Firenze - Florence

There was a four-day weekend in November for a school holiday. School holiday for kids, not teachers who were in training. So we went off to Florence. We had wonderful Fall weather and really enjoyed our time. This was our 2nd visit as we had visited for a day while on our Rome trip 2 years ago. We always thought we should go back and it was well worth it.

The pictures are a bit out of sequence but if I move them around now you won't be able to click them on full view so they'll stay put and let's see how I do.

Now what I don't have a picture of is the start of our journey. We rose at 4:45 so we could make it to the airport for a 7:30am flight direct to Florence. Due to weather in Florence (fog and low ceilings), we didn't leave Zurich until 8:30am. During the loading procedures, the captain explained that Florence was still not able to accept in-coming traffic but they hoped it would be clear by time we were on approach. AND, they had taken on enough extra fuel to stay in a holding pattern for up to 2 hours. FUN!

We take off out of the fog covering Zurich into clear blue skies - everything over about 1,000ft was sparkling clear and flying over the Alps was breathtaking. I can say that even after 3 1/2 yrs of it. Get's me every time. As this is only a 50 minute flight, the airport was still not able to handle the delayed traffic and after circling Florence airspace once, the captain came on to tell us that we were being diverted to Pisa and would be transported to the Florence airport via Coach.

The girls were delighted. They like riding the big buses. Bart and I were less thrilled but what can you do? No - in spite of landing in Pisa, we have yet to see the leaning Tower. Side note: everyone I know that has gone simply says "we went, took a few pictures, and left." So that will probably be our only sojourn to Pisa, Italy. We arrived safely in Florence after an hour bus ride and then took our life in our hands with the taxi ride to the hotel. I told Bart I was glad he was in the front seat and not I. He said "I wore a hole in the floor hitting the imaginary brake!" Ah - Italy! Love it!

So here we go -

The picture below contains at least 3 turrets/towers. The hillsides and landscapes around this whole region are littered with these. The prosperous families showed off their wealth and status via their towers. Whatever the history, it makes for a romantic landscape. City of Florence from the edge of the Boboli Gardens, behind the Pitti Palace. This city has so much history - art and power.

Here we are - enjoying a beautiful day in the Boboli Gardens. The gardens are huge and hundreds of years old - 16th century. Great place to relax, enjoy the view and let the kids run around.

Couldn't decide which sunset picture over the River Arno was my favorite. I chose this one to share: Dare I explain this next picture? Will we appear shallow and disrespectful? Many of the Cathedrals/Chapels/Churches have 'in-floor' tombs and Kendra doesn't like to walk on them. This was the 'romantics gallery' adjacent to the Santa Croce (houses the tombs of Michelangelo & Galileo) and is a mausoleum of sorts. They started acting a bit silly about getting her into the gallery - such are our travels with young people.

The Duomo Group - Chapel, Cathedral and Bell Tower. One of my personal favorite. I love the symmetry of the stone and colors.

Our apartment rocked!!! It was down the street from the Duomo and around the block from the Academia which houses Michelangelo's David. In a residential building and as quiet as one can get in an Italian city - garbage trucks come rumbling at 5am. In fact, it seems all the Italian cities are loud: Rome, Milan, Florence...... Except for Sunday mornings, then they are very, very quiet.

Back to the apartment. Stayed in an apartment vs a hotel for this trip. It had the sitting area below with eating quarters, a small, very well appointed kitchen and upstairs a master loft bedroom with attached study/second bedroom. AND, they had stocked it with a variety of fresh fruit, a bottle of Chianti, Orange Juice, a liter of still water and the necessities for a pasta dinner + breakfast included each day at the cafe across the street AND it was all included in our - 160 Euro/night price. Probably one of the best deals we have ever gotten in Europe for a family of 4.

160 Euro!!! with 2 bathrooms. Showers that were big enough to move in. With hot water. Comfy beds. Complimentary food. Now - this was November. Not the height of tourist season. Still, Thank You "First of Florence." I would highly recommend it and would stay there again.

