My sister and her family lived in Norway for six months this year, so of course I took the opportunity to visit them! What I didn't understand was that my sister and I were the ONLY family members to do that. My parents, other sister, and Norway-sister's husband's whole family stayed firmly planted in the US. When else are they going to have the opportunity to go to Norway with a free place to stay?

I wish I knew more people who lived in interesting places. I've lost touch with my Swiss friend (spent a lot of time with him in Lucerne 20 years ago) who has since moved to Australia. I have one friend in England, but I don't know her well enough to crash on her sofa--more of a "get together for a day if I'm around" kind of a friend. And my family lives in such exotic locales as Winston-Salem, NC and Blacksburg, VA. Sigh. Nice enough places, but not ideal vacation spots.

Sarah