I don’t mean things like a bottle of wine, chocolate or refrigerator magnets… I mean intangible things like feeling rejuvenated or inspired. Often when I travel, I come home with a new enthusiasm for cooking. I try to recreate the dishes I have tried on my trip. What do you bring home with you? <BR>

I bring a new love (of place) and knowledge that I could not have gained in any other way. Education by way of travel is, to me, unique and precious. <BR>(I also sometimes bring cravings for food that I just can't duplicate here: Icelandic salmon, Swiss whipped cream, Italian panzerattis from Sorrento, and Portuguese Serra cheese, anyone?)

a need to start planning my next trip! I can't say I feel rejuvenated, though I do WHILE I'm away because I'm on MY time and that's very empowering.

MJ, what a wonderful question! The first thing that occurs to me is how often I have returned home from a voyage with more friends than I had when I left--not just acquaintances, but genuine friends. I smile just thinking of the number of cities in Europe where I no longer need a hotel room, and where a return trip is a little homecoming. <BR> <BR>And like you, I also like to recreate a piece of my travels in my kitchen. I'm looking forward to bringing some Mexican cinnamon home from Oaxaca to add a little edge of authenticity to my creations!

Shoes.

Usually a strong yearning to go again, perhaps back to the same place, but maybe to a similar region of another country. <BR> <BR>*Sigh*! Soon I leave for France (5 weeks, but hey, who's counting?) but I know almost as soon as my feet touch American soil, I'm going to want to go to Italy. <BR> <BR>BC

Coming back from Italy, brought home a more relaxed attitude towards waiting, and letting things happen. <BR>It's great!

Perspective. Getting away from one's daily grind and experiencing the way life is lived in another part of the world always allows me to put my life and it's ups and downs into a greater perspective. Also, I regain an appreciation for what is really important in my life. All the things I really need (namely my family) I can take anywhere with me. The rest of it -- cars, house, closets of clothing and cupboards of knicknacks -- I can live without.

Nancy...I couldn't agree with you more. I think what I've brought home each time I travel to Europe has been an increased sense of patience. What's the hurry, anyway? And more than patience even, is the "feeling" of history you get.....traveling makes the history books just come alive, up close, and very personal!

Interpreting this topic literally, I bring home this eye cream from France, which is much cheaper than the American equivalent. It is not exactly the same as the American medicine but it does the same thing at 1/10 the price.

A renewed commitment to having a family dinner every night, and to having that dinner involve the freshest, best ingredients around <BR>A renewed commitment to having a family breakfast, one that involves fresh fruit, good coffee (even though I rarely drink the stuff), croissants, and good jam. <BR>A renewed commitment to taking time for family activities outside the normal soccer, lacrosse, basketball teams. Like trips to Chincoteague to just relax and see the wild ponies and enjoy the beach, trips to the Potomac Appalachan Club cabins, trips to...well, trips inspire trips, no? <BR>A renewed commitment to exercise - in France we are incredibly active, day after day. We could do that here in the States, but it would involve amazing effort and commitment. We just joined a health club, which may be a silly alternative, but I think paying the monthly fee will keep me walking and running and swimming the way I do inFrance each summer. <BR>A sense of looking into my community for people from other countries whom I can meet and talk to. At my son's soccer game today I met another new mother who is French. Turns out she does substitute teaching at my kids' school. We sat together and spoke French for the second half of the game. She seemed so thrilled to find another French speaker in this milieu. <BR>I bring a lot home - purchases, worries,inspiration, bills, food, clothes, memories, photos, gadgets, but most of all the desire to return....

An amazement of what humans can produce - a Michaelangelo statue is mouth-dropping, the drawings of da Vinci's inventions are astounding, the engineering that created Venice is extraordinary. I return with a deeper appreciation of art and artists, and creative minds. <BR> <BR>A profound sorrow that I'll never see everything in the world.

It's nice to hear everyone else's experiences. Does anybody else want to contribute?

On my last trip (Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Hong Kong - got back Saturday!), a sense of wonder at how degradation can so easily coexist with unspeakable beauty; amazement at how easy it is to go through life without appreciating living in peace -- complaining about your job takes a very far back seat when you meet people who have lived through the Khmer Rouge or live in fear of encountering one of thousands of landmines. <BR> <BR>Also a sense of how history is something easily distorted through the lens of ideology...

I totally agree with Elvira. The more I see, the more I want to see, and it's heartbreaking to know that I'll never see all the wonderful places in the world that are so important to me.

A relaxed mind and a better-adjusted perspective. Plus some valuable wine and food knowledge which makes me a legend back at work!