tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24577206194021262362024-03-08T11:48:23.587-08:00It's Adventure TimeMarried couple Andrew and Maggie Hall travel around the world in search of adventures.Maggie Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17378337707268580252noreply@blogger.comBlogger108125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2457720619402126236.post-67634148289152511452016-10-01T07:52:00.000-07:002016-10-10T10:40:08.192-07:00the hippiest town in england<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
For our last few days in England, we headed to the beach
town of Brighton to stay in Maggie’s uncle's flat there. The flat is right in
the center of Brighton, just a few blocks from the beach, with excellent people
watching out the front windows. Maggie’s uncle’s time there overlapped
with ours for only two days, so he showed us around Brighton. <br />
<br />
Brighton, it turned out, was a cool little town that
felt a lot like the San Francisco of England. We went to many pubs, but also a
drag show, which he told us was an English tradition. We really liked Brighton
and planned on coming back to its small streets and cute (hippie) stores.</div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjkmwZ-8Rbq_yz1R1UCPsgCcaq8c4l_U25hF0K_Ifiprf-EcJixb8nuTp4jU2bhwuIBNFXJ7LYPng3lerdmjcqdyfjUnoPUB_GHpHuPc2G3ZUvOzdg0PV-55InwcblP6uIZtZslcHPtv8/s1600/Brighton01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjkmwZ-8Rbq_yz1R1UCPsgCcaq8c4l_U25hF0K_Ifiprf-EcJixb8nuTp4jU2bhwuIBNFXJ7LYPng3lerdmjcqdyfjUnoPUB_GHpHuPc2G3ZUvOzdg0PV-55InwcblP6uIZtZslcHPtv8/s1600/Brighton01.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andrew and Maggie's uncle enjoying a drink in his living room.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFMtPBJ5c_bd66X7xn818qbQ7Y-ZzLz7I84-VO9TUB6EyvYOprce0FOEhco1q0J9JKB-CkuAs8Dn2FYO4fet7eGucsFerSRV_F0N0Dpa8XecR-DVa7FrnD89FXN3oLqmfivfMByr88cHg/s1600/Brighton02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFMtPBJ5c_bd66X7xn818qbQ7Y-ZzLz7I84-VO9TUB6EyvYOprce0FOEhco1q0J9JKB-CkuAs8Dn2FYO4fet7eGucsFerSRV_F0N0Dpa8XecR-DVa7FrnD89FXN3oLqmfivfMByr88cHg/s1600/Brighton02.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An English tradition: a drag show.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx17jGC-0GuG3vSd1SpzTW8sf50a_ZJI2q4-kHzmq8wbP_tQ5QpF9OD_doujgo13-YKb-TM6TvSLnEmy4ep7el-T1EuwDU8mG2W0mKsdZ_pj0jKW5Stq7SUjkoU-7LPbLToRyYR9c4Hrc/s1600/Brighton03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx17jGC-0GuG3vSd1SpzTW8sf50a_ZJI2q4-kHzmq8wbP_tQ5QpF9OD_doujgo13-YKb-TM6TvSLnEmy4ep7el-T1EuwDU8mG2W0mKsdZ_pj0jKW5Stq7SUjkoU-7LPbLToRyYR9c4Hrc/s1600/Brighton03.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A common theme: headed to the pub.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr_q3dbYWUurobOPHZN9SnC_RiLNL5o3-bP_S4b0yR0XB0BPqHkKvgBQp4W3G8oOw4aKJBV6CQcMy3XXvPDe8zcD0jxls91J5K3e2oH0OdtIiPl3HMYwUpaOsqSHMCvSg3SeMcyJ9xz3U/s1600/Brighton04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr_q3dbYWUurobOPHZN9SnC_RiLNL5o3-bP_S4b0yR0XB0BPqHkKvgBQp4W3G8oOw4aKJBV6CQcMy3XXvPDe8zcD0jxls91J5K3e2oH0OdtIiPl3HMYwUpaOsqSHMCvSg3SeMcyJ9xz3U/s1600/Brighton04.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">England has the most classic pubs.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16588692928447732601noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2457720619402126236.post-61649727032692969952016-09-29T11:54:00.000-07:002016-10-10T07:51:42.372-07:00london via forest gate<br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
From our stay in Nottingham, we headed down to London for a couple weeks in an East London area called Forest Gate. We were housing sitting a
cute black cat named Lola. The first thing we noticed about our new
neighborhood was that every other shop was a curry shop – so we were in heaven.</div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJzBcMxbIdrhGLGrx_5otNfzDLuue0UKJO7fUxIw3nPwCZ8S-bCfY5_50FQ7hGzKJeNqZgV6EKFBSoRxr1ZUGxXNds4UB0888IkK2xeqTVSx7nGouIJ6xAJX8gFjzQ0YpgxAxRwFGG2Uk/s1600/London01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJzBcMxbIdrhGLGrx_5otNfzDLuue0UKJO7fUxIw3nPwCZ8S-bCfY5_50FQ7hGzKJeNqZgV6EKFBSoRxr1ZUGxXNds4UB0888IkK2xeqTVSx7nGouIJ6xAJX8gFjzQ0YpgxAxRwFGG2Uk/s1600/London01.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lola in all her cat glory.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
After getting settled in, we took the tube into the heart of
London for some good ol’ fashioned site seeing. On first excursion happened to
line up with one of Andrew’s friend’s mom's stay in London, and we met up with
her for lunch. After a tasty meal we headed over to Trafalgar Square where we
went to the National Art Museum and the National Portrait Gallery. After
feeling very artsy, we met up with Maggie’s uncle for a quick drink before
meeting up with one of Maggie’s writer friends and her husband for dinner. It
was a very social day for two people who hadn’t seen many familiar faces in
awhile, so we loved it.</div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD-2FQH_x3zsyu5pqza-fGlkYdjj5SDNsbdy7izvFlFZ0B6vawzpa7gkKDRU-66jO4aYK6d0xDM4B7uexpNtxWZu-ceYIWSOnu_7nsnPlIvskGEvtv893iNmMWWr7NuNiyh4B7iLFabg0/s1600/London02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD-2FQH_x3zsyu5pqza-fGlkYdjj5SDNsbdy7izvFlFZ0B6vawzpa7gkKDRU-66jO4aYK6d0xDM4B7uexpNtxWZu-ceYIWSOnu_7nsnPlIvskGEvtv893iNmMWWr7NuNiyh4B7iLFabg0/s1600/London02.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trafalgar Square</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglod7Yf_e7kV1xS9dkOe6cIDLChifvHHKWAf4l30di4GD4Vg_RW7ZMes7CSkeVc4VkXFUtHYWTdjqSJSDmlB2-sAJIfl2UaS-feBTKiiW8KUcsxA-HZqaFYnzbYD01VR0IZMTczhdAi5w/s1600/London03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglod7Yf_e7kV1xS9dkOe6cIDLChifvHHKWAf4l30di4GD4Vg_RW7ZMes7CSkeVc4VkXFUtHYWTdjqSJSDmlB2-sAJIfl2UaS-feBTKiiW8KUcsxA-HZqaFYnzbYD01VR0IZMTczhdAi5w/s1600/London03.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nelson overlooking Big Ben.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaV5wafmmiE8-7kCL6PaKKfZyJnFr4nl3rmCvIJsGO2huNWcdgLEqkZNdAfIfRxp8scnFnPLRMAGdE0su9cdWDHinfYKeAepLysv6PpAXeB8wdjwGQfBKYHQeISW5t7Q9JvRaO_JMdVy0/s1600/London04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaV5wafmmiE8-7kCL6PaKKfZyJnFr4nl3rmCvIJsGO2huNWcdgLEqkZNdAfIfRxp8scnFnPLRMAGdE0su9cdWDHinfYKeAepLysv6PpAXeB8wdjwGQfBKYHQeISW5t7Q9JvRaO_JMdVy0/s1600/London04.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Out for a fun lunch in London.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWSf1bx_jH4XbdhGyDcZg4lcaa7nc1MWFk6RezcxXXGqM81h9LomzRVw7jfwQLsovCQ0RAXn8enL_0NMqZo129WVoi7JJ7a8gi5pGanH0t_S-9NvY8TyN8bMnGr9HyhDisxVnRXkMz6DM/s1600/London05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWSf1bx_jH4XbdhGyDcZg4lcaa7nc1MWFk6RezcxXXGqM81h9LomzRVw7jfwQLsovCQ0RAXn8enL_0NMqZo129WVoi7JJ7a8gi5pGanH0t_S-9NvY8TyN8bMnGr9HyhDisxVnRXkMz6DM/s1600/London05.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maggie posing with Big Ben.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg25gFDMsbtTmedV_M_MVd-kZcZ-XulO_S2OoJeUklXukUTh9FWzNkx8LyMqF_2iZ5mmruTqufHwnhOAaav1LwBQj8BGsNk-JvhP_VkjKhVyLyQUD88TfSdjDaGXuF4ltFpS2rVe5vReso/s1600/London06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg25gFDMsbtTmedV_M_MVd-kZcZ-XulO_S2OoJeUklXukUTh9FWzNkx8LyMqF_2iZ5mmruTqufHwnhOAaav1LwBQj8BGsNk-JvhP_VkjKhVyLyQUD88TfSdjDaGXuF4ltFpS2rVe5vReso/s1600/London06.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3vG3PZ6XEy3U1srVoVhYw0YTITZQB3BADMvf3TMZiqWLndi6_v0CW41QkhmjoqRNsyqqTcTgAVcAWgJ5c-0e6xSm1lmCxJox8UqTvgGN6fKmSp5594xuYVIlQcobkqsFN61u0MYK2_UI/s1600/London07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3vG3PZ6XEy3U1srVoVhYw0YTITZQB3BADMvf3TMZiqWLndi6_v0CW41QkhmjoqRNsyqqTcTgAVcAWgJ5c-0e6xSm1lmCxJox8UqTvgGN6fKmSp5594xuYVIlQcobkqsFN61u0MYK2_UI/s1600/London07.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNzj7R1jh_DUd0PIiJpUD_UrBPm03K188A_75RWUzXFbVcfphQpC457cUOoTAO1ctyXJa4OtWTdCfVqb0F6wic3Ydj-byEpAOA7S7e0nmP6cyVXmdLJKvIxrSxoQTyXzhZELhLekKTkWE/s1600/London08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNzj7R1jh_DUd0PIiJpUD_UrBPm03K188A_75RWUzXFbVcfphQpC457cUOoTAO1ctyXJa4OtWTdCfVqb0F6wic3Ydj-byEpAOA7S7e0nmP6cyVXmdLJKvIxrSxoQTyXzhZELhLekKTkWE/s1600/London08.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Always fun to make new friends.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
The rest of our stay in London involved some days of working and eating curry in Forest Gate, while other days we’d head into
the city for some work and sightseeing. The weather was just turning from
summer to fall, so the temperatures were perfect to be outside. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI3Vzx5kWYt_G-a9ijYzIN3R3FuV9yqDQuki2XY52iSom_lRvD0pczgFiiakqyBVVoOZFawQ9kkW-7RKFjR38KTMvhVnz6u1_i_DcNore6440fDx8ydc2Pxa_q0xeYjKYwmcbIY76U1Ks/s1600/London09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI3Vzx5kWYt_G-a9ijYzIN3R3FuV9yqDQuki2XY52iSom_lRvD0pczgFiiakqyBVVoOZFawQ9kkW-7RKFjR38KTMvhVnz6u1_i_DcNore6440fDx8ydc2Pxa_q0xeYjKYwmcbIY76U1Ks/s1600/London09.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A church with a graveyard right by our place in Forest Gate.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAuzwDxsCGpRwOdbXovB5OHwY8YFcDBrFLKPp0wW8Wss65SBT9b5SemBCUiudwcs6lPE3VqGcUL881G4n87Tny_6caBYDcbtb24g1t_xcFhMXBDDpdT4uVt3u6vtNRL78XodkwG-zf_1A/s1600/London10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAuzwDxsCGpRwOdbXovB5OHwY8YFcDBrFLKPp0wW8Wss65SBT9b5SemBCUiudwcs6lPE3VqGcUL881G4n87Tny_6caBYDcbtb24g1t_xcFhMXBDDpdT4uVt3u6vtNRL78XodkwG-zf_1A/s1600/London10.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You could barley read this tombstone had it not been for the moss growing in the small grooves of the letters.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinO-r0UkEuxgAPbb7Zv3gMhDY6BWbTmqHnqe_Q-SGhAFDOpgTutqTYlu2-OPkmDEq7YqtiX_EeGJFl098iWm-Gqyhzv72m4S8M07cT_s7bxGIqkcaX1SOT0UqI3DFNIVQE41x-p4Mm-rA/s1600/London11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinO-r0UkEuxgAPbb7Zv3gMhDY6BWbTmqHnqe_Q-SGhAFDOpgTutqTYlu2-OPkmDEq7YqtiX_EeGJFl098iWm-Gqyhzv72m4S8M07cT_s7bxGIqkcaX1SOT0UqI3DFNIVQE41x-p4Mm-rA/s1600/London11.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful London canals.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
One of the things Andrew really wanted to do while we were in London was to eat some Jellied Eels. Why? Because the last time we were in London, we were staying right by an eel and pie shop and we never stopped in – and Andrew regretted it. Looking online we saw we were close to another eel and pie shop that had been in existence for generations, so we weren’t going to miss it this time. In general Jellied Eels are okay, they kind of taste like fish, but it’s the jelly that can turn you off a bit. We ate one eel straight out of the jelly and then took the rest home and fried them up for dinner.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUPrls2X6XgdGbPLvHagt-SoR_OZlfOCGWdg1PispBR1wdLEWUIPvUn6gu6XFG8-NL-TVw5YW8u1iaa3KUOPD3KRBaVPBcGVKHFrIu2_l-DwpxYCHEajRZwuvOge4sIZZcOgPifLYtVFg/s1600/London12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUPrls2X6XgdGbPLvHagt-SoR_OZlfOCGWdg1PispBR1wdLEWUIPvUn6gu6XFG8-NL-TVw5YW8u1iaa3KUOPD3KRBaVPBcGVKHFrIu2_l-DwpxYCHEajRZwuvOge4sIZZcOgPifLYtVFg/s1600/London12.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jellied eel with pie and liquor.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our stay in London also lined up with Andrew’s birthday, so
one whole day was spent doing whatever he wanted, which turned out to be
drinking absinthe around the city. After many stops for a quick drink, our
bottle was empty and it was time for dinner. We ended right by London’s
Chinatown, and since Andrew’s a big sucker for Chinese food, we went out for a
grand feast of Chinese. During our dinner, there were a group of American ladies
next to us who were surprised to hear about the length of our trip. They said
how most people wait for retirement to do things like that and how great it was
that we were doing it now – we told them that was the plan.</div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiok60HG5d17IK1Q6Owe4xQ0eI9R2UKBNAWk8UX_K_AkTGEYQaiYgBv3tmJgp8IL_QCQfCqHlQbo22TEwA26XwcFeN73Vc0X5fi_GKQjahQdlh4CCc8BMI0mResUQX4bFAIXXapW4TO-oY/s1600/London13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiok60HG5d17IK1Q6Owe4xQ0eI9R2UKBNAWk8UX_K_AkTGEYQaiYgBv3tmJgp8IL_QCQfCqHlQbo22TEwA26XwcFeN73Vc0X5fi_GKQjahQdlh4CCc8BMI0mResUQX4bFAIXXapW4TO-oY/s1600/London13.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lola reenacting the label to our absinthe (no cats drank absinthe during the taking of this photo)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPQ5eL-KydteifL3ogD7jenwDV1Ea0CvKdufm7GWt3ykEDM9Ms-xemThuoHf0dS6iUFz5O21bQT7Nf4MhSG4LrJD8LdJsfxtMWYXVnGIhuo7UYf9-a47ujZXGEQ4K5jjgIYkZEAPEmtoc/s1600/London14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPQ5eL-KydteifL3ogD7jenwDV1Ea0CvKdufm7GWt3ykEDM9Ms-xemThuoHf0dS6iUFz5O21bQT7Nf4MhSG4LrJD8LdJsfxtMWYXVnGIhuo7UYf9-a47ujZXGEQ4K5jjgIYkZEAPEmtoc/s1600/London14.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The best place to drink absinthe is always in a graveyard.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8kDb8n5emuYeXMbcQqvSKo4n9Nt_iwgQfCUd02kH3F7vqTb1kjNQYGyEFMazdIH5Yu8SDDjqdXVlO-bDTyLM_GG6xQtSQdKX5b3mQmh9lwKavwZ__-Rg_cHYjxCdFvXvbz09982IEu2U/s1600/London16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8kDb8n5emuYeXMbcQqvSKo4n9Nt_iwgQfCUd02kH3F7vqTb1kjNQYGyEFMazdIH5Yu8SDDjqdXVlO-bDTyLM_GG6xQtSQdKX5b3mQmh9lwKavwZ__-Rg_cHYjxCdFvXvbz09982IEu2U/s1600/London16.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St. James park is a gem in central London.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguI2e3BAxV4lT-mORaaHkrW77pkVZmFMfFW2sW7D5G6-Vt1apsgPrAypxmyda2DYITXlulg5blcFoyBVkTGenU1k9cwHOR3et8utNTZ7osrak3T52mwHKvFPfcHoL9wlgFdCbSqHa_EK0/s1600/London17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguI2e3BAxV4lT-mORaaHkrW77pkVZmFMfFW2sW7D5G6-Vt1apsgPrAypxmyda2DYITXlulg5blcFoyBVkTGenU1k9cwHOR3et8utNTZ7osrak3T52mwHKvFPfcHoL9wlgFdCbSqHa_EK0/s1600/London17.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andrew enjoying a Chinese meal on his birthday.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16588692928447732601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2457720619402126236.post-32696761993565370522016-09-17T08:28:00.000-07:002016-09-22T03:17:46.307-07:00warhammer world- er... i mean nottinghamAfter our Belgium road trip, it was off to England. Before going to London, we made a trip up to the city of Nottingham. It was a very cute city with lots of friendly people, but the city wasn't the reason we'd come. Andrew is a big Warhammer fan, and Nottingham is where it's headquartered. It is also were they have Warhammer World, a place devoted to the fans of Warhammer. There you can drink Warhammer beer, play Warhammer games and go through a museum of Warhammer. We spent the whole day there, with Andrew geeking out while Maggie worked in the Bugman's Bar (a place for the spouses of Warhammer geeks to amuse themselves).<br />
<br />
It was a Saturday, so the place was full of gamers playing Warhammer on fifty some tables. In the museum, there were well painted version of their minis, but also giant dioramas, some with over five thousand minis in them. It was quite impressive and Andrew spent hours perusing the museum and taking pictures.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRsga7jTsBEhihHYT6EG3qTHpv7TccKWgp4FTAaofVKWYdJMCow6_sn4P0gHjBU6oucFXWF4VUyeQ6N6UE1Kt9E7aEDgbbKRk_UQ0KegprM4cPqUVksyHX2_QxZiGbKyu07DSA8ZOs7CQ/s1600/WarhammerWorld01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRsga7jTsBEhihHYT6EG3qTHpv7TccKWgp4FTAaofVKWYdJMCow6_sn4P0gHjBU6oucFXWF4VUyeQ6N6UE1Kt9E7aEDgbbKRk_UQ0KegprM4cPqUVksyHX2_QxZiGbKyu07DSA8ZOs7CQ/s1600/WarhammerWorld01.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We walked along the canal from the city of Nottingham to Warhammer World.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTaNqlqmfH7rcWtS1nXcjlQlidyViTa8BtTUCa1x371jruy46GMG-_8-pqpXJUl8W4v-QsZSvorJzzpiR-m6Y7eWxyncxx9OX-AnQwTdDKMONP4uuTB6RjrSfWdL0r7il7HUF6o6N8XXI/s1600/WarhammerWorld02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTaNqlqmfH7rcWtS1nXcjlQlidyViTa8BtTUCa1x371jruy46GMG-_8-pqpXJUl8W4v-QsZSvorJzzpiR-m6Y7eWxyncxx9OX-AnQwTdDKMONP4uuTB6RjrSfWdL0r7il7HUF6o6N8XXI/s1600/WarhammerWorld02.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andrew outside of Warhammer World.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJyISR8zxbn8XTyNpXZNo0Q4ljNtVs4dmQLYv1mMEghEBlcAbLCVUVrgGkQl1PQjsv-ITqD9yGyPbITOwq5E7vBam74j-Mvt3SGPuYfALt2xVfRh2gTQO5AAh6PQaC_Xep1MjTQdj9gmc/s1600/WarhammerWorld03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJyISR8zxbn8XTyNpXZNo0Q4ljNtVs4dmQLYv1mMEghEBlcAbLCVUVrgGkQl1PQjsv-ITqD9yGyPbITOwq5E7vBam74j-Mvt3SGPuYfALt2xVfRh2gTQO5AAh6PQaC_Xep1MjTQdj9gmc/s1600/WarhammerWorld03.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some amazingly well painted Space Marines in the museum.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCD6WWpzVpiZ4ONNOM8kUzw0o0RKncXHkkb06i2m75vKp8CpuY7K1hykuIg9qGqSncaVbu1s5ahL_QzY8hg_2zy_bNFQDlq2LfIb_mEuS5iuG_oW6bZOt8vEkY_ISC7SYwkPu-5r-M87I/s1600/WarhammerWorld04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCD6WWpzVpiZ4ONNOM8kUzw0o0RKncXHkkb06i2m75vKp8CpuY7K1hykuIg9qGqSncaVbu1s5ahL_QzY8hg_2zy_bNFQDlq2LfIb_mEuS5iuG_oW6bZOt8vEkY_ISC7SYwkPu-5r-M87I/s1600/WarhammerWorld04.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A giant diorama with 5,500 minis in it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqj0i47Wz5FeFNNHntV1I2F7fbv1vB1yzt50PmqzC5rGMlyt6phoctbpAY6nFuRwAgHYjG5ZrSCq9Yq6duBQeZFwjywzAdYwlm-718dt8QLO7izvTFwdcNqGSPgCBTycj4MfLRpyA7p2I/s1600/WarhammerWorld05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqj0i47Wz5FeFNNHntV1I2F7fbv1vB1yzt50PmqzC5rGMlyt6phoctbpAY6nFuRwAgHYjG5ZrSCq9Yq6duBQeZFwjywzAdYwlm-718dt8QLO7izvTFwdcNqGSPgCBTycj4MfLRpyA7p2I/s1600/WarhammerWorld05.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One tiny portion of the above diorama.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Nottingham is also the city of Robin Hood, and as we learned, the city of caves. There are hundreds of man-made caves dotting the area. The surrounding geography is an easy-to-cut limestone and until the eighteen hundreds, if you had a shovel, you could dig yourself a home, a cellar, or even a bowling alley. It is also home to the oldest bar in England, the Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem. It's rumored to have been built around 1100 as a place for pilgrims to stop before heading off on the Crusades. It too is carved into the limestone, as well as being supposedly haunted. It has a toy-sized galleon that hasn't been cleaned in three hundred years because the first three people to clean it died in quick and horrible ways. The galleon is now surrounded in plexiglass so no one else can clean it, but it looked to have a few hundred years of dust on it before the covering was put on.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYnJIC14g-k9_gcYuVraBppfT0Dc-FAeVfJm673LQKmmXaC2LIZIO6Ne3VEO7ZJ5Qruyln-czMdEJZtu4B0afAFYy9HGwqTHadeX8FQPxk-XQjDBq3CYlvMlRFOe8Li1n4k7tQh2dqWDE/s1600/WarhammerWorld06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYnJIC14g-k9_gcYuVraBppfT0Dc-FAeVfJm673LQKmmXaC2LIZIO6Ne3VEO7ZJ5Qruyln-czMdEJZtu4B0afAFYy9HGwqTHadeX8FQPxk-XQjDBq3CYlvMlRFOe8Li1n4k7tQh2dqWDE/s1600/WarhammerWorld06.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andrew enjoying a beer in a carved out room in the Ye Old Trip to Jerusalem</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16588692928447732601noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2457720619402126236.post-34675979867812003942016-09-14T08:04:00.000-07:002016-09-22T03:15:29.034-07:00road trip belgiumWhen thinking about the things we wanted to do in Europe this time around, one of our high priorities was making it to Belgium and Luxembourg. Andrew's parents had done a road trip around Belgium a few years ago and it seemed like a great way to see the smaller breweries that freckled the country. So we rented a car in Paris and made our way north to the country that's the only oasis of good beer in the otherwise barren land of Europe.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixGUpVFC3IYOkXiTbX5jLzzOso9CcULQq6R4XAdzAUyIQHOZLSJhhBvj2O_gXoWOeP8khDBJb5XgPEJdw5X6iBP1WO71XiRMV8DWqXN_LSqZ-K05uuNZEQkndwuwO-bimsdUIfjeYpvFs/s1600/EuroRoadTrip01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixGUpVFC3IYOkXiTbX5jLzzOso9CcULQq6R4XAdzAUyIQHOZLSJhhBvj2O_gXoWOeP8khDBJb5XgPEJdw5X6iBP1WO71XiRMV8DWqXN_LSqZ-K05uuNZEQkndwuwO-bimsdUIfjeYpvFs/s1600/EuroRoadTrip01.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">French countryside on our way to Belgium (from the car window).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Our first stop was in southern Belgium in the town of Bouillon. They beer was called Godfred in honor of Godfrey of Bouillon who was a knight in the first Crusade who became the first ruler of the Kingdom of Jerusalem. We were there on a Sunday and a mountain bike race was going on. The streets were packed with cars and people on mountain bikes. We only stayed in the idyllic valley for a drink, before heading of to our next destination, Rochefort.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiyW10C33co6VOWHpT3YjZAV4TKm05gEDPycZWva5rpJaPSH-iXzfdhyphenhyphenB-MMbY5k3URj_1FVrCiYu7HxTXpL6Zq_rgOH9TPKpdH3AJR6eAhPA9dwpAc4h_0hmMQpEgSozS1UFfKnwNdJU/s1600/EuroRoadTrip01_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiyW10C33co6VOWHpT3YjZAV4TKm05gEDPycZWva5rpJaPSH-iXzfdhyphenhyphenB-MMbY5k3URj_1FVrCiYu7HxTXpL6Zq_rgOH9TPKpdH3AJR6eAhPA9dwpAc4h_0hmMQpEgSozS1UFfKnwNdJU/s1600/EuroRoadTrip01_2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">City of Bouillon.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Rochefort is the closest city to the Rochefort Abbey, where they brew the Rochefort Trappist beer. A Trappist beer is a beer made at a Trappist monastery, but there are only ten in the world, eight of which are in Belgium. It came in a 6, 8 & 10, with the numbers relating to their alcohol content, and once again the theory was proven: more alcohol, more taste.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLrMv-zbzyfRRX3NmofdUURK_npzswjKzgEitiXeMUQzx6dffP9LCLs7dOJj9ACanlo0wUSaybP8BFxofjuFMwsWe1sev0tGcMOacHyygui8EYx6nMrhE0LVRnhoP2uLgyeiZco-ymJUs/s1600/EuroRoadTrip02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLrMv-zbzyfRRX3NmofdUURK_npzswjKzgEitiXeMUQzx6dffP9LCLs7dOJj9ACanlo0wUSaybP8BFxofjuFMwsWe1sev0tGcMOacHyygui8EYx6nMrhE0LVRnhoP2uLgyeiZco-ymJUs/s1600/EuroRoadTrip02.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maggie enjoying a Rochefort 10 in Rochefort.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The next day we left Belgium for a quick foray into Luxembourg. The reason we went to Luxembourg was not because of the city. Don't get us wrong, the city was really great. It sat on a plateau above the surrounding land and was known as the most defensible spot in all of northern Europe of a thousand years - it's a very awesome city, almost like a Monaco of the north. But the real reason we went there was so Andrew could meet one of his favorite professional cyclists: Andy Schleck. Andy had to retire from cycling a few years ago because of a knee injury, but since then he had opened up a bike shop in Luxembourg, and the word on the street was that he actually worked at the shop. There had been a fire, and the shop had been closed for six weeks, but it was having its grand reopening on the day we were in Luxembourg.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPtZSzH21sq9TmMjRMj5Xuqg0UFqe7o8LKiq5ke-XQn-IBEqI2lP9vh3pJyPlEAU1Cvbpk2-QjVY2wD8ONTivZuVJpQlAdQ9JL5xSRGlxaqKugtdb3ZpsTCZFeSBuEW41RPS46tJHNpyc/s1600/EuroRoadTrip06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPtZSzH21sq9TmMjRMj5Xuqg0UFqe7o8LKiq5ke-XQn-IBEqI2lP9vh3pJyPlEAU1Cvbpk2-QjVY2wD8ONTivZuVJpQlAdQ9JL5xSRGlxaqKugtdb3ZpsTCZFeSBuEW41RPS46tJHNpyc/s1600/EuroRoadTrip06.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andrew meeting Andy Schleck. We actually talked to him for a while and he was the nicest guy. In the background is the bike he won the Tour de France on.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT1bJsYyYqsVnhsaXddPZMHrp1MRH5gLZGRXYLRkTeP3n1-3WxjqII6Uu-SZP8zGm55BsLi2N5StptOFHKKlKHlFLVdDrwMN4gsQ3r_syGcY2cB4u4MVaDuyIBvUCN-hGBdNJdD0lMn04/s1600/EuroRoadTrip03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT1bJsYyYqsVnhsaXddPZMHrp1MRH5gLZGRXYLRkTeP3n1-3WxjqII6Uu-SZP8zGm55BsLi2N5StptOFHKKlKHlFLVdDrwMN4gsQ3r_syGcY2cB4u4MVaDuyIBvUCN-hGBdNJdD0lMn04/s1600/EuroRoadTrip03.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The gorge below the old city of Luxembourg, and also the location of our hotel, so we had a steep hike up to the city.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVFvggDFsaHBem_f9P4UAEpdv2geAmdYRVdzFFiDFvJnhMC3DZGJCMS3D4Vo6oZ1kcFhyphenhyphenZOfvw05En8qkYOYuNswVmmpXpxCvt7W2j-zIi5bHD8RpUR_zxS4jGZD6r8sZLMCt66LORG4E/s1600/EuroRoadTrip04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVFvggDFsaHBem_f9P4UAEpdv2geAmdYRVdzFFiDFvJnhMC3DZGJCMS3D4Vo6oZ1kcFhyphenhyphenZOfvw05En8qkYOYuNswVmmpXpxCvt7W2j-zIi5bHD8RpUR_zxS4jGZD6r8sZLMCt66LORG4E/s1600/EuroRoadTrip04.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On our way to the fortified city, with Andrew looking back down at our hotel.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSI6twZ4XnNQd8-cgY1RBrvcIw3osSyPo_BB4APNtbAX8Zpkwm7UsFAwRgEGP34yT2Rq9nn9u8zpxez2HKbKdxG8c7Vl9rzweJS-FAdexzLdt9pbu3r5GNnYd_NZ-is8PClkZtMcQ2wMk/s1600/EuroRoadTrip05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSI6twZ4XnNQd8-cgY1RBrvcIw3osSyPo_BB4APNtbAX8Zpkwm7UsFAwRgEGP34yT2Rq9nn9u8zpxez2HKbKdxG8c7Vl9rzweJS-FAdexzLdt9pbu3r5GNnYd_NZ-is8PClkZtMcQ2wMk/s1600/EuroRoadTrip05.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view from the other side of the old city. It's a peninsula of high ground because of a river the winds around it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The next day after our short stay in Luxembourg, it was back to Belgium, and back to the beer. Our first stop was at the Brasserie D'Achouffe. It's a very popular beer in Belgium and has a wonderful brewery hidden in a deep valley. Their mascot is a elf picking hops and the place feels like somewhere elves would make beer.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiXWEtQU-Gki9NYrCrp2OvCVqXT4IpG5j5FmD6BSMZpoxUQlXlPwAsZLoovA_HfPwH9H_UnBDkeS4uPSGDdpdllhYLMvkCNdNhlwPWuLZCNWmhS5T0T9YtpLB0g2s-KBcuv45JAuc0oOo/s1600/EuroRoadTrip07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiXWEtQU-Gki9NYrCrp2OvCVqXT4IpG5j5FmD6BSMZpoxUQlXlPwAsZLoovA_HfPwH9H_UnBDkeS4uPSGDdpdllhYLMvkCNdNhlwPWuLZCNWmhS5T0T9YtpLB0g2s-KBcuv45JAuc0oOo/s1600/EuroRoadTrip07.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">To D'Achouffe we go.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
