Well, we're stil in London. We''re going out on a later flighht and should arrive at LAX via Dallas about 10:00 PM. Seeing thatt we are on a pay machine, I'm more lost on the keyboard. Brreakfast tomorroow, Sunday, right Joseph? I think Evelyn is going to come and get us at LAX; I hope! Othrwise, we'll be calling for a ride.
Lunch in the airpor was good, andthe weather is nice.
See everyone soon, but not for dinner tonight. :-):-):-)
SAMSTER HERE
sorry weird keyboardd again and mom dosent know how to use it but i do:-)
were coming home, a bit later than we thought but ts okay. im a sucker for free food:-)
going to shower, sleep, and talk on thephonetonight.
ooh and of ourse hang out with my pups.
see ya tomorrow guys.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Stansted, England
Well, we got Grandma on her plane in Dublin and then had another 1.5 hrs to wait for our plane. Luckily, Samantha and I did not break and suitcases or get the wrong bags checked this time. :-)
We made our flight to Stansted and had lunch in the airport cafe; it wasn't that bad at all. While on the last Ryanair flight, for a LONG time, we had a seat near a fellow from Dublin who was moving to London. He shared that he was making 1,600 E a month as his unemployment payment. This doesn't seem so bad. I guess unemployment is hitting Ireland pretty tough. Welcome to our world.
We spent some time speaking with a family from Norway; they had just returned from visiting with their oldest daughter in DC where she served as a Embassy Page.
Our last hotel here, The Holiday Inn Express in Stansted has no internet in the room, so we have to be in the lobby. Not likely we'll upload images. However, I'm thinking about staying up most of Friday evening, so I'll sleep on the flight home. Today's flight hit turbulence, and I was sick!!
Samantha is sure to add to the blog when she comes down.
Well, we got Grandma on her plane in Dublin and then had another 1.5 hrs to wait for our plane. Luckily, Samantha and I did not break and suitcases or get the wrong bags checked this time. :-)
We made our flight to Stansted and had lunch in the airport cafe; it wasn't that bad at all. While on the last Ryanair flight, for a LONG time, we had a seat near a fellow from Dublin who was moving to London. He shared that he was making 1,600 E a month as his unemployment payment. This doesn't seem so bad. I guess unemployment is hitting Ireland pretty tough. Welcome to our world.
We spent some time speaking with a family from Norway; they had just returned from visiting with their oldest daughter in DC where she served as a Embassy Page.
Our last hotel here, The Holiday Inn Express in Stansted has no internet in the room, so we have to be in the lobby. Not likely we'll upload images. However, I'm thinking about staying up most of Friday evening, so I'll sleep on the flight home. Today's flight hit turbulence, and I was sick!!
Samantha is sure to add to the blog when she comes down.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
This was the last stop before leaving Scotland for Ireland. We still can't afford anything in this store.
Dublin ~
We're back in Dublin and staying right near the airport... we should be able to avoid the transitions from airport to hotel for the next flight. Mom leaves about the same time we do, however she' s likely to be on the normal floor while Samantha and i are on the lower floor and in the basement to depart with the Ryanair. EEKK!!! This should be the last Ryanair we take. It is an intersting line, cheaper that Southwest and more of a cattle call than I care to admit. :-0
We had originally planned to take a tour this morning, however, that didn't work out.
We've spent the day catching up on sleep, and uploading pictures. Samantha is reading one of her assigned pieces so that's one less thing to do when we get home.
We're looking forward to getting home and getting some wash done in the machine, not by hand. Most importantly, see family and friends! DonCuco's Saturday evening for dinner, if anyone is around. :-)
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Even More Europe
hello everybody, it's sam again. we're in dublin again and still with grams. everybody is tired and wants to go home...its okay though, for once i'm ahead of everybody. so sleeping is the answer. i get to see joe the day after we get back though(-= thats good(-=.....(x2)....anything new happening in acton? nothing exciting here anymore...we're heading back to london on thursday and then home on saturday..
Monday, July 13, 2009
Loch Ness ~
Bus Tour today....
While there was no rain this morning, we returned to the hotel with rain on our shoulders. It was the “Scottish,” rain, so just drizzles and gray skies. We left early to get to the bus by 8:00 AM and still try to get some breakfast; it was McDonald’s, yuck!!
Luckily, the bus was large and air conditioned, but a full load none the less. The drive was lengthy, but narrated on the way with interesting facts about Scotland’s history. This area is covered with volcanic rocks that are so strong they’ve created valleys, mountains, and cliffs that are beautiful!!!
We started our tour by heading out to Sterling where we connected with another bus of people. The city of Sterling is still surrounded by the walls used to protect Mary, Queen of Scotts protected by King Henry VIII.
The beautiful green countryside is covered with patches of pretty pink/ purple heather that flutters with the breezes. We learned that the mountains are called bens. Ben Nevis was where the hiking trail was available; we saw a couple backpacking, too.
