Brett says:
Since our last post we have been all the way to Bergen on the east coast of Norway, back to Stockholm on the west coast of Sweden. We are lodging with Lisbet (my Grandpa's second cousin, I believe) on the north side of Stockholm. There is so much to share but would like to start with a video of the games. I would like to start posting media more often rather than boring old words so there will hopefully be more to come. I am posting this in widescreen so it formats a little funny. Let me know if there are any playback issues. Enjoy!
BA
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Thursday, June 23, 2011
June 23 from Betty
Hi everyone,
Here's an update on our hero athlete! We spent yesterday at the track where Randel ran the 1500 in 8 minutes and 8 seconds! Pretty good time for a bum leg and the hemoglobin issues he's had this year. His time was good for 5th place in his age category. He said his leg didn't hurt too much as he ran. Immediately after the race he had to throw the shot put. He got 8th in that event and the distance was around 30 feet. It's in meters so we'll convert it and send it later. His pulled hamstring made it hard to get the lift he needs from his right leg to throw. But as was stated at the opening ceremonies every athlete here is a champion! And we supporters couldn't agree more when we personally know the obstacles overcome to be here! Brett, Elise, and Cherise were with us all day so Randel had one of the biggest fan clubs! We cheered loudly and took lots of pictures. Hopefully we can post some soon. He had to miss the 400 as it was at the same time as the shot. This afternoon he'll do the 800.
Being at the games is unbelievable. As I looked around the crowd standing at the track yesterday I saw jackets that said Japan, China, Germany. UK, Australia, South Africa, the Netherlands, France, Spain, Italy, Hungary, Bulgaria, Iran, India, and on and on. Politics are put aside and everyone is celebrating the second chance at life given through transplantation. We cheer for all the athletes regardless of their country and it's touching to see people helping and congratulating each other. Great experience!!
Last evening we were all invited to Pia and Jan's home for a feast! They are experts at hospitality and we were treated like royalty! The table was beautifully decorated with many candles and the food was unique and delicious. Dessert was a midsummer's cake covered in whipped cream and strawberries. We ate that around the coffee table overlooking the beautiful view of the sea. But the best part was the conversation and connecting! Randel and I said our good-byes at the end of the evening. Such dear people to us! The kids are still there this morning but will join us for the day soon.
I learned this morning that the World Transplant Games website has quite a bit of coverage of the games if you are interested. I will check it out and send the link soon as well as a few pictures.
Tonight is the closing ceremony and a midsummers festival.
Love to all,
Betty
Here's an update on our hero athlete! We spent yesterday at the track where Randel ran the 1500 in 8 minutes and 8 seconds! Pretty good time for a bum leg and the hemoglobin issues he's had this year. His time was good for 5th place in his age category. He said his leg didn't hurt too much as he ran. Immediately after the race he had to throw the shot put. He got 8th in that event and the distance was around 30 feet. It's in meters so we'll convert it and send it later. His pulled hamstring made it hard to get the lift he needs from his right leg to throw. But as was stated at the opening ceremonies every athlete here is a champion! And we supporters couldn't agree more when we personally know the obstacles overcome to be here! Brett, Elise, and Cherise were with us all day so Randel had one of the biggest fan clubs! We cheered loudly and took lots of pictures. Hopefully we can post some soon. He had to miss the 400 as it was at the same time as the shot. This afternoon he'll do the 800.
Being at the games is unbelievable. As I looked around the crowd standing at the track yesterday I saw jackets that said Japan, China, Germany. UK, Australia, South Africa, the Netherlands, France, Spain, Italy, Hungary, Bulgaria, Iran, India, and on and on. Politics are put aside and everyone is celebrating the second chance at life given through transplantation. We cheer for all the athletes regardless of their country and it's touching to see people helping and congratulating each other. Great experience!!
Last evening we were all invited to Pia and Jan's home for a feast! They are experts at hospitality and we were treated like royalty! The table was beautifully decorated with many candles and the food was unique and delicious. Dessert was a midsummer's cake covered in whipped cream and strawberries. We ate that around the coffee table overlooking the beautiful view of the sea. But the best part was the conversation and connecting! Randel and I said our good-byes at the end of the evening. Such dear people to us! The kids are still there this morning but will join us for the day soon.
I learned this morning that the World Transplant Games website has quite a bit of coverage of the games if you are interested. I will check it out and send the link soon as well as a few pictures.
