Arriving in Paris, we thought it would be a good idea to book our trains out of there at the same time so to save us the hassle of dealing with it on Sunday. Concurrent with our previous luck with trains, this was no different. All trains to Austria on Sunday night were packed full so we were forced to stay another night in Paris - no worries, we'll sleep in the train station.
We eventually arrived at the hostel where there was a room mixup and we didn't get to share our room with April's friends - kind of a bum deal, but we managed (you see, Apes 'n I are very good at managing during tough times, we've had enough of them by now).
We decided to go and visit the basilica of Sacre Coeur since it was just up the road from us and we hadn't seen it on our last visit. We sat and enjoyed the view while listening to some extremely entertaining music. However, while taking the obligatory photos, a sketch artist approached us and immediately fell in love with our eyes (of course, right?). After making some comments about April's hands, he proceeded to explain his views on meeting strangers etc. I could go into more detail here, but I won't.
We met with April's friend Alex and her friend Erin, ate dinner and then proceeded to get some wine and have a classy night under the Eiffel Tower. So typical, I know... but it was necessary. The night eventually took a turn for the worse when April had to pee. Refusing to go in the bushes like everyone else, Apes and I ended up going on a hunt for a potty. Unfortunately, there aren't too many avaiable at 1am, so she sucked it up and gave in to Mother Nature. Phew!
While Apes 'n I headed back to the hostel for a sleep, Alex and Erin wandered from the hostel in search of a bar. Once 4am hit and Erin was mistakenly offered 10 euros for her "services", they decided to do as we did and go to bed.
The next day arrived as we prepared ourselves for the TOUR DE FRANCE - oolala. Big woop, we already saw it hahaha. We ended up getting some nice seats on "borrowed" metal chairs. Don't worry Nance, we were following everyone else's lead. 3 long, hot hours later, the riders came speeding through as people cheered and clapped and wooted and tooted all the livelong day. Then they came around again, and the audience repeated. And again.... and well, that's when we were like, "Alright time to go!"
That evening, we tried our hands at a Scottish pub quiz - nothing in comparison to Ma Nolan's back in Nice... we miss it! Needless to say, we sucked the big one and went back to grab our packs.
Upon our return to the hostel, we were ready to go to the train station for a mediocre night's sleep, when all of a sudden, a kind gentleman from Tennessee offered us an extra bed in his room. A bed? For free? Okay! So we slept in our clothes and got up at 6am ready to catch our train to Salzburg!! YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Brussels - more than just beer, waffles, and chocolate?
We woke up ready to tackle Brussels right after our "amazing" breakfast of bread and butter - they didn't even have a toaster!!!!!!!
We took the umbrella and explored the cold and rainy (obviously) city and what it had to offer us (besides pneumonia). The rain eventually stopped (woot!) and we were able to take some great photos (of my butt... not).
After reserving some train tickets to Paris for the next day (once again, the French trains have failed us), we were leaving the train station when a double decker bus tour operator offered us a free tour of the city. How could we say no!? Obviously hitting on us, he chatted us up for awhile and we told him that we would meet him back in front of the station after the 90 minute tour. Clearly we got off the bus 2 stops before the end to go eat fries for lunch... sucka! Sometimes it pays to travel without guys hahaha.
We enjoyed our exquisite Belgian lunch by a pond.... as did some birds. It was during this time that I discovered my hatred of crows but a new-found tolerance of pigeons.
After lunch, we mistakenly wandered into 'mini Africa' with door-to-door hair salons and African fabric stores. Did I forget to mention the part that we were the only two white people around?? Everyone was looking at us like "Damn girls, you done gone and made a wrong turn somewhere!". And yes, they were right... but it was fun nonetheless!~
We jumped on the metro and went back to the hostel to recoup and cook some dinner. The kitchen was full of energy as we met three American girls and two British lads. We all became best friends and chatted the rest of the evening.
Further on, after discussing British jargon and the education system, we finally made it to the bar with "supposedly" 2,004 types of beers. I tried two different types of cherry beers while April attempted a passion fruit beer as well a blueberry one.
Back to bed, then off to PARIS!!!!!!
We took the umbrella and explored the cold and rainy (obviously) city and what it had to offer us (besides pneumonia). The rain eventually stopped (woot!) and we were able to take some great photos (of my butt... not).
After reserving some train tickets to Paris for the next day (once again, the French trains have failed us), we were leaving the train station when a double decker bus tour operator offered us a free tour of the city. How could we say no!? Obviously hitting on us, he chatted us up for awhile and we told him that we would meet him back in front of the station after the 90 minute tour. Clearly we got off the bus 2 stops before the end to go eat fries for lunch... sucka! Sometimes it pays to travel without guys hahaha.