From D'Achouffe, we headed to Durbuy, known as the smallest town in the world. It's another old defensible town built in the middle ages, and it hasn't changed much since. It has tight little streets and old stone buildings, as well as it's own brewery (Durbuyose).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiHB8M-003LmbzHez5atnBQ5Upma9XZSVG8NSIFZrcseSHjbp8cVPLzTilPW_NOVhgIF234ggr3_OBRi8uiniM5cUB3dHFKbA6MLNBZ_J_dtUHJx8wgBCWNcC7Civ6IKmWQbnuT1J07aY/s1600/EuroRoadTrip08_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiHB8M-003LmbzHez5atnBQ5Upma9XZSVG8NSIFZrcseSHjbp8cVPLzTilPW_NOVhgIF234ggr3_OBRi8uiniM5cUB3dHFKbA6MLNBZ_J_dtUHJx8wgBCWNcC7Civ6IKmWQbnuT1J07aY/s1600/EuroRoadTrip08_2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tight streets of Durbuy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSS0ByaadeosY05zM8A6loUJygfQoH7g2uVl64JHEmyOnHBrA3QYZgOrYf8nZo55g51NpmXKGmjOfq4zoUmIx0GDjxP1Yc_tDkiq76P_T4drl5UVURff6n3MqOCU3_29o36Dr-fzWkqTU/s1600/EuroRoadTrip08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSS0ByaadeosY05zM8A6loUJygfQoH7g2uVl64JHEmyOnHBrA3QYZgOrYf8nZo55g51NpmXKGmjOfq4zoUmIx0GDjxP1Yc_tDkiq76P_T4drl5UVURff6n3MqOCU3_29o36Dr-fzWkqTU/s1600/EuroRoadTrip08.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our car on the road in Belgium.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We had heard that Brussels was a fun town and decided to stay there for two nights - and we were very happy we did. We loved Brussels--it felt like a mix of Paris and Berlin. There we old ornate buildings interspersed with modern clean buildings. And the beer... even the smallest of beer stores will have a selection of a hundred beers. The bars are even more amazing. Some bars have fifty beers on tap and a selection of hundreds of bottles - and they are all good. Bars in Belgium have another funny quirk: they will only serve a beer out of its own specific glass from its brewery. So those hundreds of beers a bar has? They each have their own glass. If someone else is drinking that beer, you just have to wait until they're done! Brussels is a beer-lover's paradise, and a city we will for sure be going back to.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibJ4fCiOU4il9ogCywkDbQ-6wcA99Ocn5C-9ql8STHcRtPZf7mhDsAnUaqjZ_E3wj2iVkIseqUdKvJ06bUTv3q_Gu5JpE6yAadnY_6wJfCUI1m7eq-5jkS1u4OVLMw7-H9hj3Pny9-lfI/s1600/EuroRoadTrip09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibJ4fCiOU4il9ogCywkDbQ-6wcA99Ocn5C-9ql8STHcRtPZf7mhDsAnUaqjZ_E3wj2iVkIseqUdKvJ06bUTv3q_Gu5JpE6yAadnY_6wJfCUI1m7eq-5jkS1u4OVLMw7-H9hj3Pny9-lfI/s1600/EuroRoadTrip09.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxGqXA750P_fsR9NFebZt7QK2w98Sgm6RHvsIw5hLpJY6SFxuoCRgkl0-YO0rLw02RYWMjvIwY2AD9_Cphm_I_B1jHlQ6Ujb4h80wzRIWq4lUItVjWkjUbR-29V02PhfSgd2dRRcajCLE/s1600/EuroRoadTrip10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxGqXA750P_fsR9NFebZt7QK2w98Sgm6RHvsIw5hLpJY6SFxuoCRgkl0-YO0rLw02RYWMjvIwY2AD9_Cphm_I_B1jHlQ6Ujb4h80wzRIWq4lUItVjWkjUbR-29V02PhfSgd2dRRcajCLE/s1600/EuroRoadTrip10.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Every Belgium beer has a particular glass its beer comes in. Meaning most bars have hundreds of different glasses.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNWlqNhe0Ju3Qkjm0BebobsdFqpEsAbucQ7F0i7CRhLrbxYe1mnU-QST_ACBqXW1M0imJ_qdqazK35JmuLzMnFXDE0nPe-gTR8G2N_jd_XiIXlMSIAdis81vm7-HZt6LtZJmkEmlBISdw/s1600/EuroRoadTrip11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNWlqNhe0Ju3Qkjm0BebobsdFqpEsAbucQ7F0i7CRhLrbxYe1mnU-QST_ACBqXW1M0imJ_qdqazK35JmuLzMnFXDE0nPe-gTR8G2N_jd_XiIXlMSIAdis81vm7-HZt6LtZJmkEmlBISdw/s1600/EuroRoadTrip11.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This statue of a little boy peeing (called the Manneken Pis) is the most famous sight in Brussels. For some reason. Here, Andrew is joining the Manneken Pis in relieving himself. There is a whole committee in Brussels that changes his outfit every day.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinAMBMJpYyVRQ8X5qR4RBWKMZT3EGQVvBJwWwtDB2uCCyA9hTQjXqPY4of1LRxOPlvxQb_EqchVjWgimFnpik2nD5dX2IaJAAd9mB4c8oVj6B2r8boJ8_wFXiIj1-P-COvt2rvVsAFQwE/s1600/EuroRoadTrip12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinAMBMJpYyVRQ8X5qR4RBWKMZT3EGQVvBJwWwtDB2uCCyA9hTQjXqPY4of1LRxOPlvxQb_EqchVjWgimFnpik2nD5dX2IaJAAd9mB4c8oVj6B2r8boJ8_wFXiIj1-P-COvt2rvVsAFQwE/s1600/EuroRoadTrip12.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maggie enjoying a Belgian waffle with ice cream.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKj2zDRgonb0psCgRvHsLr0m6fxAo7qB6Kx8iOPE17Eam1goiFGOVKmlPwRU3e5ccqfpFzr_VeKUJk5bNPb_rpuwHpjThr6-qAvCtTGtnlIU4oB2AvQgGVxJUx_UpvcL77aQ7-oTJN8p4/s1600/EuroRoadTrip13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKj2zDRgonb0psCgRvHsLr0m6fxAo7qB6Kx8iOPE17Eam1goiFGOVKmlPwRU3e5ccqfpFzr_VeKUJk5bNPb_rpuwHpjThr6-qAvCtTGtnlIU4oB2AvQgGVxJUx_UpvcL77aQ7-oTJN8p4/s1600/EuroRoadTrip13.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drinking some great beers in Brussels' amazing city center. The city really is beautiful.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3MgagwlPOnIXSLGttkKNR1bvARet6LVzVJLk12nAauALeUlwKWJpNAJITwW7XXN9Jq2k3n9XkYTlWHtfGjeulvGS9oZH5sjTttqp9Z7wuGK6Nh-BrJNJFpko3zY0IHn5ZUFqvqvBtOqc/s1600/EuroRoadTrip14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3MgagwlPOnIXSLGttkKNR1bvARet6LVzVJLk12nAauALeUlwKWJpNAJITwW7XXN9Jq2k3n9XkYTlWHtfGjeulvGS9oZH5sjTttqp9Z7wuGK6Nh-BrJNJFpko3zY0IHn5ZUFqvqvBtOqc/s1600/EuroRoadTrip14.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andrew playing Pokemon in another epic place in Brussels.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
On our way out of Brussels, we stopped at the Cantillon brewery. It is one of the two places in the world still make beer with a process called wild fermentation, meaning they just open the windows and let wild yeast blow in to get the beer making process going. It was how all beers were made a few hundred years ago, and now their Lambic is one of the last. It's a bitter beer that is the missing link between wine and beer.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0OaYTGKoNMESQbXMAyDByNtetS8v6A1WqntdMr-7Khd_UpAB-7yB-jTbONgXIAsju7DtbYd-RVBudihwau4yYtT7esVRPHHtO46_R7pyfhXhUXnHws8T5OlVo2Zjao_IXglgyHJoDisM/s1600/EuroRoadTrip15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0OaYTGKoNMESQbXMAyDByNtetS8v6A1WqntdMr-7Khd_UpAB-7yB-jTbONgXIAsju7DtbYd-RVBudihwau4yYtT7esVRPHHtO46_R7pyfhXhUXnHws8T5OlVo2Zjao_IXglgyHJoDisM/s1600/EuroRoadTrip15.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lambic brewing in barrels in the roof of the brewery.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16588692928447732601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2457720619402126236.post-36567286724110860692016-09-11T04:06:00.000-07:002016-09-22T03:06:58.528-07:00paris at nightParis is a city made for the night, and it doesn't let down. All of the amazing buildings around town are lit to make them even more stunning.<br />
<br />
We were also able to meet up with quite a few friends while we were there. Maggie knew someone from USC who was living in Paris with her French husband and we met up with them and their friends a few times, and also spent some fun nights out with our friends from Albuquerque.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg8VvIUZSbVl9DwTnYAoeKRPNysmUwRogfcp9skRFs-uqc2-BL91cF8Wj96uvzMiahu1LKMRwb8mc12ACN-lR0GF0-aTcFCuAUxfl4x2hgcerJmiqG6KRyZ8XrLLcZqKWejAV4eRvK86U/s1600/Paris58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg8VvIUZSbVl9DwTnYAoeKRPNysmUwRogfcp9skRFs-uqc2-BL91cF8Wj96uvzMiahu1LKMRwb8mc12ACN-lR0GF0-aTcFCuAUxfl4x2hgcerJmiqG6KRyZ8XrLLcZqKWejAV4eRvK86U/s1600/Paris58.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Louvre at dusk.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgobz_4L7lru0TdDTJALnvetaO1ZhMf8__AQz4ku9-gH8XxIAcupfMz1z6MiUWu6uSlrfVYL_rvlRXQH52AXXnln9OrnjYJmIUTiRVMgTkw_oPwzmKhXmREbLGKgezzFDYdYcO-kM2b_qc/s1600/Paris59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgobz_4L7lru0TdDTJALnvetaO1ZhMf8__AQz4ku9-gH8XxIAcupfMz1z6MiUWu6uSlrfVYL_rvlRXQH52AXXnln9OrnjYJmIUTiRVMgTkw_oPwzmKhXmREbLGKgezzFDYdYcO-kM2b_qc/s1600/Paris59.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andrew battling Pokemon in the most epic of locations.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqxyLOoS0Gc_xj7cFnIUFgV82J5dyvMfY_Jq20f7je5mreG_vf7zJh8MmdRoflqeVbBHDPedeBMctGrOHwYcMtzl1DAjhyphenhyphen8HhH7vLsauZGInv0jhFT45dpTasuV7-gRwe_TLzuljwn9UQ/s1600/Paris60.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqxyLOoS0Gc_xj7cFnIUFgV82J5dyvMfY_Jq20f7je5mreG_vf7zJh8MmdRoflqeVbBHDPedeBMctGrOHwYcMtzl1DAjhyphenhyphen8HhH7vLsauZGInv0jhFT45dpTasuV7-gRwe_TLzuljwn9UQ/s1600/Paris60.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner on the river with Maggie's friend and her husband's French buddies.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiyCNq5_7gXCKPWOO1BipIWqsx-7ETwqddbWL616Iu3nH1eG_zOvhqvSMs8oE5yNHv_xPVGKRZCiInaiAceaQowqGsY8Kxr90wh5VCBKMd2FZYWBovqh71R-KbDZjHkd2E_MTYNImbyqc/s1600/Paris61.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiyCNq5_7gXCKPWOO1BipIWqsx-7ETwqddbWL616Iu3nH1eG_zOvhqvSMs8oE5yNHv_xPVGKRZCiInaiAceaQowqGsY8Kxr90wh5VCBKMd2FZYWBovqh71R-KbDZjHkd2E_MTYNImbyqc/s1600/Paris61.jpg" /> </a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7-YZweLmLGjxlunYsvRjuW1G-noZ9ghbIjLFV9y2-AIMnk11Q3IVnr2uTBgqy1U0LOdzuuddG6py62PyKt87IScMcNfmBHWslKDPCK7oJ81PpT1ua7rvhiuv8pJKep_7JZ1nvLVyzSZE/s1600/Paris60_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7-YZweLmLGjxlunYsvRjuW1G-noZ9ghbIjLFV9y2-AIMnk11Q3IVnr2uTBgqy1U0LOdzuuddG6py62PyKt87IScMcNfmBHWslKDPCK7oJ81PpT1ua7rvhiuv8pJKep_7JZ1nvLVyzSZE/s1600/Paris60_2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Us finally doing some karaoke. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijJnvksZ-7YpYtyX9xc-qz3lZDhs5TIrnUcFyKcA36OulIKYgtuTOvdRUIdMHLe8JTlNxcTGHUcu67byxO3t7A9qbS5Ms87BxT8q-7dZmeq9FoQpwbcREnSPoQ3KUkbhw1YZe9-z-QhqA/s1600/Paris62.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijJnvksZ-7YpYtyX9xc-qz3lZDhs5TIrnUcFyKcA36OulIKYgtuTOvdRUIdMHLe8JTlNxcTGHUcu67byxO3t7A9qbS5Ms87BxT8q-7dZmeq9FoQpwbcREnSPoQ3KUkbhw1YZe9-z-QhqA/s1600/Paris62.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Montmarte at night.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIH1LKTWjtpd1XM_G0boxSI214ZjOC-T5rFzTD4GH03Qge7DlbccP7jgyWQ5SRCdJrR5GFWXRxqCfaaxZ_PxIXFWl-PLh8LrkmlCxdPbUxrdIvZTXMlMJ_1q2qB4GDbhs4M7tzBrE3ljk/s1600/Paris63.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIH1LKTWjtpd1XM_G0boxSI214ZjOC-T5rFzTD4GH03Qge7DlbccP7jgyWQ5SRCdJrR5GFWXRxqCfaaxZ_PxIXFWl-PLh8LrkmlCxdPbUxrdIvZTXMlMJ_1q2qB4GDbhs4M7tzBrE3ljk/s1600/Paris63.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Sacré-Cœur at the top of Montmarte.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJN6eJlmN00UOE6c56HQHOzqKqHuUjPZmUw65Sz_d2hippPNch5pKVO02s9hV0OXhfkqTzkZYGIzTVsXs_yZtWmP5OJY1aZVsqy59wPkvIa67yTqRftpYrnp_SzcW0kldmgHZbHXM8gC0/s1600/Paris64.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJN6eJlmN00UOE6c56HQHOzqKqHuUjPZmUw65Sz_d2hippPNch5pKVO02s9hV0OXhfkqTzkZYGIzTVsXs_yZtWmP5OJY1aZVsqy59wPkvIa67yTqRftpYrnp_SzcW0kldmgHZbHXM8gC0/s1600/Paris64.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Us with the Albuquerque friends outside our neighborhood bar, Le Galway Pub.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSS7UFLwSUfom-CJ3PcoRExMXXTvSrL95wSnCECJY9VHDBQMjanSits2nnx0L4iBtv_AoMhzKHwM7FjfdafMMF30Wlror6Bz53EVb6iARtQKQwpdEpSuOg1hYKleciDF4_Dzl8ydXv5ok/s1600/Paris65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSS7UFLwSUfom-CJ3PcoRExMXXTvSrL95wSnCECJY9VHDBQMjanSits2nnx0L4iBtv_AoMhzKHwM7FjfdafMMF30Wlror6Bz53EVb6iARtQKQwpdEpSuOg1hYKleciDF4_Dzl8ydXv5ok/s1600/Paris65.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Notre Dame at night.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYqd12BUFlj_Tzq94pBXJcgTNPziVv5dDEszKCKNX9tKVxL6VayJBwxCt8UR6sJ2YhUCq4IW8wh5WBiRWGym_TcjFBT7BAKOxcEBgTOaWy4J-eZARbiMtfpxKUQoaGLfikh2Ap6ezbdYA/s1600/Paris66.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYqd12BUFlj_Tzq94pBXJcgTNPziVv5dDEszKCKNX9tKVxL6VayJBwxCt8UR6sJ2YhUCq4IW8wh5WBiRWGym_TcjFBT7BAKOxcEBgTOaWy4J-eZARbiMtfpxKUQoaGLfikh2Ap6ezbdYA/s1600/Paris66.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu2XvpLrD-hdWg0rx7Qlpo00NY1TaFhUCRhDbBgeN8YRt_zP1dGVo5zbTbs6M8O2jid8_oK_6HvFc50M3-jHKWwKghKbAU6SoKlhecdu82SgCtSAfIZali4FOd-GimdmH4njMfxCde34E/s1600/Paris67.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu2XvpLrD-hdWg0rx7Qlpo00NY1TaFhUCRhDbBgeN8YRt_zP1dGVo5zbTbs6M8O2jid8_oK_6HvFc50M3-jHKWwKghKbAU6SoKlhecdu82SgCtSAfIZali4FOd-GimdmH4njMfxCde34E/s1600/Paris67.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgrwiAtxYzdFnmxlsVdEJIxn72gmDVxubBixtTrc3fNNxm_Yr4Qd9I5zDznsxHKI0nIwQoR6eLnENwPtd21EoY9UAMBnDUoI9qaJQPnQIaMHsUnMCvkoZagdQsegD8S0bNARLO0HDdGRY/s1600/Paris67_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgrwiAtxYzdFnmxlsVdEJIxn72gmDVxubBixtTrc3fNNxm_Yr4Qd9I5zDznsxHKI0nIwQoR6eLnENwPtd21EoY9UAMBnDUoI9qaJQPnQIaMHsUnMCvkoZagdQsegD8S0bNARLO0HDdGRY/s1600/Paris67_2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What happens when you drop your keys in the Seine--this guy actually got in the water to fish his keys out.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
After six weeks in Paris, it was finally time for us to go. We were sad, but we had had a go with the town, and we were ready to move on.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdf4n_tcmfD7n2i7nSgN_JXISKMBKibco_NR7fdEdZfxHbIGpLMttoXLpjmynIA_TCO3Wb7hodgi5tgwSIl3WGSULb6Kq7s3UVOa0WLMciVyZfRokRi5c1jFPyQzjgqpawgihdPAsfoEU/s1600/Paris68.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdf4n_tcmfD7n2i7nSgN_JXISKMBKibco_NR7fdEdZfxHbIGpLMttoXLpjmynIA_TCO3Wb7hodgi5tgwSIl3WGSULb6Kq7s3UVOa0WLMciVyZfRokRi5c1jFPyQzjgqpawgihdPAsfoEU/s1600/Paris68.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAWvubC5I0s1HvsxKiV_hsxva-rtj6UiST-MiroHR4dVCnP3JScLlcBfy2lqnndOueT1o6XtzcS5eG7TqFzcq5p0kjdUR9Q5LDzBTbC79sEIfol1sUChDruqtkhFuFPA-tE9mw3M2KhyphenhyphenM/s1600/Paris69.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAWvubC5I0s1HvsxKiV_hsxva-rtj6UiST-MiroHR4dVCnP3JScLlcBfy2lqnndOueT1o6XtzcS5eG7TqFzcq5p0kjdUR9Q5LDzBTbC79sEIfol1sUChDruqtkhFuFPA-tE9mw3M2KhyphenhyphenM/s1600/Paris69.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our last night there we ate on the bridge that used to be covered in padlocks to symbolize the locking of people's love. The locks are now gone because they were afraid that their combined weight might collapse the bridge.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_tDQWKReGS6I0WL6hOcGZYjf8ggdaA0BH_aNWDrXTeMed-rFqAXV0kgFADKABTTD4Sw9_z7gcMJIM4eSx22DmdN5risNkAcMDWMl7ZQf8ap8tVyhy6U6nFo3JvsimPGVuaZQtFdCXcfw/s1600/Paris70.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_tDQWKReGS6I0WL6hOcGZYjf8ggdaA0BH_aNWDrXTeMed-rFqAXV0kgFADKABTTD4Sw9_z7gcMJIM4eSx22DmdN5risNkAcMDWMl7ZQf8ap8tVyhy6U6nFo3JvsimPGVuaZQtFdCXcfw/s1600/Paris70.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaving our hood for the last time.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16588692928447732601noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2457720619402126236.post-18260396887475348252016-08-29T03:47:00.000-07:002016-09-20T14:25:11.789-07:00anniversary in parisOur wedding anniversary happened to fall during our time in Paris, so we decided to go on a dinner river cruise. We selected our favorite boat, which we knew because while eating on the river, we had seen all of them pass by, and this one was by far the coolest-looking. Most were very modern, while this one had gas lamps and a vintage feel. When we saw that it got great reviews, and had a captain who had hand picked the decor from his travels around the world, we knew it was for us.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwFzX6tTUmWx0I0WPXbbb60Kyir1d3QrlZB06V7dqwQuIAc5QMmFYNx1cn4dRa-NmYB_32xgvsiVSrFJQuuAoVhUxhrCe_EJAKLqf0KSvDeMI7G0NB_26MbeFlSykWkDSKTjmAfS4Cc6I/s1600/Paris49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwFzX6tTUmWx0I0WPXbbb60Kyir1d3QrlZB06V7dqwQuIAc5QMmFYNx1cn4dRa-NmYB_32xgvsiVSrFJQuuAoVhUxhrCe_EJAKLqf0KSvDeMI7G0NB_26MbeFlSykWkDSKTjmAfS4Cc6I/s1600/Paris49.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first thing that sold Andrew on this boat was the Monkey King figurehead.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7OkXISmGwl-ovw_21pUJ7jm8FT4G0bpzcC6OzcmhPdzTRCFp0wXrfV3E6ow2tXMJz0VJoI2YjpcZ2Y02IKz6a8iBmD7eaY5fh329lVTyrhrQV5RPNBm4sTtCCrJ3HQl7j5LGK9B8a0u4/s1600/Paris50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7OkXISmGwl-ovw_21pUJ7jm8FT4G0bpzcC6OzcmhPdzTRCFp0wXrfV3E6ow2tXMJz0VJoI2YjpcZ2Y02IKz6a8iBmD7eaY5fh329lVTyrhrQV5RPNBm4sTtCCrJ3HQl7j5LGK9B8a0u4/s1600/Paris50.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the way to dinner.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLZKUjte8swqbDe1z_lk_SLdlj43K0H9zThOXoE1weqWRQ4ifyQE3cKTKpfbkKBxRAoYNA_PzY7WiF7lz66pWGFBkwreudHfiAMncls1oj5cdrH_EWP-wE1XUIYC2uo0fRLX6yjF4EG7g/s1600/Paris51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLZKUjte8swqbDe1z_lk_SLdlj43K0H9zThOXoE1weqWRQ4ifyQE3cKTKpfbkKBxRAoYNA_PzY7WiF7lz66pWGFBkwreudHfiAMncls1oj5cdrH_EWP-wE1XUIYC2uo0fRLX6yjF4EG7g/s1600/Paris51.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our view for dinner--the rain pattering on the glass made it especially atmospheric.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzW5GiMKppRQ_EghV7m7adeu07WcwrJPRgtUO_69NA7g0lwFXr_L8t6zAEtJQsrdIRrZdaUybjid-99v2THMFLUBo_H_9sI6AEb0ToHNaJvXlSZcx_vCM80uIp7CL82tGDsJK5odV6NDs/s1600/Paris52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzW5GiMKppRQ_EghV7m7adeu07WcwrJPRgtUO_69NA7g0lwFXr_L8t6zAEtJQsrdIRrZdaUybjid-99v2THMFLUBo_H_9sI6AEb0ToHNaJvXlSZcx_vCM80uIp7CL82tGDsJK5odV6NDs/s1600/Paris52.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Passing the Louvre. The clouds parted just as the sun was going down, giving us amazing views.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXHEoqpkrrIzXBrVJN3qB6cn6ujFT1vH6pv8uaoumqsegQxQqzedL72DZ0OHi7PHzogPMt-j78GLu-2Ch-hT2hbch9b4Ju7D8xPtxV-7MAzwjBYGLu2MOJRAgvxnuCnDqJ0-3YL9OqwU4/s1600/Paris53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXHEoqpkrrIzXBrVJN3qB6cn6ujFT1vH6pv8uaoumqsegQxQqzedL72DZ0OHi7PHzogPMt-j78GLu-2Ch-hT2hbch9b4Ju7D8xPtxV-7MAzwjBYGLu2MOJRAgvxnuCnDqJ0-3YL9OqwU4/s1600/Paris53.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy boy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxn7GdyWdqH5tX0xiPfJEN-_pk9IQGs93WP9KnZW7leKiBRkMICWa_V6tRKz5GTzsyQ0AjA2v4bmOJK4Zm645ZbaYbz3Cq1xRvmO0bCR2OSegg8bcFK2N895s_DocT1XjZSEqofg8b4wo/s1600/Paris54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxn7GdyWdqH5tX0xiPfJEN-_pk9IQGs93WP9KnZW7leKiBRkMICWa_V6tRKz5GTzsyQ0AjA2v4bmOJK4Zm645ZbaYbz3Cq1xRvmO0bCR2OSegg8bcFK2N895s_DocT1XjZSEqofg8b4wo/s1600/Paris54.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy girl. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtRGJKy_WcceAkj7BwB9t81y1-JV8Y9PuE8ZA0MejaDWTsui5YHwknzs2G7hFybUCCUS6NSG5UHBHZt91yAueDtrV2jo4dh_nPnlQ9ghx0rs0a0qDTBkqtyZPEsptd72cWYPhzpl7ws8k/s1600/Paris55.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtRGJKy_WcceAkj7BwB9t81y1-JV8Y9PuE8ZA0MejaDWTsui5YHwknzs2G7hFybUCCUS6NSG5UHBHZt91yAueDtrV2jo4dh_nPnlQ9ghx0rs0a0qDTBkqtyZPEsptd72cWYPhzpl7ws8k/s1600/Paris55.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coming up on the Eiffel Tower.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5CJySoc_ZqF2zNmSdN6BywcQNgZ0LTQUmogomtYlL-jlvkx2BRzZy2SvV70CEYnwTgI577gINm_UeP6o5sbTCQP6gFlpSahmir0oejbJGpU72So_v7poeCN9Y-_iayBEWtg53PpZ_xfg/s1600/Paris56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5CJySoc_ZqF2zNmSdN6BywcQNgZ0LTQUmogomtYlL-jlvkx2BRzZy2SvV70CEYnwTgI577gINm_UeP6o5sbTCQP6gFlpSahmir0oejbJGpU72So_v7poeCN9Y-_iayBEWtg53PpZ_xfg/s1600/Paris56.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The captain timed it just right to go by the Eiffel Tower right when it was doing its hourly light show.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQzp5kl3K__lZ1eouMDDKvRyVrMdAwiloTIqrfoXrP-MHx3692JtmJISoCG6hyphenhyphenNQNDMFdRU3gMmYTlonFAKoKp9lzowiHB12NI6OxzxRyg57u78yKXZ9zwjx0iix3uBpoj8xq4QyJWbZU/s1600/Paris57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQzp5kl3K__lZ1eouMDDKvRyVrMdAwiloTIqrfoXrP-MHx3692JtmJISoCG6hyphenhyphenNQNDMFdRU3gMmYTlonFAKoKp9lzowiHB12NI6OxzxRyg57u78yKXZ9zwjx0iix3uBpoj8xq4QyJWbZU/s1600/Paris57.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The boat had great funky overhead lights (and Maggie kept making Andrew pose for photos with the things we went by outside...)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
The food was really good, and the views were even better. We couldn't believe it when we got back to the dock--the nearly three hours had gone by in a flash. Definitely a very memorable Paris experience!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16588692928447732601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2457720619402126236.post-53097461211826226012016-08-23T03:28:00.000-07:002016-09-20T14:20:09.650-07:00paris in the summer... part 2Our favorite thing to do in Paris is dining by the river, but we also spent some evenings in the other neighborhoods we like around Paris. One of our favorite places is Montmartre, which is on a hill overlooking Paris. It's the stomping ground of Hemingway, Dali and the Fitzgeralds, so naturally it's a great place to be an artist.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE7XenRhHyIXxTG5imvUZMrh-wH1Xps6Rzjvrg9EzYrFK0rQwjRhlpUgkoQUjU1OlQEVNmeYZ2m3a21ScGyR08b5nBWjJBEjob8mhWuK424qAC-9PxhQXEC4oGjuhDcwnAe8ZKVZFzyLc/s1600/Paris20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE7XenRhHyIXxTG5imvUZMrh-wH1Xps6Rzjvrg9EzYrFK0rQwjRhlpUgkoQUjU1OlQEVNmeYZ2m3a21ScGyR08b5nBWjJBEjob8mhWuK424qAC-9PxhQXEC4oGjuhDcwnAe8ZKVZFzyLc/s1600/Paris20.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha1IQb4LFa6HxubFnoFRFPoO-DOcwUUMwemrtW17MW4SY70Xgzloo3o5UMogWZvmnhKDkuc5dDZKxWd1bnKoNb8qs2yQqIoVSlpSovD97fmtIklebl_JnLmzsH2ixTl-R7dO_eNaSnkAM/s1600/Paris21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha1IQb4LFa6HxubFnoFRFPoO-DOcwUUMwemrtW17MW4SY70Xgzloo3o5UMogWZvmnhKDkuc5dDZKxWd1bnKoNb8qs2yQqIoVSlpSovD97fmtIklebl_JnLmzsH2ixTl-R7dO_eNaSnkAM/s1600/Paris21.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A funny statue right below our favorite Park in Montmartre to have a picnic.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Montmartre has a great old cemetery that we visited a few times. Like most Paris cemeteries, it's all above ground crypts - which makes for great scenery. Unlike New Orleans' cemeteries though, the Paris crypts are mostly little cathedrals where family members can come and pray. There is amazing artistry that goes into these (stained-glass, gargoyles, busts), and some of them had to cost a fortune, but I'm glad they paid because the Paris cemeteries are some of the most magnificent in the world. Beyond just walking through the rows and rows of crypts, we came equipped with our computers and did some work. It was actually a very peaceful place in the busy Montmartre neighborhood to find a quite bench and do some work (and since Jim Morrison isn't buried there, there are a lot fewer tourists walking around).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAvUgs56aDGwaMj4HCphryRu30n6iR-aMSOParkMVHY0IH9jiwGNmAiVRlYXU_K1Qk2afQde1cW8ekWTItCHol92iURKuLCuFZHHiMMZKI8RA7WGpVkdFD6usQFZCWENUnKk6CT-LpMI0/s1600/Paris22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAvUgs56aDGwaMj4HCphryRu30n6iR-aMSOParkMVHY0IH9jiwGNmAiVRlYXU_K1Qk2afQde1cW8ekWTItCHol92iURKuLCuFZHHiMMZKI8RA7WGpVkdFD6usQFZCWENUnKk6CT-LpMI0/s1600/Paris22.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paris loves their neighborhood numbers, so even the cemetery is broken up into arrondissements.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIdIJO-F6UwsPHUS3dIPZYJQar_Gyvju3MQG8al0ffgM8ze9QCW5uiWNeEhbSpBugEINOI5yFFdK60VaLxw0UH_4PFDWtaiWm_r4IKBa9InqhD9_hzRroN3Xnx5TB_eMlK1yvHhsfWvAM/s1600/Paris23_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIdIJO-F6UwsPHUS3dIPZYJQar_Gyvju3MQG8al0ffgM8ze9QCW5uiWNeEhbSpBugEINOI5yFFdK60VaLxw0UH_4PFDWtaiWm_r4IKBa9InqhD9_hzRroN3Xnx5TB_eMlK1yvHhsfWvAM/s1600/Paris23_2.jpg" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9W5c9HkybKTJp8c_57X_xNiODPaoT5Z957I14082KgDqLmQbD8vrHsoI_Xbz3T53xV3UOMDFdemk8vTCrOtqtl1676N3iPf3yH9qqjlcTtBKsyhI4SmFhhYI3tX-ADUNm_p3zYpMVuEM/s1600/Paris23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9W5c9HkybKTJp8c_57X_xNiODPaoT5Z957I14082KgDqLmQbD8vrHsoI_Xbz3T53xV3UOMDFdemk8vTCrOtqtl1676N3iPf3yH9qqjlcTtBKsyhI4SmFhhYI3tX-ADUNm_p3zYpMVuEM/s1600/Paris23.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Weeping women is a common motif for graves.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Besides Montmartre, we also kept going to our regular places on the river. We even stopped a few times at the Louvre for a dinner on their amazing stretches of grass.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBExp4QT2TtiYBh3Z9fYyM9bhrCmUusaI5yZpktsKgVFTOO_YNamLc-ZPL2psKPRpSwcWeAHzXAkaCZ8kNQLin8qZ7Zjn55HyJugvXx9Mb-1K432R_vbWmURaGwszqhzHqLSwb7bewZ0w/s1600/Paris24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBExp4QT2TtiYBh3Z9fYyM9bhrCmUusaI5yZpktsKgVFTOO_YNamLc-ZPL2psKPRpSwcWeAHzXAkaCZ8kNQLin8qZ7Zjn55HyJugvXx9Mb-1K432R_vbWmURaGwszqhzHqLSwb7bewZ0w/s1600/Paris24.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was starting to turn into Autumn while we were there, which created many great photo ops.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsY8H0VR_1zPhFBS7VqWUZX79kzZHotl2rLxVmV9yweG89SzHQoT2IcBu_mdLSXghoowOo29J1DjYo091FQo6cdO6LXWY4P4uIpqv58o93uSVrVpMVGjE_XntrVBVvICLY3rK2ErwvQhU/s1600/Paris25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsY8H0VR_1zPhFBS7VqWUZX79kzZHotl2rLxVmV9yweG89SzHQoT2IcBu_mdLSXghoowOo29J1DjYo091FQo6cdO6LXWY4P4uIpqv58o93uSVrVpMVGjE_XntrVBVvICLY3rK2ErwvQhU/s1600/Paris25.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A shot from the other side of the river of the place we ate dinner at the most, right at that point in the center.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOb-mes91-jkzHvNetrg9TIPU6KTN2zCfFF7GYkQrTXm6GGjXhzbE4HRGTuR2m45SlACodG7DnpglrLZrW7sFkWwq9T1CXi0frrGIIlZ5vuBmFWjlWGzIqyBSbmukNhz3LHb6krXBZz9I/s1600/Paris26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOb-mes91-jkzHvNetrg9TIPU6KTN2zCfFF7GYkQrTXm6GGjXhzbE4HRGTuR2m45SlACodG7DnpglrLZrW7sFkWwq9T1CXi0frrGIIlZ5vuBmFWjlWGzIqyBSbmukNhz3LHb6krXBZz9I/s1600/Paris26.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Luxembourg Gardens so close, it was hard not to be drawn there for the occasional lunch.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaFOGq8fNfHOaqH9ISFQ11PEGfo0AmnWwk6q8aW_mZqFGf8gguBx3mj9eNUEs-_iE0mbTtyqTOl4EFMtLkYhyNu3Y0iRrbCdrsrCaaS4adorRB9LGwLry6xqMs4RLfOhgx61I-J91yqgA/s1600/Paris27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaFOGq8fNfHOaqH9ISFQ11PEGfo0AmnWwk6q8aW_mZqFGf8gguBx3mj9eNUEs-_iE0mbTtyqTOl4EFMtLkYhyNu3Y0iRrbCdrsrCaaS4adorRB9LGwLry6xqMs4RLfOhgx61I-J91yqgA/s1600/Paris27.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our favorite fountain at Luxembourg Park.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkJ-k-n-7qc56uTXITsK9oRz7x6N_C27_HsqZCffNxGJcXY2TqUxCfxZ_4JsARRCaVwLuvvXJouBd63VrzrZSFS10vE875P52YAJbN3QRx7iZiRCPZrNdF5h-pf8mKq3_os812MyTDc-0/s1600/Paris28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkJ-k-n-7qc56uTXITsK9oRz7x6N_C27_HsqZCffNxGJcXY2TqUxCfxZ_4JsARRCaVwLuvvXJouBd63VrzrZSFS10vE875P52YAJbN3QRx7iZiRCPZrNdF5h-pf8mKq3_os812MyTDc-0/s1600/Paris28.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The stuff inside the Louvre gets all the attention, but the outside is just as amazing.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Towards the end of our stay, some friends of ours came to stay with us for a week... and they bore gifts of the most glorious kind: Andrew's favorite salsa from Albuquerque, Los Cuates. So we had to have some photo ops with it in some of the iconic parts of Paris.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieIu1j-oyTR3_MlnDkqzFl5tFJWC63SE6wdZDktGBcUps1U45a7up04e58MKIKoMBlw_zcWQtM5bNBDd0tKrBfMxZxBmjwGG4y9Njqe2K7gcmAPAZhiFN-nq-PvdZEj0V5WWVzxNOdEmc/s1600/Paris29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieIu1j-oyTR3_MlnDkqzFl5tFJWC63SE6wdZDktGBcUps1U45a7up04e58MKIKoMBlw_zcWQtM5bNBDd0tKrBfMxZxBmjwGG4y9Njqe2K7gcmAPAZhiFN-nq-PvdZEj0V5WWVzxNOdEmc/s1600/Paris29.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Los Cuates on the Seine.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPhJ5cMiUWBatKvhr8Cpo7Wb9pcSrbNLvPwU4yisv6b7QavIANw9wmqnW71IxaKiPeXbHlCCt6v_rvS8aTTr7MToiq8UE3vAbVUP0uR0h12AxqcxTX_VhQAzgRuUFdB21zmBLu-jVZgrc/s1600/Paris30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPhJ5cMiUWBatKvhr8Cpo7Wb9pcSrbNLvPwU4yisv6b7QavIANw9wmqnW71IxaKiPeXbHlCCt6v_rvS8aTTr7MToiq8UE3vAbVUP0uR0h12AxqcxTX_VhQAzgRuUFdB21zmBLu-jVZgrc/s1600/Paris30.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Los Cuates at the Eiffel Tower</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Our friends being in town also gave us a great opportunity to do something we hadn't done yet: be touristy. It's not that we're opposed to it, it's just not what we do when we're in a city for a longer period of time. So when they arrived, we put on our Hawaiian shirts (metaphorically) and headed to the sights.<br />