We saw the livestock the highlanders used to trade with others. There sheep were adorable jumping around on the hillsides and of course there were the herds of cattle that were roaming as well.
Then there was Glenoce, right at the base of the huge mountain was Fort William. I guess this site has a pretty sad history, as did a large part of Scotland. This is where the Massacre of Glencoe took place, all because there was no “proof,” to verify the town leader, of the McDonald klan, had sworn his loyalty to the ruler in the required time.
Of course, there were numerous castles to see including: Blair Castle, Killiecrankie, and Inverness Castle. At the Loch, or the lake of Ness, we took a boat up to the top of the lake. Just before we boarded the boat we explored the old castle at the cliff, Urqubart Castle. It looks like you had a great view of the lake when in this castle.
Once we reached the farthest point, the city of Inverness, we saw the Inverness Castle and had some pizza nearby. I guess this castle is next to the river that feeds into the Thames River.
Once we got back to Edinburgh, we stopped for a "light" dinner, then a peek at LV; they were closed again. :-(
No Giovanni's here, darn.
Bus Tour today....While there was no rain this morning, we returned to the hotel with rain on our shoulders. It was the “Scottish,” rain, so just drizzles and gray skies. We left early to get to the bus by 8:00 AM and still try to get some breakfast; it was McDonald’s, yuck!!
Luckily, the bus was large and air conditioned, but a full load none the less. The drive was lengthy, but narrated on the way with interesting facts about Scotland’s history. This area is covered with volcanic rocks that are so strong they’ve created valleys, mountains, and cliffs that are beautiful!!!
We started our tour by heading out to Sterling where we connected with another bus of people. The city of Sterling is still surrounded by the walls used to protect Mary, Queen of Scotts protected by King Henry VIII.
The beautiful green countryside is covered with patches of pretty pink/ purple heather that flutters with the breezes. We learned that the mountains are called bens. Ben Nevis was where the hiking trail was available; we saw a couple backpacking, too.
We saw the livestock the highlanders used to trade with others. There sheep were adorable jumping around on the hillsides and of course there were the herds of cattle that were roaming as well.
Then there was Glenoce, right at the base of the huge mountain was Fort William. I guess this site has a pretty sad history, as did a large part of Scotland. This is where the Massacre of Glencoe took place, all because there was no “proof,” to verify the town leader, of the McDonald klan, had sworn his loyalty to the ruler in the required time.
Of course, there were numerous castles to see including: Blair Castle, Killiecrankie, and Inverness Castle. At the Loch, or the lake of Ness, we took a boat up to the top of the lake. Just before we boarded the boat we explored the old castle at the cliff, Urqubart Castle. It looks like you had a great view of the lake when in this castle.
Once we reached the farthest point, the city of Inverness, we saw the Inverness Castle and had some pizza nearby. I guess this castle is next to the river that feeds into the Thames River.
Once we got back to Edinburgh, we stopped for a "light" dinner, then a peek at LV; they were closed again. :-(
No Giovanni's here, darn.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Edinburgh, Scotland
OK, we were on another tour, hopping from one bus to another, but we sure saw a lot of the city,
including the Grass Market, where public hangings took place. If that wasn't enough we went around the corner of the Berkenaire home, two young boys came to Edinburgh as laborers for the river nearby. The way the story was told, that work wasn't enough and they lacked major money, so they sold a dead person's body to the medical college connected with the university in town. It became easy money so they proceeded to get newcomers drunk and then suffocated them to repeat the process; no wonder I'm reluctant to date!!!! Only one of the young men was hung there in the Grass Market, with standing room only.
As part of the tour we also saw the Queen's Hollywood Palace and Abby, but she wasn't in. We were told something about being out, most likely in London.
The Queen was not in again... Sorry Donna.
Maybe she'll be in the church dwn the street from her Abby where she prays?
I guess beside the Palace is an old extinct volcano. It is now covered with grass and recently cleaned by Royalty Andrew someone... to become a well used park.
Then there is the actual Edinburgh Castle which ws built long ago. We'll know for sure by whom and why on Tuesday when we go to that tour.
The huge buildings, once tenements for the town's people were amazing., The lower level reflected the owner, the most wealthy with beautiful flowers in the windows. As the house went up in levels, the tenants' income decreased; the most poor of the town in the very top floor with no bathrooms.
Once the day ended, we headed to the Hard Rock Cafe so Samantha could get dinner and a souvenir. We did however pass that Louis Vuitton store again!!! I think it's the 3rd one we have seen, Paris, Munich, and now Edinburgh. However, the most inexpensive item was a small key chain for 95 E, or something like $150. Wow! Over priced!!!!
Paris 
Munich
Edinburgh didn't come out. :-(
Ok, Samantha is watching tv. and Grandma is reading. I am on a timer so Samantha can get back on the computer so I'll have to post again later.
