Prague

Well I took a Friday off and flew to Prague for a long weekend. I am so glad I did. It really helped with the winter doldrums.

Prague is a beautiful city that was restored after communism fell. Also Pragues was not bombed out during WWII. I think it is probably the most beautiful city that I have seen in Europe. I visited several breath-taking churches. The inside of these churches are very rich in history. I walked over the St. Charles Bridge which is now a pedestrian walkway but for several centuries it was the only way to cross the river in Prague.

I went up to Prague Castle Hill. The Cathedral with gargoyles is located here as is a castle from the Hapsburgs. In the Castle there is a hall that allowed jousting to occur indoors. The steps were made such that horses could climb them.

I also did a Jewish synagogue tour. This was very profound for me. First two stops talked about the History of the Jewish community in Prague. The third stop was a synagogue that had writing on the walls. It was the name birthdate and last date known alive of the people who perished in the concentration camps. The fourth stop was the cemetary. Only a few places could the Jewish people be buried so it is like one on top of another. The fifth stop was an explanation of their burial tradition. The final stop was an explanation of the religion and their special days. To me, it was like here is our history, here is our tragedy, here is how we prefer to treat death, to here is our religion and we continue.

If you ever have a weekend that is unplanned in Europe. I highly recommend Prague.

Athens

Sorry it has been so long. I think I have had a mental block about blogging about Athens. It wasn't the easiest trip. I mean traveling was fine. But the feelings. Very alone in a lot of ways. Even more than I had planned with the break up. I tried to acknowledge those feelings.

Oh well I spent the whole week in Athens. If someone was traveling to it now I would say 3 days if you did not stay at the beach. I saw the Acropylis, Temple of Zeus, Hadrian's gate, Lycattos Hill, Panhellinic Stadium (home of 1st modern Olympics in 1896), and the Botannical gardens.

I did some awesome shopping. I bought some worry beads which are almost like a rosary to the Greeks. A cute hoochie mama shirt from Marks and Spencers was purchased. It is a black cami underneath a lace overtop. Really cute and it makes me look skinny. I also purchased a really stylish black handbag from Longchamp. Pink one would be proud.

For Christmas and Boxing Day I hung out at the Botannical Gardens with some romance novels. I tried not to hide in my hotel room. Overall good experience and I am glad I went to a place I always wanted to go too.

Last weekend, I went to a borrel (drink) going away party for someone leaving the company, but the company paid for it. Then I had a good dinner with a new group of people. It was really nice. The weather was gorgeous and Ifinally located a yarn shop somewhere near to me in the town of Goes. I met a lady from work and she took me to the store. 2 sleeveless shells and sock yarn later we grabbed some vino and sat on a terrace enjoying the sun. On Sunday I biked 6-7 miles to Veere which is a quant little town which my boss lives. I walked for a while. It was so nice to get out and feel the sun on my face. Then I ate at the site manager's that night. I am getting a little concerned about the daughter. This maybe selfish of me, but I am starting to make a life here and some friends which I do not think should always include her. I think she needs to create her own life which she is not doing.

I will try and blog later in the week about this weekend and Prague. I think I will be caught up then with my adventures.

P.S. I am glad I dated the Brit. It made me feel that I was still datable. I feel sorry for him, but I can't solve his confusion. There is a couple possibilities here, but we will see.

Brussels

Well, I had an opportunity to visit Brussels with the site's social club. We went on buses leaving from the site. I was sitting in back and one of the coordinators did not see me. So, we waited an extra 10 minutes. The trip was less than $10 for the bus.

After about a 2 hour trip, we arrived in Brussels. It was advertised as going for the Christmas market. The market was okay. The hot wine was good to warm me up. I bought a couple things at the market. Another glass ornament and an elephant for the lady watching my apartment who graduated from 'Bama.

I did see the cutest carosels. It was just horses but lots of bizarre animals with moving parts. Hard to describe. I also saw an interesting Russian Orthodox exhibit at a church. Drank a beer while watching kids smack into walls at the ice rink.