We enjoyed our exquisite Belgian lunch by a pond.... as did some birds. It was during this time that I discovered my hatred of crows but a new-found tolerance of pigeons.
After lunch, we mistakenly wandered into 'mini Africa' with door-to-door hair salons and African fabric stores. Did I forget to mention the part that we were the only two white people around?? Everyone was looking at us like "Damn girls, you done gone and made a wrong turn somewhere!". And yes, they were right... but it was fun nonetheless!~
We jumped on the metro and went back to the hostel to recoup and cook some dinner. The kitchen was full of energy as we met three American girls and two British lads. We all became best friends and chatted the rest of the evening.
Further on, after discussing British jargon and the education system, we finally made it to the bar with "supposedly" 2,004 types of beers. I tried two different types of cherry beers while April attempted a passion fruit beer as well a blueberry one.
Back to bed, then off to PARIS!!!!!!
Den Hagg or The Hague if you want to keep it English
Initially we were going to leave for Brussels first thing in the morning, but Angelique said that we should take the bikes out and meet her lunch at noon - OKAY!!! :) ~
Unfortunately (as per usual), it was pouring down rain... but the Dutch bikes could handle it. We put on our ponchos that we had purchased in Venice back in April... they were finally getting put to use. We figured the ponchos would be easier than trying to carry a massive golf umbrella around on a bicycle.. and it was.
We really didn't know where we were going even though we were drawn out which roads to take - oops. Oh well, we eventually found ourselves in the square of Parliament where Angelique met us, sans poncho as the rain had disappeared.
We went for a lunch and I accidentally ordered a raw roast beef sandwich with pesto and pine nuts. If you know me at all, I am a very picky eater and this was a problem for me. Oh well - I sucked it up and ate 3/4 of the sandwich before feeling "full". My mother would have been proud (if you're reading this, which I know you are, you BETTER be proud of me).
We then got our very own free guided tour of the city (via bicycle) from Angelique, whom then toured us all the way to the beach - wow. Just like in the movies, we sat at a restaurant along the shore and enjoyed some nice coffee.. mmm!
Before we knew it, it was getting close to 5pm so we raced back to the house to grab our packs. The kids and Albert had just returned from a little vacation in the Dutch islands. We said our goodbyes for 5 minutes and headed off to Brussels!!
Oh wait.... when we got to the train station, the train was cancelled - BAH! The woman told us to go all the way to Amsterdam (2 hrs out of the way) to catch a train there. We did what she said and guess what happened? We took the next train to Brussels which then ended up going through Den Hagg in the end. Them's the breaks though.... pal.
We arrived in style (you know, exhausted and annoyed) and found the hostel and slept.
Unfortunately (as per usual), it was pouring down rain... but the Dutch bikes could handle it. We put on our ponchos that we had purchased in Venice back in April... they were finally getting put to use. We figured the ponchos would be easier than trying to carry a massive golf umbrella around on a bicycle.. and it was.
We really didn't know where we were going even though we were drawn out which roads to take - oops. Oh well, we eventually found ourselves in the square of Parliament where Angelique met us, sans poncho as the rain had disappeared.
We went for a lunch and I accidentally ordered a raw roast beef sandwich with pesto and pine nuts. If you know me at all, I am a very picky eater and this was a problem for me. Oh well - I sucked it up and ate 3/4 of the sandwich before feeling "full". My mother would have been proud (if you're reading this, which I know you are, you BETTER be proud of me).
We then got our very own free guided tour of the city (via bicycle) from Angelique, whom then toured us all the way to the beach - wow. Just like in the movies, we sat at a restaurant along the shore and enjoyed some nice coffee.. mmm!
Before we knew it, it was getting close to 5pm so we raced back to the house to grab our packs. The kids and Albert had just returned from a little vacation in the Dutch islands. We said our goodbyes for 5 minutes and headed off to Brussels!!
Oh wait.... when we got to the train station, the train was cancelled - BAH! The woman told us to go all the way to Amsterdam (2 hrs out of the way) to catch a train there. We did what she said and guess what happened? We took the next train to Brussels which then ended up going through Den Hagg in the end. Them's the breaks though.... pal.
We arrived in style (you know, exhausted and annoyed) and found the hostel and slept.
Amsterdamnnnnnnn
We stayed with Angelique in Den Hagg rather than getting a hostel in Amsterdam - we're cheap, yes. I'm Dutch.. now does it make sense?
We took the train in to the big city and started wandering like we always do - we hadn't wandered in awhile, so it was a nice change of pace.
We met up with my friend Nick who had been living with his aunt and uncle just outside of the city. We ate lunch at a cafe (not a coffee shop) and then daringly ventured forth to see the 'sights' of the city. We eventually ended up over near the Anne Frank house, losing our way through the canals, and then over near the Rijksmuseum, etc. etc. etc. blah blah blah. You know what I mean. I didn't know that you could lose your sense of direction a million times in one day... I have yet to regain my sense of direction.
