Did I mention?

That we also made a trip to Amsterdam in the last few months? We're just traveling fiends in the winter.

Yep, yep. Amsterdam. Although for a square like me I don't know if it is as exciting as it would be for other people. nudge, nudge.

We tried out airbnb for the first time on this trip and it was a good experience. We were in a great location and a typical Amsterdam home. Check out the stairs!

If you haven't tried airbnb you should give it a whirl. You can rent a private space and not just a room and many of the locations are much better than some hotels. So enough advertising, but here's a picture of me in the place we stayed at as well as a view from our window.

Do you know what they have a lot of in Amsterdam? Bikes! Tons. I mean you hear that people bike in Amsterdam but the sheer number of bikes all over town is INSANE.

And do you know what drunk danish people do? Throw bikes into the canals. So many bikes that the government has to organize canal clean up or boats would get caught on all the bikes.

Bike removal in progress

So that is what I learned in Amsterdam. To get drunk and throw bikes in the canals. And that Stroopwafels are yummy. And that I miss sushi. And that I could live in Amsterdam.

The red house? Apparently the skinniest in the WORLD!

Nerds on a boat tour

Ahhh! We're in Amsterdam!

It's Christmas! Or it was....

in Munich.

G Unit and went on a trip to Munich a couple of weeks ago. We spent 3 days in the city of München drinking glühwein, sampling stollen, eating candied nuts (G Unit's favorite) and buying christmas decorations.

It was a great few days. We relaxed, ate lots of great food, drank at Hofbrauhaus. Took a mid afternoon nap after Hofbrauhaus. And generally got into the Christmas spirit.

While we miss home, and boy do we, it's these trips that we're able to take together and share that are unthinkable back in the States and allow us to get a little peak into another culture that make me glad that we took this leap of faith and moved abroad. I don't want to be here forever and it's not the perfect fit I hoped for, but it's these memories that I will remember and make me glad we're here. Man that was long winded. On to the pictures!

ZiGarren

Where are we?

The place with beer as big as my head!

All this food is making my face look fat.

View from the top of our hotel towards the Alps

Kisses from Munich!

And now a little video. Merry Christmas!

About Belfast

Just a few comments on my quick trip to Belfast:

I have never in all my life be so full of liquid. Between the beer and tea I could barely eat. Or move.

Chinese food was ordered for dinner. It actually came with a bowl full of chips

The accent is so soothing to me. Even when I can't make all the words out. Or when the only words I can make out are f***. It's strangely comforting.

Thanks for the quick trip Belfast. Going to try to come back again soon.

The Hills are Alive

Did I mention that our vacation in Italy was hot? Swealtering. Don't get me wrong. I wanted the heat but we should have stayed on the coast. Or we should have gone with our original plan. Coastal Resort, lounge chairs and drinks with tiny umbrellas. I swear next spring/early summer I'm heading to the agean sea if it kills me. Blue water, sandy beaches and not much movement.

It was SO hot that on the drive from Umbria to Austria on our way out of dodge I literally passed out from the heat. I couldn't take it. The heat was just ridiculous. I'm just glad G Unit managed to power through and get us the hell out of that sauna. I actually woke up as we got out of Milan. I swear the tempature dropped at least 10 degrees as we got into the foothills.

And then we crossed over into Austria. And G Unit's blood pressure went down due to the more courteous drivers and as we got closer to Salzburg the mists rolled in. Super Awesome. Our second thunderstorm of the trip was in Salzburg. We finished our vacation with weather more like autumn than the height of summer.

We spent our 2nd anniversary in Salzburg. And G Unit made up for the fact that we missed spending our 1st Anniversary together. He took me on the Sound of Music tour. While he is a fan he knows that my sister and I spent our childhood watching the movie if not daily, weekly and acting it out, and listening to the soundtrack, a lot. So he grinned and beared the corniness that is the Sound of Music tour and took lots of photos of me trying to act nonchalant while secretly jumping up and down on the inside about where we were.

1st stop - the lake behind the von trapp house - so excited



I have confidence!!

Gazebo which has been moved from the location
near the lake and is now in a park that has special
trick water fountains - Must go back!

 

THE BUS! I'm in Marta's spot, cause that's where I belong.
Where's Gretel?

