Travel Day and First day in Paris

Got up early again...whoever says vaca's are for rest...never ever went on a guided tour of London or Paris. Headed for the train station..and I am sad...NO STAMP going into France. Just one leaving London...so my passport just has 4 stamps in it. I am really hoping to get one as I leave France, but who knows...guess they don't mind strangers coming in. The train ride was uneventful and I dozed..a lot...On the bus ride in, the guide didn't say much, so I guess we didn't pass anything important. I did get a great view of the Eiffel tower as we made our way to the hotel.





MOm and I walked around the Seine for a bit...looking for a good view of the tower. Saw a bride and groom getting pictures taken in front of the tower on this little bridge and a model doing a photo shoot as well. Finally found something I can't spell and they had a huge screen erected and were watching the world cup..of course..what else would they be watching. Italy didn't do so well against those pesky New Zealanders.



Then we walked around the tower a bit...did some souvenir looking and found a great little restaurant for dinner. The waitress was sweet and took our pics. I had spaghetti bouillabaisse..cause I've NO idea how to spell that...and mom had something akin to beef Stew....another recipe for Howard. Then I got a pretty good handle on all the wireless nonsense around here...cause all the TV stations are in french with no subtitles...won't be doing much of TV watching here... Time for bed soon..



Hugs all

Last day In London

Well...I got here 5 days ago..and tomorrow..we leave VERY early for Paris. Wasn't sure what we were going to do today..was hoping to meet up with a friend, but the best laid plans of mice and men they say. We decided to take the tour of Windsor Castle sponsored by the tour group. They pick you up at the door, no tube, and we were hoping no stairs...well..this is London..so not so lucky on the no stairs thing. The Castle is huge and the Queen was in da' house.




Got a chance to see a great doll house and the state apartments. I was bummed we couldn't shop more in the town around the castle, but it was great afternoon and didn't rain...just froze...lord no shorts the entire week here for me.

The Castle is immense and then there is St. George's chapel..which makes my hometown church look like a cottage.



Finally, we passed by a huge brewery...so for all my beer drinking buds...this one's for you...


On to Paris....Chunneltime is coming soon!!

Fifth Day in London

So..it was the fifth day in London..only one more to go. I did sleep in some and got a reasonable breakfast time. Mom and I met up with Annie in the hotel lobby and took the tube down to the British Museum. It was amazing and you could actually spend a week there. I was in the middle of this blog and lost the internet, so am going to finish it now in my morning. It's been chilly and raining here a few days, and they are expecting more rain today. Not sure of the plans, we are still debating. Yesterday consisted of tubes and stairs and lots and lots and lots of walking. The Queensway Tube station lift (elevator) is broken, so it's 123 steps up. They of course, don't tell you that until AFTER you have gotten off the tube, and even those steps were tame in comparison to our day. The running joke by the end of the day was MORE STAIRS?

The British museum is huge and full of antiquites. The most notable is the Roesetta stone.

There are 3 floors of exhibits and it would take forever. We did most of the first 2 floors, but of course reading everything was just out of the question.

After the museum, we found a nice pub (my first) to eat at for lunch. Annie, Mom and I all had great food in a small place for about 20. It was terrific....then on to walking..and walking...and walking. We missed Covent Garden at least twice, going the really long way around til we finally found it. Note to self..make sure Map of London is IN the bag before you go. Covent Garden is a 180 years old now..and I got to sign the birthday card. The street vendors and entertainers were everywhere. It was amazing and loads of fun



Finally we of course..walked...to the London Eye..climbed MORE STAIRS to the bridge and took a ride. It started to rain at the top of the eye, the view though was spectacular anway. The trip takes about 1/2 hour and it's very smooth and you hardly know you are on a Ferris wheel. After a nice dinner on High Street, we headed back to the hotel rather tired and not ever wanting to see another stair for a week. The hotel room keeper has a great sense of humor and smiled when we headed into the room...seems google bear is in charge of the remote while we are gone. :-)

Day Four in London

Okay..so I finally get to sleep in..and don't wake up til 9am....didn't think I'd ever see that happening. Had a later breakfast and head off toward the station to go to Westminster....but we've forgotten the opera glasses for tonight, so we go back the other way and head to this huge mall called Westfield. Mom want's to find black pants..and I'd like a new sweatshirt..mine are getting a bit used...And we are going to stop back at the hotel and then go to Westminster. We find a few places and I get some new things, but no sweatshirt. I did find a cool shirt.

