Thursday, April 30, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Last day in Paris... and the beginning of the Loire Valley
Yesterday we said goodbye to Paris, and Bonjour to the Loire Valley.
In the morning Lance, Lies, JP, Jeremia and I went to explore the Louvre. We saw some beautiful works of art... and wished we could have stayed longer, there is so much to see you could spend a week there! But of course we couldn't do that so we made sure we hit up the highlights. The Mona Lisa of course was there, but with all the people surrounding her, there was not much to see, the spectacle seemed to over ride the painting itself.
But there were many other works that left me in awe, the Venus de Milo being one of them. We also saw large works by David, such as the Oath of the Horati. One that I studied a lot in school. There are so many more, and also the building itself is truly something to be seen, that it was a very overwhelming and enjoyable morning...
Until we had to get the the train...
Lies and JP and Charlie had tickets to get back to Holland today at 12:50. The plan was that when we were done at the Louvre we would meet Mom, Dad and Charlie and the Paris Nord train station. Then the three of them would leave to go back home to Holland for a few days, while the rest of us make our way down to Spain. Things got a bit tense when it was 12:30 and no sign of Mom and Dad.
Lies was starting to get a bit worried that they would not make it in time... so Lance gave them a call and Dad told us that he was about 10 min away. Ten min went by and no sign of them... by this time it was about 12:40... the train was leaving in 10 min!! Lance called Dad again and they were a bit lost... the Marie Clair... (our trusty Garmin was NOT doing her Job!!) So Jeremia and I took to the streets, we knew they were near, but the traffic was so bad that it was difficult for them to get anywhere. I started down a street, I had no idea if they were on it, or where they were, but I thought if we don't go looking for them, they are going to miss thier train!
As I am frantically searching the traffic and noon hour chaos... I spot the Silver Bullet (our HUGE silver van with our road bikes on the back... you can't miss it) I was so excited to see it!!
Dad was on the phone, trying to get directions from Lance... who was still at the station. The van was going the wrong way and I needed to get thier attention. So there I was in the middle of Paris screaming "DAD... DAD... STOP!!!" in the middle of a busy street... believe me it was quite a scene. Finally Mom thought she heard screaming so she rolled down her window and saw me. Jeremia heard the yelling too, and came from the street he was on. We both darted out into the traffic and got across the street to the Silver Bullet... I swung open the door and shouted... "We're taking Charlie and the stuff NOW... the train is going to leave in 3 min!!"
So I got Charlie, Jermia got all the bags, and we started running down the street towards the train station. I think we must have looked like we were CRAZY... Charlie thankfully thought it was a fun game and was laughing and smiling the whole time... As soon as we rounded the corner and saw Lies, JP and Lance we all rushed inside to the platform...
I was not sure if we were going to make it or not, becuase by this time it had to have been very close to 12:50!!
We had to make it to platform 7... we were at 9, 8, and there we were, platform 7. The train was still there, but we could tell it was just about to leave... we had to rush all the way down to the right car, and as soon as they jumped on and I handed over Charlie and Jeremia gave them the luggage... then the train started to pull away... they made it just in the nick of time!!
It was quite the ordeal. Just as soon as the train left, we saw Mom rushing into the station, they had made it too... just a bit too late!
After almost missing the train, Lies and JP and Charlie made it back home to pack up the rest of the appartment, and they will join us again in Spain on the 4th of May.
We spent the rest of the day hitting up a more places in Paris, and then we drove to the valley. First stop the Chateaux Chambord... a beautiful chateaux in the french country side. The staircase was designed by Leonardo!! Very cool!!
Last night we stayed in Tours, and now we are on our way to explore the surrounding area...
lots to do... so I have to run, here are some of our favorite pics from yesterday!
love anya and family!
In the morning Lance, Lies, JP, Jeremia and I went to explore the Louvre. We saw some beautiful works of art... and wished we could have stayed longer, there is so much to see you could spend a week there! But of course we couldn't do that so we made sure we hit up the highlights. The Mona Lisa of course was there, but with all the people surrounding her, there was not much to see, the spectacle seemed to over ride the painting itself.
But there were many other works that left me in awe, the Venus de Milo being one of them. We also saw large works by David, such as the Oath of the Horati. One that I studied a lot in school. There are so many more, and also the building itself is truly something to be seen, that it was a very overwhelming and enjoyable morning...
