Trip of a Lifetime! (Part 2)

My very first trip to Paris was back in March 2004 and I was there for 4 weeks for work. I took many (MANY) pictures, but I sent this picture (below) back home. I just thought it was a great shot of the Place de la Concorde fountain and the Eiffel Tower in the background. When I talked to my parents later that night, Mom told me Daddy had pulled out a postcard that my grandfather had sent home from Paris when he was stationed in France during World War II. The postcard was of this exact shot. Cool, uh?!! I am not sure exactly how long my grandfather spent in France during WWII, but it was long enough to meet, date, and almost marry a French lady. Not sure why they broke up (maybe something to do with distance). Anyway, he spoke a lot about his time in France and I believe that was the main reason my Daddy wanted to visit Paris.

It was funny to see my family's reaction to all things French when we arrived in Paris. One nice aspect about London is the language (English); however, in Paris, things are a little different!! It was time to pull out the French (the little that I have anyway)!

So, here we are...in Paris, France! We were exhausted (due to lack of sleep, tired from walking all over London, etc). On our first full day, we made it over to Notre Dame and stopped for a little breakfast at a sidewalk cafe. Angie opted for no breakfast food and went right on to lunch and ordered poulet and pomme frites (chicken and fries)! There is an inside joke between us and she had been talking about having poulet and pomme frites in Paris for months! Also, Angie is a lover of ice.....and well, in Europe, ice does not come freely. You may (and I mean MAY) get 1 cube of ice, if you are lucky, and have asked for it in advance. While at this cafe, we asked for ice...and they brought her a bucket! We all laughed really hard! It was a great way to start the day! After brunch, we decided another bus tour sounded great! (Can you tell we were tired and wanted someone to drive us around to the sites!!??) It turned out to be the best decision we made the entire trip! I have never been a fan of bus tours...always thought they were too touristy...well, sometimes, it is just smart and worth every penny!

We hit all things Parisian....Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Élysées, Place de la Concorde, the river Seine, Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Invalides, Statues of Liberty, Opéra Garnier, Notre Dame de Paris, Musée d'Orsay, just to name a few!

Here are some pics!

Arc de TriompheDaddy's first view of the Eiffel Tower...

Being silly...

Statue of Liberty!! Confused? Yes, this is a replica of the one France gave the United States to mark the Centennial of the American Declaration of Independence.

As a must do when visiting Paris, is to go to the top of the Eiffel Tower! So, of course, we did it! As I mentioned in the London posting, Mom and Angie are deathly afraid of heights. Mom has been to the 2nd level of the Eiffel Tower on a previous trip, so she opted to sit this one out. So Daddy, Angie, and I jumped in line (and a LONG line it was) and headed up!

In the elevator. Angie was hiding somewhere and not looking out!

We made it!

Views from the top! Arc de Triomphe in the background.

Love how the streets form a "V"...
Place du Trocadero

As I mentioned before, my family LOVES Disneyworld...so when this close to the European version....I had to take them to check it out! (Disneyland Resort Paris)

Right before this picture was taken, I dropped my camera (seriously, it was not a hard fall). It stopped working and I about freaked out. It managed (thank you God) to work on and off throughout the rest of the day so we were able to capture most shots of the day. We bought a disposable camera and used it as a back up. If you know me well, you know my LOVE of photography and pictures...and my camera dying in the middle of a Trip of a Lifetime, was NOT a good thing.

Space Mountain, our favorite ride at Disneyworld. However, Euro Disney (or I think it has been renamed to Disneyland Paris) has come up with a newer version....Space Mountain, Mission 2! And it is awesome!
Angie and I about to get on!

Classic favorite...It's a Small World!

My favorite shots of the day.....Cinderella's Castle...

And Daddy checking out the parade...check out that grin!

Up next, The Glover's in Brussels, Belgium!

Life as an Expat!

The more I think about this conversation, I start to laugh! Here it is...

Email from my friend, Julie, on Friday afternoon as she is on a train from London where she was working for the past few days:

Julie: “Hey! What do you have going on this weekend?”

Tippa: “Hey girl! Not too much, really. It is supposed to rain so it will probably be another weekend indoors.”

