Just when you think the hype has ended it starts again!!! Today was the welcome home event for the soccer team and it was just as wild and crazy of a day as Sunday was!!
We could not believe the amounts of people who have returned sporting their orange gear to catch a glimpse if their favorite team. We were going to rent a canal bike to tour some of the 62 miles of canals, but due to the soccer team going to the center via boat in the canal, they were not renting today. Most of the canals were closed down and to be honest it might have been really embarrassing pedaling our boat down canals lined with thousands and thousands of people.
Instead we went to a firestation and visited then walked through the famous square where all the parties have been, and are still, going on! Next we headed to a park to sit and read in the sunshine.
It just so happened we were walking home as the boat with the players was traveling under the bridge we were crossing so I jumped on Kevs shoulders and snapped a couple of quick pictures! Nice timing seeing how most of the people had been standing there for four hours!
Now we are in our room getting ready to pack for the final time. It's a weird feeling. Some sadness to know that our dream of spending time in Europe has come to an end, some excitement to get home, see everyone, sleep in our own bed, work in our yard and just go back to normal life, and some dread to sit in a tiny little awful airplane seat for another 13 hours :(
This morning at breakfast we spent time reflecting on all the things this trip has brought us. We had to sit and think (and read the blog) to even remember all of the things we have done and seen these last three weeks and everyone of them brought smiles to our faces. Kevin said he has been reminded what's important in life, and that his truck, without four wheel drive really isn't as life ruining as it felt before :) He said it is so easy to get wrapped up in silly things and make big deals out of things that really don't matter when your home. Once you have the opportunity to remove yourself from the situation you can get a clearer look at what is really important. He also has regained excitement for working on our yard and house with this much needed break that he so deserved. I have been reminded just how great Kevin and I are together. When placed in a situation where its just him and I, with no distractions- no phone calls, barely any Internet or tv, no friends, no family and maybe most impact of all, no dogs, we still have so much fun and laugh and i've remembered how fun it is to just sit and talk to each other. I understand the importance of traveling together, especially once you have kids, more now than ever! There have been many of stressful situations and compromises on this trip and somehow we have made it through them all without ever putting a damper on our trip. Sure, we argue, but as the couple who had been married over 50 years that we met in Ireland told us "People who don't argue have no excitement in their lives. There is no way two people can or should agree all the time!" So among many many other things this trip has done for us, it has reminded me of what a great team Kevin and I make and how lucky I am to have found such an amazing man to spend my life with. We truly feel blessed for this opportunity and amazing experience!
I appreciate all of you who have followed our journey and shared you excitement and enthusiasm with us! Without all o your support this trip may have been more difficult for us! We cannot wait to share our almost 1,000 pictures (no Patti, I will not be scrapping all of these!) with anyone who dares to ask! And we are so excited to see everyone again! It's been a long time!!!
Thanks again! See some of you tomorrow!!! Bon-voyage!
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Monday, July 12, 2010
Rainy Monday in Amsterdam
Well today started out a little, actually more like a lot, wet. We went into a store and came out to a monsoon!!! We decided we could go sit in our room, or buy umbrellas and move on. Seeing as how the forecast called for rain the entire day we decided to get ourselves umbrellas and keep moving!
We walked to the fire station up the road and tried to visit so Kevin could trade a shirt like he did in Dublin, but no one came to the door, so we walked around and looked in the bay doors where we found the all out back laying on floaties in a blow up pool... Looked like typical firefighter business to me. We might try to go buy there again tomorrow.
Next we walked to the Heineken brewery and found some great souvenirs! And right down the road from that was a street market that we walked through and got these delicious little dough ball things covered in powdered sugar and butter. We don't know what they were, but they were yummy!
We went to dinner and walked around town some more this evening noticing the drastic change in atmosphere compared to yesterday. There is no sign if people in orange anymore, the banners have all been removed and the streets have all been cleaned of beer cans and bottles. Life has returned to normal for these people, and it was a nice welcome change for us today. One day of excitement was plenty.
