Amsterdam

July 17-20, 2011

The long lines of Anne Frank Huis

the door of Anne Frank was as far as I got.

We put the AM in Amsterdam

Quit fondling that poor thing. 

one meter mud, one meter canal, one meter bikes
=Amsterdam

The beautiful canals of Amsterdam

bottling

Crystal's attempt at sexy?! ?! While Coby plays paparazzi

who me???

grrrr.....

just for her

After my recovery in Brussels and wishing we had more time there since I didn’t see much, we were onboard a train to Amsterdam. Watching Crystal and Gregg try to get their large luggage down the stairs while we walked down the stairs was both amusing and brought to light how appreciative I now was of our packs.

We were on our way to Amsterdam and the lesson that I was now acclimated and could not tolerate the beer consumption I did in Ireland. We got off our train and hailed a cab as Gregg and Crystal were not about to take public transportation or ride a bike in Amsterdam to our apartment, which was just outside of city centre, with the large luggage they had. No worries, I had my fair share in both Ireland and Paris for our trip. We arrived at our flat in Amsterdam without much hassle or any fender benders. We buzzed the door and were buzzed in. I opened the door to of course narrow stairs. I could feel the gaping jaws lying open behind me as I started up the stairs and wandered how in the world they were going to make it up those stairs with that luggage. I didn’t even want to look behind me. Luckily the owners were there to greet us—Kiki and Chris, they helped with the luggage, now if someone could carry Crystal we would have been set. I think it took her awhile to make it up the 14X4 inch stairs. When I came in the apartment was big, light, and airy. There was an issue. Who was going to get the bigger of the two rooms? I quickly put my bags in one and didn’t even fully look at the other. Crystal went into the other and stayed for a bit. God only knows what she was thinking, but she came out and sat as I talked to Kiki while the guys found an ATM down the street, we of course forgot to get cash. Kiki was telling us about the area, where to eat and the flew market. While Crystal sat there I could tell something was not settling with her. I asked her if everything was OK and she just relied, “I need to digest the place first.”

When the guys returned and we were paid up, Gregg made the comment, “alright we need to flip for the room.” I went to inspect the other room further and boy was it small. The head and foot of the bed fit snuggly into the space and there was just enough space for a side table. That’s it! I suddenly felt terrible. The coin toss sounded good. Heads was the big room, tails the small. They called heads and it landed on tails at it rolled under the couch. The big room was ours. I still felt bad. Poor Gregg I am sure he slept in the fetal.

We then headed for town. When Crystal recognized where we were, her mood lifted. She led us to the Doors where they had been on their honeymoon seven years earlier. We checked out the place and then headed for a café to have a beer, Heineken of course. I found Wi-Fi so I could place where we were and we could find our way back to the apartment. 

On our way back we found the place Kiki said to have apple pie, we had passed it on our way in and knew we wanted stop because the apple pie looked out of this world. It was, as I would describe, more like a cake or some sort of cross between an apple crumb and coffee cake. It was so good; Crystal had to hush my delight. We went to the grocery store to find ourselves some dinner. Our stomachs and wallets needed a break. We explored and got ourselves some Piri Piri chicken, wine, pickles, beer, potatoes, and some fine looking green beans. I was so excited to cook. We found our way back to our place and started the cooking. When the food was cooked, we opened the bottle of wine and sat for a wonderful meal with good friends. I was happy to be here.

The next day was pouring rain, but we went to the local bakery to try some good Danish pastries. YUM! We cooked a hearty breakfast for our long day. Crystal and I wanted to catch the local flew market (yes, that’s how they say it), but we were a little late and we ended up with a pair of sunglasses and went into a couple shops on the way back to the apartment. Then we headed out in the rain for the Heineken museum. We toured, got bottled, sent video messages and took silly pictures, and of course had a few pints of beer. Next, we went to the Hard Rock across the street to get the girls a T-shirt. We were craving hot wings and drinks so we sat down for that. Then we headed back for our long walk to the apartment.  We rested and went to dinner at Little Italy where we enjoyed some pretty good pizza.