OK, we were on another tour, hopping from one bus to another, but we sure saw a lot of the city,
including the Grass Market, where public hangings took place. If that wasn't enough we went around the corner of the Berkenaire home, two young boys came to Edinburgh as laborers for the river nearby. The way the story was told, that work wasn't enough and they lacked major money, so they sold a dead person's body to the medical college connected with the university in town. It became easy money so they proceeded to get newcomers drunk and then suffocated them to repeat the process; no wonder I'm reluctant to date!!!! Only one of the young men was hung there in the Grass Market, with standing room only.
As part of the tour we also saw the Queen's Hollywood Palace and Abby, but she wasn't in. We were told something about being out, most likely in London.
The Queen was not in again... Sorry Donna.Maybe she'll be in the church dwn the street from her Abby where she prays?
I guess beside the Palace is an old extinct volcano. It is now covered with grass and recently cleaned by Royalty Andrew someone... to become a well used park.
Then there is the actual Edinburgh Castle which ws built long ago. We'll know for sure by whom and why on Tuesday when we go to that tour.
The huge buildings, once tenements for the town's people were amazing., The lower level reflected the owner, the most wealthy with beautiful flowers in the windows. As the house went up in levels, the tenants' income decreased; the most poor of the town in the very top floor with no bathrooms.
Once the day ended, we headed to the Hard Rock Cafe so Samantha could get dinner and a souvenir. We did however pass that Louis Vuitton store again!!! I think it's the 3rd one we have seen, Paris, Munich, and now Edinburgh. However, the most inexpensive item was a small key chain for 95 E, or something like $150. Wow! Over priced!!!!
Paris 
MunichEdinburgh didn't come out. :-(
Ok, Samantha is watching tv. and Grandma is reading. I am on a timer so Samantha can get back on the computer so I'll have to post again later.
Glasgow, Scotland
Well, we slept in again this morning and had the "free continental breakfast," so we're on our way out, shortly.
When we arrived yesterday, Saturday, we spent the day in Glasgow, Ireland. It's origin is as far back as c 518 with King Kentigem, or Mungo for the common name. The church that was commissioned by him, in his honor is huge and FULL of smaller chapels below the ground, or lower level. We came upon a wedding that was taking place in the same Episcopalian church, traditional Kilt dress for the groom.
Eventually, people settled here in burghs and the area grew! With the east coast of Scotland suffering war damage, the west coast prospered, so did Glasgow. By 187o, the immigrants including Irish Scots increased as well, bringing their talents that relate to wool linen. Sadly, this housing is what we would hate, one room for the entire family and a shared "toilet" down the hall. Disease and filth was the rule rather than the exception. The history of one religious group against another was common as were social uprising in the famous George Square.
Somewhere around the 1930's, there was a community that became known as the Gorbals. The name from something Gaelic, and sadly a community of people that were lepers. These people actually rang bells as they entered towns to warn others of their entrance; how sad. We stopped right in this area to taste confectionery treats from the oldest sweet store in the UK and then off to eat at Polish restaurant. Great soup!!!
candy 
Polish lunch/ dinner
I was unaware that at one time, there were well over 1.5 million people in that city. At one time it was the largest ship building area in Britain. After the economy began to take a dive back in the 1960's its population struggled and decreased rapidly. Of course, there is a large river that ruins through their community, which ash since been going through renovation of the tenements have become some very modern "flats." ( A fire broke out in one of these older tenements here in Edinburgh this morning, where a firefighter lost his life.)
New hotels along the River Clyde
The tour we took was on one of those large double decker buses, with an audio that was great! The town center is a central plaza with important buildings, and monuments for relevant people as well. Interesting enough, King George was suppose to be on the top of a prominent monument, but he had recently lost the colonies, so his statue was not worthy or "appropriate," said the guide. For this reason, there is a statue of a well respected writer....
Along the River Clyde, one of the older buildings that was left included the Newark Castle, built in 1478, used to help load and unload ships that had come in to town. Now one of the side buildings serves as a restaurant, old... but beautiful reflection of the city's older life. Just beyond this building, there is a new modern building that the town's people call the Armadillo. It's funny looking,too.
Eventually, this city was awarded the European City of Culture. It must have been when they began to clean the tenements and discovered the 3 types of surface, outer white tile, pink colored stone and then something like a browner stone. The buildings covered with the white tile were those of the more wealthy.
There were many buildings related to their very old university, Glasgow University, quite beautiful!!! We saw some guys doing something like grass bowling, can't recall the name of the official game.
Ok, we're off now..... Edinburgh Castle today and then maybe the Hard Rock Cafe as well. Samantha has managed to hit all of them so far.
Well, we slept in again this morning and had the "free continental breakfast," so we're on our way out, shortly.
