Back to Reality Part 2

Germany Continued...


Monday May 7, 2012 the real touring began! Nadine and the kids had to get back into their routines of work and school, BOO!  


Dan and I had to fend for ourselves and he had the rest of the week laid out before I even landed.  Now it was time to carry out the plan.  


First destination:

 Keukenhof Holland in Lisse, Netherlands!

It took about 3 hours to drive there from Dan's place.  We had a blast in the car talking about just how effed up our family is, among other things. (hee hee) We have not had three uninterrupted hours to talk in...well I don't know if we have ever had that long to talk.  We laughed and enjoyed the beautiful views as we drove through Belgium, all the while praying that "Sally" a.k.a. our international traveling navigator, knew where she was taking us. 


We arrived in good time and thankfully did not have any problems with our nav...Sally done good!  We parked in this grassy field and with camera in hand went to see what all the hype was about!

This years theme was 'Polland-Heart of Europe'

  Dan was told by friends that this place was a must see.  It is an outdoor garden venue that is known for it's tulips.  This place is at peek season in April and May and that meant we were here at the perfect time! Boy were we ever...take a look...

You don't even have to say it cause I know...I should be a photographer...right?!?!  Well, Europe makes me look good!  These are just some of the pics we took there.  It was beautiful! We spent a lot of time just wandering around, taking pictures. It was so relaxing there and time escaped us.  I think in total we ended up there for about 3-4 hours.  It did not feel that long that's for sure!  


Side note: I mentioned before about my "favorite pics" post...I am saving some of the pics from this day until that post.  The excited little child in me cannot wait to show you!!


Anyhow, onto our next and final stop in the Netherlands.  It was only about a 15-20 minute drive from Keukenhof which, is why it was on the day's "to do" list.  


Second destination:

Clara Maria

Cheese Farm and Clog Factory

Who doesn't like some good tasting cheese and wooden shoes?!?!  

Apparently, I DO!!

When we first arrived we kinda thought that we were not in the right place.  It was a shack of a place and it looked deserted.  We saw some cows...that was a good sign.

MOO...

We found one human amongst the cows, he was shoveling cow poo...NICE! We asked about a 'factory' tour. He was kind enough to direct us to the building that was right behind us.  

We entered at our own risk and saw these...

and these...

It was a one room factory with floor to ceiling shoes!  Shortly after our arrival to this factory a bus tour arrived and filled the joint with people who do not speak English... of course.  So even though I did not understand a word of our tour guide...oh by the way...the tour guide was the same guy shoveling shit just a few short minutes ago :-D HA HA HA!! We stood by and watched the demo on how a fine sturdy wooden shoe is made.  I took a few video clips...

 Schöne Schuhe! (Nice Shoes!)

So where is the cheese?!? Well, we followed the crowd, to the next room,  and viola' CHEESE...

Also, a one room factory but cool none the less.  This part of the tour was taken over by the male's counterpart and she began, in English, the process of making a mean hunk of cheese and I must say that I didn't know half of what goes into making cheese.  To summarize...cows with lots of milk, a very big mixer, and time, lots of time.  I am sure there was more but you will have to google it cause once she mentioned 'free samples' coming my way, I was distracted. 

Tour ended, tasting began, and so did the shopping!  These folks have it together cause on our way out of the 'kitchen' we walked right into a cheese lovers paradise and we hit it...HARD!

Ahhhhh...

Our favorite was the Natural Gouda but they had all different flavors. They also had quaint Dutch souvenirs and I immediately thought of my kids.

Up to this point, I did not seen many things that would be different from the things we have around home and that is what I was looking to give them. So once I spotted mini wooden shoes...it was over...on top of that I saw a little sign that said something about personalizing and when I asked the cashier about it she told me they do it right there.  BAM...

Very Cool! 

Dan bought some for his crew too! Here is Dan's take home goodies...

We stopped for dinner about an hour from home.  It was a cool little town and the restaurant was delicious and it was just enough to rejuvenate us for the last hour of our trip.  The town was sort of a discovery and Dan said he might even take the family back there one day.  

Up Next Castles and My Knight In Shining Armor...Gute Nacht <3

Back to life, back to reality...BOO!

It is definitely bitter sweet.  I had a fantastic trip.  So fantastic that I don't even know where to begin.  I want to tell you everything! Okay, I will start at the beginning.  


