That took waaay too long! I apologize that I kept promising posts and it took so long for them to finally come! Maybe it would be better not to say anything and just do it (any project) when I have the opportunity, that'll probably be less stressful for everyone.
A few more words about the trip:
*I had the opportunity to do many "grown up" things, such as fly in an airplane for many hours, take a taxi, ride in a subway/train, go places-alone-in countries that I know very little about and have a difficult time communicating with people, take care of other people's children in countries that I know very little about and have a difficult time communicating with people...it was great to be able to follow M and A around, who knew what they were doing and where they were going, but it was also a great feeling to be able to be brave and trust that I'll go or do what I needed to do and it'll be okay.
*I got to get a passport for this trip, which received four stamps by the end of the trip.
*I finally got to experience customs and get a small view at what it may be like for people entering into my country. I didn't have anything to declare, but I did step on farmland within the last week of when I entered, so I needed to go in a different line and have a few more checks done.
*It was a unique experience to see my own country from outside of the country. "America" generally means the United States, even though America consists of more that just the U.S. In all of the countries that we visited the pop culture of the U.S. is very very big. The first 'Avengers' movie was about to come out and there was a lot of advertising both in English and whatever their main language is in the area. I listened to radio stations in all of the countries I visited, they had their own local music or talk radio, but there was also a lot of popular stuff from America. Many of the people that we talked to, especially in Ireland and Switzerland, looked to the U.S. as a powerful country. It was also unique to see the newspapers U.S. Weekly and New York Times from outside of the U.S. I don't remember what was going on, but I recall thinking "don't put that in the paper!" about a few things. For one, those papers definitely don't represent the whole U.S. and two, people read those papers and unless they've seen or know otherwise, often believe that we are like that or believe whatever it is that is being published.
*My perspective in many different ways has been changed because of this two week trip full of experiences. The News, History, Geography, Literature, etc. make more sense when I learn about those areas that I traveled. I also, of course, made loads of observations about nearly everything, which I have been able to build on and apply to life in the past several years.
*I only got to talk to Jarom once, very briefly, and I got to email every few days. I sure missed my husband, even though I was having such great adventures! I hope to someday visit these countries again with Jarom!
I learned and experienced a whole lot more than what I've written, I have other pictures, brochures and some souvenirs from my trip. When I go to European restaurants, stores, or talk to people, I remember some of those lands that I visited so far away and so long ago. I am glad that I had the honor and privilege of traveling with this incredible family, have the experiences that I/we did, and get a glimpse at the lives of people in other "worlds".
The End!!
Jarom and Jennifer
Thursday, September 24, 2015
Germany
From Switzerland we drove 5 hours in the Volvo to Frankfurt Germany and stayed 2 nights at the Schlosshotel Kronberg . This is the castle hotel that I posted in the first post about my Europe trip, the hotel that 'A' used to "tempt" me to go on the trip.
The balcony in the center is where we stayed. |
We didn't go here, but this place is used as a spa. |
The hallway in front of our room. |
A bit of educational information: "The Empress Frederick, who built this house, was the widow of Frederick III, King of Prussia and German Emperor, and mother of William II, familiar to the world as the Kaiser. She was born at Buckingham Palace on 21st Nov. 1840- the eldest child of Victoria Queen of England and the Prince Consort....The son (after waiting 30 years to reign!) was stricken with cancer and reigned for 99 days only...This house was designed by (Victoria, The Empress Frederick)...it is a monument to her husband and a reminder of the world which they had together hoped to create. The Empress lived for seven years after Friedrichshof was finished." She was comforted by her surroundings, her childhood influence was reflected in the landscape and a lot of the architecture of the house. She enjoyed her artistic collections and her remarkable library. *I remember looking at pictures of Frederick and Victoria, I don't remember him, but I remember being drawn to her picture, she looked so friendly!
I took a lot of pictures, but I can't seem to find them, maybe they were just memory pictures?? The hotel is a beautiful place with so many antique treasures throughout. I remember that the whole hotel smelled, very thick, of stale cigarette smoke. The yard is huge and I greatly appreciated being able to have my alone time and walk around it, as well as the castle/hotel, while the children were going to bed.