Kendra popped out of the Duomo whistling away and the nice Italian charicature artist started in with the "Bella - I must draw you - bella, bella." Well, we had no place urgent to go, it was less expensive to do both girls and so down they sat. They really like their pictures and parts of their personalities were definitely captured. They also insisted Bart & I sit. So we did. Hilarious. It will not be posted on the blog but you can see it if you visit the Olson's. :)

Love these girls:

We had fun shopping - prices were definitely cheaper than in Switzerland. I've done some comparisons on the purses I saw and many of them were 20- 25% less. Except the really big designers - then it's pretty much even.

This is their motto:

They take great pride in making their goods and they really try to crack down on the knock-off street sellers.

So - another successful trip. We continue to enjoy exploring different cities and historical places. And eating Italian food!

Tap, tap, tap....

Hellllooooo



Tap, Tap, Tap



Is this thing on?



Test, 1, 2, 3 Testing 1, 2, 3



Test, test, test



No - not a sound check for Sunday Morning worship. Just checking out whether I'm still capable of writing a Blog post. Actually, I will have to save this and come back later......

OK. It's later. Tuesday in fact. I started this post yesterday. If I had tried to write a post in the last 2 weeks it would have been a series of starts and stops. Life has been busy and I guess we can conclude that I have successfully stayed away from the computer to take care of other priorities.

We traveled to Florence and arrived home to greet Gma Elaine and her friend C whose flight arrived a few hours earlier. Bart unpacked and repacked so he could catch a flight to Singapore. Then last week started: girls got their flu shots, we went to Luzern, Rachel had small reaction to flu shot so put Mom & C on train to Bern, we walked Zurich, Kendra's piano recital, Rachel's violin recital, Rachel's quartet recital, small Thanksgiving dinner, Bart returns home, Einsiedeln - Kloster & lunch, Dinner in Zurich - credit card lost by waiter, busyness of Saturday, Holiday party, put Mom & Carol on train for airport, go to church to run choir through Singing Christmas tree music (and I am NOT a choir director - it was painful!!! for me!!!) and then have official Thanksgiving dinner with friends (in which the turkey decided to take it's sweet time to be done).

So - In the spirit of Thanksgiving (late but heartfelt), I am so very Thankful for:

• My husband. Without whom I would not successfully throw birthday or dinner party's. Who cleans up everything but the china - and I'm good with that. Who hugs me and tells me to sit down for a breather before guests arrive and then realizes he has to wake me up because I've laid on the couch and fallen asleep.
• My children. Who diligently practice their music and do their homework and make me laugh every, single day. Who pack their own lunch when they realize I need help and still need a cuddle in the middle of the night.
• My Mom and C. We enjoyed their visit - even with our crazy schedule. They helped with dishes and our nice little Thanksgiving dinner and babysat the girls so we could attend the ---- Holiday party. I really enjoyed spending time with them.
• Beautiful weather. Up until yesterday, we've had very nice weather for November. It was great during Mom & C's visit and they were able to do so much more that anticipated. The heavy, white stuff started falling yesterday.
• Winter. I like the white stuff. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.....
• Health. We have been very healthy and glad that illness did not come visiting while we had guests.
• Friends. Love my friends - both in Switzerland and in the States. Looking forward to seeing some of you in Dec.!!!
• Family. Love my sisters, their families, Dad and In-Laws - and all the rest!
  
• Freedom of religion. In spite of what is seen in the media right now, Switzerland does respect one's right to freedom of religion. They just don't want minaret's in the skyline with their traditional church steeples - this does not prevent mosques from being built. This country is steeped in long-standing tradition and they do not find that this particular element fits. In fact, our Bible study group would be classified under "cult" in Switzerland because it belongs to no specifically recognized church - but they don't stop us because we have that freedom. I'm thankful for freedom in Christ which does not require a building or symbol in order to worship.
• Christmas. The birth of our Saviour and how at this season we focus on the humanity of our Lord. We brought some Frankincense back from Oman with us - will have to take some to Kris and J's fro Christmas. Cool addition to the remembrance.

