Southern Spain is hot and wonderful. As I write this it is 8am and already 70 degrees. I have made a pot of coffee and lookout onto the Patio and there are three female cats, 2 of which are pregnant. They are crying softly and I can not hear them through the window.
Yesterday we went to the pool and I almost finished the girl who played with fire by Stieg. The kids played non stop in the pool. Truly a place that it is not necessary to bring a towel. You are dry in about 5 minutes. 10 minutes you are ready to get back into the pool.
Maggie wanted to swim in the big pool which makes me nervous. But we have been doing this for 3 days. She went out into the middle with the swim board but then became separated from the swim board and started to panic. The Socorrista (lifeguard) and I ran around and Max jumped in. She actually made it to the side on her own but was very frightened for 15 minutes.
Despite our best attempts our kids will get themselves into trouble and in a way I am thankful for this experience. Maggie is constantly pushing our safety comfort zone and we will not always be able to rescue her and she needs to get some healthy respect for things like water. It would be nice if she listens to her parents from time to time but that will come in about 30 years.
The Israel kids are speaking excellent Spanish (after one year) and we are starting to look to the 9 year old and 12 year old for translation and when the waiter does not understand our Spanish, we look to the kids to annunciate the inflection better. They are excited about learning french and next year Lauren starts French at the American School. Pretty impressive. She was already practicing french in the car.
Our kids are naturally picking up the language as well. Lawton still remembers Salida which means exit. Go figure.
Maggie loves running up to the intercom at the guard gate and says, "Abre porfavor" or open please. Amy is good as well and yesterday was translating the radio (which is too fast and in Valenciano) and was describing the upcoming presidential elections.
But my favorite part is when we walk by people talking. I love to 'translate' as I IMAGINE the conversation is going. Yesterday, a couple were yelling at each other and it was carrying into the street. Here is my imaginary translation (by the way I could not understand what they were saying). Ya know, 90% of communication is non verbal anyway and I could not see the woman.....
God damn it Maria, you are spending too much money.
Go to hell, Pedro, spend a little more time with the family and a little less time at the bars with that woman from Barcelona.
That woman from Barcelona is my accountant and we are talking business, trying to make money so you can shop and spend it in Madrid.
Hard to imagine that you are getting any business done at 2 am in the morning and watching the replay of the world cup.
I am avoiding your mother.... When is she going home back to Seville?
Yesterday, Beth and I played a fabulous game of tennis. I have given up on 'brusssshhhhinnnnggg" the ball as my tennis pro says and have resulted to the the KARATE CHOP with a continental grip. Deadly back spin and side spin that spins away or toward the player. Much better control.
10 years of pickleball will never be undone and my game my tennis game will pay the price.
It was windy and warm and we had the mountains as a back drop. So much fun. My serve has no puch but I only double falted twice. I play a finesse game and pride myself on chasing down every last ball. I am very sore this morning.
We then went to Valencia to check the 'City of arts and sciences'. These are massive futuristic sculptures that are gorgeous and are putting Valencia on the map. The are located in the old riverbed which has been diverted (hey it ran dry anyway because they suck all the water out of it).
Today, we hope to go to the beach and maybe barbecue tonight. Mercado central and maybe a mountain bike ride today.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Valencia day #15
here is a picture of Amy during her hot run with Beth en las montañas con nos amiga Beth.
Valencia is an interesting town. Somewhat industrial, it is trying to remake itself much like Bilbao. They make Seat (spanish) and Ford's here as well VW. VW own Seat and when you get in a SEAT it sounds like my VW diesel Jetta that I had.
So they bid on the Americas cup which was last winter. it was not much of race as the Americans of Larry Elison, Oracle fame out of San Francisco, built a trimaran That sailed faster (2 knots upwind) and closer to the wind. Allinghi (Swiss boat owned by a rich Italian) apparently would win the start which is everything in America's racing and the American's would just sail right around Allinghi and crush them by the first windward mark.
The boat was an engineering marvel, over 90 feet long and 90 feet wide with 250 tall sail. It would ride up on the leward pontoon. The boat was full of all sorts of strain gages because the forces quickly became enormous above 10 knots of breeze and the alarms would start to ring right away and the chase engineers were demanding that everyone wear full head gear and shoulder pads because they were worried the thing would completely destruct with tremendous force.
Classic sailors got tired of the Engineers and turned off the strain gage alarms, They were constantly ringing.
They sailed it in the final and one both races. They had started to see the boat start to come apart and figured that it would not survive any more races and currently it sits in big boxes (90feet by 90 feet). Valencia built giant piers hoping that Allinghi would win and come back. No such luck, this is going likely to San Francisco and hopefully no more giant multi hulls.
I got all of this information that were on the Americas cup team (from NZ and Australia) and had been here for 4 years as professional sailors considering there next move. Great guys.
Valencia also built an Indy course in town and has spectacular arts and sciences museum and incredible aquarium that we hoped to go see.
We ran yesterday and went to the pool and played soccer. Walking back we met a family that currently lives in Miami and has 2 kids but they are from southern France, Serge and Soumiya
Max proposed that we go for a walk up to the top of the mountain in the moonlight with Serge. After listening to Max and Serge talk for 10 minutes, I thought I can not pass this up.
Serge is French but his family is from Africa. He attended undergraduate at Harvard and MBA at Wharton I believe. He currently does major construction projects in Equitorial Guinea, west coast of Africa. This is the only Spanish Colony in Africa and hence why they are in Valencia.
He does projects in other countries like Gabon and it was absolutely fascinating to here the to talk about religion, culture, business in Africa and Arabia, customs, world perception of America, and also education of kids in france, USA and spain.
It was one of the most incredible fascinating discussions I have every been apart of. We are going to have dinner with them later this week and I hope to gets some Onglet or hangar steak marinated that has been a crowd pleaser.
It is hot. We have been at the pool all day and we have a tennis time at 7pm-9pm tonight.
Eric
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Valencia, Day #14
First of all, feel free to comment below. I love reading your comments.
We travelled from Paris to Valencia and that actually went fairly easily. It is weird getting on a plane in one country and the language changes entirely. After listening to French for a week, we sit down and everyone is speaking spanish.
All instructions were done in English and Spanish. So much for French people in an emergency.
I have heard the saying that in heaven: The police are British, the cooks are French, the lovers Italian and it is all organized by the Germans.
In hell: The cooks are British, the police are French and the lovers German and it is all Organized by the Italians.
Can I add to this saying that in heaven the Spanish are Dancers and in hell the Spanish are urban planners?
We left town and travelled north. One block we are on the interstate and the next block we are in the heart of the city going around a round about? WTF???? Signs are confusing or non existent and while the Freeways are pretty nice but they can drop you off onto an old Donkey road that looks like it belongs more in rural Mexico than Rural European Union.
I am not knocking Spain by the way because Spain was run into the ground by Franco until a little over 30 years and infrastructure was in terrible shape. Spain is rocking and southern spain is so great. Amy and I are considering a 4 month trip next summer to live here.
