tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34751331470407718532024-03-05T22:04:03.735-08:00WanderlustThe Many Adventures of Emily BEmilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17446475400711811995noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3475133147040771853.post-34918419375927325922009-11-17T01:19:00.000-08:002009-11-17T02:56:20.377-08:00A couple surpises1) I am coming home!<br />About 2 weeks ago, Melanie and I had a nice chat over our respective situations. The most crucial piece of information shared was that she had found a replacement for me who was ready to start asap. Finishing out November sounded like the best plan for both of us, so I booked my ticket for Thanksgiving day.<br />Happy day!!! I am so excited to see everyone so much earlier than expected! This is definitely a good thing.<br /><br />2) I am not going to go to the Florence Academy in January. I loved the school when I visited, was acccepted (YAY!), and believe it would have been possible to get there at least for the first trimester (thanks for all of the support, fam and friends!), but just felt right about not going. I feel peaceful about the decision.<br /><br />SO. AHHHHH! I have just over a week left here. It has been an interesting adventure - definitely a good experince, and I will certainly miss the friends I have made here very much. Still, I am very glad to be coming home.<br /><br />I love and miss you all! See you soon!Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17446475400711811995noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3475133147040771853.post-19853777474867938652009-10-31T04:17:00.000-07:002009-10-31T07:54:48.509-07:00FLORENCE in 48 HOURSHoly Hannah! This was the craziest adventure yet...and that is saying something.<br /><br />Sunday night: I was talking with Mom and Dad about plans for painting school. I have applied to the Florence Academy of Art, but am waiting to hear back (about 3 weeks to go...cross your fingers!). During this time of serious suspence, anxiet, doubt, etc., I have looked into other options. We decided that I would be able to make a better informed decision if I were to see the school in person and talk to masters, students, admins, etc.<br />So, I booked a ticket.<br /><br />Monday: Ran into Frankfurt and met up with a friend from church, Dani. <br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNRouZcjYGknpoADu7OP6Da3kijjuSdsBWYAqN_7XW1kkEbEcMkpSaG_q8sO5N9RLYfhx1GZus6RSUf5TQ6mK2uypdCnHnRXa4YA9q-mhH8Aoz_g4eh3_4QLdtzsrKnK3KSo_hYdS4mlmP/s1600-h/florence+006.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 187px; HEIGHT: 137px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398758085572973250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNRouZcjYGknpoADu7OP6Da3kijjuSdsBWYAqN_7XW1kkEbEcMkpSaG_q8sO5N9RLYfhx1GZus6RSUf5TQ6mK2uypdCnHnRXa4YA9q-mhH8Aoz_g4eh3_4QLdtzsrKnK3KSo_hYdS4mlmP/s400/florence+006.jpg" /></a></p><p align="center">(I received a request for pics of me...that is an awkward thing to accomplish when you travel by yourself...but I finally got one. See? I really am alive and well!)</p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFxkel3nfD7WYCrtbWgQZMSSLue65cfDk56ewWwSpDu0guBE7j1QWAba_7y3eLT4rnxAXs9RExCDgttU5UaydQ2ZOONbXqh5Zmv4D0OstIyHXAnUmU5yVqftV8e5Vqws1SJ34krm8QtCic/s1600-h/florence+002.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 293px; HEIGHT: 220px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398758087143147954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFxkel3nfD7WYCrtbWgQZMSSLue65cfDk56ewWwSpDu0guBE7j1QWAba_7y3eLT4rnxAXs9RExCDgttU5UaydQ2ZOONbXqh5Zmv4D0OstIyHXAnUmU5yVqftV8e5Vqws1SJ34krm8QtCic/s400/florence+002.jpg" /></a></p><p align="center">(View of Frankfurt - the only German city, apparently, with a sygnificant skyline...this isn't the best example of it. Sorry...)</p>She is wonderful! We spent the afternoon just walking around the city and getting me ready for my trip. Thanks Dani!!!<br /><br />5:00 pm: catch the shuttle to Frankfurt Hahn Airport<br /><br />8:20 pm: arrive...2 hours late! Just (JUST) in time to catch my 9 pm flight.<br /><br />10:30 pm: arrive in Pisa. The youth hostel where I had booked a room was supposed to pick me up. They didn't. Through the bustle, I had managed things so well that I had none of my itinerary, addresses, phone numbers, time tables, available. All I have to say is thank goodness for internet stations and taxis. I got there. I slept. Can't complain.<br /><br /><br />Tuesday: No phone = no alarm clock. Eh. At least I got some sleep! :-)<br /><br />10:30 am: I took bus then a train into Florence (memo to me: one must verify one's ticket using the obscurly marked little yellow box at the end of the platform before boarding a train in Italy...otherwise those checking tickets get mad...)<br /><br />12:00 pm: arrive, wander around the narrow narrow streets, <em>try</em> to ask for directions, and eventually wind up at my rather shady hostel. Drop off the backpack and head off to try and find the academy!<br /><br />1:10 pm: FOUND IT! But students just started their figure drawing session, so I could only talk to the registrar for a few minutes and was told to come back at 4 (without a timepeace, mind you).<br /><br />Enough of the play-by-play. I got there. The school was wonderful! I made friends immediately with a few of the students who told be that FAA even surpassed their expectations. Great! That helps narrow down options...<br /><br />After I left the school, I had the rest of the evening to myself to explore:<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijIewW3TAdNXmoVxqwvEHIL-DVYvtGNqEsz4Gq99wrJAm58J0UaeBAZQkxmR7gJLjl9CpLGjlb1vIoekcdopUhM9aCE-svwTlYMehLdWAnADUT1trhB0MVzvXWJOyrMpCzKz0d5dw4lhH3/s1600-h/florence+007.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 129px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398758074280338610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijIewW3TAdNXmoVxqwvEHIL-DVYvtGNqEsz4Gq99wrJAm58J0UaeBAZQkxmR7gJLjl9CpLGjlb1vIoekcdopUhM9aCE-svwTlYMehLdWAnADUT1trhB0MVzvXWJOyrMpCzKz0d5dw4lhH3/s400/florence+007.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlddbMHMLRzGzwkChDKVjr-mhPAGIF3dfyZZGfF5ynVH-h5LcWEau6pAuyu95IzijkI4phhC49goclIiN7yopJvseeswq11xMccVXrdlzZQey9o3qqIgRnQzS1uAy9RRqi-8Rcq0QziZ0g/s1600-h/florence+009.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 163px; HEIGHT: 177px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398758076170401506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlddbMHMLRzGzwkChDKVjr-mhPAGIF3dfyZZGfF5ynVH-h5LcWEau6pAuyu95IzijkI4phhC49goclIiN7yopJvseeswq11xMccVXrdlzZQey9o3qqIgRnQzS1uAy9RRqi-8Rcq0QziZ0g/s400/florence+009.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinxtixENs6CECb5S1pENih2tDZrP8wa3nEa_JhJonug3E_4acK7xondIVZVfh6vJZtmXekf4EN5ZWSipqUdJgZj7AZoHdtnYzT9zVtz8WhphMHzlIfLiCK4MijkR3f16BsytF-sVjOzsb1/s1600-h/florence+012.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 194px; HEIGHT: 124px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398758065448360354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinxtixENs6CECb5S1pENih2tDZrP8wa3nEa_JhJonug3E_4acK7xondIVZVfh6vJZtmXekf4EN5ZWSipqUdJgZj7AZoHdtnYzT9zVtz8WhphMHzlIfLiCK4MijkR3f16BsytF-sVjOzsb1/s400/florence+012.jpg" /></a><br /><br />There were SO many stinking bridges between my hostel and the school - maybe 6? Italian architecture and city planning seems to be MUCH different than German: more solid and angular, somewhat more colorful, and more packed! It was beautiful!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBzAGbkvFasWESRY6SJr39g78oGn12GxKw8Z3ldPp4k7JeI3MbsopvzFTTWpWebJDrVZKHEs7_RhDzFz-8HXlwQnFpVxyecBPC0Ej_3bwq1vXfglYlDxQqDI_YrgA5aKnTfHnNIejCS_ZZ/s1600-h/florence+022.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 163px; HEIGHT: 202px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398756888690749698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBzAGbkvFasWESRY6SJr39g78oGn12GxKw8Z3ldPp4k7JeI3MbsopvzFTTWpWebJDrVZKHEs7_RhDzFz-8HXlwQnFpVxyecBPC0Ej_3bwq1vXfglYlDxQqDI_YrgA5aKnTfHnNIejCS_ZZ/s400/florence+022.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6mGTDVDwnYBPhCSfMifNgo9IaogvcALb-CT-EBdgn2iq4ijkUxDV2jGHksuB9hpA18valeXEHaT78DqSuONRvrBihIu5WM4S7DikbViNGEG-4tWK4pGwAAKuUrGAe15y-AOIiA5Ko0Jbz/s1600-h/florence+013.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 208px; HEIGHT: 198px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398756899691131314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6mGTDVDwnYBPhCSfMifNgo9IaogvcALb-CT-EBdgn2iq4ijkUxDV2jGHksuB9hpA18valeXEHaT78DqSuONRvrBihIu5WM4S7DikbViNGEG-4tWK4pGwAAKuUrGAe15y-AOIiA5Ko0Jbz/s400/florence+013.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /> Here are the famous Baptistry and Bell Tower. I still can't get myself to admire this style as much as I am sure it deserves, but it truly was an impressive sight.<br /><br />.<br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdMm_KdJiuM_0HSIyCbi9LYL-3xBvm5hqvKhpOF_6_btx_pwfjxdmTxXLkN8t4zIKttnHInHyOQPbQzh7GK2u-i_Fz6MbcYUnxRDDKKfAhJRbpGHXDHT0Ko4ovN9sZv4nKe-c0K46OCqgC/s1600-h/florence+020.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 277px; HEIGHT: 188px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398756892677314226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdMm_KdJiuM_0HSIyCbi9LYL-3xBvm5hqvKhpOF_6_btx_pwfjxdmTxXLkN8t4zIKttnHInHyOQPbQzh7GK2u-i_Fz6MbcYUnxRDDKKfAhJRbpGHXDHT0Ko4ovN9sZv4nKe-c0K46OCqgC/s400/florence+020.jpg" /></a></p><br />Here was a shocking moment for me. I had studied the Baptistry doors cast by Ghiberti in art history. I had been so impressed. Then I walked up to the doors, and saw this. Lovely, of course, but I felt like they were hardly awe-inspiring...<br /><br />Then I walked around the corner and, BAM!<br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTpuxN5mGgUZczXaDcvndtOI3Fy26EMFM9B-FAzw2a3eExx8AK0BCyYwSdJ6lx3NK0SyTnoxA8PIM4YvoEf0AZyYJlCAj-ULcqUdrJbxuw6dA9bJ5qtl7PPBx-JA5kIBbNlpLfsNZTvGM3/s1600-h/florence+026.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 220px; HEIGHT: 220px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398756886178241538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTpuxN5mGgUZczXaDcvndtOI3Fy26EMFM9B-FAzw2a3eExx8AK0BCyYwSdJ6lx3NK0SyTnoxA8PIM4YvoEf0AZyYJlCAj-ULcqUdrJbxuw6dA9bJ5qtl7PPBx-JA5kIBbNlpLfsNZTvGM3/s400/florence+026.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsKEMdLGhZw2YuFkodexoDdqrvzYZn1d8oB__tTRBrajYSwEEcNrFvcmM2o0BwdjoL_k0FbXmVtBtQMn_9juc9wXUKtLA31QgYImornW7hWlpveH7-kMXvek2CcJFN87jkSVs0N9iHvR_O/s1600-h/florence+033.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 246px; HEIGHT: 219px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398756875640033970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsKEMdLGhZw2YuFkodexoDdqrvzYZn1d8oB__tTRBrajYSwEEcNrFvcmM2o0BwdjoL_k0FbXmVtBtQMn_9juc9wXUKtLA31QgYImornW7hWlpveH7-kMXvek2CcJFN87jkSVs0N9iHvR_O/s400/florence+033.jpg" /></a></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="left">Oops, wrong doors. :-) There is no comparison! Oh, I am so glad I didn't miss them! I wish you could see how detailed, how precise each panel is. Each composition was perfect, and look how complex the figures in high relief are! And this had to go through the whole laborious and inexact process of bronze casting?!? OH! LOVE!