SoccerChic9

Thursday, June 05, 2008

Life has been a whirlwind of activity, and somehow blogging wasn't on the top of the list of things to do. Funny how that is. I've noticed that since the take-over of Facebook, people's blogs seem to have been put on the back burner. Then again, when in just a few minutes I can find out the relationship status of my friends, see their updated pictures, read their profiles, and now chat...really blogging might just be a thing of the past.

However, here I am. I still find something therapeutic about writing, or maybe I'm just bored.

One of the exciting and awesome things that I did recently, was visit Europe. Jello and I spent 10 days in Paris, Rome and Switzerland. We completely packed the ten days that we were there, and loved every minute of it. Jello is one of those few people that I can travel with and not kill. We have this ability to sense when the other person needs their space. Sure, I still drive her crazy with my singing...but at the end of the day, we survived being with each other 24/7 and are still friends now.

I'm going to steal from Jello, and give you some random facts about Europe...or at least what I observed while there.

Random facts...

Countries visited:

Italy, Switzerland, France

Favourite of the 3:

Everyone asks this question, and I have a hard time answering it. Rome felt like a third-world country, which surprised me. It was very dirty, lots of beggars, and cram as many people on a bus as you possibly could. The sights were amazing, as was the food.

Switzerland was like a postcard. If you've seen the movie "The Truman Show" that pretty much sums up what it felt like to be there. It was like being on a movie set. Everyone smiled at the perfect time, everything was so clean and neat. I almost felt like I was polluting the place by being there. Then again, to live there is very expensive...to say the least.

Paris. I think I could live there...granted I would have to learn French, as people were very snobby there if you did not speak French. However, the city was beautiful, clean and sophisticated. The Eiffel Tower, as much as it's a total tourist spot...was beyond what I had imagined in my head.

Favourite line:

'That's so wag!' - by the young Australian boy we met at our Rome hostel, he was traveling with his family for a month!

Favourite food:

The meal we had in Rome was amazing. This amazing bread with olive oil and fresh tomatoes, and this pasta dish...with wine of course. So good.

Favourite landmark:

I think I would have to say the Colosseum. It was spectacular. Although, The Louvre in Paris was pretty cool to be in. Just the fact that I was seeing all these paintings that I grew up studying was a very cool experience. Oh, and the Sistine Chapel...I love Michelangelo's work...okay, so much for just one favourite landmark.

Languages encountered:

Italian, Spanish, French, Dutch, German, Swiss-German

Lanuages that I knew:

None well enough.

Train rides taken:

2 - 12 hours to Zurich, and 4 1/2 hours to Paris

Pictures taken:

1400??

Best Dressed:

This lady:

Labels: Vacation

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

We had a wonderful day driving across the island. Of course there was lots of rain involved, as it had rained the entire time we were in B.C. pretty much. After a few stops at random places along the way...we decided to stay at a hotel near the ferry so that we could get an early start on the day. Well, we pull up to this hotel, and they gave us a great room rate, so we thought we'd go for it. We obviously forgot to read the small print on the contract that said "This hotel allows creepy 50-year-old men to stay in our rooms and bother our girl guests."

Well, we start to unload our car, only to notice that the room next to us has the door open, and is sitting in his bed watching us with his shirt off. Slightly weird if you ask me...but it is B.C., who knows...maybe that's normal. We get into our room, and Jello looks out the window to see this guy walking around our car and looking in it.

We decide to run out and get some supper, and creepy old man is standing on his front step watching us...but not saying anything. The moment we get into the car and go to leave the parking lot, he goes back into his room. Being subtle was obviously not his major in school.

We return, turn on the tv, get comfortable on our bed while eating..and suddenly there is a knock at the door. We both kind of freeze...and then Jello goes to look through the peep hole. Sure enough...creepy old man is standing at our door knocking. We didn't answer. In fact we both sat on the bed and looked at each other, and said "I'm not getting that." After three knocks he disapears. We then pushed the chair and luggage in front of the door and settled down for the night. He made a lot fo noise during the night, and called our room...but we managed to wake up alive. Thank you Jesus.

After leaving in the morning without seeing him...we made the combined decision, that we will never stay in Nanimo again, or at the hotel called "Departure Bay."