<br />
Something we had never done and really wanted to was the Catacombs. We tried to visit one other time, but we got there too late and the line was too long. This time we headed out early and still were in a huge line. They only let 45 people in at once, so the line goes slowwww. We stood there for around two hours before getting in, but once we were in, it was worth it. They say some 6 million Parisians are down there and we could believe it. The well-stacked bones you see in the pictures are just the retaining walls for the mounds and mounds of broken bones behind them. All the skulls, and the fact that you are 600 meters below the surface, makes the whole experience very creepy.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAL9jRdYv3KXz3Yi05qeSjOS4cTHLqcAAzwjmu6UJYAtN2kIy-1sPKmWVjwqOP24QFLi0T2wNRR7Aox7626vqd2x9h_i9MVss_Zfv0XMaH5-UHg1Wrx2KlHTJh4wZSidu32gA4tgcRqpU/s1600/Paris31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAL9jRdYv3KXz3Yi05qeSjOS4cTHLqcAAzwjmu6UJYAtN2kIy-1sPKmWVjwqOP24QFLi0T2wNRR7Aox7626vqd2x9h_i9MVss_Zfv0XMaH5-UHg1Wrx2KlHTJh4wZSidu32gA4tgcRqpU/s1600/Paris31.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the way to the Catacombs.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8QOH8y_S7uApfSS5r31ZrYydz9wDCz9hsI3DycKKtpnZXiMGHNY5cfw4eXzkq01ncmdsxxPiLpqjUblUnvrCVOQHDWYxmpU5-4NnJKFzMwrLvBEOKkQdkX2zLIMcFFCPsNMo57A0qlN4/s1600/Paris32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8QOH8y_S7uApfSS5r31ZrYydz9wDCz9hsI3DycKKtpnZXiMGHNY5cfw4eXzkq01ncmdsxxPiLpqjUblUnvrCVOQHDWYxmpU5-4NnJKFzMwrLvBEOKkQdkX2zLIMcFFCPsNMo57A0qlN4/s1600/Paris32.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A normal hallway in the Catacombs.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg887M0BcRCVkEPRlF6cF6onOAyhRi3OBA9oQGcidHl4FvKFaY6DWiz7f8y2VoJ0Z4olo85z2AMlRRXRXv_UeD01h_Wls8qTa-UK0KZHWKOzAGizaTV4PVG5FNd7rZSd-5ym8MawMsrpkI/s1600/Paris33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg887M0BcRCVkEPRlF6cF6onOAyhRi3OBA9oQGcidHl4FvKFaY6DWiz7f8y2VoJ0Z4olo85z2AMlRRXRXv_UeD01h_Wls8qTa-UK0KZHWKOzAGizaTV4PVG5FNd7rZSd-5ym8MawMsrpkI/s1600/Paris33.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Femurs and skulls seemed to be the easiest to stack, and they made designs of them.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijAxLXhES8sSmiz-JbJcH2ZFaGcv6jzd-HzvxzV_ec-Cifnj2QYcw5GOOudbJ8kPfbje7xFpTmjpiaD_RD4z7d2NXDZf3pwJKWfVAsGaHQQmqavlRLSBLTydfRkCGWyl09COnl9LoyOR0/s1600/Paris34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijAxLXhES8sSmiz-JbJcH2ZFaGcv6jzd-HzvxzV_ec-Cifnj2QYcw5GOOudbJ8kPfbje7xFpTmjpiaD_RD4z7d2NXDZf3pwJKWfVAsGaHQQmqavlRLSBLTydfRkCGWyl09COnl9LoyOR0/s1600/Paris34.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
While Andrew had been to Versailles, Maggie had not, so we took the train out to the city of Versailles and spent a day walking around one of the most opulent palaces in the world.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh48XkZb0zRNi71RCun1Rpf8a3upkVPXX9WTu0Gv_O_nxxsiP4A3mCc0jtgbVbGZbVvb9hZ_73dcCXbuR08ae0Iaxtsl9d4d4IWav2HJbOJ610C2Cn6jKj-kVZ5SmJb8c9XnOdwNCtgTqk/s1600/Paris35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh48XkZb0zRNi71RCun1Rpf8a3upkVPXX9WTu0Gv_O_nxxsiP4A3mCc0jtgbVbGZbVvb9hZ_73dcCXbuR08ae0Iaxtsl9d4d4IWav2HJbOJ610C2Cn6jKj-kVZ5SmJb8c9XnOdwNCtgTqk/s1600/Paris35.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The gates were torn down during the French Revolution to symbolize the
end of the 'us and them.' But then they decided they didn't really like "them" after all, and they needed the gates back. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinNcESTxcZiMnqowHH5bUWt0Hhk_iRSXnpsiMxoynQH9Dg_QJLix99822oh5HfFoK13tBVILUtmJc7iDLw4pkzrtmX9Gz6Qb8YjfCk6K1wHFpgBGL9K9gLGKzEOS0uzGBxf85hDZnDUZ4/s1600/Paris36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinNcESTxcZiMnqowHH5bUWt0Hhk_iRSXnpsiMxoynQH9Dg_QJLix99822oh5HfFoK13tBVILUtmJc7iDLw4pkzrtmX9Gz6Qb8YjfCk6K1wHFpgBGL9K9gLGKzEOS0uzGBxf85hDZnDUZ4/s1600/Paris36.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The entrance to the Palace</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9c8TCIXYGk_DI8ak9mHfO3Lr4yAW767NMeNgwnxc9A0B7BiKrbvnjp8H9rspHcbPXMB2_TdgrEfSSk8SyQEddQ5Zh6ZhKTZ2DjbDlZvDhRgv9ypcukloheUINoEsGzzHDZ2BGWvJJWH4/s1600/Paris37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9c8TCIXYGk_DI8ak9mHfO3Lr4yAW767NMeNgwnxc9A0B7BiKrbvnjp8H9rspHcbPXMB2_TdgrEfSSk8SyQEddQ5Zh6ZhKTZ2DjbDlZvDhRgv9ypcukloheUINoEsGzzHDZ2BGWvJJWH4/s1600/Paris37.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andrew had to take a picture of a monkey riding a goat. (The statue is called, fittingly, "Monkey Riding a Goat")</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjUWyFRAd_vrwfaHzkuAO6gbPHe8VtHXC0cPJB4_tp6PIUbUdsS2_IsZMNs3aklBR5M07f-b0aXF4ueZpfWaxsS1_3yG3TkSL1bjsgMbmRXH4JGermSWUuQQgh0SF27PCQeZ4X6jGloyE/s1600/Paris38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjUWyFRAd_vrwfaHzkuAO6gbPHe8VtHXC0cPJB4_tp6PIUbUdsS2_IsZMNs3aklBR5M07f-b0aXF4ueZpfWaxsS1_3yG3TkSL1bjsgMbmRXH4JGermSWUuQQgh0SF27PCQeZ4X6jGloyE/s1600/Paris38.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ceiling of the cathedral inside the Palace is as amazing as the Sistine Chapel.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk67wPU02mULQ5BNfG_wnkAzKaWUaOOk77otIsZv7a6DJE6qacapgBv_KK3vp4GIwU1AvsXKvi1_6xWt8OgiOUWh9XFLvfWDzXpJoUzsddNI0-ScADR4sLwvwNT2kdB4QWzB5Dpa5fqgA/s1600/Paris39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk67wPU02mULQ5BNfG_wnkAzKaWUaOOk77otIsZv7a6DJE6qacapgBv_KK3vp4GIwU1AvsXKvi1_6xWt8OgiOUWh9XFLvfWDzXpJoUzsddNI0-ScADR4sLwvwNT2kdB4QWzB5Dpa5fqgA/s1600/Paris39.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maggie got many good DIY ideas at the Versailles. She now wants to do this to our fireplace.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFQiOGvs3G7PLCLIVuAUGzjl_3OKL-mw0gBTLDtjsgYVOEQWqZmt5jq1C-b5-2QiotyJF_xeLps12pqw-RxuIME-VTwmwuXiWmQBL1yK4WRCTFwUTdjFLvhxQT432fhbrhHmec-QZZzhg/s1600/Paris40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFQiOGvs3G7PLCLIVuAUGzjl_3OKL-mw0gBTLDtjsgYVOEQWqZmt5jq1C-b5-2QiotyJF_xeLps12pqw-RxuIME-VTwmwuXiWmQBL1yK4WRCTFwUTdjFLvhxQT432fhbrhHmec-QZZzhg/s1600/Paris40.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Hall of Mirrors.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3XrdnpFd5krHrpBOLD6ZDMxs3tCe89nVIs5NMsYVEioiFuHTvzC_IZYAY9M94K1BRctfNH2AIIy8aXyaPfLnez7gfMCQJRSDCmD-vozVvFBOHBsDtVwCVio4cav8vEgDGcXjY7GdAPkM/s1600/Paris41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3XrdnpFd5krHrpBOLD6ZDMxs3tCe89nVIs5NMsYVEioiFuHTvzC_IZYAY9M94K1BRctfNH2AIIy8aXyaPfLnez7gfMCQJRSDCmD-vozVvFBOHBsDtVwCVio4cav8vEgDGcXjY7GdAPkM/s1600/Paris41.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of Versailles' many garden areas.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtNAiSR8pawVMK2AXVg25mDeJ4mMqvaf9cWPUMQ042tKxliBR6ylWFvyCPsZUYiBrd3WQE4ZOFlPOF_8vq9PWrk-O_-wHHgJpJonTybMWnm7BHv6G26Ssd231SmhYoOn2_WNMVAzKz-vw/s1600/Paris42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtNAiSR8pawVMK2AXVg25mDeJ4mMqvaf9cWPUMQ042tKxliBR6ylWFvyCPsZUYiBrd3WQE4ZOFlPOF_8vq9PWrk-O_-wHHgJpJonTybMWnm7BHv6G26Ssd231SmhYoOn2_WNMVAzKz-vw/s1600/Paris42.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maggie and Andrew hanging at Marie Antoinette's old stomping grounds.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Never ones to pass up an opportunity to go to the Musée d'Orsay, we went one last time.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrZTeliXWp9T5s9XFoxXxcyUyiWgc3x6ZVP4Tjk_yr-llher4MouIu4QSDDsA7IrUmL2kziQHwnoqV06YFgs3ox7LiKQ0VtFFeMojWd-kYIshyOV082Tb9UwxXVXgqd2vv1_9HRaiPn4I/s1600/Paris43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrZTeliXWp9T5s9XFoxXxcyUyiWgc3x6ZVP4Tjk_yr-llher4MouIu4QSDDsA7IrUmL2kziQHwnoqV06YFgs3ox7LiKQ0VtFFeMojWd-kYIshyOV082Tb9UwxXVXgqd2vv1_9HRaiPn4I/s1600/Paris43.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maggie looking out the clock.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhigr76m4Ztzjc07LHGG3Ck9fHEoL6hbxbQ1AmyQt0neYMh4VKgPI90q7gpqKbhFuODXGoBlW0xNRBzyeqTHaz2_GZkermoAnQXyO6l7m7oaSkEJXCB5BhksaJWZdWGfxYSl2mJh8_TgSI/s1600/Paris44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhigr76m4Ztzjc07LHGG3Ck9fHEoL6hbxbQ1AmyQt0neYMh4VKgPI90q7gpqKbhFuODXGoBlW0xNRBzyeqTHaz2_GZkermoAnQXyO6l7m7oaSkEJXCB5BhksaJWZdWGfxYSl2mJh8_TgSI/s1600/Paris44.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maggie contemplating some more DIY ideas.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLZIYRFFZGqs67cRSEykVUZjw-vIcdwtPgxQryF7F2bdieYqfhsl75z4BZhCvReW4L3vtgj6mTaWPjk8Jox9ZrTpaEyQamvuMeWImxe1xIEvGnTet4ldpTneU20k0RTpeY5yT9LAk-OA4/s1600/Paris45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLZIYRFFZGqs67cRSEykVUZjw-vIcdwtPgxQryF7F2bdieYqfhsl75z4BZhCvReW4L3vtgj6mTaWPjk8Jox9ZrTpaEyQamvuMeWImxe1xIEvGnTet4ldpTneU20k0RTpeY5yT9LAk-OA4/s1600/Paris45.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andrew informed Maggie that these are the sideburns he wants when he gets old.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9DEavtiGtu1xmR8nkq-1_KqoIilHta6EiJOyUVE1nqjC-bzgsQLmMq2YulEAosMckYJ-g28IFmY4Ij8Lkp2Us3gWEgM5WAr_1xsbrofQvXYEam7GvbU_gSC2rvCjkSO8FuZINJ_eGbvc/s1600/Paris46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9DEavtiGtu1xmR8nkq-1_KqoIilHta6EiJOyUVE1nqjC-bzgsQLmMq2YulEAosMckYJ-g28IFmY4Ij8Lkp2Us3gWEgM5WAr_1xsbrofQvXYEam7GvbU_gSC2rvCjkSO8FuZINJ_eGbvc/s1600/Paris46.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andrew's second favorite statue in the world, after David of course. It's of a child <span class="irc_su" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">Saint Jean-Baptiste by </span><span class="irc_su" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">Paul Dubois, and feels like it should come to life at any moment.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span id="goog_1081097672"></span><span id="goog_1081097673"></span>Something we had wanted to do for awhile was to go to a Mass at Notre Dame. Since we could literally hear Notre Dame's bells from our place, we knew this would be a dumb time to pass up that opportunity.<br />
<span id="goog_1081097672"></span><span id="goog_1081097673"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVqWdrR7O5X5SKEYJTJ-uQKeEveq7W7uuVJBoVyJjQIQd_4IiCLtcJosuvOBgLe5MOGuK2Ug0MQ2uW79KAuOSibL32bHwO4XElYmNTuv4fPEoVrYdjmuwKcQh5t4aDZVnsmeIcTbfrFV0/s1600/Paris47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVqWdrR7O5X5SKEYJTJ-uQKeEveq7W7uuVJBoVyJjQIQd_4IiCLtcJosuvOBgLe5MOGuK2Ug0MQ2uW79KAuOSibL32bHwO4XElYmNTuv4fPEoVrYdjmuwKcQh5t4aDZVnsmeIcTbfrFV0/s1600/Paris47.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just heading to Church.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizuzKKdSSMoj6uVfyRIleS-_-VdJqcRRxPBz4fzpzqPDUbNurcerQUQG6uHMzt0GUwGlSDbw18ztceudomtIOT9ulUbJ1FxrgxWSbefO5hfYgs3UPVnsbe3o4FRAZV9JQ1TrfrsYIhfto/s1600/Paris48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizuzKKdSSMoj6uVfyRIleS-_-VdJqcRRxPBz4fzpzqPDUbNurcerQUQG6uHMzt0GUwGlSDbw18ztceudomtIOT9ulUbJ1FxrgxWSbefO5hfYgs3UPVnsbe3o4FRAZV9JQ1TrfrsYIhfto/s1600/Paris48.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For being such a famous church in the center of Paris, we thought there would be more people...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span id="goog_1081097672"></span>We've now done Mass at the Vatican and at Notre-Dame. Not bad for non-religious people...</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16588692928447732601noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2457720619402126236.post-44593424522642216172016-08-16T06:09:00.004-07:002016-09-20T03:35:33.794-07:00paris in the summerIt'd been a few years since we took off for a few months in Europe, and we decided it was time. We immediately knew we wanted to do Paris again, as it is one of our favorite places in the world. But as always, we spent a few days in New York on our way there.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNejN9b6M7RnDN3iS1HlQOq-uoK8o957Xvpqf6k_Jx_u0fTGUYi29Li1ZSmE9qBmWpwioB_3wanoHjDWwQpByvhi3SeO5wEjaJHwqmot5X5iDU-zVMkqhf7yGibBBoSnjf75UQ2zLcKrQ/s1600/NewYork01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNejN9b6M7RnDN3iS1HlQOq-uoK8o957Xvpqf6k_Jx_u0fTGUYi29Li1ZSmE9qBmWpwioB_3wanoHjDWwQpByvhi3SeO5wEjaJHwqmot5X5iDU-zVMkqhf7yGibBBoSnjf75UQ2zLcKrQ/s1600/NewYork01.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stopping to enjoy Central Park (and catch some Pokemon) while waiting for our flight.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
For this trip we found an apartment in the Latin Quarter of Paris. Last time we were in Paris we stayed in the Marais, which was really nice, but this is much more centrally located, with the river only a block away. From the map before we left, we could tell we were in the heart of the city, but on arrival we saw just how true that was. Out one of our windows we look at the Pantheon and if we had a window on the other side, we'd look directly at Notre Dame. The place is on the seventh floor, so we also get a daily stair climbing workout. If Andrew pops out to grab one beer, he really earns it by the time he makes it back up to our place.<br />
<br />
One thing we love about Paris is the history around every corner. At this apartment, we are right across the street from the Saint Severin church. It was built in the 1300s on the site of the hermitage of the 12th century saint named Severin. He is known for helping Christianity spread through what wold become the French region, because during his time, France was still ruled by barbarian kings.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0nZbMl2fHEUD_2NhXnQuBMo7Vbc7HzF2zjryyLBLElAVpepBqlYk0d4YMg-iKGSRcR3_xKHL06OFfdup9rzhLQ5ydxdtay9kZ8cAXu6oYWRfjxbIdLIhgYpB_402008jYuc6CXg0lFR4/s1600/Paris01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0nZbMl2fHEUD_2NhXnQuBMo7Vbc7HzF2zjryyLBLElAVpepBqlYk0d4YMg-iKGSRcR3_xKHL06OFfdup9rzhLQ5ydxdtay9kZ8cAXu6oYWRfjxbIdLIhgYpB_402008jYuc6CXg0lFR4/s1600/Paris01.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View out our window of the Pantheon and Saint Severin Churnch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Our first few days in Paris were overcast and rainy, but it didn't stop us from our customary dinner on the Seine every night--we just had to be better prepared.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiejMzQoj4Z7h2QBnaGreQ3ScpaOznGgy_qfSlo2SWJ9eR3UE0_IO9rNUrA52m8U_TkSNT3fT-n-w3cnxV9gHNz7Tk41xDiscKaboXtLFnUm8xkPji_-5fz3SZHQU0WDvG4Tb1ljexQZKA/s1600/Paris02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiejMzQoj4Z7h2QBnaGreQ3ScpaOznGgy_qfSlo2SWJ9eR3UE0_IO9rNUrA52m8U_TkSNT3fT-n-w3cnxV9gHNz7Tk41xDiscKaboXtLFnUm8xkPji_-5fz3SZHQU0WDvG4Tb1ljexQZKA/s1600/Paris02.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When the rain wasn't too bad an umbrella was fine...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTTmS25z0dnVcYGW1nhhRqfe3OzlpfoIF4Xkzrmo-Hak9Ph8H__EBX664O6rKF0wSzlt8PPN2QCiYa8bxW0ww_Q1UZBgFhAqt9h_rR_f8tHjDZYKnltFzCYOaisqpDOa_B0VLvD0x9WGQ/s1600/Paris03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTTmS25z0dnVcYGW1nhhRqfe3OzlpfoIF4Xkzrmo-Hak9Ph8H__EBX664O6rKF0wSzlt8PPN2QCiYa8bxW0ww_Q1UZBgFhAqt9h_rR_f8tHjDZYKnltFzCYOaisqpDOa_B0VLvD0x9WGQ/s1600/Paris03.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">but when the rain got worse, we had to retreat under a tree.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix-WBSUrs266tP-UcBiC91dZKYm1mkBy2XMlH_vUtbo_7btfHaB3QL1YVYssSjrGTFccpiIpG2lkxkBPZP71ispXUFstRA-IZ4cmtZZP1djnsXn69bWaWpaxVhd8gn_YlLEhrdLbqHS88/s1600/Paris04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix-WBSUrs266tP-UcBiC91dZKYm1mkBy2XMlH_vUtbo_7btfHaB3QL1YVYssSjrGTFccpiIpG2lkxkBPZP71ispXUFstRA-IZ4cmtZZP1djnsXn69bWaWpaxVhd8gn_YlLEhrdLbqHS88/s1600/Paris04.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The street our place is on in the Latin Quarter. A lot of university students live here, and it's also very touristy, so there's a lot going on.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The Olympics are going on while we're here, so if we want to watch any of the events, we have to head out to the bars and find one showing them. Luckily we found a nice little Irish pub right on the Seine that has good beer and lots of TVs. The first thing we watched was the Men's Cycling Road Race, and it didn't let us down. With multiple crashes and a two-way sprint for the finish line, it was well worth the trip.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYsnkZopmv1tZVXbX2TjhoDmhuJ5YRNb-ImRk0Tz-plO6PMtkqMp75DQ4WEmSEgIyeiiVQf19ucJolsVsRr-HFCKHhnDHy7o_PLWCXBfGxRP5NPAsQKeNUFxaA7yhMUUf-pPxJkGDwcaY/s1600/Paris05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYsnkZopmv1tZVXbX2TjhoDmhuJ5YRNb-ImRk0Tz-plO6PMtkqMp75DQ4WEmSEgIyeiiVQf19ucJolsVsRr-HFCKHhnDHy7o_PLWCXBfGxRP5NPAsQKeNUFxaA7yhMUUf-pPxJkGDwcaY/s1600/Paris05.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watching the Olympic Men's Road Race with not your normal view out the pub windows.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_lTaGvBVsfeobDlsH4_w2LjVH7005XCeSFcUgCs3CY-SpFvgk5E6A9qp8-bKCHF6q-RSH3EFNYSO9ZOfLfUGYWrp8uyAyHIb0aIoVScfDvKNktPvnx-SN0MIrEQLNeTkYpSbPXFsnblU/s1600/Paris06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_lTaGvBVsfeobDlsH4_w2LjVH7005XCeSFcUgCs3CY-SpFvgk5E6A9qp8-bKCHF6q-RSH3EFNYSO9ZOfLfUGYWrp8uyAyHIb0aIoVScfDvKNktPvnx-SN0MIrEQLNeTkYpSbPXFsnblU/s1600/Paris06.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our dinner view from a riverside picnic one night.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8u_y3UmaFGSCDJ7KljmyVc4O8PL_ybMswWhl_96ATPcM2o_Q1SDqVJGblG43Qgg1A7g6zWu_EOSirJTpEvnpKYcSs-2E8NA3V9iEb2AWGUU7ZEAhbnk8uxOBNrgxNrh4NI8oPztPHRqs/s1600/Paris07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8u_y3UmaFGSCDJ7KljmyVc4O8PL_ybMswWhl_96ATPcM2o_Q1SDqVJGblG43Qgg1A7g6zWu_EOSirJTpEvnpKYcSs-2E8NA3V9iEb2AWGUU7ZEAhbnk8uxOBNrgxNrh4NI8oPztPHRqs/s1600/Paris07.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset on the Seine.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi4ZplXpV4GeLIe9Pp5SR-o2Y2LcBHX_AAjZaCRd-mpoaAfi_FKjrovUVFFPZqFCp0ZVf6FQ5liJh9yGob74_gM87LTIbKOvNXxrm7VdKSP6qGZ-SK8CJiiquoNvOR6CYa9wv8u38qrrg/s1600/Paris08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi4ZplXpV4GeLIe9Pp5SR-o2Y2LcBHX_AAjZaCRd-mpoaAfi_FKjrovUVFFPZqFCp0ZVf6FQ5liJh9yGob74_gM87LTIbKOvNXxrm7VdKSP6qGZ-SK8CJiiquoNvOR6CYa9wv8u38qrrg/s1600/Paris08.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view of the backside of Notre Dame while walking home from dinner on the river.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWXEXA6dXDTYpo9qx-Lkay01eykcGEiwS61IUG1AAcaBOi6jUaylfkcEmdCkBF8Gv3nHzosRGQfaGbDpquDhKAtA_Vm5WJ9x5_cQ2BPiv3ESRRDOtnRewooKvg-Jm5rdVdkvUDDMdF93U/s1600/Paris09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWXEXA6dXDTYpo9qx-Lkay01eykcGEiwS61IUG1AAcaBOi6jUaylfkcEmdCkBF8Gv3nHzosRGQfaGbDpquDhKAtA_Vm5WJ9x5_cQ2BPiv3ESRRDOtnRewooKvg-Jm5rdVdkvUDDMdF93U/s1600/Paris09.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We took a night off from the river and ate at the Luxembourg Gardens just a few blocks from our place, where Maggie could go for a jog before we ate.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
On the first Sunday of every month, the museums are free all around Paris. So, our first Sunday, we headed out for a day at the Musee d'Orsay and the Pompidou. We'd been to both of the museums before, but you can never get enough Van Gogh and Monet at the d'Orsay, and it's always nice to see what they're calling modern art these days at the Pomidou.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgISTwJMi-upbMfUfYlhHLs-Fqd5UI4Gy1708z_AmeCTOGlGIMxz4TYJM1PsvOFfAnBnOIjrkyUJnpDcZKqMyLTr9ICV1RtCZPuTFP2JlPmkudoNY5g_M26MUuZSaKgpCVtYOP_pSXCUtM/s1600/Paris10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgISTwJMi-upbMfUfYlhHLs-Fqd5UI4Gy1708z_AmeCTOGlGIMxz4TYJM1PsvOFfAnBnOIjrkyUJnpDcZKqMyLTr9ICV1RtCZPuTFP2JlPmkudoNY5g_M26MUuZSaKgpCVtYOP_pSXCUtM/s1600/Paris10.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The outside of the Musee d'Orsay</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh6fhbFIvjHDRfDJSwIOPEucwU4M3eqVNwoHUTeLXuCEvdzfcM_DKHAWqCaH5vU8NzI3SGUmYQepGEFcM6835OV3gxMSvSP1u-z1lpjVRlzj1sI0UGwgfebYaIu5SbFNZMRe89sdyF2kk/s1600/Paris11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh6fhbFIvjHDRfDJSwIOPEucwU4M3eqVNwoHUTeLXuCEvdzfcM_DKHAWqCaH5vU8NzI3SGUmYQepGEFcM6835OV3gxMSvSP1u-z1lpjVRlzj1sI0UGwgfebYaIu5SbFNZMRe89sdyF2kk/s1600/Paris11.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of the Sacre Coeur from the inside of the d'Orsay.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyMocpqB6AuKL-KNiTgLAITr-6yWX5AEau2rBlbmFcS3jFOFjwIp0dDogCRrEjLqa4LHPvyCPQGg3oU6Ug6ZMSvQ1wZiRub3T0C6R17IWLOTBOZK6LTBy0Cd-UWYbmtLQAB8VPcpnDYp0/s1600/Paris12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyMocpqB6AuKL-KNiTgLAITr-6yWX5AEau2rBlbmFcS3jFOFjwIp0dDogCRrEjLqa4LHPvyCPQGg3oU6Ug6ZMSvQ1wZiRub3T0C6R17IWLOTBOZK6LTBy0Cd-UWYbmtLQAB8VPcpnDYp0/s640/Paris12.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Panoramic view of Paris from the Pomidou (Click to enlarge).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
One Paris landmark our place isn't as close to is the Eiffel Tower, so one night we decided to rent Velibs (public bicycles) and take our dinner down there. It's a nice ride along the river and only takes twenty minutes or so.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX5BjcltR5jrjDo0Ud4Uk4Qev0DVuaQ5MZDKeCNW5TVzELNwpSy5n4QX6w7AzrDFdC6krEFE5R1WXxvQ6Mc7liEOcUcu6yOhL2b3ObVkwAlpghde9Bvvu3baV62Hw8OxwzcnqmSGLWQ3w/s1600/Paris13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX5BjcltR5jrjDo0Ud4Uk4Qev0DVuaQ5MZDKeCNW5TVzELNwpSy5n4QX6w7AzrDFdC6krEFE5R1WXxvQ6Mc7liEOcUcu6yOhL2b3ObVkwAlpghde9Bvvu3baV62Hw8OxwzcnqmSGLWQ3w/s1600/Paris13.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwqihvc1sT3oKGCmx1QZJ7Euu8s4IoRwCkCV4I9y6WjzcBn3f3LNtk4deFSH4KXQY6DnStU7fTF3jmEb58-LnAjL03sC0NeSZpvwdnAqLQCdIJYm4qL_VMo7xVyTrPHkXCzkULkOSldaA/s1600/Paris14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwqihvc1sT3oKGCmx1QZJ7Euu8s4IoRwCkCV4I9y6WjzcBn3f3LNtk4deFSH4KXQY6DnStU7fTF3jmEb58-LnAjL03sC0NeSZpvwdnAqLQCdIJYm4qL_VMo7xVyTrPHkXCzkULkOSldaA/s1600/Paris14.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
While we're eating by the river we usually just picnic, but we have a lot of fondue restaurants around us in the Latin Quarter, so we decided to give one a go. It was enough cheese to kill even a Wisconsiner, but we slowly made our way through it and went home with an expanding waist line.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVJOEqwygaOuZBx7aNJagrZ1Wz4-uAQs1v1DseIosrUQVT0cL96s3qoVihZn96cb0rsi5G11gTJwv2GhCbmWaIFasQ8lz68uQtrKrV4am9BbKURAPJzssJK8gtL_2QaFQpMkiQv9Mb1dM/s1600/Paris15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVJOEqwygaOuZBx7aNJagrZ1Wz4-uAQs1v1DseIosrUQVT0cL96s3qoVihZn96cb0rsi5G11gTJwv2GhCbmWaIFasQ8lz68uQtrKrV4am9BbKURAPJzssJK8gtL_2QaFQpMkiQv9Mb1dM/s1600/Paris15.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Fondue and the many things to dip in it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Maggie found a Flea Market on the outskirts of the main city that she wanted to go to. We could have taken a subway to get there, but Velibs sounded like more fun. It was about a half an hour ride, but through a part of Paris we had never been to.<br />
<br />
After the market, we saw we were close to one of the largest parks in Paris, Bois de Vincennes, so we decided to ride the bikes down to it and check it out.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-OBUrG4ResTLsJqyx6Fi3AUh2aZ_LK20CTNdJX4aNMIFwKhWLoX4bOm5dVmWaDhZVcjQMoEc5cwWmDyn61hX-hY_UU4PBbkicTxRW6dqabPkxnU9gQizlI9yc3HehsOZhvpPGkr1cTt0/s1600/Paris16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-OBUrG4ResTLsJqyx6Fi3AUh2aZ_LK20CTNdJX4aNMIFwKhWLoX4bOm5dVmWaDhZVcjQMoEc5cwWmDyn61hX-hY_UU4PBbkicTxRW6dqabPkxnU9gQizlI9yc3HehsOZhvpPGkr1cTt0/s1600/Paris16.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maggie on her Velib.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY5rTAIKtCU2rvXz1XNyHGc6I4LXPayHsRrmOhvuftr6Ia7d_-Bg1D113DJonq4lLjdgu35Fe0FB1VbWcBL0W75m8rJ1jsmkwBqi71Ag5WqnvYtbY3wVisYN5WHqMTVvxr8R77F3GVDu0/s1600/Paris17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY5rTAIKtCU2rvXz1XNyHGc6I4LXPayHsRrmOhvuftr6Ia7d_-Bg1D113DJonq4lLjdgu35Fe0FB1VbWcBL0W75m8rJ1jsmkwBqi71Ag5WqnvYtbY3wVisYN5WHqMTVvxr8R77F3GVDu0/s1600/Paris17.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the antique wares being sold at the Flea Market.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6iBBRMIVKGVoX8VkJa48Bw3gbGb-8ui-NztvNkOto-5Cz0Py_DpOpfJPnCgLPwv5tBJ3hTUHCWw4InPPitGdkDK3YPOWOnlsROB7-zsneHfuqQKmrNtM3OZo-vfgbvR2CTjr7xK-gY4o/s1600/Paris18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6iBBRMIVKGVoX8VkJa48Bw3gbGb-8ui-NztvNkOto-5Cz0Py_DpOpfJPnCgLPwv5tBJ3hTUHCWw4InPPitGdkDK3YPOWOnlsROB7-zsneHfuqQKmrNtM3OZo-vfgbvR2CTjr7xK-gY4o/s1600/Paris18.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lake at Bois de Vincennes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx-cMGCx4EAKL9KN_KCv7nE3fJTzFFysOFYsRDk8TiHtvXO4Vclm7c2kxU69c9Uc3EiA-NSlPtBsTNZksN9hwhigGz409VswnlnM_Lp1ggETqbGw1LYmK73bwX_TnEiNSzty41doF8ut0/s1600/Paris19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx-cMGCx4EAKL9KN_KCv7nE3fJTzFFysOFYsRDk8TiHtvXO4Vclm7c2kxU69c9Uc3EiA-NSlPtBsTNZksN9hwhigGz409VswnlnM_Lp1ggETqbGw1LYmK73bwX_TnEiNSzty41doF8ut0/s1600/Paris19.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We didn't buy much at the flea market, but we did find this little guy and named him Petit Napoleon. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16588692928447732601noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2457720619402126236.post-63815021433491912282016-01-27T03:26:00.000-08:002016-09-22T08:48:17.326-07:00san francisco and florida with the familyWe don't just travel internationally--we have some fun trips in the US, too. We were lucky enough to have Maggie's parents take us along for a couple trips recently, which always means a ton of good food (and wine!) and checking out some gorgeous sights we haven't seen.<br />
<br />
San Francisco is one of Maggie's parents' favorite cities, and though we've been a few times on our own, this was our first time going with them. We got to eat at some of their favorite restaurants, like pasta and wine at the country's oldest Italian restaurant, Fior d'Italia, some of the best steak we'd ever had at Harris Steakhouse, and mid-morning Irish coffee at the place that supposedly invented it, the Buena Vista. We probably gained at least ten pounds on this trip, but it was worth it!<br />
<br />
We saw the sights, from Ghiradelli Square to the Golden Gate Bridge, to Chinatown, to the Palace of Fine Arts. One day, we visited Muir Woods, in Marin--we'd never seen trees that big. And we drove through the areas nearby where homes are tucked into the hillsides like the fanciest hobbit houses you've ever seen.<br />
<br />