It was time for dinner and we were craving Thai food - Chinatown, here we come!! Yes I realize that is probably politically incorrect, and Thai is not Chinese.... but all the Asian cuisine restaurants are in the same area. 'Nuff said. Yummy pad thai was had.
Oh what a day.
We took the train in to the big city and started wandering like we always do - we hadn't wandered in awhile, so it was a nice change of pace.
We met up with my friend Nick who had been living with his aunt and uncle just outside of the city. We ate lunch at a cafe (not a coffee shop) and then daringly ventured forth to see the 'sights' of the city. We eventually ended up over near the Anne Frank house, losing our way through the canals, and then over near the Rijksmuseum, etc. etc. etc. blah blah blah. You know what I mean. I didn't know that you could lose your sense of direction a million times in one day... I have yet to regain my sense of direction.
It was time for dinner and we were craving Thai food - Chinatown, here we come!! Yes I realize that is probably politically incorrect, and Thai is not Chinese.... but all the Asian cuisine restaurants are in the same area. 'Nuff said. Yummy pad thai was had.
Oh what a day.
Boekel, Netherlands - July 19-21
Our first stop in Boekel was to meet another cousin named Jo and her husband Willie. They ended up giving us an awesome umbrella that we carry around with us religiously, as well as some bottle openers that I am supposed to give to my father - woot!
After the short visit, we were passed along to another family - this time the house we were going to be staying at - Frans and Ria's.... more cousins, of course.
We were re-introduced to Ria's son, Roel - the last time I saw him was in 1994, so it's been awhile. There was a fair in the town over, so it would be a good opportunity to get out there and all that jazz. We met up with his brother, Niels, at the fair.... where we stayed for a couple of hours on display to the Dutch boys (charming, I know). When were sick of being surrounded and bombarded, we made our way through the midway and went on the giant swing and then headed home to sleep.
We slept in until late the next day and spent a relaxing time with Ria. My grandpa's sister (Dina) and another of my mother's cousins came by for a visit. We ended up driving Dina back to her nursing home for lunch (also where Ria works) and we got a small tour of the facility. During the tour, we were introduced to another of my grandfather's sisters, Iet - yes, basically everyone in the south of the Netherlands is related to me somehow.
We obviously visited some more relatives throughout the day and kind of just hung around the village. We made some plans for the evening with the boys - we would all gather at the bowling alley for a night out with some more cousins (no bowling was involved, just 43 beers - gotta love the Van den Broek family). We said our goodbyes at the end of the night, as everyone hopped on their bicycles and headed home (it's the Netherlands, it's just what they do).
On Tuesday, we drove through the countryside (well I guess all of the Netherlands is basically countryside), to the city of Nijmegen where a huge walk had started earlier that morning at 5am. That's literally all it was - 40,000 people walking 50km each day for 4 days to earn a medal.... hmmm.
We got back to Boekel early in the evening where we prepared our bags to head out to Den Hagg to meet up with Angelique again.
Unfortunately for us, the train tracks were struck by lightning so it took us an extra hour and a half to get there - oh well.
After the short visit, we were passed along to another family - this time the house we were going to be staying at - Frans and Ria's.... more cousins, of course.
We were re-introduced to Ria's son, Roel - the last time I saw him was in 1994, so it's been awhile. There was a fair in the town over, so it would be a good opportunity to get out there and all that jazz. We met up with his brother, Niels, at the fair.... where we stayed for a couple of hours on display to the Dutch boys (charming, I know). When were sick of being surrounded and bombarded, we made our way through the midway and went on the giant swing and then headed home to sleep.
We slept in until late the next day and spent a relaxing time with Ria. My grandpa's sister (Dina) and another of my mother's cousins came by for a visit. We ended up driving Dina back to her nursing home for lunch (also where Ria works) and we got a small tour of the facility. During the tour, we were introduced to another of my grandfather's sisters, Iet - yes, basically everyone in the south of the Netherlands is related to me somehow.
We obviously visited some more relatives throughout the day and kind of just hung around the village. We made some plans for the evening with the boys - we would all gather at the bowling alley for a night out with some more cousins (no bowling was involved, just 43 beers - gotta love the Van den Broek family). We said our goodbyes at the end of the night, as everyone hopped on their bicycles and headed home (it's the Netherlands, it's just what they do).
On Tuesday, we drove through the countryside (well I guess all of the Netherlands is basically countryside), to the city of Nijmegen where a huge walk had started earlier that morning at 5am. That's literally all it was - 40,000 people walking 50km each day for 4 days to earn a medal.... hmmm.
We got back to Boekel early in the evening where we prepared our bags to head out to Den Hagg to meet up with Angelique again.