Lake Country. I shoudl be spinning with my arms wide
singing how the hills are alive, but there were too many
people around. I was scared.

The church where Maria and the Capatain
got married (in the movie) Hey it's our
anniversary. Got to kiss sometime



In the gardens. They all hit this dwarf on the
head during the do-re-mi song



G Unit - posing

FA!

End of the day - I still have confidence

And now that you have confirmed proof of what a nerd I am.....

I'm hoping we get a chance to head back to Salzburg. I would love to camp around the lakes outside the city and explore the city itself more. It's beautiful and has lots more for us to see. Did you know that Red Bull headquarters are outside the city? In the lake country. One of the lakes is called Lake Wolfgangsee. See, so much to explore. (no I don't know what red bull had to do with it, just wanted to menton.) So here's hoping. I'm sure there is still at least one landmark from the film I need to take a picture with still. Oh yes! The Abbey. I think I see a camping trip this spring.

Because, Because

We're off on another adventure. To Moravia to do some wine tasting. To Mikulov and the surrounding area to be exact. Wine and castles people, wine and castles. Hope to be good and drunk and sick of wine by Sunday.

See you soon.

Reality Bites

So as we are all aware I've been neglecting this blog. I look at my number of posts per month and shake my head in shame. It's pathetic. I'm disappointed in myself but the truth is I have a hard time coming up with something to write about.

I feel the need to be interesting and upbeat (because really why else bother reading this) and the truth is that life here in Prague is pretty much the same as life back in the US. I get up, I go to work, I come home, G Unit and I make dinner, we watch some TV and we go to bed. And how interesting is that to hear about? The truth is that G Unit and I are in each other's company a lot and there are only so many entertaining things we say to one another. Or see. Or do. And the truth is that I'm homesick. Seriously homesick. So it's hard to try and write about anything non exciting here when it just makes me realize how much we're missing back home.

Like Katy & Evan's wedding. Which we so didn't send a card in time for because we (I) are post office challenged. I can't ever manage to get something sent on time. Christmas, birthdays, special events. I'm always late with the sending. I always think about it but never manage it until after the due date has passed. So Katy and Evan, Congratulations! I'm so sorry that we weren't able to celebrate with you. Seriously hurts my heart. But a card is on the way! That is so not good enough. ::sigh::

But even if we were back in the States right now instantaneously the truth is that we most likely would not be back home. We've been talking about it around our house a lot lately. Our main goal is to save money, move our asses back to the States and settle down. Part of that involves buying a house and maybe, maybe people, popping out a baby or two. But to do that we probably can't stay in California, because who can afford that (in a nice area)? Probably not us. At this point the entire US is an open possibility, which is exciting, but also sad, because even if we get back to the comfort of the States most likely we will still be far from friends and family and that means starting over again.

It's all rather daunting. And exciting. And scary. And so far away.

So there it is. The reason I haven't been writing. I'm sad and have nothing fun to say. And winter is coming. But I'm going to try to write more anyways. Get back on the horse and all. Maybe something interesting will happen. At least TV season started again.

Hugs and Kisses
N

Delay, but finally

Whew. So where was I?

Oh yeah. Italy. After making it to the coast and spending the 1st afternoon at the camp site we headed to Cinque Terre the next day to catch these 5 fishing villages we had always heard so much about. We had a bit of a problem though as in my head we were always going to hike between at least two of the villages, cause that's what you do in Cinque Terre but because G Unit was starting school we had to lug the computer around with us as there was no where to leave it securely.

So we made it to Cinque Terre and did the Via dell'Amore which is the shortest of the trails, well paved and easy. We got to Manarola went down near the water and had some lunch.

G Unit may or may not have taken this video of me well and the view too I suppose.

One of the best things in Cinque Terre was watching all the tourists. And as I noted in the video, man was there a lot of them. The best example was a family of four who walked by us as we were eating.

The teenage daughter walked by first as she texted busily on her phone (who allows their child to text internationally? i ask you) with the mother walking by next saying, "Are you ever going to get off that thing? We're in Italy!" and the younger brother walked by saying "We could throw it in the ocean" and trailing them was dad who walked by us while rolling his eyes. GENIUS! Is this what my future looks like? I don't think I'm taking kids to Europe until they can afford to pay for it themselves. They're stuck with camping and Native American museums for their summer holidays. Fisher Family Shout-out!

