While I do enjoy travel very much, these spells of a lot of work travel to a very different time zone are hard. It’s always fun at first, and then the long and demanding work days and the hotel boredom start getting to me. Evenings follow the same pattern: big room, big bed – all alone. Then the homesickness hits hard.

My generic home for two weeks.
My generic home for two weeks.

At best, colleagues are fun and nice to be around. One doesn’t always get that lucky though. Luckily on this trip my colleagues have been fun. Still, family is family, and it’s impossible not to miss the support one gets from home.

When it comes to US work trips, the meaning of retail therapy gets redefined. The US dollar is a good currency to shop with for those of us who earn our pay in Euros, and there are plenty of shopping options no matter what state you’re in. It becomes the way to relax and spend time, get your mind off from work and give you something to think about. Especially when you think how much money the same clothes and bags would cost in Europe! American brands are much, much, much more expensive on the other side of the big pond.

Another reason that I love shopping in the US is because I get to size down one size from my size back home –the sizing is that much different. And I find plenty of bust-friendly clothes here! I think the current backbone of my wardrobe is 80% Klein, Kors, Tahari and NineWest.

I still have this week left before I travel back home, but I decided I won’t step foot in another outlet village nor any other store! My work friend and I test packed today and weighed our luggage to check if we need to send something back home as a parcel – well, first I had to buy a carryon suitcase so that I could have any hope of not having an overweight suitcase–but phew! We both managed to stay under the allowed limits.

Got a navy cabin sized bag for extra luggage.
Got a navy cabin sized bag for extra luggage.

Now I just need to decide which one of my dresses I’ll wear for our country club dinner on Wednesday night!

And on another note, despite the gorgeous and colorful long Calvin Klein dress that I’m wearing here when lounging on the bed watching tv,  it won’t cure my home sickness one bit.

Lovely airy summer dress by Calvin Klein, stripes are flattering. Mine has more of a pink main tone than this dress though.
Lovely airy summer dress by Calvin Klein. The stripes are flattering. Mine has more of a pink main tone than this dress though.

P.S. Hotel bartender and the couple at the counter on Saturday evening, we really want to go home and not stay here. Home is home for everyone and it’s always the best place to be. <3