

I think that part of the magic of traveling is seeing something new and doing something different. On vacation we can be whoever we want (or imagine) ourselves to be.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="614" caption="Me, lots of people and the Colosseum"]<a class="tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large" title="Me, people and the Colosseum" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6309979362/"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6093/6309979362_e04cee9dbb_b.jpg" alt="Me, people and the Colosseum" width="614" height="410" /></a>[/caption]

At home it's just us in our messy-mixed up lives. We work, we clean, we hang out with friends, we run errands and we pay bills.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="614" caption="Me in front of The Colosseum"]<a class="tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large" title="Me in front of The Colosseum" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6309479289/"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6043/6309479289_890513854e_b.jpg" alt="Me in front of The Colosseum" width="614" height="410" /></a>[/caption]
If it wasn't already clear to you, I had a really great time in Rome. It was exactly what I needed, when I needed it. So for the last couple of days I've been thinking about why this is.  I think it boils down to this:
<ul>
	<li>Being in Rome gave me a chance to relax and not think about work.</li>
	<li>Being in Rome reminded me how much I like to get out and explore. How much I like discovering something new.</li>
	<li>Being in Rome got me excited about food (and wine) again.</li>
	<li>Being in Rome provided an opportunity for me to be silly and playful.</li>
</ul>
The thing is the parameters of a holiday are such that they inherently provide many of these benefits. So now that I'm back in Sofia and swamped with work, life and commitments, I can't help but wonder: how can I work some of these benefits into my day-to-day life?

So I made some decisions.
<ul>
	<li>Build one night a week into my routine without homework. Leave work at work and just have a night to myself.</li>
	<li>Get my camera out, a comfortable pair of shoes and go exploring for the sake of exploring in Sofia. Look for interesting things I didn't know existed rather than going somewhere with a purpose.</li>
	<li>Cook simple wonderful food. Five ingredients or less and pair it with good but inexpensive wine.</li>
	<li>Say yes more often to invitations and have fun doing it.</li>
</ul>
Sofia may not have the Pantheon or the Colosseum but so what?! I can best parts of this experience and apply it to my life in Sofia.