Bern Switzerland

I am not a morning person but I suppose 2 AM is considered more middle of the night than morning. That's when we (myself and my sister, Nicki) got out of our nice warm beds and made our way into the cold night to catch the tour bus. It was well worth it though. A view of Bern was like looking at Camolot straight from a King Arthur story book.














Our first stop was not Bern though. It was Emmental, a sleepy little town known for cheese making (Swiss, of course).
It was very interesting to see both methods: the old fashioned way stirred by hand over an open fire and the updated machine method overseen by experts. After our brief tour, we got to sample some.














Once we got to Bern, we enjoyed our walking tour. Our guide showed us the bear pit, the cathedral, the prison tower, a famous Zyttlglocken clock tower, and the House of Parliament all while sharing some of Bern's interesting history. After a delicious lunch of cheese fondue and a typical swiss dish called "rosti"... which is hashbrowns with toppings (ours had eggs, bacon and cheese), we had some time to explore and shop on our own. We bought some Swiss chocolate and a soft drink made with milk to bring home for the kids to try. It is called Rivella and taste a little like Ginger Ale. (For more pictures and a different perspective see Nicki's blog, 7redzinmotion.)

A New Leaf

Wow, it’s the end of January and I haven’t posted since August! In all fairness, I have been extremely busy traveling with Brian and when I’m home I’m catching up on what I missed and preparing for the next trip. Yet, I am put to shame by my sister, who runs a busy household of five active children, a husband, a dog, and two recently deceased guinea pigs, and she updates her blog religiously! I had to sit and think about that.

I decided the reason I don’t update my blog is a combination of reasons:

1. I’m not sure anyone really cares “Where I am in the world?” except for a few loved ones who know anyway.
2. I think if I share I have to tell the whole story and it’s just too big a mountain to climb.
3. I’m quite a procrastinator and times passes and then the whole thing seems irrelevant.

Now…I have decided to give this blog thing another shot anyway (I may even do some back posts), but I have to overcome some of these excuses for not updating. To address #1, if any one who reads these would leave me just a short comment, it will help me know that someone is actually reading them. (#2) If you want to know more about a particular blog let me know, I’ll be glad to tell you all about it. (#3) I may not always be timely but “better late than never” will have to be my motto.

Check my back blogs now and then because I’m going to try to catch up on them too.

An eventful trip yet safe arrival in Germany

Bethany and I left Cincinnati (thanks for the ride to Cinncy, Jordan) on Jan 8^th arriving in Frankfurt on the morning of the 9^th. Bethany has come to Germany for a semester of student teaching at a DoD school in Baumholder, Germany (for a link to her blog see “European Bloodstream” on my blog list). I came to spend some time with my sister Nicki’s family (while Brian is in Gaum) and see what there is to see in Germany.

The trip was not the smoothest I have ever taken. It began smoothly. Abby, our 6 pound spoiled poodle, survived the car ride to Cinncy in her carrier very nicely and we began boarding right on time. Bethany and I were given roomy seats next to each other in the center of business class where we looked forward to enjoying all the amenities life has to offer (Bring me the head of a boar!”) and a completely reclining seat on a 10 hour flight that was completely full. We made ourselves comfortable and settled in for the flight.

Shortly after we pulled away from the gate and began taxiing, the plane turned around and began heading back to the gate. We were informed over the PA that they were just made aware that a passenger who didn’t make the flight had luggage that did. According to the powers-that-be (don’t remember if that is FAA or Homeland Security but…) that is an absolute no-no and we were heading to the gate to remove the offending luggage. Or, at least we thought. After sitting at the gate for several minutes, I noticed a man was escorted off the plane carrying one of those metal briefcases that make you wonder what on earth could he be carrying that warrants that kind of protection. Shortly after that, another man was escorted on. Knowing the non-rev system as I do, I suddenly felt very sorry for the metal briefcase carrying guy (more than likely a buddy pass passenger) who thought he was home free but was asked to de-plane to make room for the tardy yet revenue-paying passenger.

We pulled away from the gate a second time, taxied out to the runway and began acceleration toward take-off. Just as I was relaxing, looking forward to that feeling you get just after take-off that resembles the drift into a deep and restful sleep, the pilot suddenly slammed on the brakes. The plane quickly swung into the next intersection leaving the runway, taxied briefly, and came to a stop. Everyone on the plane got very quiet. Bethany and I looked at each other with questioning looks and waited for the PA explanation of what just happened. Evidently, a light having to do with the brake system came on and it was not safe to take off without checking it out. After several minutes, we were informed that it was necessary to return to the gate AGAIN to have the brake system checked out. So we did. By this time passengers were getting a bit antsy and a little nervous. An old man (about 80 and apparently a bit senile) walked up from coach and was heading toward the cockpit. A flight attendant stopped him but he insisted he needed to talk to the pilot. For those of you who knew him, I could s-o-o-o see Grandpa Friedley doing something like that, very well meaning, but insistent he had vital wisdom for the pilot that only he could convey. The flight attendant stopped him close to where I was sitting so I could hear him trying to convince her that for the good of the passengers he needed to tell the pilot that it just wasn't safe for us to take that plane. After some convincing on her part that the pilots would take care of it in the safest possible way, she kindly ushered him back to his seat. Well, after some time we were again cleared for take off. I guess the third time is the charm. We finally took off and the flight was uneventful except for Abby.

