Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Day two in Belgrade
I am having trouble uploading pictures, so am trying to do this.
Today we just hung out with Maggie, Larry, and Dan until it was time to go to the reunion dinner. We wandered over to their place which was on the main shopping street and had some brunch.
The main attraction is a large fort in the defensive position on a cliff overlooking the river. The others had been there the day before, but the kids were willing to go again. Calder was pushing for the zoo and it was part of the same grounds. (He was a happy camper when he searched the map and found it there.)
First the kids climbed on the left over military equipment.
Dan was a good source - pointing out that the lower one didn't really have a gun - so was in deep doodoo after arriving at a battle.
Then the kids climbed up one of the castle walls.
A bride (I do like to photograph them.)
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Today we just hung out with Maggie, Larry, and Dan until it was time to go to the reunion dinner. We wandered over to their place which was on the main shopping street and had some brunch.
The main attraction is a large fort in the defensive position on a cliff overlooking the river. The others had been there the day before, but the kids were willing to go again. Calder was pushing for the zoo and it was part of the same grounds. (He was a happy camper when he searched the map and found it there.)
First the kids climbed on the left over military equipment.
Dan was a good source - pointing out that the lower one didn't really have a gun - so was in deep doodoo after arriving at a battle.
Then the kids climbed up one of the castle walls.
A bride (I do like to photograph them.)
BlogPress from my iPad
Monday, August 08, 2011
On to Serbia
Belgrade is only an hour and fifteen minutes from Munich. Tim and Kristina met us and took us in 2 taxis to our apartment. It was very eastern european. Then they walked us over to Maggie and larry's. The central shopping street was like a straight line Century City. They went off to run errands and we walked around a bit. It started to rain, so we stopped at a cafe for ice cream and beer.
Branwen bonded with Isabel, Tim's oldest daughter and hasn't left her side since we got here.
We went for dinner on a cute street of restaurants. This wasn't ours but was too cute to pass up.
Alec and Dan enjoyed catching up.
What is great is that we put the kids all together at the end with their I-thingys and we can enjoy an uninterrupted meal.
We stopped at Republic Square and played on the cows while Kristina got us a disposable phone.
Calder, Branwen, Isabel and Ava.
Stopped at a cake store and then home to bed.
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Branwen bonded with Isabel, Tim's oldest daughter and hasn't left her side since we got here.
We went for dinner on a cute street of restaurants. This wasn't ours but was too cute to pass up.
Alec and Dan enjoyed catching up.
What is great is that we put the kids all together at the end with their I-thingys and we can enjoy an uninterrupted meal.
We stopped at Republic Square and played on the cows while Kristina got us a disposable phone.
Calder, Branwen, Isabel and Ava.
Stopped at a cake store and then home to bed.
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Our last full day in Germany
Still trying to deal with the jet lag, we took the train to central Munich. First, we walked around the outside food market and bought an assortment of smoked meats, some bread and paninis for lunch.
Another German fashion statement.
After lunch, we split up. Alec and I took the kids to the zoo and Jef got a chance to wander through some stores.
The Munich zoo is lovely. It is right next to a river, so there are lots of little streams running through. Chuck and I had borrowed a child to take when we visited 38 years ago. Because we only had a limited time, we had each child pick their must see animals. Branwen wanted the reptile house for the snakes and Calder wanted to see the bats.
The snakes were good, but the bats were a little scarier than Calder expected. They were not behind glass. We were in a darkened room and they swooped right by our heads.
The baby elephant was cute.
We took the train back to meet Jef and had an early dinner at the Ratskeller. Another famous German beer hall.
Branwen managed to stay awake until we were almost back to the hotel. Alec, Calder and I went for a swim in the hotel pool. Then, since we all had to go in person to check our baggage, we put a sleeping Branwen on top of the luggage cart and wheeled her over. She never stirred through the whole process.
Alec carried her back while Jef, Calder and I finished the process. One less thing to do in the morning.
Branwen slept for 11 hours and has rejoined the land of the living.
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Another German fashion statement.
After lunch, we split up. Alec and I took the kids to the zoo and Jef got a chance to wander through some stores.
