These are a great group of guys and we hope to see them again.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Last Soccer Match
This past weekend, Christian played in his last soccer match in Brussels,with the Bristish Soccer Club. It was a great game to watch and they won 2-1! Way to go guys!!These are a great group of guys and we hope to see them again.
These are a great group of guys and we hope to see them again.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Pisa & Florence, Italy
Yes, I still have more to write on Italy.
Yes, I still have one more city to write about!
We decided one morning to drive into Pisa before heading into Florence. We arrived in Pisa and figured we would be able to see the leaning tower with no problem...wrong. We drove around in circles until we decided to park the car and go by foot. All was going well until it started to rain, it made finding the tower that more difficult, but at last we turned a corner and there it was. The Leaning Tower of Pisa. We stared at it for about 5 minutes, took a couple pictures, at lunch and off we went. Not much more to see there.
Next, onto Florence. Our first stop in Florence was to the Florence American Cemetery of WWII. I had never heard of this place, but my dad asked me to stop by the funeral home and get a picture of my Great Uncle Eddie's Grave (who my dad is named after). He fought in WWII and was killed in action in Italy in November 1944. So I emailed the cemetery, told them we were coming and ordered some flowers. We drove up to the cemetery and three men were awaiting our arrival. They gave us information about the cemetery, information about my great uncle and then toured us through the cemetery. What a site to see! Probably one of the most amazing things we have ever seen; Christian says it was the highlight of the trip. If you ever make it to Florence, I would highly suggest stopping by...you will not be disappointed.
Next into the city center we go. The first stop was the Duomo...beautiful church. 
We stand in line to go into the church to look around; Christian buys tickets and the next thing I know I'm climbing up stair, after stair, after stair. We didn't know it but the line was to go all the way up to the top of the Duomo to see the city, 463 steps up. I made it 263 steps and had to call it quits...poor baby was getting tossed around. Christian being the good husband that he is, started back down the stairs to the bottom so I wouldn't have to go alone. Kristen & Domenic ventured on all the way to the top. Way to go guys!
Next, onto Florence. Our first stop in Florence was to the Florence American Cemetery of WWII. I had never heard of this place, but my dad asked me to stop by the funeral home and get a picture of my Great Uncle Eddie's Grave (who my dad is named after). He fought in WWII and was killed in action in Italy in November 1944. So I emailed the cemetery, told them we were coming and ordered some flowers. We drove up to the cemetery and three men were awaiting our arrival. They gave us information about the cemetery, information about my great uncle and then toured us through the cemetery. What a site to see! Probably one of the most amazing things we have ever seen; Christian says it was the highlight of the trip. If you ever make it to Florence, I would highly suggest stopping by...you will not be disappointed.Next into the city center we go. The first stop was the Duomo...beautiful church. We stand in line to go into the church to look around; Christian buys tickets and the next thing I know I'm climbing up stair, after stair, after stair. We didn't know it but the line was to go all the way up to the top of the Duomo to see the city, 463 steps up. I made it 263 steps and had to call it quits...poor baby was getting tossed around. Christian being the good husband that he is, started back down the stairs to the bottom so I wouldn't have to go alone. Kristen & Domenic ventured on all the way to the top. Way to go guys!Lunch was next on the list for things to do. We went to a restaurant that was recommended by our hotel and it was the best, best, best Italian meal that any of us have ever had in our lives! We will never forget our waiter and the food. We love you restaurant!
Yes, I still have one more city to write about!
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Monday, March 9, 2009
Assisi & Artimino, Italy (Tuscany)
After spending two wonderful days in Rome, we set out for Tuscany. On the way we made a stop in Assisi to grab some lunch and to check out St. Francis of Assisi Church. Upon arrival in Assisi, we were a bit confused as to what was going on because nobody was in sight. It literally felt like we were walking through a ghost town, but an amazing one. We were awed at how beautiful the town was.
We made our way through the quite, brick covered streets to St. Francis of Assisi Church. What a walk down hill, after hill. I was exhausted by the time we got there but it was well worth the trip.
We made our way through the quite, brick covered streets to St. Francis of Assisi Church. What a walk down hill, after hill. I was exhausted by the time we got there but it was well worth the trip.
Upon leaving the church, we all realized that the whole hike to the church was downhill which meant I was walking up hill on the way back. Note to self: Don't ever go on a hiking trip being 5 months pregnant again!!!
Later that night we arrived in Artimino to our Tuscan villa, but it wasn't an easy hike. We first had to go under a single car bridge and then over a single car bridge...yes I really said that. The bridge was no wider than our car and it was pitch black out. Kristen and I were in the back with our eyes closed praying we made it safe.