Until we had to get the the train...
Lies and JP and Charlie had tickets to get back to Holland today at 12:50. The plan was that when we were done at the Louvre we would meet Mom, Dad and Charlie and the Paris Nord train station. Then the three of them would leave to go back home to Holland for a few days, while the rest of us make our way down to Spain. Things got a bit tense when it was 12:30 and no sign of Mom and Dad.
Lies was starting to get a bit worried that they would not make it in time... so Lance gave them a call and Dad told us that he was about 10 min away. Ten min went by and no sign of them... by this time it was about 12:40... the train was leaving in 10 min!! Lance called Dad again and they were a bit lost... the Marie Clair... (our trusty Garmin was NOT doing her Job!!) So Jeremia and I took to the streets, we knew they were near, but the traffic was so bad that it was difficult for them to get anywhere. I started down a street, I had no idea if they were on it, or where they were, but I thought if we don't go looking for them, they are going to miss thier train!
As I am frantically searching the traffic and noon hour chaos... I spot the Silver Bullet (our HUGE silver van with our road bikes on the back... you can't miss it) I was so excited to see it!!
Dad was on the phone, trying to get directions from Lance... who was still at the station. The van was going the wrong way and I needed to get thier attention. So there I was in the middle of Paris screaming "DAD... DAD... STOP!!!" in the middle of a busy street... believe me it was quite a scene. Finally Mom thought she heard screaming so she rolled down her window and saw me. Jeremia heard the yelling too, and came from the street he was on. We both darted out into the traffic and got across the street to the Silver Bullet... I swung open the door and shouted... "We're taking Charlie and the stuff NOW... the train is going to leave in 3 min!!"
So I got Charlie, Jermia got all the bags, and we started running down the street towards the train station. I think we must have looked like we were CRAZY... Charlie thankfully thought it was a fun game and was laughing and smiling the whole time... As soon as we rounded the corner and saw Lies, JP and Lance we all rushed inside to the platform...
I was not sure if we were going to make it or not, becuase by this time it had to have been very close to 12:50!!
We had to make it to platform 7... we were at 9, 8, and there we were, platform 7. The train was still there, but we could tell it was just about to leave... we had to rush all the way down to the right car, and as soon as they jumped on and I handed over Charlie and Jeremia gave them the luggage... then the train started to pull away... they made it just in the nick of time!!
It was quite the ordeal. Just as soon as the train left, we saw Mom rushing into the station, they had made it too... just a bit too late!
After almost missing the train, Lies and JP and Charlie made it back home to pack up the rest of the appartment, and they will join us again in Spain on the 4th of May.
We spent the rest of the day hitting up a more places in Paris, and then we drove to the valley. First stop the Chateaux Chambord... a beautiful chateaux in the french country side. The staircase was designed by Leonardo!! Very cool!!
Last night we stayed in Tours, and now we are on our way to explore the surrounding area...
lots to do... so I have to run, here are some of our favorite pics from yesterday!
love anya and family!
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Busy day!!
Well today was really something, we woke up and hit the train into Paris. We walked to the Louvre... but found out it was closed on Tuesdays. So we decided to go to the Pompidue... but that was closed too, SOOOO... we decided to go to the Eiffle tower. We spent the rest of the afternoon in line... Jeremia and I walked up the stairs to the second level, but then we had to wait to get to the top. Once we got all the way up a huge storm came in and we could not see anything. We had a strike out kinda day in Paris. But once we got back we went to the Palace... wow... what a beautiful sight. We went all through the big palace, and then walked through the gardens. That was my favorite part. It was so beautiful.
Then when we got back to the hotel, at about 8 we went for Indian food... so good!
Tomorrow we will go back into Paris, to see if we can finally hit up the Louvre.
Aurevoir for now!
Then when we got back to the hotel, at about 8 we went for Indian food... so good!
Tomorrow we will go back into Paris, to see if we can finally hit up the Louvre.
Aurevoir for now!
Monday, April 27, 2009
I love Paris in the spring time...
Although it is raining, but thats ok... it is still beautiful.
We spent the day driving down to Paris, it took about four hours. Charile did great... even on the long drive, he is such a great baby.
We checked into our hotel, which is in Versailles... right next to the palace. We got on the train that went right into the city, first stop, Notre Dame! What a beautiful chuch. There is something really amazing walking in and around a church with so much history. The church took over 200 years to build, and the detail is unreal.
