Tags
coronavirus, England, expat, France, international travel, Italy, lockdown, Scotland, Thanksgiving, travel, United States, USA, Where were you
Nice lady who is helping me order holiday presents going to four countries (and a number of different US States…): “But where do you actually live?”
Me: “Um…”
Google Photos: Here’s where you were this week five years ago.
Chicago (USA Nov 2015)
Four years ago.
Moscow (Russia, November 2016)
Three years ago.
Isle of Arran (Scotland, November 2017)
Two years ago.
La Cuisine cooking school, Paris (France, November 2018)
One year ago.
Vienna (Austria, November 2019)
And then there’s this year.
Fully locked down in Florence (Italy—and really, everywhere else in the entire world—November, 2020)
Barb Taub 
wow, what an amazing life you live. I see the virus tray in the 2020 version, hopefully not in the 2021 version. my family stayed in and airbnb together in nyc last thanksgiving and it was one crazy experience, due to the airbnb owner/host. thought I was going to be killed at night as I slept closest to the door.
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Death by AirBnB. (Sounds like a great thriller!) I hope things are more calm this year. And yes, I especially hope that tray of masks/ hand sanitizer/ thermometer/ gloves becomes a relic of the past very soon.
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It is the craziest story , maybe I’ll blog it one day, super shady
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Ooooh yes please! Do tell.
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it’s so nuts, so probably good reading
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Please, please, please, please…
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I am so sorry you have to suffer under such heinous circumstances! I know how strong you are, you will survive this. And you will be stronger for having suffered being forced to survive in Italy. The pasta, cannolis, the wine… Oh how you must suffer. May I change places with you? Your pictures are gorgeous as always Barb. What a lovely view you have. Have a glass of vino for me!
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And don’t forget the gelato! It’s tough job, but someone’s got to do it.
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What gorgeous photos, Barb! And I’m sure there are quite few lovely memories to go with them. I actually miss Maryland at Thanksgiving. (It’s the only time I do!) I miss the changing of the leaves and the crisp fall air. (Um, I notice that little paragraph up at the top of the page. Will email you.)
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And I’m missing Scotland. (Not, of course, because of any local Thanksgiving tradition. For some reason, I just can’t get people there excited about a holiday that celebrates people fleeing persecution in England and eating Christmas dinner a month early… Weird, right?)
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I officially want to be you when I grow up. Or rather, I want your itinerary and bon vivant life style. Do you teach courses in How to be Barb? Can I sign up?
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I’d take that course!
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And me!
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It’s a complete mystery to me too I’ve got to say!
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This is my fourth and penultimate Nov in the north (Northwest Territories). Next year will be the last as I will be retiring the following July. After that, who knows? I’m looking forward to not knowing. 🙂
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The not knowing is definitely the best! I have a feeling our paths are destined to cross in some exotic location like Angkor Wat or Maldives or Minnesota. You’re going to LOVE being retired.
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Hahaha! 🙂 Minnesota is one of the most exotic places I know. 😉
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Minnesota! You bring the lefse and the lutefisk, and I’ll bring hotdish. Booyah!
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Haha. I have tried both of these when visiting Norway. I do not like lutfisk AT ALL. Interestingly enough, there is a version of that here among the Chipewyan. I don’t theirs, either. Lefse is okay with me. Hotdish? I don’t know what that is. It has horseradish? Chillies?
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Hotdish is just what it says—a dish you bring to share that is heated. Your typical hotdish includes ketchup, grape jelly, or cream of mushroom soup. Tragically, as practicing Midwesterners, my family has hotdish recipes which call for all three.
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All three?? 😳
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It’s our family’s darkest secret shame. Well, that and the recipes combining mayo and jello. But NOBODY needs to hear about those…
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Um… Don’t know what to say. My French grandmother (who was an extraordinary cook) would say “C’est une abomination.” But then again, she thought that most anything coming out of an English kitchen was an abomination. 🙂
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Love all these memories that you make Barb.
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I know I’m incredibly lucky to have these amazing opportunities. So I feel guilty when I just really, really want to be home in Scotland.
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It can get confusing to people. Some say to me, where are you right now? In Spain, haven´t moved far for almost a year. Maybe here forever, at least it feels that way. Happy Thanksgiving wherever you are!! xo
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My kids keep telling me that most people don’t see the world by moving to a place. I know–weird, right?
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Love your trips and love the view out your window! Spectacular!
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I have to admit that if you’ve got to do full lockdown, this amazing house in this gorgeous place is a pretty soft landing!
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On holiday in Wales, still fun even with the weather and some things closed. Went on the steam railway and to Portmeirion.
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I’m definitely coming for a visit!
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Gorgeous photos, Barb!!
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Thank you Jennie!
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You’re welcome, Barb.
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Wow!
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