We have settled down and are beginning to run pretty low on energy. Plus the weather today made us feel like we were home and it made us both think about our little girls all day long. We could not be more ready to smooch those two!!
Tomorrow is going to be sunny again and we have a few more things on our list to do (that we couldn't do today in the rain), and then we will be packing to come home. We are feeling ready now to be at our house and have life back to normal, but we will enjoy our last day to it's fullest!!
See you all soon!
We walked to the fire station up the road and tried to visit so Kevin could trade a shirt like he did in Dublin, but no one came to the door, so we walked around and looked in the bay doors where we found the all out back laying on floaties in a blow up pool... Looked like typical firefighter business to me. We might try to go buy there again tomorrow.
Next we walked to the Heineken brewery and found some great souvenirs! And right down the road from that was a street market that we walked through and got these delicious little dough ball things covered in powdered sugar and butter. We don't know what they were, but they were yummy!
We went to dinner and walked around town some more this evening noticing the drastic change in atmosphere compared to yesterday. There is no sign if people in orange anymore, the banners have all been removed and the streets have all been cleaned of beer cans and bottles. Life has returned to normal for these people, and it was a nice welcome change for us today. One day of excitement was plenty.
We have settled down and are beginning to run pretty low on energy. Plus the weather today made us feel like we were home and it made us both think about our little girls all day long. We could not be more ready to smooch those two!!
Tomorrow is going to be sunny again and we have a few more things on our list to do (that we couldn't do today in the rain), and then we will be packing to come home. We are feeling ready now to be at our house and have life back to normal, but we will enjoy our last day to it's fullest!!
See you all soon!
Sunday, July 11, 2010
World Cup 2010
I wish I could find the words to describe this city today... All I can think of would be MAYHEM!!!! Holy smokes it has been crazy! I have seen more orange today than my entire life combined. The funny thing is, once you leave the couple of blocks where the big screens are set up, it settles right down. This is nice because if you don't want to be where everyone else is, you really don't have to be (besides the people driving by and honking and yelling). I really have never seen anything like this. Our hotel is right around the corner of one of the squares where the people are gathered (as well as cops, ambulances and riot squads) and while typing this we have had two helicopters fly over head.
Today was another fun one here! With all the excitement there was never a dull moment. We decided to walk around a quiet and beautiful neighborhood of Amsterdam, called Jordaan. Then we decided to move here. It was peaceful and relaxed with quiet canals separating the two sides of the street. We also met a hairless dog who we stopped and pet in this neighborhood... Totally gross!!!
Next we headed to the Anne Frank House. What a truly moving experience. I was in tears numerous times standing in the annex reading her words. There are still things like the lines on the walls where they measured the girls while living there, and the pictures Anne put on her walls to make it look more "cheerful". The feeling in there is one of fear and hope combined. Honestly an experience I will never forget. Read the book and the make the trip, it's worth it.
Next we risked our lives and went to take pictures of one of the places where the game is showing! Unreal!!! Then we decided to eat dinner on the other side of town :) At
dinner we talked to a nice man who informed us that this is not typical life here, and that it should settle down tomorrow, but we really aren't too concerned.
What an experience this has been! By the looks of it tomorrow morning should be pretty quiet, and this town is going to be completely trashed!!
Gotta go watch the game!!!
Today was another fun one here! With all the excitement there was never a dull moment. We decided to walk around a quiet and beautiful neighborhood of Amsterdam, called Jordaan. Then we decided to move here. It was peaceful and relaxed with quiet canals separating the two sides of the street. We also met a hairless dog who we stopped and pet in this neighborhood... Totally gross!!!
Next we headed to the Anne Frank House. What a truly moving experience. I was in tears numerous times standing in the annex reading her words. There are still things like the lines on the walls where they measured the girls while living there, and the pictures Anne put on her walls to make it look more "cheerful". The feeling in there is one of fear and hope combined. Honestly an experience I will never forget. Read the book and the make the trip, it's worth it.