And of course, we did lots of cable car riding!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7HIeTpU4UlRrhPRD15hrbkbqjDTgOcYaU7pj-N2CDqlzj14jlArM6A2BpRKr3LPs758RCB7feQYMDL6mL_roo9uX41j8UACykJme0Ra2KwuZfARHJ0HsHySjQB3eA3t-A938_B6pEyCI/s1600/SFCableCar1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7HIeTpU4UlRrhPRD15hrbkbqjDTgOcYaU7pj-N2CDqlzj14jlArM6A2BpRKr3LPs758RCB7feQYMDL6mL_roo9uX41j8UACykJme0Ra2KwuZfARHJ0HsHySjQB3eA3t-A938_B6pEyCI/s400/SFCableCar1.jpg" width="393" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Attempting (semi-successfully) to take a 4-person selfie on our first cable car ride of the trip, with San Francisco in the background. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNWuEaBlxV0kzO4L20n69INIGswQWEbpsAw-EWSKGW-wy1jD1SCYn97DmDSjiOmLeBRmDAcPiihs8XBOMftItOJEi8EdjIEMeuxBpuYXxwaBgwdK3jS-EoC3EB3GFUaeBjX6SxTObl1Ao/s1600/photo+2-3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNWuEaBlxV0kzO4L20n69INIGswQWEbpsAw-EWSKGW-wy1jD1SCYn97DmDSjiOmLeBRmDAcPiihs8XBOMftItOJEi8EdjIEMeuxBpuYXxwaBgwdK3jS-EoC3EB3GFUaeBjX6SxTObl1Ao/s640/photo+2-3.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Literally hugging giant trees in Muir Woods</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivMvxVKvHI8bqcq0-rIIVMstL4n732PIj_4XuSiRISQnsc1Jg3DkXltHyCqdCUodgqoRhksvASnI53iBlg7utlYydzl_nxO5w25EaoX1-9xMdUsrd8U_CDfPSd-se6BYceCV2kcPyK6o8/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivMvxVKvHI8bqcq0-rIIVMstL4n732PIj_4XuSiRISQnsc1Jg3DkXltHyCqdCUodgqoRhksvASnI53iBlg7utlYydzl_nxO5w25EaoX1-9xMdUsrd8U_CDfPSd-se6BYceCV2kcPyK6o8/s640/photo+2.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner (and lots of wine) at the country's oldest Italian restaurant</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWnf6qlgD4q75pax40qbYQK9yDbkg7ToxC0co6vM89od7Bo7Ut74oAzeAPbjEaH5GSodQow94gwX4aoPFm_kRUpXPLOOhiqokyq4YK-hq1idc8Kd1KBcVhrCOEQmOGQRFKr6KgvCbP8jI/s1600/photo-3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWnf6qlgD4q75pax40qbYQK9yDbkg7ToxC0co6vM89od7Bo7Ut74oAzeAPbjEaH5GSodQow94gwX4aoPFm_kRUpXPLOOhiqokyq4YK-hq1idc8Kd1KBcVhrCOEQmOGQRFKr6KgvCbP8jI/s640/photo-3.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cable cars!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQoUPlf1WnGRiGxcREzlOyhj7ilumJp8FWvVqHeqRgrrNg98hyhWdyyoZstbr7xM-LhDtSU_Womi908dhbIUbp0SgOvog3JMKtAivfPPO8mUOa7Qz4Mkgec6HJxQOJjunch2jY9TTrGm0/s1600/photo+1-3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQoUPlf1WnGRiGxcREzlOyhj7ilumJp8FWvVqHeqRgrrNg98hyhWdyyoZstbr7xM-LhDtSU_Womi908dhbIUbp0SgOvog3JMKtAivfPPO8mUOa7Qz4Mkgec6HJxQOJjunch2jY9TTrGm0/s640/photo+1-3.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maggie's parents at the Palace of Fine Arts</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkkyWADzkxiicHuW532SSgdq7xtocBQ3ox25kf5-R0Pcl0rEi2tILOQNfajKRKhKjyzNIXzI_wv8B0lEDeUDGhbwmHQZrAqZRunsxUixDioce0LwUpxeY5crBlQF_CM4SGHwiyLLawE7E/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkkyWADzkxiicHuW532SSgdq7xtocBQ3ox25kf5-R0Pcl0rEi2tILOQNfajKRKhKjyzNIXzI_wv8B0lEDeUDGhbwmHQZrAqZRunsxUixDioce0LwUpxeY5crBlQF_CM4SGHwiyLLawE7E/s640/photo+1.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So much pretty foliage in this city</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimDZ1utYWfALT43ipUbnVE4Xo7lyTHbjZKHdl2g2Qi0OdLxs6ac3agDbQMMKQOubs3ED4bGYsR75bp3FgR34ZxVEBcExCiJ0TINu82z1HXsLSLUc4qTrie965BwZOBjHeNVR_P5L-izAM/s1600/photo+3-4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimDZ1utYWfALT43ipUbnVE4Xo7lyTHbjZKHdl2g2Qi0OdLxs6ac3agDbQMMKQOubs3ED4bGYsR75bp3FgR34ZxVEBcExCiJ0TINu82z1HXsLSLUc4qTrie965BwZOBjHeNVR_P5L-izAM/s640/photo+3-4.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at the size of this tree!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3C7tMm1RejZ2gtr9pptFq_uz2-fCb3y24zPMhZAM3ImrXeEDbJAzFCobHphTrSutEW2PhWDnu3Kj6d_QRIJFoq8HjVgAWzRyK6vfwQVKgqc9ier-0b2upqjERv_0MYHrkL2ZaC06ntLA/s1600/IMAG1019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3C7tMm1RejZ2gtr9pptFq_uz2-fCb3y24zPMhZAM3ImrXeEDbJAzFCobHphTrSutEW2PhWDnu3Kj6d_QRIJFoq8HjVgAWzRyK6vfwQVKgqc9ier-0b2upqjERv_0MYHrkL2ZaC06ntLA/s400/IMAG1019.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF3vbOLf4PwSN7iwCIpL3kyrgmh8NnnoIzl6mbss0LpUKJcswCcNz-iashffLQcPqkLfUc9FJHpUip4D1hciX6kbORZASs6HYnVeQD7tDtl6wLs_Gk1i5d3J3UvBqivXCpZVbX-_sXx3E/s1600/IMAG1020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF3vbOLf4PwSN7iwCIpL3kyrgmh8NnnoIzl6mbss0LpUKJcswCcNz-iashffLQcPqkLfUc9FJHpUip4D1hciX6kbORZASs6HYnVeQD7tDtl6wLs_Gk1i5d3J3UvBqivXCpZVbX-_sXx3E/s320/IMAG1020.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maggie got lots of DIY ideas...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWorU_Qu5i9oRLdF3pXv7a29WzPBTx1CMacsB84Pyn8pncqhHo2zH3etjylnlluJDWVgb5DvIIsS6BrpQkKFzVBn5vdts2OAA7VVxmmAtPZvS3qG083HR8emahj3xtpiYtmO_uino6T9o/s1600/IMAG1038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWorU_Qu5i9oRLdF3pXv7a29WzPBTx1CMacsB84Pyn8pncqhHo2zH3etjylnlluJDWVgb5DvIIsS6BrpQkKFzVBn5vdts2OAA7VVxmmAtPZvS3qG083HR8emahj3xtpiYtmO_uino6T9o/s320/IMAG1038.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adorable baby ducks in the park!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1J0SYdgOmTG-tDzIixXxP94VbhUINfMcYbZXOnepzqS87XZmsQFvySg7120mEXxwPtlI-J3plk6rHgE5Z2yL2Kgl6eQxkvZ5M_ksEm5RoJP5P49BzdTkZjD88BZJtkkkvPPf56dGgmJU/s1600/IMAG1039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1J0SYdgOmTG-tDzIixXxP94VbhUINfMcYbZXOnepzqS87XZmsQFvySg7120mEXxwPtlI-J3plk6rHgE5Z2yL2Kgl6eQxkvZ5M_ksEm5RoJP5P49BzdTkZjD88BZJtkkkvPPf56dGgmJU/s640/IMAG1039.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maggie and Andrew under the Chinatown gate</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhReMNHMT-C5vKERNXvmidBg9tDzrs0doyGVbhEgOIuBF22YzR9IZ0LpxTwfV3qhTNW6lzcqOqAvnYWkM3Z77qMjMKlAIeA09zr-9NjqafnEK-p2wUzLhr6z9C2F4Ri_N3Ib6011AQ9_j8/s1600/IMAG1041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhReMNHMT-C5vKERNXvmidBg9tDzrs0doyGVbhEgOIuBF22YzR9IZ0LpxTwfV3qhTNW6lzcqOqAvnYWkM3Z77qMjMKlAIeA09zr-9NjqafnEK-p2wUzLhr6z9C2F4Ri_N3Ib6011AQ9_j8/s640/IMAG1041.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gorgeous day to look out over the bay</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
We also traveled to Florida for a dose of warmth in the winter. That meant more good food, beach time, some amazing views, and a city that was brand new to both of us--Miami.We stayed in Ft. Lauderdale, but spent some time in Miami Beach--and on Miami beaches!<br />
<br />
Now we see why so many people retire to Florida. It's a very relaxing place. We spent lots of time reading on the beach, sitting in the hot tub, playing yard games, and eating eating eating. We even took a kayak out one day!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRJur_naKJsqAls_um5PvGnMdJ4-I9xI4ZMFyqw8yDiOUgEgV8CXFKqN7V3wEw_3xzH4aEU9YuBpsYd4XVwKKYSbwOSKuYx5QNFtMyt3D1q338J2hsDYyvSvQwF9kakTBl9emvQhYo3sw/s1600/IMAG1270.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRJur_naKJsqAls_um5PvGnMdJ4-I9xI4ZMFyqw8yDiOUgEgV8CXFKqN7V3wEw_3xzH4aEU9YuBpsYd4XVwKKYSbwOSKuYx5QNFtMyt3D1q338J2hsDYyvSvQwF9kakTBl9emvQhYo3sw/s640/IMAG1270.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the hotel room balcony, Maggie discovered her phone's panoramic photo setting.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO38f9hnqFhRjkINJkqgK8_R00oOHtnVnlrKwM5E7Xh-CEHxacIbXEX0659FMlG_ARy3EeSuhHQp2M0Rw37CP7gmCFKyea1msWhPOL6eKfJld07o4hymhnWQEg9AkKTBa5Smhyphenhyphen5pCVjwQ/s1600/IMG_20160129_104521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO38f9hnqFhRjkINJkqgK8_R00oOHtnVnlrKwM5E7Xh-CEHxacIbXEX0659FMlG_ARy3EeSuhHQp2M0Rw37CP7gmCFKyea1msWhPOL6eKfJld07o4hymhnWQEg9AkKTBa5Smhyphenhyphen5pCVjwQ/s320/IMG_20160129_104521.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beach time!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3SD00ykzKm7eYFetgutwy9QT6ErLxTEXQAfkRQr-8ysdqPiuKCGfBie8TCG_dZ1Gtthx4vXty_MADgJ_M0g5ypsyNs5wOFXk2VAUeTk9NxQE1zYc8NxTvdS9L9yxpYccOAAYh2lObgVc/s1600/IMG_20160127_171851.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3SD00ykzKm7eYFetgutwy9QT6ErLxTEXQAfkRQr-8ysdqPiuKCGfBie8TCG_dZ1Gtthx4vXty_MADgJ_M0g5ypsyNs5wOFXk2VAUeTk9NxQE1zYc8NxTvdS9L9yxpYccOAAYh2lObgVc/s320/IMG_20160127_171851.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A very colorful candy store</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg60GwCLftdrOSNZK_HbulUzsmITlEiLTykV2NfipuJOzVONXCmbyVksHdxmErdBQgaQ3zxJkjCInHQrqisf_bM6DrAVpwPuA2QJX3p5khvD75-pXAjLXij_mIyvMJg5F0joDo_TCk06uo/s1600/IMG_20160129_155619.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg60GwCLftdrOSNZK_HbulUzsmITlEiLTykV2NfipuJOzVONXCmbyVksHdxmErdBQgaQ3zxJkjCInHQrqisf_bM6DrAVpwPuA2QJX3p5khvD75-pXAjLXij_mIyvMJg5F0joDo_TCk06uo/s400/IMG_20160129_155619.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The hotel had all kinds of games, like this giant chess. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaJED4MlYbIH8u6oyGPztcJfxr6c9qZ8WpGHVbQtQ4B57xxk0_6Z1P6TMEXVuZ8cMV4SPJQxtHgz6d0o_3WU-aRCd0NuOXtS7heUudtMjS91ZqLlajEUwf4xr0VZ1InCVHj7wiKI4YW8s/s1600/IMG_2561.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaJED4MlYbIH8u6oyGPztcJfxr6c9qZ8WpGHVbQtQ4B57xxk0_6Z1P6TMEXVuZ8cMV4SPJQxtHgz6d0o_3WU-aRCd0NuOXtS7heUudtMjS91ZqLlajEUwf4xr0VZ1InCVHj7wiKI4YW8s/s640/IMG_2561.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you spot us in the little yellow kayak?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfCK9qraVQK8dC2SfYx7L1Vy1jVzwCm29eJkMtHE_j6hdGbDxnf87LANOkkDxlwKOX3IaFcYi1DFEwrdsEhrOkas9JGJ_l-6AiTBKKDA64__umOk36oz1nccUHf6WsPspm81t2h7a7x14/s1600/IMG_2453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfCK9qraVQK8dC2SfYx7L1Vy1jVzwCm29eJkMtHE_j6hdGbDxnf87LANOkkDxlwKOX3IaFcYi1DFEwrdsEhrOkas9JGJ_l-6AiTBKKDA64__umOk36oz1nccUHf6WsPspm81t2h7a7x14/s640/IMG_2453.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the many times we ate too much...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3VO3OjgvYgLxMsJDUaEHoPjo8inrN3wAVwDnRY7pq-i77AEOTRi9vzeWlMftS7n1GBdTHMemt1di0HWDgKvBucbA_7I-nPnxu1PjOyOCBdOxgQaxcSciNHYeMXlBqtUeNbSjFvoqfaYY/s1600/IMG_2488.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3VO3OjgvYgLxMsJDUaEHoPjo8inrN3wAVwDnRY7pq-i77AEOTRi9vzeWlMftS7n1GBdTHMemt1di0HWDgKvBucbA_7I-nPnxu1PjOyOCBdOxgQaxcSciNHYeMXlBqtUeNbSjFvoqfaYY/s640/IMG_2488.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And another time...with bonus gigantic chocolate cake. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzd0JYgy9tcta8xbkD4RHZCH6lO5db21V7Xvv56pvvXgcy9j4E9JNDKZC8t1N7kIbuxdNuSqE236ldjkVGo6KW69Uh6oJrWMXukjrKEwmy08w01fk72CAQQIx0ww7OCsDWzgeVhRTbkVo/s1600/IMG_2504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzd0JYgy9tcta8xbkD4RHZCH6lO5db21V7Xvv56pvvXgcy9j4E9JNDKZC8t1N7kIbuxdNuSqE236ldjkVGo6KW69Uh6oJrWMXukjrKEwmy08w01fk72CAQQIx0ww7OCsDWzgeVhRTbkVo/s640/IMG_2504.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pre-dinner drinks and snacks ritual in the lovely hotel outdoor area.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Maggie Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17378337707268580252noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2457720619402126236.post-29248210117819222732015-08-29T22:17:00.000-07:002016-09-20T13:53:56.539-07:00life's better on a boatAndrew grew up sailing with his parents on a boat they kept in northern New Mexico. But then the rain stopped falling and ten years later, there wasn't much sailing to be done out here in the desert, so Andrew's parents joined a few clubs that allow you to show up and take a boat from any of their harbors around the world.<br />
<br />
In the past year, we did a few sailing trips, the first being to San Diego Bay. Just the bay? you say. Yup, just the bay. There is no more exciting place to sail than San Diego Bay. You're out there on the water with sailboats, motorboats, aircraft carriers, battleships, submarines, pirate ships--you name it, they got it.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8hNJgL9MsGzG2EermADI5nyPqrXpdoUajsIyvxkT8LVLriiCe-MqmNV7dZy-Lkue2eatyDuZdmvium3YV7qnPjljWFytKJslV8tOhXZkIhoceweS56S99GJGudTDi-YicXwCfDZWncxA/s1600/Sailing01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8hNJgL9MsGzG2EermADI5nyPqrXpdoUajsIyvxkT8LVLriiCe-MqmNV7dZy-Lkue2eatyDuZdmvium3YV7qnPjljWFytKJslV8tOhXZkIhoceweS56S99GJGudTDi-YicXwCfDZWncxA/s1600/Sailing01.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andrew inspecting the boat.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTj_wvBvZy2oY_D-cpPt6Ndo97QGvFvFwrBHL_nc53wqIp3O3Je3ch0xXLvwnuXWd70oaC4HNec3HUEA9oxPo4Lq_6Vn707OfIaie7bRc3FCaqoTVJrVp9D13TKXuULsjwPEcn801EQmc/s1600/Sailing02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTj_wvBvZy2oY_D-cpPt6Ndo97QGvFvFwrBHL_nc53wqIp3O3Je3ch0xXLvwnuXWd70oaC4HNec3HUEA9oxPo4Lq_6Vn707OfIaie7bRc3FCaqoTVJrVp9D13TKXuULsjwPEcn801EQmc/s1600/Sailing02.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The marina.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirJ5vrYRXn4UFhRM2gZ0RQR3YEk89VduwoL0WyWqPtUDJBpT0zU2usVha398qZL3wK_HBG7CAgDlhmsabxU0KPWYXDDEbKnicxQZDWqzJaQCe4thOkdpFe-WO90OO-zETF7LQQ11bo_SA/s1600/Sailing03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirJ5vrYRXn4UFhRM2gZ0RQR3YEk89VduwoL0WyWqPtUDJBpT0zU2usVha398qZL3wK_HBG7CAgDlhmsabxU0KPWYXDDEbKnicxQZDWqzJaQCe4thOkdpFe-WO90OO-zETF7LQQ11bo_SA/s1600/Sailing03.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andrew's mom checking the rigging.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9hSrziPtgA3SDdctoCK15hQ6_7ET5HNPcpBp8aoH1HBjR0PBS9UTXmibuQzBosGU89Y89FB7R-xKVF1ZsnbUQWLvq48WCJGQLh2DPaZ4MaaepaCo9cCr8u1_ndG9lBrXqEbjd4RnrO30/s1600/Sailing04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9hSrziPtgA3SDdctoCK15hQ6_7ET5HNPcpBp8aoH1HBjR0PBS9UTXmibuQzBosGU89Y89FB7R-xKVF1ZsnbUQWLvq48WCJGQLh2DPaZ4MaaepaCo9cCr8u1_ndG9lBrXqEbjd4RnrO30/s1600/Sailing04.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maggie taking the wheel in the wind.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiwmHOj8nNYIm7VvFa29aQCr-gZVD-ivzD-U71d7ca3Pz7pzQEVwmSSoz2oK-3jtDIG9-YP3o8ERFt-dji0hm7CJYgx56hYGZBxplmqgvVs5MSfASdFTvbesnKsRa22FKQTl_cYeAS0ts/s1600/Sailing05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiwmHOj8nNYIm7VvFa29aQCr-gZVD-ivzD-U71d7ca3Pz7pzQEVwmSSoz2oK-3jtDIG9-YP3o8ERFt-dji0hm7CJYgx56hYGZBxplmqgvVs5MSfASdFTvbesnKsRa22FKQTl_cYeAS0ts/s1600/Sailing05.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another great thing about San Diego Bay is cellphone service.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Bvxd9Uo8tfkLknCVeiFnvpiBCZ1a5UbgfmRfng-ZyTHnPvXh7INxnc35_WpGpcccZgZCTrzDQ3oB9oWmzB3DFukyml8r5GNhDVV7w400rylOdsmuprSH-yYMrfupf3wnqe3oV1D69VM/s1600/Sailing06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Bvxd9Uo8tfkLknCVeiFnvpiBCZ1a5UbgfmRfng-ZyTHnPvXh7INxnc35_WpGpcccZgZCTrzDQ3oB9oWmzB3DFukyml8r5GNhDVV7w400rylOdsmuprSH-yYMrfupf3wnqe3oV1D69VM/s1600/Sailing06.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sea lions just chillin.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We stayed on the boat in the Marina, so every night we'd look for a micro-brew / restaurant to go to. The second night we ended up in Hillcrest and found the best one ever. If you take a good look at the names of their beers and realize that Hillcrest is known as the gay neighborhood, you'll get all the puns--and they were great beers to boot.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYhqWckC0P51NmGl8BSUGa95QuxhJ2ob47vFt4RkHTCzrUBtQahmc3LTHAFHRbgsh7CnCfopv7iBhKMTL_Vx-uuGRo_R_02_A3v5jJhe59cR86bknLX8gAP3fePFsotOk1owLky3i8eUg/s1600/Sailing07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYhqWckC0P51NmGl8BSUGa95QuxhJ2ob47vFt4RkHTCzrUBtQahmc3LTHAFHRbgsh7CnCfopv7iBhKMTL_Vx-uuGRo_R_02_A3v5jJhe59cR86bknLX8gAP3fePFsotOk1owLky3i8eUg/s1600/Sailing07.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
A little later in the year, we went on a week long sailing trip the the British Virgin Islands (BVIs). On our way we had a one night layover in Puerto Rico that ended coinciding with the arrival of a hurricane that shut down the whole city and caused our flight to be delayed an extra day. We weathered the storm in a hotel a few blocks off the beach (probably not the best idea). It hit us while we slept, but with no severe consequences.<br />
<br />
Eventually we made it to the BVIs, just a day late. We flew into Tortola and picked up the boat there. We also stocked up on the food and most importantly, the beer. You never feel more like an alcoholic then when you are adding up how much beer you need for five people for a week on vacation. And it was the first time we had been on a catamaran, and we loved the extra space. Catamarans are boats with two hulls attached by a cabin area, instead of the typical single hull boats where the only cabin space is in the one hull. Andrew's parents had one hull, and we got the other to share with Andrew's brother.<br />
<br />
The BVIs are one of the best places to sail because all of the island are within eyesight. You feel a lot like a pirate as you make your way between islands during the days and spend the nights taking the dingy to shore to have drinks and eat dinner. As we always do when we sail, even in San Diego, we slept on the boat. It's just not the full boat experience unless you sleep on it.<br />
<br />
From Tortola we sailed to Copper Island and celebrated our wedding anniversary there, with a friendly (at least that's how I remembered him) sea turtle swimming around our boat. The next two nights took us to Virgin Gorda and then Jost Van Dyke, with a quick stop Sandy Cay (maybe the most photographed island ever--trust me, you've seen it in commercials). The next night was spent in Frenchman's Cay, where a barracuda spend the whole night under our boat, unnerving Andrew. The final night we found a buoy on Treasure Island, the island believed to have actually been the one written about in the book with the same name.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb8I7GpjE5bAFtMupiLwxzm9Qv56be2IpPfNVx2NtTROySJxxNsQn_WZWzGCXNZGeAGIkbcLmj-KmYpBNQoPFYgC1d3AhyWHl2I8pwAiyMOMnGzFYU4tNKcpW5x709_0dfdNWe5pOYoKU/s1600/Sailing08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb8I7GpjE5bAFtMupiLwxzm9Qv56be2IpPfNVx2NtTROySJxxNsQn_WZWzGCXNZGeAGIkbcLmj-KmYpBNQoPFYgC1d3AhyWHl2I8pwAiyMOMnGzFYU4tNKcpW5x709_0dfdNWe5pOYoKU/s1600/Sailing08.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Copper Island</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOUWqbKVAhgiKC5ufWduPA4hHryk7fsuQK7z8z1BHQsVKU5q4CshmOJJ5F_7TY8BQiwto3CGuyD_R6nD0CiEqvPJXfUw5vniLt7XivgKVxhg17ayhxF58uB3ITNPvPhXJI0cgDgmjvW_c/s1600/Sailing09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOUWqbKVAhgiKC5ufWduPA4hHryk7fsuQK7z8z1BHQsVKU5q4CshmOJJ5F_7TY8BQiwto3CGuyD_R6nD0CiEqvPJXfUw5vniLt7XivgKVxhg17ayhxF58uB3ITNPvPhXJI0cgDgmjvW_c/s1600/Sailing09.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frenchman's Cay looking back out at our boat.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT1uU3W3nkuNeOf1e8Sg2Wy464ML6MNQWihfu9tzHa2hXCUq1myfE5lq7eIlXVq-XADtjT6STAvxv5EAhH4Y_6IXKBDZ-fCJD1vhjyNUbCStrMV3fhTLPVHjoDuGtaEUAIHy5olrwT8ZU/s1600/Sailing10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT1uU3W3nkuNeOf1e8Sg2Wy464ML6MNQWihfu9tzHa2hXCUq1myfE5lq7eIlXVq-XADtjT6STAvxv5EAhH4Y_6IXKBDZ-fCJD1vhjyNUbCStrMV3fhTLPVHjoDuGtaEUAIHy5olrwT8ZU/s1600/Sailing10.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andrew and his Mom having a five o'clock beer.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2JmcmtmC9KOTy5FI7XfGI45BpEu3EreGIhJZow_PvI-QJy7IET082HtpvAoSI4KDRsZfD5J3GAkAcPc6PoRNnGZvpIk27Wy61pFAsVLeJEoqY0EWh2V8_VVhyrZgm42sshJcLNHQfn2M/s1600/Sailing11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2JmcmtmC9KOTy5FI7XfGI45BpEu3EreGIhJZow_PvI-QJy7IET082HtpvAoSI4KDRsZfD5J3GAkAcPc6PoRNnGZvpIk27Wy61pFAsVLeJEoqY0EWh2V8_VVhyrZgm42sshJcLNHQfn2M/s1600/Sailing11.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andrew and his Mom looking for a buoy for the evening.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYmSUy3NxCMh5AMYfvIq5qchKuOee3sqTX2Z-6Otf-9_wDLU8CzhQc-a0EKefmYjvQ0jEa2IOdRpf57iQf0Feo1Y4peVjCM2y2A8L6HhIIZgGBkcJJ-30OMXwG4n9N6MsW84LWbqf5IYM/s1600/Sailing12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYmSUy3NxCMh5AMYfvIq5qchKuOee3sqTX2Z-6Otf-9_wDLU8CzhQc-a0EKefmYjvQ0jEa2IOdRpf57iQf0Feo1Y4peVjCM2y2A8L6HhIIZgGBkcJJ-30OMXwG4n9N6MsW84LWbqf5IYM/s1600/Sailing12.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barracuda friend from Frenchman's Cay</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguPLkkoaQYfQoZLdBTPDMBy0JPvkF0JbiTJDvfh4MWiClIubhYMCIhHC_1bFvGzhtK7VcRI1bGCjIS-pB0rT9XcIxuVBRbER7fLdssgpL4ytyPR67ydwTK8n3gYFEa0azAubPxkI9Xulk/s1600/Sailing13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguPLkkoaQYfQoZLdBTPDMBy0JPvkF0JbiTJDvfh4MWiClIubhYMCIhHC_1bFvGzhtK7VcRI1bGCjIS-pB0rT9XcIxuVBRbER7fLdssgpL4ytyPR67ydwTK8n3gYFEa0azAubPxkI9Xulk/s1600/Sailing13.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andrew and Maggie on their anniversary in Copper Island, sunburned after a day on the water.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI85rf1c6lUJxewVuDcL9d0IgzjOmqv4O9TINgFluDgG-Y6ThvOAO_Yh2yEgq5Rr_eAuHw60AQm8DCKfBNAcv-_ICWET_FAyNwMlBVKYxwdjpfpgXxh-VmIML6XbeBBqfjuzcmeRnL1_M/s1600/Sailing14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI85rf1c6lUJxewVuDcL9d0IgzjOmqv4O9TINgFluDgG-Y6ThvOAO_Yh2yEgq5Rr_eAuHw60AQm8DCKfBNAcv-_ICWET_FAyNwMlBVKYxwdjpfpgXxh-VmIML6XbeBBqfjuzcmeRnL1_M/s1600/Sailing14.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our boat at Treasure Island.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtX7RVN6zk-1gb6RTrs6un1n0DedpKns7ljwVRryEwBqvNdQkLNJUB4MPJkrcKeFDOIiO6BSWnhhf5Ct73UlMSpAMQ1O6_ZUDAqT6WV6uUp_ty76jcfrUcXmAwa8N48SZpAGcn-gVJSNg/s1600/Sailing15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtX7RVN6zk-1gb6RTrs6un1n0DedpKns7ljwVRryEwBqvNdQkLNJUB4MPJkrcKeFDOIiO6BSWnhhf5Ct73UlMSpAMQ1O6_ZUDAqT6WV6uUp_ty76jcfrUcXmAwa8N48SZpAGcn-gVJSNg/s1600/Sailing15.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snorkeling was more hazardous than usual with a lot of jellyfish about.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16588692928447732601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2457720619402126236.post-50636445071974918092014-06-19T17:19:00.000-07:002016-09-19T05:58:28.678-07:00egypt, it's where it's at<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Something we had talked about doing, but hadn't yet, was the one night layover thing that certain airlines offer. On our way back to the US from Israel, we finally go the chance to do it with a one night layover in Cairo. Neither had ever been there and we really wanted to go. We made sure we'd have enough time to get from Cairo to see the Great Pyramid and the Sphinx--and it was close, but we would just make it.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We got into Egypt around noon, but the whole process of getting one day visas and having to go through customs didn't get us to the hotel and ready to head out until 3. We walked out to the street in front of our hotel and talked to a few cabbies before finding one who was charging what we thought was reasonable for the ride to the pyramids and back. He was a nice guy who ended up telling us a lot about Egypt's current situation and from a local's perspective, why they had their summer revolt.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The traffic was pretty stop and go for a while and we didn't get to the Pyramids until around 4. Once there, we found out that the Pyramid Complex had closed early that day, and was already closed. We were bummed, but what could we do, jump the wall in front of the military patrolling with guns? We took pictures of it from the gate, which luckily wasn't too far away. (And strangely, there wasn't another tourist to be seen. We knew Egypt tourism was down, but there was literally no one there.)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL6QkdA-WxX8b5VBHgG9HywzUIPdw0WLthW9O8J9M1CNCEUcg1lzvFoI7g50oihdw2Fr36iRdUmRwmu7lJmsDnWKa2q56G9dz_rpddj7h4SCVQ9qtcucdA-BGYbIg4M6fPnoPzdSRFF9w/s1600/Egypt01.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maggie over the Nile River in Cairo </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjveKHuMnzEaUpsXZnUGEtHabvZITCBXOO39okAGYlMaQo4JKHshEjP6RAaXV_Et7LSdct6mlne4vj4tcZFLVpBt7RxGjf2L6km6veGX-tHdlHXW8sbsavQu70wLzkfVW1A1z8BE6FSrvo/s1600/Egypt02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjveKHuMnzEaUpsXZnUGEtHabvZITCBXOO39okAGYlMaQo4JKHshEjP6RAaXV_Et7LSdct6mlne4vj4tcZFLVpBt7RxGjf2L6km6veGX-tHdlHXW8sbsavQu70wLzkfVW1A1z8BE6FSrvo/s1600/Egypt02.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the locked gate</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<span id="goog_1343846935"></span><span id="goog_1343846936"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Vu5ySX1ms24hVrpaUNTA0-2YcYw6VXNCaxBmok2-HjX3naucK7SXBM_vhfL-VmA3Kl61MB7Vejpouy-UwM-O5mW23ImfoTt-h3ZfK3Wos5OWSYuLBc1m0I02T_kVsvhGqDVqE7Q_yjo/s1600/Egypt03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Vu5ySX1ms24hVrpaUNTA0-2YcYw6VXNCaxBmok2-HjX3naucK7SXBM_vhfL-VmA3Kl61MB7Vejpouy-UwM-O5mW23ImfoTt-h3ZfK3Wos5OWSYuLBc1m0I02T_kVsvhGqDVqE7Q_yjo/s1600/Egypt03.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A cat guarding the Sphinx--whose original head is thought to have been a cat. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0I5ht0d6a33DToDjmEj7VzXWvvsy-qpJQN8RJH6r1m_NTCaEOOx5GkPWBaa7T9gVvdoxRebojxvi4BW26mpBGC2oxc51jfusWrR6OMHqn-UgVu8M18fiVVF1Jwj-PBevFDI8oqxgCC8Y/s1600/Egypt05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0I5ht0d6a33DToDjmEj7VzXWvvsy-qpJQN8RJH6r1m_NTCaEOOx5GkPWBaa7T9gVvdoxRebojxvi4BW26mpBGC2oxc51jfusWrR6OMHqn-UgVu8M18fiVVF1Jwj-PBevFDI8oqxgCC8Y/s1600/Egypt05.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andrew finding high ground to peer over the wall into the Great Pyramid Complex</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYbwLWHWi3AtdsbNZrcGFuYMyJU5AGdlzOowLNSCafYPfa9Upp5b4qr2bo7tY2rqrV-weGtjFNZ-VZud3vOM5dydJIgRNpOxuhhAQPNXkSsxZKzq_24UGHnyL7gi5YU08Ro1nqIH2xA6U/s1600/Egypt04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYbwLWHWi3AtdsbNZrcGFuYMyJU5AGdlzOowLNSCafYPfa9Upp5b4qr2bo7tY2rqrV-weGtjFNZ-VZud3vOM5dydJIgRNpOxuhhAQPNXkSsxZKzq_24UGHnyL7gi5YU08Ro1nqIH2xA6U/s1600/Egypt04.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maggie posing with the Great Pyramid </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
As the taxi driver told us, the fairly new wall around the Pyramid complex is a good example of why the people of Egypt are so upset. The government built the wall around the Pyramids so they could control who could gives tours and when they are allowed in. While to Americans this may make sense, to the hundreds, if not thousands, of Egyptian families who have been making money off Pyramid tourism for generations, this is creating a barrier for making a living.<br />
<br />
We saw this with a family we met while walking around the Pyramid wall. We were just wandering around (we were still the only tourists in the entire area) when a lady came out of her house and started chatting with us, and invited us into her house for tea. There we sat on the floor in the one small room where it appeared the whole family lived and slept (there were six of them there at the time) and met the whole family. The oldest son spoke English, so he was the translator, and we told them about ourselves, how we had been traveling for awhile and were now going home. The woman told us that her husband's family had been living in Cairo for hundreds of years and that they used to be able make money giving tours of the Pyramids whenever they wanted, but now because of the wall and the permits, they have had to try to find new ways to make money off the tourist trade, but with many families in the same boat, it is harder to do. This combined with the huge decrease of tourism has made the times harder.<br />