Our hosts are Max and Beth Israel. They are beautiful, generous people and it is such a joy to be reunited. They have 3 kids as well.
When we got on the plane in Paris it was a bit cool and in the Morning. When we got off the plane in Valencia I had the feeling like walking into an Oven. Just 90 deg. Farenheit is all. I struck up a nice convesation with a German Engineer that works for Johnson Controls and he is currently working for Ford in Europe and we had a nice conversation about the Quality of Ford Cars and he says that Ford is making the most amazing cars and they are sticklers for detail and quality and will shut down the line if they have a wrinkle in the interior. He says that is paying off in spades and that the opinion in Europe among consumers has made huge changes and they are loving Ford cars now and we sure see a lot.
After finding Spain (few rocky farm roads that we got lost on). Our Friends have an incredible hacienda with wrap around porches on the second floor and wrap around patios that are covered. It is up in the Hills above Valencia and it is a little cooler and has a nice breeze.
We went to the 'club'. it has 5 different pools all about 40feet x100 feet and the first one is only 1 feet deep (lay in pool in hot weather and talk to friends/family). The pools get deeper by about 2 feet and finally a full sized swimming pool.
The pools here have a Cabana that sells ice cream, drinks and probably cigs. Everyone smokes here.
We returned to the house and Amy and Beth Israel played tennis for several hours starting at 7pm. They returned and we had a delicious barbeque. I went to sleep exhausted and slept 10 hours.
We slept with a fan on on top of our sheets and the windows open. Beth apologized about the party that apparently raged close by at the Club. They were celebrating the end of the summer and included a band. They partied until 5am but I slept right thought it.
I made everyone a Dutch Baby and they were pretty good. Of course there is always a nice spread of watermelons, fruit, nectarines and apples. I am taking notes on how to host a guest and my apologies to anyone we have hosted before.
By the way I just asked Amy how to spell apologies (turns out I have never written this word before) and Amy started laughing out loud and asked me if I want to know how to spell contrite as well... Sheessh.
Max took me on 1.5 hour run in the hills. See the video. Beautiful and rugged. He wanted to do it at night (when cooler). Pretty rocky and an ankle turner if the moon is not out. We are going mountain biking up here tomorrow or the next day.
Cloudy all morning, the sun has broken through. Already 85 as I write this and we are going to the pool.
Eric.
P.s. If you get a chance, comment below. Thank you.
We travelled from Paris to Valencia and that actually went fairly easily. It is weird getting on a plane in one country and the language changes entirely. After listening to French for a week, we sit down and everyone is speaking spanish.
All instructions were done in English and Spanish. So much for French people in an emergency.
I have heard the saying that in heaven: The police are British, the cooks are French, the lovers Italian and it is all organized by the Germans.
In hell: The cooks are British, the police are French and the lovers German and it is all Organized by the Italians.
Can I add to this saying that in heaven the Spanish are Dancers and in hell the Spanish are urban planners?
We left town and travelled north. One block we are on the interstate and the next block we are in the heart of the city going around a round about? WTF???? Signs are confusing or non existent and while the Freeways are pretty nice but they can drop you off onto an old Donkey road that looks like it belongs more in rural Mexico than Rural European Union.
I am not knocking Spain by the way because Spain was run into the ground by Franco until a little over 30 years and infrastructure was in terrible shape. Spain is rocking and southern spain is so great. Amy and I are considering a 4 month trip next summer to live here.
Our hosts are Max and Beth Israel. They are beautiful, generous people and it is such a joy to be reunited. They have 3 kids as well.
When we got on the plane in Paris it was a bit cool and in the Morning. When we got off the plane in Valencia I had the feeling like walking into an Oven. Just 90 deg. Farenheit is all. I struck up a nice convesation with a German Engineer that works for Johnson Controls and he is currently working for Ford in Europe and we had a nice conversation about the Quality of Ford Cars and he says that Ford is making the most amazing cars and they are sticklers for detail and quality and will shut down the line if they have a wrinkle in the interior. He says that is paying off in spades and that the opinion in Europe among consumers has made huge changes and they are loving Ford cars now and we sure see a lot.
After finding Spain (few rocky farm roads that we got lost on). Our Friends have an incredible hacienda with wrap around porches on the second floor and wrap around patios that are covered. It is up in the Hills above Valencia and it is a little cooler and has a nice breeze.
We went to the 'club'. it has 5 different pools all about 40feet x100 feet and the first one is only 1 feet deep (lay in pool in hot weather and talk to friends/family). The pools get deeper by about 2 feet and finally a full sized swimming pool.
The pools here have a Cabana that sells ice cream, drinks and probably cigs. Everyone smokes here.
We returned to the house and Amy and Beth Israel played tennis for several hours starting at 7pm. They returned and we had a delicious barbeque. I went to sleep exhausted and slept 10 hours.
We slept with a fan on on top of our sheets and the windows open. Beth apologized about the party that apparently raged close by at the Club. They were celebrating the end of the summer and included a band. They partied until 5am but I slept right thought it.
I made everyone a Dutch Baby and they were pretty good. Of course there is always a nice spread of watermelons, fruit, nectarines and apples. I am taking notes on how to host a guest and my apologies to anyone we have hosted before.
By the way I just asked Amy how to spell apologies (turns out I have never written this word before) and Amy started laughing out loud and asked me if I want to know how to spell contrite as well... Sheessh.
Max took me on 1.5 hour run in the hills. See the video. Beautiful and rugged. He wanted to do it at night (when cooler). Pretty rocky and an ankle turner if the moon is not out. We are going mountain biking up here tomorrow or the next day.
Cloudy all morning, the sun has broken through. Already 85 as I write this and we are going to the pool.
Eric.
P.s. If you get a chance, comment below. Thank you.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Aurevoir Paris, Hola Valencia
We absolutely loved Paris and we leave knowing we will be back. The history is fascinating, the Art is best in the world, the food is great and the Architecture is unbelievable.
We are off to warm weather, beaches, sun and good friends in Valencia
Here is some more shots
Friday, August 27, 2010
On way to airport
Maybe the juices start to flow when the adrenal glands Squeeze giving me that high that espresso does not touch
Not extreme but exceeding my wifes comfort zone
We woke up at 6 am for a 920M flight.
Amy says, "did you call a cab?"
Excellent idea. So I call. Lots of oui's then, I am sorry, we are full, good bye! And then he hung up
Okay plan #2 I will run up a block and hail a cab. 40 cabs passed by in 5 minutes, no one would stop. Must have been rush hour Paris style
Plan #3. We take the metro. 3 kids 6 big bags. Across the river 4 blocks to metro. Crap. The ticket machine would not take my card (all European credit cards have computer chip). Make sure you have this next time you travel
Whew. After much stress and worry, a lovely ticket agent sells us a ticket and points to the right stairs and train, 10 min away
The gods are smiling on my wife today after cursing her for 10 years of marriage to me
Day #11 correction
First of all, a correction. In the video, I incorrectly named the Point Alexander the third bridge and called it the concord bridge. Apparently German, Austria and Italy formed an alliance (see WWI). They apparently left Russia and France out which infuriated these countries and formed their own alliance and France commissioned this bridge before the Parisian worlds fair. This is an incredible bridge so gorgeous!