And...this is what I/you get for me waiting so long to post these pictures on the blog...I don't remember where or what the stories are behind many of the pictures, or even what order they go in!! So here are a bunch of pictures of Germany:
Bubbly mineral "bath". Tasted disgusting!! |
Exit |
We took a cable car around the Niederwald area.
I remember being told that this is a famous shopping area. |
The next three pictures are actually at a park that was close to our hotel in Frankfurt (Schlosshotel). It was so so green!!!
Another reason for the trip was for a family reunion on A's side of the family. We went to Wennigsen and stayed at this hotel (The site is in German, unless you have a translator on your computer):
A popular malt soda Vita-malz |
Monday, July 13, 2015
Switzerland
We all flew together from Dublin Ireland to Zurich Switzerland Saturday April 28th.
While in Switzerland we stayed with different families related to M. They were all so kind and happy to see the family, but still very welcoming to me, who they had never and will probably never see again.
We went on a cable car and ate lunch at a restaurant. Here are some pictures from that trip. I'm not sure if Wirzweli is the name of the town or the park, but here is a website for the area: Wirzweli
While in Switzerland we stayed with different families related to M. They were all so kind and happy to see the family, but still very welcoming to me, who they had never and will probably never see again.
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Nice massage for the cows! |
A view from the cable car |
Stairs leading up to the relatives house. Many houses that are on hills and have stairs, like these, leading up to the homes. |
One of the reasons for this European trip was so that the family could purchase a car. We drove to and through Geneva to pick up the Volvo.
Jet d'Eau |
It's a different style than I am familiar with, so I took a picture. :-) A European toilet. |
We stayed overnight (in Bueren??) with some of M's different relatives. They live up in the mountain where you drive on narrow roads with switchbacks to get up there. Buses drive this route daily.
I love the wood and how the shutters are useful, as well as decorative. I love the beautiful natural landscaping too. Truthfully ALL of Switzerland has gorgeous landscaping! |
In front of the house, on the grass, on top of the garage.
We spent the day in Xanderheim on a dairy farm where M's dad grew up. Family still lives on and runs the farm.
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One of the beautiful cows. They are so loved and cared for in Switzerland (see the above cow massage video!) While at the farm we got to taste some fresh milk, right from the cow, it was delicious! |
uh...it's been awhile, I don't remember if this is a picture from Xanderheim or another spot in Switzerland. Stunningly green and beautiful though, with snow still in the mountains in the background. |
I enjoy experiencing new foods/drink. M introduced the boys and I to "rivella". When we stayed with family in Bueren, we ate fondue. It was great to experience that Swiss tradition while in Switzerland. For breakfasts: there were a variety of cheeses, butter, jam, "Nutella", crusty breads, and meats all offered, along with a variety of beverages. I was introduced to other foods, but I don't remember what they were. A variety of Swiss chocolate was wonderful to taste while in the county and Jarom was very grateful for the chocolate that I brought home to share with him.
*This is my first post created at a different time than the introduction and Ireland. I have, unfortunately, forgotten why I saved the particular pictures that I did for posting to the blog and what their stories are. One more European trip post left...Germany.
Monday, June 29, 2015
Websites?
Are the websites highlighted when you look at the blog? They are when I go to the edit page, but they are not when I look at the blog. There are some great sites to check out that go along with the posts if you'll scroll over them or highlight the whole paragraph to find those sites, if they are not already highlighted.
Thursday, June 25, 2015
Ireland
First stop: Ireland
I arrived in Dublin Sunday April 23rd, we stayed in County Wicklow in a town called Enniskerry, about 30 min. away from Dublin, until Saturday April 28th.
Here are some photos of the hotel you already saw in that first website...
The family got to Ireland a day earlier, they were kind enough to let me sleep for about 10 hours before starting our adventures together.
Powerscourt Gardens are next to the Ritz. Here are a few of my photos:
I arrived in Dublin Sunday April 23rd, we stayed in County Wicklow in a town called Enniskerry, about 30 min. away from Dublin, until Saturday April 28th.