Tonight is the closing ceremony and a midsummers festival.
Love to all,
Betty
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
June 21-We are enjoying Sweden
Hi everyone from Betty,
We may never catch up with telling you about the past 10 days so I'm going to just attempt to fill you in on our time in Sweden so far and later we will post about the missing days.
We did all our registration on the 17th and attended a team supper while Brett and Elise picked Cherise up at the airport. We began to learn how to use the trams and buses and by now can get around quite well. The team hotel is in downtown Gothenburg and that's where Randel and I are staying. Brett, Elise, and Cherise (until she flew to northern Sweden) continued to camp a couple more evenings but now are staying with Pia and Jan about 20 minutes away unless you get lost which we have so they drive the car back and forth.
On the 18th Randel ran in a 5 K race-an opening event. He came in 6th in his age group but pulled a ham string in the process. His main competitions are tomorrow so please pray that he'll be able to compete or make the right choice not to if he shouldn't. There is an athletic trainer here who will help tape him up in the morning and give him advice. He will try to do the 1500 and the 400 but the times are quite close together so he may have to pass on one. He will also throw the shot put so it will be a full day. B and C are picking Cherise up at the airport right now so we will all cheer him on tomorrow!
The opening ceremony was also on the the 18th in the afternoon. It was so awesome to see the teams from 51 countries march into a big hall at Liseberg, a big amusement park here. They marched through the city for a few blocks before entering and Randel said they were cheered on by people out there as well. The four of us were waiting inside and Randel was able to spot us as the USA team came in. There are around 1850 athletes and many supporters here. The hosting Swedish team marched into ABBA's Dancing Queen. Very festive and everyone was nearly dancing in the aisles. There was entertainment and lots of excitement. The rest of the evening was to be spent in the park so all 5 of us rode a gigantic swing and another ride that shot you up into the air. All in the rain but we had a great time.
Other highlights have been watching the Sweden beat Finland in floorball finals on Sunday. It's basically hockey on foot with sticks and a round ball. The Europeans take it very seriously! We cheered the Swedes on and learned their cheers. Most Swedish people speak flawless English and we have had no difficulty being understood. Everyone is so helpful as we ask for directions or help of any kind. It has been fun to share the few Swedish words I do know and the Swedish people are appreciative when I do. We've had fun sharing with them the songs, customs, foods, and traditions that we carry on. They seem to enjoy that.
I have absolutely loved connecting with Pia again. As Brett mentioned she lived with us for 3 or 4 months back in 1979 in Valentine. We've always called her our first daughter and when Grant was born she wrote him a letter telling him she'd tried us out and we were pretty good parents:-) She's the one who got us started doing our St. Lucia day tradition and taught me how to make pepparkakar. It was wonderful to meet her husband, Jan, and daughter, Andrea, who is 8. Pia and Jan came in to meet us the first night and we've been to their home the past two evenings. They have a lovely home that overlooks the sea. Both evenings we have watched the sunset which doesn't really happen until 10:30 or 11. It doesn't set like at home but slowly moves across the sky. Pia has treated us to tea and sweets each evening. Last evening Elise and Andrea played soccer (football here) and Elise taught her some new moves. We visit with Jan and Pia about everything. So interesting to here their perspectives on many topics. Jan lived in the US for some time and has a sister in Boston. They have been very helpful with many details as well as hosting Brett and Elise and tonight Cherise will join them.
Other game news-We have had great conversations with people from many countries as well as meeting our fellow USA teammates. Probably the most memorable contact was with four gentlemen from Iran. One of them wanted to give me a woven dresser scarf in exchange for 5 of our team USA pins. That will be a treasure. One spoke good English and all were eager to have their pictures taken with us. We learned later that they were not to shake hands with women but Elise and I did shake their hands. Their government paid for them to come but no families were allowed to come.
We eat breakfast in the hotel and it is a daily Swedish smorgasbord. That may have slowed Randel down on the first race. Lunch and dinner are served in the Games Village and we have to take a tram ride to that building. The food has been good.
Last night we took the car back to the hotel after visiting Pia and Jan and after we were headed in the right direction I said, "All we have to do now is follow the signs for the Centrum and hope we don't hit a moose." The words were just out of my mouth when a big moose began to cross the road in front of us. He paused to step over the little fence that divides the two lanes and looked right into our window as we went by!! On both of our previous trips to Sweden I had been disappointed that we hadn't seen moose as there are moose crossing signs all over. Now I've seen my moose but next time I hope it's not so close up and personal!