Apparently the Art Nouveau sprang out of Japanese art that was all the craze in the late 1800's.
Apparently the Art Nouveau sprang out of Japanese art that was all the craze in the late 1800's.
Pont Alexandre III is an arch bridge that spans the Seine, connecting the Champs-Élyséesquarter and the Invalides and Eiffel Tower quarter, widely regarded as the most ornate, extravagant bridge in Paris[1] [2].The bridge, with its exuberant Art Nouveau lamps, cherubs, nymphs and winged horses at either end, was built between 1896 and 1900. It is named after Tsar Alexander III, who had concluded the Franco-Russian Alliance in 1892. His son Nicholas II laid the foundation stone in October 1896. The style of the bridge reflects that of the Grand Palais, to which it leads on the right bank.
.jpg)
paris day #11, Tour Eiffel, Muse' d' Armee and Nappy Tombe
Today was a great day but before I tell you about that I need to tell you about the Risico, the barge we are staying on. Like everything in life there is a good part and a bad part.
The good: Locaiton. On the Seine between Louvre (on one side) Muse D' Orsay on the other. next to Jardin de Toularies. Everything save Montmart is in walking distance. It has 3 queen sized beds which is impossible to find 3 bedrooms in Paris. nice kitchen, incredible view, deck with chairs on top and fascinating to watch the Traffic. Also very cheap 2,400 Euros for a week
The bad: It is a barge. Frenchmen 90 years ago must have been 5'4" and excelled in Trench Warfare (see WWI). Okay not exactly excelling against the Germans but held there own anyway until the Yanks showed up.
I am 6'2". I have hit my head soooo many times my bumps have bumps. the stairs leading up to the deck are boat stairs and hard to navigate with a sleeping child in your arms and we all have bruises on our shins as well. Both Maggie and Lawton have fallen down the stairs once.
It is also a little hot in the summer and humid (consider no ventilation sun and large tin can). We do have an AC unit and that runs continuously and keeps it just in the comfort level.
Okay, the UGLY: You may ask about the bathroom? Well we are in Europe and I am pretty sure the sit down toilet was not standard issue on a 100 year old steel workers barge that cruized the river Seine. I think males peed over the side otherwise used a bucket.
Well we have a toilet. It is not manual with a pump handle but it is the model just above that. We are constantly afraid of the toilet choking (I am searching for the correct French verb here) on more than 3 squares of toilet paper (warning signs with Euro 1,000 penalty everywhere). So far, no distasters but some close calls.
But the other thing is that when sitting on the toilet and shutting the door, your knees run into the door or actually the doors slams into your knees. So you must sit obliqued or at an angle on the toilet. This makes this a bit interesting.
Okay so I got that out of the way.
Yesterday it was the boys turn to pick a Museum. Excellent choice Jordan! We went to the Army Museum or Muse' d' Armee. Very, very cool but Jordan was upset that I did not get any video from the many machine guns (they counted 63).
In a way this Museum was very fascinating because it painted the L' Guerre du Mondo the war of the world in a much different light.
There was lots of information about WWI and WWII prior to the US involvement. Lots of information about what it was like to live in a city where nightly bombing raids were the norm. It would have been sheer terror to hear the air raid sirens or bells.
Also information about the French Resistance and also about the French General Foch and how great he was liberating paris of the Germans. hmmmmm.
But what struck me most was how BRUTAL world war I was. War up to this point was calvary, horses, Armies squared off against each other and charged. Loses were always huge and terrible but two things changed essentially after the civil war: Machine guns and also heavy artillery aka the Big Bertha or Bunker Buster.
Big Bertha was a very large (as big as a house) motar that was mobile. It would destroy any fortification (mud, concrete, cave) even from long distance away.
the role of the aircraft was starting to emerge mostly for reconnosaince and nerve gas showed up later.
The pictures all show the same. The country was completely annihlated of all vegetation and it was muddy. Things were looking bleak for the allies until:
The british sent folks from the commonwealth (Australia, new Zealand, South AFrica and canada). All of these countries basically vowed to never fight again because it was so BRUTAL and the losses were terrible against the machine guns and motars.
The Germans basically had won this war until the Americans showed up and then it was quickly over basically because everyone had spent everything on this stupid war and the Americans came in hard and heavy.
The total number of casualties in World War I, both military and civilian, were about 37 million: 16 million deaths and 21 million wounded. The total number of deaths includes 9.7 million military personnel and about 6.8 million civilians. The Entente Powers (also known as the Allies) lost about 5.7 million soldiers while the Central Powers lost about 4 million.
The total dead for civilian and military for EACH of the countries of France, Germany and Russia was 4million people. Each country lost 4 million people!
World war II exhibit was also interesting but about 40% was on the French Resistance. Blowing up trains with bombs hidden in dead rats, etc. Felt a little bit like the Taliban had taken a page.
Anyway, we left there and walked next door to this Giant Cathedral that was next door.
Except this was no cathedral. Wholly smokes this is cool. A giant tombe that looks like a church (no pews and the TOMBE is GIANT and suck down a floor. Very impressive.
Napolean was from Corsica and short and hot tempered. It is a little confusing how he came to power in France. He fought some wars in Corsica and switched sides a couple of times and all of the sudden he was Emperor of France. Fought against the Russians (lost everything) and was sent to Elba.
Snuck back into france, was emporer again for 92 days, lost to the Brits (his Waterloo) and was held Prisoner on what island ? it is not Elba.... He died there after 6 years.
He abdicated the throne to his son, Napolean II (or junior). He died at age 21 shortly there after (in Austria of TB).
We walked around, hung out and went and had an incredible dinner and then went back to Tour Eiffel. It was expensive and I thought pretty interesting. I keep looking for the engineering guide in English.
My mom got Vertigo on the Second level and decided to descend back to the ground.
Her fear of heights was replaced by fear of people pedaling statues of Eiffel tour. What was fascinating is that we all felt a drop of rain and a second later the Gypsies that were pedaling the statues of Eiffel tours all of the sudden started thrusting umbrellas in our faces.
Below is one of our Daily visits by the French River police. They use the Risico as a jump off vehicle and don't seem very interested in coming for coffee.
The good: Locaiton. On the Seine between Louvre (on one side) Muse D' Orsay on the other. next to Jardin de Toularies. Everything save Montmart is in walking distance. It has 3 queen sized beds which is impossible to find 3 bedrooms in Paris. nice kitchen, incredible view, deck with chairs on top and fascinating to watch the Traffic. Also very cheap 2,400 Euros for a week
The bad: It is a barge. Frenchmen 90 years ago must have been 5'4" and excelled in Trench Warfare (see WWI). Okay not exactly excelling against the Germans but held there own anyway until the Yanks showed up.
