Readjustment and Processing

It's been a bit difficult readjusting to "American" life.  This is so for a couple of reasons.  One: Jet lag has been quite a pain in the butt.  It has caused me to wake up between 4:00 and 4:30 at least three times since we've been home.  Sunday, actually, I woke up, still dark outside, and I had no idea where I was.  The house was dark and I was staring into the abyss trying to have my mind catch up with my current place of being.  For a good, few seconds I was totally lost, not scared, but just in wonder of where I had gotten myself.  I could swear I was staring at very tall columns to an uninviting, 16th century building.  But, alas, it was just the bedroom wall.

Secondly:  I'm told to either form or break a habit, repetition is key.  I believe it is something in the nature of 21 days or 26 days of repetitive action is all that is needed to form a habit.  Well, being in Europe for 22 days has resulted in, both Eliz and I, forming some habits.  Mostly with our personal belongings this comes to play.  For example, when we traveled, every time we neared a crowed at a museum, or metro station, or on the street, or whatever, my hand would immediately go into my front right pocket (which I had moved my wallet to in order to protect it and not wear a goofy money belt).  By doing this, I had no problem ever in any part of Europe.  Eliz would do the same with her purse.  But, this is something we carried over back to the states.  We hadn't noticed it until we were walking into Sam's this past weekend.  We hit the front door to be held up in a group of people.  My hand, darted to my front pocket only to realize, my wallet was no longer there and the likeliness of getting pick pocketed in Shreveport's Sam's was slim at best.  Crazy paranoia we need to get over.

The last is just not being on vacation, the real world, our real lives, although thankful and wonderful as they are, it's just not vacation.  So, with our chins pointing up, a smile on our face, a good positive attitude, and trepidation and sadness on our hearts, we went back to work today. Sad as our vacation was officially over, trepidation at reestablishing the skin of the worker bee we had so successfully shrugged off over the past three weeks.  But don't worry...we've already begun plans for our next great adventure!


Here are some videos from our travels:
The First one is from a soccer game in Berlin, the second is from a prayer night in Taize, the Third is from the catacombs, the fourth is a group we found in the metro station, just trying to earn a buck a guess.

The Palace of Versailles

Today we left the city of love for a brief hiatus in Versailles.  We had the opportunity to see how the monarchies of the 17 Centuries lived.  If only I could live in the lap of luxury for a fraction of the time they did.  The palace was marvelous with exquisite paintings, carvings, and shiny gold paint everywhere.  The Gardens, once the hunting grounds of Louis VII, now a virtual tourist mecca.  Beautiful grounds, made more so by a wonderfully beautiful French weather.  We had a good time there, but being so far out, pretty much took the whole day. 

Tomorrow we catch the metro, early, for the airport.  Our flight leaves France at 1:40pm, but we get to Atlanta at 5:35pm.  If only it was a four hour flight, if only...

We are sad to leave and redevelop our "old lives."  We've had so much fun, done so many things, and experienced a lifestyle both better and worse than what we are accustom to.  Given the chance, I feel sure we could easily shift our ways to a European style.  But, we are still young, and the chance may still yet present itself to us.  Cest Bon!

The golden gates to the Palace of Versailles!

one of many amazing gardens at Versailles

Proof we were at the gardens of Versailles

we rented a tandem bike, so much fun, I think we will buy one for home

These folks were playing for coins in the metro, quite brilliant

Paris...In Pictures

The River Siene

Luxemburg Castle

At the Louvre Courtyard

St. Jacques Tower

Eliz drinking a Coca Cola Light (cause there isn't a "diet" coke) like the Europeans

Eliz holding the Pyramid at the Louvre...it fell when she moved.

Steak Tartare Lunch...yeah, that's raw meat

Bones from French Revolution, Catacombs, Paris

Stairway of the Arc

Arc de Triomphe

"I'm Squishing it"

Isn't She Cute!

Overlooking the River and The Tower

Tomorrow Versailles...

Paris-The first Full Day

We seem to be loving the City of Love.  Last night we enjoyed Notre Dame and a cafe close to it with some great food and three course meals.  Today we took in the sights of the Luxemburg Gardens, The Pantheon, and The Louvre.  A good sight seeing day.  There's more to it, of course, complete with funny antedotes, if you wish, but those are best left for in person.

We moved into our little Apartment in Addirondesment 2.  It's quite possible the best place we could get, with full kitchen and balcony.  It's admittedly small, but pretty wonderful.  Eliz gets extra bonus points for finding this place.  We have already moved in and littered the floor with our belongings, and added a couple of bottles of wine to the place. Tomorrow is going to be a shopping day.  We are both excited about this week as it will be the first time since we have been gone to be staying in the same place for more than three nights.  And now the real goodness...pictures!