Today we took a break from the Games, picked Brett and Elise up, and headed into the center of Sweden. Jan loaned us his GPS and we were thankful for that! We went first to the Immigrant Museum in Vaxjo but only got about 1/2 hour there as they were closing for some special event. It was interesting to me to see my college, North Park, and home church, the Covenant church, mentioned in the panel on religious information on immigrants. Next we found the very small village of Rosas where Randel's great-grandmother, Carolina, was born in 1847. It's in Smoland the area from which many immigrated. We could see why if they tried to farm the area. It's very wooded with many rocks. Rocks are piled everywhere and made into walls and fences. There were many lakes so it is very beautiful. The houses are mostly barn red with white trim. Very picturesque. The roads were very narrow and we continued to look for moose but no luck! Sheep, cattle, and a few horses grazed in the tiny fields. Not much for crops. Next we headed north to Vastergotland just in from Lake Vattern for those of you who know Swedish geography. It's better farm land there but still some wooded areas. There we found the village of Varsas, where my great grandfather, John Gustafson, was born in 1856. We were able to go inside the church where he was baptized and attended while he grew up. This was very special for me as he is the one great grandparent I knew as he lived to be 97. He was a man of great faith and I remember visiting him after church on Sundays. He would ask me to say my Sunday school memory verse for him. It really connected for Brett and Elise when they realized that he was Albertina's father as they remember her. He came to the states with his new wife, Ericka Charlotta, in 1881 and eventually bought and lived on the farm where I was raised and my mother still lives. That was in 1913 so the farm has been in the family for nearly 100 years.
I know some of you are my family who are interested in this history but this did get a bit long! Hopefully we will now keep up a little bit better but no promises. We have been going at quite a pace as we are excited to see everything. We've had a little down time now but not much.
Randel thinks he's feeling pretty good and just jogged a mile on the treadmill in the gym as I wrote this. Hopefully he's good to go in the morning!
Thanks for your thoughts and prayers. We are living a dream and loving every minute of this. The kids are troopers and we've laughed often and are enjoying our time together. We need to see if our white Elvis suits are ready for tomorrow!
Love to all,
Betty
We may never catch up with telling you about the past 10 days so I'm going to just attempt to fill you in on our time in Sweden so far and later we will post about the missing days.
We did all our registration on the 17th and attended a team supper while Brett and Elise picked Cherise up at the airport. We began to learn how to use the trams and buses and by now can get around quite well. The team hotel is in downtown Gothenburg and that's where Randel and I are staying. Brett, Elise, and Cherise (until she flew to northern Sweden) continued to camp a couple more evenings but now are staying with Pia and Jan about 20 minutes away unless you get lost which we have so they drive the car back and forth.
On the 18th Randel ran in a 5 K race-an opening event. He came in 6th in his age group but pulled a ham string in the process. His main competitions are tomorrow so please pray that he'll be able to compete or make the right choice not to if he shouldn't. There is an athletic trainer here who will help tape him up in the morning and give him advice. He will try to do the 1500 and the 400 but the times are quite close together so he may have to pass on one. He will also throw the shot put so it will be a full day. B and C are picking Cherise up at the airport right now so we will all cheer him on tomorrow!
The opening ceremony was also on the the 18th in the afternoon. It was so awesome to see the teams from 51 countries march into a big hall at Liseberg, a big amusement park here. They marched through the city for a few blocks before entering and Randel said they were cheered on by people out there as well. The four of us were waiting inside and Randel was able to spot us as the USA team came in. There are around 1850 athletes and many supporters here. The hosting Swedish team marched into ABBA's Dancing Queen. Very festive and everyone was nearly dancing in the aisles. There was entertainment and lots of excitement. The rest of the evening was to be spent in the park so all 5 of us rode a gigantic swing and another ride that shot you up into the air. All in the rain but we had a great time.
Other highlights have been watching the Sweden beat Finland in floorball finals on Sunday. It's basically hockey on foot with sticks and a round ball. The Europeans take it very seriously! We cheered the Swedes on and learned their cheers. Most Swedish people speak flawless English and we have had no difficulty being understood. Everyone is so helpful as we ask for directions or help of any kind. It has been fun to share the few Swedish words I do know and the Swedish people are appreciative when I do. We've had fun sharing with them the songs, customs, foods, and traditions that we carry on. They seem to enjoy that.