I am 6'2". I have hit my head soooo many times my bumps have bumps. the stairs leading up to the deck are boat stairs and hard to navigate with a sleeping child in your arms and we all have bruises on our shins as well. Both Maggie and Lawton have fallen down the stairs once.
It is also a little hot in the summer and humid (consider no ventilation sun and large tin can). We do have an AC unit and that runs continuously and keeps it just in the comfort level.
Okay, the UGLY: You may ask about the bathroom? Well we are in Europe and I am pretty sure the sit down toilet was not standard issue on a 100 year old steel workers barge that cruized the river Seine. I think males peed over the side otherwise used a bucket.
Well we have a toilet. It is not manual with a pump handle but it is the model just above that. We are constantly afraid of the toilet choking (I am searching for the correct French verb here) on more than 3 squares of toilet paper (warning signs with Euro 1,000 penalty everywhere). So far, no distasters but some close calls.
But the other thing is that when sitting on the toilet and shutting the door, your knees run into the door or actually the doors slams into your knees. So you must sit obliqued or at an angle on the toilet. This makes this a bit interesting.
Okay so I got that out of the way.
Yesterday it was the boys turn to pick a Museum. Excellent choice Jordan! We went to the Army Museum or Muse' d' Armee. Very, very cool but Jordan was upset that I did not get any video from the many machine guns (they counted 63).
In a way this Museum was very fascinating because it painted the L' Guerre du Mondo the war of the world in a much different light.
There was lots of information about WWI and WWII prior to the US involvement. Lots of information about what it was like to live in a city where nightly bombing raids were the norm. It would have been sheer terror to hear the air raid sirens or bells.
Also information about the French Resistance and also about the French General Foch and how great he was liberating paris of the Germans. hmmmmm.
But what struck me most was how BRUTAL world war I was. War up to this point was calvary, horses, Armies squared off against each other and charged. Loses were always huge and terrible but two things changed essentially after the civil war: Machine guns and also heavy artillery aka the Big Bertha or Bunker Buster.
Big Bertha was a very large (as big as a house) motar that was mobile. It would destroy any fortification (mud, concrete, cave) even from long distance away.
the role of the aircraft was starting to emerge mostly for reconnosaince and nerve gas showed up later.
The pictures all show the same. The country was completely annihlated of all vegetation and it was muddy. Things were looking bleak for the allies until:
The british sent folks from the commonwealth (Australia, new Zealand, South AFrica and canada). All of these countries basically vowed to never fight again because it was so BRUTAL and the losses were terrible against the machine guns and motars.
The Germans basically had won this war until the Americans showed up and then it was quickly over basically because everyone had spent everything on this stupid war and the Americans came in hard and heavy.
The total number of casualties in World War I, both military and civilian, were about 37 million: 16 million deaths and 21 million wounded. The total number of deaths includes 9.7 million military personnel and about 6.8 million civilians. The Entente Powers (also known as the Allies) lost about 5.7 million soldiers while the Central Powers lost about 4 million.
The total dead for civilian and military for EACH of the countries of France, Germany and Russia was 4million people. Each country lost 4 million people!
World war II exhibit was also interesting but about 40% was on the French Resistance. Blowing up trains with bombs hidden in dead rats, etc. Felt a little bit like the Taliban had taken a page.
Anyway, we left there and walked next door to this Giant Cathedral that was next door.
Except this was no cathedral. Wholly smokes this is cool. A giant tombe that looks like a church (no pews and the TOMBE is GIANT and suck down a floor. Very impressive.
Napolean was from Corsica and short and hot tempered. It is a little confusing how he came to power in France. He fought some wars in Corsica and switched sides a couple of times and all of the sudden he was Emperor of France. Fought against the Russians (lost everything) and was sent to Elba.
Snuck back into france, was emporer again for 92 days, lost to the Brits (his Waterloo) and was held Prisoner on what island ? it is not Elba.... He died there after 6 years.
He abdicated the throne to his son, Napolean II (or junior). He died at age 21 shortly there after (in Austria of TB).
We walked around, hung out and went and had an incredible dinner and then went back to Tour Eiffel. It was expensive and I thought pretty interesting. I keep looking for the engineering guide in English.
My mom got Vertigo on the Second level and decided to descend back to the ground.
Her fear of heights was replaced by fear of people pedaling statues of Eiffel tour. What was fascinating is that we all felt a drop of rain and a second later the Gypsies that were pedaling the statues of Eiffel tours all of the sudden started thrusting umbrellas in our faces.
Below is one of our Daily visits by the French River police. They use the Risico as a jump off vehicle and don't seem very interested in coming for coffee.
the answer to the question of where Napolean died and was prisoner for 6 years, St. Helena
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Day #10, Paris
"
We have had some funny French language experiences. My mom, who is moving to Paris at age 68 this winter to study French, has chosen to dive into the language.
The Parisians are not amused. She tends to try out her French when at the front of a long que. Maybe this is why Parisians are perceived as being harsh because Americans are trying out their French (painfully slow) while in busy lines.
After my mom asks a question, "Je Vou drais deux Cafe et patisserie?" there is a long pause and usually the waiter start wrinkling their brow and turning their head kind of sideways.
Yesterday the guy at the Park Cafe was very, very nice and said, "don't worry, I was in NYC at a McDonalds last year and ordered a Coke and they brought me a Hamburger". We both laughed.
My mom went to the store to get Coffee for our drip machine. She returned with 2 lbs of ground coffee with 'Decafine' written across the bottom. I think my mom will do fine in Paris but she might be sleeping a lot the first couple of months.
We had a wonderful dinner last night. It was a bit of a boon doggle (see below) getting there though. We were a bit late for our reservations. On our way off the boat, Maggie dropped her brand new shoe into the Seine. HUGE tears! I tried to fish the shoe out of the Seine with a boat hook - Amy was quite pleased that I was not successful since the Seine is not so clean. We tried to take a bus and every time we tried to get on we got a stern, "NO". No other explanation.... Just "No"
We decided to take the cab there (excellent choice Amy - she said enough of how "friendlands" get around, "jordans" hail a cab) and on the way there all 5 of us piled into the cab. The driver says, "there is a 6 Euro supplement for more than 3 passengers"
I responded with, "no one else has charged us that." He responded with a grunt.
I have heard the expression, "I hate all Lawyers except my own". I love my Lawyer wife.
Sure enough, Amy is reading the placard in french in the back seats and says in French to the guy, "it says Ne pas Le Enfants" or not including children. Lots of dumb looks from the Cabbie... I have seen that expression before on many a men who tried to slip a fast one past my wife.
