I'm writing out the addresses for Kendra's birthday invitations and thought I'd share - just in case you think your name is too long.
Sample of Streets:
Hermannweidstrasse
Chrummbaechliweg
Foerliweidstrasse
Bueelenebnetstrasse
Sample of Last Names:
Eggensschwiler
Chassagnade
de Keersmaecker
Bauernfeind (hee, hee)
Now say them 10 times fast.
Just a sampling of longer names I'm not familiar with I try my best to spell right. Whew!
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
Monday, October 06, 2008
Girls Weekend in Switzerland
I went away this weekend. Bart and girls stayed home. It was a girls weekend we've talked about for a year and now that several ladies are headed back to the States in Dec., we figured we'd better do it now or it would be too late.
We went to Lenzerheide - once again, one of those places you would not find out about unless you actually live in Switzerland. Even then, I hadn't heard of it until just a few weeks ago. We planned a nice FALL weekend with hiking and spa time.
This pic is day 2 - after most of the snow had melted at lake level. We hiked in falling snow on Sat. but Sunday was beautiful blue skies and warmer. But we were still in the snow. Have I mentioned this is a cold Fall? I'm sure I have and I'm getting old so you'll have to excuse the repetition.
1. We had a really nice time. All 6 of us American women.
2. I would make a poor celebrity. All 6 of us American women were stared at all weekend - breakfast, lunch and dinner - and in the pool - and on the mountain. It could just be they don't feel it's rude to watch other people. I just know I got tired of being stared at with nary a smile or Gruetzi.
3. We had trouble finding a Wellness (Spa) Hotel that didn't have restrictions re: clothing in the Spa areas. To explain for the Americans - many places don't allow clothing (sans bathing suits) in the spa areas. Thus we were able to use the swimming pools and outdoor spa tub in our bathing suits, we snuck into the sauna when no one else was using it and we had to forgo all the neat-o steam showers, etc. because we couldn't bring ourselves to strip and enter.
Did I mention these are co-ed facilities? Yeah....OKAAAAYYYY. Again, a culture difference but.... just can't get there myself.
I felt better after talking with my German teacher this morning who said she'd be uncomfortable as well. It's not co-ed everywhere but I've been in several facilities where this was the case. So discriminated against for keeping the bathing suit on.
4. We were told to check out "Oldies Night" at the hotel next door. It turned out the "Oldies" music was almost all from the 80's. So another milestone in life reached. I'm officially an 'Oldy.'
5. Don't assume the customer(you or me) is always right. I chose to have Apfelstrudel & Coffee instead of lunch. I asked what kind of nuts might be in the Strudel (there are nuts in everything - I always ask) - she said Hazelnut and I said fine. But I neglected to say I am allergic to Walnuts - I thought she knew what she was talking about!
About 1/3 through the strudel I realized what I was tasting, took some antihistimine (allergy isn't severe enough for Epi-pen - yet!), quit eating it and let them know their mistake and why I couldn't eat the rest. Nor could I eat anything else for a while.
When it came time to pay - they tried to charge me for it! She said "My boss says that you ate some of it and should pay for the food." HELLLLOOOOO!!!!!! I didn't pay for it.
Those things aside, we laughed ALOT and it was a fun weekend with friends.
Bart and the girls had a good time as well - went to the movies and the girls continued to improve their bike riding abilities. The bike riding will have to be a Blog in itself. They have finally learned - at 10 & 8 yrs old. We were wondering when they'd ever get it - YEAH!!! The girls and I will be off to Hungary next week (no blogging btw) while Bart stays home for yet another crazy week at work. So it was great they got some solid quality time in with 'Dad.'
Off to do all the things I should before leaving - again.....
We went to Lenzerheide - once again, one of those places you would not find out about unless you actually live in Switzerland. Even then, I hadn't heard of it until just a few weeks ago. We planned a nice FALL weekend with hiking and spa time.
This pic is day 2 - after most of the snow had melted at lake level. We hiked in falling snow on Sat. but Sunday was beautiful blue skies and warmer. But we were still in the snow. Have I mentioned this is a cold Fall? I'm sure I have and I'm getting old so you'll have to excuse the repetition.
1. We had a really nice time. All 6 of us American women.
2. I would make a poor celebrity. All 6 of us American women were stared at all weekend - breakfast, lunch and dinner - and in the pool - and on the mountain. It could just be they don't feel it's rude to watch other people. I just know I got tired of being stared at with nary a smile or Gruetzi.
3. We had trouble finding a Wellness (Spa) Hotel that didn't have restrictions re: clothing in the Spa areas. To explain for the Americans - many places don't allow clothing (sans bathing suits) in the spa areas. Thus we were able to use the swimming pools and outdoor spa tub in our bathing suits, we snuck into the sauna when no one else was using it and we had to forgo all the neat-o steam showers, etc. because we couldn't bring ourselves to strip and enter.