I have absolutely loved connecting with Pia again. As Brett mentioned she lived with us for 3 or 4 months back in 1979 in Valentine. We've always called her our first daughter and when Grant was born she wrote him a letter telling him she'd tried us out and we were pretty good parents:-) She's the one who got us started doing our St. Lucia day tradition and taught me how to make pepparkakar. It was wonderful to meet her husband, Jan, and daughter, Andrea, who is 8. Pia and Jan came in to meet us the first night and we've been to their home the past two evenings. They have a lovely home that overlooks the sea. Both evenings we have watched the sunset which doesn't really happen until 10:30 or 11. It doesn't set like at home but slowly moves across the sky. Pia has treated us to tea and sweets each evening. Last evening Elise and Andrea played soccer (football here) and Elise taught her some new moves. We visit with Jan and Pia about everything. So interesting to here their perspectives on many topics. Jan lived in the US for some time and has a sister in Boston. They have been very helpful with many details as well as hosting Brett and Elise and tonight Cherise will join them.
Other game news-We have had great conversations with people from many countries as well as meeting our fellow USA teammates. Probably the most memorable contact was with four gentlemen from Iran. One of them wanted to give me a woven dresser scarf in exchange for 5 of our team USA pins. That will be a treasure. One spoke good English and all were eager to have their pictures taken with us. We learned later that they were not to shake hands with women but Elise and I did shake their hands. Their government paid for them to come but no families were allowed to come.
We eat breakfast in the hotel and it is a daily Swedish smorgasbord. That may have slowed Randel down on the first race. Lunch and dinner are served in the Games Village and we have to take a tram ride to that building. The food has been good.
Last night we took the car back to the hotel after visiting Pia and Jan and after we were headed in the right direction I said, "All we have to do now is follow the signs for the Centrum and hope we don't hit a moose." The words were just out of my mouth when a big moose began to cross the road in front of us. He paused to step over the little fence that divides the two lanes and looked right into our window as we went by!! On both of our previous trips to Sweden I had been disappointed that we hadn't seen moose as there are moose crossing signs all over. Now I've seen my moose but next time I hope it's not so close up and personal!
Today we took a break from the Games, picked Brett and Elise up, and headed into the center of Sweden. Jan loaned us his GPS and we were thankful for that! We went first to the Immigrant Museum in Vaxjo but only got about 1/2 hour there as they were closing for some special event. It was interesting to me to see my college, North Park, and home church, the Covenant church, mentioned in the panel on religious information on immigrants. Next we found the very small village of Rosas where Randel's great-grandmother, Carolina, was born in 1847. It's in Smoland the area from which many immigrated. We could see why if they tried to farm the area. It's very wooded with many rocks. Rocks are piled everywhere and made into walls and fences. There were many lakes so it is very beautiful. The houses are mostly barn red with white trim. Very picturesque. The roads were very narrow and we continued to look for moose but no luck! Sheep, cattle, and a few horses grazed in the tiny fields. Not much for crops. Next we headed north to Vastergotland just in from Lake Vattern for those of you who know Swedish geography. It's better farm land there but still some wooded areas. There we found the village of Varsas, where my great grandfather, John Gustafson, was born in 1856. We were able to go inside the church where he was baptized and attended while he grew up. This was very special for me as he is the one great grandparent I knew as he lived to be 97. He was a man of great faith and I remember visiting him after church on Sundays. He would ask me to say my Sunday school memory verse for him. It really connected for Brett and Elise when they realized that he was Albertina's father as they remember her. He came to the states with his new wife, Ericka Charlotta, in 1881 and eventually bought and lived on the farm where I was raised and my mother still lives. That was in 1913 so the farm has been in the family for nearly 100 years.
I know some of you are my family who are interested in this history but this did get a bit long! Hopefully we will now keep up a little bit better but no promises. We have been going at quite a pace as we are excited to see everything. We've had a little down time now but not much.
Randel thinks he's feeling pretty good and just jogged a mile on the treadmill in the gym as I wrote this. Hopefully he's good to go in the morning!