I am alive. The end.

Labels: Vacation

Monday, July 23, 2007

In the words of Jello: "I have a new addiction, and it's not drugs or alcohol...it's surfing. I am completely addicted." I could not say it any better myself. Surfing proves such a high, it's an absolutely amazing feeling. I am now planning my future vacations around surfing...as I cannot wait to do it again. We spent two days taking surfing lessons...and they were an absolute blast!

Surfs up...and I'm addicted!

Labels: Vacation

Thursday, July 19, 2007

I am presently sitting in this quaint little coffee shop in this small town in B.C., they happen to be one of the only places in the town that can pick up a wireless signal. Considering the size of the town, it's not really that surprising.

I can't really sum up the past few days, which involved long hours of driving from Medicine Hat to Tofino B.C., all part of our quest to learn how to surf. The scenery has been absolutely mind blowing. I can't even begin to describe it, and the pictures will never do it justice. All I can say, is make sure you drive through B.C. before you die. The combination of massive mountains, clear blue streams, and ocean creates a paradise. Every corner in the road that I turn, takes my breath away again, and I marvel at God's goodness and greatness.

Tomorrow we have surfing lessons booked on the beach. I totally cannot wait! I may be eaten by a shark, but I've already given Jello permission to bronze any remaining limbs and hang them above her fireplace.

The past two nights have involved sleeping in a two-person tent. I swear the makers of the tent were killing themselves laughing when they labeled it two-person. Let's just say it's very cozy...once you are in, you are not allowed to get out!

Labels: Vacation

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

There is one thing that city people rarely experience, and that is the ability to stand outside and hear absolutely no traffic, no people noise, nothing directly or indirectly associated with the city. However, on Jello's Uncle's farm in SK, that very experience can be had. I hold to the fact that I believe that the farm is one of the most peaceful and relaxing places I've ever been. I also hold to the fact that we always get steak when we go out there, and I don't believe I've ever had bigger or better steak.

Today started slowly, and I quite enjoyed sleeping in and not having to rush around. After running some errands, and browsing through Chapters while planning our road trip to B.C., but also our future plans to hit up Europe, we headed out to the farm for the afternoon.

The moment you pull into the driveway, time ceases to exist in that place. We had an amazing supper, complete with the largest steaks ever. Then we went to check out the cows, and feed them, and found kittens in the barn. I almost felt like a real farm chick, and then I saw frogs jumping around, and Jello thought there was a snake in the bush, and that brought me back to the reality, that I really am just a city chick, who can only pretend to be a contry chick :)

Good times on the farm though, and a great way to spend Day Three. Tomorrow we head out to The Hat, and then off to B.C. I can't wait!

Labels: Vacation

Day Two started with a bang, and that bang involved Air Canada getting my luggage back to me. I must say, that was a relief, as I wasn't exactly looking forward to wearing the same jeans and t-shirt the entire two weeks I was travelling. In future I am going to go for the Michelin Man look, and layer my entire wardrobe on my body. That way, if my luggage does get lost, at least I'll have 3 weeks of clothing on me.

After picking up my long lost luggage, and having a joyful and tearful reunion at the airport, we headed out to Craven, a very small and dusty town in SK. Also, the home of the Craven Country Jamboree. Apparently, this is where all the country hicks come together each year for a massive weekend of country music.

For those of you who know me, I listen to every type of music, except for country, so this definitely was a ground breaking experience for me. I'm quite sure I stood out like a sore thumb, as I happened to be the only person not wearing cowboy boots, a cowboy hat, and singing along with the music. Then again, considering there were 24,000 + people there, they might not have noticed.

So, I've been to my first country concert, or should I say my first five country concerts. I have to admit, Carrie Underwood was quite decent, and Reba lived up to the rumours that she wears sequins. I haven't converted to country music, but after standing for 8 1/2 hours in one small spot in order to have good viewings of these concerts, I do believe my mind became quite numb and I might have even smiled during a country concert. But, those are just rumours, that haven't been confirmed.

That was day two folks, I went out on the edge, and experienced something new. Seems to be the theme of this two-week vacation.

Labels: Vacation