Julie: “I was thinking about taking the train down to Paris Saturday morning. I wanted to photograph the city and hit up some of the sales. They are having great last minute summer special fares to Paris.”

Tippa: “Oh, that sounds like a great idea! I really need to get down there and photograph the city without running around showing people all of the touristy sites. However, since I just returned a couple of weeks ago and I am really somewhat tired of Paris right now, I think I am going to pass this time. Thanks for asking me though!”

It just makes me smile at how silly that conversation sounds. I do not know many people who can say....1) I am TIRED of Paris; and 2) I was JUST THERE a couple of weeks ago.

I can already tell I will miss living in the center of Europe and the ability to jump on a train and be in any fantastic destination within a couple of hours (at most). I have started taking living here and being so close to many fabulous cities for granted. I need to get out of that mindset and live in the “now” so not to have any regrets once I move home!!

Yes, this is the same girl who wrote the “Homesick” posting a couple of weeks ago. :-)

Trip of a Lifetime! (Part 1)

This was really a trip of a lifetime for my family. There are no words I could say here to express just how special it was to have them over here, watching them see things they never thought they would be able to see and soaking up the cultures they were able to experience.

Since I have lived in Europe, my family has heard all about the ups and downs, the good and the bad, the completely unbelievable to the most awesome of living in Europe. Nevertheless, until you experience it for yourself, you never really understand what it is like (good and bad). They now have an incredible idea and better understanding of life in Europe.

From the moment we started planning this trip, I wanted them to be able do and see everything they wanted to see and experience, as I knew this would more than likely be the only trip to this side of the world. They are not international travelers, although they love traveling around the US (especially to Disneyworld!). They really did not have too many suggestions and left the major planning to me, they just said they wanted to experience it all. (Ok, that helps a lot!)

For many, the first trip over the big pond sends you to the most popular destinations...London and Paris. The cities you have heard about most and dreamed of seeing. When I asked my family where they wanted to go...their answer was exactly that, London and Paris.

They arrived in Brussels on Thursday, June 19th! Boy, was I (and Maxie) excited to see them. They came in a couple of days early to rest up and get over the dreaded jet-lag, plus I wanted them to spend some time in Brussels and in my apartment they have heard so much about.

We left for London on Saturday traveling on the EuroStar. Although I have been to London many times, this was everyone else's first trip to London and first trip on a high-speed train! I have expressed my love of train travel before and now my family agrees! They loved it! It is just so easy!

I digress...

While in London, we saw everything there was to see. We took the "Original London Bus Tour" (which, in my opinion, is the only way to see everything in London when you have limited time). We did all things 'touristy'....Buckingham Palace (including the Changing of the Guards and the major crowds that went with it), Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, the London Eye, Tower of London, Tower Bridge, London Bridge (yes, it is still standing and has not fallen), boat ride down the Thames River, etc. I could go on and on.

They experienced riding on the other side of the road (which is really weird the first time you do it), the "look to the left" and "look to the right" signs painted on the ground so you do not step out in front of a car coming from a direction you are not used to, the really cute taxis, riding the "Tube" (which is rode a LOT!), and Daddy got to visit and tour the Grand Lodge of England (he is a Mason so this was REALLY special for him). The weather was perfect (and hot) which you do not typically see in London....we even got a little sunburn! Not many people can say they got a sunburn in a climate where it rains a lot!

As a believer that pictures tell the story...here are a few of my favorites!

Getting ready to board the EuroStar...Angie and I on board...

Starting the bus tour...

The Glover's and good ole Big Ben!

And, at Buckingham Palace....

Riding the London Eye...
Taking in the views....

Wow...check out Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament in the background!

Yep, we are really high up!

Mom and Angie are afraid of heights...but they did great!

We just hope this bolt stays put! Check out how big that thing is!

The Glover's!

Daddy (an avid hunter) checking out all the gun at the Tower of London!

Up next....the Glover's in Paris!

Catching Up!

I know, I know....I have not posted any updates since my family left. I am so sorry! I am trying to get caught up, pictures uploaded and edited (we took over 550), laundry done (which will finally be completed tonight), and getting some rest myself...not to mention, work (you know, the reason I am over here to begin with!)!!

In the meantime, look at my precious Maxie! I think she was a little tired to after her Auntie GG, Gammaw, and Gampaw left!