Train to Westminster next...ate a nice Jacket potato at Wesley's Cafe (as in John Wesley) and then went to the Abby. Ben is rather tall these days...and very ornate



The Abby is amazing. It's absolutely huge. We got to get close to the altar, and sit where the choir sits. We saw the Royal Stall (where the queen/King sit for service) and the hall of Knights. No pictures inside..they are pretty strict about it...but the outside is equally impressive.!



After the Abby, it's on to Trafalgar Square and nelson's column. We were looking for Charing Cross, but didn't make it. Finally took the Tube back to victoria for dinner and Billy Elliot. It was an amazing play with the most wonderful child dancer I have seen in a long time. Terrific play and back to the hotel for this tired lady with sore legs. Am hoping all this walking will make it easier later..and i won't be quite so store.

Day Three in London

Okay...so again...no sleeping in on this vacation. 6am was the alarm today. Breakfast and brisk walk to the tube. Meeting Nick in Surrey for a trip to Stonehenge. Mom and he pick right back up..and I fall asleep sort of in the back seat. It's about an hour to the site, but well worth it. I even see one of the horses carved into the mountain. it's hugs. But nothing compares with the size of Stonehenge. You can't get close, but my camera sure can. The rocks are massive and you can't help but wonder what, who and why???



after a lot of walking in that area, we headed off for lunch. Stopped in Berwick at the Boot Inn. decided to take a little walk first down the quaint village. Met Roy..he suggested we bypass the boot for the Pelican Inn in Stapleford. He was right and it was amazing. Had a great garden with roosters and chickens wandering about. Had a wonderful lunch.




Then we went to the Henge at avebury. The area where the stones is is probably 4x as big as Stonehenge and a small village is set inside. It's beautiful country and wonderful walking. Had tea at 4..just like we're supposed to. I had strawberry shortcake...but the cream isn't sweet and the cake are really cookies....more for my list!!!



So..took awhile to get back..and my legs are feeling a bit like jelly..more walking tomorrow I'm sure as we are going to see Billy Elliot at the Victoria Palace theater. Maybe I'll get to sleep in though..since there are NO early morning dates.

Night all...hugs

Second day in London

Okay..so I always thought when you were on vacation, the pace was slower and you got to sleep in! WRONG!!! Alarm went off at 7am...and we had to be at breakfast 1/2 hour later. Why do you ask? well, they wanted us on the tour bus. So..we get on this big bus with great big windows for a 4 hour tour ride all over london. Guess it's supposed to give you a taste, so you go back. We stopped at St. Pauls Cathedral and watching the Changing of the guard. Now not at the palace mind you...they marched right next to me.. I could have touched them.


Then we get back to hotel and after eating left over chinese from the day before...we head back to the Tube to go to the Tower of London. Mind you it's after 2..and the place closes at 5:30. We have a great guide though..and see most of it..and all the crown jewels. Guess diamonds are a monarchs best friend.



Guides were hilarious both in morning and in the afternoon. Had cool things to talk about and loved telling stories. Best line of the day... talking to Americans in the crowd: "liking all this history? It could have been yours if you had paid your taxes." We finished in the white tower and ran out of time in the rest...maybe later in the week.

Then walked along the Thames to Dixon Inn for an awesome dinner overlooking St. Katherine's pier on the balcony. Then up onto The Tower Bridge..over and back...and back to the Tube for a ride home. It's on to Stonehenge tomorrow.



This tired cookie is heading to bed very soon.

:)

Travel day for me!

So...Its on to London for me. Time to meet up with mom and start the "touring". Not sure what i've been doing so far, but hey! Bertie took me to the airport after a rather stressful evening of trying to figure out if I even had a flight to London. I never got a confirmation number from the website we ordered the ticket. everything was in dutch..which of course I don't speak. And Bertie doesn't fly much, so wasn't sure what I wanted him to find. Finally called the airline, but they couldn't give me the number either, as they didn't have any info about me from the airline. They did confirm I had a ticket though..so I slept well and got up VERY early to make sure there were no issues. Bertie and I had coffee and mini pancakes at the airport, which is really small mall, and he left me to go in. I had a BLAST with little brother Bertie and love him as much as i did before. Thank you my friend for everything...you are the best...even if you DO make me ride 10km before I leave your town.



Took a plane to London City airport and got onto the "Tube" to get to Hyde park. I was given the wrong station to get on though, so ended up on the wrong side. it's kind of like being on the west side of central park when you need to be on the east side. Add to that my bag...and I was a tired camper.



