Sunday, September 5, 2010
Day #24, Brugge
We are definitely running out of gas. Today we visited historic and Beautiful Brugge. This was Amy's idea and while she really wanted to go, she was simply out of gas and sent me with the kids.
When having to choose between visiting the most beautiful city in the world and a free day of relaxation away from your family and you chose the time away from you family, I know that you have been over scheduled. Note to self for next year.
We had a nice time and it was sunny and warm and the kids mostly horse played. Lots of candy and Chocolate and a nice lunch.
We went with my cousin John who is from China (he has lived there for 25 years) and quite an interesting guy. Lots of stories about different cultures, likes, tastes and of course Gov't. It sounds like an amazing place.
We leave tomorrow and I am too tired to write anymore. I have one more blog to put down (we went to an incredible wedding at the Ambassador of Britain's house) and it was quite an experience! I will try to get that down later.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Maggie falls asleep
What is also unfortunate is that we are tired too and we will need to summon the parenting Gods of Patience and Understanding for guidance and divine intervention.
Lately they seem to have been on vacation and their subs Intolerance and Humiliation are taking over
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Day 19
No one panics like my Mom and she was egging the taxi driver on ( like they need an excuse). She arrived just on time sans make up and hair in a mess
Amy and I got one hour of sleep after a nice send of dinner from beth and Max and packing. Jordan was the walking dead and bumped into the walls. Lawton wet the bed (sorry Beth). I know you thought you were done with that
It was a mess. Maggie screaming and carnage everywhere.
Amy says, "this is a cruel joke" and Max replies, "yeah Rick steves never does a show about this"
Lawton gave Max a big, long hug that warmed my heart and on the way out said, "next time I want to stay here a whole month"
Maggie said once again, "I love Beth. Soooo much. Can we come visit for Christmas"
We will be back but now onto Belgium
Day #18, Valencia
Today we drove about one hour away and visited a hill top town called Villa Fames. The kids had fun exploring the castle. These little castles are really not for Royalty I am convinced but rather a way to run away and protect ones goods and lives from attacking Moors, Christians, Romans, Cartheniagns, Visigoths, etc. They are everywhere and the castles themselves are mostly in bad repair as they were made of Sand stone (easy to cut) and they have eroded after 600-800 years or more.
The town was cute and we had a good time.
We say goodbye today and travel tomorrow to Brussels. Max and Beth and their kids have been incredible and gracious hosts and they have such a good thing going that we are considering maybe a 4 month move next summer to try (I would fly back and work shifts) and Amy could work here.
We shall see. After seeing the crappy weather for much of last half of August in Seattle it is more and more interesting.
Here in Valencia today, gone tomorrow to Brussels
Day #17, Valencia
Today Amy went and played tennis again this time with a Spanish Tennis Pro. I refused to go because I can not handle the scorn of my 'Karate Chop stroke'. Not sure I was actually invited now that I think about it.
We rallied the troops and visited the pharmacy. Coming from the states where a month of medicines easily approaches $100/month. Welcome to Spain. That will be $11! We loaded up with a years supply of asthma medicine.
We laughed because they have a box with cream that shows applications to the abdomens will produce a six pack abdomen. Never mind those pesky sit ups. I think the box is filled with artist make up paint.
We returned and then drove to the beach or Playa in spanish. Here in Valencia it is Platja. I saw this all over the signs and I could not figure out what the heck the Platja is. Now I know after almost visiting the Platja Nudista. This is a strange that they make a distinction for nudist beach and regular beach because the woman are topless here for the most part and that seems to work out for everyone.
The men love the view and the woman save on swimsuits
Compared to Hawaii. The water is more blue, the sand is nicer and the water is about 5 degrees warmer. Truly, the best beaches in the world and they are covered with places that sell ice cream, cafe, drinks, chairs and food.
The woman ordered Mojitos and the kids frolicked in the ocean and it was warm with a pleasant wind.
We wanted Paella and Max's partner belongs to a club that has amazing Paella and Max asked Vincente to please order some Paella for us. The Paella arrived and was amazing and of course it was already paid for by his partner as Max said it would. Max says it will be difficult to give him money but has worked out a way to make it right.
The Paella is incredible and we all devoured it. Chicken, Gigantes, big green beans, safron rice, lemon, artichoke hearts as well.