When we arrived yesterday, Saturday, we spent the day in Glasgow, Ireland. It's origin is as far back as c 518 with King Kentigem, or Mungo for the common name. The church that was commissioned by him, in his honor is huge and FULL of smaller chapels below the ground, or lower level. We came upon a wedding that was taking place in the same Episcopalian church, traditional Kilt dress for the groom.
Eventually, people settled here in burghs and the area grew! With the east coast of Scotland suffering war damage, the west coast prospered, so did Glasgow. By 187o, the immigrants including Irish Scots increased as well, bringing their talents that relate to wool linen. Sadly, this housing is what we would hate, one room for the entire family and a shared "toilet" down the hall. Disease and filth was the rule rather than the exception. The history of one religious group against another was common as were social uprising in the famous George Square.
Somewhere around the 1930's, there was a community that became known as the Gorbals. The name from something Gaelic, and sadly a community of people that were lepers. These people actually rang bells as they entered towns to warn others of their entrance; how sad. We stopped right in this area to taste confectionery treats from the oldest sweet store in the UK and then off to eat at Polish restaurant. Great soup!!!
candy 
Polish lunch/ dinnerI was unaware that at one time, there were well over 1.5 million people in that city. At one time it was the largest ship building area in Britain. After the economy began to take a dive back in the 1960's its population struggled and decreased rapidly. Of course, there is a large river that ruins through their community, which ash since been going through renovation of the tenements have become some very modern "flats." ( A fire broke out in one of these older tenements here in Edinburgh this morning, where a firefighter lost his life.)
New hotels along the River Clyde
The tour we took was on one of those large double decker buses, with an audio that was great! The town center is a central plaza with important buildings, and monuments for relevant people as well. Interesting enough, King George was suppose to be on the top of a prominent monument, but he had recently lost the colonies, so his statue was not worthy or "appropriate," said the guide. For this reason, there is a statue of a well respected writer....
Along the River Clyde, one of the older buildings that was left included the Newark Castle, built in 1478, used to help load and unload ships that had come in to town. Now one of the side buildings serves as a restaurant, old... but beautiful reflection of the city's older life. Just beyond this building, there is a new modern building that the town's people call the Armadillo. It's funny looking,too.
Eventually, this city was awarded the European City of Culture. It must have been when they began to clean the tenements and discovered the 3 types of surface, outer white tile, pink colored stone and then something like a browner stone. The buildings covered with the white tile were those of the more wealthy.
There were many buildings related to their very old university, Glasgow University, quite beautiful!!! We saw some guys doing something like grass bowling, can't recall the name of the official game.
Ok, we're off now..... Edinburgh Castle today and then maybe the Hard Rock Cafe as well. Samantha has managed to hit all of them so far.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
scottish whiskey?
hey its sam....again......okay so we (grams, mom, and i) are in edinburgh tonight. it's a pretty cool place. ummm grams' feet hurt (of course) and everybody is tired because we got up at like 4:00 this morning to catch a plane from dublin, ireland to edinburgh, scotland. ryanair sucks by the way, although today wasn't that bad...it was just hard to get comfy on the plane with a grandma on your left and a mom on your right, both telling you that your ipod is too loud when, in fact, you didnt even take it out of the bag, you just put in head phones so you could go to sleep with nobody bothering you. today was my grandma's birthday (dad's mom) and four days ago (tuesday) was my dad's fortieth birthday. i know, hes old now. in a few days, my great grandma's birthday (dad's mom's mom)......and after that alyssa's. jeeze parents, you make it hard to gift shop. i'm broke for july. haha. anyway, its about 11:10 pm here so gnight all. oh and one thing to share--> i found a bumper sticker that said "the scottish invented whiskey for a reason: to keep the irish from ruling the world." big laughs, big laughs
Friday, July 10, 2009
Dublin
Well, we are getting ready to pack again tomorrow at the crack of dawn to head on to Scotland. I think the day was a bit frazzling yesterday, so much that we slept in today and did very little. We saw many beautiful sights including the Dublin port and ruins from the 1500. Grandma says this house is to big and way to much to clean!!!!
Driving in Ireland is tough to say the least! I went the wrong way on a street at least one time and required Samantha to be in the front street reminding me which way to turn, wide left and wide right. Once we got into Dublin, we found many interesting sights in cluding Trinity College. As we walked through town, we found a great place to eat, the Mona Lisa, where we had a really nice traditinal dinner. Samantha had the Bangers and Mash while mom and I had Steak Pie. It was good and we then walked forever!!!
Laundry tonight didn't go as well as we had hoped. Wet clothes and no dryer in sight. Samantha came up with the idea of using the fan to help dry the clothes. I think she's managed to get it setup, so that they'll be blown on all night and a little lighter in the morning.
Great, huge castles and beautiful green areas are the norm for Ireland. :-)
Hugs to everyone.
Well, we are getting ready to pack again tomorrow at the crack of dawn to head on to Scotland. I think the day was a bit frazzling yesterday, so much that we slept in today and did very little. We saw many beautiful sights including the Dublin port and ruins from the 1500. Grandma says this house is to big and way to much to clean!!!!