So many things to be thankful for. I can't even list them all. Will have Florence up next. I actually uploaded the pic's for the post last week but.......couldn't get back to actually put words to it. :)

Wow! I'm done! I finished a post! Publish - NOW

Random Things

I know a friend/blogger who just posts random things going on in their lives. This helps when one doesn't have the capacity (not saying you don't M! I think you know who you are) to construct a complete story or paragraph or maybe even a thought. I confess to needing "time to think" when I write.

Bart asked the other night as I sat staring into space in front of the computer "What are you doing?!" I replied "Nothing. I'm thinking! I do that occasionally."

So here's to Random happenings in our household:

• We had Kendra's Birthday party for friends last week. Late - due to her Birthday falling over the Fall Break and there being School functions scheduled for 2 consecutive weekends afterward. So, for the party, I had a friend's high school age daughter help out with the 11 young ladies. This was great! So great in fact that when I happened to run into my bedroom for something, I caught Bart lying down on our bed! Oh, he tried to talk his way out of that "just for a minute" but I promised I would be posting on the Blog so - HaH!


• I've been spending more time with real, live people and less time with my computer. It required more time and effort but in the long run will be more rewarding. I think?
  
• Volunteering in elementary classrooms reminds me why I thank God for my friends who are teachers and why I chose to become an Accountant.
  
• Poor spelling can drive me crazy. I told my mom this and she says "yeah, I sometimes catch errors on your blog." So do I and I'm a--l enuf to go back and fix 'em when I sea thim. Otherwise, they (errors) can stay put. I don't claim to be perfekt. FYI - spelling that is proper in the Queen's English (GB) or German isn't considered an error - even when mixed with American English. It's my Blog and I get to make the rules.
  
• I attended a global day of prayer for Moms in Touch on Saturday. This is know in the German speaking world as Muetter in Kontakt. It was the Swiss German gathering and while not large, very encouraging. AND, we sang worship songs in German. Tongue twisters! But very cool to see that, while we speak a different language, we are saying the same thing.
  
• I have more cow pictures! Because that sweet little baby and his extended family were just down the street from us for a whole week. His cousin stuck his tongue out at me - I'll have to post pictures later.
  
• UBS called to find out what they were supposed to do with our wire transfer from the States. Perhaps - deposit it please in our Swiss Bank Account! Oh my, they're feeling touchy. I'd just like to pay the rent.


• Just signed a dozen pages on our Swiss Tax returns and popped them in the mail. They are somehow able to extract plenty of money from their citizens/residents with half the paperwork required in the US. As a former tax preparer, I do think our tax system could use an overhaul but I wouldn't hire the current administration to do it. How many pages is the HealthCareReform Act reported to be?
  
• My Dr. has confirmed I have Golf/Tennis elbow even though I play neither. I allowed it was probably from gardening and as he started "Well, the next time you wish to garden..." I blurted out "I hired a gardener" - He and I had a good laugh!


• My Dr. also gave me a prescription for a new knee brace for skiing - Yeah. I decided after last season that my 14 yr old "custom" brace has seen it's last days.
  
• My sister Deb just got a part-time college teaching job! Congratulations!!! Yes, she's still at her other full-time job but wanted to try this after she completed her MBA. Of the 3 of us girls, she's probably the last one anybody would have picked to be a teacher 20+ yrs ago. Thing is - she'd be the best at it.


• Mom and friend C arrive on Sunday for a week - Fun!
  
• Contemplating flu shots for girls - they aren't available for general public in most Canton's yet - only for person's "at risk." We'll be with "at-risk" relatives in Dec. which is why we're contemplating the vaccination.
  
• Latest controversial vote/poster issue in Switzerland (re: Minarets) can be read about on SwissInfo (English) as I decided not to post the picture itself on our family blog. Link at: www.swissinfo.ch/eng/specials/minaret_debate/index.html?siteSect=23250 We are constantly explaining political posters in this country to the kids. Another part of their education.