Notre Dame

Us at the Pantheon

That would be Eliz laying in the burial spot of the great French countrymen of the Pantheon

The Venus De Milo, our version

The apt we have...if you look close enough, you can see sleeping Eliz

Taize...an excerpt from my Journal

Imagine a place free of the bonds of Denomination and Religion. A place open to Catholics, Protestants, Jews, Buddist, Muslims, all faiths. A place where we can come in the name of a higher Purpose to interact. A place where relationships are formed, discussions held, and love abounds. This is the Community of Taize, or so it's purpose.

We gather, 4000 in number, ages 7 to 82, all here for worship, all hoping to find the missing piece, the reconnection, or spiritual awakening. Tonight we gather in the name of Christ to worship. Our shoes lie empty at our sides as we are truly on Holy Ground.

For over an hour we sing chants, prayers really, to God and the world. Rhythmic tunes in Latin, English, French, Spanish, German, Russian, and more. A special sermonette by the prior of the Monastary simeautaneously broadcast in five languages. A crazy and amazing feat. It turns out to be the 100th birthday of Mother Teresa, our first night in Taize.

There was no real end to the evening prayer time. At one point the Brothers leave, but people remain singing, chanting, and praying. Over the next half hour people trickle out as they are ready...and the service is over. A calm heart and uplifted soul we go our ways with anticipation of morning prayer.

In the town of Taize, the camera was on an old wall with a timer.  

Where we slept for three nights...very comfy

My pretty wife in the town of Taize

The brothers in Worship (this is actually a picture of a card from the exposition eliz took.  Pics during the service was frowned upon, but this is what it looks like)

We met some wonderful people, including a lady from Stonewall (less than 20 mins from our house).  Peace and Truth was the theme.  It was truly a blessing for us both and a place we hope to return to with our family and friends.  

Taize Hiatus

We are going to be at the monestary in Taize for the next four days.  I don't believe we will have any internet, so this is good bye for a bit.  We should be back on line on Sunday, at which point we will update our travels.  Have a great Weekend!

Thalys Has Free Intenet

For those of us in first class.  They also serve a fish meal complete with your choice of wine, white or red with choices.  Not too shabby.  I try to provide the best life style for my beautiful bride, cause she deserves it. 

We are one of those high speed trains on our way to Paris.  Our orginal plans of going straight to Lyon was thwarted as a result of all the seats being sold out.  Leaving us with the sad option of leaving an hour later with a 3 hour lay over in Paris before we get to Lyon, then a small train to Macon-Ville...such a hard life this layover in Paris, but we shall do our best.  Cheers!

Amsterdam(ed)

So, it turns out that Amsterdam, for us, was more of an Amsterdon't.  We had troubles and crazy times from the get go. As we exited our train and followed the crowd out, I thought we would be ok.  But, as we poured ourselves into the lake front along with the thousands of others here for Sail 2010 we found life a bit difficult. Combine this with the weather and we were in for a bit of a trip.

We rented bikes and attempted to navagate the huge number of people.  With the rain storms it was not only a challenge, but a nasty one at that.  We dodged, bikes, tourist, cars, vespas, small motorcyles, all of which thought they deserved to be on the "bike lanes." Constantly on our guard, we attempted to manuver the city.  One scary incident with a car brought our romantic trip in Europe to an almost nightmare.  We thought it best to turn the bikes in and become tourist on foot. 

But that was not it.  Our hotel "ship" had a room size less of that of the cabin on the train we took to Amsterdam.  Eliz and I could literally not be in this room if one of us wanted to unpack or get ready in the morning it was That small.  She had the top bunk and swore there was mold all around the port hole.   I was afraid to check. 

This being said we jettisoned (yeah I went nautical on this thing) our plans for the last night in Amsterdam and pushed on to Brussels.  When I say this town smells likes waffles, I do not lie.  In the train station, on the streets, it seems everywhere we go it's waffles smells and smiles from people.  Definetly the right decesion.  Although we will be here for less than 24 hours, it was well worth the trip from Amsterdam.  Now it is after midnight here and I am reeling on the cheese and great beer. 

I will say Amsterdam was not all bad, there were good things, but for us, Brussels is where it is at.  Here are some pics from both places. (oh and spell check is only operating in German, so get over the misspelled words)

Our small, yet uncomfortable room in a Ship

Wicked Awesome Bar in Amsterdam.  See if you can see the anomaly here.

Beach Cruiser is not my Style, give me a MTB

Brussels, Belgium

Waffle Time in Brussels "the best I've ever had." EVRM

We may have not loved Amsterdam, but we did have some fine times.  We are having fun in Brussels too.  Next five days we will be in Taize.  Don't know what the internet is like, so let's hope updates will follow.  Peace!

Remnants of the Berlin Wall

US Embassy, Berlin

At the Football Match

TV tower used to Broadcast Nazi Propaganda

Berlin Wall Ran though here

Riechstag, German Parliament Building

Munich Photos

Odd Michael Jackson Memorial in Munich

 Marien Platz

Eliz at the Botanical Gardens

Bier Garten, trying to plan