<br />
Everyone we met in Egypt told us, and wanted us to relay to everyone we knew, that Egypt is not dangerous and no one should be afraid to travel there. It is really is true. (Or at least, it definitely seemed to be at the time--this was mid-2014.) To us, it seemed like there is no better time to go to Egypt. The tourist infrastructure is there, but with fewer tourists. The people couldn't be nicer and really want tourists to come back to their country. So if you are thinking of going to Egypt sometime in your life, now is a great time. We couldn't speak more highly of what we saw of the country.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1voGwLK4vpTAQLlraejVq4_A8wFvXzXzBh0-6QH1YNQe8pedd8nAtpxFzuR5PEwqmk-0GLtVgnIhM2PpeP65fMWDq2YoaiQrC7bBdjnHSIvDiXQsJiLwg3-jGo47A3qBLsmGY5HW02BU/s1600/Egypt07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1voGwLK4vpTAQLlraejVq4_A8wFvXzXzBh0-6QH1YNQe8pedd8nAtpxFzuR5PEwqmk-0GLtVgnIhM2PpeP65fMWDq2YoaiQrC7bBdjnHSIvDiXQsJiLwg3-jGo47A3qBLsmGY5HW02BU/s1600/Egypt07.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maggie with the family we met, in their house</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi29BrbiCXL_6P6BeRfkWZNz7tdqG-kWURip_KC0LVNzMpyo6roj2waM3BKtFRkmQGMe20VjvsnSupXmVIRWp4OPKTCMyWjdNR3pUFafA6sfPcfm-eGSg2IhXRnm1tFneOhQa9eM7GZZLQ/s1600/Egypt06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi29BrbiCXL_6P6BeRfkWZNz7tdqG-kWURip_KC0LVNzMpyo6roj2waM3BKtFRkmQGMe20VjvsnSupXmVIRWp4OPKTCMyWjdNR3pUFafA6sfPcfm-eGSg2IhXRnm1tFneOhQa9eM7GZZLQ/s1600/Egypt06.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andrew hanging with the Egyptian Justin Bieber</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span id="goog_1339318083"></span><span id="goog_1339318084"></span><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16588692928447732601noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2457720619402126236.post-65171312993506773452014-06-15T13:15:00.001-07:002016-09-20T13:54:27.280-07:00tel avivAnother unexpected stop for us was Israel. Andrew had a good college buddy, Dave, who lives there with his wife Shara and their two kids, who he had wanted to visit for years. Before we headed to Germany, we saw that there were fairly decently priced tickets from Berlin to Tel Aviv, so we decided it was fate and bought them - and we were off to the Middle East.<br />
<br />
Accommodations were a little (a lot) more expensive then we were accustomed to, so we ended up getting a shared apartment that overlooks the Israeli version of the Pentagon. It was in walking distance of Dave and Shara's place and the walk took us through Rabin Square, the heart of Tel Aviv.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5nKFluqguyHGIMPCVO8ONJVtXCqVHTJ_G8KaNjh8QIGAQFE9Gs9AGB7cjPkwnmkJrPhb9xNmpyworc9XB4e0uRv8-fvEzH13agwCc95PG-rxlp-mPz92ZVTip0z4_l0mdLcwJWhf9lVU/s1600/Israel_Balcony.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5nKFluqguyHGIMPCVO8ONJVtXCqVHTJ_G8KaNjh8QIGAQFE9Gs9AGB7cjPkwnmkJrPhb9xNmpyworc9XB4e0uRv8-fvEzH13agwCc95PG-rxlp-mPz92ZVTip0z4_l0mdLcwJWhf9lVU/s1600/Israel_Balcony.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from the balcony of our place.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We spent a lot of time hanging out with Dave and Shara and their family. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDLu5GBbhZyMQVhlbg1GeyeKSU4MHWJrHE6-Dn09Sr2imccPG2F7p8f_5Xw5nv1m9G66aB0AH68YTRREfYyKlPAa3goFBRElf0WC7J0lWrdIS9edGWVpcFA2knAvN_eWLyA6NtuM-QeT0/s1600/Israel_DS3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Dave and a crazy colorful fountain in the middle of the city. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyX4g38t0V_gHjRgC4yhakZo6o8G8pwiPM0b76EJSqoSdvN1RBaNoi8xm8isQZqZeTUtjEh6CpHGsHq92dzoQvXYhL2PKUVVDxg-mAbH0OPnivx4SUzX-ggjtBvHy445i8yLwa8RO5pAY/s1600/Israel_DS1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Babysitting on their lovely porch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBEQ2Cv2UwgbayXHVd-IOiBo4lQVdRgW8cs4Sqwp59wzeIYHKiABw-N_4Tt0lEfLChORDjCcaiGu0Lv8pOUFJgSWfDF3DEgJW8Z0H9t7jtrEBjQx6nVzPSL-rx_u96OQOFRQWAOZ9OqgY/s1600/Israel_DS2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shara and the kiddos</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We also happened to be in town during the Tel Aviv Gay Pride Parade, which is known as one of the best Pride Parades in the world - and it lived up to it. The streets were packed. We didn't know where we were going, and ended up finding the tail end. So we jumped in and second-lined the Parade until we caught up to it and found our way up to the floats. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg46ao8Gn6lqnmQOcjWdnPwDXBdAfGUBqRLtygVtH5u7FWE5naf6OUQx1PH1bEhU4CM1V0GJdIrkxYO3VSj3sE_l-zPIrm6BgBNX9JyWEsNtNSil_uzi027P8t-mqp9AYGSgHVJF0EAVQg/s1600/Israel_PrideParade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg46ao8Gn6lqnmQOcjWdnPwDXBdAfGUBqRLtygVtH5u7FWE5naf6OUQx1PH1bEhU4CM1V0GJdIrkxYO3VSj3sE_l-zPIrm6BgBNX9JyWEsNtNSil_uzi027P8t-mqp9AYGSgHVJF0EAVQg/s1600/Israel_PrideParade.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our outfits weren't quite as brightly colored as many</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Next up: activities around Tel Aviv. </div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16588692928447732601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2457720619402126236.post-67226347962227043542014-06-11T20:18:00.000-07:002016-09-20T13:55:02.361-07:00dead seaWe had heard good things about the Dead Sea, so it was a place we wanted to go. It would have been a really hard day trip, so we planned to stay there overnight. When looking online, we found that there was a place to camp right on the beach, so with Andrew's bag full of pillows, blankets, food and water, we jumped on a bus. We went through Jerusalem a different way than we had before, which took us right up against the wall separating Israel from the West Bank.<br />
<br />
It was a few hour bus trip that took us through one of the most desolate parts of the world - and it lived up to it. There was nothing once you reached the Dead Sea, it made New Mexico look lush. While we were skirting the Dead Sea towards the major city on the Israel side, we went right past Masada. We had no idea we were even going to be close and hadn't alloted enough time to go there - a regret we still have.<br />
<br />
When we were finally dropped off in Ein Bokek, we didn't really know where we were going, so we just headed to the beach. Once we arrived there, we found small covered area with tents set up right on the shores of the Dead Sea. We knew we were in the right place. We claimed an area and stripped down to our swim shorts and got in.<br />
<br />
It was as buoyant as we heard. You felt like a cork trying to touch the bottom--it would shoot you back up to the surface. And you do not want to get any of that water in your eyes. It's like pouring salt directly into them - not comfortable.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRv0fSXntofyfid7YzUaz0ZvHLhE7gLVL4ZByU8KjYqvp3h3HYjubBl52rypkFvbAjWFdGkqxtYTE21BSnBwIoUuH4F4n-EnvLEC_2Sd-TcMWhLvvc9LLtB0DzzLxi8n579OvYqV1epLI/s1600/Israel_DeadSea2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRv0fSXntofyfid7YzUaz0ZvHLhE7gLVL4ZByU8KjYqvp3h3HYjubBl52rypkFvbAjWFdGkqxtYTE21BSnBwIoUuH4F4n-EnvLEC_2Sd-TcMWhLvvc9LLtB0DzzLxi8n579OvYqV1epLI/s1600/Israel_DeadSea2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maggie covered in Dead Sea mud</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSKDJM29f_ODFSA3V36RRcWLsaGCH7g5wWkQmetcuYLgUSPooOGOt34bHItYQ0iBCmeCmp3wNilhv6sLddarx4KsG33BUDtETVBPLYd1bn52e1Ppgg7qjXeSo2yXMRJs6KatWWAsuhQxg/s1600/Israel_DeadSea3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSKDJM29f_ODFSA3V36RRcWLsaGCH7g5wWkQmetcuYLgUSPooOGOt34bHItYQ0iBCmeCmp3wNilhv6sLddarx4KsG33BUDtETVBPLYd1bn52e1Ppgg7qjXeSo2yXMRJs6KatWWAsuhQxg/s1600/Israel_DeadSea3.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andrew floating on the surface</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
While hanging out on the shore, we befriended a gay couple from Moscow. One of the guys was from New York and the other was a native Moscowian. They were really nice and we talked a lot about Russia and what it was like being a gay couple there. We found out that these guys only knew of two gay bars in Moscow and they rotate to keep from being shut down.<br />
<br />
We'd heard that Dead Sea mud was good for the skin. We thought that we'd just be able to find mud on the Dead Sea shore and cover ourselves in it. But as we found out, the Dead Sea - at least where we were - had no mud. It was just a sandy / salty mix that you would not want to rub all over yourself. Because of this, we had to go to the mall by the beach and buy packets of Dead Sea mud, while in sight of the Dead Sea. With mud in hand, we head back down to the beach and smeared it all over ourselves. It was definitely not normal mud. It was super greasy and almost clay like. You are supposed to let it dry on you, then take a dip in the water to wash it off. As it's drying you start to feel a little bit like Han Solo getting stuck in Carbonite. Once you get in the water you really have to scrub to get it off to, but when you emerge, your skin feels silky smooth.<br />
<br />
As the sun began to set over Jordan, we set up our sleeping arrangements, which was a tarp with a blanket and two pillows - so pretty much the Ritz. The plan was the same as it was in Taiwan when we were sleeping in the airport: enough wine and you can sleep anywhere. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfr3zS-QJc5-org6ubphizMhhTm_SxyP-LyjZzbo_Qla79dW71HADmEIy6OSP5bQULix4yX9OQjmBicWnDplKziMDdyEmMNddINIAgTi3dWkP9ppjL75BP1XOdodgMrI0BVpAJ4Ell0-Q/s1600/Israel_DeadSea4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfr3zS-QJc5-org6ubphizMhhTm_SxyP-LyjZzbo_Qla79dW71HADmEIy6OSP5bQULix4yX9OQjmBicWnDplKziMDdyEmMNddINIAgTi3dWkP9ppjL75BP1XOdodgMrI0BVpAJ4Ell0-Q/s1600/Israel_DeadSea4.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dead Sea at dusk</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp5PNYFPo0JPT_RZ2r-tqi8OS1uHh0fMh3xEYPCA2PI2rkQ9YJ7Ti30o7s8woKrEp_DXVjwPmcww2VkD6XAUXXCYS3kST4ND7rRRsDVTFRbI2a5I7URY8JLKVPu6X3axQkSNCrkZY39SY/s1600/Israel_DeadSea5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp5PNYFPo0JPT_RZ2r-tqi8OS1uHh0fMh3xEYPCA2PI2rkQ9YJ7Ti30o7s8woKrEp_DXVjwPmcww2VkD6XAUXXCYS3kST4ND7rRRsDVTFRbI2a5I7URY8JLKVPu6X3axQkSNCrkZY39SY/s1600/Israel_DeadSea5.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our hotel for the night</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
It was not quite as nice of a night sleep as it had been in the airport in Taiwan. Andrew was attacked by a swarm of biting Dead Sea flies and in the middle of the night, a group of Arab women showed up and went into the Dead Sea, burkas and all. The Arab women then sang songs for many hours while soaking, which means we didn't sleep much.<br />
<br />
The next morning, we made our coffee and headed right into the Dead Sea for a morning dip. It was so buoyant that we could just sit in it and drink our coffee. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiFiMtQUduTc2NUuFjzm4-t-PEJmnMpQ6VcuUeRpJToHtgGJh0r3pGbABKQJ-gooVBQUb-h3-yXJOQAipuo5H2pWFqMZ96-Ohl_qW0zip5Ybw-8b6durrSgetAnSycDkh8lNk2B1_sPt8/s1600/Israel_DeadSeaCoffee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiFiMtQUduTc2NUuFjzm4-t-PEJmnMpQ6VcuUeRpJToHtgGJh0r3pGbABKQJ-gooVBQUb-h3-yXJOQAipuo5H2pWFqMZ96-Ohl_qW0zip5Ybw-8b6durrSgetAnSycDkh8lNk2B1_sPt8/s1600/Israel_DeadSeaCoffee.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morning coffee</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16588692928447732601noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2457720619402126236.post-91538353339774207532014-05-10T16:48:00.000-07:002016-09-20T13:55:30.024-07:00anniversary in jaffa<br />
Our anniversary is not a day for working, but for celebrating. So we headed out early in the morning and rented two bikes. It was our first experience with the Tel Aviv bike rental system, and it looked similar to the others we'd used (like <a href="http://www.its-adventure-time.com/2013/08/were-velibers-renting-bikes-in-paris.html">Velibs</a> in Paris), but as we found out later in the day, not so.<br />
Like many things in Tel Aviv, the bike rental was a little more expensive than in other cities, so we planed on making half an hour hops from place to place, and return the bikes while we hung out. Our first hop was to breakfast closer to the beach on Ben Yehuda St. We ate on the patio of a nice little cafe and had a traditional Israeli breakfast, which involves many little things (which ended up being a food theme for the day, without us even planing it).<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivGKmqD1quI7ghlswm_NwAx7BY-pkUSAvDlfHtMsOo0_iOJaMUMoUWaMNkta2fKiglODzrqChZ1gdT6K1xJxZO5pOwuQzeg6be-gtKiHz6HYCjdstTLSaG5fqJeaizeVfvWv4UjnDIfSo/s1600/Israel_Jaffa9.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivGKmqD1quI7ghlswm_NwAx7BY-pkUSAvDlfHtMsOo0_iOJaMUMoUWaMNkta2fKiglODzrqChZ1gdT6K1xJxZO5pOwuQzeg6be-gtKiHz6HYCjdstTLSaG5fqJeaizeVfvWv4UjnDIfSo/s1600/Israel_Jaffa9.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Anniversary Breakfast </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<br />
After breakfast, we rented two more bikes and rode to Jaffa. We hadn't gone there yet and even though it's a different city, Tel Aviv and Jaffa are as close as conjoined twins. Jaffa is actually a much older city than Tel Aviv, with a history stretching back three millennia, and is mentioned in both the old and new testaments.<br />
<br />
They have a rustic shopping district that we decided to find ourselves an anniversary present in. We had been talking about getting a Mezuzah as a souvenir from Israel and realized there was no better time. So we spent a while perusing the selections and made a decision. From there we made our way to the Jaffa Port to met up with Andrew's friend at his work.<br />
<br />
When we got to Jaffa Port, the difference between all other cities' rental bikes and Tel Aviv's rental bikes became apparent to us. There is a special lock you must <i>fully</i> engage to return the bike. Well, one of the first bikes we returned before we went to breakfast must not have been 'fully' engaged, because we received an email telling us that it still hadn't been returned and we've been getting charged since. We didn't have phones, only wifi. We searched Jaffa Port for a wifi connection and finding one, went to the rental bike's website and began a labored process that ended with us finding out that it was a mixup on their side, and we would not be charged.<br />
<br />
With that settled, we met up with Andrew's friend and got a tour of the news station he works at.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-RvFt9NX_dfM3vWFRu2fCIzVbpZb9qANTu1fU2g9spJSv0oM6bN6pbMxSaGsnSlpRRYmSuinUqBNAcro7fxZGBhvjOgp8qDdMMhRrJ2b5MipE8gDKy6syl5dY5QzyAtHoTR9lImSaJfA/s1600/Israel_Jaffa1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-RvFt9NX_dfM3vWFRu2fCIzVbpZb9qANTu1fU2g9spJSv0oM6bN6pbMxSaGsnSlpRRYmSuinUqBNAcro7fxZGBhvjOgp8qDdMMhRrJ2b5MipE8gDKy6syl5dY5QzyAtHoTR9lImSaJfA/s1600/Israel_Jaffa1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jaffa Port</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwJZKJVAvyaGQ0CiEOc8idRFObs-nKXEOVeSpyjms6BRanRV2wx3p84f64aokzQ6k1GMlo8M0MHeFjFsGGYrx7iGPJehE_mFKVSgjdyB08gyS1foiBxYFtSTTWQ9rF_40JuDtDd92G9U4/s1600/Israel_Jaffa2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwJZKJVAvyaGQ0CiEOc8idRFObs-nKXEOVeSpyjms6BRanRV2wx3p84f64aokzQ6k1GMlo8M0MHeFjFsGGYrx7iGPJehE_mFKVSgjdyB08gyS1foiBxYFtSTTWQ9rF_40JuDtDd92G9U4/s1600/Israel_Jaffa2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jaffa's Lighthouse </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJd18Ub6pM3o1oGXFKImd-Z6D2OYSCc4vbs35i30Yvek_mb7SA7zzvzMt5z33PAmhjnLZK-2JyGW-zR6O4g2-2_Inf2HHBik9_63nqcWTDJCrt7jklSz2ZwBWTS6_x3mAfQ-O6yJ4fpUo/s1600/Israel_Jaffa3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJd18Ub6pM3o1oGXFKImd-Z6D2OYSCc4vbs35i30Yvek_mb7SA7zzvzMt5z33PAmhjnLZK-2JyGW-zR6O4g2-2_Inf2HHBik9_63nqcWTDJCrt7jklSz2ZwBWTS6_x3mAfQ-O6yJ4fpUo/s1600/Israel_Jaffa3.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bird Buddy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_llroNa5CO77UzAgVjKn02hPBC2VTd0rQhf3OLCWRDPcHyte9QlCu14PCxnCHilJcH9DqI86l2OEsxmjWyvE9I8_1lEKVFRBL9de_vT97mPUqxOAfU6DxED-p-sWiB0tvL_040n_Gis8/s1600/Israel_Jaffa6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_llroNa5CO77UzAgVjKn02hPBC2VTd0rQhf3OLCWRDPcHyte9QlCu14PCxnCHilJcH9DqI86l2OEsxmjWyvE9I8_1lEKVFRBL9de_vT97mPUqxOAfU6DxED-p-sWiB0tvL_040n_Gis8/s1600/Israel_Jaffa6.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andrew and his friend at his friend's work in Tel Aviv</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
After the tour we went back to Jaffa Port for some drinks and dinner. While there, we were consumed by a orange stick wielding mob. It was some new Tae Bo thing were you could do dances and workouts with the orange sticks. There were enthusiastic instructors teaching everyone how to use them--how could we resist?<br />
<br />
After some exercise, it was on to dinner at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Old-Man-And-The-Sea-Jaffa-Port/281318118617647" target="_blank">The Old Man and The Sea</a>, a famous Jaffa restaurant. Like breakfast, it was many small things they piled onto your table until there was no room for anything else. And as soon as you finished something, they would take it and fill that gap on the table with something new. It's a place to come to hungry to, because you could eat yourself silly.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZm4SLrQHHgSdRjXPuOXDeRIMmqKlDooX-2dj4UmXetuLOahrx7Ou91qN_ojN3_0MuGQIBzbJ3IVPNahSkPyAM_r-eK6PKpadQNR0uWAVDPPvba-5GdWO_q4CgXHVojyoxh_wpJbN5YnU/s1600/Israel_Jaffa7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZm4SLrQHHgSdRjXPuOXDeRIMmqKlDooX-2dj4UmXetuLOahrx7Ou91qN_ojN3_0MuGQIBzbJ3IVPNahSkPyAM_r-eK6PKpadQNR0uWAVDPPvba-5GdWO_q4CgXHVojyoxh_wpJbN5YnU/s1600/Israel_Jaffa7.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orange Stick Workout </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4WMbNNMQeb_uEx8-V9rn5vcTSkwItCb1h44l_IjQkydnKDGFWZ4qfpk-Cz1_4j3IeNdT1uZC7y8fQ4V8qa8BGrpfCtOk-u8obtxONdgyeoGBctO6BI9Eeg2VBwutpzMFXG6LAU0975q4/s1600/Israel_Jaffa8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4WMbNNMQeb_uEx8-V9rn5vcTSkwItCb1h44l_IjQkydnKDGFWZ4qfpk-Cz1_4j3IeNdT1uZC7y8fQ4V8qa8BGrpfCtOk-u8obtxONdgyeoGBctO6BI9Eeg2VBwutpzMFXG6LAU0975q4/s1600/Israel_Jaffa8.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hanging at the Port</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTs4qWZiHtHaEUSsGUH1HWh6IWkMs23wXQ0lOwyKEPm8rza4u6VydOdxNszV7lZNHg79x6husKb5-Fo1UcdF4glmeXHNcGYTt8hxzXXaNAZbJ_jZx47Yp2txfLcJcPYB1gf06Og890_6g/s1600/Israel_Jaffa4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTs4qWZiHtHaEUSsGUH1HWh6IWkMs23wXQ0lOwyKEPm8rza4u6VydOdxNszV7lZNHg79x6husKb5-Fo1UcdF4glmeXHNcGYTt8hxzXXaNAZbJ_jZx47Yp2txfLcJcPYB1gf06Og890_6g/s1600/Israel_Jaffa4.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eating at The Old Man and the Sea</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhYEDCYXZyl3SvGG5DvDyelrxZT5cXUVhjk6Vi4b3hKO7zfZcRFz-Ef-gvso0y6-anpSZT8ZqWFTtOOWGxybrhQwXJCPufiRZxWfFr_LphiMk4f9M9jKOAzLtH5QAUtZMR0bBduARnU4k/s1600/Israel_Jaffa10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhYEDCYXZyl3SvGG5DvDyelrxZT5cXUVhjk6Vi4b3hKO7zfZcRFz-Ef-gvso0y6-anpSZT8ZqWFTtOOWGxybrhQwXJCPufiRZxWfFr_LphiMk4f9M9jKOAzLtH5QAUtZMR0bBduARnU4k/s1600/Israel_Jaffa10.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maggie being angelic as always</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16588692928447732601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2457720619402126236.post-15149956252162264142014-05-09T15:50:00.000-07:002016-09-19T05:50:08.271-07:00jerusalemWhen in Israel, you have to go to Jerusalem. Possibly the most fought over city in the world, the history behind this place is staggering. We had no idea what to expect as we took the bus from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. The first thing we were struck by was how hilly of an area it is. You just keep going uphill from Tel Aviv and then you really hit the hills and you can see Jerusalem in the distance sitting atop the highest ground in the area. After seeing this, it became quite obvious why this place is so sought after, it is very defensible.<br />
<br />
We left the bus station and took the light rail to the old walled city. Going through the city we were surprised to see how different the city looked from Tel Aviv. Almost all of the buildings we made out of some sort of white sand stone that gave the city a very together feeling. We entered the old city through the Jaffa gate and starting wandering through the tight streets looking for the West Wall. Breaking through the tight press of buildings, the West Wall complex finally opened up in front of us.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5SUNbZVtG3OoIXq2Q_bKykpJ_RO3JZGpgKFQDD7q1OZHZo7RgQvokO5U_FGQe7MlJeLR1fxKCFzI6sw9_JscUWEsmBJkE7p4IOKKt7narKXMrkczvjmlhEDTQH96PsqVT569NAt_LZzE/s1600/Israel_Jerusalem1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5SUNbZVtG3OoIXq2Q_bKykpJ_RO3JZGpgKFQDD7q1OZHZo7RgQvokO5U_FGQe7MlJeLR1fxKCFzI6sw9_JscUWEsmBJkE7p4IOKKt7narKXMrkczvjmlhEDTQH96PsqVT569NAt_LZzE/s1600/Israel_Jerusalem1.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Andrew's friend told him about a tour of the tunnels that had been excavated below the Western Wall complex. It sounded like a really neat experience, so we signed up for it and took the tour. We had no idea, but we were in Jerusalem on Jerusalem day, which celebrates Israel reclaiming the area during a war in the 70's. While we were waiting for the tour to start, there was a bomb threat at the Western Wall and we were locked in the tunnel where the tour started until they could verify that it wasn't a threat.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHYFxGbPPNS5it23VHJQwOPlu7kTmbmlFv_kiofz6EViSJS7P9BieAa_Su4dcZ_3olgpWgCsSwv40jlNKs20EtWys5Oqpv07E8hfAEiwT0m9MT3I-BHMw-ff68LqJQ0MCimrt7QG-4hW4/s1600/Israel_Jerusalem2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHYFxGbPPNS5it23VHJQwOPlu7kTmbmlFv_kiofz6EViSJS7P9BieAa_Su4dcZ_3olgpWgCsSwv40jlNKs20EtWys5Oqpv07E8hfAEiwT0m9MT3I-BHMw-ff68LqJQ0MCimrt7QG-4hW4/s1600/Israel_Jerusalem2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tunnel next to the Western Wall where the tour started from.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5v6O3NJ9WTTdWo_Zam85Qhx62aT0-ve22A1HOp5seU02o1fqYQZRIxx9B7MkAglo-_TTyI3ZhESlW0u1SE8pID9le2h1Etw0YVmyZ9knIX8ePbYRZGITJFNP5kWyT1DS48C_ykDTIYm4/s1600/Israel_Jerusalem3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5v6O3NJ9WTTdWo_Zam85Qhx62aT0-ve22A1HOp5seU02o1fqYQZRIxx9B7MkAglo-_TTyI3ZhESlW0u1SE8pID9le2h1Etw0YVmyZ9knIX8ePbYRZGITJFNP5kWyT1DS48C_ykDTIYm4/s1600/Israel_Jerusalem3.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Western Wall below the surface and the original ground level in 0 AD.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcX0MBAIW1EWICGV8ccMw9q3v5KknF0mfaXdmfxQ8EUieH3l5HateOGI-G_u4oqiXgHJjBUIGyp4BQZ-KSmYQ7qD7b-Lun1i27v2bh-1dmW91NaQiQU8ChPHxozjb9KWt_FSj_Ejdeyhk/s1600/Israel_Jerusalem4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcX0MBAIW1EWICGV8ccMw9q3v5KknF0mfaXdmfxQ8EUieH3l5HateOGI-G_u4oqiXgHJjBUIGyp4BQZ-KSmYQ7qD7b-Lun1i27v2bh-1dmW91NaQiQU8ChPHxozjb9KWt_FSj_Ejdeyhk/s1600/Israel_Jerusalem4.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking along the below ground tight corridors that follow the Western Wall.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqe2bOSnX8BaWTe6JcTH5kr4Nw7s3Sjiw7HjJaYIeZdm2UNkGc4CpUd-JJEt8PxdjZxAi0oNCOIsrT6djOHEC56NhxtqUzrh3eCqWB_LqiODclAaz3JVm4KV5BrTb6jas9Wuo3We4d2vE/s1600/Israel_Jerusalem5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqe2bOSnX8BaWTe6JcTH5kr4Nw7s3Sjiw7HjJaYIeZdm2UNkGc4CpUd-JJEt8PxdjZxAi0oNCOIsrT6djOHEC56NhxtqUzrh3eCqWB_LqiODclAaz3JVm4KV5BrTb6jas9Wuo3We4d2vE/s1600/Israel_Jerusalem5.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The exit of the tour and the Israeli Military that escort you back to the Western Wall through the Muslim district.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After seeing the Western Wall we headed to the other major site in the old city, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. It is the spot where supposedly Jesus was sacrificed and then buried. The Pope had been in Jerusalem the day before, so the approach to the Church was still filled with Papal Seal banners and pictures of the Pope. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV3-kdVvoLLkkEaznE7erwyajU2OiBNAU_mGTMY9W6MNwZaVmCDrRu2PxFGWuYeC2-Fc0QMzlNLd9byjiuLnT1b2wJoJO5flF7LyIaME9wPjTpZmxTOSlXovIR8lU549qy0K3lcE00_FM/s1600/Israel_Jerusalem6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV3-kdVvoLLkkEaznE7erwyajU2OiBNAU_mGTMY9W6MNwZaVmCDrRu2PxFGWuYeC2-Fc0QMzlNLd9byjiuLnT1b2wJoJO5flF7LyIaME9wPjTpZmxTOSlXovIR8lU549qy0K3lcE00_FM/s1600/Israel_Jerusalem6.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
After walking around the old city for a bit we were ready for a break and headed back outside the walls. There was a park just on the other side that we found a shady spot in and sat down with a bottle of wine with a view of the Jerusalem city walls.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih0kJApiKUwQcAJIxz1SD8UzRYcjGyvtWjGt-ObP2TCwBPSX-m91mccHwcoT5YMO-Bj57Hpc35gmzLYutwIjyUnzA_KKnTjel10JskfNBr_Ak47AC1q5iN0D4r54J6toH7pG5Umha5n_o/s1600/Israel_Jerusalem7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih0kJApiKUwQcAJIxz1SD8UzRYcjGyvtWjGt-ObP2TCwBPSX-m91mccHwcoT5YMO-Bj57Hpc35gmzLYutwIjyUnzA_KKnTjel10JskfNBr_Ak47AC1q5iN0D4r54J6toH7pG5Umha5n_o/s1600/Israel_Jerusalem7.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16588692928447732601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2457720619402126236.post-60052505343244859442014-04-30T11:17:00.000-07:002016-09-19T05:56:03.789-07:00west berlinFrom East Berlin, we moved for the last few weeks to a apartment in the trendy <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Friedrichshain</span></span> neighborhood in West Berlin. Our first impression was that it is a more well-kept neighborhood with a lot more typical German-looking things about (at least compared to the Turkish part of town we had just come from). Out place was a nice loft overlooking a very overgrown but cute courtyard.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCGM4FB75AfEjXrQtXltlVteDXIdFDYWl7H2V-uyZVyqNzIQ-tLS3Mjf5soYdYWMt2b-L6iX8G91xvd2wZlmJTwKGfzPY47_fqUHF4k2DGS7C8hzjshmkRmE2NOo7TiWD_H5vGes-ivvs/s1600/2014-05-06+111.48.04+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCGM4FB75AfEjXrQtXltlVteDXIdFDYWl7H2V-uyZVyqNzIQ-tLS3Mjf5soYdYWMt2b-L6iX8G91xvd2wZlmJTwKGfzPY47_fqUHF4k2DGS7C8hzjshmkRmE2NOo7TiWD_H5vGes-ivvs/s1600/2014-05-06+111.48.04+copy.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was taken as we were packing--though it's not like we're much neater than this usually.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Our first day exploring the new neighborhood we came across an old cemetery. It was much like the parks, very overgrown but well kept, and beautiful. It was such a contrast to American cemeteries that are so mowed and trimmed and devoid of plant life. This cemetery was teeming with growth, making it fell like a very peaceful place to have your eternal rest.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8s7C3s6I8DnzXIwh_qZEOnK4Qg4Td8zcsojtW3LCHzRn6QNAscDIPcN7Z22ulVxmefRRCJq7lwWDYnkhCoRA143Vs_kScfp3O9FOf9MVSVLitBWrltwnIq_CeJW0-w3_opkzjPYuiF5s/s1600/2014-05-06+17.45.29+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8s7C3s6I8DnzXIwh_qZEOnK4Qg4Td8zcsojtW3LCHzRn6QNAscDIPcN7Z22ulVxmefRRCJq7lwWDYnkhCoRA143Vs_kScfp3O9FOf9MVSVLitBWrltwnIq_CeJW0-w3_opkzjPYuiF5s/s1600/2014-05-06+17.45.29+copy.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
