Josh and I had the opportunity to go to Europe for 16 days this month and what an amazing trip it was! So many people keep asking me what my favorite part was and we did so many wonderful things that I can never think of one specific thing. So to answer the question now I just say that I could be free--I didn't have to worry about being a mom, a housekeeper, a gardener, or anything else. I could just be me which was wonderful. We went with Josh's parents and had a lovely time with them. I've put in a few of the pictures below (I took almost 500 pictures!) and so show SOME of the things we did. Thankfully I kept a journal each day otherwise they wouldn't be any way to keep track of everything we did. We started in Holland, then to Belgium, Normandy Coast (in France), then Paris. Whew!
The pictures start at the end of the trip and go to the beginning so--Paris first! Eiffel Tower!
Notre Dame. I got to feed tons of cute little sparrows here. They will only take sweet breads to there was a man there that gave me a piece and then all of a sudden I had half a dozen birds sitting on me! Felt so weird!
Had to go to the Louvre of course!
Palace at Versallies--The gardens/fountains were beautiful and amazing! We were lucky as the fountains only run one day a week and we happened to be there when they were going. The Palace was so grand--could not imagine living in such a place!
On our way to Paris we stopped by at Claude Monet's house and gardens-I can see where he got a lot of his inspiration.
Normandy Coast-D-Day location during WWII. Above is the American Military Cemetary. There was a wonderfully done visitor's center that really made you appreciate those men who gave their lives during that campaign in the name of freedom.
Josh on Omaha Beach, I cannot imagine storming this beach trying to take this area while being gunned down and bombed. Josh brough home some sand from this beach.
During our stay at Normandy, we stayed at this Bed and Breakfast--a Chateau built in the 1600s. I totally felt like I was in a Jane Austen novel with how we lived while we stayed here!
Holland:their version of a Park-n-Ride with Bikes! I cannot believe how many people commute with bikes. Everything is so close together that cars aren't too much of an option. We even saw bikes that folded down and collasped to the size of a small tire so they could take them on the train.
Spent a day in Amsterdam-nice city but glad we weren't staying there as there are a lot of areas that are not great. Went through the Red Light District (in the day thankfully, never would go at night!), so sad to see the girls in the windows and weird to smell people smoking marijuana in the coffee shops.
Most of the tulip fields had been harvested but we saw some amazing acres of colors as we drove through the countryside. Interesting to watch them mow down the flowers to make larger bulbs.
Two of the days we spent with Jans and Tiny-Josh's Aunt and Uncle. It was great to get to know them better and spend time with them and their family. We were able to make some good family connections while in Holland. And thankfully they spoke pretty good English so we worked things out nicely!
In the city of Utrecht we toured around with Josh's cousin Ewout (who we hadn't met before) while Josh's parents had a different family activity to go to. With him we climbed to the top of the Dom Tower--456 steps I believe it was. The beginning ones were easy but the stairways got narrow, the stairs got narrower, steep and made out of stones that were a bit slippery. Going up was easy but coming down I had to go SUPER slow. But we did it and it was amazing!
In Holland they sell fish on the streets. Gary really likes Salted Herring--salted, kinda like pickled...yes, raw. So I tried a bite and it was not yummy. Maybe a acquired taste.
Amersfoort, Netherlands. This is where Gary grew up. It was fun to walk around with him and listen to memories of the area. This is the original gatehouse. A lot of the original wall around the center city is still there.
This is a picture of the courtyard behind out little hotel in Amersfoort. The white building straight ahead was Gary's house when he lived here. His Dad's print shop on the ground floor and they lived above. This courtyard and also the area on the other side of the brick wall used to be Gary's backyard. Fun to stay so close!
It was such a great trip. Tried a lot of new foods, including escargot (yuck!). Had so many delicious breads and pastries. I ate duck several times which was great. Loved eating baguette's and croissants for breakfast each morning in France. So many memories made!