I did some other shopping. I purchased chocolate trees for the secretaries who help me at work. I also bought a new wallet from Longchamp. Nice wallet. The Coach one unfortunately has a bad habit of losing coins.

Finally, while drinking a different beer at a different place, I heard music. I saw these people bungee dance off the side of one of the historic buildings. Kind of neat.

All in all a good day was had.

Barcelona

The first weekend in December I traveled to Barcelona. I had the site manager's daughter Melissa along with me. I told her if for some reason I did not make the plane due to the fact I had a free ticket from my the points that my credit card gives to look for pink suitcases. She thought I was nuts until guess who was waiting in the arrival hall with pink suitcases but Kama herself!!!! Melissa was stunned.

We located our apartment and then went to Los Rambalas which is a pedestrian mall where I purchased some jewelry a nice ring and a bracelet that I need to fix already. The tourist sites that we saw where:

La Sagrida de Familia - Gaudi's Cathedral. It will not be finished for another 50 years. We were able to take an elevator up to the top and walk among the spires. I would like to return when it is finished but i will be 86 at the time. So we will have to wait and see.

Gaudi's Parc - This was an awesome park and for those fans of Gaudi this place has the lizard. Clubby was a star here and got to pose with two very nice ladies.

Chocolate Museum - Well chocolate did come from the new world. And with Kama and myself on the trip you know we had to go. Some of the sculptures were amazing.

Picasso Museum - This housed some of his earliest art work, but it was interseting to see how he broke down paintings and his progression of painting in his life.

Tibadabo - This hill stands over Barcelona. It has a church built on top of another church. Plus, an old amusement park is located on the hill. Part of the trip to the top of the hill was via the last surviving tram in Barcelona.

The Beach - I enjoyed walking in the Mediterrean as did pink one. It was beautiful to see.

Most of the days were sunny and highs in the 60s. It was the weather I needed due to the Netherelands is really cloudy in the winter.

The shopping was great. We went to one store called Rituals which is a like a bath/indulgence store. Let's just say major shopping was done by all. The only problem I have with most stores is that they don't fit the current fluffy frame.

The food was good too. Nothing was expensive except the Cheese Me place which specialized in cheese dishes that were very good and very rich. We did eat tapas and paella. I did locate a couple of beers to try. Kama and I did enjoy some pitchers of sangria. I still like the white one at the mall the best.

Oh we did go dancing, but the three ladies decided that bit of Barcelona stays in Barcelona!!! But here are a couple of pictures for my friends:

I will try and write about Brussels soon and then Athens. I am going to try and go through my pics on Athens this weekend. It is really windy here so besides going to the grocery store. It is a stay at home weekend. But next weekend is Prague. More talk about my costs are going around so I figure I better travel while I can.

Results of Traveling

Okay the last post was kind of blue, but I needed an outlet and I figure my friends know me well enough to realize this fact. Do I still miss the guy? Well, to be honest I determined that I was kind of using him for the loneliness and isolation. I know BAD MARY. In the end, he was more of a drama queen than me and he does not have his life together. He has some major debt, but he did not get my money. I wish him the best but I want something more out of a relationship. Can scarf man give me that? I do not know, but I will maintain the flirty e-mails.

Now onto the start of my travel diaries. Rome seems so long ago but that trip was less than 2 monthes in the past. Rome is a huge city. I spent the money and stayed at my best hotel in Europe there. My first morning in Rome I met a nice Canadian woman who had just upped and decided a 3 week trip to Italy was necessary. I liked it. We walked throughout the morning together and I climbed the Spanish steps with her for the first time. I spent alot of time walking, but here are my thoughts about the sites:

Spanish steps - man they help you work off the calories.
Trivi Fountain - better at night but client was correct kind of a let down. I think it has to do with the surrounding buildings of the fountain. I did locate a place about 2 blocks away to have the traditional Thanksgiving steak.
Victor Emmanuel Moneument - Really impressive. But again this site bets a stepper in the gym any day.
The Forum - I thought about the progression democracy has come since the days of the Roman. And some about the status of the world today. I wonder have we really progressed?
Pallantine Hill - Great views of the Forum and Rome
The Colisseum - Awesome. Clubbie had a great time. Hint: Go to Palantine Hill to purchase your ticket. They are good at both places but same day entrance.
Pantheon- I did not know the whole history of this building. It was used in Pre-Christian days and is now a church.

I ended up paying a wee bit extra for a tour in English at the Vatican, but I can help almost anyone now. It was kind of worth it to hear some of the history etc.
Vatican Museum - Did not get to spend enough time, but I heard a lot of history quickly.
Sistine Chapel - I was amazed. It is a true wonder. But due to winter hours had to leave a wee bit early. I probably would not have seen it if it had not been for the tour.
Tombs of the Popes - I thought this was very solemn. I was very moved to see Pope John Paul II and where Saint Peter's bones are buried.
St. Peter's Basilica - I can't put into words my feelings. This to me is the heart of my church.
St. Peter's Square - I have seen it on television but it is totally different to see in real life.

Foodwise - I was not that impressed, but this may come from one dinner. I took a tour of Rome and night with dinner. The dinner sucked!!! Do the night tour but skip the dinner. I did this with the Canadian woman using a tour bus. I was glad to see items at night. I had not planned this due to traveling alone.

Will I return to Rome? Probably not. I saw the sites. I enjoyed the history, but there are places that really fill you up. Venice is it for me. This may have to do with traveling with the client and having fun shopping. Do I suggest going to Rome? Yes. Why? The sites. You see one of the pillars of the starte for Western Civilization and you see one of the major driving forces that has brought Christainity to multitudes. Even if you are not Catholic, I think you should realize that it was the one of the reasons for so many different churches and have influenced other churches even if it was to separate. Do I like everything that has happened in the church or all the church policies? NO! But I can pray it will change for the better. Just like with a soul you are trying to save or a friend you are praying about in a hard time, you have to pray for the betterment.

I will talk about Barcelona in the next post. I am still biking to work and I am feeling the rigors of not having biked in a month.

Homesick

I know I have tons of stuff to blog about, but I really am homesick right now.

I just miss everything at home and feeling blue.

I guess having the Brit break up with me a week before he was to visit is a big part. He helped with the loneliness. Going to Greece may not have been the best idea. If I could return tomorrow to home I would do it in a heartbeat. I really do not want to be here anymore. I have been crying a lot too. Just really blue.

Thanksgiving

Well I leave tomorrow for Rome. I am excited and scared at the same time. I don't want to do everything but I hope to see the Vatican, the Coleseum, the Forum, the Spanish Steps and the Three Coins in the Fountain. I do need to locate a steak if I am going to keep with tradition of the last three years. 1st rebel year was in OP, 2nd rebel year was in Kingsport, 3rd rebel year was in Gatlinburg, 4th rebel year is Rome. Only thing continuous is STEAK!!!!! Can we say Moo?

By the way the best thing I found in Europe is James and Oz wine adventures on BBC2. They have drank their way through France and are in California now. If you can catch it, DO!!!!! They go to high dollar wine maker and go to cheap ones too.

I had a good time in Leeds. I located a Borders bookstore. I still like seeing books in English. I purchased a Harmony yarn and crochet stitch guide. I also purchased a couple of fleeces and some shoes. I do hope to locate some Italian shoes for this trip.

The Brit cooks so well. He describes his tea so well some times it makes me hungry. He is also supportive of the bad habit called knitting.

It is that time of year where I reflect upon myself and the events of the past year. I am thankful for my friends. You all help with this continuous journey called life. Remember to hug those you are with and send those in other locations good thoughts.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!