Driving in Ireland is tough to say the least! I went the wrong way on a street at least one time and required Samantha to be in the front street reminding me which way to turn, wide left and wide right. Once we got into Dublin, we found many interesting sights in cluding Trinity College. As we walked through town, we found a great place to eat, the Mona Lisa, where we had a really nice traditinal dinner. Samantha had the Bangers and Mash while mom and I had Steak Pie. It was good and we then walked forever!!!
Laundry tonight didn't go as well as we had hoped. Wet clothes and no dryer in sight. Samantha came up with the idea of using the fan to help dry the clothes. I think she's managed to get it setup, so that they'll be blown on all night and a little lighter in the morning.
Great, huge castles and beautiful green areas are the norm for Ireland. :-)
Hugs to everyone.
Ireland
Hey guys its Sam. I have been told that my childlike grammar is unacceptable, so I must change my ways for the next eight days. I would just like to allow one emoticon to slip by. (e.e) We are in Dublin with Grandma now. Yesterday we picked her up from the airport and rented a car. Much to my mother's surprise, the steering wheel was on the right side of the car as opposed to the left. We were in for an adventure. okay screw the grammar---or at least "proper speech." We were driving on the left side of the road, panicking when we saw oncoming traffic to our right....or mom was anyway. We drove around Dublin, lost, and finally found someone with good directions to Waterford. We drove along for a while, passing through fields and small towns until we got hungry. We stopped in Wexford to eat, then continued on to Waterford. Honestly, it took about five hours to get there, even though it wasn't really that far away. I don't know if Mom will upload the picture or not, but if you see a sunset-type picture, that was taken at 22:08, or 10:08 PM. It didn't get dark until 11:30 last night. CRAZY COOL!!! We did a lot more, but um...well it's like 1:26 PM here--daytime--and we have to go do a tour. The one thing that really, really sucks: my mom keeps getting mad at me because I always want to eat and sleep. Honestly though, don't most teenagers? Nick, Bryan, Joe, Sadey, Teresa...etc. Okay well I'll see you guys in eight days...or maybe later, because of the whole sleeping thing. The day I get back, the plane leaves London at 11:am and gets to LA and 2:30 PM...technically only three hour flight, haha. I'm going to be awake for like...twentytwo hours because of my dinner, coffee, and movie night, plus the time change. easy peasy.....
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Paris
Wow, we haven't blogged in some time, if I recall correctly. Paris was LOTS of walking. We had some great day events planned and learned all kinds of things about the French Revolution. The first day in town we went on a tour to learn about the major historical buildings. While we saw many, there were a few that were more interesting than the others. This is the palace that is right along the Siene River, and was once the home of the government leader, until he chose to leave and head to Versailles.
We also saw the Notre Dame and The Arc de Triumph. The Arc sits in a long park, Champ de Elysses, I think, and it seems like you never reach it when walking from one side to the other.
Before the day ended, we had great tickets that passed LONG, LONG lines to go up the Eiffel Tower. Of course, Samantha was no learly at all, I on the other hand was not looking forward to the climb. We went up to the 1st level and thentransferred over to the next level. At that point ice cream was necessary to be sure we could get out on the platform to take advantage of the view., We did that and then I went to but yet another ticket for Samantha to head up to the very top,. Luckily, some man's wife was ill, darn, and was unable to head up so I got his ticket, free!!!
The view of Paris is beautiful, and way, way up there.!!!!
We walked a bit more and headed back to the hotel, with air conditioning!!! The weather had been hot, but it has begun to cool down a bit. The next day was another early one, more early ones than I care to admit. We went to bike through the Chataeu at Versailles. It was beautiful!!! The best day of the trio; I think! We started with riding to the train and then figuring out how to get the biokes on the train with all of the suits, interesting!!! Then we rode through the town of Versailles to a market that hae everything you could image!
OK, we're out of battery and too tired to figure out where the adoptor is.... we'll add tomorrow after some sleep. :-)
Wow, we haven't blogged in some time, if I recall correctly. Paris was LOTS of walking. We had some great day events planned and learned all kinds of things about the French Revolution. The first day in town we went on a tour to learn about the major historical buildings. While we saw many, there were a few that were more interesting than the others. This is the palace that is right along the Siene River, and was once the home of the government leader, until he chose to leave and head to Versailles.
We also saw the Notre Dame and The Arc de Triumph. The Arc sits in a long park, Champ de Elysses, I think, and it seems like you never reach it when walking from one side to the other.
Before the day ended, we had great tickets that passed LONG, LONG lines to go up the Eiffel Tower. Of course, Samantha was no learly at all, I on the other hand was not looking forward to the climb. We went up to the 1st level and thentransferred over to the next level. At that point ice cream was necessary to be sure we could get out on the platform to take advantage of the view., We did that and then I went to but yet another ticket for Samantha to head up to the very top,. Luckily, some man's wife was ill, darn, and was unable to head up so I got his ticket, free!!!