After the Notre Dame we walked around and found a little place to eat, it was wonderful french food, but very expensive... we are finding that everything in Paris is much more expensive than anywhere else!
It started raining so we headed home, but tomorrow we are planning on spending the whole day in Paris, taking in the Louvre, the Eiffel tower, and much more!
Mom is going to stay back at the hotel tomorrow so that Charlie can have a bit of a low key day, so that is really nice for Lies and JP, so that they can enjoy the Museums without having to worry about Charlie.
So far so good, we didn't even get lost in Paris today!! whoohoo!
We spent the day driving down to Paris, it took about four hours. Charile did great... even on the long drive, he is such a great baby.
We checked into our hotel, which is in Versailles... right next to the palace. We got on the train that went right into the city, first stop, Notre Dame! What a beautiful chuch. There is something really amazing walking in and around a church with so much history. The church took over 200 years to build, and the detail is unreal.
After the Notre Dame we walked around and found a little place to eat, it was wonderful french food, but very expensive... we are finding that everything in Paris is much more expensive than anywhere else!
It started raining so we headed home, but tomorrow we are planning on spending the whole day in Paris, taking in the Louvre, the Eiffel tower, and much more!
Mom is going to stay back at the hotel tomorrow so that Charlie can have a bit of a low key day, so that is really nice for Lies and JP, so that they can enjoy the Museums without having to worry about Charlie.
So far so good, we didn't even get lost in Paris today!! whoohoo!
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Friesland...
The last two days have been really great. We headed north to Friesland to see where my mom's parents were born and visit with some relatives. Jeremia and I did some great bike trips in the last two days as well... we got a little lost this morning, but it's all good.
Yesterday was a sad day... I found out an old friend suddenly passed away, the memorial is today, so I have been thinking about the good times, and also thinking a lot about life, where it leads, what is important and also to remember to cherish every day. My prayers are with the Fuglestveit family.
Tomorrow is my Birthday... 26 on the 26th!! then on Monday we are going to Paris!!
More later. lots of love.
Yesterday was a sad day... I found out an old friend suddenly passed away, the memorial is today, so I have been thinking about the good times, and also thinking a lot about life, where it leads, what is important and also to remember to cherish every day. My prayers are with the Fuglestveit family.
Tomorrow is my Birthday... 26 on the 26th!! then on Monday we are going to Paris!!
More later. lots of love.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Beautiful Holland
These are some cute buildings in Alkmar, where we went for Thai food
Doing some shopping in Alkmar, with my mom, Leenie and Leen.
This is Bergen an Zee... we made it to the sea! A great Ride!
A sand dune mountain... one of the only "climbs"in Holland
One of the first Tulip fields we biked by this morning.
These are the wooden houses in Marken, where Jeremia and I biked yesterday... a beautiful trip out on the Dyk, this was a great little fishing village.
On the way to Marken, the bike paths are amazing here... it is so easy to get around.
After the Anne Frank house we sat at this little cafe, we enjoyed watching the boats go by, as we thought about what we just saw.
Just a typical street in Amsterdam.
The classic Amsterdam photo.. I instantly fell in love with this bike, it is so cute!
Enjoying some sun as we walked around... the canals are something else!
Biking in Weert.. we are so glad to have our bikes here, Charlie came on this ride with us and slept the whole time.
Amsterdam and beyond...
Thanks for the great comments friends, I miss you all! And think of you often! Jeremia and I spent another beautiful day in Amsterdam and area yesterday... we biked the whole day, a beautiful trip out on the dyks, out to a little fishing village called Marken. We had lunch in the sunshine on a beautiful terrace looking over the ocean.
That evening we picked up mom and dad and Lance too, and headed to Heiloo. A small city north of Amsterdam where my moms cousin lives.
Since then we have been enjoying the surrounding area. Jeremia and I got on the bikes again this morning and took a trip out past the sand doons to Durgan an Zee"... a small sea side village. It was a great trip, and after touring around on our bikes for a few hours, we met up with mom and dad and Leenie. We spent the rest of the day in a beautiful flower garden. Princess Maxima was touring here just yesterday, and all the flowers are beautiful this time of year... fields of them are everywhere!!
Anyways I will send photos later, must run! Lots of love.