On Tuesday, it was nice and sunny out so we thought it would be a perfect day for a boat ride. We walked to the Anne Frank house thinking we would do that and then get on the boat. WOAH! I had a couple flashbacks of Disneyland, where you wanted to go so badly on this ride, but you had to wager whether it was worth the wait. Since time has not been our friend on this trip we decided not and instead headed straight for boat ride. We boarded after a wait and headed toward the Van Gogh museum, I had hoped that line was not as long and since we already bought tickets we could get in the fast line. It worked, the line was only about ten to 15 people deep. Crystal and Gregg had already been so they waited at a Café to people watch and relax. The Van Gogh was definitely a journey through his life and I thought well done since I felt like I was on his creative journey and I nearly cried at the tragedy these artists go through in their journey. Such torture it must be. Coby started to get anxious to leave when we entered the part of museum that dealt with other artist that were influenced by him.  So we somewhat rushed through that part and headed for the gift shop to buy the last remaining gifts of our trip.

We got back on the boat and headed for the center of town to check out the red light district. The sex museum was full of visions and oddly enough some early examples of just how long we have been enjoying ourselves. We curved through the streets of the Red Light that apparently has been cleaned up since it’s hay days; Just one of many strategies to “clean-up” the city. We of course wandered onto a street that had girls in the windows with red lights above them. That was a little of a trip considering our country and the taboo associated, but even more of a trip was watching the tourists and even children mindlessly meander through them.  We then headed back for the boat that would take us back to the Anne Frank house where we could find a place for dinner and go back to our hood. We decided on an Argentinean restaurant. Crystal and I shared a rib eye with Chimichurri, Coby had lamb, Gregg had some kind of breaded filet, and we all shared a couple Empanadas. Holy mother was that meal so good. The bread, the empanadas, the meat, and then came dessert…a wonderful flan, which I tried to get pictures of but failed miserably because my battery was about to die and I could not get the flash to work. Anyhow, it will live on in memory. Delicious.

We left the next morning, but Coby and I had to make one last trip to the bakery on the corner for one last pastry or two--some sort of strawberry tort and danish mini cream puffs... Now we were ready to head back to Ireland for our flight home. We missed Sierra and Danielle tremendously and actually couldn’t wait anymore. Yet, we had three more flights until we were home and about 16 hours later we were home and hugging Sierra to death. Unfortunately I have yet to see Danielle. We are glad to be home and have already ridden our bikes to Summerfest in Nob Hill near our house as a nod to Amsterdam.

Enter Brussels, Belgium

After Paris we rode the Thalys train first class (great by the way) to Brussels to meet Crystal and Gregg. They got in from the States in the morning and were sleeping while we de-boarded the train only to realize we did not plan our route to the hotel. We realized we were in the wrong train station because I remember on the map the hotel being outside the train station and when we walked outside I knew it wasn't right. We asked someone and they said to go to the train upstairs, we went up but then realized we needed tickets so we went downstairs to buy them. When we found what we thought was the right platform, me being paranoid, asked a girl sitting on the ground if we were in the right place saying we were trying to get to Central station. She says we need the metro down the stairs and just follow the big M signs. Ok...we go down and look for signs for Central. There are none. I have this gut feeling we were in right place before. Coby at this point is tired, and if you know Coby, you know what I mean. We walk in a few circles before Coby throws his hands in the air and says "That's it, I'm calling a cab!" I retract. I'm done too. We go outside only to find another journey is near.

We finally get a cab and tell him where we are headed and right as we are going to turn down the street toward our place we get rear ended. Check (what stories are made of). He just gets out looks at it and tells the guy no problem. He heads out, and starts talking about how the world would be a better place if more people were in like him. He's talking and laughing and I'm half understanding him, just nodding and praying we get there safely.

At the hotel we unload and call Crystal and Gregg for their wake-up call. They answer in the I just flew way too long, didn't get enough sleep, and where am I voice. Been there. My reply, "ready to party!"
"Let me call you right back," says Crystal.

We wait, get ice, beer and preparations for the welcome party and head down to their room after the I'm showered and ready call.