</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLAnZtOB1rKtxZ99UJp7e8Va-4tUhQNfRaPdSdBytMeULFGefIPtJ-pmDEWDynFg74daAla03mq4PgZ40sY48mFiHEtvpwQDn4LIAO-no6IpbeinFz16bp7cUdQDqDFxFWFpg198tblQzz/s1600-h/florence+034.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 181px; HEIGHT: 106px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398755086204189906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLAnZtOB1rKtxZ99UJp7e8Va-4tUhQNfRaPdSdBytMeULFGefIPtJ-pmDEWDynFg74daAla03mq4PgZ40sY48mFiHEtvpwQDn4LIAO-no6IpbeinFz16bp7cUdQDqDFxFWFpg198tblQzz/s400/florence+034.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvZMgR3TZujVocw2WAOpH1VPHbaUZoJ9cdhbyMTRe5czjYZD967GstNGXYUudsxk0lBrr_ZoZeST8inH2pnMt0mVNBlT9-57uHUdYbk7HQqA_v6t-RpHfObzFqcuMgccLDsJHOD6zFMRsJ/s1600-h/florence+049.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 165px; HEIGHT: 90px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398755071974605906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvZMgR3TZujVocw2WAOpH1VPHbaUZoJ9cdhbyMTRe5czjYZD967GstNGXYUudsxk0lBrr_ZoZeST8inH2pnMt0mVNBlT9-57uHUdYbk7HQqA_v6t-RpHfObzFqcuMgccLDsJHOD6zFMRsJ/s400/florence+049.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu516nG29VXHmEEWq5kb1D8jVfItcSYcPEwOtu4GxaPkv-ijpcDd87eYiH1gDU0tVAUl03GNE5pvG4kdmtQaytBusDCRRTz1Fc4dnwvKYCPHXbUxfSD16tYG5IrzYip7XjueTQK7V04zn5/s1600-h/florence+037.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 183px; HEIGHT: 93px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398755080741753762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu516nG29VXHmEEWq5kb1D8jVfItcSYcPEwOtu4GxaPkv-ijpcDd87eYiH1gDU0tVAUl03GNE5pvG4kdmtQaytBusDCRRTz1Fc4dnwvKYCPHXbUxfSD16tYG5IrzYip7XjueTQK7V04zn5/s400/florence+037.jpg" /></a> </div><br />Here is, I believe,<br /><br />1) Pont Verochio. A bridge lined on both sides with narrow shops, all/almost all of which sell ridiculously beautiful and outrageously priced jewelry. Would't expect have guessed that from the outside, would you?<br />2) Pitti Palace. I was too late to go in and see the gardens, but the square in the golden light was worth the walk. <br />3) Just a view from along the River Arno.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHL7ey6Di9EgnGWO6nBH3J8ccQGfaw0AU98t7UocmZ7JnZhDVFDlqw04KkELR2488UNsK-o_ok_F1pOOqjHNBbw861XUPuZTRbJAJb_v6kyPrKHQcyQEk5Paqujlh_JQHbcMjG3pVGzyX/s1600-h/florence+041.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 196px; HEIGHT: 228px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398755079419094690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHL7ey6Di9EgnGWO6nBH3J8ccQGfaw0AU98t7UocmZ7JnZhDVFDlqw04KkELR2488UNsK-o_ok_F1pOOqjHNBbw861XUPuZTRbJAJb_v6kyPrKHQcyQEk5Paqujlh_JQHbcMjG3pVGzyX/s400/florence+041.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxfGwE__Qt80H4IrbSCMGZln52_B4fABkYQl3G6-_HGfrxtDOd9yCHUA-phfCtIA-1ZaHem_ZhTsY94pO0el79Rxg3ownbXU5PQC6_5-slUu4Wcs4oBGMW8dk4c6B0Dx-E8yD9gZtisiIf/s1600-h/florence+046.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 190px; HEIGHT: 228px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398755074970348386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxfGwE__Qt80H4IrbSCMGZln52_B4fABkYQl3G6-_HGfrxtDOd9yCHUA-phfCtIA-1ZaHem_ZhTsY94pO0el79Rxg3ownbXU5PQC6_5-slUu4Wcs4oBGMW8dk4c6B0Dx-E8yD9gZtisiIf/s400/florence+046.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7AvUlpxYwN6VEN99TXWXpoC75Q4A1wo49T1OQUYhSuJEJkMqRtRHoC0bOBgLyGwRM54b-j5lLdnEC-0wKaxV6GvuYvLwQfpbcWe2FVX56zzz-G7YvKOIiFnKh73YydzsYNvnrSt-uMHcw/s1600-h/florence+060.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 183px; HEIGHT: 232px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398753438389185458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7AvUlpxYwN6VEN99TXWXpoC75Q4A1wo49T1OQUYhSuJEJkMqRtRHoC0bOBgLyGwRM54b-j5lLdnEC-0wKaxV6GvuYvLwQfpbcWe2FVX56zzz-G7YvKOIiFnKh73YydzsYNvnrSt-uMHcw/s400/florence+060.jpg" /></a><br /></div><div align="left">Narrow streets; inside a neoclassical church: more narrow streets.</div><div align="left">I would just like to assert that I WAS in Italy, despite the random British flag which might lead you to believe otherwise. Odd...<br /><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Lhbz3CoTbkSeyKkc-c50_vvWISpUbkzp4QgR_GNGVTG5JF18Dz5UlrRRmbwYNLuJ8n5m_PFuzwFiMhQXQ4VHdwzPdJU-J0aoZ69Z8v44GHZLabr1LDXh-eLk6nqHgx90VkI9EQON4jsd/s1600-h/florence+052.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 425px; HEIGHT: 182px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398753445276447282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Lhbz3CoTbkSeyKkc-c50_vvWISpUbkzp4QgR_GNGVTG5JF18Dz5UlrRRmbwYNLuJ8n5m_PFuzwFiMhQXQ4VHdwzPdJU-J0aoZ69Z8v44GHZLabr1LDXh-eLk6nqHgx90VkI9EQON4jsd/s400/florence+052.jpg" /></a></p><p align="center"> </p><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB_qgWZFc02chwZPk2Tlp43EAvPyVgEoi1iu-ctonWbG-AV04mPaJE7AR7Hd5KxirlbeqPxPspA8vjx5b9T_l5ZbsodxD1gnhdQMwU9iF2yV4XtUiN1myY2N69AiZPrmymHrvTel45Kv2p/s1600-h/florence+053.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 337px; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398753438735478178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB_qgWZFc02chwZPk2Tlp43EAvPyVgEoi1iu-ctonWbG-AV04mPaJE7AR7Hd5KxirlbeqPxPspA8vjx5b9T_l5ZbsodxD1gnhdQMwU9iF2yV4XtUiN1myY2N69AiZPrmymHrvTel45Kv2p/s400/florence+053.jpg" /></a></p><div align="center"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2AqozG31hKQH_dikXdOPQpxPDFw7uF7T0K51HqzX8QspUM16o6Zoj-VekQ4nWcGcBb5-hDmBW47hKdZCsRbNPYNZZS_Gk0e2p3ojj12xK8ZzvnM9CRp2JHaU16oc9INd37NkZn8C63lRj/s1600-h/florence+061.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 275px; HEIGHT: 174px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398753430371370338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2AqozG31hKQH_dikXdOPQpxPDFw7uF7T0K51HqzX8QspUM16o6Zoj-VekQ4nWcGcBb5-hDmBW47hKdZCsRbNPYNZZS_Gk0e2p3ojj12xK8ZzvnM9CRp2JHaU16oc9INd37NkZn8C63lRj/s400/florence+061.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrJlGeOGjqfEyPdUGrLSByothivcvRaQfGSH0zyjkQGUZJydGaYYiz_yBryy-mgGq9amZu2qZl1Yb7Xop2ZoiHX5TXJ6XEKNzckVSTT4ywawtrf_huP9bszKVlBOna1pjq-3AJBMj1WzID/s1600-h/florence+063.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 184px; HEIGHT: 170px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398753429177813186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrJlGeOGjqfEyPdUGrLSByothivcvRaQfGSH0zyjkQGUZJydGaYYiz_yBryy-mgGq9amZu2qZl1Yb7Xop2ZoiHX5TXJ6XEKNzckVSTT4ywawtrf_huP9bszKVlBOna1pjq-3AJBMj1WzID/s400/florence+063.jpg" /></a> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="left">The lonliest part of my trip was eating by <em>myself</em> in an <em>empty</em> little Italian restaurant. But it was calm, quiet, and warm, and the food was great - tortelinni with a lemon cream sauce. Mmmmm!<br /></div><br /><br /><div><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk9ulcNH0FBVy4q47MXj4yVZqfdZBiXmEeQu207U1J889Ybn4BsJmz1smPWv-CdL6cr39wqUScwcW64b9JhpVIuWYvZvGTJjGf0NW-4OWJyiE5vb85Cr-gt4zNiy91GdsTuXLpVIinvNQy/s1600-h/florence+066.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 140px; HEIGHT: 182px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398751348357832658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk9ulcNH0FBVy4q47MXj4yVZqfdZBiXmEeQu207U1J889Ybn4BsJmz1smPWv-CdL6cr39wqUScwcW64b9JhpVIuWYvZvGTJjGf0NW-4OWJyiE5vb85Cr-gt4zNiy91GdsTuXLpVIinvNQy/s400/florence+066.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinoI3fpXLAx6y5qJLF0G2FcHWFZR2QH-3hGaoVzuZKyep31KsW7dZ_YPmtGJFdEpmFEFyUtdeISUgzb0KbzF2Xefng0HT0ZtgQRbfduDSLBu5WiLwqyhaegfg01Gxs2f95PAzEoBHNUUQp/s1600-h/florence+070.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 134px; HEIGHT: 184px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398751342390343762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinoI3fpXLAx6y5qJLF0G2FcHWFZR2QH-3hGaoVzuZKyep31KsW7dZ_YPmtGJFdEpmFEFyUtdeISUgzb0KbzF2Xefng0HT0ZtgQRbfduDSLBu5WiLwqyhaegfg01Gxs2f95PAzEoBHNUUQp/s400/florence+070.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT5Hc6htZfV4cgdHRKxvqYM02aMTL8jCHwstU0f1mGKnPhk-GlU746oaRI67kchA167ifRDo4M3rXkFqB6pzBIqQP-hMT5e3bpmnCWREs4XuPJKNcf9p4bhj_Wx15T91VWfy-92UqUB9Pj/s1600-h/florence+068.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 186px; HEIGHT: 185px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398751343565091698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT5Hc6htZfV4cgdHRKxvqYM02aMTL8jCHwstU0f1mGKnPhk-GlU746oaRI67kchA167ifRDo4M3rXkFqB6pzBIqQP-hMT5e3bpmnCWREs4XuPJKNcf9p4bhj_Wx15T91VWfy-92UqUB9Pj/s400/florence+068.jpg" /></a></div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">Along the river again. I fell in love with this arcade that lines the river side of the street right before you hit the Uffizi Galleries.</div><div align="left"> </div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHUVyMWQs9WF0gSfJfSYDQrb_IZssvUMjL1RSGe_WHMMvv_WjNJMuvyTAMoAUCfZnd6m_CsOCVpY2VUEocLhS83rxZcvWUtXT84nYpF3l-FM397BuzJe352YAsAPfo-EPh5mGvQQVCJ2MD/s1600-h/florence+072.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 371px; HEIGHT: 182px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398751336851724578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHUVyMWQs9WF0gSfJfSYDQrb_IZssvUMjL1RSGe_WHMMvv_WjNJMuvyTAMoAUCfZnd6m_CsOCVpY2VUEocLhS83rxZcvWUtXT84nYpF3l-FM397BuzJe352YAsAPfo-EPh5mGvQQVCJ2MD/s400/florence+072.jpg" /></a></p><p align="left">And here is the terrace on top of the Uffizi. Sorry, they don't let you take pictures of the interior, but believe me, the museum was AMAZING! That was my Wednesday activity. I got there when it opened and left just in time to catch my train back to Pisa, but could have done with a few more hours.<br /></p><div>And below are views from the train:</div><div><br /> </div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPFHvMFbD4DopzZhMcZcIS0bHivwLp7fTxsGNL87VEWdSIfAe-6UvtHHoD6JPUB1jd7TMiARGI6fLuTEppazWC1la_rZGu7mX9DlhmChqVAYaiM6BA2UqnMAgGfBrhYdE6hG88eaci_Hjh/s1600-h/florence+080.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 197px; HEIGHT: 132px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398749146939559538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPFHvMFbD4DopzZhMcZcIS0bHivwLp7fTxsGNL87VEWdSIfAe-6UvtHHoD6JPUB1jd7TMiARGI6fLuTEppazWC1la_rZGu7mX9DlhmChqVAYaiM6BA2UqnMAgGfBrhYdE6hG88eaci_Hjh/s400/florence+080.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0DQXKYoADFH80wEw93hqAuebl4D9dvqwak48PadcGPWGl7-Ap-Sn7RQ7pP_vf5syYwmzFQr01dZ_UBjEuti2A998fmRB11Cpl6vI4V71kymro2PTbnlNSW9f09bfre5MTpTqy7wZ9CDYH/s1600-h/florence+087.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 218px; HEIGHT: 130px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398749138072187986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0DQXKYoADFH80wEw93hqAuebl4D9dvqwak48PadcGPWGl7-Ap-Sn7RQ7pP_vf5syYwmzFQr01dZ_UBjEuti2A998fmRB11Cpl6vI4V71kymro2PTbnlNSW9f09bfre5MTpTqy7wZ9CDYH/s400/florence+087.