Next we risked our lives and went to take pictures of one of the places where the game is showing! Unreal!!! Then we decided to eat dinner on the other side of town :) At
dinner we talked to a nice man who informed us that this is not typical life here, and that it should settle down tomorrow, but we really aren't too concerned.
What an experience this has been! By the looks of it tomorrow morning should be pretty quiet, and this town is going to be completely trashed!!
Gotta go watch the game!!!
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Welcome to Amsterdam
Well here we are in our air conditioned hotel room that has a fluffy bed and extra pillows for Kevin! He is so excited and is calling it the nicest hotel he has ever seen (it's really not, but after where we have been it feels that way). We are feeling relieved and content. Plus our day started off on a great foot when we were in first class on our three hour train ride here! It was awesome!!
Once we got here we just started off walking. This city is much smaller than where we have been, but believe me, it's busy! We were told when we checked in that they are expecting one million people to be here tomorrow for the game, and then again on Tuesday when the players return and they have a welcome home celebration for them. This should keep us busy and entertained. Even with the ridiculous amounts of people it really doesn't feel that bad! It is however a very very alternative city, with drugs and hookers everywhere! I told Kev I feel like a sweet innocent nun here, because I am truly shocked!
As we walked we ran into the Red Light District where the entire time we walked I found myself with my jaw dropped! It was really something else, with a church in the middle, with a monument outside dedicated to all sex workers. Strange.
We can both already tell we will really enjoy our time here. It is sunny but not too hot, we are very centrally located, and the atmosphere is just very laid back. This was a perfect city to end our trip in (maybe minus the world cup excitement)!
So look for us tomorrow in the sea of one million! Kevin will be the one wearing a crisp new orange shirt :) But I might be easier to find as the only one not wearing an orange shirt. Go Netherlands!!!
Once we got here we just started off walking. This city is much smaller than where we have been, but believe me, it's busy! We were told when we checked in that they are expecting one million people to be here tomorrow for the game, and then again on Tuesday when the players return and they have a welcome home celebration for them. This should keep us busy and entertained. Even with the ridiculous amounts of people it really doesn't feel that bad! It is however a very very alternative city, with drugs and hookers everywhere! I told Kev I feel like a sweet innocent nun here, because I am truly shocked!
As we walked we ran into the Red Light District where the entire time we walked I found myself with my jaw dropped! It was really something else, with a church in the middle, with a monument outside dedicated to all sex workers. Strange.
We can both already tell we will really enjoy our time here. It is sunny but not too hot, we are very centrally located, and the atmosphere is just very laid back. This was a perfect city to end our trip in (maybe minus the world cup excitement)!
So look for us tomorrow in the sea of one million! Kevin will be the one wearing a crisp new orange shirt :) But I might be easier to find as the only one not wearing an orange shirt. Go Netherlands!!!
Friday, July 9, 2010
Goodbye Pari!
Paris is over and we are, once again, packed and ready to move on tomorrow. The next time we travel (after tomorrow of course) will be to head home!
Today was another ridiculously hot one here in Paris. It's not hot like home it's hot like STICKY hot. It really is miserably humid and without ac in our room we are more than ready for Amsterdam's high seventies. Rain even sounds nice right now.
Ok enough complaining. Today was nice and relaxed. We slept in, and took our time all morning which was a welcome change. We headed off to the Arc de Triumph which was beautiful, and then walked the Champs Élysées (a famous street for shopping). We realized shortly into walking that this street was a little rich for our blood and so we headed home.
Home however, was ridiculously hot and we couldn't nap so we went and sat in a park and read and stole wifi. Then we took naps on the park benches in the shade just like the bums sitting across from us (only we didn't have a can of beer). It was nice and breezy and relaxing.
Next we packed up and got all ready to leave tomorrow because tonight we are taking a twilight cruise on the Seine river through town to see all the lights and the Eiffel Tower at night. It does a light show every hour so we hope to catch that as well.