The Munich zoo is lovely. It is right next to a river, so there are lots of little streams running through. Chuck and I had borrowed a child to take when we visited 38 years ago. Because we only had a limited time, we had each child pick their must see animals. Branwen wanted the reptile house for the snakes and Calder wanted to see the bats.
The snakes were good, but the bats were a little scarier than Calder expected. They were not behind glass. We were in a darkened room and they swooped right by our heads.
The baby elephant was cute.
We took the train back to meet Jef and had an early dinner at the Ratskeller. Another famous German beer hall.
Branwen managed to stay awake until we were almost back to the hotel. Alec, Calder and I went for a swim in the hotel pool. Then, since we all had to go in person to check our baggage, we put a sleeping Branwen on top of the luggage cart and wheeled her over. She never stirred through the whole process.
Alec carried her back while Jef, Calder and I finished the process. One less thing to do in the morning.
Branwen slept for 11 hours and has rejoined the land of the living.
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Back in germany
Our second day in Germany we decided to rent a car and go to a fairy tale theme park that Jef thought that she remembered from her childhood. It looked like something the kids would enjoy and if Branwen crashed again, she wouldn't need to be carried for miles.
Marchenwald was about an hour outside of Munich. It had rides, climbing structures and dioramas with very grim Grimm's fairy tales.
Putting faces through
Slightly creepy climbing tunnels - Calder took a little convincing.
We never had to wait for more than the current ride to stop,so we were able to go on everything in the park.
Lots of do it yourself rides.
And climbing areas
This was the warthog ride
No one helped the kids get on or off the ride, told them how to sit or determined if the were tall enough, light enough, etc. Parents rode with babies, kids rode together. You climbed on and pulled the rope when you were ready. The hog move out. We watched one older girl hop off her hog and on to her friend's in the middle of the ride. It was really fun. It was at this time that we realized that about five people were running the whole place.
Jef ran the Ladybug ride for a while. The ride kept going as long asa tall person pushed the button. The kids said when they wanted to get off. The mom pushing the button before Jef had a 2 1/2 year old.
Another self controlled ride. You climbed in and fastened the locks, then someone on the outside closed the gate and pushed a button. The kids on the ride pushed a button to make it turn summersaults.
From the dioramas Hansel in the witch's cage and the eviscerated Wolf in Red Riding Hood.
Another fun thing was the giant slides. One ladder and a choice at the top -
big drop, curly, or long straight. Branwen needed an adult, but after the first few times we decided she was OK on her own.
Just as we were leaving, it started to rain, so we were really glad we had a car. I think Branwen was asleep before we pulled out of the parking lot. (which was free)
We all loved our day. Renting the car, paying the admission, having lunch and a snack for 5 people was only slightly more than one person at Disneyland.
Another dinner at the airport with the jet lagged children. Branwen was now awake and didn't fall asleep until 4. Being the grandmother is great! It's not my problem.
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Marchenwald was about an hour outside of Munich. It had rides, climbing structures and dioramas with very grim Grimm's fairy tales.
Putting faces through
Slightly creepy climbing tunnels - Calder took a little convincing.
We never had to wait for more than the current ride to stop,so we were able to go on everything in the park.
Lots of do it yourself rides.
And climbing areas
This was the warthog ride
No one helped the kids get on or off the ride, told them how to sit or determined if the were tall enough, light enough, etc. Parents rode with babies, kids rode together. You climbed on and pulled the rope when you were ready. The hog move out. We watched one older girl hop off her hog and on to her friend's in the middle of the ride. It was really fun. It was at this time that we realized that about five people were running the whole place.
Jef ran the Ladybug ride for a while. The ride kept going as long asa tall person pushed the button. The kids said when they wanted to get off. The mom pushing the button before Jef had a 2 1/2 year old.
Another self controlled ride. You climbed in and fastened the locks, then someone on the outside closed the gate and pushed a button. The kids on the ride pushed a button to make it turn summersaults.
From the dioramas Hansel in the witch's cage and the eviscerated Wolf in Red Riding Hood.
Another fun thing was the giant slides. One ladder and a choice at the top -
big drop, curly, or long straight. Branwen needed an adult, but after the first few times we decided she was OK on her own.
Just as we were leaving, it started to rain, so we were really glad we had a car. I think Branwen was asleep before we pulled out of the parking lot. (which was free)
We all loved our day. Renting the car, paying the admission, having lunch and a snack for 5 people was only slightly more than one person at Disneyland.