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh76dYdmHhfZd2F8BkvEJYv290bkcSJAoqTbFwOidijUIxRLPjUmv4DXsAEyZnGOrUXa55K7nMm2j95Wz04Y4XwiDRqiTBVnmuXi-VENn02Mj7eDsKfogxa-XyIgbzDS8W_Jzd5-FzdB0R4/s1600-h/florence+078.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 210px; HEIGHT: 132px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398751329054505618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh76dYdmHhfZd2F8BkvEJYv290bkcSJAoqTbFwOidijUIxRLPjUmv4DXsAEyZnGOrUXa55K7nMm2j95Wz04Y4XwiDRqiTBVnmuXi-VENn02Mj7eDsKfogxa-XyIgbzDS8W_Jzd5-FzdB0R4/s400/florence+078.jpg" /></a> </div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCYUpABZkbXGhsGK8uaGs5NIN6UB7lFrxCiGhYA92etr9djQ56UmnUoJfK2COmJD1QwnpRvJ3qFbVzIyssPOM9TsFEUl4euJlHrY0iIccNOmY0rOYnF4yUU3eTHubXuMNV1_BcHHs2oaAh/s1600-h/florence+088.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 313px; HEIGHT: 113px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398749133734007330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCYUpABZkbXGhsGK8uaGs5NIN6UB7lFrxCiGhYA92etr9djQ56UmnUoJfK2COmJD1QwnpRvJ3qFbVzIyssPOM9TsFEUl4euJlHrY0iIccNOmY0rOYnF4yUU3eTHubXuMNV1_BcHHs2oaAh/s400/florence+088.jpg" /></a></p><div><br /></div><div align="center"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW7iaRbvsDQOFEMnjJxwm0ZSVFqYz74dO_eputlN1cmdFqgpCoI1sNKDoK7MfJEbzRihsUKtIQU3jv1bD2KQWGFf0n4uCY5RsMSWxpwSINg0IGkw1Tpig-PDMqZMcddEz2il0xYfu4D5-g/s1600-h/florence+082.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 282px; HEIGHT: 170px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398749141422285794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW7iaRbvsDQOFEMnjJxwm0ZSVFqYz74dO_eputlN1cmdFqgpCoI1sNKDoK7MfJEbzRihsUKtIQU3jv1bD2KQWGFf0n4uCY5RsMSWxpwSINg0IGkw1Tpig-PDMqZMcddEz2il0xYfu4D5-g/s400/florence+082.jpg" /></a> </div><div> </div><div>Here is a marble quarry! Just randomly looming over a little town. Incredible!</div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEJ8Wc6iqMqeJETF9qK0QfrAMWXt99jBDR62UAndCXCXp8IY72YJgapwz3SZ-UwVEgxHE3WRHwReRExBZBJ55VmY-seyMGot5oZUX77Sx2BoMgPKIs0bind6wTdwGL3a9gDLhxLTjDrelh/s1600-h/florence+089.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 295px; HEIGHT: 194px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398749126770210674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEJ8Wc6iqMqeJETF9qK0QfrAMWXt99jBDR62UAndCXCXp8IY72YJgapwz3SZ-UwVEgxHE3WRHwReRExBZBJ55VmY-seyMGot5oZUX77Sx2BoMgPKIs0bind6wTdwGL3a9gDLhxLTjDrelh/s400/florence+089.jpg" /></a><br /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Almost home. Though the list of things I like about flying has steadily dwindled over the past few years, I still have to say, I LOVE looking out the windows and seeing the world from a above. </div><div> </div><div>This is Germany from some tens of thousands of feet above. Grandma, you were asking what the terrain was like. This pic is for you. See how organized and manicured even the forrests are? It is somewhat strange to see and very difficult to describe coming from the 'wild wild west' with our untamed landscape. </div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzYcggNsEX3AVkDOZ3EnBPg5FMQRM-F-mBzaKkKYqQ1IrSJFaI7OxSHFy_WW9Mkt2eQtfnUWkBYn1pR-9pSirxJy9sGgbucoWsTX_J2xI-Rpz4Y_0XL2b0ZjqS77jgj9ulECAWUfBvgrQV/s1600-h/florence+102.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 330px; HEIGHT: 215px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398746282626778418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzYcggNsEX3AVkDOZ3EnBPg5FMQRM-F-mBzaKkKYqQ1IrSJFaI7OxSHFy_WW9Mkt2eQtfnUWkBYn1pR-9pSirxJy9sGgbucoWsTX_J2xI-Rpz4Y_0XL2b0ZjqS77jgj9ulECAWUfBvgrQV/s400/florence+102.jpg" /></a></p><div><br />And clouds. How can something so unsubstantial as a cloud appear so...substantial? :-) Seeing layers of landscapes - earth, lower clouds, higher clouds - all at the same time is incredible - surreal even. I finally got over my self-conscious lameness (it's a little awkward taking pictures in planes...not sure why) and took some pictures. <br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK6tZ28K-92SymzBXOa-qkqInJCWysW8UHpcmTM5GswuKrzYixoRRvpe-I6Xr_WbOGmJCH36yfIfrdXXdh9Jcbe7hS301PxtIgRW1Dv4In5-KF5eo9uD0Ajsqsnuwrblfjlz0Od-Glw7Gg/s1600-h/florence+093.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 117px; HEIGHT: 158px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398746296542528146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK6tZ28K-92SymzBXOa-qkqInJCWysW8UHpcmTM5GswuKrzYixoRRvpe-I6Xr_WbOGmJCH36yfIfrdXXdh9Jcbe7hS301PxtIgRW1Dv4In5-KF5eo9uD0Ajsqsnuwrblfjlz0Od-Glw7Gg/s400/florence+093.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-k_C1wDs14_6TAEEMWqy4no0C1Y2RQoclOCNa8mLoEXGCIOStBCG5eX_3a8G4rEH08R5lUPXHc5i2liqpJpEKvqf8LRdkg8Udd7TGdQCbYmvv1wLJXwTpltFcC4UwcfFiWY_mgse5SFAK/s1600-h/florence+095.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 112px; HEIGHT: 152px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398746294302609682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-k_C1wDs14_6TAEEMWqy4no0C1Y2RQoclOCNa8mLoEXGCIOStBCG5eX_3a8G4rEH08R5lUPXHc5i2liqpJpEKvqf8LRdkg8Udd7TGdQCbYmvv1wLJXwTpltFcC4UwcfFiWY_mgse5SFAK/s400/florence+095.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSPSeLv32Fn5QcHp9yQrO17TOAMqidZByPZ9euDdWOs4a7QsqPePGh6yel67VbxMdptgHghlyTe4hwimMdR2xBevDPaFCd5zcHZqlSK4MvLjhZDUy9N5Usdb1RJD4dM4Gfwl0M86MYS2BY/s1600-h/florence+096.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 116px; HEIGHT: 147px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398746289814019090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSPSeLv32Fn5QcHp9yQrO17TOAMqidZByPZ9euDdWOs4a7QsqPePGh6yel67VbxMdptgHghlyTe4hwimMdR2xBevDPaFCd5zcHZqlSK4MvLjhZDUy9N5Usdb1RJD4dM4Gfwl0M86MYS2BY/s400/florence+096.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu8grM0Or4sXt6SP3-liWkZLChf-TyFH8YFTS5AgE2htye9PXXTKtfOm7xQIkDzq5YCaN_R-RdbYrA8QJ7YOtAuykqQCBnuq2ZDpBIAi9xaOpeY_pIibf5xKOdJj1nOXRZepGVwK0N8BH_/s1600-h/florence+099.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 114px; HEIGHT: 153px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398746284483254674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu8grM0Or4sXt6SP3-liWkZLChf-TyFH8YFTS5AgE2htye9PXXTKtfOm7xQIkDzq5YCaN_R-RdbYrA8QJ7YOtAuykqQCBnuq2ZDpBIAi9xaOpeY_pIibf5xKOdJj1nOXRZepGVwK0N8BH_/s400/florence+099.jpg" /></a><br /></div><div align="left">9:00 pm: Home. </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">The end.</div>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17446475400711811995noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3475133147040771853.post-17617826815428274902009-10-07T05:20:00.000-07:002009-10-16T00:42:24.050-07:00NephsSo, Nephi, this post is for you.<br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><br /></div><div>I've run into a number of ridiculously nice cars recntly.<br /></div><div>For one, I drive a Mercedes van. Weird. </div><div><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCaz-HC5uErdHyLTgQhjc_ww7fB7UXYHfP_hN57HfV15KxKND1rWCeUSGR5pEy2LxaCQcptfzjB4T6c30JuKICZys8eZohCxpyLqOgH8PCnmq5oki8O_h7OmRI4Bg0EqXpMyZHSinoK0_y/s1600-h/cars+002.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 280px; HEIGHT: 354px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392402534835594130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCaz-HC5uErdHyLTgQhjc_ww7fB7UXYHfP_hN57HfV15KxKND1rWCeUSGR5pEy2LxaCQcptfzjB4T6c30JuKICZys8eZohCxpyLqOgH8PCnmq5oki8O_h7OmRI4Bg0EqXpMyZHSinoK0_y/s400/cars+002.jpg" /></a></p><div></div><div>But then again, they are everywhere. One day, I looked in my rearview mirror and saw the Mercedes symbol on the bus in back of me. I took a pick for you:<br /><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfY6C9Bvl8Vn8y5Imtyq0GA0wxp8JuHkpjsRhyDVXzXshd7CS6Uc_zVeC-_7wqs-8d9N-17K6QCfJTsfvFhxaJHkUhXyHqMbldKACvgy_tbwcT32UQ7LGQ4fi7QllR-21MHqAUUi9mXdiD/s1600-h/cars+001.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 392px; HEIGHT: 286px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392402547290292626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfY6C9Bvl8Vn8y5Imtyq0GA0wxp8JuHkpjsRhyDVXzXshd7CS6Uc_zVeC-_7wqs-8d9N-17K6QCfJTsfvFhxaJHkUhXyHqMbldKACvgy_tbwcT32UQ7LGQ4fi7QllR-21MHqAUUi9mXdiD/s400/cars+001.jpg" /></a></p><div><br /><br /></div><div>Then there was the lovely SUV I was dirven to church in be Melanie's mother - did you know Porsche makes SUVs? CRAZY - it just doesn't seem right! But, incase you suffered the same incredulity as I did, I made sure to take a pic for you the next time we visited her mother. Here you go: </div><div>(the car pic I took was lame, so here is a better one: <span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><a href="http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porsche_Cayenne">http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porsche_Cayenne</a>)</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">But my pic here is what caught my eye - I couldn't figure out the make...until I looked at the back and saw PORSCHE. I don't get it. </span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfD9Ucmorl1dvQ-Ec8eFpOWc4D7qzoEnzbsiOry1SYHx_NUF3AziESiKiOiY86Thrj6ajaz13bcbCkTZ-X00U3ALVM1p0XRUR4M4OnNLQujlvQR4NArzgpRkWwkUDViAWaKV1SXTOCvyON/s1600-h/cars+008.jpg"></a></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgn6SyJZ7QDQ468ZzhK-2AWGbth9HqmfnMvf-6df1Yr0j8sD-x_dvKzCKIgKpxblN_G1LainsyjVtpP0OwYXkmMM99udc80H23GbpoY41HDazieGcmUp5yY7g55gkok_IoqkzCSSpiSGCy/s1600-h/cars+005.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 251px; HEIGHT: 259px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392402554034835346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgn6SyJZ7QDQ468ZzhK-2AWGbth9HqmfnMvf-6df1Yr0j8sD-x_dvKzCKIgKpxblN_G1LainsyjVtpP0OwYXkmMM99udc80H23GbpoY41HDazieGcmUp5yY7g55gkok_IoqkzCSSpiSGCy/s400/cars+005.jpg" /></a></p><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div>Then there are nutty dealers for Bently and Lamborghini that Sam pointed out on the way back to Bad Homurg from Frankfurt. </div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh67sXn90nHO6BcDJWHDci-IEptE6uXCx7Dn8tM7t4_MoABCxVGwEtMdSPp8kV2WgeroV5QXqqi-xZH8IJtedC9A5EIiH9cQv0klVJK39mdgljbul-IZoy78N3I26JsBOgh4AjZG-wtiMhX/s1600-h/cars+011.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 288px; HEIGHT: 192px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392400844691742770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh67sXn90nHO6BcDJWHDci-IEptE6uXCx7Dn8tM7t4_MoABCxVGwEtMdSPp8kV2WgeroV5QXqqi-xZH8IJtedC9A5EIiH9cQv0klVJK39mdgljbul-IZoy78N3I26JsBOgh4AjZG-wtiMhX/s400/cars+011.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-gMQHamY0vmKOwSjHzXy9Qa1E2dCoBHBZU40v5klHAl91GqNgWID4eNjL8nk7zTVI0h-1FsSfNragbb9n9400XG0ylMGhBzH-h9pnzKmUmmvrwPe7Dy4GWvoPV2DwVUTHbiDQUfSIcySQ/s1600-h/cars+013.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 283px; HEIGHT: 190px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392400855298535202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-gMQHamY0vmKOwSjHzXy9Qa1E2dCoBHBZU40v5klHAl91GqNgWID4eNjL8nk7zTVI0h-1FsSfNragbb9n9400XG0ylMGhBzH-h9pnzKmUmmvrwPe7Dy4GWvoPV2DwVUTHbiDQUfSIcySQ/s400/cars+013.jpg" /></a> </div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfD9Ucmorl1dvQ-Ec8eFpOWc4D7qzoEnzbsiOry1SYHx_NUF3AziESiKiOiY86Thrj6ajaz13bcbCkTZ-X00U3ALVM1p0XRUR4M4OnNLQujlvQR4NArzgpRkWwkUDViAWaKV1SXTOCvyON/s1600-h/cars+008.