Got to the hotel after a cabbie ride (his daughter is going to be a teacher too), and found room and mom. She wants to go out. Great...so we go out. Wander and find food for her and then stroll in Kensington Park. Nevermind that 10KM bike ride i did yesterday or the three trains I had to ride today...we're strolling the park.



Ended up at kensington palace where they are having an exhibit called "the enchanted palace". They talk about different princesses in turns of art and fashion. It was amazing. They wouldn't let me take pictures, but I did find a couple online. Tomorrow we start the tours of London proper...can't wait.

More tomorrow all.

Last Day in Holland

So..Bertie wanted to make sure that I went out with a bang...took me to a museum that is also a national park. It has a huge collection of Van Gogh paintings. It's about a 1/2 hour drive...and another hour walk...so instead of walking...I could choose to ride a bike the 5+km to the park/museum. Gotta love those big tired one speed bikes...



We stopped and had some lunch..i had a roll and ham and cheese. It was pretty cool, I picked out the bread and the meat was on a plate wrapped up. I felt like I was not at home for sure.



The Museum was great, however, I must say I didn't get it much of the time. We had a great time wandering around. The way in a huge sculpture garden with large and small sculptures all over. I liked the ones called rocky lumps. They looked like big marshmallows to me.



After a 3 hour stroll through the museum gardens and buildings...we then had that 5+ bike ride back, and of course, we chose the long way back...so now my bum hurts just a bit..and my legs are going to be mad in the morning. I'm getting up really early to get to the airport and on to London. I can't wait and am meeting mom for the next leg of the journey. I hope you all are enjoying this. I am. :-)

goedenavond Zwolle...I had a blast!!!!!

Third Day in Holland

Bertie says he tried to wake me up for 20 min...I don't believe him..esp since I'm up now at 8:30..and he's sleepin' away the morning. Yesterday was palace day. We went to the Palace at the Loo. Its not a residence anymore, but it's amazing. Has a huge garden in the back. The walls have gold leaf all over and beautiful tapestries. They wouldn't let us take any pictures inside and when i tried to find one on the web, they didn't exist. They really don't want you to see the inside of this place. I did find one of the main dining room. It does not do the place justice, but here it is.



We did get to the gardens and they let pictures like crazy there. Bertie and I by a fountain in the center between the two gardens. They are huge. There are three areas of them.



There is a low garden, directly behind the palace and a high garden beyond that. It took me four pics with my landscape setting to get it all in. The gardens are a beautiful green with perfectly manicured maze like greens. There are fountains and statues all over. I did not get to see the audience room or the golden carriage, but what i did see was amazing. I posted the pictures on my Facebook page, so if you want to see them, just let me know. On to the van gogh musuem today! See you all lata!

Second day in Holland

Friday and my host has to work all day, so my plan is to use that day to help my body clock get turned around. Seems to work all right. I wake up at nearly 11..which is close to the 6 am I usually wake up. Log in and work on the blog, upload some pics and play around in Sl and on my emails. Shower and dress and it's 1:30pm. I only have to occupy a few hours now on my own, so I head out for a walk to see what's around. There is a small mall nearby, but I don't really take a lot of pictuees. Don't want to stand out as the tourist that I obviously am. Im getting hungry though and no one seems to speak English anywhere I am. Imagine that...im in Holland and everyone is speaking Dutch. I found a grocery store, actually two. So i bought a Dr. Pepper, yogurt and some cookies. Gave the very friendly dutch speaking cashier my 5 Euros...and she gave me back COINS!! darn..just as soon as I get feeling all confident, I have to figure out the coins???? I smiled. Took my 3.55E in coins and walked out.





At the end of the mall, was a book store. Cool, I'll get a paper or something to read...go in .....and everything is in Dutch...guess I'm not reading a paper today and a entire class of students walks out of the grocery store and their teacher is passing out popsicles. They were so excited. Just like our kids after field day. School is school everywhere. I so wanted to visit the school and see what teachers do in Holland, but that can be for next time.

Finally on my way home, I spot a deli. They have sandwiches, so I figure i can get a ham sandwich and head home. After much uhhh and pointing at things..and no..not a hamburger (3 times), I order my ham sandwich and diet coke...small or large? Small I say..and thinking I'm getting a cup with ice small. I see tomatoes on the sandwich..and risk a "no tomatoes"please....Paying is another adventure. Lunch is 5.55E. I have a 5 bill and these coins. I had figured out that 3 of them were 50(i guess cents), so I give her the 5 bill and two coins..and i get more change. Well, at least I got that part right...and my sandwich comes in a bag with a can of Coke Light..cause i guess Diet coke here is coke light...and small means a can and large means a bottle.