Our Artimino apartment was fantastic...a two bedroom, 2 bathroom, kitchen, living room and dining room was perfect for all 4 of us. The view was also amazing; we can only imagine how beautiful it was without the rain.
For two nights we ate at the highly recommended Biagio restaurant located on the hotel grounds and it was beyond fantastic. During dinner the second night, our evening was special for all the wrong reasons. Allow me to explain...
As the waiter approached to take our dinner order Dominic asked "Can you explain what Polenta is?". The waiter shot back in very broken English and with a thick Italian accent "It's mice." Half puzzeled yet very intrigued we all broke out in a bit of laughter. Dominic asked if the "mice" was chopped up or fried to which the waiter replied "isse goode, juice try it". Reluctantly, Dom agreed.
Now it takes a special person to agree to eat vermin, I've never been in that position but in a rare show of support for his wingman Christian decided to join Dom and agreed to try some. As the minutes drifted by, fingers started tapping the table and sweat started to show on both Dom and Christian's forheads as they awaited their chopped and fried "mice". Then...out of the kitchen...it came.
In what seemed to be slow motion our waiter busted through the kitchen doors with a dish we couldn't see into. The sweat now dripping off the forheads of both boys the moment of truth arrives...he puts the plate down in front of Dom as we all gasp. The mice arrive in a bowl of yellow, cornmeal type mixture. Slowly, Dom raises his spoon and takes a taste.
Before Dom takes his leap of faith into the dish Christian has a puzzled look and finally puts the story together. In French the word "Mais" is pronouced "Mice" and means corn. When looking at the yellow mixture Christian determines that the dish is actually a corn based soup as opposed to vermin. To say that was a relief is an understatement. We still laugh about this event today. Too funny!!!
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Rome, Italy
Our week vacation in Italy started off with a quick two hour flight over the Swiss Alps to the capital city of Rome. Our good friends Kristen & Domenic flew over to join us on the European adventure and boy were we happy about that!
After checking into our boutique hotel, we set out to explore the city and to check out all the tourist spots. Our first stop was the Basilica of St. Peter's...probably the most beautiful and well preserved church on earth. We spent about 2 hours in the church taking millions of pictures, the sites were very impressive. Here are just a few of the highlights.
The hallway leading into the chapel was amazing; painting, after painting, after painting. We were quite amazed at the site but as you can imagine our necks were beginning to hurt from starring at the ceiling.
Upon entering the chapel, all we kept hearing was "Shhh" and "No photos." This has been replaying and replaying in my head since we were there. So annoying, but the chapel was priceless. Christian somehow did manage to capture a quick pic before being called out and getting yelled at with by a little man with a jacket and a badge. At least he can say he left an impression on the staff...
I had had enough, Kristen and Domenic had to help me on this one. Thanks guys!!!
Then unto the Tomb of the Unknown Solider, this whole building for just one person.
And the Trevi Fountain
That night our friend Danilo, who lives in Rome, picked all of us and gave us the "Roman" tour that is not on the map, he was our own personal tour guide. When then met up with his girlfriend for some of the greatest pizza in Italy. We had a fantastic time with them and want to thank Danilo for his generosity.After checking into our boutique hotel, we set out to explore the city and to check out all the tourist spots. Our first stop was the Basilica of St. Peter's...probably the most beautiful and well preserved church on earth. We spent about 2 hours in the church taking millions of pictures, the sites were very impressive. Here are just a few of the highlights.
The hallway leading into the chapel was amazing; painting, after painting, after painting. We were quite amazed at the site but as you can imagine our necks were beginning to hurt from starring at the ceiling.Upon entering the chapel, all we kept hearing was "Shhh" and "No photos." This has been replaying and replaying in my head since we were there. So annoying, but the chapel was priceless. Christian somehow did manage to capture a quick pic before being called out and getting yelled at with by a little man with a jacket and a badge. At least he can say he left an impression on the staff...You can only imagine how much walking we did in the first few hours we were in Rome - mile after mile, stairway after stairway. Being 5 months pregnant I was doing pretty good keeping up with the others, except for later in the day we seemed to have climbed thousands of stairs and I was beginning to fall a little behind. Just when I thought it was over with, we turn a corner and we all literally fall to the ground laughing...Our last site was just at the top of this immense staircase. It still hurts to look at this!
I had had enough, Kristen and Domenic had to help me on this one. Thanks guys!!!The next day we headed out bright and early and walked our way to the Colosseum. We can't even explain to you the size of this place, it was much bigger than we ever could have expected! The sad thing is, none of us knew anything about this place expect for what we learned from watching the movie Gladiator. 
You would think after visiting all these places that there wasn't much left to see, but you would be wrong. We still had a couple places left to visit. Next it was onto the the Ruins for a quick look...amazing. 
More to come on Italy...
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