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 293px; HEIGHT: 303px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392402573118378610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfD9Ucmorl1dvQ-Ec8eFpOWc4D7qzoEnzbsiOry1SYHx_NUF3AziESiKiOiY86Thrj6ajaz13bcbCkTZ-X00U3ALVM1p0XRUR4M4OnNLQujlvQR4NArzgpRkWwkUDViAWaKV1SXTOCvyON/s400/cars+008.jpg" /></a></p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEdJS5i6znr20ZXBIYMZz_V8ZHCWqDLnBhzws9XHGeH3UtQu3k2ftAF7YlEytqe0LQ-kjN4zBDf4ttZR1tt5Xy9JEYWKRqhjalchDTvot8O8GHr6ex29hZMRBwVyp5QqLZmevD8yHt9JG0/s1600-h/cars+007.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 384px; HEIGHT: 249px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392402563628441026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEdJS5i6znr20ZXBIYMZz_V8ZHCWqDLnBhzws9XHGeH3UtQu3k2ftAF7YlEytqe0LQ-kjN4zBDf4ttZR1tt5Xy9JEYWKRqhjalchDTvot8O8GHr6ex29hZMRBwVyp5QqLZmevD8yHt9JG0/s400/cars+007.jpg" /></a></p><div><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSPHG4l9rI17-0S11tDpifHiLc3pA5eu8OQWdPCRVgpl6QaxdF3Be4msMOUtSRmQJ_K4zGWPgcCpCvqC_gkkpz-C1Yd0pLl3y6qAmw5RbsYxYyXxMZaqxOW4G4DQ7FUFVDRURAq1L5Rd8o/s1600-h/cars+010.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 397px; HEIGHT: 244px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392400836533838962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSPHG4l9rI17-0S11tDpifHiLc3pA5eu8OQWdPCRVgpl6QaxdF3Be4msMOUtSRmQJ_K4zGWPgcCpCvqC_gkkpz-C1Yd0pLl3y6qAmw5RbsYxYyXxMZaqxOW4G4DQ7FUFVDRURAq1L5Rd8o/s400/cars+010.jpg" /></a></p><div><br /><br /></div><div>That's all. I just thought you would have had fun seeing them if you were here. I love you, and I miss you!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17446475400711811995noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3475133147040771853.post-6350635745011987492009-09-23T05:03:00.000-07:002009-09-23T07:43:49.255-07:00Typical Week - incase y'all wanted to know. :-)<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Doot</span>-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">dooo</span>-do-do-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">doot</span>.<br /><br />Life is starting to fall into some sort of pattern. FINALLY! Oh. my. goodness. I have discovered that schedules and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">routines</span> are absolutely essential for my general peace of mind. Who'd have thought?<br /><br />So here is a typical week in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Emilydom</span>:<br /><br />Mondays/Tuesdays: death days. I am with the kids from 8 - 7:30/8. I get the kids fed/dressed and run Filippa to kindergarten, pick her up, play with Fritz (current obsession: railroad building), pick up toys with Fritz, put Fritz to bed, run <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Marietta</span> to guitar and back, play some more, pick up some more, go on walks, make dinner, get kids ready for and in bed. Sounds simple - except when your companions are constantly fluctuating between tantrums and wild rampages of delight. If I were queen of the world, I would provide all mothers with means to take a midday nap. Too bad I am not queen of the world. Bummer...<br /><br />But, after Tuesday, life gets much better!<br />Wednesdays, I have class from 9-12. After <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Frtiz's</span> nap, I have the kids till bedtime.<br />Class is a lovely social outlet, though I am a little disappointed in the intensity of the course...because it just isn't. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Whatev</span>. Living in the language is intense enough. I'm still happy. :-)<br />With so much time to myself, Wednesdays seem to be shaping out to be pretty peaceful days.<br /><br />Thursdays are a bit more hectic. I run Filippa to school, then rush back so Melanie can take Fritz to a church playgroup that she runs. So, I am off-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">ish</span> until noon. It's the afternoons that get harry with running kids to sports/lessons/to and from playgroups...Melanie and I play MOVING musical chairs between the three kids and two cars. It's brilliant - You should come play! I am off early - a bit after 6 - so I can go to Institute. Though struggling with comprehension is exhausting, Institute almost always gives me a boost.<br /><br />Fridays are less predictable. We'll see how those go. But, as they come right before the weekend, they can't e too bad. I'm looking forward to this one! I have an appointment that I have procrastinated making for literally years in the morning and the rest of the day off! The ward/stake (I am not sure which...) is having their Gold and Green Ball in the evening. Goals accomplished, me time, and dress-up = an AMAZING day!<br /><br />Weekends are weekends. Sometimes I am traveling with the family, and sometimes I am doing regular weekend stuff: church, errands, church activities... I looks like it will end up being about half ans half. Not bad.<br /><br />I had my first normal weekend last weekend. The normal weekends are just lovely! Really. I biked over to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">Friedrischdorf</span> to pick up my cell from Lonnie (miracle: Sam and Lonnie just happened to be walking out the door to go to the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">Friedrichsdorf</span> temple when I called), then walked all over <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">Friedrichsdorf</span> and Bad Homburg looking for a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">fabric</span> store (shocker, eh?). Never found one, but really enjoyed exploring. As that only took about 6 hours total, you can imagine how small these towns are. Then, I went to Frankfurt with a friend from church where we saw 'The Time Traveler's Wife' and got ice cream at - you'll never guess - <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">McDonald's</span>. Apparently, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">McD's</span> is a treat for people here. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">BIZARRE</span>!<br /><br />Then Sunday. Hmmmm, I love Sundays. As I didn't have to give a talk or contribute much in Sunday School, it was particularly nice. I sit with the couple missionaries during sacrament meeting - they make me so happy! I love it!<br /><br />And then we start all over again. There is always a little wrench in the works to add some spice to life, but now that I know that peace and quiet will come, coping with the crazy times has been so much easier.<br /><br />Thanks to all of you who have listened to my venting and walked me through the adjusting - you have helped so much. I love you!Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17446475400711811995noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3475133147040771853.post-77650777174377392022009-09-18T23:00:00.001-07:002009-09-18T23:10:35.267-07:00Come VISIT! $614 flightsI was walking through town the other day on some errands and thinking of how sad it is to experience this all by myself. I wished one of you were here to get excited over the countryside and peaceful scenes, the little quaint corners and little details - the adventure!<br /><br />So. Here we go: there are round-trip tickets between Las Vegas and Frankfurt in mid october (several dates available) starting at $614. ... Just sayin. <br /><br />If you come early, I can play with you as the family will be off in Spain for a week and a half, and I am pretty sure you can stay here with me - there are extra bedrooms up here on the third floor. <br /><br />So. There you go. (Think My Big Fat Greek Wedding.)<br /><br />Come play!Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17446475400711811995noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3475133147040771853.post-31573819840192929362009-09-16T13:36:00.000-07:002009-09-16T13:45:53.196-07:00Word of the DaySo, I started escuela today. I am taking an intensive German course - 3 hours every Wednesday and Friday.<br />Today, we focussed on a couple of things, but my 'homework' consisted mainly of practices with the following word:<br /><br /><strong>TROTZDEM</strong>: regardless, nevertheless, yet, but<br /><br />Example:<br /> Ich bin krank. Trotzdem gehe ich zur Schule. (I am sick. Nevertheless, I am going to school.)<br />or<br /> Ich bin krank. Ich gehe trotzdem zur Schule.<br /><br />It seemed like a pretty sophisticated word to me, until I heard little four-year-old Filippa use it! Mother of Zeus!Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17446475400711811995noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3475133147040771853.post-15310012081810223842009-09-15T03:06:00.001-07:002009-09-15T11:11:33.248-07:00Apparently, I haven't been posting often enough to satisfy you all (thanks for thinking of me! I love you!). AC has been good enough to give me a list of prompts as I had run out of things to report on. So here I go:<br /><br />What I love:<br />I love the old architecture - a large majority of this town is in the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Tudor</span> style. I just discovered today a little corner of town that seems older/better preserved than the rest. SO charming with dark cobbled streets (slate? anyone know?), ivy and wisteria-covered walls, moss and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">lichen</span> growing on any surface that will sit still for a second. The stone/moss/<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">lichen</span> color scheme made me so happy today! Plans for a mellow, organic, abstract painting is in the works.<br />I love that this little town is so quiet/peaceful.<br />I still love the green and all of the flowers. I don't think it will ever get old!<br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ooo</span>! And I love plumb cake. I know, it sounds <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">awful</span>, at least it did to me when I first heard of it. I am not such a big fan of plumbs in general, but the tart flavor of the baked plumbs with a light, mildly sweet cake underneath is fantastic! <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Florica</span>, the Romanian woman who also works here in the house said she'd bring me her recipe tomorrow. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mmmmm</span>...so good!<br /><br />What I dislike:<br />I get frustrated with the social pressure here. These are just a couple of examples: One must keep quiet between 10 and 7 - not sure if it is a law, but it might as well be. The family is constantly yelling at or <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">anxious</span> about their dog - trying in vain to keep her quiet.