We also found a park by us where you could ride elephants - not real ones, but cement once. There are so many parks in Berlin, and not just sanctioned parks--there are a lot of open spaces where something used to be, but it's now gone, so it's just overgrown and you can use it like a park. The Germans seem to not prohibit things as much as we do. In the US, there would be a barbed wire fence around a vacant piece of land, making sure no one trespasses, but in in Germany it's just a de-facto park.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5PrcUH2M6InRWuF_4JZDnqieR9WNRuFpfjNjQGGI14w8QOal8-3y8hLLq26Cj9w1OziIT1AwzBkJpiUulgsz65Ojkv8t5cj8d4cFm0rJ7MydK1XCWI4GxGdOP1U6Wx3-y4WzrDKt-_BY/s1600/2014-05-07+19.45.31+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5PrcUH2M6InRWuF_4JZDnqieR9WNRuFpfjNjQGGI14w8QOal8-3y8hLLq26Cj9w1OziIT1AwzBkJpiUulgsz65Ojkv8t5cj8d4cFm0rJ7MydK1XCWI4GxGdOP1U6Wx3-y4WzrDKt-_BY/s1600/2014-05-07+19.45.31+copy.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More drinking in public</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
In our neighborhood was a very popular bar/restaurant street, so we headed down there to see and be seen and catch a bite. We had been craving American food and Mexican food and this street was known for being quite international, so we ended up eating a burger one day and nachos another. At this point we had brats, kraut and strudel coming out of our ears so we felt like it was okay to depart from the German classics.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1TURQq2IcPepNyNblYcNaXP4V7-uOrsHU1V_-DEoq3On4jKRFoQkSTj7z9CKuCzCU5cJHIi0qVP_6CgpBJH-xZGT8BS90eBPRc6howAXHBptwi4TjrNb0rx16T4p8Cy2NH-OnmMkkf7E/s1600/2014-05-13+19.05.12+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1TURQq2IcPepNyNblYcNaXP4V7-uOrsHU1V_-DEoq3On4jKRFoQkSTj7z9CKuCzCU5cJHIi0qVP_6CgpBJH-xZGT8BS90eBPRc6howAXHBptwi4TjrNb0rx16T4p8Cy2NH-OnmMkkf7E/s1600/2014-05-13+19.05.12+copy.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The major road on the way to the restaurant street, and Alexander Platz in the distance.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhikdER3Gz-GhjN8ZqH3Fy0Zby1wwQL4_3lK_YUizk5ELh9JaR02TP2LN_gj_wBOwolb38U14ofig-BkZQNSbrzo_nnQdHiY4Nkaq44eErhKPndVhx-rP7tsHnqENUuw6DT22GiYZSmkGE/s1600/2014-05-13+20.06.39+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhikdER3Gz-GhjN8ZqH3Fy0Zby1wwQL4_3lK_YUizk5ELh9JaR02TP2LN_gj_wBOwolb38U14ofig-BkZQNSbrzo_nnQdHiY4Nkaq44eErhKPndVhx-rP7tsHnqENUuw6DT22GiYZSmkGE/s1600/2014-05-13+20.06.39+copy.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP6wd7zcriirlo9FZobZ3pPhQhotk1_tXYWB86_NZOLOGAvcZSYhQcurcsEJfgnqbyzrlp5NqXwwSr2JVdPLL4P1PZI49XJDF4ryj8LYlz44AasbyCCDEh2_L7Y2KGqyG9lcjCzYw0z2s/s1600/2014-05-07+18.46.27+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP6wd7zcriirlo9FZobZ3pPhQhotk1_tXYWB86_NZOLOGAvcZSYhQcurcsEJfgnqbyzrlp5NqXwwSr2JVdPLL4P1PZI49XJDF4ryj8LYlz44AasbyCCDEh2_L7Y2KGqyG9lcjCzYw0z2s/s1600/2014-05-07+18.46.27+copy.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
After a few days in the new place, we thought it was time to head out and see some more of the Berlin sights. We jumped on the subway, beer in hand because in Germany, drinking on the subways is allowed - so why wouldn't you. On the way, we passed by a park we had heard about. It was an old Nazi airport that after the war got turned into a park. And it looked like just that, an abandoned airport with people flying kites and riding their bikes.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiF53VtK__Smg_zlv2Ne21bK96Q2RILjzK7okx8OZITbh32-f5A1OwC1h5kIfZzyWO6gmE3eaPicmO4l7M7le01-kq982G52DnPg2zx_Y3pd5YckkgJNZD0DIuoZQqcCYTFzIZ815ci-M/s1600/2014-04-30+11.481.04+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiF53VtK__Smg_zlv2Ne21bK96Q2RILjzK7okx8OZITbh32-f5A1OwC1h5kIfZzyWO6gmE3eaPicmO4l7M7le01-kq982G52DnPg2zx_Y3pd5YckkgJNZD0DIuoZQqcCYTFzIZ815ci-M/s1600/2014-04-30+11.481.04+copy.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Got to love Germany.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXzRIyi_jzlxd5ZBtsTRE8k5fPL6Oj0lyI8bDbQeJjOpweCpw0GJrJEL8cIfAasG9_RF15MRysa5UShXC96QUAfuHnS3kxAiC_D-MeZz3RBu_kGcBq4kwKcQNsqXpabsuD2cNq35So5I8/s1600/2014-04-30+10.17.51+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXzRIyi_jzlxd5ZBtsTRE8k5fPL6Oj0lyI8bDbQeJjOpweCpw0GJrJEL8cIfAasG9_RF15MRysa5UShXC96QUAfuHnS3kxAiC_D-MeZz3RBu_kGcBq4kwKcQNsqXpabsuD2cNq35So5I8/s1600/2014-04-30+10.17.51+copy.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The airport park.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As we walked from the subway to our first destination we walked past an intersting memorial that took up an entire city block. It was for all of the Jews who were killed during WWII and was quite somber (for obvious reason) but interesting. At first it looked like it was made on a hill but as we walked into it, we realized it was actually a depression and the stone pillars just got taller. So it actually became a kind of labyrinth that you could get lost in. It was a very intering place to walk around.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicagd91Eaw3L079MlwMk4xcTXg59cInInj6F9Jkme-IDbjfLlUlaxUkxiBIqh0zFiD_4SW2zPSoFg6UQncpr3qjZn1oqA6LfKDubVWLjGxo3Y-1dV5KMY22pYgGicOtNwUzza8Dj5K6so/s1600/1D2014-04-30+12.10.32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicagd91Eaw3L079MlwMk4xcTXg59cInInj6F9Jkme-IDbjfLlUlaxUkxiBIqh0zFiD_4SW2zPSoFg6UQncpr3qjZn1oqA6LfKDubVWLjGxo3Y-1dV5KMY22pYgGicOtNwUzza8Dj5K6so/s1600/1D2014-04-30+12.10.32.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBanQ5ggq7FhiVfwoYcRgq7OgLSG0v_HRSgFQAN9yml3uLppzuBIfiwXo4CelxzCl7-iE1QM3pve-iex05DwOiM9DO4AVaFWwFAFEMmf6qzksuUI-YzHdbTtX-k2yc1Q18jko-6Zswm5A/s1600/1DSCF1702.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBanQ5ggq7FhiVfwoYcRgq7OgLSG0v_HRSgFQAN9yml3uLppzuBIfiwXo4CelxzCl7-iE1QM3pve-iex05DwOiM9DO4AVaFWwFAFEMmf6qzksuUI-YzHdbTtX-k2yc1Q18jko-6Zswm5A/s1600/1DSCF1702.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
One of the major tourist attractions is an arch in central Berlin. I'm not sure what it commemorates, but it is used in a lot of signage around town to show it's Berlin oriented.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-0FxG5OsWNbYuUvBQCJE6YxX2XZMjJrB8YnMuVuAbmaCfmG6JKPnNtid2bXnQKkpDIPTmtj9QSWG4VBKur86fYlws-Uus59r-QCj0ASLHpErqSsL1PiJqfPbBaiFTrLKkwAuBY59Co2o/s1600/DSCF1710+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-0FxG5OsWNbYuUvBQCJE6YxX2XZMjJrB8YnMuVuAbmaCfmG6JKPnNtid2bXnQKkpDIPTmtj9QSWG4VBKur86fYlws-Uus59r-QCj0ASLHpErqSsL1PiJqfPbBaiFTrLKkwAuBY59Co2o/s1600/DSCF1710+copy.jpg" /></a></div>
From there we walked through the giant park that occupies the center of Berlin. On our way we walked past a funny monument that shows the crazy history of the area. It is a Soviet Monument commemorating the Soviet troops who died taking Berlin away from the Germans at the end of WWII. In the 90's it was handed over to the Germans and for some reason, they haven't torn it down. It says a lot about the type of place Germany is today - tolerant.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW7lK0lhjt9Vkd-kyazNZeGo3KacqOMgGbW9kOUqDIZ07BxLP0SVs4J273ZCZL60EYnbEXyNIZOOX7hM892nkSrN8GYbGuGeMgFA2DgIr8tsISk8cprkJP2hFyyE6PxakkwcTNP8Etq1k/s1600/2014-04-30+12.29.45+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW7lK0lhjt9Vkd-kyazNZeGo3KacqOMgGbW9kOUqDIZ07BxLP0SVs4J273ZCZL60EYnbEXyNIZOOX7hM892nkSrN8GYbGuGeMgFA2DgIr8tsISk8cprkJP2hFyyE6PxakkwcTNP8Etq1k/s1600/2014-04-30+12.29.45+copy.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
After seeing a bunch of naked sunbathing Germans in the park (just like public drinking, public nudity isn't a big deal) we headed to a Biergarten the was at the edge of the park for a little thirst quenching.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTahSKI8D5hs9J4eA5wASubA5OHghD0RGS_hHVnQPXkIJUQ51wAnGMpi1W8Yvv1eTAllGmYZBe4L4z-gF-ApgVwroMYhYwCvuARqHJIfRVtUS5mkeRoNuh74H9Ma48FHnqC3K1UEP6OJU/s1600/2014-04-30+14.46.26+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTahSKI8D5hs9J4eA5wASubA5OHghD0RGS_hHVnQPXkIJUQ51wAnGMpi1W8Yvv1eTAllGmYZBe4L4z-gF-ApgVwroMYhYwCvuARqHJIfRVtUS5mkeRoNuh74H9Ma48FHnqC3K1UEP6OJU/s1600/2014-04-30+14.46.26+copy.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
That evening we had a traditional German meal on the banks of the river. It was a fantastic meal that was supposedly a Berlin specialty: cabbage stuffed with sausage. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhihKHqP86hjDDyBDsFzfzYq97-a9Xic1g8sXhUb4Mzay1jrJnlmixwAXmZ7-_j6vNNh4-p9hJYF3zQ8EAcSh4duocO9pqG5fpNQWh-0x0qjJw-kKARxn_DbDHPTMzvFalJROrW7E7SQEM/s1600/DSCF1708+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhihKHqP86hjDDyBDsFzfzYq97-a9Xic1g8sXhUb4Mzay1jrJnlmixwAXmZ7-_j6vNNh4-p9hJYF3zQ8EAcSh4duocO9pqG5fpNQWh-0x0qjJw-kKARxn_DbDHPTMzvFalJROrW7E7SQEM/s1600/DSCF1708+copy.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can tell how much Andrew liked it by the look on his face.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When not going out and about around the city, we did a lot of picnicking at the parks, it was just too nice out not to.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIg1gjst-zFQD4HjIGpGIJPDRcaSklfmyWn_hDe6XFGna6BJYjAcvyxTsc5_WH6pIMsfpIZLjZ7wGFnYYTiNSFYhzZErlelefKg1qGeME6SsJ9qLGf4HLQTjmiHSCgLGH8bSXV_MsCkeQ/s1600/2014-05-13+18.18.26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIg1gjst-zFQD4HjIGpGIJPDRcaSklfmyWn_hDe6XFGna6BJYjAcvyxTsc5_WH6pIMsfpIZLjZ7wGFnYYTiNSFYhzZErlelefKg1qGeME6SsJ9qLGf4HLQTjmiHSCgLGH8bSXV_MsCkeQ/s1600/2014-05-13+18.18.26.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Opening some champagne on the street.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAfZkkhh1mGOtJ9bcArGuxgozuCTZwiCsXxltmGbOiZM4-OdVODuyCVEkXfeJMZ-iryOBKrkqBsbLdTxv4pqgJCNr53i4o9ZI8BUBFWeSlRDObdwBOKITy4rlzbOxR5BP4myfqBYMw5E8/s1600/2014-05-13+18.19.14+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAfZkkhh1mGOtJ9bcArGuxgozuCTZwiCsXxltmGbOiZM4-OdVODuyCVEkXfeJMZ-iryOBKrkqBsbLdTxv4pqgJCNr53i4o9ZI8BUBFWeSlRDObdwBOKITy4rlzbOxR5BP4myfqBYMw5E8/s1600/2014-05-13+18.19.14+copy.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the way to an afternoon picnic.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16588692928447732601noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2457720619402126236.post-22125030603086874082014-04-18T11:01:00.000-07:002016-09-19T05:55:02.281-07:00east berlinAfter sleeping in the airport in London, we took the early morning flight to our next destination: Berlin.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjikgtWlwdmcxXQcFB0DvP2IHHeOD7fy8Hq3Lw2POz_gDtnb-__XhwNTCg94ClD8I8-95xUFA_YkPLlL3cunlJy3KlVXUHtK4hvFwLXkkqmW7v0b5EZMpzs4FJ9bwrv5HrQrXQamJv8qTw/s1600/2014-04-15+06.09.00+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjikgtWlwdmcxXQcFB0DvP2IHHeOD7fy8Hq3Lw2POz_gDtnb-__XhwNTCg94ClD8I8-95xUFA_YkPLlL3cunlJy3KlVXUHtK4hvFwLXkkqmW7v0b5EZMpzs4FJ9bwrv5HrQrXQamJv8qTw/s1600/2014-04-15+06.09.00+copy.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boarding the plane via outside stairs still feels fancier, somehow.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Our first place was in the old East Germany, right off of Karl Marx Stasse - can't get much more East Berlin than that. This was the first place out of our many house sittings where we actually were taking care of a pet, and luckily for us, it was a cat. His name was Dino and we hit it off immediately.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6L0jUhTJLVqIJyYVtYBpA2AYt_sjQDn24YiG3112xIq7x_Bg_K4EKzcTGNiH7Ur-FGp0mDb5WL6vril3nMJE24D2Uq24dZfFerEJyC2PKer1x6LjrjqhtH1vAsVBGnHgCyoK-bw2SoGk/s1600/DSCF1724+copy.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Celebrating our largest place on the trip with a morning MoMo.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPVupaczuipgzVCyJgztTz13WxlwyQfPtdfED9gaxPO-aHuqApJrkI76xfG6IaJJMHyN-61eCO69V6KakX29EI1GzTqcLc4oIjTXPll0wiV_yTlpvWZEns0np5KY20K38_J9GfjhQzEEs/s1600/2014-05-01+18.52.08+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPVupaczuipgzVCyJgztTz13WxlwyQfPtdfED9gaxPO-aHuqApJrkI76xfG6IaJJMHyN-61eCO69V6KakX29EI1GzTqcLc4oIjTXPll0wiV_yTlpvWZEns0np5KY20K38_J9GfjhQzEEs/s1600/2014-05-01+18.52.08+copy.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dino tempting us with the oh-so-dangerous stomach pet.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkFrU8emuUF5Cn72BsZbWVHWixESGMXFw-ZCuFTE1hSRxCFLZQceRvFoZg35mr5AKwqPsiKWQpnVZwTKf7wR-9b9j9_jgwEqgzpMnADnnFkYdoSHPJBNR75YPosppcKavQ6VaBKV0TzqQ/s1600/2014-05-06+11.23.39+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkFrU8emuUF5Cn72BsZbWVHWixESGMXFw-ZCuFTE1hSRxCFLZQceRvFoZg35mr5AKwqPsiKWQpnVZwTKf7wR-9b9j9_jgwEqgzpMnADnnFkYdoSHPJBNR75YPosppcKavQ6VaBKV0TzqQ/s1600/2014-05-06+11.23.39+copy.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dino was no stranger to lounging.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE7PHLCuUFRGNnxTVMsArS5GdJ9tipfVEAssSdfYjR_6zuvVy2exCCYU3-kc4_HnIlBNbLS-uKipNceEMoOTlP0oig_VqTQZYWmfxM447kTu-yhlJMZOewYG37N7NK7P3eQjvTrITKiCI/s1600/DSCF1697+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE7PHLCuUFRGNnxTVMsArS5GdJ9tipfVEAssSdfYjR_6zuvVy2exCCYU3-kc4_HnIlBNbLS-uKipNceEMoOTlP0oig_VqTQZYWmfxM447kTu-yhlJMZOewYG37N7NK7P3eQjvTrITKiCI/s1600/DSCF1697+copy.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But he didn't mind getting down to work when he had to.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
After settling in we headed out for a big day in Berlin. We were close enough to the center of Berlin (which seemed like the area around Alexander Platz) to just walk and enjoy the city. There are many canals running through Berlin and since it's a city where you can drink in public, we made stops to enjoy the sights.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIjZ4g0BXnI6RCIQhZ9NEqHN-MsmvJs_z2Z8VETZuyS181fdaClLLnKjU6KdnjMZmVrBC_8ciZ7EKUHH0A7u26XMTNmxS1Iy9su-tWJUrj3tx9kspUr1JApwLKbmbvXRqdRaNJZBMZgio/s1600/2014-04-19+15.14.00+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR8nSBe1-kr4_Pm4zzt4WAxnG6uQsqYi13nYSYZwCn2KCBxWKPd-AD6JKD0VW51sxphv_pfV3LFIVPJd67RpuyjyFISjEPw6L4PAUe7W1-XwRQ0oOf9k4ZGSx9zu6t4vo0_eMfXRHEI_E/s1600/2014-04-19+15.14.00+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR8nSBe1-kr4_Pm4zzt4WAxnG6uQsqYi13nYSYZwCn2KCBxWKPd-AD6JKD0VW51sxphv_pfV3LFIVPJd67RpuyjyFISjEPw6L4PAUe7W1-XwRQ0oOf9k4ZGSx9zu6t4vo0_eMfXRHEI_E/s1600/2014-04-19+15.14.00+copy.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maggie enjoying some vino on the canal on a warm-ish day.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Since drinking is allowed in public, you see a lot of things you would never see anywhere else. Like a mobile bar where the bar-patrons are the peddle-power that keeps the bar moving. We saw a few of these things--this was not a one-time occurrence.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXLJyzUjYDQ7XNukV_I6ga5MLA1q0OF7bbSUsp0p7exBfvvVeXKPsY5gu8Dz5sZClu_Qtka4chBnIGaMO1Svvql3HSl2o9K46R325g2RzOGt1JzecbJXIaAUdLhFOuHZ9hnqd2oQYBN28/s1600/2014-04-19+16.57.44+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXLJyzUjYDQ7XNukV_I6ga5MLA1q0OF7bbSUsp0p7exBfvvVeXKPsY5gu8Dz5sZClu_Qtka4chBnIGaMO1Svvql3HSl2o9K46R325g2RzOGt1JzecbJXIaAUdLhFOuHZ9hnqd2oQYBN28/s1600/2014-04-19+16.57.44+copy.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
On our way we passed by the old Berlin Wall on our way into West Germany. So we had to stop and take a photo-op with the famous wall. There are only a few segments of the wall left--the rest of it has been covered over by streets or buildings. We got the feeling that in Germany, they prefer to look forward rather than backward. The site of Hitler's death is now a parking lot.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTnANzLQ2bvw7Vx1TPq_UZWO7eADSnT1xDIR_V99QOc5grHQy3wg57e_mV0NYE8YKujT5LhL-K7_1iNISsHVrCrOwoKnDjNxmlTcfPbR7n3oYiw1Z2W1beAvGpdNbl6RF3UcAou4cMofc/s1600/2014-04-30+11.48.04+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTnANzLQ2bvw7Vx1TPq_UZWO7eADSnT1xDIR_V99QOc5grHQy3wg57e_mV0NYE8YKujT5LhL-K7_1iNISsHVrCrOwoKnDjNxmlTcfPbR7n3oYiw1Z2W1beAvGpdNbl6RF3UcAou4cMofc/s1600/2014-04-30+11.48.04+copy.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The wall looked like a larger version of a highway divider. We were kind of expecting more.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
While Germany is not known for its wine, we found it to be fairly good and cheap, so once we made it to Alexander Platz, we celebrated with a nice refreshing can of champagne - because we could. Alexander Platz is a very nice part of Berlin with lots of public areas to hang out in and many stores and seasonal outdoor shops. It is probably the best place in Berlin to people watch and put your thumb on the pulse of the city.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7aDhdViByPavBLDNjzRs2Qkn-HwBefMDcOeF7u9-T-bPDELO78RPU5xXiUUaE1ZrxM3dN6RZijdJbkik5SwTC-k3dQr6H5sLLLLaxDkyQBVSLZnZHa080ObaKrySDpLaKtfTrRoWDzVw/s1600/2014-04-19+18.17.44+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7aDhdViByPavBLDNjzRs2Qkn-HwBefMDcOeF7u9-T-bPDELO78RPU5xXiUUaE1ZrxM3dN6RZijdJbkik5SwTC-k3dQr6H5sLLLLaxDkyQBVSLZnZHa080ObaKrySDpLaKtfTrRoWDzVw/s1600/2014-04-19+18.17.44+copy.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drinking a champagne can and surreptitiously watching all the punk kids' antics in the background. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCTQrq2qzAHYwW5KJkguOPm4BeuxixoO9k8AfSfsQp5AP0oU_rpg3j_AwsvMDXJtjcokuq26KITPvzPsGrFWlDfPiEu0Eyd9YnuGcxh5uQsoBzKJDuvAKiHAcvQIS69z4LNRuotDED-8o/s1600/2014-05-10+15.33.40+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCTQrq2qzAHYwW5KJkguOPm4BeuxixoO9k8AfSfsQp5AP0oU_rpg3j_AwsvMDXJtjcokuq26KITPvzPsGrFWlDfPiEu0Eyd9YnuGcxh5uQsoBzKJDuvAKiHAcvQIS69z4LNRuotDED-8o/s1600/2014-05-10+15.33.40+copy.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">People blowing bubbles in Alexander Platz.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We were staying in what we heard was the up-and-coming trendy neighborhood of East Berlin so we did a fair amount of exploring around it. Just a few blocks away we found a nice little Biergarten that we went to a few times - because you haven't done Germany until you go to a Biergarten.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIYsxkBJz7iCOoY2N_pTbIwB9Okwyb_8Q0BCOj0SjwOVuGk_n31TbcnLijg7JofUgI8ZGOttthZq9yq1VPN5Z4NumZtUsoMoB5af_HDfS_buHms7dKxj6oZ2cEbk8FeZP21bfNrVhbwG0/s1600/1D2014-04-26+19.19.05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIYsxkBJz7iCOoY2N_pTbIwB9Okwyb_8Q0BCOj0SjwOVuGk_n31TbcnLijg7JofUgI8ZGOttthZq9yq1VPN5Z4NumZtUsoMoB5af_HDfS_buHms7dKxj6oZ2cEbk8FeZP21bfNrVhbwG0/s1600/1D2014-04-26+19.19.05.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4OZdoZh8mhuKnyZP74oBBbU2bwSTg_nRq7AuxJv-e1PU6-ntf2iss5pwfFhno-BgEiwfR9b5Hh1Po9YVewupU5N8-vokQHgeAHZ_ld5PFfKN6yqtmo5azoBykx6Pn6yOJuyngfAcFdaI/s1600/2014-04-26+18.04.05+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4OZdoZh8mhuKnyZP74oBBbU2bwSTg_nRq7AuxJv-e1PU6-ntf2iss5pwfFhno-BgEiwfR9b5Hh1Po9YVewupU5N8-vokQHgeAHZ_ld5PFfKN6yqtmo5azoBykx6Pn6yOJuyngfAcFdaI/s1600/2014-04-26+18.04.05+copy.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We also had a nice park just a few blocks away that we would take picnics to. It was a very popular park and showed the diversity of the area. We would have Turks on one side of us, Hipsters on another, Punks over in the corner and Hippies in the center smoking joints. It really was a diverse part of the city. As a rule Germany didn't seem as diverse of an area as some other parts of West Europe we had been to, but the Neukoelln area of East Berlin is an exception. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfOUa7Qr1xLqAuI86eihMkS8k_IeGx24kltwZPEt1tPc5YvdG1NMI5nKsrAxcxt9fUeQrTHy95XHD2RXwlPcPc1bVZ86eUQAJdXOsyrplvXJumHgNynHXvzaIH7_CyGDyuLahfCwIxyvo/s1600/2014-04-24+17.51.15+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfOUa7Qr1xLqAuI86eihMkS8k_IeGx24kltwZPEt1tPc5YvdG1NMI5nKsrAxcxt9fUeQrTHy95XHD2RXwlPcPc1bVZ86eUQAJdXOsyrplvXJumHgNynHXvzaIH7_CyGDyuLahfCwIxyvo/s1600/2014-04-24+17.51.15+copy.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The park on a chilly--and therefore less crowded--day.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We also had a very overgrown park a little further away from us. I mention it because an interesting aspect of Berlin was how they kept most of their parks. Unlike a majority of the world, the parks in Berlin were very wild and overgrown. It might be because they had so many or because it was such a green place, but we really found it interesting to see how vegetated the town was and how unkempt and wild most of it felt (in a good way--the city was beautiful).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOPPCcR2Ad3527FhR3Nq2BFkEDmCMUXDG8b0mU_Up8boZhGuIkFxmt6VOa1e3-XFv_j3hMFg8nN_UAuz_LMNuVy2VNZbbXD1suzA2j_L2iJiVBzJHN1M8GwQhzRdgEVD1dNsfgDQ5az6U/s1600/DSCF1690+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOPPCcR2Ad3527FhR3Nq2BFkEDmCMUXDG8b0mU_Up8boZhGuIkFxmt6VOa1e3-XFv_j3hMFg8nN_UAuz_LMNuVy2VNZbbXD1suzA2j_L2iJiVBzJHN1M8GwQhzRdgEVD1dNsfgDQ5az6U/s1600/DSCF1690+copy.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We happened to be in Berlin for Easter and like most of Europe, everything shuts down for the whole weekend. So it gave us a nice opportunity to have a nice Easter picnic in yet another park. The sun was shining, the flowers were blooming and the mimosas were flowing - it was a good Easter.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5U28u5ZbtreTPOTIMBfw5DsZWCwDSIAe7Oad-rxTWrk1tS4q95NzoKET5rLNNEDxHreMk_cMUWGRgoEUUoUjwBXm6jVBT3HCBHK7zUrrdDJmjPHcYFPLwVO4LgSxgmI2dk1LOtMbZELk/s1600/2014-04-20+13.34.23+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5U28u5ZbtreTPOTIMBfw5DsZWCwDSIAe7Oad-rxTWrk1tS4q95NzoKET5rLNNEDxHreMk_cMUWGRgoEUUoUjwBXm6jVBT3HCBHK7zUrrdDJmjPHcYFPLwVO4LgSxgmI2dk1LOtMbZELk/s1600/2014-04-20+13.34.23+copy.jpg" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16588692928447732601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2457720619402126236.post-53128442366039840922014-04-15T13:11:00.000-07:002016-09-19T05:56:58.348-07:00jolly ol' londonFrom Morocco we headed back to the first world - the very first world, London. Maggie had been there before but it was Andrew's first time. It was everything he imagined: old timey taxi cabs, double-decker buses, quaint pubs, and very polite people, but the one thing that blew him away was the shear multi-culturalness of London. There were as many woman in head scarves in London as there were in Morocco (maybe not completely, but close enough).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8mrRcYEAcsYclR5edl8gc09v-_7Elp-0n24IcEGj8UZcEcl2h34aaQFYUAdYRMUS5QienWQks6QZVmQkl-WzUXFwbQCXTOMu7PiRqPeZcJwQIe-kAgM6z9bJz-lui2kDemNeB3E80eis/s1600/London01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8mrRcYEAcsYclR5edl8gc09v-_7Elp-0n24IcEGj8UZcEcl2h34aaQFYUAdYRMUS5QienWQks6QZVmQkl-WzUXFwbQCXTOMu7PiRqPeZcJwQIe-kAgM6z9bJz-lui2kDemNeB3E80eis/s1600/London01.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So many nice pubs in London. Many are called something's arms due to their Union origins.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2sZdfYpifA0MhKbFrB4LpIiPt3ag-fhO3xufLBzifmUCELujM577ke_X6daqmFPBWBl63EUz0zWGuA4pYFUdy4pafKOLgFZowMCKoGG-i29030crtpY8Qj9vtHbKNk3NVmm8-PeGFsqY/s1600/London02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2sZdfYpifA0MhKbFrB4LpIiPt3ag-fhO3xufLBzifmUCELujM577ke_X6daqmFPBWBl63EUz0zWGuA4pYFUdy4pafKOLgFZowMCKoGG-i29030crtpY8Qj9vtHbKNk3NVmm8-PeGFsqY/s1600/London02.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All the cabs in London looks like this.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjPDt_AnureIofADy0DvADlBwce18082smGhuw5Hbyzw6ZSLLSOethLZ7_ELQ0J8SRP5et5rxT2BpeRj3Kn0uaL3us4eIujKCcA8uIzK_KiXxWZ9N7un3GBbwkp7wopaYdtuu6CpPx5-w/s1600/London03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjPDt_AnureIofADy0DvADlBwce18082smGhuw5Hbyzw6ZSLLSOethLZ7_ELQ0J8SRP5et5rxT2BpeRj3Kn0uaL3us4eIujKCcA8uIzK_KiXxWZ9N7un3GBbwkp7wopaYdtuu6CpPx5-w/s1600/London03.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Would it hurt to get some double-decker buses in the US?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We started off staying with one of Andrew's friends who is going to grad school in London. She lived in the Isle of Dogs, right by an Asda which is the British Walmart (it actually is owned by Walmart). Her place had a great view of the River Thames and was the nicest place we had stayed in quite some time. The Isle of Dogs used to be known as a wretched place filled with sailors and whores, but times have changed and now it's a nice suburban part of London full of condos and apartment buildings.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxPUHYnGCasv_3JBO9iQUhKkeqnGBeFmybSwlzq1dQreejXQ0WrKnHG0AJBc3IyKBEpPfehcEAofdRbvsLa74_RG-v6OX_yBgZYepgopVEPZScClJBGomHx02uUMjgY_NQR98EXoy7vEc/s1600/London04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxPUHYnGCasv_3JBO9iQUhKkeqnGBeFmybSwlzq1dQreejXQ0WrKnHG0AJBc3IyKBEpPfehcEAofdRbvsLa74_RG-v6OX_yBgZYepgopVEPZScClJBGomHx02uUMjgY_NQR98EXoy7vEc/s1600/London04.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One view from Andrew's friend's flat over the River Thames.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq_cfL4I-JVi3smG5J3wXEyS7ijLyrAFV0bNjDf-5eIOfuHYUuxgCX7-SJfvRplwaPgGIXGB4JLPOQPQJYSNYIQfwleFOyresAAd9GObX_UgMxXyGaWXlqyBHUHmJuWcf4MRjRICm_kN8/s1600/London05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq_cfL4I-JVi3smG5J3wXEyS7ijLyrAFV0bNjDf-5eIOfuHYUuxgCX7-SJfvRplwaPgGIXGB4JLPOQPQJYSNYIQfwleFOyresAAd9GObX_UgMxXyGaWXlqyBHUHmJuWcf4MRjRICm_kN8/s1600/London05.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The other view from the flat over the River Thames.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After a few days of exploring the new neighborhood, we decided to head out to the city proper and see the sites of London. First stop, Big Ben. London has a very good subway system and bus system-- just a very slow subway and bus system. The buses are understandable, it's a busy city, but the subways go at like thirty miles an hour it feels like. I know it's an old subway system, but they could but some nitrous or something in there to hurry them up - old ladies with walkers were passng our subway car.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbbPLJeDTc39-1n4uSuFU3K1DW_mSKLz1cTolJymWSn6PC9kIT7fY0GQMU9SjBruT_D6Yzd1tZm3mXkpYjWKZBtvJVAutHQb5SUTxVA1P7TDz8oCdfmP4B_dH_SEpMkJJGbLli_YuUTYs/s1600/London06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbbPLJeDTc39-1n4uSuFU3K1DW_mSKLz1cTolJymWSn6PC9kIT7fY0GQMU9SjBruT_D6Yzd1tZm3mXkpYjWKZBtvJVAutHQb5SUTxVA1P7TDz8oCdfmP4B_dH_SEpMkJJGbLli_YuUTYs/s1600/London06.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andrew, Big Ben and Parliament - everything is right with the world.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpZ5XDPOclCrSEATRpvS2PPI9NH28EC2JVpdFEGILFhfDSTwOjuyrOXOjZnBFkrWlVBgQvxlhQmNgvZ9H5Xf7qilarh9P66Uk1ZWY1idxOCvrlrDU4aQfyxk5gneACpPqjpMlkqgkEaUI/s1600/London07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpZ5XDPOclCrSEATRpvS2PPI9NH28EC2JVpdFEGILFhfDSTwOjuyrOXOjZnBFkrWlVBgQvxlhQmNgvZ9H5Xf7qilarh9P66Uk1ZWY1idxOCvrlrDU4aQfyxk5gneACpPqjpMlkqgkEaUI/s1600/London07.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The most British picture ever - hands down.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