Did I mention these are co-ed facilities? Yeah....OKAAAAYYYY. Again, a culture difference but.... just can't get there myself.
I felt better after talking with my German teacher this morning who said she'd be uncomfortable as well. It's not co-ed everywhere but I've been in several facilities where this was the case. So discriminated against for keeping the bathing suit on.
4. We were told to check out "Oldies Night" at the hotel next door. It turned out the "Oldies" music was almost all from the 80's. So another milestone in life reached. I'm officially an 'Oldy.'
5. Don't assume the customer(you or me) is always right. I chose to have Apfelstrudel & Coffee instead of lunch. I asked what kind of nuts might be in the Strudel (there are nuts in everything - I always ask) - she said Hazelnut and I said fine. But I neglected to say I am allergic to Walnuts - I thought she knew what she was talking about!
About 1/3 through the strudel I realized what I was tasting, took some antihistimine (allergy isn't severe enough for Epi-pen - yet!), quit eating it and let them know their mistake and why I couldn't eat the rest. Nor could I eat anything else for a while.
When it came time to pay - they tried to charge me for it! She said "My boss says that you ate some of it and should pay for the food." HELLLLOOOOO!!!!!! I didn't pay for it.
Those things aside, we laughed ALOT and it was a fun weekend with friends.
Bart and the girls had a good time as well - went to the movies and the girls continued to improve their bike riding abilities. The bike riding will have to be a Blog in itself. They have finally learned - at 10 & 8 yrs old. We were wondering when they'd ever get it - YEAH!!! The girls and I will be off to Hungary next week (no blogging btw) while Bart stays home for yet another crazy week at work. So it was great they got some solid quality time in with 'Dad.'
Off to do all the things I should before leaving - again.....
Friday, October 03, 2008
CD's, DVD's - Cleaning them up!
Finally - I got to the mess of CD's and DVD's that have inhabited the small entertainment portion of our flat. I've meant to do this for - about a year.
I've been missing too many things, lost accompaniment music for church, we go on too many trips - loads of empty cases. Where are the accompanying CD's?
It's all nice and neat now. I even have some room for a few more DVD's - some Birthdays and Christmas will fill some of that.
What I found funny was how sentimental music can be. I still can't throw away my Paula Abdul "Forever Your Girl" CD or Bart's Scorpion's CD's (not that I would dare!). Some of them remind me of childhood (John Denver), some from HS (Foreigner/Van Halen/early Amy Grant) and then the eclectic mix that ranges from Rosemary Clooney to Pearl Jam to Josh Groban to Alicia Keys to Third Day to Casting Crowns and so on...
It felt good to get it all sorted. And vaguely alphabetized - organization is a good thing.
And found my Wynonna CD for warmin' up - 'cause she's got a nice low range. It's comfy. I'm sure Bart will be thrilled.
I've been missing too many things, lost accompaniment music for church, we go on too many trips - loads of empty cases. Where are the accompanying CD's?
It's all nice and neat now. I even have some room for a few more DVD's - some Birthdays and Christmas will fill some of that.
What I found funny was how sentimental music can be. I still can't throw away my Paula Abdul "Forever Your Girl" CD or Bart's Scorpion's CD's (not that I would dare!). Some of them remind me of childhood (John Denver), some from HS (Foreigner/Van Halen/early Amy Grant) and then the eclectic mix that ranges from Rosemary Clooney to Pearl Jam to Josh Groban to Alicia Keys to Third Day to Casting Crowns and so on...
It felt good to get it all sorted. And vaguely alphabetized - organization is a good thing.
And found my Wynonna CD for warmin' up - 'cause she's got a nice low range. It's comfy. I'm sure Bart will be thrilled.
Salzburg - Not just for Sound of Music fans
Salzburg is a beautiful city. Even if you are not a rabid "Sound of Music" fan. We had a great time there with the girls. It offers plenty to do in a 2 day period - a day in the city and a day to roam outside. A great in-between spot - Munich, Innsbruck, Vienna are all within 2.5 hrs.
It is also very close to Berchtesgaden, Germany where we made a quick trip up the mountain to the Kehlsteinhaus (Eagles'Nest). Bart & I didn't have a chance to go when we were in Salzburg in '96 so we took the opportunity this trip.
It is also very close to Berchtesgaden, Germany where we made a quick trip up the mountain to the Kehlsteinhaus (Eagles'Nest). Bart & I didn't have a chance to go when we were in Salzburg in '96 so we took the opportunity this trip.
The Eagles' Nest was a 50th B-day present for Hitler from the Party. It was built for Party functions and not as a true residence. It is amazing as it has about a 300 degr. view around from the top - the only thing obstructing a 360 view is part of the mountain it's located on. We asked the girls if they knew who Hitler was. Rachel: "In 1933, Hitler was the First Chancellor of Germany. He made many laws which made it difficult for the Jewish people to live there and because of him, the Frank family had to leave Frankfurt. ..."