I left you at the airport...I was getting ready to board...sorry to leave you hanging like that.  I was so busy and had such a good time, I never once thought about blogging while I was there.  Now, I want to relive it so I will by telling you and showing you some of the pictures I took.  BTW I am very proud of my pics!  I think they border on professional and I have decide that in my next career, I will be a photographer.  I know crazy right?!?!  Well, maybe you will change your views once you see my shots.  I will let you be the judge.


My flights to and fro were great! Very little turbulence, which I have to admit was a relief.  That is one of the only things I do not like about flying.  They fed me, I rested, and arrived safely both directions.  Who could ask for more! 


I did become quite verklempt (verklemmt in German) as the plane approached the airport.  The thought of seeing my brother for the first time in... too long was overwhelming!  


Once I landed in Germany, I worked very hard on not getting lost in the airport.  I did not want to delay seeing him in anyway.  Thank God the signs had English and Deutsch translations so I made my way toward the exit without incident.  Holding back the tears I turned the corner to what I thought would be more corridors and BAM Nadine, Peanut, and my favorite brother Dan were standing right there!  I lost my breath for a moment but not my step and I immediately went to him and got the brother hug I have so longed for!  It was from that moment on, I had the time of my life! 


My first impression of Germany was "WOW, no speed limits!"  My brother attempted to break the speed barrier more than once during my stay and he began with our trip to his house.  Peanut, Dan and Nadine's doggie loved me at first lick and we became fast friends in the car.  I held on to him for dear life and he to me for fear that the car might take wings and fly.  It didn't and we arrived to his home safe and sound. Whew!!

Peanut <3

I was dying to meet the kids I have Skyped with for the last year and going to pick them up at school was a must!  They knew I was coming and Dan and Nadine told me they were as excited to meet me as I them.  However, Dan did warn me that the little one, Myra might take a day or two to warm up. I was prepared for that.  We walked over to the school, which was a hop, skip, and jump from their house.  Walking did these plane cramped legs some good.  Patrick, saw me right away and came running!  I got a big hug and smile!  My heart quadrupled.  Myra gave me a smile but was reserved as expected.  We walked home giggling and having fun.  

Once back at the house, Myra the "reserved" one ended up on my lap and we were even faster friends than Peanut, no licks required! I enticed the kids with America gifts.  I figured it would be an ice breaker.  After all, they only know me from Skype and I do not speak German at all.  The gifts were a hit!  Here are our first minutes together.

 I fit right in!!

The first weekend we spent together was a family affair.  All of us hopped in the car and did a little sight seeing, kids had a school show and cake feast, and Dan and Nadine hired a professional to take pictures of all of us.  What a wonderful way to mark my visit. 

DUCK FACES! HAHAHA

We had a lot of fun doing these pics and this is just a few of them! 

I have taken you through the first three days of my time in Germany and I can see that it is going to take me more than one post to tell you about my trip.  

What is to come...castles, tulips, and maybe even a video or two!  PLUS, my favorite photos post! Stayed tuned! 

  

I'm Leaving On a Jet Plane...

...I probably won't want to come back again! OK so I changed the words of that song a little. You don't mind do you?!?

It is official! I am sitting in the terminal waiting to board.  I am watching the crew examine the plane and I have one hour till take off.  I cannot believe that it is finally here!  Let's reflect shall we...

It was many months ago that I decided to book my flight to Germany.  I was very disappointed that my brother received his deployment orders for July forcing him to change his plans to come home for a visit this summer.  So, I became highly motivated to see him.  It has already been 18+ months since we have seen each other and adding another year was just plan wrong.  Therefore, the only way that I would be able to see him was to get my buttox onto a plane and go there.

Planning the trip is not as easy as it may seem.  I have a crazy schedule with work, kids, and especially school.  However, if you know anything about me you know that I am a highly motivated person and so these things were measly speed bumps in the road.  Fast forward a few months, $1000, and many research papers later...Voila' I am sitting in a terminal waiting to board.

To say that my lil' bro and I are beyond excited to be together in a number of hours now is an understatement.  I am beside myself and so is he.  In fact he is so stoked that I am coming he was going to be at the airport 24 hours ahead of schedule LOL!!  Time change can screw a brotha up ;-)    

I will tell you all about the trip when I come home...

Boarding has begun...LATER!!!