Here is the Risico that we are staying on. The is Pont Concorde in the back ground. This is a converted River Barge.
Here is a picture of Amy in her Giraffe dress (which I loved and probably the only piece of clothes that I purchased for her that she wears). I think she is sitting in a Giraffee Chair.
We have had some funny French language experiences. My mom, who is moving to Paris at age 68 this winter to study French, has chosen to dive into the language.
The Parisians are not amused. She tends to try out her French when at the front of a long que. Maybe this is why Parisians are perceived as being harsh because Americans are trying out their French (painfully slow) while in busy lines.
After my mom asks a question, "Je Vou drais deux Cafe et patisserie?" there is a long pause and usually the waiter start wrinkling their brow and turning their head kind of sideways.
Yesterday the guy at the Park Cafe was very, very nice and said, "don't worry, I was in NYC at a McDonalds last year and ordered a Coke and they brought me a Hamburger". We both laughed.
My mom went to the store to get Coffee for our drip machine. She returned with 2 lbs of ground coffee with 'Decafine' written across the bottom. I think my mom will do fine in Paris but she might be sleeping a lot the first couple of months.
We had a wonderful dinner last night. It was a bit of a boon doggle (see below) getting there though. We were a bit late for our reservations. On our way off the boat, Maggie dropped her brand new shoe into the Seine. HUGE tears! I tried to fish the shoe out of the Seine with a boat hook - Amy was quite pleased that I was not successful since the Seine is not so clean. We tried to take a bus and every time we tried to get on we got a stern, "NO". No other explanation.... Just "No"
We decided to take the cab there (excellent choice Amy - she said enough of how "friendlands" get around, "jordans" hail a cab) and on the way there all 5 of us piled into the cab. The driver says, "there is a 6 Euro supplement for more than 3 passengers"
I responded with, "no one else has charged us that." He responded with a grunt.
I have heard the expression, "I hate all Lawyers except my own". I love my Lawyer wife.
Sure enough, Amy is reading the placard in french in the back seats and says in French to the guy, "it says Ne pas Le Enfants" or not including children. Lots of dumb looks from the Cabbie... I have seen that expression before on many a men who tried to slip a fast one past my wife.
Here is the Risico that we are staying on. The is Pont Concorde in the back ground. This is a converted River Barge.
Here is a picture of Amy in her Giraffe dress (which I loved and probably the only piece of clothes that I purchased for her that she wears). I think she is sitting in a Giraffee Chair.
We had a wonderful dinner and we all ordered the Price fixed menu. I went with the Pate (excellent) and Guinea hen. My mom went with the Coq Au Vin and Amy and Betsy got boef in one form or another.
This was followed by a cheese plate (which were delicious) and I tried to order a Cafe to go with it. The waiter, furled his brow and quizically asked, "you want to order a cafe with the cheeeezzeeee?"
He had never heard of cheese and coffee and was not able to image how these two flavors would comingle in the mouth. He said, 'this is not allowed'. You may have coffee with desert.
The boys spilled 16 oz of Orangina just after sitting down onto the white table cloth making a little Orangina swamp on our table. Ohh crap. I hate that sinking feeling..... It comes deep and shameful from my childhood.... We have screwed up again.
Amy took a deep breath and said something like, "ohhh Mistakes happen" How quickly Amy makes it all better.
She kept her cool until both boys whip out the straws and start slurping into the Orangina Swamp. Can you imagine vacuuming up the soda pop with straws? Where do they get this? I am sure it comes from the Friedland side of the family but not sure. Do any of your kids do this? Amy snapped the straws out of their hands so quickly and gave them a real Parisian stink eye!
She kept her cool until both boys whip out the straws and start slurping into the Orangina Swamp. Can you imagine vacuuming up the soda pop with straws? Where do they get this? I am sure it comes from the Friedland side of the family but not sure. Do any of your kids do this? Amy snapped the straws out of their hands so quickly and gave them a real Parisian stink eye!
One last tip of advice. My mom plugged her Curling Iron from the states into 220volt plug in. The amount of power is directly related to resistance (the heating coils) and the voltage if I remember correctly from physics.
Well we learned that was too much power and as a result the curling iron started to melt..... What is that smell??!! Now that I think about it, while we are on a boat, it probably could benefit by a smoke detector.
2 more days in Paris. Jordan Picked the Army Museum today and we are off now.
Eric
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Day #9, Muse D' Orsay and outside the Louve
Today the adults went and did some shopping (back to school shopping in Paris). Hey when in Rome! The boys went with Maggie and Amy to a very cool kids clothing store (Du Pareil au Meme) or DPAM. WE ARE WITNESSING OUT BABIES BECOME TEENAGERS!. Jordan and Lawton (faithful wearers of soccer shorts and tshirts for at least 5 years) began putting together hip outfits under Mom's watchful and tasteful eye. Both seemed more interested in the 'street style' with Lawton even getting the backward style Euro hat.
.
After trying to get Jordan into jeans for a year (he evened shunned the pair that I bough on ebay). he led the charge and is now wearing his first Jeans.
.
After several hours we walked back and ate some Panini Sandwhiches. The kids also discovered chocolate filled E'Claires today. The would not share by the way. Once again, despite our best attempts, our kids are finding Calories one way or the other. It is amazing that they grow vertically with a pure carbohydrate diet.
.
We did the Muse D' Orsay which is known for its impressionists exhibits and lots of sculptures. We thought this was neat.
We also walked around outside the Louvre which has a great outdoor play space.
I will try to add to this later today.
.
After trying to get Jordan into jeans for a year (he evened shunned the pair that I bough on ebay). he led the charge and is now wearing his first Jeans.
.
After several hours we walked back and ate some Panini Sandwhiches. The kids also discovered chocolate filled E'Claires today. The would not share by the way. Once again, despite our best attempts, our kids are finding Calories one way or the other. It is amazing that they grow vertically with a pure carbohydrate diet.
.
We did the Muse D' Orsay which is known for its impressionists exhibits and lots of sculptures. We thought this was neat.
We also walked around outside the Louvre which has a great outdoor play space.
I will try to add to this later today.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Day #8, Paris, the Pompidou and Notre Dame
Lots more walking today and the kids seem to be fatiguing about 2 blocks into the day. "Carry me, Carry me". Amy promptly went and purchased a stroller. Enough of that.
At one point, Lawton was having the wiggles and started running around the Gallery. A Parisian Arteest said, "please be quite, this is a Gallerieee". To which we wanted to put Lawton in the middle of the floor. He would have been a fine exhibit at the Pompidou
From here we walked to the Notre Dame Cathedral about 3 blocks away. This is a gorgeous Cathedral that is on an island in the middle of the Seine. It was started in 1160 and took almost 200 years to complete. While the outside and the structure is gorgeous and fascinating the insides are not quite as nice as other Cathedrals especially Italy, Spain.