She was good until dinner was served. The smell of food was too tempting and she was able to wiggle out of the carrier. Bethany and I were half reclining and calmly enjoying the fruits of a business class dinner when Bethany spotted Abby sticking partway out of her carrier that was at our feet. She had freed herself to her middle and was beginning to scale Bethany's legs. I swung my food tray out of the way and was able to get her back in her carrier before anyone really noticed except the lady across the isle from me who wasn't concerned. We were able to finish dinner without any more appearances from Abby, but I was afraid that when I tried to sleep Abby would escape unnoticed and cause untold problems. So Bethany and I began "Operation Covert Canine." When the lights were lowered for the night, I quietly took Abby out of the carrier and stuffed her under my blanket. It took a bit to convince her that she had to stay under the blanket but she finally settled down and we slept with her on my lap. When we began our final approach and everyone was stirring to re-stow their carry-ons and such, I slipped her back into the carrier and no one was the wiser. Thank goodness she is black and easily disappeared in the shadows of those big fluffy blankets in business class.

And so it was that we arrived safely in Frankfurt, albeit almost two hours late. We both look forward to a good and productive time in Germany.

Bruges

While Brian was working (flying back to the US and then back to Brussels) I again choose to stay abroad and spend that time visiting a neighboring city. It was a short 1 ½ hour train ride to Bruges. It was the first time I had navigated the European rail system by myself. It wasn’t too hard but I’m not afraid to ask questions and risk being thought a dumb American. If Europeans only understood that we mid-western Americans simply don’t have much opportunity to use public transportation, maybe they wouldn’t think we are so dumb. I think I did pretty well in my limited experience.

Bruges was a beautiful little fairytale of a town. I stayed in a quaint B & B run by a sweet red-headed lady with a lovely brogue named Mary Stuart. Hmm, I wonder where she is from?
My instructions were to get on bus #2 and ask the bus driver to let me off at Jan Van Eck Plein. The bus driver must have took one look at me and decided today was not a good day for helping foreigners find their way, because he gave me some ambiguous directions to which I asked clarification. He then brushed me aside and I sat down confused yet determined to figure it out myself. I figured out I had passed my stop when we began heading out of town into the country side. We got to the end of the line in a residential area of a neighboring village, which is evidently where the driver stops to eat his bagged lunch. I was the only soul left on the bus. The driver never said a word to me. He quietly ate as villagers slowly boarded and waited for him to resume his route. Not deterred, I reasoned the bus would eventually go back to the train station and I would try again. On the way back thru town, however, the stop was more obvious and I exited the bus. On the way out the door, the bus driver asked in his nastiest tone (wish you could hear my impersonation), “You are American?” “I smiled my biggest smile and said, “Yes!”

This tiny, well preserved, medieval-leftover of a town, also called the ‘Venice of the North,’ was postcard perfect with its cobblestone streets, humpbacked bridges, out of the way nooks-and-crannies, and winding canals. The old town is the perfect size for walking, no transportation needed. Bruges was one of the world’s leading cities in the 13th and 14th centuries when it was a center for international commerce and had a population equivalent to London’s. Unfortunately, the city’s harbor silted up in the middle of the 15th century and Bruges lost its port status. Soon thereafter, it fell into decline and was surpassed in importance by Antwerp. The citizens of Bruges have worked hard to preserve the essence of the area's past and have created a “time capsule” ambiance.

After checking in at the B & B, Mary told me where to find the best hot chocolate in town. First, I visited the Memling Museum - St. John’s Hospital. The Memling highlights several masterpieces of Franz Memling and, at the same time, tells the story of one of the oldest surviving medieval hospitals in Europe (Old St. John's Hospital). I then headed to the chocolatier and sipped my warm cocoa with pleasure letting the perfectness of the place sink in.

The next morning I climbed the musical bell tower on the south end of Markt Square, all 366 winding steps. It took me a while and a few rest stops (one in the carillon room to hear the 47 bells up close) but I made it. Later, I met a personal friend of Mary's who did private tours. She was a very nice, retired history teacher and knew all the local, off-the-beaten-path places I find so interesting. I commented to her about how beautiful and perfect her little town was, like a little DisneyLand town, and she said, “A lot of people say that, in fact, one family asked me, ‘When does the park close?’”

