Living In America’s Europe – We’re here!

2023.5.10 Prologue: Started this project a year ago but had to put it on hold…so much happened so quickly: Mother had a series of strokes, then she passed, we had to get her house ready to sell, we both got sick, Phil was in hospital, job changes—I guess you call that life! So here is my first blog albeit a year late!

2022.5.10 / We’re Here!

We always knew we would be back. Philip lived in America’s Europe for over 20 years. He had a business on St. George Street (a story for another day). This is where we met. We lived together in a small apartment for a year—we called it the Hobbit House because the front façade was hidden with vines and the bedroom window was the only thing not hidden by vines. But family commitments took us away.

We arrived late and starving with both of our Kia Soul’s completely packed; they hold a lot of stuff! We grabbed a few necessary items: toiletries, sheets, air mattress and bath towels and then ventured out for a bite to eat. It was mid-week, so most places were closed or serving drinks only. But we lucked out and found Casa Reina, a taco tequila bar still serving food. We sat at a table outside with a view of the Bridge of Lions and the Bayfront. The Mexican Flamingo: El Tesoro Blanco, Pamplemousse, lime and a dash of Peychaud’s went down fast so we ordered another round. I had the Veggie Tacos and Philip had the Mexican Sushi. Both were delicious and light. Perfect for a late night dinner. And then we walked less than 200 steps to our new apartment. Giddy at the sound of, ready to walk home, we are home, this is our home now.

Mexican Flamingo Cocktail

Moving can be tedious and tiresome. Our first two nights we found ourselves sleeping on that air-mattress. Night one was ok, we pretty much were exhausted from travel and carrying numerous boxes up 18 stairs and then 14 more for the master suite.

It was unseasonably cool for May in St. Augustine, so we opened all the windows when we first arrived and marveled at the breeze. The next morning, we woke at 6:00 AM to the sound of church bells…6 gongs followed by a chorus of bells. We weren’t bothered in the least.

Instead, we got up and took a walk. First stop Kookaburra Café on Cathedral. We sat at a table outside and watched the city come alive. Apparently, we arrived just in time as a line formed around 7:00AM—Soccer Moms, Students, the Deacon from the church next door, a Golden Retriever with his owner, a few early bird tourists. The line moved quickly. The coffee was delicious—smooth and rich. I understand they roast their coffee at another location. I like that!

After our coffee we took a leisure stroll on St. George Street. We peeked in the windows of the shops—a mix of tourist t-shirts and seashells, artisan shops, and restaurants and bars. Looping back along the Bayfront we passed the Fort: Castillo de San Marcos, Hotels, B&B’s and more restaurants and bars. Then back home – still loving the sound of that – we put in a full morning of emptying our cars, cleaning, and unpacking followed by Target, Wal-Mart, and Publix for all the things you need when you are moving into a new place. But the most important stop that day was Mattress Firm. As tired as we were from moving, I’m surprised we didn’t fall asleep trying them out. Best news – they could deliver it Friday. So only one more night on the air mattress.

Kookaburra Cafe on Cathedral

By the time the mattress arrived on Friday we had put in another full day of unpacking including several trips to our storage unit here. Once we knew we were coming back we secured a unit and started bringing things over. We have a lot of stuff!!! Garage sale? Facebook Market place? Regardless stuff needs to go! We are downsizing from a 3 bedroom 1 ½ bath home with a formal dining room and a flex room that was our art studio, 1920 square feet, to a 750 square foot apartment. And we are good with that!

After an hour nap on the new mattress (it was hard to keep it to an hour), and a nice hot shower, we ventured out for dinner. We walked around the corner to our local Gastro Pub—Forgotten Tonic, shared some appetizers—Montenegro Meatballs and Cajun Egg Rolls (both good), I had a glass of wine, Philip had a cocktail, we met new people, and made friends with the Mixologist Chris—always a good thing! Our local Gastro Pub is our new go-to place. America’s Europe, we’re here! And we feel alive!

Ciao!

Philip and Dee