Paris has been wonderful, truly an amazing city with lots to see and do, and surprisingly the language barrier has only been a problem a few times. People have been helpful and the Metro (subway) has been really easy to use (although it has also been SMOKING hot on those trains). But so far both of our favorite has been Dublin. There was just something so homey about Ireland, maybe it was the rain :)
Also thanks to all saying prayers for my grandmother. She is recovering amazingly fast and will be headed to a home (hopefully temporarily) tomorrow. I appreciate your support more than you know.
Wish us luck as to getting into and around Amsterdam tomorrow, as the world cup game is on Sunday and we may be two of 50,000 people headed to Amsterdam tomorrow!!
Lots of love!!!
Today was another ridiculously hot one here in Paris. It's not hot like home it's hot like STICKY hot. It really is miserably humid and without ac in our room we are more than ready for Amsterdam's high seventies. Rain even sounds nice right now.
Ok enough complaining. Today was nice and relaxed. We slept in, and took our time all morning which was a welcome change. We headed off to the Arc de Triumph which was beautiful, and then walked the Champs Élysées (a famous street for shopping). We realized shortly into walking that this street was a little rich for our blood and so we headed home.
Home however, was ridiculously hot and we couldn't nap so we went and sat in a park and read and stole wifi. Then we took naps on the park benches in the shade just like the bums sitting across from us (only we didn't have a can of beer). It was nice and breezy and relaxing.
Next we packed up and got all ready to leave tomorrow because tonight we are taking a twilight cruise on the Seine river through town to see all the lights and the Eiffel Tower at night. It does a light show every hour so we hope to catch that as well.
Paris has been wonderful, truly an amazing city with lots to see and do, and surprisingly the language barrier has only been a problem a few times. People have been helpful and the Metro (subway) has been really easy to use (although it has also been SMOKING hot on those trains). But so far both of our favorite has been Dublin. There was just something so homey about Ireland, maybe it was the rain :)
Also thanks to all saying prayers for my grandmother. She is recovering amazingly fast and will be headed to a home (hopefully temporarily) tomorrow. I appreciate your support more than you know.
Wish us luck as to getting into and around Amsterdam tomorrow, as the world cup game is on Sunday and we may be two of 50,000 people headed to Amsterdam tomorrow!!
Lots of love!!!
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Day 3 in Paris
Today started out a little rough due to some bad news about my grandmother... We were on our way to Disneyland (which kevin told me he was like a little kid who couldn't sleep all night because he was so excited) when we quickly stopped to check our stuff online and found out that my grandma had had a stroke but that they expect her to be fine so DO NOT try to come home. Of course I felt like if I went home everything would be fixed, but Kevin assured me that there is really nothing I can do except visit her and we will do that the day we get home. So I sent a message to her through my brother, took a minute to cry and then compose myself and my thoughts and realized that we have both worked too hard to get here to let this ruin our trip and that my grandma (who was going to help me pack for the trip because she was worried I wouldn't have a "fresh" pair of underwear every day unless she helped) would not want me to sit around and try to figure out how to get home. Plus, it isn't fair to Kev for me to take away his day in Disneyland :)
We had fun just walking around and looking at all the details in Disney and we actually didn't ride hardly any rides due to ridiculous lines and REALLY hot weather. It was a great day because it felt like we were home again, seeing familiar sights is something we haven't seen much of in a while, and because it was distracting for me and kept me busy. It was maybe just a little too hot for something like that today though.
After we got home and cooled down a bit we walked to an ice cream shop on the island in the middle of town and shopped at some little stores around the shop. We also went to watch some street performers but after sitting on the curb watching some dude warm up his act for 30 minutes, Kevin decided he was way too weird to stay and watch him. I believe he said "this guy is way too much of a freak for me to give my money to him. He's actually making me very uncomfortable." So we went grocery shopping for liquids, and went home.