After lunch we headed on the train to the next village, Corniglia as the path was closed. We had a drink in Corniglia and then decided to walk the path between Corniglia and Vernazza. I did check to make sure G Unit was ok with this plan what with the computer on his back and all. I think he knew I really wanted to do it though, so maybe he didn't give his real answer. So we started off in the muggy afternoon and three hours later we made it to Vernazza.

I can't say G Unit had a nice time, but I made him take some pictures and try to appreciate the scenery. It wasn't an easy hike but it was pretty. And hey we went hiking on the Italian Coast!

That's Corniglia behind me. I don't think we were even half way

G Unit was hot and sweaty and not happy but took
a picture to commemorate the hike with me anyways.

The End! That's Vernazza behind us. Don't we look invigorated?

After wearily climbing down into the town, we hung out at the harbor just to relax. About that time the sky decided to open up and the tourists were making a massive exit for the train back to town. G Unit and I had some drinks, met some Americans and then headed to dinner. We had some seafood and gnocchi with pesto. Nothing earth shattering but a nice end to a long day. Then we headed to the train as we had to get back to town and to our campsite before they closed the gates. And I end with a the photos as we waited to get on the train.

Yep we came from WAY up there

Looking tired

And Bored

Attack

Hee-Hee. I'm so tired I'm funny

Happy Happy

A year ago today I was heading to Morocco for G Unit's birthday and to get us out of dodge. This year instead of heat, ramadan and bureaucracy the agenda comprises of sleeping in, having a leisurely breakfast, some shopping, cooler overcast weather, and dinner at La Degustation Boheme Bourgeoise (the food part never changes). I think it's safe to say that during our year in the stable Czech Republic G Unit has seen enough of me to possibly be sick of me. I hope that is a good thing.

So Happy Birthday to my amazing husband who's support have made all our traveling adventures possible. Here's to year three abroad. I love you.

Back from Italy

A few words to sum up our Italian Camping Trip

• Hot
• Sticky
• Gorgeous
• Yummy
• Did I mention hot?

And a few words from the beginning of our trip:

The car that G Unit was complaining about? See it here in all it's glory. Dubbed Panda said in the "baby Alby" voice. I'm holding the prized Austrian Vignette which cost a total of 7.50 EUR so that we could drive across Austria without getting a ticket. 

Most countries in Europe either have toll roads (Italy, France) or Vignettes (Switzerland, Austria, Czech Republic). I'm not sure which is better. A guess a set fee is better, although the Swiss only let you buy a year pass instead of a 10 day pass as the Austrians did, as the toll roads (read the Italians) we had to pay every time we got on the motorway. As American I find it weird to pay to drive on the road. Bridges? Ok. But roads....

Also a picture of our first campgrounds, Camping Maralunga, close to Cinque Terre (one of my listed Travel goals!) where we had a view of the sea and access to jump straight into the water. Or fall. Or half fall, half jump. I'm not sure what I did. For some reason I was scared of hitting the bottom. Or the rocks. Or really just making myself bloody. Besides that, it was gorgeous. Terraced with good facilities and peaceful. We often said during our trip we should have stayed on the coast where we could jump in anytime. It was HOT. Yes we came from California and yes we lived in Morocco but I think we've gotten to used to temperate (read cold) Czech Republic.

Lerici is also where we had our first thunderstorm. Our last was at the end of our trip in Austria. Camping with a thunderstorm was definitely an experience and always in the evening thankfully, but it was an experience that G Unit didn't enjoy too much. He startles easily when he's sleeping. 

More to come....

No.Time.To.Breathe.

My unofficial goal earlier this year was to post twice a week. And then I went to Paris. And then the Fishers came to visit. And then I went to London. And then well work got insane. Good thing it was an unofficial goal.

And then. Then I was going to catch up on some posts I'd been meaning to write. Go all the way back to my trip to Paris and tell you about a few things. Show you some pictures. And I started a entry. And then before I could finish it our computer died. Crash. Burn. It's at the Apple doctor now. We haven't heard anything. G Unit is pretty worried that when we try to go back to the shop they'll be gone. Empty office. Absconded with our laptop. Like thieves in the night. I think they just left work early.