Of course what ensued is a trip down the street to check out the local shops, eateries, and then we run smack dab into the bar Gregg dreamed of going... Delirium. Enough said.

We found a restaurant where Coby and I shared a paella dish with mussels in it. Not as good as Jadzia's in Ireland, but the mussels in Brussels was what we were after. It was filling and good though. Then Crystal and I found a little place to have Belgium waffles with strawberries, chocolate, and whipped cream. Heaven.

Now we were off to Delirium where they have hundreds of beers on selection and a good number on tap. We tried a few, went to another section, had another, went outside, had another and headed to the Grand Place that was lit up to music. I need to post video of this. A definite must see. Coby ironed on some  patches to his backpack of all the countries we went to.

I must say, going back to the plaza to have another drink was a major mistake. The next morning I paid dearly. I missed our second day in Brussels because I had the Brussels hunch, which is much like the Phoenix hunch, except it takes place in Brussels and involves a green trash can along the street. We made friends. Muahhhahaha. Then I smelled waffles again. HAD TO GO. Plain this time. Stomach is fragile. After a nap, I rally for dinner where the concierge (our new friend Phillipe) recommended this Italian restaurant, Paradisio, and Coby was instructed to ask for Santino and tell him "Phillipe sent you," PERFECTO! I must say, one of our best meals, the lasagna was fantastico! The pizza magnifico!

Thank you Brussels. Amsterdam here we come.

Paris

When we got off the train from the airport, the nasty smell that wafted from the deep dark places in Paris was a little nauseating. We got off the train and had to catch the metro near the apartment where we had planned to stay. Luckily the directions were great and we found it without a lot of hassle. Besides the fact that I could feel Coby's nervousness, and no joke, mine as well. We found our place and entered the number of codes to get in and met a lady who spoke French and maybe some spanish. We made our way through the conversation which was awkward and humbling all at  once. We quickly learned what our lesson on this trip was: Our children need to learn another language. 

Paris involved a ton of walking, learning the metro, learning how to read the menus, and learning to communicate without looking like a tourist, and realizing... we are tourists. VERY HUMBLE NOW!

We saw everything, didn't go into any museums, walked a ton and then Coby met the sign that says L'Automoile d'Arte. Don't quote me on that, but it was Ralph Lauren's car collection which is as big if not rivals Jay Leno's collection. Coby made a deal with me-if I did a little shopping while he played Angry Birds, he went to the auto show in Paris: and even though I thought this might not be as great a deal as I thought, I agreed. I went into count them---two stores... OK maybe three. I bought a shirt and of course... shoes.  Then we quickly went the wrong way because in Paris the the address/numbers don't cross the street, but go across the street. So when we figured this out we found out it was right where we had lunch in the park (which was excellent by the way). We went in and I wanted to go into the museum store more than the car show, and then I saw the beautiful cars. When we got in the front of the line and I realized how cool these cars really are and what an absolute piece of work art these cars are, I tried to take a picture of them, the guard stepped in front of my camera and waved an understandable, NO!

When we went into a restaurant, a park, or any part of the city--you saw love. In the form of kissing, hugging, laughing, or otherwise you saw the closeness between the friendships or their loves. In any short of time we spent there it was obviously a place of closeness and love. Their city is metropolitan, high fashion and filled with tons of sites to see.

Our time in Paris was needless to say...too short. It was warm and cold all at once; A city that calls you in, spits you out, and invites you back for more. Merci Beaucoup!

Hiking in the Wicklow Mtns. of Ireland

I am behind a few cities because finding time and Internet access here is harder than I thought.