That evening we picked up mom and dad and Lance too, and headed to Heiloo. A small city north of Amsterdam where my moms cousin lives.
Since then we have been enjoying the surrounding area. Jeremia and I got on the bikes again this morning and took a trip out past the sand doons to Durgan an Zee"... a small sea side village. It was a great trip, and after touring around on our bikes for a few hours, we met up with mom and dad and Leenie. We spent the rest of the day in a beautiful flower garden. Princess Maxima was touring here just yesterday, and all the flowers are beautiful this time of year... fields of them are everywhere!!
Anyways I will send photos later, must run! Lots of love.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Amsterdam
Jeremia and I have spent the last two nights in Amsterdam at my dad's cousins house. Pom and Guus live right down town. Pom works at a history Museum, and Guus is a doctor. They are wonderful company, and have been very hospitable.
We spent today exploring the city. It is a beautiful place, especailly in the spring time. The flowers and trees are in bloom, the sun is brightly shining on the water, and the air is crisp.
We walked to the museum quarter first thing this morning and our first stop was the Rijks Museum, this is the Dutch National Museum with works from all the Dutch masters, and many works that tell the story of the Netherlands History. Most of the museum is shut down for renovations, but we were able to some beautiful works.
In art school I studied many of these paintings, and since I have not been here in ten years, it was very exciting to see them again. The favourite, of course from the Rijks was "The Night Watch" by Rembrandt. This is a very impressive painting that I have always thought to be special. To see it up close was invigorating. The balance between light and dark is indescribable, something that can not be put into words.
There was also a special exhibition with the works of Vermeer. These works were also impressive to see, and to have them all together was also something that does not happen often, since some of his famous paintings are housed in a museum in Washington.
After the Rijks, Jeremia and I went to a small grocery store and bought our lunch, a blue cheese and pear salad, with a rye baguette with cheese. We sat on the grass in front of the museums. A lovely little rest, as we reflected on the beautiful art work.
We then ventured into the Van Gogh Museum. Also one of my favourite Dutch artist's and also one of the most famous. The very popular "Starry Night" was included in this current exhibit, on loan from the MOMA. I have never seen this work in real life, so I was very happy to have this opportunity.
Once we were finished in the Van Gogh, we headed out on the streets of Amsterdam. What a City!! Bikes Everywhere! It is such a way of life here that is so different form back home. Women going to work in high heels, zipping down a street with cafe's and a beautiful canal on one side. Men texting as they pedal to meet friends for drinks, mom's with a trailer of sorts to carry children to school and back, no one drives EVERYONE bikes. There are tens of thousands of bikes in Amsterdam!
As we walked through the canal side streets we were in awe with the lifestyle of people who live here. It is amazing to see a new way of life that seems to make so much sense. No cars. Only Bikes! A novel concept.
We found ourselves on the door step to the house where Anne Frank and her family was hidden during WWII. We were able to step inside for a tour. Little sis I know that this tour would transport me back to a time when the Jewish people were forced to wear gold stars, and hide in hidden Upper Annexe's. It was a sobering experience and one that I will not forget. It told the story, of just one small girls experience, through the war. Anne and her family hid for two years. Never going outside, Never seeing the sun shine or feel a breeze on her face. Two years, only to be betrayed, sold out, to the Germans and then brutally killed in Auschwitz. Her story, although unique to her feelings, was one of many Jews hidden in the tall, canal side homes of Amsterdam during the German rule.
The journey back in time to WWII, left me wondering about those around us that may still feel this type of oppression... is this hatred and horrible treatment of people still happening around the world today? Am I going to let that happen? Should we be doing more? All of these questions are going through my head as I type these recollections...
As we headed out of the Anne Frank house we decided to stop for a glass of wine, we wanted to talk about what we just saw, and ponder the surroundings. We found a great little table, canal side. We watched the boats go by, as we thought about what it would have been like only 50 years ago.
We spent the rest of the afternoon, taking in the sun shine, and then walking back home to a beautiful dinner and great conversation.
Tomorrow we will take a large cycle trip out to the ocean, and then pick up my parents from the airport and head to the north of Holland.
As for now, it is time to head to bed... just a few thoughts from a very insightful day... It is always good to keep learning, and that is what I feel I am doing!