So now here I am using my cough*work*cough laptop to do a catch up post. G Unit is at the store with Kristy while I'm recovering from a hellish two weeks at work while Tony surfs the internet. Who are Kristy and Tony you ask? Our current houseguests. Garren grew up with Kristy across the street and her parents and his parents are still very good friends. They are doing a 5 week worldwind tour of Europe. They just came from London and are leaving for Rome tomorrow and then it's off to Germany and France after that.

And G Unit and I are leaving for Italy one week from tomorrow. Bring. It. On. But that's in a week. For those of you who might be wondering how my trip to London was a few weeks ago. I thought I'd tell you. It was work. Honestly I didn't get out much. I went to my training. I did some work in the evenings....That was about it.

Except I did get to go to Bar Boulud at the hotel one night. Man that was tasty. Charcuterie made on site. Yummy. I had the piggy burger. Which had BBQ pulled pork on top of the paddy. Oh good god. I felt very American getting the burger. Totally worth the stereotype. My sister should take note to try the place out as Chef Boulud is a native of Lyon and the menu has some traditional dishes from that area.

I was not staying at the hotel chain I work for as it was too expensive for my budget. Go figure. So I ended up closer to the Corporate Offices at The Sanderson. I am so not cool enough for this hotel. The elevator was like walking into a club. It was dark with a glow in the dark universe. I kid you not. And there were no doors inside the hotel room. The bathroom was a glass box and there were curtains you could use to close it off from the bedroom. And there was a painting on the ceiling above the bed about where your head is. I suppose it's interesting, but my question is if it's dark, cause usually you would only be laying down on the bed looking up to go to sleep, how can you really appreciate the painting? And everything was white. Very modern. Not really my style but fun to experience when I wasn't footing the bill.

I also got to watch just random TV. G Unit and I only download so there is not usually just background TV on at our house. No news. Nothing. So it was nice to watch some random English TV. I somehow ended up watching a documentary about Queen. It was strangely fascinating and I have a new appreciation for the band, as G Unit can attest to as I have been listening to their music quite a bit.

On the personal side I did squeeze in a visit to the O'Malleys. I crashed in on them one evening and joined them for dinner. It was lovely as always. Seeing the O'Mallyes is like seeing family and I always feel at home. Besides that I managed to pop out and go shopping the night before I left. I don't remember there being so MANY people in London. Oxford Street was crazy. I spent 20 minutes in line just to try on some things in Banana Republic. And every store I went into was full. You could barely walk down a sidewalk. I love London and always thought I wanted live there but with the amount of people contained in such a small area...I don't think I could do it. I like my cities on the smaller side. I need room to breathe people. I need a short commute. Time is too valuable to waste commuting 2 hours every day.

So there it is. My London trip. Told in a random stream of consciousness fashion. Probably with lots of spelling errors. Some of you may have been lucky enough to get postcards. It is so much easier to send them when you can ask for stamps in English. I need to find a tourist trap in Prague that sells postcard stamps. They'll understand English.

And now back my weekend schedule of being a lazy bum.

Calling my name

G Unit and I went to the Prague Food Festival today. It was a glorious day. Sun, big fluffy white clouds, a nice breeze, food, booze and a lovely park setting. What more could a girl ask for?

An opportunity to wear my new dress from Paris! Funny story about this dress. Or maybe just a typical story. Every morning when I was in Paris I walked by a little store called Vincenzo on Rue des Petits Champs and a little dress in the window called my name. I stopped, I stared. I checked the opening and closing times. Not open on Saturdays?! I continued walking thinking I'll make it out of work early today. I'll stop by before they close. And then every evening after staying late at work I walked back to the hotel and looked in all the windows of the closed shops. And every night the little dress in the window taunted me. Just stared me in the face claiming I'd never be able to buy it.

So one of my last days in Paris I skipped out on lunch and told my colleagues I had to go see about a dress. There were of course a few other dresses calling my name but I ended up with the one that was in the window. And look how happy it makes me.

Or maybe that's the ice cream.

Or the shoes. I bought those in Paris too. At a store called Minelli. I'm all sorts of coordinated today

Or maybe it's just the company

And the best part of said Food Festival. They sent us packing with a six pack of beer. Yeah. It was a good day. 