Thanks for your thoughts and prayers. We are living a dream and loving every minute of this. The kids are troopers and we've laughed often and are enjoying our time together. We need to see if our white Elvis suits are ready for tomorrow!
Love to all,
Betty
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Sweden!
Brett says:
It has long been a dream of mine to visit "The Motherland." On Thursday night we found a beautiful campground in Aksim, just outside of Gothenburg, with our tent set up just about 10 yards from the North Sea. It is a magnificent view with sailboats, swans and long hours of sunlight. Yesterday we were able to make the connection with Elise's friend Cherise, even though her flight was delayed about 4 hours. Mom and Dad checked into their hotel yesterday so just Elise, Cherise and I camped out last night. We also had the privilege of meeting Pia and her husband Jan yesterday evening. Pia is a relative on my Mother's side and came to live with my parents for 3 months when she was 19 in 1979.
Today was the first day of the transplant games and Dad competed in the 5k, just missing out on a medal. One of the most entertaining parts of these games are the crazy outfits for the USA team members. Here's a picture of my parents:
It looks like Elvis and Evel Kenevel were the team tailors. We are still behind put will try to keep posting the next few days and get caught up.
BA
It has long been a dream of mine to visit "The Motherland." On Thursday night we found a beautiful campground in Aksim, just outside of Gothenburg, with our tent set up just about 10 yards from the North Sea. It is a magnificent view with sailboats, swans and long hours of sunlight. Yesterday we were able to make the connection with Elise's friend Cherise, even though her flight was delayed about 4 hours. Mom and Dad checked into their hotel yesterday so just Elise, Cherise and I camped out last night. We also had the privilege of meeting Pia and her husband Jan yesterday evening. Pia is a relative on my Mother's side and came to live with my parents for 3 months when she was 19 in 1979.
Today was the first day of the transplant games and Dad competed in the 5k, just missing out on a medal. One of the most entertaining parts of these games are the crazy outfits for the USA team members. Here's a picture of my parents:
It looks like Elvis and Evel Kenevel were the team tailors. We are still behind put will try to keep posting the next few days and get caught up.
BA
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
June 14 from Betty
Hi from Betty again,
Internet will soon run out so just a note to say we spent all day in Amsterdam! Canals and bicycles!!! We'll get you more details later. Tomorrow we head up along the Holland coast over the dyke to northern Germany. We hope to find some of the villages my mother's Dutch relatives came from.
Love to all,
Betty
Internet will soon run out so just a note to say we spent all day in Amsterdam! Canals and bicycles!!! We'll get you more details later. Tomorrow we head up along the Holland coast over the dyke to northern Germany. We hope to find some of the villages my mother's Dutch relatives came from.
Love to all,
Betty
Monday, June 13, 2011
June 13 from Betty
Hi everyone,
This is Betty sending her first post so hi to everyone from the Netherlands. I will just add a few of my comments to what Brett and Elise said about our travels thus far. I found all the Normandy sites to be very moving. The American cemetery we visited had over 9,000 graves and another nearby had over 5,000. 300 hundred were marked as "known only to God". We also visited a museum at Arromanches which explained the artificial port built there by the Allies after the invasion. There was a group of WWII veterans from England on the tour looking very dapper in their uniforms with medals across their chests. It was touching moment at the end when one of them politely asked if he could point himself out in a picture that was hanging on the wall. He was in a jeep entering a bombed out French village. The tour group applauded him and his fellow veterans. What sacrifices have been made for our freedom.
London was awesome and we learned to navigate the public transportation system like pros for Mid-westerners who love their cars. It would be crazy to drive in downtown London although Randel and I did back in 1972 when we visited the first time. Now there is a congestion tax you must pay to drive into the city. We really loved riding on the top level of our double decker bus from the campground. We had to then catch an overland train and then transfer to the Tube underground.
The dryer is done so I'm heading to bed and we'll fill you in on the wonderful day we had for Randel's birthday yesterday later.
Blessings to all! We are so thankful for your prayers for our health and safety!
Betty
This is Betty sending her first post so hi to everyone from the Netherlands. I will just add a few of my comments to what Brett and Elise said about our travels thus far. I found all the Normandy sites to be very moving. The American cemetery we visited had over 9,000 graves and another nearby had over 5,000. 300 hundred were marked as "known only to God". We also visited a museum at Arromanches which explained the artificial port built there by the Allies after the invasion. There was a group of WWII veterans from England on the tour looking very dapper in their uniforms with medals across their chests. It was touching moment at the end when one of them politely asked if he could point himself out in a picture that was hanging on the wall. He was in a jeep entering a bombed out French village. The tour group applauded him and his fellow veterans. What sacrifices have been made for our freedom.