Homesick

I am sure this has something to do with my sister leaving on Sunday and my parents leaving this Friday....but I am really really REALLY homesick. This experience has been incredible and I have absolutely no regrets, but I am ready to get on with the next chapter of my life and get back home. I have about 8 months left and I know I am going to miss it when I am back in Memphis, but that is not what I am feeling or worried about right now.

Remind me again why I did this???

So, please remember me in your prayers, I feel like I am going to need them this week.

Heaven!

AKA the Chicken Truck

I will post more about my family's visit to Europe, but I wanted to post a little something we experienced this morning as we visited my neighborhood Farmer's Market.

I've been in Brussels for over a year now, and I was shocked, appalled and shamed to realize the other day that I had yet to blog about the chicken truck. This is a terrible, terrible dereliction of duty on my part, because the chicken truck is the very centerpiece of my existence here, the source of all that is good, holy and true in Belgium.

Like many a sacramental object, the chicken truck's origins are mysterious. I don't know where it comes from or who owns it (although I believe it might be the Roi de Poulet, since that is what is often emblazoned on the side of the truck, and it would make sense that royalty was somehow involved, because the chicken truck, like many kings, rules by divine right).

My pity for those benighted souls among you who have yet to experience the chicken truck is as boundless as the sea. Allow me to enlighten you: It's a large tractor trailer that goes to pretty much every Belgian Market. The sides of the trailer roll up, and inside (cue the choir of angels) are three (sometimes four) greasy faced men attending, like the vestal virgins before the holy fires of Rome, to row upon row of rotisserie chicken. The birds are skewered and slowly rotating on the back wall of the chicken truck.

Now, pay attention, because this is the crucial part, as they rotate, the top bird's fat will drip onto the chickens below and so on, and so on. The chickens are thus thoroughly basted in delicious, mouth-watering chicken fat. That's not the end of it, though, because the chicken truck also sells potatoes. These spuds are placed in the bottom pan, BENEATH all of the chickens... That's right, the potatoes actually COOK in the scrumptious, delicately spiced chicken fat.

When this process has been described to some people they have responded with incomprehension and even revulsion: "Ew, you buy your chicken from a truck!" or worse yet, "Sounds greasy." These people are heretics and fools. They are ignorant cretins who know not of what they speak. The chicken truck's magical aroma will lure you across two city blocks and for the ten minutes it takes you to scarf down the chicken and potatoes you will experience the food of the gods.

As your teeth sink through the ever so slightly, spiced chicken skin, and meet the exquisitely tender, moist flesh of the bird you will float away on clouds of delight and joy. To eat at the Chicken Truck, my friends is to taste ambrosia, and to experience, for one brief moment, the immortality of Zeus, Thor and Ra himself.

NOTE: In an effort of full disclosure, I am borrowing this posting about the Chicken Truck from another girl who lives in Brussels. I chose to use her words as she described the Chicken Truck experience PERFECTLY! I could not have said it any better!

The Family

My family made it over to Europe safe and sound last week. After getting over jet-lag, we left for London then Paris and last night we made it back to Brussels. I think they are in culture overload and exhausted, but we have had so much fun!

While I am sorting through over 350 pictures, here is one of my favorites! More to come later!

The Cheerful Giver

2 Corinthians 9:6-12

6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 9 As it is written,

“He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.”

10 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. 12 For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.

3 days and counting!

My family arrives on Thursday afternoon and I could not be more excited! As expected, these days are passing by slowly! Ahhh, it is only Monday!! :-)

I know we will have a fantastic visit! This will be Mom's 3rd trip...can you believe that? She had never been to Europe before until this opportunity came up for me! How cool is that?! This will be the first trip over for my Dad and sister! It makes me so happy to be able to share this incredible experience with them! We have plans to visit London, Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels (of course), and any other cities we can squeeze in along the way. Mom and Dad will be here for over 2 weeks, so they will definitely get to see a lot!

Now, they just have to get all the things I have asked them to bring over for me packed and through Customs! This should be interesting!!!