She is doing a unit called "Influential People" right now and her person is Ann Frank. It is amazing how much information these little people get about history and other matters in their Unit Studies. She blew us away.
The country chose not to tear down this place but instead use it for tourism. It does have incredible views. We found it interesting that there are no flags flying in the area. Unusual for Europe - flags flying everywhere.
Old Salzburg with the fortress on the hill. This fortress is unique and one of the largest intact in Europe. Salzburg was an independent 'state' under rule of the reigning Archbishops until Napoleon convinced them otherwise. 
The beautiful Mirabell gardens. Kendra "Hey, didn't they film the Sound of Music in here mommy" "yes, dear, they did" She has a good eye/memory. So they proceeded to sing "doe, a deer,..." while I'm going "Shhhhhhhh"
Salzburg's greatest resident: Mozart. The City holds 7 music festivals per year and Mozart dominates the tourism theme.
Our little "Magic Flute" puppets. We took the girls to the Marionetten Theatre in Salzburg who will be celebrating a history of 100 yrs in 2011. It is amazing to see the craft involved in the marionette puppets and the skill required to perform with them.
Schloss Shonbrunn - a short distance from the city centre. This was the summer residence built by Archbishop Markus Atticus in the 1700's and it is truly a fun and beautiful place to visit. The pic here shows part of the 'wasserspiele garten' (waterplay- garden = hard to give it a direct translation).
There are many amusing, hidden fountains within the garden that the Archbishop would surprise his guests with. Including the table you see - every seat has a fountain in it except for the head seat where the Archb. sat. There are also moving diorama's that are water powered. Very entertaining for adults and children.
Besides which, the gardens themselves are absolutely beautiful and they have a huge playground which was fun for the girls.
So - Salzburg is ideal for a family if you are traveling through Austria. Enjoy the pic's and will be back next week!
Thursday, October 02, 2008
Kangaroo? Horse? A meaty observation.
I just have to comment on this as I find it interesting. Being a meat-eater and all.
I just read an article from Australia in which they discuss the benefits of the people going back to eating kangaroo meat. Kangaroo was the staple meat for Australia until the cattle and sheep farming took over. However, they are finding that the 'emissions' from cattle and sheep farming are detrimental to our environment. The emissions issue from the 'cow and sheep' industry is here in Europe as well.
The kangaroo meat is low fat and high in protein. And very low in toxic emissions. In order to control populations in the wild, the kangaroos have to be put down and currently used as pet food. Horse meat - same issue. Low in fat, high in protein and recommended for those with high cholesterol. And used for pet food.
People eat horse meat in Europe. It's right in the meat section at my grocery store. If it weren't for the little outlines of animals on the packages and the fact I know what 'pferde' is now, I couldn't tell the difference between horse or a nice beef fillet. It can be found in restaurants as well. Guess where it comes from? (hint: the country that won't eat it - Stars & Stripes)
So it makes me wonder, How do we as a society decide what animal is acceptable and what's not in regards to the meat we eat? How did it get to be JUST cows, sheep, pigs, turkey, geese and chicken - with some exceptions thrown in for the hunting crowd? Some would be bad tasting but others? (And no discussing household pets because that is just BAD.) Some people won't eat certain things just because they're "cute." ???
Obviously, I don't have anyone to talk to today.
And, I'll post some pic's of Salzburg later. Cheers.
I just read an article from Australia in which they discuss the benefits of the people going back to eating kangaroo meat. Kangaroo was the staple meat for Australia until the cattle and sheep farming took over. However, they are finding that the 'emissions' from cattle and sheep farming are detrimental to our environment. The emissions issue from the 'cow and sheep' industry is here in Europe as well.
The kangaroo meat is low fat and high in protein. And very low in toxic emissions. In order to control populations in the wild, the kangaroos have to be put down and currently used as pet food. Horse meat - same issue. Low in fat, high in protein and recommended for those with high cholesterol. And used for pet food.
People eat horse meat in Europe. It's right in the meat section at my grocery store. If it weren't for the little outlines of animals on the packages and the fact I know what 'pferde' is now, I couldn't tell the difference between horse or a nice beef fillet. It can be found in restaurants as well. Guess where it comes from? (hint: the country that won't eat it - Stars & Stripes)
So it makes me wonder, How do we as a society decide what animal is acceptable and what's not in regards to the meat we eat? How did it get to be JUST cows, sheep, pigs, turkey, geese and chicken - with some exceptions thrown in for the hunting crowd? Some would be bad tasting but others? (And no discussing household pets because that is just BAD.) Some people won't eat certain things just because they're "cute." ???
Obviously, I don't have anyone to talk to today.
And, I'll post some pic's of Salzburg later. Cheers.
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