From Big Ben we walked through St. James Park towards the Queen's house--or as Maggie insisted on calling it, Buckingham Palace. On the way we ran into almost half of France's middle school students - seriously. The sidewalks were bursting at the seams with packs of French school children. It was like the whole of France sent their kids to London for the weekend.<br />
<br />
Despite the French invasion, we enjoyed St. James park. Such a peaceful place right in the center of busy London. It's quite the treat. Lots of unusual birds hanging about as well (at least unusual to an American).<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj68iRcXW5wQdaVW6GkuznChWId5ddn4I5aX75xrDZxvKATinq_9hJlhlijiVro-q_1YQfPcKURakqUbjigMnYEr520nbMkr2BtGFZ-n6j3nhYSVBRPwFXvos-gK24e0IFZcogs45kbJOU/s1600/London09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj68iRcXW5wQdaVW6GkuznChWId5ddn4I5aX75xrDZxvKATinq_9hJlhlijiVro-q_1YQfPcKURakqUbjigMnYEr520nbMkr2BtGFZ-n6j3nhYSVBRPwFXvos-gK24e0IFZcogs45kbJOU/s1600/London09.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A black swan, and Natalie Portman nowhere in sight.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
When we finally got to the Queen's house, Andrew was disappointed that the Queen wasn't shuffling about in a bathrobe with a cup of coffee. We didn't sit around long enough to see the changing of the guard, but did see a lot of funny looking blokes in big furry hats.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx4rocELbXgG9uEAmIjzoCbpYg4YWtLb4yT0dtOHiPykdhaXCAb0IY1HQznKALqakBVbCz5MWGjufB9MTI3Pgdki6xudrBiRusCfyHAteWLXfdp5UGFMuW_W0RO02QXSjJ2GSivItGYQg/s1600/London08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx4rocELbXgG9uEAmIjzoCbpYg4YWtLb4yT0dtOHiPykdhaXCAb0IY1HQznKALqakBVbCz5MWGjufB9MTI3Pgdki6xudrBiRusCfyHAteWLXfdp5UGFMuW_W0RO02QXSjJ2GSivItGYQg/s1600/London08.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The obligatory Buckingham Palace selfie.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Another person we had headed to London to see was Maggie's Uncle Marshall Jean, who you might remember from this <a href="http://www.its-adventure-time.com/2013/11/a-night-with-uncle-jean.html">Kuala Lumpur post</a>. He lives in London and was nice enough to lets us stay at his amazing place in Bethnal Green while he was on a cruise in the Spain / Morocco area. We arrived before he left town so we had time to meet up with him a few times and have him show us around his neighborhood. Of course the first place we went was the local pub, because in England, that is the neighborhood.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1QYq9Syao1OxXKLD8ohrNyn9A1Yw-4M-_djrvsEjdsNt2fvwnHoR-EYYezVOLfshghWU2vp0V58DwKYjtdIzbpj5sDfjWVNY4SJSGBtUSSwOuWKZZT7mzqVAwXfcl2XEMpiwKrvqyOjk/s1600/London10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1QYq9Syao1OxXKLD8ohrNyn9A1Yw-4M-_djrvsEjdsNt2fvwnHoR-EYYezVOLfshghWU2vp0V58DwKYjtdIzbpj5sDfjWVNY4SJSGBtUSSwOuWKZZT7mzqVAwXfcl2XEMpiwKrvqyOjk/s1600/London10.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ye ol' local watering hole.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It was a Sunday afternoon and he told us that a famous flower market took place a few blocks away, so we finished our pints and walked over.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbPK-jOH0aOah7sDMoV3FKzEjhY69J2KlO8OWJYwNqNmIGnS7KmLN7i8L04znieR9MW0QIV9iVSpSA3G3fOFfEdmjQf1emg14_4_lxGG14UfLCBTi6YXPD44ix7CUUaVGaSN6_1C0ZAAk/s1600/London11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbPK-jOH0aOah7sDMoV3FKzEjhY69J2KlO8OWJYwNqNmIGnS7KmLN7i8L04znieR9MW0QIV9iVSpSA3G3fOFfEdmjQf1emg14_4_lxGG14UfLCBTi6YXPD44ix7CUUaVGaSN6_1C0ZAAk/s1600/London11.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje8tYGYIHo1ixvxNpYX76kP664b52uQQdXGKQ-eWp1mTLuEgp5RmFQOltcaBTukfS6-71QiKciBB-5fq77ntSRz6HkZ7rNCy6k5BjiSACAAh5dIq9Wv_ZoGzeXVLS1saIJ6LTcvIVG9_c/s1600/London12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje8tYGYIHo1ixvxNpYX76kP664b52uQQdXGKQ-eWp1mTLuEgp5RmFQOltcaBTukfS6-71QiKciBB-5fq77ntSRz6HkZ7rNCy6k5BjiSACAAh5dIq9Wv_ZoGzeXVLS1saIJ6LTcvIVG9_c/s1600/London12.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
After a grand send off full of wine and Indian food, he was gone and we had a lovely, homey, well-located place to stay. We got seriously lucky.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9175EpUbAn3MJJ6pZRBPsF87j-mNnClJmlPkaebqGRsh0oXGzdB1mu3GTVkXnw0xfjOhUmusyN4VyazvzRQApJJrvd9KjPpR6z3BS1oPl1XeV6aW5G1w9hUfKM4DNMagv3A2hwELuDB4/s1600/UncleJeans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9175EpUbAn3MJJ6pZRBPsF87j-mNnClJmlPkaebqGRsh0oXGzdB1mu3GTVkXnw0xfjOhUmusyN4VyazvzRQApJJrvd9KjPpR6z3BS1oPl1XeV6aW5G1w9hUfKM4DNMagv3A2hwELuDB4/s1600/UncleJeans.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andrew working in front of Uncle Jean's great Lamb's Navy Rum bookshelf</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We were only a few blocks away from the gargantuan Queen Victoria Park, so we headed over there often for picnics during the nice London afternoons.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6AC-hhvJgwixcwCGiH47aU0ofKO3jl2QlP2ks4ZzmomPmj7Psx29QY7uJIU9qWyw-zKdKOMoa-QkG9MLqGQvQFaiIcQqNiZJqmSqrqkaPSYxIP4XGDr3BCIbzMKtfhRt3RWTFgfcHDFw/s1600/London13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6AC-hhvJgwixcwCGiH47aU0ofKO3jl2QlP2ks4ZzmomPmj7Psx29QY7uJIU9qWyw-zKdKOMoa-QkG9MLqGQvQFaiIcQqNiZJqmSqrqkaPSYxIP4XGDr3BCIbzMKtfhRt3RWTFgfcHDFw/s1600/London13.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">London is so multicultural that they put a Chinese pagoda in a park named for the Queen.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
London has so many touristy sites that we broke our usual mode of living like locals and decided to head out for some more touristy stuff. We started by riding in the second story of a double-decker bus (which is actually something the locals do) as we headed to some super nerdy London sites.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMAq7fWKzTTRoTez_UMd9P9VgAwIWU42r946v0bjm44bliHyhBWFugFpUFfmQ3cAt1CzKPTB6EZBRSrvDFIqepXVlK43BzhzyiZz-v0PI_FwvNeYb960AHztINVf6l2epI0bc3U3K_hVw/s1600/London14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMAq7fWKzTTRoTez_UMd9P9VgAwIWU42r946v0bjm44bliHyhBWFugFpUFfmQ3cAt1CzKPTB6EZBRSrvDFIqepXVlK43BzhzyiZz-v0PI_FwvNeYb960AHztINVf6l2epI0bc3U3K_hVw/s1600/London14.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Front row seat on the second story of a double-decker bus - ain't nothing better.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Our first super geeky London tourist stop was of course Platform 9 3/4 from Harry Potter. We thought we'd be the only people there since it was a random Tuesday afternoon, but oh no, there was a line to get your picture taken with the cart half submerged in the wall. I guess we aren't the geeky elite.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZpAnpM8UXcbiAJEnN9oCkmBd4i45ucvA7JwclbsURZ6coB4xgUCOgyp0l_RJ-aseOSTbOz7OThoS6wm_j2irfbQFP69hGNW0t7kOK3wom17qaZQKmezriGPAvJIqdMZK3CvL4pJTHPaY/s1600/London15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZpAnpM8UXcbiAJEnN9oCkmBd4i45ucvA7JwclbsURZ6coB4xgUCOgyp0l_RJ-aseOSTbOz7OThoS6wm_j2irfbQFP69hGNW0t7kOK3wom17qaZQKmezriGPAvJIqdMZK3CvL4pJTHPaY/s1600/London15.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We also didn't stand in line. We snuck in a picture while the next person in line was putting on their Hogwarts scarf.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The next stop was Abbey Road for the customary shot walking across the street. The funny thing is that Abbey Road is a fairly busy street. So there are cars whizzing by as tourists try to slowly stroll across. Many times, the traffic just has to stop as a entitled tourist stops in the middle of the road to get the optimal shot. Andrew didn't feel that entitled and waited for a break in traffic before he made his jaunt across the famous crosswalk.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3BsNGAJ_lb0hpa0Z8CWCjxpFLQ8UqucFtH6VnTLbji4lNV3ng-RC6pzSxGmrntNElO4Q4gBxHotTAYvClHgGRLqXegsJKl1FAHphv2pBOvAdUoBVUqEdS3_fpU_6iFhZp-70-n3QSbrE/s1600/London16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3BsNGAJ_lb0hpa0Z8CWCjxpFLQ8UqucFtH6VnTLbji4lNV3ng-RC6pzSxGmrntNElO4Q4gBxHotTAYvClHgGRLqXegsJKl1FAHphv2pBOvAdUoBVUqEdS3_fpU_6iFhZp-70-n3QSbrE/s1600/London16.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where's John, Paul, George and the other one when you need them.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Making our way to Abbey Road, we noticed that one of the roads that crosses Abbey Road was Hall Road. I guess it really shouldn't have been a surprise since us Halls are always associating ourselves with only the classiest of people/roads.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTc-RImz5VKpH05tNdFE98Tw5GKNeRVH7Bn2EACn5Xng8yd6kzuMuKMUFpF1SWu-vdGYEKfJgT0vebNv-3uSA_ob6EJ_X1jN9LqTxP3l2-EjI03gHxYSyYyYJ0jebaYxZjvzRSy44PQjo/s1600/London17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTc-RImz5VKpH05tNdFE98Tw5GKNeRVH7Bn2EACn5Xng8yd6kzuMuKMUFpF1SWu-vdGYEKfJgT0vebNv-3uSA_ob6EJ_X1jN9LqTxP3l2-EjI03gHxYSyYyYJ0jebaYxZjvzRSy44PQjo/s1600/London17.jpg" /></a></div>
Our next stop was a quick snack at McDonalds, but not just any snack. This is England, the land of Cadburry Cream Eggs, and it was Easter time, so our snack was a Cadburry Cream Egg McFlurry. Maggie was ecstatic.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmJVxLQw9BlnUEXDZLNsLykVoIQMvOi0ZqvPgsNBt8EI9JOMwvA8ADDe4gObyyksq1OZOIQG-duetG8d39g-e73pii2IR4pBDQsoOzHX0pVmmxWaXyfp5pXFFu6q7Qjm8D4OGH6LR4Rlg/s1600/London18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmJVxLQw9BlnUEXDZLNsLykVoIQMvOi0ZqvPgsNBt8EI9JOMwvA8ADDe4gObyyksq1OZOIQG-duetG8d39g-e73pii2IR4pBDQsoOzHX0pVmmxWaXyfp5pXFFu6q7Qjm8D4OGH6LR4Rlg/s1600/London18.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Our next touristy destination was the British Museum, which like all London Museums, was free. It was the Museum that put Museums on the map, so we had to go.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyvxNGc01olberyqllAzR7EPvje3rC128J6oriHx5pwV7zQnGhht6ZDJz5S-CZtoR949ZJAoV9RdezU8U55ViCCDM-Nfhg8q1eaSy0wildzONLGBqF5yrcRd6kvp2FMdtHWbG_AWZHnzI/s1600/London19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyvxNGc01olberyqllAzR7EPvje3rC128J6oriHx5pwV7zQnGhht6ZDJz5S-CZtoR949ZJAoV9RdezU8U55ViCCDM-Nfhg8q1eaSy0wildzONLGBqF5yrcRd6kvp2FMdtHWbG_AWZHnzI/s1600/London19.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quick pit-stop at a quaint park by the Museum.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnnc_M0Hn5RaF7TeyROwPvt_zMIDJaUDVr83DWHzWO6dJVc373_EjgRYLwtOCz7RfoVJxKhibqSDc92mauDuVi08peL_XD_ciddDGBlgLJP3Pjszamf2Bc0S5BR5VcqncCcnHJSr9g7UY/s1600/London20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnnc_M0Hn5RaF7TeyROwPvt_zMIDJaUDVr83DWHzWO6dJVc373_EjgRYLwtOCz7RfoVJxKhibqSDc92mauDuVi08peL_XD_ciddDGBlgLJP3Pjszamf2Bc0S5BR5VcqncCcnHJSr9g7UY/s1600/London20.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Rosetta Stone.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigK41Re31X_IAAT2MupM7V3S9yvdmTtpwXouS2LCR8HT1FbwvuiwpaVNZ51GFIf18Fp3fyKptjRAVRTpucDChBJsWDxvXgkaAjH8OQhV7hBBR9WIBtsJTvb0326t1-BJDh5NueUpEXpIE/s1600/London21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigK41Re31X_IAAT2MupM7V3S9yvdmTtpwXouS2LCR8HT1FbwvuiwpaVNZ51GFIf18Fp3fyKptjRAVRTpucDChBJsWDxvXgkaAjH8OQhV7hBBR9WIBtsJTvb0326t1-BJDh5NueUpEXpIE/s1600/London21.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A three thousand year old Egyptian door.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxvfKwGIqsDVrD3Yv1TiBY7pNGZX4PvQymm_1_iKLuj-xjd67SUleOyOrck3Ij6lWT-7n5bhksbycnS547rWP7f7ZfHwRBHivy0_b3EqxpAWHR-dosIj-F4yZbyeoVrUhI1XCuKB8ITBE/s1600/London22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxvfKwGIqsDVrD3Yv1TiBY7pNGZX4PvQymm_1_iKLuj-xjd67SUleOyOrck3Ij6lWT-7n5bhksbycnS547rWP7f7ZfHwRBHivy0_b3EqxpAWHR-dosIj-F4yZbyeoVrUhI1XCuKB8ITBE/s1600/London22.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Assyrian Frescoes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMDjbF1aMqZhmZh6gOiUvGkW0mqJZAHvTHVs-rP6QNMhBbHr0AXeZNmo57H2eE3Q6DDPdOp3pdfgOInIa7avR4EpvG6aixIKjpEuQaJ3bQ7xdfjSTO5AQyGWifdLdLrUfgO1BFEup7uJI/s1600/London23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMDjbF1aMqZhmZh6gOiUvGkW0mqJZAHvTHVs-rP6QNMhBbHr0AXeZNmo57H2eE3Q6DDPdOp3pdfgOInIa7avR4EpvG6aixIKjpEuQaJ3bQ7xdfjSTO5AQyGWifdLdLrUfgO1BFEup7uJI/s1600/London23.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old Alexander the Great himself.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnSobJhJ3jbjfMoOaZZonLJGAzTlh3Uqpmzs3Wsq8eeitof-rpxlD2_XnAnbj48H0zT4qLVb9t8gCAKc8wm0CD3wjDiP3mlD6e-0pc8DGaR6lPJ5BszUwhXfT72J4xmXABEM9jyCAUZxk/s1600/London24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnSobJhJ3jbjfMoOaZZonLJGAzTlh3Uqpmzs3Wsq8eeitof-rpxlD2_XnAnbj48H0zT4qLVb9t8gCAKc8wm0CD3wjDiP3mlD6e-0pc8DGaR6lPJ5BszUwhXfT72J4xmXABEM9jyCAUZxk/s1600/London24.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The amazing atrium in the British Museum.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZh6LUgF5ySwyHn_ZmL2_SYN1gVvE5Ld_a__ceBFC1xBFd81bbfiXWiNWfn66HIQFIIJfBbYnCmHARyDZcbxG79kAer_4g8lW08U_CWWgONbT57GGwCmiAFvAKyzf3QbinWLB_eCL_XY0/s1600/London25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZh6LUgF5ySwyHn_ZmL2_SYN1gVvE5Ld_a__ceBFC1xBFd81bbfiXWiNWfn66HIQFIIJfBbYnCmHARyDZcbxG79kAer_4g8lW08U_CWWgONbT57GGwCmiAFvAKyzf3QbinWLB_eCL_XY0/s1600/London25.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mummies.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Finally we headed to Trafalgar Square, known as the center of London. We showed up right after some gigantic pillow fight must had gone on because the whole area was covered in pillow feathers and we even saw a few people walking around with intact pillows.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy4SMQfgJcfaB7uTs5vULdzSGHGDKgoKBJ3dAhomriKV5A9sSlrUM2GQWtp8TuHLxm1g28PeaOr0qZMfLNeoMlAqx2qpz4oe9vFwAbkj6-WLOBU8_VU7au66yyc2DWTzsSai2WrSwBqKE/s1600/London26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy4SMQfgJcfaB7uTs5vULdzSGHGDKgoKBJ3dAhomriKV5A9sSlrUM2GQWtp8TuHLxm1g28PeaOr0qZMfLNeoMlAqx2qpz4oe9vFwAbkj6-WLOBU8_VU7au66yyc2DWTzsSai2WrSwBqKE/s1600/London26.jpg" /></a></div>
Despite all of our touristy adventures, we still spent a fair amount of time exploring Bethnal Green and Hackney. There are a ton of canals that run through London that have walking paths along them. It is a great way to get around and see some beautiful sights. There are many house boats that park on the banks of the canals and walking them gives you are great look at the river folk of London - who seem to be somewhere between homeless and hipsters.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1WlRebFvm85DCNbTkhLamhzjWkmZuv6vJQulfmTqHSsQLowyn1-QgzGoPimTkP0b7Btm1JFaCEwtHxNkmrmRYt6lzx_USCOTvqCod8oGGGMjJD0QP7R4-Ki9dzreEJLNzL0Ak0qb-F1c/s1600/London27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1WlRebFvm85DCNbTkhLamhzjWkmZuv6vJQulfmTqHSsQLowyn1-QgzGoPimTkP0b7Btm1JFaCEwtHxNkmrmRYt6lzx_USCOTvqCod8oGGGMjJD0QP7R4-Ki9dzreEJLNzL0Ak0qb-F1c/s1600/London27.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC2_Ji-ViYTOoxGEvNaAAqRr6efzySOEm6xGpleMZYoqb3DgoeRxXWSBz_MyUrX6wVIBKZ6-FfttWbGDUsFJBJ5mH695kk3j95aoFa2vnNsbx7pZUiTf160U7xo2nwauvaFcZZztTeQ6E/s1600/London28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC2_Ji-ViYTOoxGEvNaAAqRr6efzySOEm6xGpleMZYoqb3DgoeRxXWSBz_MyUrX6wVIBKZ6-FfttWbGDUsFJBJ5mH695kk3j95aoFa2vnNsbx7pZUiTf160U7xo2nwauvaFcZZztTeQ6E/s1600/London28.jpg" /></a></div>
Our flight out of London was at 6:30 in the morning and it took an hour by bus to get to the airport, so we made the executive decision to just sleep in the airport. We had done it in Taipei and it wasn't bad at all--what could go wrong? Well, what we didn't know is that the Stansted airport at night becomes one of the largest hotels in London. Hundreds of people were trying to sleep in the maybe fifty seats available in the entire airport. It was a madhouse. Lucky for us, we got there early enough to get a few of those fifty seats so we could stretch out, not on a tile floor, for the night. Even though we were the lucky few, it was still a pretty shoddy night's sleep and come morning, we were pretty out of it.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEer9FxLKyMrz7N15UIwpqcuoNucM9O8IMPIlVamP8StPwilHmEA5wxzRwuWU5XZY-ExnYrXjo1_oV8kd4ZTFUIa-2qi0Hwsl_GZtIxXW2VCc8dpZzLhh1oZ8ASPyd6w1wA0849_MZ5RA/s1600/London29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEer9FxLKyMrz7N15UIwpqcuoNucM9O8IMPIlVamP8StPwilHmEA5wxzRwuWU5XZY-ExnYrXjo1_oV8kd4ZTFUIa-2qi0Hwsl_GZtIxXW2VCc8dpZzLhh1oZ8ASPyd6w1wA0849_MZ5RA/s1600/London29.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Protecting our territory at Camp Stansted.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjIWfqcdWLjOpYkSxok5iz9vqmljOi1mYYUra1PzeVrZQoSMbANtVO9DuLgZvSoSwOM5OOzI6Zf__OhKjhSFh-x-pyAVee4PU6IloMCwoounwPjDhSrlX9prEPsJdWq9bLkFRmQi8xTHw/s1600/London30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjIWfqcdWLjOpYkSxok5iz9vqmljOi1mYYUra1PzeVrZQoSMbANtVO9DuLgZvSoSwOM5OOzI6Zf__OhKjhSFh-x-pyAVee4PU6IloMCwoounwPjDhSrlX9prEPsJdWq9bLkFRmQi8xTHw/s1600/London30.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast of champions. Can you tell how good of a night sleep Andrew got?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16588692928447732601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2457720619402126236.post-60697599286024795452014-04-13T06:25:00.000-07:002014-04-13T06:25:15.885-07:00cats of moroccoIf there was one thing there were a lot of all over Morocco, it was cats. Cats under cars, cats on roofs, cats riding bikes - well almost. It was refreshing to see how nice the Moroccans were to the cats as well. You'd see a guy walking down the street with a bag of fish, cat hot on his tail and he would stop, take out a fish and toss it to the cat. How nice and giving everyone was to them made you feel good about what otherwise could have been a cat overpopulation problem.<br />
<br />
With the amount of time we spent in Morocco, we became friends with many of the cats. We knew where to always find certain cats and what type of day was best to pet them. Morocco's a cat's world and they're just letting us live in it. <br />
<br />
Of course we took many photos of the lovely Moroccan cats, so without further adieu, Cats of Morocco.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaJyl5d1BJ7FZL5CL9hW1VoqK6mrtVVULBfKuyeYVUSaAendRWGCZJLLmdHTBRIh27CRZciVaLOtIng_42bwY4aNfPKQvj2IKREOrOZ0u6uVI85XysWOH1Vllq9hxxYhnWtfV-3FCcHhY/s1600/Morocco51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaJyl5d1BJ7FZL5CL9hW1VoqK6mrtVVULBfKuyeYVUSaAendRWGCZJLLmdHTBRIh27CRZciVaLOtIng_42bwY4aNfPKQvj2IKREOrOZ0u6uVI85XysWOH1Vllq9hxxYhnWtfV-3FCcHhY/s1600/Morocco51.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In Marrakesh, this cat helps out with selling rugs.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJTQM1DGpxrce8fqDW6UmQtW-Q6lJ1T4aPlvvOEDGk7bR-3qfD0v1h5j6VI7DGi0oSaZT4nMwJG2WGKVwRGAcIxWlv4EARq1yYpA2k13RsQa-sqvUkBMf8wiRHxamw_Wiro_91dogkBFQ/s1600/Morocco50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJTQM1DGpxrce8fqDW6UmQtW-Q6lJ1T4aPlvvOEDGk7bR-3qfD0v1h5j6VI7DGi0oSaZT4nMwJG2WGKVwRGAcIxWlv4EARq1yYpA2k13RsQa-sqvUkBMf8wiRHxamw_Wiro_91dogkBFQ/s1600/Morocco50.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A herd of hungry cats approaches us as we come home with a pizza.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir1fPMy8M1SU7aOaZpWy7vhwQW2Vbcb3nohdYwS3M7h8DH1XEKxJA10HoEW300uXfHlYBNLCKHO8TGzK5Hb-UYNZe2qlEQQP6kATcaIFDnKqCeB5bl47_KV5MUcYnz4HWtUWPvPErYCKM/s1600/Morocco52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir1fPMy8M1SU7aOaZpWy7vhwQW2Vbcb3nohdYwS3M7h8DH1XEKxJA10HoEW300uXfHlYBNLCKHO8TGzK5Hb-UYNZe2qlEQQP6kATcaIFDnKqCeB5bl47_KV5MUcYnz4HWtUWPvPErYCKM/s1600/Morocco52.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Is it his bike, or is he just guarding it? </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL2INILoNyyYQ9gAnEgLlWFj7PbfvuDKdbYKUJymWNIVicn5ZLi9YzdyulzyiqacedNO3mK-yuxW3qjzpH-_E3cAGYsSjcOPwzTvXsk8I_JoOmqoFnKs75Baeqb7UotimjbRBGtRSmLUM/s1600/Morocco53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL2INILoNyyYQ9gAnEgLlWFj7PbfvuDKdbYKUJymWNIVicn5ZLi9YzdyulzyiqacedNO3mK-yuxW3qjzpH-_E3cAGYsSjcOPwzTvXsk8I_JoOmqoFnKs75Baeqb7UotimjbRBGtRSmLUM/s1600/Morocco53.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A kitten playing under the watchful gaze of momma cat.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4xh7LHxbPFcNv-ULxfEqWW_Rykhzfq-tXba2TgY0lluxHEDdjuRbpCzWCunXxjPYCn0RrrotBpeznvg-SL1-LwaNsPOuurop6WeWFAXYcg6D-3TdgJF9iiV5bFX41gPpD4FbKbH1Qk64/s1600/Morocco54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4xh7LHxbPFcNv-ULxfEqWW_Rykhzfq-tXba2TgY0lluxHEDdjuRbpCzWCunXxjPYCn0RrrotBpeznvg-SL1-LwaNsPOuurop6WeWFAXYcg6D-3TdgJF9iiV5bFX41gPpD4FbKbH1Qk64/s1600/Morocco54.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the regulars just outside our Marrakesh hotel. He let us pet him sometimes. Sometimes not.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-zcNl6C_DssVVQ9y5EIATa_L5-qHt0WjwPyEiIrpyze5ppo5qpnO5NohnPk3xqxvrLh2hNP-oQB1paJk-5wibNZ3cHMHIU4PucaT3K1QMHU1vvOKwkJW_VpGjqF8J2GUVkexLl482XFY/s1600/Morocco55.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-zcNl6C_DssVVQ9y5EIATa_L5-qHt0WjwPyEiIrpyze5ppo5qpnO5NohnPk3xqxvrLh2hNP-oQB1paJk-5wibNZ3cHMHIU4PucaT3K1QMHU1vvOKwkJW_VpGjqF8J2GUVkexLl482XFY/s1600/Morocco55.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A fisherman feeding his spare parts to cats and seagulls at the Essaouira port.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi44RARxS2OtS8hePvZfmgi7egbhfYqZqmSe2-1tvHGjvYvMe2X1QCDg0wVH_JWjXc1HxUm7Y87Z9KVpNL1IwOPN6AGZo-6cxi4pbx_NZ0SipYGT0kA5Lu1XMUi4ciBswxoiS3zdLpquqk/s1600/Morocco63.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi44RARxS2OtS8hePvZfmgi7egbhfYqZqmSe2-1tvHGjvYvMe2X1QCDg0wVH_JWjXc1HxUm7Y87Z9KVpNL1IwOPN6AGZo-6cxi4pbx_NZ0SipYGT0kA5Lu1XMUi4ciBswxoiS3zdLpquqk/s1600/Morocco63.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spring was on us in Essaouira with lots of kittens in tow.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvoNJ_DqvZ2nmUHEg2OfvGNnWQehfNEoeYAHUqVh1HI4x6II-4W4-yN1AOPlkJI_8d4eKL64S3HmBmIzv2YI2atE8xP0kv-8fu4CC3n0N_pqN1NkMAoZPxs-edjkKmiFtcfY1Ft7_hsTM/s1600/Morocco56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvoNJ_DqvZ2nmUHEg2OfvGNnWQehfNEoeYAHUqVh1HI4x6II-4W4-yN1AOPlkJI_8d4eKL64S3HmBmIzv2YI2atE8xP0kv-8fu4CC3n0N_pqN1NkMAoZPxs-edjkKmiFtcfY1Ft7_hsTM/s1600/Morocco56.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He thought he was hiding.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKNg0cmOSVi4t5E6uj_F1HXa9hnNv0kwj4wS84zjp17kgwWHx70ocjtjjuQStYja0xmomv5dyjG9nusl2OyuTnK7DCGMfmztAraf7ZTTuLrUZ9vAF9ar0L9nZnvGEOqUaGZkeIxXRrWwE/s1600/Morocco57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKNg0cmOSVi4t5E6uj_F1HXa9hnNv0kwj4wS84zjp17kgwWHx70ocjtjjuQStYja0xmomv5dyjG9nusl2OyuTnK7DCGMfmztAraf7ZTTuLrUZ9vAF9ar0L9nZnvGEOqUaGZkeIxXRrWwE/s1600/Morocco57.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A kitten who wanted nothing to do with us.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi3HQtAiQ35WbGYLJ1fiPJmgMO4YVWtOzXxVaT0EIzQD48m94shNIBEwKF4FzDj0qwAhx6Jhjt3DMGEd6FeFcIIJD6P2z6tvDVCeHszJrbI-MY54lOm1zLmJh-7EFF5LchJBoTW6ZO46A/s1600/Morocco58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi3HQtAiQ35WbGYLJ1fiPJmgMO4YVWtOzXxVaT0EIzQD48m94shNIBEwKF4FzDj0qwAhx6Jhjt3DMGEd6FeFcIIJD6P2z6tvDVCeHszJrbI-MY54lOm1zLmJh-7EFF5LchJBoTW6ZO46A/s1600/Morocco58.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A favorite spot for cats to congregate was under cars.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNtL9v6ISnrUeWxcN0gIK4ZLcPf4Vo7g7rSHLlTrcVbkr7rTSju_ZSBaqveKCo3DB4ixZ3xxkHeO3Qxe7gxo4XnOEQAhosDwifCYr_QBjaW96ixf7AO1DJ12h6adosboMVNHmAcXK603M/s1600/Morocco59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNtL9v6ISnrUeWxcN0gIK4ZLcPf4Vo7g7rSHLlTrcVbkr7rTSju_ZSBaqveKCo3DB4ixZ3xxkHeO3Qxe7gxo4XnOEQAhosDwifCYr_QBjaW96ixf7AO1DJ12h6adosboMVNHmAcXK603M/s1600/Morocco59.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some cats just couldn't get enough pets.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6nc3WvfmSwNPGHWutA_MGz7BEUdod4xsCr5fGICJCuVOxK_jw_j8lUkFsKIAA782UX1ptXAqTIYRzLj-yCj9_U8cUxNBOsIYkrvhiKidGvL1j9ExSEqA0ymCOtbIykS2Le6AvYI7XY0U/s1600/Morocco60.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6nc3WvfmSwNPGHWutA_MGz7BEUdod4xsCr5fGICJCuVOxK_jw_j8lUkFsKIAA782UX1ptXAqTIYRzLj-yCj9_U8cUxNBOsIYkrvhiKidGvL1j9ExSEqA0ymCOtbIykS2Le6AvYI7XY0U/s1600/Morocco60.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Sofy and that is her cannon.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtU6uM6-63P5yRw0tzRkzdV_mmd4MBPVNWoEa5ELadJ0hlMGXaxCQ4S-2_iFl-jdH0C-xwO-vMnulEHG8Ah1gv77mDQ0OG-MhW8uXFBMoAOHmJHVvZqUd2WpsVqrClKEqKCmVVPwfUM-4/s1600/Morocco61.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtU6uM6-63P5yRw0tzRkzdV_mmd4MBPVNWoEa5ELadJ0hlMGXaxCQ4S-2_iFl-jdH0C-xwO-vMnulEHG8Ah1gv77mDQ0OG-MhW8uXFBMoAOHmJHVvZqUd2WpsVqrClKEqKCmVVPwfUM-4/s1600/Morocco61.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everyday these three cats could be found in this exact position.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ2meDm4i29j9u_dwUKhRrhbWAxMVi9EksVfInX5FtATxOmh1QWSs_9pS6hkdvNJ0QJ0AlK9n6hNq8IAn2pMZ7lbGQM7tF8pcl2dhEgNegS4oCZDlT5lItjwsleeliZv4RuuYRQhMRxpw/s1600/Morocco62.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ2meDm4i29j9u_dwUKhRrhbWAxMVi9EksVfInX5FtATxOmh1QWSs_9pS6hkdvNJ0QJ0AlK9n6hNq8IAn2pMZ7lbGQM7tF8pcl2dhEgNegS4oCZDlT5lItjwsleeliZv4RuuYRQhMRxpw/s1600/Morocco62.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maggie making a kitten's day.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16588692928447732601noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2457720619402126236.post-36363262285063157832014-03-27T02:07:00.000-07:002014-03-27T02:07:01.978-07:00essaouira is très tranquilleFrom Marrakesh we headed to the small beach town of Essaouirra. It's on the Atlantic coast of Morocco and famous for being a musical center during the 70s. Artists like Cat Stevens and Jimi Hendrix spent time there as well as Orson Wells, who has a much abused bust in one of the town squares.<br />
<br />