<br />Then, apparently it is normal to have a birthday party for every kid every year - even for babies! The mothers in the neighborhood get offended if you don't throw your baby a party...I don't get it.<br />There is just more pressure to do what society prescribes. I can relate to it to a certain extent; of course being courteous is <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">valuable</span>. But there seems to be an underlying 'streamlining' pressure here that I find stifling.<br />Hm. I am getting a little tired of all of the starches and processed meats. It's true, the Germans LOVE their wurst. Of course it tastes good, but my tummy is a bit confused.<br /><br /><br />What is challenging for me:<br />Learning this dang language! It is a good challenge, and extra good when I can see progress, but holy <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">moley</span>! Imagine trying to understand someone mumbling...your mind strains at every sound as it tries to piece the few it catches into an intelligible idea. Then, try to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">respond</span> to the mumbler with a vocabulary of about 200 words and only a vague idea of grammar rules. Yep. That's me whenever I have a conversation in German.<br />I am sure everyone who has ever learned a new concept has experienced this, and I have never heard anyone complain as much as I do about it. :-) So, I will try to tone it down...but <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">Caite</span>, you did ask... :-)<br />What else is challenging...<br />Oh, plenty.<br />It is a challenge trying to find my place in this family - navigating <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">personalities</span>, values (theirs and mine), routines/traditions, as well as communication expectations, frustrations, and even gratitude/affection. Leaving work at the office doesn't exactly apply here.<br />It's a challenge to set and accomplish personal goals. Of course, it is always difficult to do that, but, I don't feel master of my own time and so I can't adjust and prioritize on the same way that I am used to. I will have to figure out something though, because my mind is needing to play.<br /><br />Who/What I miss in the U.S.:<br />I miss you all! I miss having family and friends who I don't have to try so hard to read. I miss hugs and cuddle time. :-) But I have made some sweet friends already, and I got to spend the weekend with Uncle Sam and Aunt Lonnie last week! Shoot, she even sent me home with peanut butter! <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mmm</span>...I miss brownies. You see, everything is more <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">cakey</span> and dry here. Good, but you really can't beat brownies. :-)<br /><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">SMOOCHIES</span>!!!<br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error">Caite</span> said that if I didn't have anything to report, just send <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-error">smoochies</span>. Fabulous idea. If you are reading this, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-error">MWAH</span>! I love you and miss you, and I would LOVE to hear from you!<br /><br />I hope this will suffice at least until I find something new to post or until I get more questions.Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17446475400711811995noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3475133147040771853.post-957963257727828732009-08-31T11:31:00.002-07:002009-08-31T11:33:46.159-07:0010 minutes of doom!AH! I have been asked to speak in church in two weeks!!! ...It's a German ward... I think I am going to pass out.Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17446475400711811995noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3475133147040771853.post-18176377112836677902009-08-27T07:28:00.000-07:002009-08-27T08:23:10.143-07:00HamburgMy Hamburg experience was brought about by a more somber circumstance: the funeral of a family friend (heir to what would be the Prussian thrown, actually....) I understand the services went well - everyone came back quite at peace, thank goodness.<br /><br />The next day, I did some sight seeing - this time, I spent half the day with the family. Hooray!<br /><br />Melanie had heard of this railroad exhibit, and none of us knew what to expect when we got there. It turns out, it was a HUGE (1.5 floors!) model of European and American railroads! I wished Nephi were there to see it - it was incredible!<br /><br />The lights dimmed and brightened to indicate day and night. Here, we are at the Hamburg train station at night. This is a model. mind you. AMAZING!<br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii08Ek92EaMjfpaApKPnwsvYqhnMX4Jeie2o5-DKPNoAPfoPAXw5lnpkFlcy1Y3WLynNII_mdMUvn83sdEX0hvuAvIZ6t3sbYle9bG5IngpfEXWnJNS6cTGCgmpi3kBzeqJe8oeX4UNpWm/s1600-h/bad+homburg+and+hamburg+014.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 449px; HEIGHT: 490px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374655602110811378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii08Ek92EaMjfpaApKPnwsvYqhnMX4Jeie2o5-DKPNoAPfoPAXw5lnpkFlcy1Y3WLynNII_mdMUvn83sdEX0hvuAvIZ6t3sbYle9bG5IngpfEXWnJNS6cTGCgmpi3kBzeqJe8oeX4UNpWm/s400/bad+homburg+and+hamburg+014.jpg" /></a></p><br />This is more of Hamburg at dusk - and Fritz and Marietta.<br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ9QxGjJV23vMr3VsbSNgn7M0oW3wJJGCo1irMa-r_HimEQvgurf98Nt-NW4RzZWtdyhmK1cjuOjM1HlS3h6Im3j4ZU-XJ0uKCmbj-U3TJd23qLqyUs_8wBWHM1iqMGgSfXOU4Lw7qkZr8/s1600-h/bad+homburg+and+hamburg+015.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 475px; HEIGHT: 337px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374655600251388626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ9QxGjJV23vMr3VsbSNgn7M0oW3wJJGCo1irMa-r_HimEQvgurf98Nt-NW4RzZWtdyhmK1cjuOjM1HlS3h6Im3j4ZU-XJ0uKCmbj-U3TJd23qLqyUs_8wBWHM1iqMGgSfXOU4Lw7qkZr8/s400/bad+homburg+and+hamburg+015.jpg" /></a></p><p align="left"></p><p align="left">With daylight came...ARIZONA!!! I can't tell you how surprized and how happy I was to see home - even at a 1/144-ish scale! Here is the German view of the 'Wild Wild West'.<br /></p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnZOb-xff056SXew3deIYCKiOdcuUxc90FUN8ff98omfvEzBszu9NXxVTTrk23L9jc1wvLCkM1_QbfRTdU3L__6eiGPF-z4q7R2B0EhfD60fbSu8VeqSJLBrke4QKclpOGb8X6fiYJLnHS/s1600-h/bad+homburg+and+hamburg+016.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 415px; HEIGHT: 335px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374654808153954706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnZOb-xff056SXew3deIYCKiOdcuUxc90FUN8ff98omfvEzBszu9NXxVTTrk23L9jc1wvLCkM1_QbfRTdU3L__6eiGPF-z4q7R2B0EhfD60fbSu8VeqSJLBrke4QKclpOGb8X6fiYJLnHS/s400/bad+homburg+and+hamburg+016.jpg" /></a></p><br />And apparently we like to crash planes into the redrock...WHAT?<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Cub1KanUV4AqlaajQY5owsAQFCj1BsTcGTps3pNJ0kX_mHTL4dSyr7RNhFMCkKREqFHbem2nFctzUoLl1eyhCr-OuT0832FkzvgYcdn-mewFTQ8a3yfQvmLjpLc-Oo05TShrzdIB2qJR/s1600-h/bad+homburg+and+hamburg+017.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 411px; HEIGHT: 498px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374654801227422354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Cub1KanUV4AqlaajQY5owsAQFCj1BsTcGTps3pNJ0kX_mHTL4dSyr7RNhFMCkKREqFHbem2nFctzUoLl1eyhCr-OuT0832FkzvgYcdn-mewFTQ8a3yfQvmLjpLc-Oo05TShrzdIB2qJR/s400/bad+homburg+and+hamburg+017.jpg" /></a></p><br />We split after the museum. I went on another city bus tour. I hopped off for an hour or so at the Rathaus (something like the capitol building, pronounced rat house...heh). Please bear with me through the pics! I just can't get over the architectural detail! Incredible!<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZuioFHEnXURWS14KqWYcrZ4jrIIeevk2CHYnkAIvkqAJy42cc-jDPqms1OcPX2FrFoyIdn6qBPCSYxm43ghf2h6iuFtyi55IS_iWhCHijUAiBeCOzKooeaFkzh2-qNCw8Rca0ABxug8ku/s1600-h/bad+homburg+and+hamburg+022.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 405px; HEIGHT: 434px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374654790665723010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZuioFHEnXURWS14KqWYcrZ4jrIIeevk2CHYnkAIvkqAJy42cc-jDPqms1OcPX2FrFoyIdn6qBPCSYxm43ghf2h6iuFtyi55IS_iWhCHijUAiBeCOzKooeaFkzh2-qNCw8Rca0ABxug8ku/s400/bad+homburg+and+hamburg+022.jpg" /></a></p><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI_yvg5tfh-qFry9aK81HsyravRKsIAep1aUgV8k_rlZJExMdEUo-ZrhQxgD_CcS4kzzPGU-Dg_5RixW7SGbCl7_z-O_Hi7_G7n1idPvLkzdHioK-xHsmvL7DgFPKX8SGTBdblsXmYLd5F/s1600-h/bad+homburg+and+hamburg+027.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 379px; HEIGHT: 418px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374654787352083202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI_yvg5tfh-qFry9aK81HsyravRKsIAep1aUgV8k_rlZJExMdEUo-ZrhQxgD_CcS4kzzPGU-Dg_5RixW7SGbCl7_z-O_Hi7_G7n1idPvLkzdHioK-xHsmvL7DgFPKX8SGTBdblsXmYLd5F/s400/bad+homburg+and+hamburg+027.jpg" /></a></p>Outside in the courtyard of the Rathaus.<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRlEtB1wauwp3lQv6nrNpqcQL8VXLsk68aiPZffsuKINQWUOT-gyqceN0vzvFN3fRwHhqfxhRqfBl418W-ASsmbW19EWLXnW08cWxyDx1wyVMqLCOaGPUaHvpgYTxm7O37ZoFEpqUxZ2mX/s1600-h/bad+homburg+and+hamburg+032.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 367px; HEIGHT: 426px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374653349251281570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRlEtB1wauwp3lQv6nrNpqcQL8VXLsk68aiPZffsuKINQWUOT-gyqceN0vzvFN3fRwHhqfxhRqfBl418W-ASsmbW19EWLXnW08cWxyDx1wyVMqLCOaGPUaHvpgYTxm7O37ZoFEpqUxZ2mX/s400/bad+homburg+and+hamburg+032.jpg" /></a></p><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_dUTkBLgLtX27IbDonNSntyvQkt4yM7KwYu1-tTzVRMB0Q7pFqclNVWzvJpd3Ob-XUSN81KCUi5TW8nnq0S8QdbnTmkD3BrSeasmZ7MlijPvmijXWR9WhSxQeOGDHGfEbtGicXFvlWzIT/s1600-h/bad+homburg+and+hamburg+034.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 375px; HEIGHT: 249px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374653341443780658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_dUTkBLgLtX27IbDonNSntyvQkt4yM7KwYu1-tTzVRMB0Q7pFqclNVWzvJpd3Ob-XUSN81KCUi5TW8nnq0S8QdbnTmkD3BrSeasmZ7MlijPvmijXWR9WhSxQeOGDHGfEbtGicXFvlWzIT/s400/bad+homburg+and+hamburg+034.jpg" /></a></p><br /><br />On my walk around the same area.<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_2Y2eYdu1_-LbGWb7C_zPOLo_b-m5Y2lpzIdASTroj0Ewx-PFAzk4GG5HSnXOMgjPgxwx9mVcmFkVfElKazNgeijtZbgImFtMW0tn3ISX9vfMti99GTH1V_J0d8DiOLVw0wUl5GTkOnh5/s1600-h/bad+homburg+and+hamburg+035.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 403px; HEIGHT: 227px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374653330762323746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_2Y2eYdu1_-LbGWb7C_zPOLo_b-m5Y2lpzIdASTroj0Ewx-PFAzk4GG5HSnXOMgjPgxwx9mVcmFkVfElKazNgeijtZbgImFtMW0tn3ISX9vfMti99GTH1V_J0d8DiOLVw0wUl5GTkOnh5/s400/bad+homburg+and+hamburg+035.jpg" /></a></p><br />And the train station - this time the genuine article.