

Well, I live in So. Cal, where it's usually sunny, dry and warm. We nearly always take our vacation in Spring, so I have a strong mental connection between lovely, CLOUDY, chilly, damp days and Europe! (Don't get me wrong, this is a good thing). Whenever the weather is rainy or cold.. I just inhale and get taken back to a London Street corner. <BR>Also, I have one perfume that I wear only on trips.. I've been wearing it on trips ever since the first trip I took with my now, husband 8 years ago. Everytime I smell it I get transported to Europe. Whenever we are getting "no trip in sight" blues.. I slap on a little of my special "scent-o-Europe"..<BR>(L'Amerige by Givanchy).

This is going to sound strange, but when I smell diesel exhaust here in Canada, I think of London.

Thyra, you are not going to believe this, but that is my traveling perfume too. Actually it is my travel-to-Hawaii perfume, I have another one for Europe. I didn't know others have traveling perfume preferences! <BR>Love your reference to cloudy days, they can be so mood inducing.

And, strangely enough, diesel fumes make me think of Europe. I think of sitting in outdoor cafes eating wonderful food and inhaling diesel fumes. But what else could make me want to inhale fumes.

I love the idea of a traveling perfume! Now that you mention it, in my student days in Paris I always wore Cabochard by Gr&egrave;s, and when I smell it I am transported back in time. One of my friends said the same thing after we were back. (Do you suppose I had it on too strong?)

The smell of an oaky wine brings back the picture of Marche du Vins in Beaune.

I like to buy things that I need every day on my trip. Then when I use it at home it makes me remember buying it. Little things like nail polish remover (a drug store in Vevey), clear polish (Harrods), toothpaste (a drug store in Locarno). Heck, while they lasted I had a box of tampons that made me think of Bellizona!

Music really does this to me. When we were in Seville, a group was playing at the Plaza de Europa and we bought their CD and everytime I hear it, I'm "back" in Seville again. Also, when I hear the CD we bought by Cameron--I can still see the flamenco at Los Gallos.<BR><BR>Also, when I look through the scrap books I make, the feelings return as well.

Deisel fuel definitely<BR>Perfumes remind me of Paris,and the Galleries Lafayette.<BR>Cigarette smoke sometimes reminds me of Paris..not in a bad way.<BR>Fog reminds me of walking along the Seine one late afternoon in the fall and not being able to see the other side of the Pont Neuf!<BR>The birds making such a fuss outside in my garden remind me of England.<BR>

I can just sit quietly and close my eyes and think of the feelings I had in a certain place and I can put myself back there. I do it when I am stressed, I go to a different place that is more pleasant. <BR>If I go to bed when I have had a bad day I pretend I am in one of my favorite hotels, if all the lights are out, who can tell? And I think I am going to sleep in Tuscany or whereever.<BR>Maybe I am a dreamer, but ......

I use Ysatis de Givenchy when I travel, but I also wear it at home. It always brings back memories of France.<BR><BR>Lynlor

LeeAnn, you are so right. It just sweeps over you and it's overwhelming. And in our stressed lives, I'm certain that each moment of such an experience has health benefits. J.

Rose,<BR><BR>What a great idea for relaxing when you can't get to sleep! Thinking about something pleasant from a trip has to be better than what's stressing you out! Thanks for the thought.

Yes ladies that is a good idea. Tonight I am going to sleep on "Capri", but first I will have a little lemoncello. I have a cd from Italy that I will play too. Goodnight, everyone!

Kindred spirits. Just a few nights ago I tried to duplicate the memory of my sunset across Lago Maggiore by serving bresaola with slivers of parmesan, green onions, little tomatoes, and the best olive oil I could find. Unfortunately I could not obtain the bresaola, so had to use those thin slices of pepperoni. Are you groaning? The good news is that the feelings came back anyhow! (also subbed asiago) My friend laughed at me, but now I've got him searching his connections for a bresaola source for me. By the way, LeeAnn, if your heart really is in Lugano, join us at the SGFTWLS thread -- we make a great effort to keep those feelings fresh. J.