There is a 7 hour time difference (ahead) between Mountain
standard time and Ireland. It took me a few days to stop feeling the jet lag.
Here are some photos of the hotel you already saw in that first website...
The back of the hotel |
Back porch and part of the view |
Lobby |
One of the gardens |
The family got to Ireland a day earlier, they were kind enough to let me sleep for about 10 hours before starting our adventures together.
Powerscourt Gardens are next to the Ritz. Here are a few of my photos:
Pet cemetary *Sorry, dont know how to flip this. A tower. Looks nice from afar, it was a nice shelter inside when it started pouring rain---which happened often. Rule of thumb, we learned, if it rains in the morning, it won't in the afternoon. If it's nice in the morning, it will rain in the afternoon. The locals shared this "secret" with us, but we learned it was true and could plan our adventures around it.
I took a whole bunch of pictures, but I'll direct you to the websites (it's easier than dealing with the format that keeps messing up!). Besides, I love to show off the pictures and flyers I picked up along the way of the vacation, so if you are really interested, please ask.
When there was a small window of no rain "P" and I {I am going to label the family... "A"= Mom, "M"= Dad, "P"=7 year old boy, "a"= 3 year old boy} ran into the Powerscourt house (the rest of the family went back to the hotel, before the rain started). We discovered a little museum called Taras Palace . Cute "doll house" palace with incredible detail! Then next door there was a small room with doll houses and toys that were perhaps played with by the children that used to live at Powerscourt. We explored the rest of the house. There was a furniture store, a gift shop, and a resuraunt---it was very touristourized (I made that word up) .
Some of our sight seeing and activities:
*We went to Bray and visited an aquarium .
*In Dublin we went to the "National Leprechaun Museum" Interesting story while we were there... in the lobby, where we wait for the tour to begin, there are a lot of different leprechauns and interpretations of what people, from all over the world, or groups think they are and look like. There was a box of "Lucky Charms" cereal on display, and a group of girls were pointing out the different shapes "Oh look at the cute little rainbow!" "Look at the hearts", "I've never seen this before, I wonder what it tastes like." The party I was with was listening in on this conversation (obviously) and "M" said "actually they are not very good". I personally like to eat them, though it's been a really long time, but I didn't say anything. I later learned, when the tour started, that "Lucky Charms" is an American cereal, it has been banned in Europe because of the artificial colors, etc. *We did a city tour on a 'hop on hop off' bus.
*We hopped off at Trinity College . We went to the library and had to do a speedy walk through, as it was about to close. Incredible! So old and well preserved the books were! (couldn't take pictures in the library)
*We hopped back on the bus (and off a few more times). Here are some of my photos, as well as some from other visits to Dublin:
Notice anything odd about the red building in the back??
Different from what I am used to seeing, though seen all over Europe.
Many of the doors are this size.
For Rent
*One of the places we drove by in the tour bus was the Dublin zoo. An interesting bit of info... the tour guide said that one of the lions at the begining of the MGM film was named 'Steven' and he lived at the zoo. (I don't remember which lion)
The format is not changing back to the left column. Sheesh!
I was mostly excited about trying the foods on this European trip. I do love food. :-) We went out to eat a lot, but stayed in for most breakfasts and lunches. "M" bought yogurt and granola for most of the breakfast meals. I am a huge fan of European yogurt! The sweetness is not overbearing and there are natural add ins, like vanilla bean, hazelnut, or lemon. I ate a lot of fish/chicken 'n chips (huge potato wedges). I was ready to not ever eat a potato again after so many chips! Many times I had a huge desire for fresh vegetables and greens,but disappointingly, they were difficult to find.
We spent a bit of time at the hotel, the parents got work done and the boys and I explored. Jarom posted a picture of me with a giant chess board- that was on the grounds of the hotel. Everyone was so so friendly and easy going, hotel staff, guests, etc. It was a comfortable pleasant place to visit.
Saturday April 28th we all flew from Dublin to Zurich Switzerland...
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