The view of Paris is beautiful, and way, way up there.!!!!
We walked a bit more and headed back to the hotel, with air conditioning!!! The weather had been hot, but it has begun to cool down a bit. The next day was another early one, more early ones than I care to admit. We went to bike through the Chataeu at Versailles. It was beautiful!!! The best day of the trio; I think! We started with riding to the train and then figuring out how to get the biokes on the train with all of the suits, interesting!!! Then we rode through the town of Versailles to a market that hae everything you could image!
OK, we're out of battery and too tired to figure out where the adoptor is.... we'll add tomorrow after some sleep. :-)
Monday, July 6, 2009
Paris - Eiffel Tower
Well, we slept in way topo late, but did mange to get to our tour of Paris and then up the Eiffel Tower as well. Amazing sight, but way up! I went as far as the 2nd level, then wimped out and sent Samantha up to the very top herself.
While out on the tour, we saw many of the notable, historical buildings.
Tomorrow, we'll bike through Versaille and see that part of the older Paris.
Pictures later, my turn to shower.
Well, we slept in way topo late, but did mange to get to our tour of Paris and then up the Eiffel Tower as well. Amazing sight, but way up! I went as far as the 2nd level, then wimped out and sent Samantha up to the very top herself.
While out on the tour, we saw many of the notable, historical buildings.
Tomorrow, we'll bike through Versaille and see that part of the older Paris.
Pictures later, my turn to shower.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
paris!
(its sam) we're in paris, but haven't seen anything yet. i'm really tired and really only have two things to say. 1: I miss you guys, and 2: I have blisters on my feet that really hurt)-=
Frankfurt, Germany
Frankfurt Main Train Station
Aerial view of Frankfurt from the Heleba building, 650 ' up
Well, the guide book was pretty accurate about very little interest in Frankfurt. We managed to get our hotel close to the train station, very nice people and clean as well; the area was another question? Wow!!!!
Our day was spent catching up on sleep, and then we were off for another day of walking all over town. We began at the city center, Romerberg; it was amazing what the models looked like, reflecting how the city looked early on and then again after the damage that took place during WWII. We learned that the city actually earned their name when the Franks and eventual King Charlemagne fled the Saxons, they observed a white deer that "guided" or Ford them across the Main River, thus the name Frankfort.
street level 
sky level
We found a few very interesting buildings, one that had a piece of art at their entrance, in the shape of a tie? The top of the building has something like a crown or visor the guide says.... it is heated so that ice will not form and lead to crystals falling to the ground, injuring people below. We couldn't figure out how that could be seeing that the crown is rather large.
While in the center, Romerberg, we saw the few houses that have been restored to share what the home of Anne Frank looked like while she lived there in Germany.
Luckily, there was a bit more activty, or maybe not so lucky...... We ran into the Iron Man competition... major traffic jams with spectators and huge camera lines. We stood along the route to watch the riders come in on bikes and then again later when they dropped their bikes off and began to run, in major heat!!!! Unfortunately, we never found an American or someone we recognized. They did zip by pretty fast.
To end the day, we headed back to get our luggage and sit in the Frankfurt station to drink iced coffee. The inside of this train station is huge, all kinds of stores and restaurants.
Our train to Paris went well, and we are here. My turn to shower and get some sleep.
Lots of hugs to all. :-)
Frankfurt Main Train Station
Aerial view of Frankfurt from the Heleba building, 650 ' up
Well, the guide book was pretty accurate about very little interest in Frankfurt. We managed to get our hotel close to the train station, very nice people and clean as well; the area was another question? Wow!!!!
Our day was spent catching up on sleep, and then we were off for another day of walking all over town. We began at the city center, Romerberg; it was amazing what the models looked like, reflecting how the city looked early on and then again after the damage that took place during WWII. We learned that the city actually earned their name when the Franks and eventual King Charlemagne fled the Saxons, they observed a white deer that "guided" or Ford them across the Main River, thus the name Frankfort.
street level 
sky levelWe found a few very interesting buildings, one that had a piece of art at their entrance, in the shape of a tie? The top of the building has something like a crown or visor the guide says.... it is heated so that ice will not form and lead to crystals falling to the ground, injuring people below. We couldn't figure out how that could be seeing that the crown is rather large.
While in the center, Romerberg, we saw the few houses that have been restored to share what the home of Anne Frank looked like while she lived there in Germany.
Luckily, there was a bit more activty, or maybe not so lucky...... We ran into the Iron Man competition... major traffic jams with spectators and huge camera lines. We stood along the route to watch the riders come in on bikes and then again later when they dropped their bikes off and began to run, in major heat!!!! Unfortunately, we never found an American or someone we recognized. They did zip by pretty fast.