In Ireland Coby and I had planned a 13 mile hike down the Wicklow Way south of Dublin. A lot of people hike for 7-9 days depending on how hardcore you want to get. I decided we would just do the taster version. So we woke up in the morning and walked to the bus, which took us awhile because we didn’t know exactly where to find our stop. We waited about 20 minutes before our bus got there. We sat on the top of our double-decker bus and took off toward Marlay Park. The bus ride was an experience for me because they are so big and you are up so high that you feel like your right on top of the little tiny cars in front of you, there were a few time that I swear I thought we would run right into a building. We asked another guy on the bus if he knew which stop we needed to get off on, even though he did not know the exact stop he stayed on the bus until we got off and we didn’t realize he did something so nice until we saw him walking back to the last stop. We went into this park that is a least a few miles wide. It was filled with lush grass, paths, trees and of course golf courses which we soon found out the Irish like their golf courses. I think we walked by at least 5 golf courses along our hike. We walked up the mountain for what seemed like 4 or 5 miles and we kept saying we really wished the down hill would come sooner. You have to remember we had a pretty good Guinness run and that Irish food is not light. When we reached the top we found beautiful rolling hills and great green pastures with little villages in them. We walked through the garden with what seemed like ease compared to the altitudes of New Mexico and Colorado. We finally made it to the downhill portion and walked through some sort of jungle landscape with flowers and bushes right beside you; we had to push and shove our way through practically. Finally we met a road and had to walk along that for longer than I would like making our way through little small villages and farms and ….golf courses.

We were getting thirsty and hungry at this point and we had heard of this bar named Johnny Foxes, which claims to be the highest bar in Ireland. Coby had the lamb shank and I had the lamb stew. They both were delicious and washed down with a pint of Guinness.  At this point we decided to cheat since our host at the B&B said they would pick us up there if we wanted them to. It would have been an easy 5-6 miles down the road but we decided to  give them a call and soon we were in our room. As soon as we picked out our room and I saw the big comfy bed I got under the covers and fell asleep until I heard some of the other guests arriving off the trail. We all went into town and Coby was still full from lunch that we just decided to walk around the small town of Enniskerry where we found the path to the falls that we took the next day after a wonderful breakfast.

In the morning we got a ride into town and dropped off near the waterfall which was beautiful . I took lots of pictures then we took a very long walk to the Powerscourt Gardens, paid our fee and then walked that entire garden where again, I took lots of pictures. Then we had to walk back to town to catch the bus back to Dublin. I was needless to say, tired and my feet were aching. But boy was I a trooper! We then made it back to Dublin and had to walk to another bus with full packs on and if you would have pushed me with your pinky finger I would have tipped over. We made it to another hotel near the airport so we could catch our 7 am flight. Off to Paris we go!!!!

Blogging while travelling

I am indeed behind on my blogging. We are now in Paris getting ready to leave here and head for Brussels to meet up with Crystal and Gregg. I did not bring my card reader or plug for my camera and am now stuck without one. I will pick one up here on the way out so I should be able to download pictures and update you on our travels as soon as. We have been up early and asleep late without stopping practically except for Coby's quick naps while I check email and facebook quickly.

We went on our Wicklow Way hike which was much needed and beautiful. The Irish countryside is one we must return to with more time. I will post pictures with info soon.

Here in Paris we packed 10 lbs of shit into  a 1 lb. bag as Coby refers to it. Hahaha! No really. More on that later....

Au revoir,
Sara

If You Don't Hold It, You Might Miss it!

Our trip to Europe had our first stop in Dublin, Ireland (the Emerald Isle), which we soon discovered...it really is GREEN. Not just green, but bright green and I don't think I've really spotted our kinda dirt, it is such fertile ground.  We landed at 10 am, not 8 like we were supposed to due to of course flight delay. We thought we might get sleep on the plane, but that was no use as one of our seats did not recline so Coby switched with me (sweet man! I know...Awww) because he has no trouble sleeping (except for on airplanes with 7 hour flights), he got some sleep and I got nada, OK, maybe two hours total. It was a little rough but I stayed positive because I was excited for what was ahead.

When we arrived, got situated, went through customs, found our bus straight away and found our hotel too easily. When we arrived, there were Curt and Sharon patiently waiting for hours because they expected us around ten and not noon. We dropped our backs in our room and quickly went to their neck of the woods quickly walking and talking while we make our way to the Blarney Inn where we had our first pint of Guinness, fish and chips and irish chowder... Brilliant! Which by the way became our new word for the week.