Apparently a pack of Man eating wolves in 1450 were finally killed after being lulled into the courtyard. The leader was named Courtaud or 'Bobtail' and they ate 40 Parisians prior to being killed. Man, the dark ages were tough...
And finally.....
If you are feeling sheepish about your French in Paris, we could make you feel better with this public sign. Closed on Thuesday....
Shortly into our trip, Amy says, "looks like rain, let's have lunch". Of course being a man and particularly good at weather prediction especially when I have radar images handy respond, "what are you talking about".
Sure enough we order Lunch and a 'deluge'. I think that is a french term.
I ordered the Nicoise Salad and French Onion soup. Delicious. Amy ordered a hamburger for the kids One would think they know what they are getting when they order a hamburger. It arrives with a hamburger Patty only on a plate with a fried Egg perched on top.
From here we decided to take the 'metro' or subway. We had one of those experiences that are hard to write about but so common when traveling or interacting with kids.
We spent about 20 frustrating minutes trying to purchase tickets to travel 3 blocks on the subway. The kids bumping into people, strange looks from Parisians. We get the tickets and when you enter the turnstyle you insert the ticket and then it pops out partially and when you remove it the turnstyle can move.
Maggie wanted to go first. Amy put the ticket in the machine and (because Maggie had passed it), Amy removed it and encouraged her maggie to proceed through. The only problem was that Maggie wanted to remove the ticket and she would not proceed through the open turnstyle.
The line backing up, impatient Parisians looking incredulous. "Vat is vrong wid zee cheeldraaann"
Maggie refusing to go forward. "Maggie, GOOOO!" "But I wanted to do the ticket"....
Anyway We took the subway 3 blocks for 10 euro's. The subway was literally 3 blocks down some stairs...
We went to the Pompidou which was named after George Pompidou the Prime Minister from the 70's. The Parisians skyline is filled with the most incredible architecture almost all Beaux Arts style or French Renesaince.
Then there is the Pompidou. This is a steel and glass building and the mechanical is run on the outside and is painted bright colors. This includes pipes, oversized ventilation.
You ascend the building in an escalator that is a giant tube. I think they decided combine both escalator and ventilation because it was humid very humid.
here is some video from the Pompidou. Maggie and Lawton wanted to look under the first exhibit that was on the floor (and breathing).
it seems that the definition of art is always changing the Pompidou. It did prompt some discussion and we decided that anything that draws attention good or bad is Art in France.
Overheard at the Pompidou, (Lawton and Amy). Amy said, "If I can do this, it is not Art". Lawton responded, "that is not what miss Winny would say" (his art teacher).
Also overheard, (Eric) when viewing some painted 4" PVC pipe with holes drilled into it. "I have done that many times but I did not realize it was art"..... It was strange looking at some PVC pipe with small holes drilled into placed on a pedastal with "Ne Pas toucher" Please do not touch....
I swear, I saw the same PVC pipe with holes drilled in it sitting in the subway on the ground and no one was admiring it...
here is some video. Viewer discretion is advised with little eyes.
From here we decided to take the 'metro' or subway. We had one of those experiences that are hard to write about but so common when traveling or interacting with kids.
We spent about 20 frustrating minutes trying to purchase tickets to travel 3 blocks on the subway. The kids bumping into people, strange looks from Parisians. We get the tickets and when you enter the turnstyle you insert the ticket and then it pops out partially and when you remove it the turnstyle can move.
Maggie wanted to go first. Amy put the ticket in the machine and (because Maggie had passed it), Amy removed it and encouraged her maggie to proceed through. The only problem was that Maggie wanted to remove the ticket and she would not proceed through the open turnstyle.
The line backing up, impatient Parisians looking incredulous. "Vat is vrong wid zee cheeldraaann"
Maggie refusing to go forward. "Maggie, GOOOO!" "But I wanted to do the ticket"....
Anyway We took the subway 3 blocks for 10 euro's. The subway was literally 3 blocks down some stairs...
We went to the Pompidou which was named after George Pompidou the Prime Minister from the 70's. The Parisians skyline is filled with the most incredible architecture almost all Beaux Arts style or French Renesaince.
Then there is the Pompidou. This is a steel and glass building and the mechanical is run on the outside and is painted bright colors. This includes pipes, oversized ventilation.
You ascend the building in an escalator that is a giant tube. I think they decided combine both escalator and ventilation because it was humid very humid.
here is some video from the Pompidou. Maggie and Lawton wanted to look under the first exhibit that was on the floor (and breathing).
it seems that the definition of art is always changing the Pompidou. It did prompt some discussion and we decided that anything that draws attention good or bad is Art in France.
Overheard at the Pompidou, (Lawton and Amy). Amy said, "If I can do this, it is not Art". Lawton responded, "that is not what miss Winny would say" (his art teacher).
Also overheard, (Eric) when viewing some painted 4" PVC pipe with holes drilled into it. "I have done that many times but I did not realize it was art"..... It was strange looking at some PVC pipe with small holes drilled into placed on a pedastal with "Ne Pas toucher" Please do not touch....
I swear, I saw the same PVC pipe with holes drilled in it sitting in the subway on the ground and no one was admiring it...
here is some video. Viewer discretion is advised with little eyes.
At one point, Lawton was having the wiggles and started running around the Gallery. A Parisian Arteest said, "please be quite, this is a Gallerieee". To which we wanted to put Lawton in the middle of the floor. He would have been a fine exhibit at the Pompidou
From here we walked to the Notre Dame Cathedral about 3 blocks away. This is a gorgeous Cathedral that is on an island in the middle of the Seine. It was started in 1160 and took almost 200 years to complete. While the outside and the structure is gorgeous and fascinating the insides are not quite as nice as other Cathedrals especially Italy, Spain.
Apparently a pack of Man eating wolves in 1450 were finally killed after being lulled into the courtyard. The leader was named Courtaud or 'Bobtail' and they ate 40 Parisians prior to being killed. Man, the dark ages were tough...
This was my favorite part of the inside of the Cathedral. Apparently they did not need closets in 1200 and now what do you do with things like Coat Hangers and boxes? You stick them in the Naves!
And finally.....
If you are feeling sheepish about your French in Paris, we could make you feel better with this public sign. Closed on Thuesday....
Day #7, Paris,
Day #7, Paris.
Forgive my absense. We walked to Jardin du Luxemborg and then met my sister and mom who arrived at 5pm. We walked to Isle in the middle of the River Seine (with the Notre Dame Cathedral).
We walked to dinner with the family last night - lots of laughs along the way. We had a typical French Meal. I ordered the Salad Nicois which is Tuna, Anchovies, nice dressing. Amy loves Gespatcho and tried the European version. What it has in taste is lost in texture as they Puree the mixture-smooth.
I almost had the courage to try the Escargot or Snails and also the Steak Tar-Tar looks interesting. The bar next door was called 'the Bear'. It was filled out onto the walkway with heavy set, bald aging Frenchman who were all standing about 6 inches next to each other. Some things are consistent the world over- ‘a Bear’ is slang for an older Gay man in the states and apparently France as well...