We purchased a gorgeous Tiramisu cake for $26 dollars and have fired up the coffee pot (again). This is the 6th time today we have fired up the drip coffee machine and are burning through the pounds of coffee. It is delicious and comes preground and in bricks as well.
Tomorrow feels like an adventure day and we are considering the big local castle, Sagunto. Everyone had there finger in this bad boy including Carthegnians, Visigoths, greeks, romans, Moors.
We rallied the troops and visited the pharmacy. Coming from the states where a month of medicines easily approaches $100/month. Welcome to Spain. That will be $11! We loaded up with a years supply of asthma medicine.
We laughed because they have a box with cream that shows applications to the abdomens will produce a six pack abdomen. Never mind those pesky sit ups. I think the box is filled with artist make up paint.
We returned and then drove to the beach or Playa in spanish. Here in Valencia it is Platja. I saw this all over the signs and I could not figure out what the heck the Platja is. Now I know after almost visiting the Platja Nudista. This is a strange that they make a distinction for nudist beach and regular beach because the woman are topless here for the most part and that seems to work out for everyone.
The men love the view and the woman save on swimsuits
Compared to Hawaii. The water is more blue, the sand is nicer and the water is about 5 degrees warmer. Truly, the best beaches in the world and they are covered with places that sell ice cream, cafe, drinks, chairs and food.
The woman ordered Mojitos and the kids frolicked in the ocean and it was warm with a pleasant wind.
We wanted Paella and Max's partner belongs to a club that has amazing Paella and Max asked Vincente to please order some Paella for us. The Paella arrived and was amazing and of course it was already paid for by his partner as Max said it would. Max says it will be difficult to give him money but has worked out a way to make it right.
The Paella is incredible and we all devoured it. Chicken, Gigantes, big green beans, safron rice, lemon, artichoke hearts as well.
We purchased a gorgeous Tiramisu cake for $26 dollars and have fired up the coffee pot (again). This is the 6th time today we have fired up the drip coffee machine and are burning through the pounds of coffee. It is delicious and comes preground and in bricks as well.
Tomorrow feels like an adventure day and we are considering the big local castle, Sagunto. Everyone had there finger in this bad boy including Carthegnians, Visigoths, greeks, romans, Moors.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Day #16, Valencia
I hate this feeling. This feeling that a wonderful vacation is coming to a close.
Yesterday Amy took the kids to the Mercado Central. This is similar idea and concept to Pike Place market, just 80 times larger.
Max took me up in the hills on mountain bikes. The roads are like logging roads in a way just no trees or stumps. You climb, you have great vistas, you climb some more. It is hot but you feel great.
Then you will come around a bend and there will be a 700 year old castle or 600 year old monestary. In the middle of nowhere!.
We biked for about 2.5 hours and and returned to empty house and just soaked up the sun when the kids returned.
Maggie has found a neighbor child who is 5. Her name is Jessica. her family is from southern France but live in Valencia currently and also have a place in Miami. The whole family speaks spanish, french and English very well.
Maggie has already awoken and says, "You promised a playdate with Jessica!". I did?
Today we are going to the beach with my mom and sister and I will pick them up shortly. They were in Barcelona. tonight a BBQ also with Paella.
I decided to write a short story. Most of it comes from something I witnessed in Paris or experiences in Paris. It has been fun to talk to Beth and Max and Amy about the plot, characters.
This is nothing I have ever done before and an entirely new challenge and it has been fun to try and work through the problems that the characters find themselves in. If I make more progress I will post it here.
here is yesterdays video
Maggie has found a neighbor child who is 5. Her name is Jessica. her family is from southern France but live in Valencia currently and also have a place in Miami. The whole family speaks spanish, french and English very well.
Maggie has already awoken and says, "You promised a playdate with Jessica!". I did?
Today we are going to the beach with my mom and sister and I will pick them up shortly. They were in Barcelona. tonight a BBQ also with Paella.
I decided to write a short story. Most of it comes from something I witnessed in Paris or experiences in Paris. It has been fun to talk to Beth and Max and Amy about the plot, characters.
This is nothing I have ever done before and an entirely new challenge and it has been fun to try and work through the problems that the characters find themselves in. If I make more progress I will post it here.
here is yesterdays video
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