To end the day, we headed back to get our luggage and sit in the Frankfurt station to drink iced coffee. The inside of this train station is huge, all kinds of stores and restaurants.
Our train to Paris went well, and we are here. My turn to shower and get some sleep.
Lots of hugs to all. :-)
Saturday, July 4, 2009
humhumhum
well dudes and chicks of all ages... this is sam, and happy 4th of july. mom pretty much summed everything up, so i dont have lots to say...germany...we're in frankfurt and its so hot here, all we get is this osceltating fan..and moms hoggin it! okay i'm really tired cause its 1229 am here. love you all and miss you...13 more days, and i can go back to eating lots of food and sleeping all the time and playing guitar. ohh and my puppies! i think i'm gonna let shelbe sleep with me this summer(-=
alright goodnight guys
alright goodnight guys
Fussen, Germany
This was the train we started and ended on, yuck!!!! No bathrooms, no air, and smelly, too.
Today’s events were at the Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein Castles in Fussen, about 2 hours south of Munich. From what we learned the first castle was originally built in in the 12th century by a religious group but was destroyed by Napoleon. In 1830 the Castle Hohenschwangau was rebuilt and expanded by King Maximilian II, Ludwig’s father. He gave it the name Hohenschwangau, or “High Land of the Swans,” and it served as the summer family home. Swans everywhere!!
Get this, they had another castle where they lived during the rest of the year, or when they weren’t hunting, and it was even larger!!!It is quite obvious that this “royal” family, or the Wittelsbach family, had money and power; they ruled Bavaria for nearly 7oo years and still own one of the castles today. This place sits in the middle of a lush green area that the guides kept calling a march, and right next to 2 large lakes.
Luckily, we followed Rick Steves’ tour book pretty closely, the walk from the town to the castles was UP HILL and LONG! The guide suggestions managed to get us up the hill with a short bus ride and the rest wasn’t that bad. On the road up, we came upon Mary’s Bridge, a bridge that spans a beautiful waterfall and green vegetation area. Of course, Samantha continued to harass me about NOT crossing over the entire bridge. Yes, I was chicken and only ventured out a short way, so I could see the waterfall below…. It was magnificent and quite high up, too!
After the bridge, the trail lead to the largest castle, Neuschwanstein, which Ludwuig had built after he became the Bavarian ruler at the age of 18, in the year, 1869. The construction lasted for 17 years and during that time Ludwig was often seen on Mary’s Bridge watching the construction progress. While inside, he had a telescope he positioned in one of the rooms, on his floor of the castle of course, pointing straight out to the “new” castle.
Ludwig’s new castle was HUGE, plans began by a theatre set designer and then an architect before the real thing. It’s the very same castle that is said to have inspired Walt Disney when he created Disneyland’s castle. Can you see the resemblance? I’m sure, if nothing else, they both cost a lot!!!!
Interesting as it would be, Ludwig was friends with the musician Richard Wagner, who wrote one of 2 songs, I couldn’t truly understand the English speaker that was a native German speaker, Swan something, or maybe it was the opera song that influenced the wedding march that has become so popular? Either way, this guy had huge birthday gifts, wealthy friends, but was very antisocial. He entertained and sat behind massive table decorations that were all silver. If that wasn’t enough, Ludwig actually was only engaged to marry the cousin of Empress Sisi from Vienna, but he wrote a letter to call it off. Who knows…. The guy was out there… he never married. If that isn’t strange enough, his death is another mystery. After Ludwig the something, II or maybe III, moved into his newer castle, it was only about 1/3 complete, it was said that the Bavarian government arrived to tell him he was no longer mentally stable enough to rule their country; he was said to be a schizophrenic. He was to be removed from his home the next day. The way we heard the story, Ludwig was at the beautiful Lake Alpsee, down below his house, with his psychiatrist, that evening, and was found before dawn, dead. Who knows, but suspicions are obvious. Sadly, this wealthy person’s home was of so much interest after his death, that it was just 6 short weeks before the neighbors were touring through it.
I was pleased to see that even the royalty had tiny twin size beds like mine. There was only 1 single bed in both castles that resembled something like the size of a double bed. Now the beds of the servants were twin size in width, but MAJOR short. Maybe the servants were shorter than other people?
Well, the day is moving on, and we’re hoping to get to Frankfurt tonight. Not sure, everything depends on the train connection in Munich. I dare say that the afternoon was much cooler but e eventful none the less; we ran into a small glitch when trying to get Euros out of the bank on my ATM. The card was eaten by the bank, right there in Fussen. We’ve got US dollars, but less than 20 Euros, so we’ve got to change money or we’re on a “see” diet once that cash runs out and I can get to a bank Monday in Paris. We’ll see lots of food, but not eat much.
OH well, could be worse, we could have no clothes. That’s not likely, we have the 2 suitcases in lockers there in the Munich train station. They’ve gotten way to heavy to carry around town with all of the stuff we’ve been buying for family and friends at home. Ryanair is going to get a chunk on my credit card because of the excess weight.
