by Esther P. Chase

Charms for my Grand Tour of Europe

Since my best friend and I are now both "adults," we decided to backpack around Europe for two months (or as long as our legs and our money last). We both agree not to take our charms bracelets with us, as they have become too valuable and sentimental to risk losing. After all, we will be staying mostly in youth hotels and frequently packing and unpacking. I do recall, however, approximately every two weeks, we "blew the budget" to stay in a real hotel with hot showers and bathtubs! The bathtubs were such a highlight of our travels, we both decided to order from the bathroom charms selection to add to our charms bracelets when we returned.

As we traveled, we made frequent stops at cyber cafes, which are very accessible both in the UK and Europe. We would first email home to assure everyone that we were still happy and healthy. Then, we would consult our "lists" and search www.chains-and-charms.com for the 14K gold charms or sterling silver charms we wanted to commemorate our Grand Tour. Since we were not always able to get to a cyber cafe, we kept a diary of our travels. We have highlighted the sites or countries we want to remember with charms for our charms bracelets. I selected sterling silver charms; a Claddagh charm for Ireland, and a Chimney sweeper charm for London. We decided to use the ferry to cross the channel as it was cheaper and more relaxing.

I was so overwhelmed by my first view of Paris, I almost forgot to add it to my list of charms for my charm bracelet. There were many choices from the France charms selection of charms. I chose the 14K gold charm of the Eiffel tower. It was difficult to limit myself to one charm for France, but we had many sites to view; many countries to visit.

Next stop was Germany and even though we missed Oktoberfest, there were constant, non-stop beer fests. Naturally, my choice from the gold charms was a beer stein charm for my charm bracelet. Seeing my beer stein charm many years later still reminds me of what I called "German beer headaches."

We traveled to Italy, (Rome, Venice, Florence, Isle of Capri)- my neck hurt from viewing so many painted ceilings. As I look at my bracelet charms for my visit to Italy, I realize my most vivid memory is of the Blue Grotto hydrofoil ride to the cave. I guess I was overdosing on museums and art galleries, because another memory is my first sight of limes and lemons actually growing on trees in the Isle of Capri. I had previously only seen them in the fruit bins in the market. The charm I chose for my charms bracelet to remember Italy was from the 14K gold charms Italian collection.

Our next stop was Monaco. After viewing the changing of the guard in London, we found Monaco disappointing- sort of like a child's rendition of the real thing. We really were getting jaded!

Spain definitely rejuvenated us as we were surprised by all the Celtic connections that were very unexpected. It was not difficult to select a charm to remember Spain from the sterling silver charms Spain collection. I was tempted to get a bagpipe gold charm for my charm bracelet, but thought too many people would think Scotland although bagpipes abound in Spain.

Our legs were giving out and our wallets were flat. We were also very homesick so it was time to book our return flight to the states. Once the decision was made to end our Grand Tour, we were anxious to get home so we chose the nearest airport, Madrid. A joyous welcome awaited us at the airport. Once I was home, a lovely surprise awaited-all the charms I had ordered in the European cyber cafes (and had shipped to my home) had already been attached to my charms bracelet. My charms bracelet was now a vibrant commemoration of the milestones of my first twenty three years of life. This thought was very sobering-I'm twenty three years old-time to seriously consider where I'm going, what I'm doing with my life.

Another great surprise, after inspecting my charms bracelet with all the 14K gold charms and sterling silver charms my parents decided (for a belated twenty third birthday gift) to let me select another charm bracelet to hold my charms for my upcoming milestones. I selected the 14K white gold charms bracelet.

Chapter 6 - Charms from my Early Adult Years