Making it back in one piece with some money left and my lunch..I eat quietly my sandwich, which has no tomatoes, but tons of of other veggies, my coke light and yogurt. All in all, it was an experience. I'm very glad Bertie is off today and we are going together to the castle. More pics from there for sure.

See you tomorrow

First day in Holland

Flying overnight can be an interesting thing. You still get a meal on a plane if you fly for nearly 8 hours I guess. Mine was okay...pasta and salad and chocolate cake. I followed everyone's advice and drank lots of water, and even a diet coke. Seemed like a pretty routine flight, except that everything was repeated in Dutch: flight instructions, announcements, and there was a dutch channel for the inflight TV show)
So...Baggage is found at the baggage belt, a lift goes up and down (why didn't we think of that), an escalator doesn't make stairs when it goes up and down and I am not going to be able to understand Dutch in a week. :-)


Bertie is right there to pick me up...and all I see is a camera flash going on. :-) At least my ride made it on time, even if my plane couldn't. He takes me through the greenest countryside to his hometown about an hour away. I even manage to keep my eyes open for the ride home (seeing that according to my body, it's 3am). I even manage to eat a PBJ before I nearly collapse. After I take a 2 hour power nap (really it was supposed to be a 20 min one.), I go to take a shower. So..shower's in Holland don't have walls...I get to scquiggie the floor. Then we head into Zwolle. He tells me it's a small town...and I laugh. It rivals East Lansing during the school year.

It's a terrific old place that even has some of the wall around it. I'm posting all the pics in a facebook album. But we even visited a church that he hadn't been in all the time he's lived here. Guess it takes a visitor to see everything in your own town. :)

Heading to Europe

Okay..so I'm going to try and tell my story of traveling in Europe here. I was so happy that I could plan ahead. Got all the clothes sorted and got the suitcase out. Wezlet decided she wanted to come along though, so had to coax her out.



The night started out a bit crazy when at 1 in the morning I got around to checking my itinerary. Imagine my surprise when I found I had booked a flight that leaves at 11 in the morning and not 4 in the afternoon of the next day. Spent the next hour doing all the things I could that i had planned to do in the morning. Fed cats, watered plants, took out trash and triple checked my bags.(too bad I packed the power cord that has 3 prongs and my convertor only has 2. Got up early and got to the airport with plenty of time. Flew a little puddle jumper in the rain to Philly and found I had a 5 hour layover. So I decided to head out of the airport and check out PHilly....it was raining there too. I did make it to the Liberty Bell though. Ended up back at the airport with 2 hours to go a little damp and rather tired from much walking. I was kind of hoping to end up so tired, I just slept on the flight over. We'll see how well that worked for me.

Here is the Liberty Bell in all it's glory!

Getting ready for Europe

So...Its only a couple of days away. I'm going to be in the Netherlands in 3 days. My to Do list doesn't seem to be shrinking and the knot in my stomach seems to be growing. I really want to do this...and yet...if I'm really honest with myself..i am not sure anymore how much i want to go. There is a growing fear that I will actually be able to pull it all off. Self confidence is shrinking as the hour of departure looms closer. I'm hoping that once I get there, things will fall into place and all will be well...but even now, the tears are just below the surface and it is hard to keep them in. So..tonight I pack the suitcase and cross more things off my list..tomorrow get the cats squared away..and wed. think about what goes in the carry on's.

Holland, London, Paris...here i come!

End of Feb and its still snowing

Never again will I complain about the lack of snow in MI. Today before I could leave, I had to knock down rather large icicles that had formed on my gutters along the walk. One was as tall as me. I carefully took a hoe and hit them from the side, hoping not to be hit by the flying pieces as they crashed to the pavement. Wonder if the neighbor was cranky, seeing it was 7:15 am. :-) Drive time must be doubled from Dec. to March..and now I'm thinking it needs to be until May.

At least the snowmen are happy!

Stress and being sick

So..the school year starts..and i have no lab in either building...and now teach two more brand new classes..and the stress just creeps in. The weeks go by...and the situation doesn't change..only now I am fighting little sleep and the germs of 400 students...and stress builds. I try to sleep more, eat right, and breathe. Why is getting centered so dang hard? Breathe and focus...breathe and focus...Maybe i'll get it...

but now i'm sick....and it's hanging on...and I'm exhausted.

hard to focus on centering...and leaving the stress behind

The Fork

This poem called The Fork was written as I sat by the nagahela (i can't spell it) river in North Carolina. The river had many boats floating along it. Some places were smooth and quiet..and others had very fast rapids. I hope you like it.