London was awesome and we learned to navigate the public transportation system like pros for Mid-westerners who love their cars. It would be crazy to drive in downtown London although Randel and I did back in 1972 when we visited the first time. Now there is a congestion tax you must pay to drive into the city. We really loved riding on the top level of our double decker bus from the campground. We had to then catch an overland train and then transfer to the Tube underground.
The dryer is done so I'm heading to bed and we'll fill you in on the wonderful day we had for Randel's birthday yesterday later.
Blessings to all! We are so thankful for your prayers for our health and safety!
Betty
Apologies
Brett says:
We have really been going, going, going. So far, we have done an excellent job filling each and every day with activities but have been forgoing any sort of down time. Due to this, our posting on this blog has been a bit sparse so far. Another hurdle has been internet access. It is much more restricted than in the States and I have had a hard time finding places where I can use it. Our last campground in England charged 5 pounds (about $8) for a 24-hour access period. Obviously, we do not want to pay that every night.
We met a nice nice English couple while having lunch at the British museum on Friday. After telling them our ambitious plan for both traveling and lodging, one of them said, "Well, that seems American." I feel like our pace is a stark contrast to the way Europeans go about their day. Before 8am or after about 7pm most places look like a ghost town. Another one of our repeated observations is that a large portion of the cattle here are actually laying down in their pasture rather than standing and grazing like most industrious American cows. It's those funny little differences that let you know you are in a foreign place.
We survived left handed driving in the UK and drove all day today, making it to a secluded campground between Amsterdam and Haarlem in The Netherlands. It is about 11:20 here and we are finally doing our first load of laundry, using internet as we wait.
It has been quite an adventure and I just hope we have the endurance to last for 7 more weeks!
'til next time,
BA
We have really been going, going, going. So far, we have done an excellent job filling each and every day with activities but have been forgoing any sort of down time. Due to this, our posting on this blog has been a bit sparse so far. Another hurdle has been internet access. It is much more restricted than in the States and I have had a hard time finding places where I can use it. Our last campground in England charged 5 pounds (about $8) for a 24-hour access period. Obviously, we do not want to pay that every night.
We met a nice nice English couple while having lunch at the British museum on Friday. After telling them our ambitious plan for both traveling and lodging, one of them said, "Well, that seems American." I feel like our pace is a stark contrast to the way Europeans go about their day. Before 8am or after about 7pm most places look like a ghost town. Another one of our repeated observations is that a large portion of the cattle here are actually laying down in their pasture rather than standing and grazing like most industrious American cows. It's those funny little differences that let you know you are in a foreign place.
We survived left handed driving in the UK and drove all day today, making it to a secluded campground between Amsterdam and Haarlem in The Netherlands. It is about 11:20 here and we are finally doing our first load of laundry, using internet as we wait.
It has been quite an adventure and I just hope we have the endurance to last for 7 more weeks!
'til next time,
BA
Saturday, June 11, 2011
We're Here!
Elise here - my first time posting! It's been a total whirl-wind of a week! It's past midnight here (Saturday night) and this is the first chance we've had to use internet but I'm gonna write quickly cause we need to get to bed!
Last Sunday we drove up to stay at Rol & Karen's just outside Minneapolis. They were so wonderfully hospitable (as always) and sent us off Monday morning with an amazing brunch (GREAT last meal in the states!). Rol dropped us off at the airport, and we pulled up RIGHT behind Cherise & Jenna!!! Cherise and I booked flights a month apart and unknowingly booked the same one... awesome :) We were on the same flights until Iceland and then she and Jenna went to Sweden (where we'll meet up with Cherise on the 17th) and we flew into Paris.