We had wonderful Gelato around the corner that was carved into a rose!. Maggie loved the flower so much she was having trouble eating it.
We took a cab back to the boat and all retired fairly early. Lawton is reading up a storm and finished 4 of the Bob Books, #5. Apparently 15min of Ipad time for each book is the secret so he can play Plants vs. Zombies. I wish I had brought more of these books as he is tearing through the box. Time to search for a new iPad app….
Today is calling for cooler weather. It has been hot and Humid. Nice breeze, it is feeling like mid 60’s as I write this. I am sitting on top of the Risico, our converted French River Barge. The Seine is about 8 feet to my right and calm. Very few ducks, apparently there is a 12 foot river fish that eats the ducks. This is not a shock because while difficult to find chicken on the menu, it is not difficult to find duck and I must give my nod to the French on this one. It is tastier and apparently the fish agree.
The architecture is astounding. All 5 stores tall, all either Beaux Arts style or as Betsy pointed out, French Renesaince style. All stone, gorgeous. Beautiful sculptures, Lead Mansard roofs. The Muse D’ Orsay is about 1000 meters straight ahead and absolutely fascinating. Amy, our next house perhaps we have found our new style?
Everyone is walking everywhere here, many couples, young and old. Lots of walk ways, lots of Parks. The Parisians are much more conservative than those in London. The neck tattoos and the weird piercings are rare here. Such a relief. The Police Cadets were playing soccer yesterday morning in well organized teams of 5 with Pinees to keep the teams separate. Not one tattoo on any of the military recruits. Not one piercing. After soccer they pulled out a Rugby ball and started to play Rugby. I think the games of preference in France are Soccer, Soccer, Soccer, Basketball, Rugby.
Met a family from Madrid and we spoke in Spanish for about 20 minutes. They went to Disney for the day and they were exhausted but there 5 year old son showed no signs of fatigue. He had incredible skills and was half volleying the ball and juggling not only with feet but knees, neck, head and shoulders. Only 5.
Met a family from Madrid and we spoke in Spanish for about 20 minutes. They went to Disney for the day and they were exhausted but there 5 year old son showed no signs of fatigue. He had incredible skills and was half volleying the ball and juggling not only with feet but knees, neck, head and shoulders. Only 5.
I think they were telling me that they are from the same part of town that a famous Spanish midfielder is from, I think his name is Sena? Anyway they were smitten with there son and obvious that this kids has a lot of Soccer in his future weather he likes it our not (seem to love it). You can see him in the back juggling the ball, he is only 5!
London had no dogs. No dogs anywhere in a city of probably 10 million. Quite interesting because there were no dogs anywhere but in Paris, they love their dogs. We saw a French Bull dog yesterday and everyone was loving it. Betsy pointed out the pointy ears…
Today is feeling like a museum and we have so many choices, Pompidou, Muse D’ Orsay and the Louve about 200 meters from where I sit. Maybe we can get a baby sitter….
Sunday, August 22, 2010
We are in Jardin du Luxemborg
Paris is grand
Waiting for the Marionette play to start and visiting paid play structure
Waiting for the Marionette play to start and visiting paid play structure
€2.5 kids
€1.2 adults!
It is warm and sunny and we are having a ball
No stores open on Sunday we missed the open market
Eric
Sent from my iPhone
Saturday, August 21, 2010
London #4, Museum of Natural History
Day #4, London.
London is a great city. Quickly passing and politely dismissing other great cities, San Francisco, New York City, Paris and I am pretty sure is perched on top. My apologies to Tokyo, Moscow, Berlin (I have never visited you) and not sure that I will have time remaining in my life because London is so incredible and so big that I think you could live here for several years and not take in all its glory.
Amy has been buying these books for the kids called Horrible Histories. They usually involve the sordid part of nation building like battles, murders, stupid acts (like Giving the Saxons part of England so they 'would not attack' anymore). That lasted about 3 months I think.
I am currently reading about the Normans, It is called the Storman Normans. William the Conquerer was a Norman. He was from France. The Normans were Vikings that settled in France (they were given part of France by the French King if they would not attack anymore). I am not making this up. They promptly attacked. They also attacked Southern Italy and drove away the Germans (later day Saxons) and then the Pope talked them into attacking the middle east and recapturing the 'Holy Lands' from the Muslims.
The Saxons did the same thing and gave part of England as well as something like 20,000 lbs of gold to the Vikings not attack anymore. This did work either and this is origin of the term, Dane-geld. Basically you are fool if you think you can pay off a bully and they will go away silently.
.
Most of these Horrible Histories are known for wars. Lots and lots of violent, bloody, wars and not much diplomacy. The Saxons came and attack the English. The English attack the Scotts and Welsh, the Vikings attack the English and the French. The Spanish were fighting the Moors for many, many years so they were not too involved.
They also include other interesting stories like screw ups, some of the ways that famous died. William the Conquerer died after he was thrown from his horse and crushed his fat belly on the saddle. He died 5 days later and then they go into this story about how they tried to get him to his burrial site but one thing after another it was much delayed and he was very stinky by the time they got there.
I am not sure why this sort of stuff helps remember history but it really does and I know that Jordan is devouring the books (and so am I).
Sadly, they are out of print but Amazon has a bunch of them.
But it makes me realize that my ancestors were not from England and Sweden but probably Vikings and Saxons.
We also went to the Museum of Natural History in London. It is a fascinating Museum and Rivals the best in the world (like Smithsonian, etc) and the building itself is Gorgeous as well.
London is special, but tomorrow we head to Paris via Eurostar or Chunnel. I can fall in love with a new favorite city all over again.
Eric and Amy and Crew.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Day #3. We meet up with Kaja, Tower of London, British Museum
I feel my creative juices starting to flow again and sorry for my 3 day absence. A combination of jet lag and writers block. But I am starting to think clearly now.
First, a confession. I have done something that I regret and fear it will come back to haunt me. I swallowed a shrimps tail. In retrospect, I have no idea how it possible to know that a) you have a shrimps tail in the back of your mouth b) continue to swallow it. But there I was, eating seafood noodle dish with un-peeled shrimp in it. Of course you grab the shrimp by the tail and you bite the shrimp out of the tail. The mistake I made was returning the shrimps tail to the noodle bowl (no plates at this joint) and I did not want to set it on the table. (messy, messy).
Shrimps tails are three things in my book. Stiff, sharp and inedible. I have never seen nor have I heard of bowel perforation that on examination later the pathologists ID'd as the 'caudal portion of a marine arthropod' but we shall see. Last years trip to Europe was notable for Lawton's broken arm and need for emergency medical intervention. Amy did have me purchase a suture set for this trip and I do have a scalpel.....
Today was very big day for us because we have met with our very special Au Pair from Norway. She lived with us for one year and returned to Norway and college over 2 years ago.