<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjhRfAP4_xnWvCXLDRWKWXWV5PTXC5zgv6xjuYIUVVYJwjpFXZwDCm_mc5MiVkXBCeVl2mnYolvMmgdBhNHnBN3JimKfbqh1OPHZ77yShT-_mZDc4y6fC2QujQiUkqL7eHBEe1r4gaBK-U/s1600-h/bad+homburg+and+hamburg+045.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 459px; HEIGHT: 342px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374653325782248050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjhRfAP4_xnWvCXLDRWKWXWV5PTXC5zgv6xjuYIUVVYJwjpFXZwDCm_mc5MiVkXBCeVl2mnYolvMmgdBhNHnBN3JimKfbqh1OPHZ77yShT-_mZDc4y6fC2QujQiUkqL7eHBEe1r4gaBK-U/s400/bad+homburg+and+hamburg+045.jpg" /></a></p><br />We stayed the weekend with Felix's father. The house is about 30 min outside of Hamburg in a lovely, tiny rural town.<br /><br />House.<br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP2coj7NfzjrArdRWoYhBurh9qx-kcYE_cS5NUn4OJRAaGUcNnSet4z_6WlRcuOdoUhms2e1nFol3fvMMSaz9ZPt3AbDuaIsmDe6uBHgOjsr87cKOTEPh2uGQSETl2BdXNGK7zRb87WjHd/s1600-h/bad+homburg+and+hamburg+048.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374651459734651698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP2coj7NfzjrArdRWoYhBurh9qx-kcYE_cS5NUn4OJRAaGUcNnSet4z_6WlRcuOdoUhms2e1nFol3fvMMSaz9ZPt3AbDuaIsmDe6uBHgOjsr87cKOTEPh2uGQSETl2BdXNGK7zRb87WjHd/s400/bad+homburg+and+hamburg+048.jpg" /></a></p><br /><br /><br />FLOWERS! Mama, look at the dahlias! Großpapi (I never got his name, and that's how we referred to him with the kids...) had a lovely garden.<br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP5G5Ltv3nT700Pos6nvkgxNrIBvNztaOg4DpFyNqCxtNn4PsykpehIo5UlEbYAQx3o7HbfUjTZrhkDGqNGBivQKlGC2BG9kI2UzaHzDBz5_NOsNaJ5EKtxS-CXtm8FdyR9FA07EmpXJz8/s1600-h/bad+homburg+and+hamburg+049.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 375px; HEIGHT: 255px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374651449778145698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP5G5Ltv3nT700Pos6nvkgxNrIBvNztaOg4DpFyNqCxtNn4PsykpehIo5UlEbYAQx3o7HbfUjTZrhkDGqNGBivQKlGC2BG9kI2UzaHzDBz5_NOsNaJ5EKtxS-CXtm8FdyR9FA07EmpXJz8/s400/bad+homburg+and+hamburg+049.jpg" /></a></p>This was my favorite part. hey trained a pear tree along a wall. So lovely. Again - note taking. Disregard at will. :-)<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimTu4tlKpmGDEVGSpQ_nMkqCGYX7l3QX2IvxHJN2ShBNGg91PZqKk7MVlsE_ntwIiURck1B_nFHyJjIzF6b7B8vrWKu9W1iBh7avuVzXXhHfceLkvzpeMYbL5OPI4Gdc2sOPUSzm2LNmhO/s1600-h/bad+homburg+and+hamburg+050.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 419px; HEIGHT: 263px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374651440671734546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimTu4tlKpmGDEVGSpQ_nMkqCGYX7l3QX2IvxHJN2ShBNGg91PZqKk7MVlsE_ntwIiURck1B_nFHyJjIzF6b7B8vrWKu9W1iBh7avuVzXXhHfceLkvzpeMYbL5OPI4Gdc2sOPUSzm2LNmhO/s400/bad+homburg+and+hamburg+050.jpg" /></a></p>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17446475400711811995noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3475133147040771853.post-52023536107660721822009-08-27T07:25:00.000-07:002009-08-27T07:28:54.616-07:00ALBINO LADYBUGThis landed on mz lamp the other night. CRAZY! Just had to share.<br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia9kRKNct-pzSvCxo3VJ-cW-YCAYEL8IN3JWdSOKSpg46zLWCwnarDOeUv2VZKvme7iS-OJD-KyPOM974JiiJFeOyivfI3xIOWImOQ1egBZ59vouWhEut1TrICsshsDITgpoIbaHbSBS6a/s1600-h/bad+homburg+and+hamburg+051.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374649965456476610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia9kRKNct-pzSvCxo3VJ-cW-YCAYEL8IN3JWdSOKSpg46zLWCwnarDOeUv2VZKvme7iS-OJD-KyPOM974JiiJFeOyivfI3xIOWImOQ1egBZ59vouWhEut1TrICsshsDITgpoIbaHbSBS6a/s400/bad+homburg+and+hamburg+051.jpg" /></a></p>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17446475400711811995noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3475133147040771853.post-40339572073350257232009-08-27T06:26:00.000-07:002009-08-27T07:18:13.028-07:00Bad Homburg<div align="left"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;font-family:Georgia;" lang="EN-GB" >This is the town in which I live.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></span> </div><div align="left"><br /> </div><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;font-family:Georgia;" lang="EN-GB" ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;font-family:Georgia;" lang="EN-GB" >We are less than 30 min from Frankfurt, which is the banking/business hub of <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Germany</st1:place></st1:country-region>. Little Bad Homurg is far from being a business hub, thank goodness! The town centers around a small castle with a 'fußgänger zone' (a shopping/dining street accessible only to pedestrians) below it. Our street leads straight to the castle grounds -a 5 minute walk from the house. Little Fritzy and I have taken several walks there over the past few weeks. He sits in his stroller and tells me which way we should turn next as we wind through the grounds. He has recently ventured outside of the stroller to pick up acorns - what exciting lives we lead, eh? :-)</span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;font-family:Georgia;" lang="EN-GB" ><o:p></o:p></span> </p><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><o:p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span></o:p></span></p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbKSPpgEDf637SJSGIdutuX5JzxlyfoD0n6rPsEO4hUWebl_VSZKM9wY6Zxf2GfMsUjfaAGC-sJktSSOE8eRJLYebY1EaX5EoOxEPyKjjxWEdgUGJp-WszvDAu1U1E5i4kAlSaiwl_NeuH/s1600-h/bad+homburg+and+hamburg+010.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 314px; HEIGHT: 392px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374637770868975186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbKSPpgEDf637SJSGIdutuX5JzxlyfoD0n6rPsEO4hUWebl_VSZKM9wY6Zxf2GfMsUjfaAGC-sJktSSOE8eRJLYebY1EaX5EoOxEPyKjjxWEdgUGJp-WszvDAu1U1E5i4kAlSaiwl_NeuH/s400/bad+homburg+and+hamburg+010.jpg" /></a></p><p align="center"> </p><p align="center"></p><p align="left">Here a view of the witchtower from the grounds. I don't know what they mean exactly by 'witchtower', that is just what the sign says. Sweet scene in any case. </p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhey-k3ObdAo_CBtJF9vtQ_3bRbgOLjac1PDLS5AyVg5rMvV4DZZ4-JDSYuojmqYNnMIMkx-82Z9HJYKZ5N7LN5ZO7D7h8IRHak7GYx89LRYPcAJIPOqt9TsWyRdBEOwc0A3jRLuGgGQoFG/s1600-h/bad+homburg+and+hamburg+012.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 338px; HEIGHT: 466px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374637775315840626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhey-k3ObdAo_CBtJF9vtQ_3bRbgOLjac1PDLS5AyVg5rMvV4DZZ4-JDSYuojmqYNnMIMkx-82Z9HJYKZ5N7LN5ZO7D7h8IRHak7GYx89LRYPcAJIPOqt9TsWyRdBEOwc0A3jRLuGgGQoFG/s400/bad+homburg+and+hamburg+012.jpg" /></a></p><p align="center"> </p><p align="left">The castle tower. To the right is a huge pond - 'Wasser!' Fritz shouts...every single time he sees it...</p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMnJrUN0dwt3rZnenhBPCdKZGemmSdvXbj75YIj2kLkIpYZGDuLF3f7KE8iIJzH6o-nztT1Jh_JUX7gEPszDfVnaAIJTaBsX4NUFxeF8WoLolQ-BAS_gBiw8Q67FUlKCnhU8n8cgh7Q7F1/s1600-h/bad+homburg+and+hamburg+001.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 379px; HEIGHT: 459px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374637781518164146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMnJrUN0dwt3rZnenhBPCdKZGemmSdvXbj75YIj2kLkIpYZGDuLF3f7KE8iIJzH6o-nztT1Jh_JUX7gEPszDfVnaAIJTaBsX4NUFxeF8WoLolQ-BAS_gBiw8Q67FUlKCnhU8n8cgh7Q7F1/s400/bad+homburg+and+hamburg+001.jpg" /></a></p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj66CgT7GSfHS3gQGwXDVXtJxoN_X0msygOs8DAo_Jz30ln-FWqTxWf_WZa7Glrgu5fi1nVAUvZHPWT7JGcm-aL0ygsgC0C00wXiTXiQkM75SVh4Fl1h093XZZksxNuCLc4WRBR87zMyROL/s1600-h/bad+homburg+and+hamburg+011.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 523px; HEIGHT: 309px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374639299520942242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj66CgT7GSfHS3gQGwXDVXtJxoN_X0msygOs8DAo_Jz30ln-FWqTxWf_WZa7Glrgu5fi1nVAUvZHPWT7JGcm-aL0ygsgC0C00wXiTXiQkM75SVh4Fl1h093XZZksxNuCLc4WRBR87zMyROL/s400/bad+homburg+and+hamburg+011.jpg" /></a></p><p align="left"> </p><p align="left">Mama, Daddy, I am gathering gardening ideas as I go. I love the way they've labled these little fruit trees. They've hung little handwritten signs from the trunks. Subtle and sophisticated. Love it. </p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAFyLYFPRlc-ophsaAlrGdOB_g4wXLo4-HeEEpE_TDm8JwCYwn86_8B-Orj2hcftL8mJP6pfyDMfBrlVBSH6iIdO6CoaK9o45AlDdKYb0w8CJ4PcKDZOiuHtz7FijGseZ_gBBhiED6HE8j/s1600-h/bad+homburg+and+hamburg+009.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 291px; HEIGHT: 348px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374639296332153250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAFyLYFPRlc-ophsaAlrGdOB_g4wXLo4-HeEEpE_TDm8JwCYwn86_8B-Orj2hcftL8mJP6pfyDMfBrlVBSH6iIdO6CoaK9o45AlDdKYb0w8CJ4PcKDZOiuHtz7FijGseZ_gBBhiED6HE8j/s400/bad+homburg+and+hamburg+009.jpg" /></a></p><br /><br /><br />Here is the church next to the castle, and more of the grounds. (Love the turquoise pots!)<br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1xpAmkwuoGs4ILWJQV_RQymor7bXT8gjG_dcKUhpC-aAugOOnTUZ-5nSDSySbcAk_T7GswvDa7kVnXwE37q1i8oFRUZN9ws62xV1qy-JGPeDlCAcSKbpfeWNHXdxt8XEgvJ8uXCDvCuXx/s1600-h/bad+homburg+and+hamburg+008.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 497px; HEIGHT: 358px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374639288609060994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1xpAmkwuoGs4ILWJQV_RQymor7bXT8gjG_dcKUhpC-aAugOOnTUZ-5nSDSySbcAk_T7GswvDa7kVnXwE37q1i8oFRUZN9ws62xV1qy-JGPeDlCAcSKbpfeWNHXdxt8XEgvJ8uXCDvCuXx/s400/bad+homburg+and+hamburg+008.jpg" /></a></p><p align="center"></p><p align="center"><img style="WIDTH: 484px; HEIGHT: 339px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374637792890187266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMLCjzkQSORPDfB554bQAYxTax-Auqt3aTZpZI7mgTkysyMEwsGiY4oH8Skst2MFSqFWQi7d1oeSF50NKuWd6pxoNlkPmho0prvgGAlDMB4kN0K_pXUTer2Q1WO-m9qv7SZz3PXo7Y2OVL/s400/bad+homburg+and+hamburg+005.jpg" /></p><p align="left">I love beautiful things and beautiful weather. I have both in abundance here and am grateful for them. Amen. :-)<br /><br /><br /><br /></p>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17446475400711811995noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3475133147040771853.post-26233971267546810932009-08-27T04:19:00.001-07:002009-08-27T06:23:09.916-07:00Cologne II<div><br /><div><div><div>Alright, here is the rest of my Cologne trip:</div><div><br /><br />If you can make them out, here is a picture of the flying buttresses on the dom - I have some vague memories of Mama talking about her fascination with flying buttresses and thought of her - this is for you, Mama!</div><div><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibTmBE61bnxeF-sLQSv6O88H51xjPBNfq-fVwcUKAL6yITDKUcwhRBZ7oPkZ4d4LYwbZHGZcirLxlXokqOr1TqBCH9-17HDA2Ej2ioI5zjAUBBRT3pqmBA6u7YthYwLBptEbo9ruMs4HQF/s1600-h/cologne+134.