We spent the first 2 nights in a wonderful campground in Normandy and visited Utah & Omaha beach and several other places associated with D-Day. The very first place we stopped was a German soldier bunker/hide-out thing (I don't remember what it's called) and we were just walking back to the car when all of a sudden... BANG BANG BANG...and lots of more bangs and lots of shouting and lots of soldiers running towards us!!! I was so confused (and scared!) and pretty much just hit the deck! I can't stop laughing now when I think about how funny I must've looked :) We didn't know whether it was a re-enactment (since it was the day after D-Day we were there) or if it was military training... either way it was a pretty exciting/funny/odd way to start our trip :)
Then Thursday we drove to Calais (France) to catch a ferry to Dover (England) and then drove to Paris. Spent all day Friday seeing the sights in London - Big Ben & Parlaiment, Westminster Abbey, British Museum, Trafalgor Square, Downing Street, St. Martin in-the-fields, etc. I really enjoyed every minute of it - it's just like NYC! So much diversity - it's a people-watching paradise :) Today we went to Stonehenge and to see the Roman Baths in Bath. Another fantastic day! Tomorrow we will see the rest of the things in London that we didn't get to see yet :)
I'm super thankful that European campgrounds are amazingly CLEAN and well-kept, they're much nicer than the U.S. I'm also thankful that I can sleep in the back seat of the car - it's been too cold for me at night... I'm kind of a wuss. I'm also thankful that Brett & Dad are such fantastic drivers - the roads here are TINY and people go so fast! Plus it's really weird in England when we drive on the left side of the road. I'm also thankful for the safety we've had - I feel like God's just looking out for us and taking care of all the details :) So we're one week in and all is very well - Praise the Lord :)
elise
Last Sunday we drove up to stay at Rol & Karen's just outside Minneapolis. They were so wonderfully hospitable (as always) and sent us off Monday morning with an amazing brunch (GREAT last meal in the states!). Rol dropped us off at the airport, and we pulled up RIGHT behind Cherise & Jenna!!! Cherise and I booked flights a month apart and unknowingly booked the same one... awesome :) We were on the same flights until Iceland and then she and Jenna went to Sweden (where we'll meet up with Cherise on the 17th) and we flew into Paris.
We spent the first 2 nights in a wonderful campground in Normandy and visited Utah & Omaha beach and several other places associated with D-Day. The very first place we stopped was a German soldier bunker/hide-out thing (I don't remember what it's called) and we were just walking back to the car when all of a sudden... BANG BANG BANG...and lots of more bangs and lots of shouting and lots of soldiers running towards us!!! I was so confused (and scared!) and pretty much just hit the deck! I can't stop laughing now when I think about how funny I must've looked :) We didn't know whether it was a re-enactment (since it was the day after D-Day we were there) or if it was military training... either way it was a pretty exciting/funny/odd way to start our trip :)
Then Thursday we drove to Calais (France) to catch a ferry to Dover (England) and then drove to Paris. Spent all day Friday seeing the sights in London - Big Ben & Parlaiment, Westminster Abbey, British Museum, Trafalgor Square, Downing Street, St. Martin in-the-fields, etc. I really enjoyed every minute of it - it's just like NYC! So much diversity - it's a people-watching paradise :) Today we went to Stonehenge and to see the Roman Baths in Bath. Another fantastic day! Tomorrow we will see the rest of the things in London that we didn't get to see yet :)
I'm super thankful that European campgrounds are amazingly CLEAN and well-kept, they're much nicer than the U.S. I'm also thankful that I can sleep in the back seat of the car - it's been too cold for me at night... I'm kind of a wuss. I'm also thankful that Brett & Dad are such fantastic drivers - the roads here are TINY and people go so fast! Plus it's really weird in England when we drive on the left side of the road. I'm also thankful for the safety we've had - I feel like God's just looking out for us and taking care of all the details :) So we're one week in and all is very well - Praise the Lord :)
elise
Monday, June 6, 2011
D-day has begun!
It's ironic that 67 years ago today France was invaded by allied soldiers. Hopefully today's visitors will be slightly less unruly. We are currently stopped in Toronto, waiting to get on our plane to Reykjavik, Iceland. From there we will continue to Paris arriving at 1pm local time, 6am Central.
We were blessed with great hospitality last night and this morning from my Uncle Rol and Aunt Karen. We got a good night of sleep and made it to the airport with plenty of time to spare. This next leg will be the longest. Neither Elise nor I have been succesful in figuring how the toilet in the airplane flushes. We will report...oh we're boarding. Iceland ho!
BA
We were blessed with great hospitality last night and this morning from my Uncle Rol and Aunt Karen. We got a good night of sleep and made it to the airport with plenty of time to spare. This next leg will be the longest. Neither Elise nor I have been succesful in figuring how the toilet in the airplane flushes. We will report...oh we're boarding. Iceland ho!