Another dinner at the airport with the jet lagged children. Branwen was now awake and didn't fall asleep until 4. Being the grandmother is great! It's not my problem.
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Sunday, August 07, 2011
Sock Summit 2011 in Portland
Sock Summit is a convention for sock knitters. Yes, you read this correctly. It has all of the great convention accouterments - classes to learn new stuff, a marketplace to buy new stuff, and the opportunity to meet and hang out with your own kind.
My friend Ana and I had attended the first one in 2009. The minute we heard the dates for 2011 we made reservations.
Me, entering the marketplace through the "SOCKGATE" with my pretty pink handknit socks.
Some of my fellow knitters. There were nine of them - all in knitted Viking helmets, but each one a little different.
Here we are forming up for our flashmob. We danced to "The Time Of Our Lives". There are several YouTube videos you can look up. They had posted an instruction video so we could learn the moves.
I had to leave early Sunday morning so I missed the "fleece to foot" competition. Five teams had formed and named themselves. Sheep were going to be sheared, then the raw wool was going to be handed out. The winners were going to be the team that could card, spin and knit a pair of socks. A design contest had been held earlier for a modular pattern that could be knit by 5 people at the same time and then put them together.
I haven't heard how it went, but I presume that there are Youtubes of this also.
I flew home did my laundry and then flew to Germany that night.
There, now we are caught up.
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My friend Ana and I had attended the first one in 2009. The minute we heard the dates for 2011 we made reservations.
Me, entering the marketplace through the "SOCKGATE" with my pretty pink handknit socks.
Some of my fellow knitters. There were nine of them - all in knitted Viking helmets, but each one a little different.
Here we are forming up for our flashmob. We danced to "The Time Of Our Lives". There are several YouTube videos you can look up. They had posted an instruction video so we could learn the moves.
I had to leave early Sunday morning so I missed the "fleece to foot" competition. Five teams had formed and named themselves. Sheep were going to be sheared, then the raw wool was going to be handed out. The winners were going to be the team that could card, spin and knit a pair of socks. A design contest had been held earlier for a modular pattern that could be knit by 5 people at the same time and then put them together.
I haven't heard how it went, but I presume that there are Youtubes of this also.
I flew home did my laundry and then flew to Germany that night.
There, now we are caught up.
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On to my sister Susan's
I always visit my family while on the east coast. Susan made it a very special visit by inviting David and Susan my brother and sister-in-law,
and also relatives from Scotland who are currently living in Philadelphia.
We went to Luke's 5 pitch game.
James and Joyce, our Scottish relatives. Joyce's father and my mother were cousins.
Here we all are eating a delicious dinner - James, Joyce, sister-in-law Susan, brother David, and sister Susan.
It was fun visiting with everyone again.
I returned home in time for Branwen's graduation ceremony from Emerson school. This was a fabulous adult education program that we have been a part of since Calder was a baby.
Poor Branwen vomited on the way to the ceremony IN MY CAR. Alec was a quick thinker and handed her my little garbage container so it was nicely contained.
She managed to get through the ceremony. She said that she wanted to be a herpetologist when she grows up.
This is fabulous teacher Nancy. I will really miss being part of this program.
This was Branwen's self portrait. Each child made one and these were the decoration around the room.
This is Branwen at the end of her New World Montessori School experience. She is moving on to the Immersion Japanese kindergarten. In September she and Calder will be on the same school. Ray ray ray.
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and also relatives from Scotland who are currently living in Philadelphia.
We went to Luke's 5 pitch game.
James and Joyce, our Scottish relatives. Joyce's father and my mother were cousins.
Here we all are eating a delicious dinner - James, Joyce, sister-in-law Susan, brother David, and sister Susan.
It was fun visiting with everyone again.
I returned home in time for Branwen's graduation ceremony from Emerson school. This was a fabulous adult education program that we have been a part of since Calder was a baby.
Poor Branwen vomited on the way to the ceremony IN MY CAR. Alec was a quick thinker and handed her my little garbage container so it was nicely contained.
She managed to get through the ceremony. She said that she wanted to be a herpetologist when she grows up.