Views from the Villa

So! This last week was busy, busy, busy. I wasn't really ever home, went through a tank of gas and felt like I had a job. I don't know exactly what the job was but I was doing it!

I spent a good part of one day at this lovely facility - the Villa (aka the Middle School): Can you believe it houses approximately 300 students and teachers? The original 'Villa' was expanded underground with modern facilities such as cafeteria, theatre, science labs, art room, german classes and locker halls. The kids get plenty of exercise running up and down the big stairways to their classes/lockers.

It was Fall conference time and I'm pleased to say Rachel is enjoying her classes, her teachers are enjoying her, she's getting her homework done, in and doing her best - proud of our young lady. The students attend the conferences with parent and teachers. I loved that one teacher made a comment re: Rachel's "good character" and told her that one's character is more important in the long haul than a letter grade. Rachel is doing well in that class so it wasn't a moral boost but a reflection of Rachel's moral character. It feels good to know that the hard work in raising kids pays off when they're away from the parents and observed by others - Whew! at least for now...... :)

I was talking with my sister Kris last week and she wondered if it was pretty here. Fall. Why yes it is! She's in Southern California and they just don't get the bright Fall colors that we do in the cooler climates. So this is for you Kris, a little bit of Fall:

Across the fields from the Villa, you will find our church - left center and the bell tower has scaffolding on it's side. Can't really see the building for all the trees. We are in the chapel of what had been a large Seminary. As Europe started to change post-Cold War and Switzerland became too expensive for Seminary students, the Seminary itself was relocated to a more affordable country.

This is the main Kirche (church) in this area in the opposite direction of the Villa. It is a bit of a landmark and good for establishing ones direction.

On our way home from school:

Here's our big girl walking to the church (that's where I park when picking her up from school as there is limited parking at the Villa and the road is so narrow that we Expats are in danger of side swiping each other). It's such a pretty walk I usually arrive a couple minutes early so I can walk up and help her carry her bags. The hard days are when she has a backpack, lunch, gym bag and violin = luggage! And she does many of those days via train.

What an incredible school experience. I'm glad we've stayed here long enough for her to enjoy this part. I'll take plenty of pictures to add to the memories.

Girls Just Wanna have Fu-un, Oohh, girls just....

Time is marching on whether we like it or not. We (Bart & I) are getting older. So are the girls! Yikes!!!

October 31st came and went for us like any other day. No Trick or Treating, no carved pumpkins (although we have some cute little ones decorating the entry-way) and no bags full of good Halloween Candy.

But - there were costume occasions on Friday night and Sunday night so Rachel and Kendra didn't miss out on ALL the fun.

The Middle School had a Halloween dance on Friday night. So Rachel went dressed up 80's style. I mentioned a few weeks ago that we had a lot of fun buying some accessories at Claire's. Well, we also did a foofy skirt and big hair bow and big hair. She loved it. So did I.

She did mention that I was using quite a lot of hairspray to which I replied "It's all part of the 80's sweetheart." She learned the whole "curl your hair, flip your head over, spray, flip your head back up, spray some more" trick to getting "big hair."

She had a great time and Mom & Dad think she turned out pretty cute. This one - is pretty in pink:

Kendra went to Trunk & Treat at her school - both to get a little candy and to fundraise for the sister school in Ghana (this is a traditional 3rd grade project). She went as Lola - Hannah Montana's sidekick from the TV show.

Kendra loves the wigs and it's funny - a blond wig doesn't look quite natural on her but pink, pink looks pretty cute.

So another year of costumes has gone by. You'll see more of that purple lame in years to come.

We were in an Antique/Brockenhaus (a shop that mixes antiques with estate sale/Goodwill stuff (minus clothing) ) and I came upon two rolls of fabric - one purple lame and one purple netting. Each roll was marked only 7chf - for 14chf I got about 20 metres of fabric - SCORE. That's a lot of costumes/craft materials. And very 80's.

Don't laugh! I went to a college formal in an orange/bronze lame dress. Those were the days....