A Breath and a Word About Macaroons

G Unit's parents left us for Poland yesterday. While I can say that it was a joy to have them for the week G Unit and I just about died from the joy of sleeping in our bed last night.

But not to worry the Fishers are back in a week and then we're all off to Vienna and then back to Prague and then off to France for the Fishers and off to Italy for the Mansard-Fishers. Can you tell we're not hibernating anymore?

Speaking of France. Shortly before I left for Paris a friend mentioned she was jealous at all the macaroons I would be able to eat. "I forgot about the macaroons" I declared. But after that it was the only thing I could think about.

I had read about Laduree before arriving and on multiple occasions I was asked by my fellow co-workers if I had made it there yet. Cause it was around the corner and if I liked macaroons well..... I assured them it was on my list but with the late nights at the office the first opportunity I had to go was shortly before G Unit arrived on my last working day. But even before I stepped foot to go towards the shop my colleagues surprised me with my very own box of Laduree macaroons. One of the best gifts ever.

G Unit and I were in heaven all weekend. I hogged the raspberry ones but generously let him have the pistachio ones and split the caramel ones with him evenly. We tried to go to the store over the weekend but it was overrun with tourists. Probably good for my waist line but sad for my taste buds.

Just writing about them right now is making me reveal over the gooey filling and soft crisp egg white almond cookie outside. I'm going through macaroon withdrawal. So if you find yourself in Paris or in some fancy pastry store that sells them. Eat one for me.

I'm heading back to Paris before the end of the year to eat more Parisian food in general and my weight in macaroons.

Whew!

It's been a long two weeks.

Paris was great. Fabulous. But it was long hours and then the weekends were spent packing in as much of the city as possible. And then getting back to work in Prague. Well you can imagine what my desk looked like. Papers everywhere with me in the middle and me tearing my hair out.

And G Unit's lovely parents Mark & Leslie arrived this past Thursday. And now we're in Bavaria just over the Czech border in Germany. Whew. I'm tired just thinking it over.

I got a lot of sleep last night and now it's raining so the options are to read, watch a movie, blog or sit and look out at the lovely scenery at the rain. All excellent options. Although taking a bike ride on the trails in the National Park wouldn't be a bad thing either. Maybe the rain will clear up. I see some blue skies out there.

If you're interested we're staying at Bavarian Forest Holidays in Peter Haus. It's a great place run by a British couple and man is it fully stocked. Self serve grocery supplies, booze, movies, books, huge screen tvs, schnapps, bike rentals, tennis, badminton, games and in the winter, skiing. The owners have put together an entire binder of information on the area and things to do. It's insanely impressive. This is the kind of place G Unit and I would love to run.

ANYWAYS. I just wanted to let all you loyal readers know that I'm alive and well. More blogs on Paris as soon as I can upload pictures as well as more information about Bavaria and the Fisher visit.

And now back to relaxing.

Every kid's dream

I had gelato for dinner tonight. I can because I'm in Paris and I said so.

After having drinks with my Parisian counterpart earlier this evening I headed back to my hotel to drop off my stuff and change. I decided to head out and walk around the city just to finally get a chance to see it. On the way I picked up a pasta salad at the grocery story in case I got hungry. I have vouchers to eat at a few cafes but it was 9:30 and I wanted to try to see the city.

So I headed over to the Louvre, stared at the pyramid and then headed up along the Siene and crossed over the "party bridge" or Pont des Arts. There were, as always, people picnicing on the bridge as well as along the Siene all the way up to Notre Dame. I crossed over the river again after pausing to view the Cathedral and then started making my way back towards the Louvre.

I somehow ended up in Le Marais or perhaps just the start of it. I had no idea where I was but I heard some guy mention Le Marais and my ears perked up as it's where my sister is going to be living this summer. Or in the general vecinity anyways. Lots of bars, sister of mine and lots of gay men. I'm sure you'll have a grand old time.

As I was wandering by all the bars, pubs and cafes I passed Gelati d'Alberto and couldn't resist. It has been so long and I'm sorry to say there's no real good ice cream in Prague. There is some ok ice cream but not gelato. So I got my stracciatella and coffee flower shaped ice cream and enjoyed the walk home. Bliss. I managed to find my way back without a map. G Unit thinks I have no sense of direction but the truth is I do, just not when he's around as it is easier to rely on him.