The Fork

Gliding slowly down the quiet water,
Moving along with the current of life
Settled calmly in the open air
Green leaves and flowers slide silently by
Birds present a concert of song
Never-ending along the way

Paddle still, used only to gently guide the way
Past rocks and trees, providing power
When the current is weak and waves small
Providing direction when unbidden movements arrive,
Strong currents dictate the way and
Waves push toward danger and uncertainty

River runs clear when the fork appears
View hidden by bends and trees
Left or right---decision looms
Each path a different journey, both unseen, unknown
Random choice or deliberate action
Push the bow and journey on

The way may be smooth, wide paths free of rocks and waves
Tree-lined with still waters, punctuated by the shouts
Of song birds, cracks of slight feet
On dry branches and long dead leaves
Time made for reflection and thought
Finding the center and seeing the way floating along

The way may be rough, narrow and rock filled
Waves reach high with frothy force, hiding dangers below
The beating of water on the sides drown out the
Songs of forest, the strong heartbeat pounding
Darting sights side to side, discerning the danger
Seeking safety and peace amidst the rapids

We seek to take the easy fork, avoid the pain
Yet amidst the pain is growth, strength reborn
along the rapids, there is wisdom, experience acquired
confidence and empathy renewed and nurtured
even as the calm path renews and refreshes
focuses and restores, the rapids of life breeds empathy

seek both in the path of life
the rough and the smooth, the easy and the hard
for in the full journey is the whole of life’s experiences

Another year

Another year is nearly over. One 1/2 day left, then I walk away. I will be looking for another place to pass on what i know...another place to give of myself. Even though I will probably not find what i am looking for, i will search. In every part of our life, we search and seek...

Making sure we give ourselves permission to live and grow and feel and hurt and be angry is the hardest part of the search....and the most important..

Affirmations that help me:

The world is ruled by letting things take it's course
We would never learn to be brave and patient if there were only joy in the world
Be master of mind rather than mastered by mind.
Water which is too pure has no fish.
Let the waters settle. You will see stars and moon mirrored in your Being.
Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend.
Be not afraid of growing slowly, be afraid only of standing still.

I hope they help you. :-)

Life is a circle

So..life comes around again....and where do we go from there?

Spring’s Ascent

cold wind whips over
the barren field
not even bare trees
stop it’s bitter bite

brown and grey cover
the landscape
testament to the
fading white blanket

never ending darkness
hangs on like the
lone climber up the
sheer rock face

not wanting to relent
to the oncoming light
the slow climbing
sun warming it’s path

yet warmth, green
cannot be halted
rising from deep within
pushing aside that which is dormant

tentative at first, seeking
safe warm and sun
poking first above the surface
barely daring to seek it’s light

warmth and light feed the new
passion, struggling to take root
safe in the wrapping of love,
yet tender and fragile

under the gentle touch
of water and warmth
passion grows, unseen
digging deep into the soul

until the last holds of
the dark day relent
releasing the power
of passion to burst
through for all to see and share

Wounded Butterfly

delicate wings, lithe body
resting on the edge
folding, unfolding in the
warmth of the sun

breezes cool the heat
belie the coming storm
resting and waiting
in a masquarde of safety

sudden change, unseen and swift
winds tearing at the
peaceful rest
rain pelting and ripping

butterfly falls, unable to
find the edge again,
useless wings, torn and shredded
blinded and afraid

finally landing on the
hard ground, cold
wet, mud-covered
and in pain

safety gone,
warmth turned to cold
looking up into the
darkness of night

strength fades
confidence wanes
deep pain invades
the once-full heart

time must pass
storm must run
its course and move away,
to find another

time ticks slowly
never-ending minutes
turn into days and nights
and days again

Things just keep changing

So..why is it that the more things change...the less they change? I had a job interview last week....thought it went really well. They kept my portfolio, kept me in the interview for nearly an hour...and yet...still no word on what is happening.
Things changed over night for me...and I can't seem to get my head wrapped around it...
and I can't get my balance. I am falling...clawing to stop myself...and not finding anything to grab onto...finding nothing that looks normal.
The holes here are huge...gaping and raw.... I used to be dented....now.....i can't even describe it.. I just wish...I could get something normal back...