Unfortunately for us, the train tracks were struck by lightning so it took us an extra hour and a half to get there - oh well.
The Motherland - The Netherlands
Arriving in the Netherlands was a wonderful experience since I was anxious and a little bit nervous to see members of my extended family. The only strange part was that I didn't really know them at all - it was all set up through my mother (thanks mom).
We were picked up at the train station by my cousin Angelique and taken to the outskirts of a small village known as Vessem. Immediately upon our arrival, I was reminded of my childhood - visiting my grandparents in Tweed (yes, Tweed), in the country, surrounding by corn and the security that you can leave your car doors unlocked without someone stealing them. It even smelled the same!!
We were introduced to our sleeping quarters - the old cow milking house that was converted to a guest house (I know some of you may be thinking - well girls, I suppose that suits you well.... to you I say, I am not a cow!). We settled in and went to sit and chat with the family. We met Angelique's husband, Albert, as well as their two kids, Bram and Joanne. Just because the kids don't speak your language doesn't mean you can't get along with them. We also met Erik (Angelique's brother) and obviously Jo and Frans.... Jo is my mom's first cousin if you were wondering.
We ate a fantastic dinner which of course contained applesauce, potatoes, and meat. My little sister would have loved it since she used to put applesauce on everything she ate.
After our bellies were full with amazing Dutch food, we took the horses out for a carriage ride though the country. The horse farted, I was blamed (not fair).
It was decided once we returned to the house that we would go over to see Martien (Jo's brother... also my mother's cousin) and his wife Leen to say hello and look at their garden (April has this weird flower obsession lately). Erik and Angelique took us over in a 1956 Netherlands army jeep - so loud, yet so fun (much like the aforementioned action the horse did earlier in the evening).
Leen recognized me right away as Betsy's daughter - surprise!! Then we sat and enjoyed some double strength Grimbergen with grenadine syrup - mmmm. Martien's brother Huub and his wife came over too - then the party really got started - oooooooooh. The night ended with a tour of the property - I swear it's every kid's dream - toys, games, forest, canoes, tennis courts, bicycles, every you could ever imagine... and more!
We woke up around 9:30 the next morning and we were treated with a great big breakfast. After which we went for a 15km bike ride through the woods and the country. If you haven't tried a Dutch bike, you are really missing out on something important in life.
We spent the day relaxing on the farm and playing with the kids - the trampoline and the pony were big hits with us. Bram and I played soccer while Joanne and April styled a mannequin head's hair... creepy yet so normal.
We were then driven to Boekel to meet the other side of the crazy Dutch family..... Boekel!!
We were picked up at the train station by my cousin Angelique and taken to the outskirts of a small village known as Vessem. Immediately upon our arrival, I was reminded of my childhood - visiting my grandparents in Tweed (yes, Tweed), in the country, surrounding by corn and the security that you can leave your car doors unlocked without someone stealing them. It even smelled the same!!
We were introduced to our sleeping quarters - the old cow milking house that was converted to a guest house (I know some of you may be thinking - well girls, I suppose that suits you well.... to you I say, I am not a cow!). We settled in and went to sit and chat with the family. We met Angelique's husband, Albert, as well as their two kids, Bram and Joanne. Just because the kids don't speak your language doesn't mean you can't get along with them. We also met Erik (Angelique's brother) and obviously Jo and Frans.... Jo is my mom's first cousin if you were wondering.
We ate a fantastic dinner which of course contained applesauce, potatoes, and meat. My little sister would have loved it since she used to put applesauce on everything she ate.
After our bellies were full with amazing Dutch food, we took the horses out for a carriage ride though the country. The horse farted, I was blamed (not fair).
It was decided once we returned to the house that we would go over to see Martien (Jo's brother... also my mother's cousin) and his wife Leen to say hello and look at their garden (April has this weird flower obsession lately). Erik and Angelique took us over in a 1956 Netherlands army jeep - so loud, yet so fun (much like the aforementioned action the horse did earlier in the evening).
Leen recognized me right away as Betsy's daughter - surprise!! Then we sat and enjoyed some double strength Grimbergen with grenadine syrup - mmmm. Martien's brother Huub and his wife came over too - then the party really got started - oooooooooh. The night ended with a tour of the property - I swear it's every kid's dream - toys, games, forest, canoes, tennis courts, bicycles, every you could ever imagine... and more!
We woke up around 9:30 the next morning and we were treated with a great big breakfast. After which we went for a 15km bike ride through the woods and the country. If you haven't tried a Dutch bike, you are really missing out on something important in life.
We spent the day relaxing on the farm and playing with the kids - the trampoline and the pony were big hits with us. Bram and I played soccer while Joanne and April styled a mannequin head's hair... creepy yet so normal.
We were then driven to Boekel to meet the other side of the crazy Dutch family..... Boekel!!
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