Tomorrow's agenda? Catch up with a friend and maybe do a little shopping and Sunday I may head to Versaille. We'll see. I'll be sure to let you know how it all turns out.

My Tea is Rich

Just a quick post to let you know I made it to Paříž safe and sound. It was a pretty uneventful trip. I'm in a budget hotel in a nice part of town and I got presents upon arrival. More mugs! And info about Paris. G Unit is so excited he's going to steal a mug for work. I would take pictures so you could share in the joy but well I forgot to bring the cable to connect the camera to the laptop, so you're all just going to have to wait, but I promise to take pictures, of Paris and not just the mugs and maybe even send some postcards.

My room basically feels like Harry Potter's closet, but I suppose a little bigger. And a shower that is meant for a tiny person. I think the shower head is as high as my chest. There is a window in this Harry Potter sized space. Looking at the back of some buildings and into someone's home. And Sacre Coeur. I think. I mean it's a big white building on a hill right? They're can't be something else that looks like that right? So worst room ever, or best room ever?


Full disclosure - This is not my picture



My French is still there and it's seems more readily avaialble than it was in Morocco. I wonder why that is? I wonder if it has anything to do with being surrounded by Czech and not being able to answer. Because my brain wants to answer any language that is not English with French. Maybe my French language has just been waiting for someone to understand what it's saying. Either way I'm feeling a bit more confident about it all.

It's time for bed. More info to come. 

Spring in Prague

The weather has turned gray since I took this picture last week but Spring is definitely here. Next week? Spring in Paris. It is officially a go with tickets purchased and everything. Only a week and a half instead of three weeks in Paris but G Unit will come for a weekend visit. Stay tuned

Bunnies and Chocolate

I have fond memories of Easter growing up. Mostly revolving around eggs. Painting eggs, easter egg hunts (while singing christmas songs - apparently my sister and I were confused children), posing with the easter bunny, cadbury eggs, jelly beans, so much chocolate I'm amazed I never feel into a sugar coma. The typical American experience, I would think.

Here in Central Europe there are many similarities. Images of baby chicks, bunnies and chocolate shaped everything are everywhere. Painting eggs is a tradition as it is in the States but it's done in an elaborate fashion here and is an art form in its own right.

Compare the above to the Easter eggs I made this year. I will admit I did not spend much time on mine. It was more just to do it.

Here in Prague they even have what I've heard is not traditional but prevalent Easter Markets. The below photos are from the market near our apartment.

The whole atmosphere in Prague around Easter feels to me like a celebration of the Spring season and it is even more enjoyable with the work holiday it provides for the Monday following Easter. Apparently Easter Monday is the true holiday in Central Europe, but it is my co-workers unequivocal least favorite holiday. When it came to deciding who would work the Monday holiday both co-workers said, "I'm working. I hate Easter Monday. I don't want to go home." When I asked why they mentioned being hit with a stick and/or drenched with water. Say what? How did we go from eating too much chocolate and painting eggs to being wet and beaten?

Apparently the Central European Easter tradition involves unmarried women being awoken by being drenched with a bucket of water or hit with a pomlazka which is a braided whip made from pussy willow twigs and decorated with ribbons. All this is supposed to bring luck and fertility in the new year. These willow whips are on display and available for purchase everywhere in Prague at the moment from the Easter markets to the grocery stores.

There are variations of this tradition. I've read that the ladies are whipped on the legs in the morning and then in the afternoon they dump water on the men. But in Slovakia the ladies get water thrown on them in the morning possibly combined with the whipping. And in return for this blessing the ladies are supposed to give them men easter eggs and chocolate treats. Either way to me it seems like the ladies are getting the short end of the stick. I can't really blame the girls for not wanting to be at home for these particular traditions. 

Thankfully for me my Easter traditions still just include painted or dyed eggs, chocolate and enjoying the Spring weather. G Unit and are will be making our first trip to the beer garden today in celebration of Easter. I think that's better than being wet, shivering and having whip stung legs, but maybe that's just me.

Happy Easter!