We spent today exploring the city. It is a beautiful place, especailly in the spring time. The flowers and trees are in bloom, the sun is brightly shining on the water, and the air is crisp.
We walked to the museum quarter first thing this morning and our first stop was the Rijks Museum, this is the Dutch National Museum with works from all the Dutch masters, and many works that tell the story of the Netherlands History. Most of the museum is shut down for renovations, but we were able to some beautiful works.
In art school I studied many of these paintings, and since I have not been here in ten years, it was very exciting to see them again. The favourite, of course from the Rijks was "The Night Watch" by Rembrandt. This is a very impressive painting that I have always thought to be special. To see it up close was invigorating. The balance between light and dark is indescribable, something that can not be put into words.
There was also a special exhibition with the works of Vermeer. These works were also impressive to see, and to have them all together was also something that does not happen often, since some of his famous paintings are housed in a museum in Washington.
After the Rijks, Jeremia and I went to a small grocery store and bought our lunch, a blue cheese and pear salad, with a rye baguette with cheese. We sat on the grass in front of the museums. A lovely little rest, as we reflected on the beautiful art work.
We then ventured into the Van Gogh Museum. Also one of my favourite Dutch artist's and also one of the most famous. The very popular "Starry Night" was included in this current exhibit, on loan from the MOMA. I have never seen this work in real life, so I was very happy to have this opportunity.
Once we were finished in the Van Gogh, we headed out on the streets of Amsterdam. What a City!! Bikes Everywhere! It is such a way of life here that is so different form back home. Women going to work in high heels, zipping down a street with cafe's and a beautiful canal on one side. Men texting as they pedal to meet friends for drinks, mom's with a trailer of sorts to carry children to school and back, no one drives EVERYONE bikes. There are tens of thousands of bikes in Amsterdam!
As we walked through the canal side streets we were in awe with the lifestyle of people who live here. It is amazing to see a new way of life that seems to make so much sense. No cars. Only Bikes! A novel concept.
We found ourselves on the door step to the house where Anne Frank and her family was hidden during WWII. We were able to step inside for a tour. Little sis I know that this tour would transport me back to a time when the Jewish people were forced to wear gold stars, and hide in hidden Upper Annexe's. It was a sobering experience and one that I will not forget. It told the story, of just one small girls experience, through the war. Anne and her family hid for two years. Never going outside, Never seeing the sun shine or feel a breeze on her face. Two years, only to be betrayed, sold out, to the Germans and then brutally killed in Auschwitz. Her story, although unique to her feelings, was one of many Jews hidden in the tall, canal side homes of Amsterdam during the German rule.
The journey back in time to WWII, left me wondering about those around us that may still feel this type of oppression... is this hatred and horrible treatment of people still happening around the world today? Am I going to let that happen? Should we be doing more? All of these questions are going through my head as I type these recollections...
As we headed out of the Anne Frank house we decided to stop for a glass of wine, we wanted to talk about what we just saw, and ponder the surroundings. We found a great little table, canal side. We watched the boats go by, as we thought about what it would have been like only 50 years ago.
We spent the rest of the afternoon, taking in the sun shine, and then walking back home to a beautiful dinner and great conversation.
Tomorrow we will take a large cycle trip out to the ocean, and then pick up my parents from the airport and head to the north of Holland.
As for now, it is time to head to bed... just a few thoughts from a very insightful day... It is always good to keep learning, and that is what I feel I am doing!
Sunday, April 19, 2009
April 19th
Walking into the Weert town square with Charile and Lies today, it was so much fun, He is super curious and a very speedy walker!
We went to a pro V-ball game last night in Belgium. Champions legue in Europe, and lots of lies and JP's friends play on this team, they are in the finals, it was really cool to see.
It was a beautiful day here in Weert. I was pretty tired and still Jet legged, so everyone let me sleep in, so that was great. Jeremia and JP drove to Lille, France today to pick up the van that we rented for the month. Lies and Charlie and I went for a bike ride into town and had a cafe in the downtown square, which by the way you can ONLY walk in... no driving or biking... only pedestrians! It was so nice!
We also went for dinner with a bunch of friends, so that was also really fun! All is well here. Tomorrow we are driving to Amsterdam, and we will begin our biking from there. Miss you all.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Our First Day!
This is a very old church that they converted into a book store... it was a strange feeling looking at books in this beautiful old church!
Charlie is such a cute boy!
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