Mom, don’t add to the charge by packing too much!!! See you soon.
Lots of hugs to everyone. Miss you all.
P.S. Samantha is sleeping, so I get to write and not be nagged, thus the length.
OK, We made it to Frankfurt, and are getting settled for bed.
We'll add another blog tomorrow.
Love to all. :-)
This was the train we started and ended on, yuck!!!! No bathrooms, no air, and smelly, too.
Today’s events were at the Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein Castles in Fussen, about 2 hours south of Munich. From what we learned the first castle was originally built in in the 12th century by a religious group but was destroyed by Napoleon. In 1830 the Castle Hohenschwangau was rebuilt and expanded by King Maximilian II, Ludwig’s father. He gave it the name Hohenschwangau, or “High Land of the Swans,” and it served as the summer family home. Swans everywhere!!
Get this, they had another castle where they lived during the rest of the year, or when they weren’t hunting, and it was even larger!!!It is quite obvious that this “royal” family, or the Wittelsbach family, had money and power; they ruled Bavaria for nearly 7oo years and still own one of the castles today. This place sits in the middle of a lush green area that the guides kept calling a march, and right next to 2 large lakes.
Luckily, we followed Rick Steves’ tour book pretty closely, the walk from the town to the castles was UP HILL and LONG! The guide suggestions managed to get us up the hill with a short bus ride and the rest wasn’t that bad. On the road up, we came upon Mary’s Bridge, a bridge that spans a beautiful waterfall and green vegetation area. Of course, Samantha continued to harass me about NOT crossing over the entire bridge. Yes, I was chicken and only ventured out a short way, so I could see the waterfall below…. It was magnificent and quite high up, too!
After the bridge, the trail lead to the largest castle, Neuschwanstein, which Ludwuig had built after he became the Bavarian ruler at the age of 18, in the year, 1869. The construction lasted for 17 years and during that time Ludwig was often seen on Mary’s Bridge watching the construction progress. While inside, he had a telescope he positioned in one of the rooms, on his floor of the castle of course, pointing straight out to the “new” castle.
Ludwig’s new castle was HUGE, plans began by a theatre set designer and then an architect before the real thing. It’s the very same castle that is said to have inspired Walt Disney when he created Disneyland’s castle. Can you see the resemblance? I’m sure, if nothing else, they both cost a lot!!!!
Interesting as it would be, Ludwig was friends with the musician Richard Wagner, who wrote one of 2 songs, I couldn’t truly understand the English speaker that was a native German speaker, Swan something, or maybe it was the opera song that influenced the wedding march that has become so popular? Either way, this guy had huge birthday gifts, wealthy friends, but was very antisocial. He entertained and sat behind massive table decorations that were all silver. If that wasn’t enough, Ludwig actually was only engaged to marry the cousin of Empress Sisi from Vienna, but he wrote a letter to call it off. Who knows…. The guy was out there… he never married. If that isn’t strange enough, his death is another mystery. After Ludwig the something, II or maybe III, moved into his newer castle, it was only about 1/3 complete, it was said that the Bavarian government arrived to tell him he was no longer mentally stable enough to rule their country; he was said to be a schizophrenic. He was to be removed from his home the next day. The way we heard the story, Ludwig was at the beautiful Lake Alpsee, down below his house, with his psychiatrist, that evening, and was found before dawn, dead. Who knows, but suspicions are obvious. Sadly, this wealthy person’s home was of so much interest after his death, that it was just 6 short weeks before the neighbors were touring through it.
I was pleased to see that even the royalty had tiny twin size beds like mine. There was only 1 single bed in both castles that resembled something like the size of a double bed. Now the beds of the servants were twin size in width, but MAJOR short. Maybe the servants were shorter than other people?
Well, the day is moving on, and we’re hoping to get to Frankfurt tonight. Not sure, everything depends on the train connection in Munich. I dare say that the afternoon was much cooler but e eventful none the less; we ran into a small glitch when trying to get Euros out of the bank on my ATM. The card was eaten by the bank, right there in Fussen. We’ve got US dollars, but less than 20 Euros, so we’ve got to change money or we’re on a “see” diet once that cash runs out and I can get to a bank Monday in Paris. We’ll see lots of food, but not eat much.
OH well, could be worse, we could have no clothes. That’s not likely, we have the 2 suitcases in lockers there in the Munich train station. They’ve gotten way to heavy to carry around town with all of the stuff we’ve been buying for family and friends at home. Ryanair is going to get a chunk on my credit card because of the excess weight.
Mom, don’t add to the charge by packing too much!!! See you soon.
Lots of hugs to everyone. Miss you all.
P.S. Samantha is sleeping, so I get to write and not be nagged, thus the length.
OK, We made it to Frankfurt, and are getting settled for bed.
We'll add another blog tomorrow.
Love to all. :-)
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