After the tour, I visited the Groeningemuseum, an art museum featuring the Flemish masters. It is a modest, quality art collection but is not as interesting a museum as the Memling - St. John’s Hospital.

I thoroughly enjoyed my visit and would recommend the Stuart Inn to anyone.

Brussels

In my opinion, the best time to visit Brussels is just before Christmas. The Grand Place is beautifully lit with Christmas lights. It looked positively magical. We ate dinner both nights at Aux Paves de Bruxelles, right off the Grand Place. Their ribs are the best in the world!!! No kidding. I would love to get that recipe.

We visited the National Museum and it was quite impressive and, of course, we spent our fair share of time there. The other thing every tourist must do while in Brussels is buy plenty of chocolate. The chocolate shops are everywhere. Marcolini’s (which displays their chocolate more like jewelry than chocolate and their prices reflect that attitude), Leonidas, Godiva, etc., etc. but the locals know the best places and our favorite was Chocopolis. They were super nice and were well acquainted with several of the Delta pilots who visit routinely and give them a frequent buyer’s discount. They let you sample any of their chocolates before buying, in fact they encourage it. I had to keep telling Maria (the young lady that worked there) that I had had plenty, but she kept handing me chocolates saying, “Try this one.” What can you when chocolate ends up in your hand? It’s good thing we walked all over town because I would have put on 10 lbs otherwise.

We also visited the Cathedral of St. Michael. It was amazing. I never tire of these beautiful Europeans cathedrals.

Tres Bien

The kids are gone. After spending a few days coming to terms with the empty house, I had to decide if I was ready to travel. Brian had a trip with two one-day layovers in Paris with two days in between. OK, let's see. Stay home alone to cry in my soup or four days in Paris. No brainer! Paris it was and Paris was great. Had beautiful weather. Sunny but not hot. I visited Notre Dame, the Latin Quarter, St. Chapelle, Montmarte, Sacre Coere, the Lourve, Musse d'Orsay, Musee d.Orangerie, Musee Carnavelet, the Mairais section, Hotel Sully, Victor Hugo's House, and of course, the Eiffel tower and walked past many other places of interest. My favorites were St. Chapelle with it's breathtaking windows and Musee d'Orangerie with it's oval rooms of Monet's fantastic large scale water lilies. Although Musee d'Orsay runs a close second. I survived the two nights at the hostel with no air conditioning, very little water pressure, and two roommates who snored LOUDLY (otherwise it was clean and pleasant and I felt safe). I would love to go back and visit a few other places and do some other outlying areas like Normandy, Versailles, and Monet's house and gardens. Maybe another time.





The Louvre at night.

Ball State Bound

Four years ago if you would have told me all three of my very independent children would have ended up going to the same college (a state college at that), I would have laughed a deep, hearty laugh. But, alas, God has a way of surprising you. Aug. 19 & 20 we moved all three to Ball State. Jordan moved in first on the 19th because he had no specific time frame on move-in. Bethany and Aaron were scheduled for a Aug 20 move-in date.

We took off from home with the mini van (with back seats removed) full and a trailer loaned from Dad (Thanks Dad!!) containing the large pieces (desk, chairs, futon, mattresses, book shelves, bikes, refrigerators, and many a Rubbermaid container full of the essentials for college life).

We arrived at Jordan's frat house just after lunch at DQ. It's a good thing we ate first because I don't think we would have much appetite after seeing Jordan's new "place." It gave Bethany and Aaron a new appreciation for their humble dorm rooms that supply things like clean bathrooms and floors, light fixtures, closets, and walls without holes. After locating a vacuum and giving the room a thorough once over, we spent the rest of the day hauling Jordan's things up and trying to get the room livable. We spent a bit of time at Wal-Mart picking up two very bright standing lamps, a desk lamp, and three strings of rope lights among other things. Does this give an idea of how dark the room was? Then we moved on to Lowe's to pick up supplies for building a closet and a creative idea for installing the window air-conditioner without boarding up the remaining portion of the one and only window. Then back to the frat house for a bit of construction. By the end of the day, we were exhausted and Bethany, Aaron, Brian, and I headed to the hotel and for the jacuzzi to soak our aching muscles.

The next morning we dropped Bethany and Aaron's things off in their respective dorm rooms before lunch. Wow! What a contrast from yesterday. We then hit the village to pick up the books we had reserved for Aaron and his art supply kit. Then a final shopping trip for last minute "needs" and the now traditional dinner at Thai Smiles II restaurant. After hugs and goodbyes (and me holding back tears...where did those come from) Brian and I headed home completely exhausted and just tried to make it home awake and alive. Obviously, we did. Now let's see what an empty nest is really like.