Vienna, Austria

My trip to Vienna started on Friday afternoon as I was leaving Budapest. I decided to take the train (since you know my love of train travel!). This train was different than any other I had been on before. It had little compartments with 6 seats in each compartment. It was really kinda cool! I was able to get on an earlier train than my reservation, so I did not have a reserved seat. As I walked down the hallway trying to find a compartment (and company I was willing to be with for 3 hours), I wondered into one compartment with 2 guys. Come to find out, these guys were from Belgium (one from Brussels and the other from Ghent). How ironic!! Anyway, it was an enjoyable ride as they filled me in on things in Brussels and Belgium that I had not experienced yet and have now added to my list!

My tour of Vienna started on Saturday morning. The whole city still seemed so royal. The buildings were huge and and gorgeous. The streets and sidewalks are spotless and sparkling. I found myself asking, "Who lived here again and what did they do?" The Habsburg dynasty lasted 630 years (from around 1288 to 1918). Through marriage they basically acquired all of Europe at one point. The famous Marie Antoinette came from this family. It seems like their favorite emperor and empress was Franz Joseph and Elisabeth Amalie Eugenie (also known as "Sisi").

My first stop was the Schloss Schonbrunn palace, home of the Habsburg's. It reminded me a lot of Versailles, maybe just as big and just as extravagant. The Schonbrunn still has a lot of original furniture and personal items belonging to Franz Joseph and Elisabeth. As you finished one room and thought there couldn't be anything better, you walk into the next and start gawking and babbling all over again. Unfortunately, I couldn't take any pictures inside so you'll just have to see it for yourself some day. It is amazing.
My breakfast buddy...
Apple strudel is the must-have dessert in Vienna! It was fantastic!
After Schonbrunn, I headed to the Holfburg Palace complex. Today, the former private apartments of the imperial family in the Imperial Palace are open to tour. Emperor Franz Joseph and his Elisabeth lived here with their children and the entire royal household. I am a little confused why they lived in Holfburg as well as Schonbrunn, but maybe one was the country home and one was the city home. Anyway, from this location they represented the realm of the Habsburg and directed its politics. Included in the tour was a ridiculous collection of court silver and china. I now understand what a butler pantry really means. There were several rooms used to store forks, plates, etc. It's something that has to be seen to really understand.
The utensil collection! Wow, think there was enough!?
Only one of MANY china choices!
Check out this slightly large and ridiculous centerpiece! This is only 1 half of it...yes, there was more!
Only part of the silver collection they used for a casual dinner...

Next I was off to the Sisi Museum, which tells the story of the Empress Elisabeth (nicknamed Sisi). That was very interesting and helped me enjoy what I saw in the apartments after. She was apparently always on a diet and had exercise equipment in her dressing room (it's still there). She was killed by a nail file (stabbed in the heart) in 1898 at the age of 60. Sisi's story is really fascinating.

After Holfburg, I had tickets to a performance at the Spanish Riding School to see the "dancing horses". The best way to describe it is a ballet with horses. The room was like a ballroom with a sunken floor covered with a carpet of dirt. I thought no one took better care of their dirt than in Major League stadiums, but let me assure you that they could learn a thing or two from these guys. It was immaculate - it was hardly a room for horses. They use Lipizzaner horses, which as they age turn pure white. They are beautiful.
So, at this point in my day I had covered a lot of ground and saw most of the must see things in Vienna. As I was walking around the city just taking it all in! Then, I ran across a movie theater with a sign outside saying "Sex and the City"! If you know me well, you know that I LOVE the show Sex and the City and have been dying to see the movie! I walked in and asked when the next show was the guy told me in 5 minutes! Perfect!!! I said, give me a ticket and I sat myself down and saw a FANTASTIC movie!!!
Seeing the movie just made a perfect day even better! What a great memory!

Since I saw everything I wanted to see on Saturday, I spent most of Sunday just walking around the city and enjoying the view! Like I said before, Vienna is beautiful and it was nice to walk around and take it all in! German is the language of Vienna and actually called "Wien" in German. Here are a few pics from my walk!

Beautiful architecture!
Vienna Opera
Neues Rathaus (Town Hall)
Euro 2008 was being hosted by Austria and Switzerland this year so they were getting ready for the big event. By the way, Euro 2008 is a MAJOR soccer tournament...nope, I had no idea what it was until I asked!
Part of the Holfburg Complex
I told you the streets were pristine!Click here to see all my pictures from Vienna.