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374607983041752562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibTmBE61bnxeF-sLQSv6O88H51xjPBNfq-fVwcUKAL6yITDKUcwhRBZ7oPkZ4d4LYwbZHGZcirLxlXokqOr1TqBCH9-17HDA2Ej2ioI5zjAUBBRT3pqmBA6u7YthYwLBptEbo9ruMs4HQF/s400/cologne+134.jpg" /></a></p><div><br /></div><div>And the wretched, misleading staircase.</div><div><br /><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizceGKPAlHu3mKeBWWKqkNNgl-57rFCSS-w0rPIoF5lzTS1ADwPE2-GKNWAlREfA4RdHE3eBESKmjSqd0736mmsJ07RMTBl37z0f-DJs51QHnj2HGsWWbz-NkmZwnX9Skfdry4xX_0DVkJ/s1600-h/cologne+124.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 355px; HEIGHT: 464px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374605437090305154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizceGKPAlHu3mKeBWWKqkNNgl-57rFCSS-w0rPIoF5lzTS1ADwPE2-GKNWAlREfA4RdHE3eBESKmjSqd0736mmsJ07RMTBl37z0f-DJs51QHnj2HGsWWbz-NkmZwnX9Skfdry4xX_0DVkJ/s400/cologne+124.jpg" /></a></p><div><br /><br /></div><div>After I made it down, I bought an ice cream cone (what else!?!) and took a little walk. Next to the cathedral is a Roman/Germanic museum. It was closed at the time, but the exhibit outside was lovely. Colin, Daddy, these are for you. Thought you two might be interested.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0DMVCwvley1wUstO7Nv2GNJlq1pU_6N_5bHBYHIb_Kxfd-LnGQgZm7hdQEBR4bxTmPTrQJkDZGCIVsVq8cKQCMZtkr4KFHd7gn_svSYJc5H1JfrEMgDnl59LYCYDRsoDqV_OEmhVBDDg_/s1600-h/cologne+138.jpg"></a></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2DEJBdFmtLy9Tc3SLXMmG2i8AHirgX5p59T3sPpjJqgU7eXJ_8OOw8FKjAjmyOy2OY50ft1Qk833EfrD1ygKhkYSJ3I7UvOtIw2PPp7c_RhfuAzEpzlre2HQy9DEjE9S7z2eesyf04tgq/s1600-h/cologne+130.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 424px; HEIGHT: 539px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374604498929806546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2DEJBdFmtLy9Tc3SLXMmG2i8AHirgX5p59T3sPpjJqgU7eXJ_8OOw8FKjAjmyOy2OY50ft1Qk833EfrD1ygKhkYSJ3I7UvOtIw2PPp7c_RhfuAzEpzlre2HQy9DEjE9S7z2eesyf04tgq/s400/cologne+130.jpg" /></a><br /></p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfHvoNFQNLU4LDx_WgabKbTBei4cYcWzrv9aSJ_Jl5K1bD9xRrEw6s4czenoWGogyaSswm1ywF5iMRAXKTtC1DWQFwjDUzzgLRGeYsDcRpMaDD6zmlpQOyAngiMWjJpXpgeH25Dggkpqmz/s1600-h/cologne+126.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374604494786969282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfHvoNFQNLU4LDx_WgabKbTBei4cYcWzrv9aSJ_Jl5K1bD9xRrEw6s4czenoWGogyaSswm1ywF5iMRAXKTtC1DWQFwjDUzzgLRGeYsDcRpMaDD6zmlpQOyAngiMWjJpXpgeH25Dggkpqmz/s400/cologne+126.jpg" /></a><br /></p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6KlGuJoa23Zum9lqK3jk0idRtdZBrdPILsRtVguRpG23SqjH86jHDvibSp1Ot5A5EbGp3D5dIsrO6AcUZnhwrxgI7a117ICJvmxopLBCdjCJN94jdQAhgaoxROp0YGeukWZed5t-iNRQw/s1600-h/cologne+125.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 450px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374603008625323826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6KlGuJoa23Zum9lqK3jk0idRtdZBrdPILsRtVguRpG23SqjH86jHDvibSp1Ot5A5EbGp3D5dIsrO6AcUZnhwrxgI7a117ICJvmxopLBCdjCJN94jdQAhgaoxROp0YGeukWZed5t-iNRQw/s400/cologne+125.jpg" /></a></p><p align="center"> </p><div>Then, more walking...For some strange reason, I couldn't get way from the cathedral. I went in all different directions and would always wind back up at the dom. WEIRD! First Arlington Cemetery, then the Cologne Dom - I am NEVER going anywhere near the Burmuda Triangle! </div><div></div><div> </div><div>Once I FINALLY escaped the dom, I spent an hour or two wandering around the medieval part of the city. The streets were cobbled and narrow -very cozy. You can see the facades of the buildings - mostly beerhouses and cafes below, with housing above, I believe. The whole atmosphere was chaming!<br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZbv5MkMGb9hUVgOMfqyMpuj2yRk6bXeVUyGDhuIAZlsj6FOdVQfZp6sKMNTrGzzCSsPymRWfbQWbI3OaAzhAAjmEJ-tsyHhGRNI8uvGfSMGsmPw-ilUcrAep-tmIW7WfcA6XNhB3VOKSt/s1600-h/cologne+136.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374607981350390530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZbv5MkMGb9hUVgOMfqyMpuj2yRk6bXeVUyGDhuIAZlsj6FOdVQfZp6sKMNTrGzzCSsPymRWfbQWbI3OaAzhAAjmEJ-tsyHhGRNI8uvGfSMGsmPw-ilUcrAep-tmIW7WfcA6XNhB3VOKSt/s400/cologne+136.jpg" /></a></p><p align="center"></p><p align="left">And this is a statue in the middle of the old haymarket. I know it is odd, but I love haymarkets!!! I have no idea what this monument is about specifically...I just wanted to remember the place.</p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlMM6GhF1HTb0gcfwqfLMeqGw9CGY5M7o1rJ8c53MHIz-KWfyr_eEdwzfKSt7XdhKtVEdIGo3IZNw2xokCdRVS_LE42thgqH7JdZojDS09FUY8hwSUMsTsrpVU1dgaY-ttzZkk6d9E_gyI/s1600-h/cologne+135.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374607972912826754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlMM6GhF1HTb0gcfwqfLMeqGw9CGY5M7o1rJ8c53MHIz-KWfyr_eEdwzfKSt7XdhKtVEdIGo3IZNw2xokCdRVS_LE42thgqH7JdZojDS09FUY8hwSUMsTsrpVU1dgaY-ttzZkk6d9E_gyI/s400/cologne+135.jpg" /></a></p><p align="center"></p><p align="left">And finally, Monty Python! What the...? I love it! I couldn't help thinking of Colin and the FOOs when I saw the billboards. Can we tell I miss my family? - It's true. Trips are just not the same without you! Love! </p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0DMVCwvley1wUstO7Nv2GNJlq1pU_6N_5bHBYHIb_Kxfd-LnGQgZm7hdQEBR4bxTmPTrQJkDZGCIVsVq8cKQCMZtkr4KFHd7gn_svSYJc5H1JfrEMgDnl59LYCYDRsoDqV_OEmhVBDDg_/s1600-h/cologne+138.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374607991549680818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0DMVCwvley1wUstO7Nv2GNJlq1pU_6N_5bHBYHIb_Kxfd-LnGQgZm7hdQEBR4bxTmPTrQJkDZGCIVsVq8cKQCMZtkr4KFHd7gn_svSYJc5H1JfrEMgDnl59LYCYDRsoDqV_OEmhVBDDg_/s400/cologne+138.jpg" /></a></p><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17446475400711811995noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3475133147040771853.post-61475605225545392422009-08-10T13:02:00.000-07:002009-08-10T14:15:01.685-07:00CologneHere are the kiddos - Filipa, Fritz, and Marietta respectively. We are in the car on the way to Cologne from Bab Homburg.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhomwRlCQU3Aa3Rjk2GBADBUjJXSlQ-XlSQfIAG9Kdo2JeHkBloxJ8x7MkkyhnXqlG-Omhxb2kA0npwEydIuYkGqMhnMlbElOeehBE_P9j8kfXiofqKSiBSvuL1VtMcZlm524ro65URCJV/s1600-h/cologne+001.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhomwRlCQU3Aa3Rjk2GBADBUjJXSlQ-XlSQfIAG9Kdo2JeHkBloxJ8x7MkkyhnXqlG-Omhxb2kA0npwEydIuYkGqMhnMlbElOeehBE_P9j8kfXiofqKSiBSvuL1VtMcZlm524ro65URCJV/s400/cologne+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368430634401458130" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><br />The family dropped me off in the city on their way to visit a friend from college. Melanie was wonderful and found a cheap bus tour. I rode around for an hour and a half hearing the history. Here is a pic of the cathedral and the city from my bus window. Note the greyness of the day. A little glum, but still pretty.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9pzEFQL1a9bH1X545CGfWwreLEbo7qpcA_p6AKuxJqCT9YvWtHP5-Ypy93li24L2iAwZcgBr4LKeVFT38jyrKC0dfG9oyQCp5aiOm5MLFQoj-NIjvAOxIMdWqwa6ATco0Pyq7Q-UJFKV7/s1600-h/cologne+012.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9pzEFQL1a9bH1X545CGfWwreLEbo7qpcA_p6AKuxJqCT9YvWtHP5-Ypy93li24L2iAwZcgBr4LKeVFT38jyrKC0dfG9oyQCp5aiOm5MLFQoj-NIjvAOxIMdWqwa6ATco0Pyq7Q-UJFKV7/s400/cologne+012.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368430645645277698" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjElyLEl8pT_YoSV0c37h-ZDsSZCqMJuE6MwqblPZ8iqzxc6IpQm5EApC6y1kszPmuhwQILZkdDCSMj1VIhEJcEF1zQ9z59PM4cHolCHKzF9xiDyaZLpBK3yUtvdhg9qT5XJdjaEBhOp1L6/s1600-h/cologne+020.jpg"> </a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjElyLEl8pT_YoSV0c37h-ZDsSZCqMJuE6MwqblPZ8iqzxc6IpQm5EApC6y1kszPmuhwQILZkdDCSMj1VIhEJcEF1zQ9z59PM4cHolCHKzF9xiDyaZLpBK3yUtvdhg9qT5XJdjaEBhOp1L6/s1600-h/cologne+020.jpg"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIZw7Bl2GBnosYfFiVZ0_L0o13bw-r36pm3HN6FO4_EnuCzi9CCPZ7P4tJD_DrafZYtCl88pnuombCvUZPXdyNitynRwxJOHTucrzFcODoqeQu6HZ_7QZKfmD0MEdu_rnUVXm4IBYqvhyphenhypheni/s1600-h/cologne+019.jpg"> </a><br /></div><br />Apparently eau de cologne comes from Cologne - who knew!?! There is a particular brand of it, called 4711 -after the address of the parfumerie where it is made, and here it is!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIZw7Bl2GBnosYfFiVZ0_L0o13bw-r36pm3HN6FO4_EnuCzi9CCPZ7P4tJD_DrafZYtCl88pnuombCvUZPXdyNitynRwxJOHTucrzFcODoqeQu6HZ_7QZKfmD0MEdu_rnUVXm4IBYqvhyphenhypheni/s1600-h/cologne+019.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 202px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIZw7Bl2GBnosYfFiVZ0_L0o13bw-r36pm3HN6FO4_EnuCzi9CCPZ7P4tJD_DrafZYtCl88pnuombCvUZPXdyNitynRwxJOHTucrzFcODoqeQu6HZ_7QZKfmD0MEdu_rnUVXm4IBYqvhyphenhypheni/s400/cologne+019.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368430644225633746" border="0" /> </a><br /></div><br />Finally out of the bus, and toe the Dom (German name for catherdral). It is the biggest in<br />Germany -holy hugeness!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIZw7Bl2GBnosYfFiVZ0_L0o13bw-r36pm3HN6FO4_EnuCzi9CCPZ7P4tJD_DrafZYtCl88pnuombCvUZPXdyNitynRwxJOHTucrzFcODoqeQu6HZ_7QZKfmD0MEdu_rnUVXm4IBYqvhyphenhypheni/s1600-h/cologne+019.jpg"> </a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjElyLEl8pT_YoSV0c37h-ZDsSZCqMJuE6MwqblPZ8iqzxc6IpQm5EApC6y1kszPmuhwQILZkdDCSMj1VIhEJcEF1zQ9z59PM4cHolCHKzF9xiDyaZLpBK3yUtvdhg9qT5XJdjaEBhOp1L6/s1600-h/cologne+020.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 297px; height: 395px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjElyLEl8pT_YoSV0c37h-ZDsSZCqMJuE6MwqblPZ8iqzxc6IpQm5EApC6y1kszPmuhwQILZkdDCSMj1VIhEJcEF1zQ9z59PM4cHolCHKzF9xiDyaZLpBK3yUtvdhg9qT5XJdjaEBhOp1L6/s400/cologne+020.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368430654321659490" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><br />For some reason, I was rather tickled by the statues of the apostles/kings - whatever they are. A little quirky<br />.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz1C9kqZ1RWHQwv0jSuhIC0nRwOhiiKzE425IIIHi6dtBetyNmIkwk_D5x3GiwzcmNEcHOdlaxqZNUWGEI78E-SvDfrZxamdTe5mxa5XXyAYzR0PTFZelrSfti4HALMP9FlP8KbNExyq2K/s1600-h/cologne+025.jpg"></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOqkxe8sivwI9BUl3rPyCrRSLElTyptuUR0L8UqrIClTqLfGwb3zQecIMR0d7voLv4l64hkBQYmtQfZBXLePUGDlJMEDc1hBK8Zlj3HWbP9J1bm8QzoxQPWAMbBFAeDpzi7DySfB8WsOIK/s1600-h/cologne+026.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 257px; height: 192px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOqkxe8sivwI9BUl3rPyCrRSLElTyptuUR0L8UqrIClTqLfGwb3zQecIMR0d7voLv4l64hkBQYmtQfZBXLePUGDlJMEDc1hBK8Zlj3HWbP9J1bm8QzoxQPWAMbBFAeDpzi7DySfB8WsOIK/s400/cologne+026.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368437418213247394" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz1C9kqZ1RWHQwv0jSuhIC0nRwOhiiKzE425IIIHi6dtBetyNmIkwk_D5x3GiwzcmNEcHOdlaxqZNUWGEI78E-SvDfrZxamdTe5mxa5XXyAYzR0PTFZelrSfti4HALMP9FlP8KbNExyq2K/s1600-h/cologne+025.jpg"> <img style="cursor: pointer; width: 256px; height: 192px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz1C9kqZ1RWHQwv0jSuhIC0nRwOhiiKzE425IIIHi6dtBetyNmIkwk_D5x3GiwzcmNEcHOdlaxqZNUWGEI78E-SvDfrZxamdTe5mxa5XXyAYzR0PTFZelrSfti4HALMP9FlP8KbNExyq2K/s400/cologne+025.