Then off we went to Kells to meet up with some instant friends that Sharon and Curt met while staying at their 350 year old cottage, which took longer than we wanted because there aren't really street signs in Dublin and if your lucky enough to see one you probably already passed it. So there we were zig-zagging in and around Dublin.  The anxiousness to get out of town were hitting Curt and Sharon, while Coby and I were finally getting lulled to sleep. I awoke to try and help (hahaha) and Coby, the co-driver was out, while Sharon is trying to navigate from the back seat. Too funny when we look back now. So we finally get out of town and then I get a little shut-eye before I realize I need to pee like I don't know what--damn pints of Guinness! We make it to Kilkenny where we are searching for a Grocery store and a potty, Meanwhile we don't know where one is and my anxiousness to find one is growing... literally! I finally yell from the backseat, "get me a cup." Hilarity. Curt turns around back to the umpteenth turnabout and pulls into (LOL) KFC! Finger lickin' good. I am relieved finally and we once again head out to find the grocery so we can arrive properly. We arrive at the cottage and all of the city, worries, and hurriedness just rolls right out the car along with us. I remember taking a long sigh of relief and just taking the whole beauty in around us. It is gorgeous. Then we met Jadzia our host and new friend from Ireland who is just as gorgeous and welcoming. I just gave her a hug and her reply was "Brilliant!" I looked at Sharon and I could tell we were going to have a grand time.

Sean owner of SlapJacks

We  walked to the local pub just down the road after putting our bags in as you see by the pictures was absolutely breathtaking and inspiring. There is no sign for the pub on the outside, no need, the locals know and make themselves at home. Sean, the owner is one hell of a character, welcomes Curt and Sharon back like there old friends. Curt says, "bet you didn't expect us back here did ya!" Sean looks at him with his one good eye and replies in his great Irish accent, "Ohhh, but I did!" We order, of course, 4 pints of Guinness and sit by the fire where we met some locals and had a good ol' unexpected political talk, they love Obama I find out quickly. I am glad I didn't have to use the "I'm from Canada" bit because apparently the Irish like us and our President--Imagine that.

Curt, Coby and I decide to take a walk to the old priory where there is this old castle, a mill and gorgeous pastures. Just what I wanted to take pictures of. I was in heaven, but again needed to pee... Guinness will do it to you every time. So that is how I got my slogan, if you don't hold it, you might miss it. Because otherwise I would have missed the great shot of the rainbow in the background of the already gorgeous surrounding. Magnificent!!!!

We headed back to find a party underway, paella cooking and people mingling so we joined in and soon music was playing we were laughing, talking and just getting to really know the locals. Jadzia and Dave the owners of the Red Shed Barn and the cottage we stayed in are really great people and welcomed us in like family. The sun didn't really completely go down until 11 and by midnight we were wiped out silly. Coby and I went to bed and were out for apparently 12 hours. We awoke at noon to find some of them hadn't even gone to bed yet, those Irish do know how to party that is for sure. We sat and had leftover paella, talked and got to know each other. It was hard to say good-bye and especially for Sharon because I am pretty sure she found her sister there. Booohooo!

Moses Morehouse

Thin Lizzy and Coby

Dublin scene

Coby getting me my drink at Jameson

The whiskey aging process

Barrels that smell so sweet

We made it back to Dublin, had dinner and a couple more pints before heading back to our room to get a good nights rest which brings us to today where we spent the day walking what I think was just about all of city centre Dublin. We met Curt and Sharon and went to do the only touristy thing so far, the Jameson Distillery where we learned all about Irish Whiskey, but more importantly drank some and I think I discovered my new favorite drink an Irish Mule, like a Moscow Mule except with whiskey and not vodka. Brilliant! We walked into Temple Bar area and found a Boxty restaurant with some corned beef and cabbage and Sharon and I had Boxty with Irish filet. So now that we are full of food and beverage, we are heading to the Garden of Ireland-The Wicklow Way.

I hope to figure out how to blog better but I am sure I will learn once it is time for us to return, sorry for the sloppy page but I will work on it, for now this is the time I found to do it and now I will be tired for our hike. Love and Peace,

Sara