BA
Sunday, June 5, 2011
It's a Packing Day miracle!
As I write this we are currently eastbound on I-90 (I love my droid). We received a very pleasant surprise as we were packing today. Mike Christensen, a friend from my parent's church, will be living in our house while we're away so my parents were cleaning out some drawers for him. First, my Mother found a $100 bill in the back of one of her dresser drawers. Amazing, right? Only about ten minutes later, however, Dad found five bills amongst the many nearly empty bottles in the back of his bathroom drawer. He peeled them off one at a time: fifty, hundred, hundred, hundred, hundred. $450! So we made $550 today.
I am very tempted at this point to make a wise-crack about my parents age, punctuated with a clever suggestion of senility. However, I am going to chalk this one up to God's provision instead.
BA
I am very tempted at this point to make a wise-crack about my parents age, punctuated with a clever suggestion of senility. However, I am going to chalk this one up to God's provision instead.
BA
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Final Preparations
Well, we've reached the 11th hour. A trip that seemed so far away for so long is nearly upon us. All of us have had final preparations that have been taxing:
Elise will be staying at Schoo Middle School (pronounced "sko"), continuing to teach 6th grade next year. However, she is changing teams which will mean a different classroom. She also moved out of her apartment the same weekend which meant rearranging two very significant parts of her life in a short amount of time. I think we did pretty good but I now have a room full of Elise stuff and it is beginning to smell a bit girly in here. I really admire my sister for the number of significant relationships she is able to maintain and I know she is trying to spend as much quality time as possible with those people in the next few days.
Dad has had a few paintings to finish up and I even heard a rumor that he relived his college glory days by staying up until 4am to finish one of them. But isn't it true that no good art can take place before midnight? His last few pieces have been really good so I think it holds true.
I have had a large variety of things to do. On the way to get my international driver's license last week the throttle cable for my motorcycle (1971 Honda CB350) snapped. I was looking forward to letting my brother use the bike this summer, as sitting unused is about the worst thing for these old bikes. That will be one of tomorrow's projects. The last four days I have been finishing up everything at the mission and will definitely be missing everyone there while I am gone. Packing? More of an abstract thought than a plan at this point. I also need to update some insurance and get other finances in order.
Mom has the toughest job of all of us, keeping the rest of us on track. She is the most prepared in our group and I don't think this trip would be possible without her ability to plan ahead. She has already been researching campgrounds as we try to get at least the first few nights planned out.
That's pretty much where we are. I think we are all looking forward to just being on the plane. That way, even if we forgot anything it will be too late to worry about it!
I'll try to get the other family members to post here. I feel like I've been monopolizing the blog.
'til next time
BA
Elise will be staying at Schoo Middle School (pronounced "sko"), continuing to teach 6th grade next year. However, she is changing teams which will mean a different classroom. She also moved out of her apartment the same weekend which meant rearranging two very significant parts of her life in a short amount of time. I think we did pretty good but I now have a room full of Elise stuff and it is beginning to smell a bit girly in here. I really admire my sister for the number of significant relationships she is able to maintain and I know she is trying to spend as much quality time as possible with those people in the next few days.
Dad has had a few paintings to finish up and I even heard a rumor that he relived his college glory days by staying up until 4am to finish one of them. But isn't it true that no good art can take place before midnight? His last few pieces have been really good so I think it holds true.
I have had a large variety of things to do. On the way to get my international driver's license last week the throttle cable for my motorcycle (1971 Honda CB350) snapped. I was looking forward to letting my brother use the bike this summer, as sitting unused is about the worst thing for these old bikes. That will be one of tomorrow's projects. The last four days I have been finishing up everything at the mission and will definitely be missing everyone there while I am gone. Packing? More of an abstract thought than a plan at this point. I also need to update some insurance and get other finances in order.
Mom has the toughest job of all of us, keeping the rest of us on track. She is the most prepared in our group and I don't think this trip would be possible without her ability to plan ahead. She has already been researching campgrounds as we try to get at least the first few nights planned out.
That's pretty much where we are. I think we are all looking forward to just being on the plane. That way, even if we forgot anything it will be too late to worry about it!
I'll try to get the other family members to post here. I feel like I've been monopolizing the blog.
'til next time
BA
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