All of us took the tube to the London Tower which was fascinating. This is home of the Beefeaters and home of most of the British Royalty until around 200 years ago when they moved to nice digs. Essentially this is well fortified castle that has a gate that opens right onto the Thames. This was called the Traitors gate because all people that were against the King or Queen were of course a traitor and then executed usually by beheading after torture.
Ann Bolyn was Henry the 8th second wife. She considered him obese, foul and malodorous and she was accused of a variety of crimes including adultery, sodomy, sex with children. She was unable to prove the she was innocent (proving guilt was not the standard) and she chose beheading instead of hanging or stoning and was promptly executed by cutting off her head. Henry the 8th was remarried the next day to Jane. He executed several of his wives I think because they were unable to give him a son.
He could not get a divorce from his first wife because it must be granted by the Pope. So he kicked the Catholics out and made his own church called the Church of England and put himself at the head of the church so that would not be a problem.
He could not get a divorce from his first wife because it must be granted by the Pope. So he kicked the Catholics out and made his own church called the Church of England and put himself at the head of the church so that would not be a problem.
After the tower of london, we took the 'tube' to the British Museum. This is an incredible museum with fascinating art displayed from the Egyptions, Assyrians, the Greeks, predominately. At one point Lord Duveen completely removed all the art from the crumbling Parthenon in Greece and shipped it to England and gave it to the King who put it in this Museum. Amy wants a correction here because his journey back is little more difficult than that. Captured by the French, imprisoned for many years, returned to England, broke and had to sell the art to the King.
We learned that the French were there early as well especially Egypt. Napoleans forces apparently blew the nose off the Sphinx. A little later they tried to remove artifacts but were a bit more clumsy than the british explorers. At one point the drilled a hole through a particularly large granite bust so they could pass a rope through it and help lift it.
We learned that the French were there early as well especially Egypt. Napoleans forces apparently blew the nose off the Sphinx. A little later they tried to remove artifacts but were a bit more clumsy than the british explorers. At one point the drilled a hole through a particularly large granite bust so they could pass a rope through it and help lift it.
These historical pieces are everywhere and there are so MANY of them and more incredibly, they are just parked on the floor without any sort of barrier. It was hard to wiggle if you are 6 and Lawton backed up into a granite bust and whacked into it. My heart skipped a beat, the art is irreplaceable and incredible sculptured bust that was just 3,000 years old perched on a little base.
Maggie kept wanting to get into the large granite baths. These were large Sarcophaguses (4'x4'x10') carved out of one slab with amazing Heiroglyphics on the side.
Maggie kept wanting to get into the large granite baths. These were large Sarcophaguses (4'x4'x10') carved out of one slab with amazing Heiroglyphics on the side.
Well, as you can imagine these cultures want this stuff back, especially the Greeks. Our tour books says, see this stuff now while it is still here. The Museum sees it a little differently. They take the stance that we are doing these backward countries a favor by properly displaying and preserving these treasures and they are welcome to come visit anytime they like.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Hush Little Baby. Will these kids ever go to sleep?
Hello
Well, our second day in London has come to a close. Today, we rode a double decker tour bus. We saw Hyde Park, and its Mews and Horseback riders. We passed Buckingham Palace - Westminster Abbey - and the Parliment Buildings. All the while, Lawton was demanding "Point that out!" "Which building is that?!", "MOM, WHICH IS MY RIGHT???!!", and "Mom, you PROMISED to show me which building they are talking about!"
So curious. Also, so inclined to pull my sweater, and hang on my shoulder bag. I will be stronger because of it.
Jordan, however, made friends with a boy from Westminster who was so impressed by our "accents" that he decided to show off his best Chelsea accent. He and Jordan had lots of "accent banter".
We got off the bus to enjoy a ride on the London Eye - at Lawton's INSISTENCE! It was great fun, but honestly, the kids were very jet lagged. Me, and all three kids awoke at 1am. I slipped out of our room and turned a work document around. Unbeknownst to me, Jordan, Lawton & Maggie wound up staying awake and watched Goonies - 87 minutes into it, Lawton ran out into the lobby and "told" on the other two. I went back to the room, and enforced a curfew. (Eric blissfully slept through it!).
They continued to talk, whistle, and otherwise make noise until 5 am, when Eric awoke. He took Jordan and Lawton for breakfast. Lawton returned to bed at 8am. (Maggie and I slept through all of this!) At 9am, I awoke (M&L were still sleeping) had a latte and Jordan started to complain that he was EXHAUSTED (after all - he had been up since 1am). We put him to bed. We had to wake them all at 10 AM (just one hour later) and let me tell you that I know what the teenaged years will look like, because Jordan was so incredibly exhausted and obstinate - he found a prostrate position at every turn. (even laying on the bathroom floor!) Poor guy. He was so tired.
After riding the London Eye, we strolled east along the Thames on the embankment toward the London Tower. Eric was in heaven, as many "street performers" were showcasing their wares. He loved the jamacian drumming band, as well as the Michael Jackson look alike. Lawton, however, skipped the performers and chose to engage in his favorite European pastime - PIGEON CHASING!! (he told me he is sure he will catch one before we leave. He also engages me in elaborate "hunting" schemes wherein I am supposed to chase pigeons on way, and he comes in for the "catch")
We ended the day with a walk through Picadilly Square and all of its lights.
We stopped by Hamley's - London's most famous toy store. Each child chose a toy within a 30 pound budget. Jordan - a remote controlled helicopter. Maggie - two "bush babies" (stuffed animals with enormous eyes!) and Lawton - a light saber. Sadly, he swung it into an unsuspecting pedestrian - so Eric took it from him. He got it back at our hotel. The hotel has an automatic set of glass entrance doors. Lawton spent 45 minutes running up to the doors with his saber in hand commanding "OPEN!" He looked back at me and said - "Mom, I have the force."
We are still acclimating, but look forward to meeting Kaja Hoff (our favorite Au Pair) and her boyfriend Bagel (actually Vagard - but Maggie dubbed him "bagel") tomorrow - they are flying in from Norway to see us. Maggie is SO excited to see Kaja - she talks about her constantly. We had lunch at a place called Pizza Express and there was a kids' menu that prompted little artists to close their eyes, imagine their best dream, and then open their eyes and draw it. Maggie drew KAJA! Picasso style she reported.
All our best!
Amy
London, Day #1, Getting into the swing of it
The reality, the kids watched TV ALL NIGHT on the plane. Amy took a work project and I having the worked the night before did my best to sleep in a sitting position. My faithful 5 year friend (amytriptilline) failed me. I basically did not sleep (despite alone, 15 rows away from my family).
We took the Heathrow express (fast, nice and expensive) from the airport to Picaddelli station and then a cab to our Youth Hostel.
We are all woozy from lack of sleep but are looking forward to today's adventure.
Eric
Monday, August 16, 2010
We are off
Dad worked all night. Amy bravely accepts a project
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)