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368429611457194850" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">And then the glrious interior! I LOVE gothic columns and the vaulted ceilings! AMAZING!!!<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPFTv28dgG82I4_qPMGr99EpvfwNaNYrkbQer15cCMraWuyHIFdkAjRV8b4ZkuSEg_OzuJVbgt3GbkyhMUT7wA1Xel8YLEQjEurSRljnM4S-mmNKsjbgNgt0iEdUPC7kLhyphenhyphenrNpnWiowJ1A/s1600-h/cologne+027.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPFTv28dgG82I4_qPMGr99EpvfwNaNYrkbQer15cCMraWuyHIFdkAjRV8b4ZkuSEg_OzuJVbgt3GbkyhMUT7wA1Xel8YLEQjEurSRljnM4S-mmNKsjbgNgt0iEdUPC7kLhyphenhyphenrNpnWiowJ1A/s400/cologne+027.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368437427536974850" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNy04HNcdBwVGijpoAS8IKG3iTmTgT0BOH21pf7RK3ZYeiJbs2e9v9JpJjy9wuPWg0ncYpL8IutleBlWPcNeIN5j8CGuYN0MhFa3qTN8SJjuYAKJWrmAQR9-dgtkEWsI7dZuHPIP2z7EBk/s1600-h/cologne+052.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNy04HNcdBwVGijpoAS8IKG3iTmTgT0BOH21pf7RK3ZYeiJbs2e9v9JpJjy9wuPWg0ncYpL8IutleBlWPcNeIN5j8CGuYN0MhFa3qTN8SJjuYAKJWrmAQR9-dgtkEWsI7dZuHPIP2z7EBk/s400/cologne+052.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368437447298811666" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmtZfgaj9G4fUnh8P6-pzFhwdPZBDIZd8O50h1_tNZH0vEg2SAQy8wkKFnxAizAKRqurvXZcUQRtdlpPaAKBeVaeSOP_lmjnjVu-sG1NFgDpbUUZFtcIS50W6ZmbTNxRa7XXgnSid-byv6/s1600-h/cologne+038.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 420px; height: 560px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmtZfgaj9G4fUnh8P6-pzFhwdPZBDIZd8O50h1_tNZH0vEg2SAQy8wkKFnxAizAKRqurvXZcUQRtdlpPaAKBeVaeSOP_lmjnjVu-sG1NFgDpbUUZFtcIS50W6ZmbTNxRa7XXgnSid-byv6/s400/cologne+038.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368437444366693954" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc7oMxFGGzDpV_4hhJkQpjNylkHbLN-OVSspmjn__ksbeDgwxxT5RHlPdVyIVKNUbDlB5N_XHjNW6_QmeMp2XBk5rIsF8mMsTHYwGWbXi8ZEmIwJcEZlWlh7xukCorc-PijpXogGd5tcXv/s1600-h/cologne+036.jpg"> </a><br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg75yt8s6eQj6yOniezrYKfVMj-rSLm8RqEWtrAvUbdbxnCcV6iIMj2R71JgMT4iOSXbdiQ-m44baOzFXm6ZQJNYPDxt-khRGK_qr5rtrlg4fNeLwtmopxitW68dnj8m9J9Ke9YAoCTs9m1/s1600-h/cologne+074.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg75yt8s6eQj6yOniezrYKfVMj-rSLm8RqEWtrAvUbdbxnCcV6iIMj2R71JgMT4iOSXbdiQ-m44baOzFXm6ZQJNYPDxt-khRGK_qr5rtrlg4fNeLwtmopxitW68dnj8m9J9Ke9YAoCTs9m1/s400/cologne+074.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368440313496140626" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_J8wuyWwT7dDd4j9yyA280dDS_KkEMWnvS_mnLATCwOPPN7zUa-x9-K4M9zAnzcbkTfDyzQiATNNRrwlffbhJdYDTQf6KSL4Fu_G8UnsH_2pI2ajDSlneBUnPUGTegR9Givi8n6-ge6lU/s1600-h/cologne+066.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_J8wuyWwT7dDd4j9yyA280dDS_KkEMWnvS_mnLATCwOPPN7zUa-x9-K4M9zAnzcbkTfDyzQiATNNRrwlffbhJdYDTQf6KSL4Fu_G8UnsH_2pI2ajDSlneBUnPUGTegR9Givi8n6-ge6lU/s400/cologne+066.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368440309847141202" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAte0qHrQXdDNOATycuZ48ulAqXlqknRrriK8-q2RNtMyeFTXe-dM5ZeyyIXZc5oH78IhLGMHMLtckCFm-B8j3EJbI8FzBFVyNGttKLTVUYhBcQixjlwljmvu3hzSrW-9PmlTgcze4oNWT/s1600-h/cologne+060.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAte0qHrQXdDNOATycuZ48ulAqXlqknRrriK8-q2RNtMyeFTXe-dM5ZeyyIXZc5oH78IhLGMHMLtckCFm-B8j3EJbI8FzBFVyNGttKLTVUYhBcQixjlwljmvu3hzSrW-9PmlTgcze4oNWT/s400/cologne+060.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368440298394320274" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikm7l-64BMQrwy9EuUPXmpknNmsUk9c5p4nHlEFcxAgU5DAgNLpuLxK6KQ2nwwcoFMeOYc77NwdXLnA8MBu7v2JxPU2CphfhH8bZlgypdrRq34HEOsHObNt_O36cvmctSrdw8smD7XTnms/s1600-h/cologne+055.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikm7l-64BMQrwy9EuUPXmpknNmsUk9c5p4nHlEFcxAgU5DAgNLpuLxK6KQ2nwwcoFMeOYc77NwdXLnA8MBu7v2JxPU2CphfhH8bZlgypdrRq34HEOsHObNt_O36cvmctSrdw8smD7XTnms/s400/cologne+055.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368440296169968450" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFtyYXdbr3hyphenhyphenpcOdP75yy_zEFU2zxHd-7yjjicXR2S7rN7jdZowZdOBHqFX_SXtrhqeDmLEEYjqNk017WQZy1iXajocjr-sEYh8bY8AY4NAcK0TYVISR1mPgou_EsPl7LaaHlpWMHupREd/s1600-h/cologne+089.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFtyYXdbr3hyphenhyphenpcOdP75yy_zEFU2zxHd-7yjjicXR2S7rN7jdZowZdOBHqFX_SXtrhqeDmLEEYjqNk017WQZy1iXajocjr-sEYh8bY8AY4NAcK0TYVISR1mPgou_EsPl7LaaHlpWMHupREd/s400/cologne+089.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368442948763755698" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8W9VlRHNXLfMtdis69f4XlnVDPnG6VeRm_3Nlh3L3ob1exyR5jq1RQ9Y5BJrsX4NZCqXNoWRxJjEisFcMdeZXt8wcZnEY_krTfx5GTv_mEtiYT3gsbNHUvn3ssiXTtKWblJvSSdJXdPXx/s1600-h/cologne+093.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8W9VlRHNXLfMtdis69f4XlnVDPnG6VeRm_3Nlh3L3ob1exyR5jq1RQ9Y5BJrsX4NZCqXNoWRxJjEisFcMdeZXt8wcZnEY_krTfx5GTv_mEtiYT3gsbNHUvn3ssiXTtKWblJvSSdJXdPXx/s400/cologne+093.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368442956296852274" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>So, I saw this starcase on the same wall as the one that led me to the giftshop, so I figured it was just another exhibit or something down there in the catherdra's foundation. No, no. It was a little winding staircase that led all the way to the top of the catherdral! HOLY MOLEY. It took me a good 20 min of straight climbing, but, dang it, I did it! Here are some voews from the top, or on the way to.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIpk6dn5-R0skq61oH68cADBB9A9EVBM_G7i0WS8096r6rnB6rhAoHWNvLdIXFqD0SdlaY8NfQLu2Aud9usCW3A930NdtnNRqPZT5LmDTwdyBa5B1g5RtWkR9Jw2H3ZTK39CHisVxzBBtU/s1600-h/cologne+103.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIpk6dn5-R0skq61oH68cADBB9A9EVBM_G7i0WS8096r6rnB6rhAoHWNvLdIXFqD0SdlaY8NfQLu2Aud9usCW3A930NdtnNRqPZT5LmDTwdyBa5B1g5RtWkR9Jw2H3ZTK39CHisVxzBBtU/s400/cologne+103.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368442963300398930" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiihRNmZgdY6-5jD9JExxRU_xPAzsCcmpft5mOXnwHIGX5M7YS1SY3lw5pdl854vtYUASQH3IAG9kb3405kpSwfskYBltDgjPcNnvSAcRCAEIIWSYmOeMMEMhGFa5FWC7e9wcPB_c7WzEya/s1600-h/cologne+120.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiihRNmZgdY6-5jD9JExxRU_xPAzsCcmpft5mOXnwHIGX5M7YS1SY3lw5pdl854vtYUASQH3IAG9kb3405kpSwfskYBltDgjPcNnvSAcRCAEIIWSYmOeMMEMhGFa5FWC7e9wcPB_c7WzEya/s400/cologne+120.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368442974561438290" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQYaGZppx28sydN43uB0Kqhl-sEp_1JS_nYQLaVSFFwqlfheCPXbujKK_BkngSCNruusiqM2C1OSGQ8flcGHUIxVLoLQhS6r4i9bB7Xu5UdU5_iM7N0kS4DqI83rNtev5cJF4GCtfHhTLg/s1600-h/cologne+113.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQYaGZppx28sydN43uB0Kqhl-sEp_1JS_nYQLaVSFFwqlfheCPXbujKK_BkngSCNruusiqM2C1OSGQ8flcGHUIxVLoLQhS6r4i9bB7Xu5UdU5_iM7N0kS4DqI83rNtev5cJF4GCtfHhTLg/s400/cologne+113.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368442965388987154" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17446475400711811995noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3475133147040771853.post-9309117372350028172009-08-01T09:41:00.001-07:002009-08-01T10:51:27.785-07:00Departures and Arrivals<div align="center"><br /></div><div align="left"><br /><br /></div><div align="left">The adventure has begun - and what a beginning it has been!<br /><br />Friday morning, I woke up an hour early - 3:30 am - with the distinct impression that I should double check my flight info. Marje just happened to have left her computer downstairs and, lo and behold! I had mistaken my arrival time for my departure time! From that point I had 2.5 hours to pick up Liza from the hospital in Chandler, get to the airport, through security, and board my plane. With some significant help from Abs and Lizy, I made it just fine - though there were a couple of nerve wracking moments like getting pulled over for not having my lights on (how did the automatic lights get turned off!?!) and tearing through my luggage at the ticket counter to get rid of 9 pounds and avoid a $150 fee...but it all worked out; no ticket, no fee.<br /><br />The flights were fine - better than expected. My last and longest leg was on a Lufthansa air bus. I am now an official Lufthansa fan. The service was excellent, the entertainment options varied and fee-free, and they provided little feather pillows with quality linens - brilliant!<br /><br />Well, Kara will appreciate that I once again had a little difficulty getting out of the airport. I think I'll just make it a tradition now. However, I did manage - and in decent time too.<br /><br />Then off to my family's house. We drove up the driveway that wraps around the house to a precious little scene: the 3 children (ages 2, 4, and 6) were sitting at their little picnic table on the porch with their breakfast laid out. Hooray for summer picnicking! Mommy and Vatti spent the day doing yard work, the little ones lounging and playing, and I in a constant state of mild befuddlement. Knowing so little of the language, and not being sure whether I ought to be speaking English or German contributed to the confusion. Trying to work myself into family dynamic compounded it. Then there was the fact that I had had a total of maybe 3 hours of sleep since 3:30 am AZ time...and we all know how funky I get on no sleep. It's amazing!<br /><br />A nap, a shower, and some peace and quiet have restored at least a portion of my sanity. I am now sitting in my little bedroom at the top of the house, enjoying the view of the pretty garden below, and my lovely welcome flowers on my table within. Though I have no idea what to expect for the upcoming months, I feel at peace. I think this will be good.<br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="center"><br /></div><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365052923722252946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 363px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 222px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjbMXNX5A8MFID7QHkYYziNUfbRs6gT7ukRuW4G21zCy5xjYhzK8qwXNNG1PCB5i62EiYQxqGVRZBXLeb7UPlwr1iyV_5IYSIgnp2cG2UI2aeMXSYUE1VoYmHF-Y4twdUfJklFZkWUwrfI/s320/my+room+002.jpg" border="0" /></p><p align="center">My cute little room</p><p align="center"> </p><p align="center"> </p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365052913792727394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 245px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 338px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfVTrWCYUPWRnQQGpMai6GoYHSFjitrswNa-84M-G6M9QGlvzXgIRNIv3sqhahZr_ZL0oU2ug-5tvPeWB1e6mMm9HjmmsaIKtvLc-NpDYSM2Bcu_7tD29frGtB1gH0ChpDJyHTNrU34BO7/s320/my+room+001.jpg" border="0" /></p><p align="center">View of the garden from my window</p>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17446475400711811995noreply@blogger.com1