This is fabulous teacher Nancy. I will really miss being part of this program.
This was Branwen's self portrait. Each child made one and these were the decoration around the room.
This is Branwen at the end of her New World Montessori School experience. She is moving on to the Immersion Japanese kindergarten. In September she and Calder will be on the same school. Ray ray ray.
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A visit to New Haven in June
Now that I have figured this out, I am going to backtrack on my travels.
In June I went to Chuck's 50th reunion from Yale. I stayed with my friend Lorraine and we went showing of "Yale '61 - a 1000 voices and to the memorial service for those members of the class that had passed away. Both events were very moving and I spent most of the time in tears.
Between the two events we visited some of Chuck's favorite places and left little memories of him.
An inner courtyard at the library
A tree in the Silliman courtyard - his residential college
The physics lab
A few nights later we went to Sally's Apizza (the New Haven term) and had a pie in his memory. ( I also bought 3 small ones to freeze and bring home to Alec and family.)
They rest of my time there we just had a fabulous time hanging out. We went on the Thimble Islands tour - can not believe that I had never done this.
Lorraine and I on the boat
The islands are very tiny - some only slightly bigger than the house that is on it.
A heartfelt thank you to Lorraine and her husband Bob for helping me through a very emotional time.
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In June I went to Chuck's 50th reunion from Yale. I stayed with my friend Lorraine and we went showing of "Yale '61 - a 1000 voices and to the memorial service for those members of the class that had passed away. Both events were very moving and I spent most of the time in tears.
Between the two events we visited some of Chuck's favorite places and left little memories of him.
An inner courtyard at the library
A tree in the Silliman courtyard - his residential college
The physics lab
A few nights later we went to Sally's Apizza (the New Haven term) and had a pie in his memory. ( I also bought 3 small ones to freeze and bring home to Alec and family.)
They rest of my time there we just had a fabulous time hanging out. We went on the Thimble Islands tour - can not believe that I had never done this.
Lorraine and I on the boat
The islands are very tiny - some only slightly bigger than the house that is on it.
A heartfelt thank you to Lorraine and her husband Bob for helping me through a very emotional time.
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Thursday, August 04, 2011
Day two downtown Munich, BMW World, sea life
We took the S bahn down town. The first thing that we saw when we got out of the station was a fruits and flowers parade.
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We ate lunch at the famous Hofbrauhous. Ordered lots of things so we could taste.
Went to BMW World - the Germans treat car places like palaces. This had fake fireplaces, grand pianos and zillions of lovely cars.
Both kids took this opportunity for a nap.
This is a fashion statement - lieder hosen with calf socks
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We ate lunch at the famous Hofbrauhous. Ordered lots of things so we could taste.
Went to BMW World - the Germans treat car places like palaces. This had fake fireplaces, grand pianos and zillions of lovely cars.
Both kids took this opportunity for a nap.
This is a fashion statement - lieder hosen with calf socks
Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Day one starting on our trip
We are on our way. No trouble meeting and checking in at the airport. With a flight at 9:05 pm the children settled in very well. Branwen made herself really comfortable and Calder leaned on me. By the time we reached Munich we were all very tired but not crabby.
We took our picture in front of the BMW that makes an engine noise when you stand in front of it.
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Our hotel is really nice and is located right next to the airport. We walked out of the terminal, turned right and there we were.
That night we ate dinner at the beer garden that is in a giant plaza between our hotel and the terminal. We had the worst waiter of all time - even the other waiters were complaining about him. Jef and the kids went back to the room while Alec and I waited and waited and waited for the bill.
I took a sleeping pill and slept through. Alec had slipped sleeping during the week to finish as much as he could, so he slept through. Jef and the kids were up and about at 3:30!
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We took our picture in front of the BMW that makes an engine noise when you stand in front of it.
-
Our hotel is really nice and is located right next to the airport. We walked out of the terminal, turned right and there we were.
That night we ate dinner at the beer garden that is in a giant plaza between our hotel and the terminal. We had the worst waiter of all time - even the other waiters were complaining about him. Jef and the kids went back to the room while Alec and I waited and waited and waited for the bill.
I took a sleeping pill and slept through. Alec had slipped sleeping during the week to finish as much as he could, so he slept through. Jef and the kids were up and about at 3:30!
Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
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