It has been a nice day, although I feel a bit distracted at times, and I'm so thankful my husband is so good at making me feel like things will be ok. Thanks to all who read this and if you could say a little prayer for my Grandma Ola it would really mean a lot. She is an amazing, intelligent, funny, strong woman and she will be on my mind everyday until I can tell her in person what she has always meant to me. Thank you.
We had fun just walking around and looking at all the details in Disney and we actually didn't ride hardly any rides due to ridiculous lines and REALLY hot weather. It was a great day because it felt like we were home again, seeing familiar sights is something we haven't seen much of in a while, and because it was distracting for me and kept me busy. It was maybe just a little too hot for something like that today though.
After we got home and cooled down a bit we walked to an ice cream shop on the island in the middle of town and shopped at some little stores around the shop. We also went to watch some street performers but after sitting on the curb watching some dude warm up his act for 30 minutes, Kevin decided he was way too weird to stay and watch him. I believe he said "this guy is way too much of a freak for me to give my money to him. He's actually making me very uncomfortable." So we went grocery shopping for liquids, and went home.
It has been a nice day, although I feel a bit distracted at times, and I'm so thankful my husband is so good at making me feel like things will be ok. Thanks to all who read this and if you could say a little prayer for my Grandma Ola it would really mean a lot. She is an amazing, intelligent, funny, strong woman and she will be on my mind everyday until I can tell her in person what she has always meant to me. Thank you.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Paris day two
It is warm!!! Not good when you are walking miles and rewearing clothes! This outfit will be going straight into the "do not wear again" pile that is for sure!!
We are on a train on our way home from Versailles, about 30 minutes out of Paris where Louis XIII famous palace and gardens are. What a magnificent sight to see! This palace is over the top in every way, including a gold gate at the entrance! We spent the entire afternoon walking around the gardens which were beautiful too.
This morning we went back to the Eiffel Tower and made our journey to the top. It was a lot of waiting (in all about two hours) for about twenty minutes at the top, but was worth it! Plus we met some nice girls from the East Coast and were able to talk with them in each line, which helped us to not realize how long we had been standing in one spot.
We are now feeling over heated and exhausted and Kevin is dying to get to the grocery store because he has just discovered that he has not ate any meat since our last day in Dublin which was six days ago (maybe this has something to do with how tired and hungry we feel right now).
Tomorrow is going to be 92 degrees and we are headed to Disneyland Paris because we have some extra time and like to get out of the city, so tonight is another early night.
And, just for the record, the people in Paris have been much more friendly and helpful and welcoming than the people we encountered in London. We have been pleasantly surprised by this, seeing how we were repeatedly warned against French people.
Another amazing day to go into the record books! Miss you all, and REALLY wished we had our girls with us today in that big amazing park! We cannot wait to see those little furry balls of love :) Night night!
We are on a train on our way home from Versailles, about 30 minutes out of Paris where Louis XIII famous palace and gardens are. What a magnificent sight to see! This palace is over the top in every way, including a gold gate at the entrance! We spent the entire afternoon walking around the gardens which were beautiful too.
This morning we went back to the Eiffel Tower and made our journey to the top. It was a lot of waiting (in all about two hours) for about twenty minutes at the top, but was worth it! Plus we met some nice girls from the East Coast and were able to talk with them in each line, which helped us to not realize how long we had been standing in one spot.
We are now feeling over heated and exhausted and Kevin is dying to get to the grocery store because he has just discovered that he has not ate any meat since our last day in Dublin which was six days ago (maybe this has something to do with how tired and hungry we feel right now).
Tomorrow is going to be 92 degrees and we are headed to Disneyland Paris because we have some extra time and like to get out of the city, so tonight is another early night.
And, just for the record, the people in Paris have been much more friendly and helpful and welcoming than the people we encountered in London. We have been pleasantly surprised by this, seeing how we were repeatedly warned against French people.
Another amazing day to go into the record books! Miss you all, and REALLY wished we had our girls with us today in that big amazing park! We cannot wait to see those little furry balls of love :) Night night!
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