It was surprising how much the drive to Essaouirra from Marrakesh looked like New Mexico - minus the goats in trees, which unfortunately, we didn't get pictures of.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcatc18qdG9n6mTkh4yAOwyQjw9xPzAxU_mdyjLKPPr1abCopbtuyJze0POj8eeks3cbtydBABoeHqY0jYJCNWsz-x71GGbcM4y1Y1etWtJFoRCAf9t3eF7Lh9UUMSV1kpfgLcH63a_u8/s1600/Morocco19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcatc18qdG9n6mTkh4yAOwyQjw9xPzAxU_mdyjLKPPr1abCopbtuyJze0POj8eeks3cbtydBABoeHqY0jYJCNWsz-x71GGbcM4y1Y1etWtJFoRCAf9t3eF7Lh9UUMSV1kpfgLcH63a_u8/s1600/Morocco19.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There are some goats <i>near</i> a tree in the middle there.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Essaouira is supposedly the best Atlantic port close to the Mediterranean, so it has been fought over for many hundreds of year. As a result, there is a pretty impressive wall full of cannons that goes right up to the ocean's edge. Since this isn't the US, you can climb all over it and take some great pictures.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhnJPp7fgNLeU1n3im69pK36dakfg2BqsdZ5dpSU6mM405_K5FnCi2CL9swibe_HDAV3XRIgh7OF9zf8q7EFHAWD1_79t_XUY-Qx10qG46WEfvjpYSbqg6wDFPeWaAnNrYHnvAn7M1JKI/s1600/Morocco20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhnJPp7fgNLeU1n3im69pK36dakfg2BqsdZ5dpSU6mM405_K5FnCi2CL9swibe_HDAV3XRIgh7OF9zf8q7EFHAWD1_79t_XUY-Qx10qG46WEfvjpYSbqg6wDFPeWaAnNrYHnvAn7M1JKI/s1600/Morocco20.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwG_bDWNZsQPbPVENsu18prw6pOLtlTk9OwAE970MH1IeQF-lAUqkL449x9c0zmpTbltZHKJFKOEqYqY8LNsEPilOt7FhVAs5iT8EtKZ62lJHEyqsaM4ZYnPfopystIMko5Jztdili2II/s1600/Morocco21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwG_bDWNZsQPbPVENsu18prw6pOLtlTk9OwAE970MH1IeQF-lAUqkL449x9c0zmpTbltZHKJFKOEqYqY8LNsEPilOt7FhVAs5iT8EtKZ62lJHEyqsaM4ZYnPfopystIMko5Jztdili2II/s1600/Morocco21.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKRkeg68_ftVYP7VExIn77UROwhDdEJx616PwItRfzyCEuf9r0wNiDuR9CiVAjVOinIrGHdk-zdQMno1XFIPfQvWq5_uHuI9AzuQ6_Y8GqpG1iO7UVn65DZqt6b2K2y3b6zFvDrdJ6oQc/s1600/Morocco22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKRkeg68_ftVYP7VExIn77UROwhDdEJx616PwItRfzyCEuf9r0wNiDuR9CiVAjVOinIrGHdk-zdQMno1XFIPfQvWq5_uHuI9AzuQ6_Y8GqpG1iO7UVn65DZqt6b2K2y3b6zFvDrdJ6oQc/s1600/Morocco22.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8aTpHrTBsdSk_1U21mSoLFFs1iI2BRdg4vRRDzIJYViSkauGM1ZdKNiBsfWXG_eM9kKee521WCztSmok0RwfQ9HDIVmlL1RQ-5vZF5o0z4d6c2IvCcTAtohclwYhBsQvlT_GnG-LDjiQ/s1600/Morocco23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8aTpHrTBsdSk_1U21mSoLFFs1iI2BRdg4vRRDzIJYViSkauGM1ZdKNiBsfWXG_eM9kKee521WCztSmok0RwfQ9HDIVmlL1RQ-5vZF5o0z4d6c2IvCcTAtohclwYhBsQvlT_GnG-LDjiQ/s1600/Morocco23.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTGRAGCm6dmldRcoCmbvlkwkQHqo65O09imtldB40zWlLqXXcbZd_OX6NTElcgNUmzObfgOgW2n_8p2ZsMZ-689xjbWZKcYAiaVeaIdcTR5bClyHPBGcxpJuf3_bO6BuDqNHFA6HZzPoM/s1600/Morocco24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTGRAGCm6dmldRcoCmbvlkwkQHqo65O09imtldB40zWlLqXXcbZd_OX6NTElcgNUmzObfgOgW2n_8p2ZsMZ-689xjbWZKcYAiaVeaIdcTR5bClyHPBGcxpJuf3_bO6BuDqNHFA6HZzPoM/s1600/Morocco24.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY2v8jQfBRxvn86YsewABFOEdPnu6A2y9RxPeQo02z4ijDct4qNZgECJimHpwcttdVqG4X2We6vYUIl0FcwFNAFrbxS-5sS8wPT_UjPLE9jwEEQR-n2Kpo1CAob_az3cNdatJcuXVIqCg/s1600/Morocco25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY2v8jQfBRxvn86YsewABFOEdPnu6A2y9RxPeQo02z4ijDct4qNZgECJimHpwcttdVqG4X2We6vYUIl0FcwFNAFrbxS-5sS8wPT_UjPLE9jwEEQR-n2Kpo1CAob_az3cNdatJcuXVIqCg/s1600/Morocco25.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9HykrYtIfk_lMkLWlV8xprkzGhTst4npAuxXTCr32KUIMWWuXBZRJNcIA7HCeyypeSmXGOrrLbk6R9nX7P1wjX6bGv9VRxUBVFKGb0n05qq0wx62112yM-yt233MTmOO39WMj7Oa-ujs/s1600/Morocco26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9HykrYtIfk_lMkLWlV8xprkzGhTst4npAuxXTCr32KUIMWWuXBZRJNcIA7HCeyypeSmXGOrrLbk6R9nX7P1wjX6bGv9VRxUBVFKGb0n05qq0wx62112yM-yt233MTmOO39WMj7Oa-ujs/s1600/Morocco26.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
We ended up spending quite a lot of time in Essaouira, a month or so. As a result we got to do a lot of exploring, and lucky for us, Essaouira actually had quite a lot to offer for a small town. We stayed in the old Medina inside the city walls, but right outside there was a very active port and next to that, there was an amazing beach that stretched for miles along the natural bay that gives the town its famous reputation. In the bay there is a little island that is now a national park, so you can't go to it. But on the island there are Phoenician ruins that are visible from the beach, and supposedly gave Jimi Hendrix the inspiration for his song, Castles Made of Sand. But since Jimi first visited Essaouira a few years after writing the song, we knew it was just tourist hype.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifUBpiuVuMinAMXeJEm8v6_FOFnL2azJSsBYuFJFqcAB235rgzTroh8u1RclLOnkAeZTvDfmCcKn_MVikXC62bbjbJlUnRoaKXtu1ELXvEepePDYUzjlq2UNYWho6BjFbCe_uMPCMhL3Y/s1600/Morocco27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifUBpiuVuMinAMXeJEm8v6_FOFnL2azJSsBYuFJFqcAB235rgzTroh8u1RclLOnkAeZTvDfmCcKn_MVikXC62bbjbJlUnRoaKXtu1ELXvEepePDYUzjlq2UNYWho6BjFbCe_uMPCMhL3Y/s1600/Morocco27.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Part of the wall the circles the whole Medina.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXBd-SDnP-0rK06ytLXYnbjVhzuN3a7VhuS-SouIHHDqYe8BXZqbQj715XR8jhyP-mNNcFxqMn0VeRnztu0Yaetem4pz8FQt9j84j0EVRB1I-sQ5A9oQ1kLEGlJXCFN9XvQ5MAZifsRi0/s1600/Morocco28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXBd-SDnP-0rK06ytLXYnbjVhzuN3a7VhuS-SouIHHDqYe8BXZqbQj715XR8jhyP-mNNcFxqMn0VeRnztu0Yaetem4pz8FQt9j84j0EVRB1I-sQ5A9oQ1kLEGlJXCFN9XvQ5MAZifsRi0/s1600/Morocco28.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Medina's main drag.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlvN9Scw4Z3yT20R_DdlwrkhVLEKHyMl5wBpF_6Yw5zURFuXnKB61Q0FPYHeJX8UMh82jaqgPt-OcUS68CcdIDonzi6N2mB0u4l0rZtpNypSzfZsLZxKSkZxbyvJ3bhmEyxacl0ErIfP4/s1600/Morocco29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlvN9Scw4Z3yT20R_DdlwrkhVLEKHyMl5wBpF_6Yw5zURFuXnKB61Q0FPYHeJX8UMh82jaqgPt-OcUS68CcdIDonzi6N2mB0u4l0rZtpNypSzfZsLZxKSkZxbyvJ3bhmEyxacl0ErIfP4/s1600/Morocco29.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The other direction of the Medina's main drag.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ybqiQcEHgOVkot4s80ihTt3eM5SmjtmY0LKnNn5rBL4cdxlv_pz8QibO4EUe74i1k6NK_bmD4WwJoKmO-YidyqhBT5Da56U83SfcLwxeJ8TsqHOtr8OHieJ5nMQaNVjXLjbzq4zUwOQ/s1600/Morocco30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ybqiQcEHgOVkot4s80ihTt3eM5SmjtmY0LKnNn5rBL4cdxlv_pz8QibO4EUe74i1k6NK_bmD4WwJoKmO-YidyqhBT5Da56U83SfcLwxeJ8TsqHOtr8OHieJ5nMQaNVjXLjbzq4zUwOQ/s1600/Morocco30.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The major square in the Medina where a lot of restaurants are located.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCupmBQK1Kgtpj5y_CI0A-2Y4zNPGr2hTq9eRhUR4OJyS8TXuZvPgP22MpZHPJtgybFfMHvRE5GDNoGQUKm29JE30kEPDteUC3opNhobz7pZAR7vr-6PRf8ewfIR0hV3fLQ1a7T1-euQM/s1600/Morocco31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCupmBQK1Kgtpj5y_CI0A-2Y4zNPGr2hTq9eRhUR4OJyS8TXuZvPgP22MpZHPJtgybFfMHvRE5GDNoGQUKm29JE30kEPDteUC3opNhobz7pZAR7vr-6PRf8ewfIR0hV3fLQ1a7T1-euQM/s1600/Morocco31.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSS8qqaEpgraW8CmXLEHzBcoLaIx7b-lsS6ryndk5_2TpXHM2nTTlXR4Y19jHm1sCWYDgSXRMAP_qtTOPNn5PuSLae06x186fna6VjW089evRKet6_Q7SmTw5xer9VOS4GVKNgFJQAHD8/s1600/Morocco32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSS8qqaEpgraW8CmXLEHzBcoLaIx7b-lsS6ryndk5_2TpXHM2nTTlXR4Y19jHm1sCWYDgSXRMAP_qtTOPNn5PuSLae06x186fna6VjW089evRKet6_Q7SmTw5xer9VOS4GVKNgFJQAHD8/s1600/Morocco32.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the many tight streets the weave their way through the Medina.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitLJnaTq7IF2tVOeZD7IHDgT88-HTXy3R5Bi4fpY3gtsEyr-f6tXjOKtrrCBhf49TvEdkDwZCY7QNt8F9YI75-vFwddwVeFBCy7xlSQmhWUaloMeGl6zajF8Z-1msUbRtZdg5JBO4iTuA/s1600/Morocco33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitLJnaTq7IF2tVOeZD7IHDgT88-HTXy3R5Bi4fpY3gtsEyr-f6tXjOKtrrCBhf49TvEdkDwZCY7QNt8F9YI75-vFwddwVeFBCy7xlSQmhWUaloMeGl6zajF8Z-1msUbRtZdg5JBO4iTuA/s1600/Morocco33.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj76AlBJiLhHSQ2BpMKCybY4sgZus3VDhfIKNP4SRgbIwnSMAoIssGq8_Qc17hHZc67D7KpJQ7MXznILKsBVp8q4Pxn0Ejo91z_FhgPZ_hgEnNlworjD1mwdva_oCpEFfSEG-2F17EKAUI/s1600/Morocco34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj76AlBJiLhHSQ2BpMKCybY4sgZus3VDhfIKNP4SRgbIwnSMAoIssGq8_Qc17hHZc67D7KpJQ7MXznILKsBVp8q4Pxn0Ejo91z_FhgPZ_hgEnNlworjD1mwdva_oCpEFfSEG-2F17EKAUI/s1600/Morocco34.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpGkVvhe7FQx3klvI4jirAJf8RIfpBjgq1NIIUIx_4AM9HFcIzbs8ezAY4oayqo3XShDb0CclzbJCPAWIiOccKfBej_ZXXN5f6NaQaT2ZYkChntox6CA_rZtL2Uktrgc2Hf1VX9DlaHuk/s1600/Morocco36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpGkVvhe7FQx3klvI4jirAJf8RIfpBjgq1NIIUIx_4AM9HFcIzbs8ezAY4oayqo3XShDb0CclzbJCPAWIiOccKfBej_ZXXN5f6NaQaT2ZYkChntox6CA_rZtL2Uktrgc2Hf1VX9DlaHuk/s1600/Morocco36.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from our hotel room.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1kAm8INmNKDEXDEXgiQAgHi7_sUg84V-7IVtUCnYLiEo8lFfT5GWMOLKXRIpwEtBOptr4ZVLn20QqwNRZOWm-gTQW7I_n2-bTTu8jCGhmDLYBFrY-0zSTsKzNwXIEnGGXAkTog0dOjIk/s1600/Morocco37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1kAm8INmNKDEXDEXgiQAgHi7_sUg84V-7IVtUCnYLiEo8lFfT5GWMOLKXRIpwEtBOptr4ZVLn20QqwNRZOWm-gTQW7I_n2-bTTu8jCGhmDLYBFrY-0zSTsKzNwXIEnGGXAkTog0dOjIk/s1600/Morocco37.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They like to try and sell you art in Essaouira. The cat wasn't for sale.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMeVCOIMid67dfJkuLq9_j3tFNxjwpY2Rk-lKIJcOaTEnxxePA5UKOXV0dNR5HnW1IrfiUGiL5d-UnyI6FAQNgPhyfh2Sc1xRzvNP4TddTcazauHNzozwPk3samYeysEt5rqSQ7CZa1PY/s1600/Morocco38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMeVCOIMid67dfJkuLq9_j3tFNxjwpY2Rk-lKIJcOaTEnxxePA5UKOXV0dNR5HnW1IrfiUGiL5d-UnyI6FAQNgPhyfh2Sc1xRzvNP4TddTcazauHNzozwPk3samYeysEt5rqSQ7CZa1PY/s1600/Morocco38.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view back towards the Medina from the Port.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhisEeOSClqMjJ-hpkbQskDUCD3gpffxltGSC3Cv-tRNRV0IgRcYS-7drgk7xAye449YPUaZKYnHiTCWa96oO9FYCyLiyvnc0fsJ2-vKdPpc1RcU7LtlJIO9wbZZi0X4fRiA6eQEyxFwKE/s1600/Morocco39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhisEeOSClqMjJ-hpkbQskDUCD3gpffxltGSC3Cv-tRNRV0IgRcYS-7drgk7xAye449YPUaZKYnHiTCWa96oO9FYCyLiyvnc0fsJ2-vKdPpc1RcU7LtlJIO9wbZZi0X4fRiA6eQEyxFwKE/s1600/Morocco39.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ4ywHKR4rdQV2yXohf7Lkl416jcNd4LZypDT5FjN49Jb1kC_E14osffKs-zxVZm81rU15b4WeZIi5oFUxJgpseLCXVPdEo5EIEoHhwN6LftW9Z6ElyLcwCJ2Svffv8GY0BQjiwEY9b8E/s1600/Morocco40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ4ywHKR4rdQV2yXohf7Lkl416jcNd4LZypDT5FjN49Jb1kC_E14osffKs-zxVZm81rU15b4WeZIi5oFUxJgpseLCXVPdEo5EIEoHhwN6LftW9Z6ElyLcwCJ2Svffv8GY0BQjiwEY9b8E/s1600/Morocco40.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Essaouira's beautiful beach.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlAvkvwXv3OYDTwmXqvpskEKxXiPx2IXTcxImbc80hyphenhyphenLnXxse47SUXSg75mnvD5iIgNVvh3taAyMQRZpjkkfmgC6-aleGxknJawE-xmDQj_J8YbHuFT08P07T-2UYoLvyenLtylxqIjAU/s1600/Morocco41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlAvkvwXv3OYDTwmXqvpskEKxXiPx2IXTcxImbc80hyphenhyphenLnXxse47SUXSg75mnvD5iIgNVvh3taAyMQRZpjkkfmgC6-aleGxknJawE-xmDQj_J8YbHuFT08P07T-2UYoLvyenLtylxqIjAU/s1600/Morocco41.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Camel rides, anyone?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPqex2Qby1QqlFCXyQZq0Lo5YHCfHq1v2PG-Vin-a94jkSHMp8nK5Vu2QBs3clGnrjd9QF3Pko0Ds-qjKOZIiVZQHqlLJY9hHpxM3Kxm8RVYCO_r2xNxrOn8Sq7oeIIVAVk2vFmsLb2qc/s1600/Morocco42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPqex2Qby1QqlFCXyQZq0Lo5YHCfHq1v2PG-Vin-a94jkSHMp8nK5Vu2QBs3clGnrjd9QF3Pko0Ds-qjKOZIiVZQHqlLJY9hHpxM3Kxm8RVYCO_r2xNxrOn8Sq7oeIIVAVk2vFmsLb2qc/s1600/Morocco42.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A nice dinner on the beach boardwalk.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJUuc7VJOLiV6eR2uxC5ppyWlIReiRHAszjBEwpeW5AMNc0tVbdTsKQWBmNH2sGp4tG1SfO8ff-cZZ0MMiGJHbHlP12HNetsqrLqyv4c0txnrLaLb4juI5iFCcfQ0NF9F4gNPLLZicXjQ/s1600/Morocco43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJUuc7VJOLiV6eR2uxC5ppyWlIReiRHAszjBEwpeW5AMNc0tVbdTsKQWBmNH2sGp4tG1SfO8ff-cZZ0MMiGJHbHlP12HNetsqrLqyv4c0txnrLaLb4juI5iFCcfQ0NF9F4gNPLLZicXjQ/s1600/Morocco43.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner with a little entertainment.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Y7kSgIZgiiuHKrTCpI6X5JSwKxg7rY9LBAxGzFwcRFun7i6Vw11HenwiKinAJK0DmZZQWflmNaTaHCp2lPaMCRT0AaC_g9rgbMy_kBLPW2WAx4DuppD8z8_-m6OiO37ULd5jtY5_D-8/s1600/Morocco44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Y7kSgIZgiiuHKrTCpI6X5JSwKxg7rY9LBAxGzFwcRFun7i6Vw11HenwiKinAJK0DmZZQWflmNaTaHCp2lPaMCRT0AaC_g9rgbMy_kBLPW2WAx4DuppD8z8_-m6OiO37ULd5jtY5_D-8/s1600/Morocco44.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisr6O4s_5WHx8yDM2jgF9DW-N-5jGWBP5KZqvBjsF9FpniFpgHJP9bLWgpsYZeSq1ZukFX2S7pW10Kxl_pTydlagR_q-DWCIL3ghT8F6d6SwZ1JnhhI9b12OYEN2OVdCjq318WSdl_CmE/s1600/Morocco45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisr6O4s_5WHx8yDM2jgF9DW-N-5jGWBP5KZqvBjsF9FpniFpgHJP9bLWgpsYZeSq1ZukFX2S7pW10Kxl_pTydlagR_q-DWCIL3ghT8F6d6SwZ1JnhhI9b12OYEN2OVdCjq318WSdl_CmE/s1600/Morocco45.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The rocks just outside the walls the surround the Medina.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSJvC4IxUTvcTPDvbL4z9rImG9DSbgviZbW7KfgSFvlUFzgsZmmiQe6I7FLyG9UC_YmifT2NChXQ8TABmZkhXTXlhnQgrj4hwTHsY67lWY2uVSy8SiRnjzEidKMSPsTf7h8jQXN4EqhDU/s1600/Morocco46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSJvC4IxUTvcTPDvbL4z9rImG9DSbgviZbW7KfgSFvlUFzgsZmmiQe6I7FLyG9UC_YmifT2NChXQ8TABmZkhXTXlhnQgrj4hwTHsY67lWY2uVSy8SiRnjzEidKMSPsTf7h8jQXN4EqhDU/s1600/Morocco46.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Phoenician ruins out in the water. Castle made of sand?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLgr3Pl_2Lunx5H6ROnzY_E4y4bJIM8Wnyqu9cN-4olJo79Cr9xrXpZ_KHAgBZufvOJkYdAdwdKJzvRO1kq_-N02m6OF9pOe7z8AJEddNjdHEu2xM33GLaZNxH-f-9NbRL61fJq7tkYcQ/s1600/Morocco47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLgr3Pl_2Lunx5H6ROnzY_E4y4bJIM8Wnyqu9cN-4olJo79Cr9xrXpZ_KHAgBZufvOJkYdAdwdKJzvRO1kq_-N02m6OF9pOe7z8AJEddNjdHEu2xM33GLaZNxH-f-9NbRL61fJq7tkYcQ/s1600/Morocco47.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ2nUgjpRl5kdHOy46nwFJyz4_kmypgiwvXzn7w7k3QVnhIua0TVHtLWJnXLpYFm4WnApIMH-tF5nCDPvAhXvu-hr97xKZub5od4_odxNbKTrTGMuhaBAqJmPN9BjyB-CZ8zOGIfTA7aE/s1600/Morocco47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq-Ie3ow_vdERipkekwpvhxN0cV0bW4GbXEoxx0KxHTndoLcVLRbYsJtO8esyG8rWl1ECMvx0Zi_xqlTmcu6vDuUXO6teNR40gigUaQkTOOxfTLv0JUWusKl_tkC1u9Ua2SnCide-3fSk/s1600/Morocco47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
At first we weren't too enchanted with Moroccan cuisine, but Essaouira had some great food. Olives for days and some really good Charmwa made our time eating in Morocco quite enjoyable. We also ate a lot of pizza, which was everywhere in Essaouira for some reason, and they did pretty well (our favorite was the veggie pizza with potatoes and rice, since they consider rice a vegetable here).<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivQulVej8OO91UxdJ5j9NG55nuSXAP0MlTnJHuN_n-c0CrAxubqR7bvvo_KMuTT_4NbJFtCq781HQ3PRODZHI23_xKgeloWG_TYUhgCvwd-xyLniDtIMneNx-x4AnuhXJ7iZced4I80r8/s1600/Morocco48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivQulVej8OO91UxdJ5j9NG55nuSXAP0MlTnJHuN_n-c0CrAxubqR7bvvo_KMuTT_4NbJFtCq781HQ3PRODZHI23_xKgeloWG_TYUhgCvwd-xyLniDtIMneNx-x4AnuhXJ7iZced4I80r8/s1600/Morocco48.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of olives in every color of the rainbow.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1RkffW-cg5pwg8yiF_JFrlI9JlO1ISPRvl7vp9WeOYA7HqMV9TSv1GDWQ9QIc4UOBtOWuVIeviKWFQIYp4f5k3VKbi6SaratQygx3C_Lyj1MoGwRLPncPC_cnpBAnnVuPzeifBB0Q7TM/s1600/Morocco49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1RkffW-cg5pwg8yiF_JFrlI9JlO1ISPRvl7vp9WeOYA7HqMV9TSv1GDWQ9QIc4UOBtOWuVIeviKWFQIYp4f5k3VKbi6SaratQygx3C_Lyj1MoGwRLPncPC_cnpBAnnVuPzeifBB0Q7TM/s1600/Morocco49.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nothing better than a Charmwa with fries.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16588692928447732601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2457720619402126236.post-20619294653760023812014-03-08T12:13:00.003-08:002014-03-08T12:13:42.984-08:00the marrakech expressNot knowing where to go after Spain, but looking for some place cheaper than Western Europe, we decided upon Morocco after a shining recommendation from Maggie's host sister Marghe. Neither of us had ever stepped foot on African soil, so we decided it was the right choice to continue our continent-hopping.<br />
<br />
We flew into one of Morocco's major cities, Marrakech. It was pouring rain the day we arrived so we found accomidations in the Medina (city center) very quickly and stayed indoors. Luckily the next day was much nicer and we went searching for nicer accomidations as well.<br />
<br />
Marrakesh hotels--at least the traditional ones, called riads--are very cute, with all the rooms centered around a courtyard with a open roof. The one we found also had a nice deck on the roof that you could sit and eat at - or work.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQpGr0KOAZaAagbOa8sNiR1KITDjAigIU6t0Vz8o8cf20AEXgT3s3EAXIWT_wa4GZxO72YdJR0sN8wMGgK5jtG6TNqo0fodDPv01pTHqdZ9klobywRowTshicXIhEsOK5-FhpaBcmu5zg/s1600/Morocco03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQpGr0KOAZaAagbOa8sNiR1KITDjAigIU6t0Vz8o8cf20AEXgT3s3EAXIWT_wa4GZxO72YdJR0sN8wMGgK5jtG6TNqo0fodDPv01pTHqdZ9klobywRowTshicXIhEsOK5-FhpaBcmu5zg/s1600/Morocco03.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtyard of our riad.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After settling ourselves in, we headed out to explore the city. Marrakech is an ancient town with habitation going back to the B.C.'s. It's called the Red City for obvious reasons and for moments you almost felt like you could be in Santa Fe with all the stucco. We were staying in the old part of the city, but we occasional made excursions into the new city to find grocery stores and other new world conveniences.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiQesof7T4FNfWonE2hKRlLKJN-uufkbMn1Ztt18Gq6OIPPTEdiQ_kX8RgukI3-j1fpY8Sz0rFRoiQTX0Lu3-bQuSN29PmJTTw59lOdBqX8uugdMIvT6DcIkU9E2XYQUjI25NcLDIv4cg/s1600/Morocco01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiQesof7T4FNfWonE2hKRlLKJN-uufkbMn1Ztt18Gq6OIPPTEdiQ_kX8RgukI3-j1fpY8Sz0rFRoiQTX0Lu3-bQuSN29PmJTTw59lOdBqX8uugdMIvT6DcIkU9E2XYQUjI25NcLDIv4cg/s1600/Morocco01.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The symbol for Marrakech.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOaG323l-oxNnGhC_7xpM5_PhdJEENuatlmX1ZiA_yDbATNb6n-JVbXIRYUnnbIoVZX7_KFghyphenhyphenTVx4FLElQYLawWfC1AJ_plLWQ7cSk12WCqf1la15Oy04NJR5zhLu4nTHNz6m7HQ5des/s1600/Morocco02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOaG323l-oxNnGhC_7xpM5_PhdJEENuatlmX1ZiA_yDbATNb6n-JVbXIRYUnnbIoVZX7_KFghyphenhyphenTVx4FLElQYLawWfC1AJ_plLWQ7cSk12WCqf1la15Oy04NJR5zhLu4nTHNz6m7HQ5des/s1600/Morocco02.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Atlas mountains in the distance.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
The old walled city we were staying is a hodgepodge of souks (markets), each on leading to the next. It was easy to get lost wandering the tight, twisting streets. But there was always so much to see.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh18iF2I02QqqEcMgz_8Y3H8pmzbieWtPtv7JV48Hc9os02PaHPViWThNsu-v0xIwvchiVOPDPv6pSTHZWMSWoeaCQMIz1q2n3KydvLb4m8maVRu9K74qZragAFhuIJfajVQrXAwOzznLw/s1600/Morocco04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh18iF2I02QqqEcMgz_8Y3H8pmzbieWtPtv7JV48Hc9os02PaHPViWThNsu-v0xIwvchiVOPDPv6pSTHZWMSWoeaCQMIz1q2n3KydvLb4m8maVRu9K74qZragAFhuIJfajVQrXAwOzznLw/s1600/Morocco04.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the souks.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR7D42PJw_gf_wMS-NYSGZmjWEj5UqrA3lpsf3C0zvON4PXfdnfFbNa5JOk7NoH09qKpJSvZS-P9Ti73AH9asBkb14V1QclCETHfSgE4VZ7gvRStAHoTKJM2BA3tnvp5cRPqYGtTdTIwU/s1600/Morocco05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR7D42PJw_gf_wMS-NYSGZmjWEj5UqrA3lpsf3C0zvON4PXfdnfFbNa5JOk7NoH09qKpJSvZS-P9Ti73AH9asBkb14V1QclCETHfSgE4VZ7gvRStAHoTKJM2BA3tnvp5cRPqYGtTdTIwU/s1600/Morocco05.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I don't know why so many people sell these. I thought Aladdin was from the Middle East.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAgGujG3v0tM9yex2gmErVJNVvLkAUN-n4MY4T4k-ONJ9uOZjbwhuNv0MP7AF6NDUlOi78PdE4fmVhPDwJWyFeQzmxCc_k6_ujF5O8cOzD_9m7vqDrd76UeMUJD6W_cS9_AxoXhZfDu6o/s1600/Morocco06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAgGujG3v0tM9yex2gmErVJNVvLkAUN-n4MY4T4k-ONJ9uOZjbwhuNv0MP7AF6NDUlOi78PdE4fmVhPDwJWyFeQzmxCc_k6_ujF5O8cOzD_9m7vqDrd76UeMUJD6W_cS9_AxoXhZfDu6o/s1600/Morocco06.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shoes anyone?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJIqEv6RI_uPRIdbmGTqqXlFz8EK4J2bt5h_waDfS2ZdjzErlXD97elfyyV6PZ2Dlc73uxvI_o_dTGUv1M2MVyyML0tyTShpCC06jN6mzpJbefA6XDP-4JXpdqPgXSlEWKmzKN746GUcU/s1600/Morocco07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJIqEv6RI_uPRIdbmGTqqXlFz8EK4J2bt5h_waDfS2ZdjzErlXD97elfyyV6PZ2Dlc73uxvI_o_dTGUv1M2MVyyML0tyTShpCC06jN6mzpJbefA6XDP-4JXpdqPgXSlEWKmzKN746GUcU/s1600/Morocco07.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Many Hand of Fatimas.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQTp_X6hQYoYFdI91pE6_0mru2rdVJzvtM1N6yTjskrqDvO7aIxvuGI8oDcitey1NuIxmelydqBMxhzoV8OsdTn56SyjQyXrxpTJOBJJd9osC-rERS7rRnsEnlCYcNfNJgTaMxVgXiUD4/s1600/Morocco08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQTp_X6hQYoYFdI91pE6_0mru2rdVJzvtM1N6yTjskrqDvO7aIxvuGI8oDcitey1NuIxmelydqBMxhzoV8OsdTn56SyjQyXrxpTJOBJJd9osC-rERS7rRnsEnlCYcNfNJgTaMxVgXiUD4/s1600/Morocco08.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A kitty perusing the tajines, a device they cook much of their food in.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE0i5X5tPlETSyXxaQ5R48V-nRsm8jE9jp0EhupLZI5iHQaT_A6CKf2ldqS3xeq0svEeufvmn_tp5h0wnoPmYaqOqXCocu0KRd0fyq-MmZDc9Xlehsd6Vez1spgKhJXGcmF2fk6OuFfMs/s1600/Morocco09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE0i5X5tPlETSyXxaQ5R48V-nRsm8jE9jp0EhupLZI5iHQaT_A6CKf2ldqS3xeq0svEeufvmn_tp5h0wnoPmYaqOqXCocu0KRd0fyq-MmZDc9Xlehsd6Vez1spgKhJXGcmF2fk6OuFfMs/s1600/Morocco09.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Moroccan wheelbarrow.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnP097M7bygOf-gDpBznwX9WpGRePXPPhmDRT9Bmid2bG1oHhTewbt60GFHVPJUMFja5qHLnFLu2Lsv24ZKhXpDFPfhMIDhFjx2kVSAUqafX9YbQKYHZE3cPuKuzthIIyXYBcWZTN6YgI/s1600/Morocco10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnP097M7bygOf-gDpBznwX9WpGRePXPPhmDRT9Bmid2bG1oHhTewbt60GFHVPJUMFja5qHLnFLu2Lsv24ZKhXpDFPfhMIDhFjx2kVSAUqafX9YbQKYHZE3cPuKuzthIIyXYBcWZTN6YgI/s1600/Morocco10.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So many amazing doors.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj24Cdy7kjQ-8ehyphenhyphenoqN_Be8YhPECvsxEvm74ruNcOVzWHqcKKRKppawdsomArTjKfB9ab4x8xzNU5Th_aAJ8gVC9_tyC2n2Ir9YK1AtZCernlVf7s1ExMEPlzlJWvD6D8MxodosixjPAdE/s1600/Morocco11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj24Cdy7kjQ-8ehyphenhyphenoqN_Be8YhPECvsxEvm74ruNcOVzWHqcKKRKppawdsomArTjKfB9ab4x8xzNU5Th_aAJ8gVC9_tyC2n2Ir9YK1AtZCernlVf7s1ExMEPlzlJWvD6D8MxodosixjPAdE/s1600/Morocco11.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
We didn't know what to expect from Moroccans, but we were instantly overwhelmed by how nice and hospitable they all were. Their vendors can be a little pushy, but overall, they are a genuinely nice group of people. One thing that went on a lot in the Medina was snake charming and monkey handlers. I understand that people got to make a living, but neither of us wanted to encourage the practice, hence the bad quality photos from afar.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKc0E2yvhohnqpg24muVx_wunyajdYzxpsCRWwi3Nx_onALcZcLDoMK_RPpIa5sj-FJUrlEc4xnkkPRUTiZZPT-a9_QXJCkE2uIDlGfz7vtdjmaaLRREUFtnX6tQyXDu3iYUMbS5cJgQ8/s1600/Morocco12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKc0E2yvhohnqpg24muVx_wunyajdYzxpsCRWwi3Nx_onALcZcLDoMK_RPpIa5sj-FJUrlEc4xnkkPRUTiZZPT-a9_QXJCkE2uIDlGfz7vtdjmaaLRREUFtnX6tQyXDu3iYUMbS5cJgQ8/s1600/Morocco12.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snake Charmers.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqfHgy1zcsHolrOPG3NORbErA6cwQ2B3Sw1jgms544gH6XVBIeokTbQWoaiwgoEind8rmESA4OcktNbDrWyDY9vFwGmYrWDjCfqWsJQ14VvAJyCmSeIz_ym9hU6iJWOfqZXEu4yAy-qvU/s1600/Morocco13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqfHgy1zcsHolrOPG3NORbErA6cwQ2B3Sw1jgms544gH6XVBIeokTbQWoaiwgoEind8rmESA4OcktNbDrWyDY9vFwGmYrWDjCfqWsJQ14VvAJyCmSeIz_ym9hU6iJWOfqZXEu4yAy-qvU/s1600/Morocco13.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monkey Handlers.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
A popular dish in the Medina was snails. So we had to try it. It wasn't great, but we are glad we at least gave it a try.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR2O_U8l1eFMYIidc3dZDXCWRDfTKJ6fAUY7ztzbfkAHwNlBzglKjPofOJNsDdoInZEbwED2mJKotloowe6ZihBEt4X3uIu4ykWV0jMXL7RBND9wOSVDjEUIjlu7BgIIpVGd7wgNHhyphenhyphenpI/s1600/Morocco14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR2O_U8l1eFMYIidc3dZDXCWRDfTKJ6fAUY7ztzbfkAHwNlBzglKjPofOJNsDdoInZEbwED2mJKotloowe6ZihBEt4X3uIu4ykWV0jMXL7RBND9wOSVDjEUIjlu7BgIIpVGd7wgNHhyphenhyphenpI/s1600/Morocco14.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
In Morocco, a constant companion while eating is a begging cat.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghU_7kO_AW-ELeXUfS4QqKkO4l-TjUfyunM5an62FbWQQ5BxnlJhbVFCZOz6qhiJ9EoIN1lqm6VGvAe5uXjya5_9hls9cD3uZC5HObzZZQyhyrNFbn-2pPNR49yyUlV7qexCpfCKQ4vZI/s1600/Morocco16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghU_7kO_AW-ELeXUfS4QqKkO4l-TjUfyunM5an62FbWQQ5BxnlJhbVFCZOz6qhiJ9EoIN1lqm6VGvAe5uXjya5_9hls9cD3uZC5HObzZZQyhyrNFbn-2pPNR49yyUlV7qexCpfCKQ4vZI/s1600/Morocco16.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
At night the Medina really got going with restaurants, cake shops, nut vendors and a million other things going one. It was quite the spectacle.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2GeAEM-HMCJ0UpM8HdK57_xwbNNNbn2yzo5H4paxoEl0WeGQRLC46KXPhXkEv1MF3dZ_Hfu15W4KSp_on-VpVCTrV4awKGKSzmkm6TlSvSuNc2VKAEvYfi04kI2mp68JP_YbRWKQTZk4/s1600/Morocco15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2GeAEM-HMCJ0UpM8HdK57_xwbNNNbn2yzo5H4paxoEl0WeGQRLC46KXPhXkEv1MF3dZ_Hfu15W4KSp_on-VpVCTrV4awKGKSzmkm6TlSvSuNc2VKAEvYfi04kI2mp68JP_YbRWKQTZk4/s1600/Morocco15.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
We stayed in Merrakech for a while, so we found some nice places to go and work. One was a park just outside of the Medina that was full of cats (not much different than the rest of Morocco). It was a very peaceful place where you could find a quiet spot and work while basking in the sun... and watch the cat society play out.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmAAATdal5GK4j9RCpYx21WlX2nPB_Bvl8Q2de39UZvS2xt-dLp7InTPdIVaO8zGzXIBwUfgQyvSH3r_oo3HLTjzAJWB0_XUZkwMZSIkACIJ5UT-rz-a6pqCDQSPXQx8KiA6AAsn5HdzU/s1600/Morocco17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmAAATdal5GK4j9RCpYx21WlX2nPB_Bvl8Q2de39UZvS2xt-dLp7InTPdIVaO8zGzXIBwUfgQyvSH3r_oo3HLTjzAJWB0_XUZkwMZSIkACIJ5UT-rz-a6pqCDQSPXQx8KiA6AAsn5HdzU/s1600/Morocco17.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How many cats can you find in this picture?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWCLDw2jL4rPtlMg4_CgeEyMj3rT0AK53mB_MGEateVRHNTzLzYht0ZBFECmulmxP8AyKB8Nr899uDSk_GDvfnuecrWCMa6-oXgU233tsixwpOR-yjhWLwy61tEpmr_eZqBpUaQZfCxfU/s1600/Morocco18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWCLDw2jL4rPtlMg4_CgeEyMj3rT0AK53mB_MGEateVRHNTzLzYht0ZBFECmulmxP8AyKB8Nr899uDSk_GDvfnuecrWCMa6-oXgU233tsixwpOR-yjhWLwy61tEpmr_eZqBpUaQZfCxfU/s1600/Morocco18.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16588692928447732601noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2457720619402126236.post-41740600218013672512014-03-08T11:42:00.001-08:002014-03-08T11:42:18.692-08:00toledo, not ohioThe final stop on our Spanish epic adventure was the ancient capital of Toledo. Strategically placed so it is surrounded on three sides by a river, the town clings to the hilltop like vulture on a steeple. After missing out exit, we finally found our way to the parking garage literally carved into the underside of the hill the town rests on. You then take an elevator or escalator to the top where the ancient tight streets wind their way around this city full of history. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoRLoBaGzJDlBrPEKFzA5IVJl2d4MufArLuE2mBwXEdZY5hPcrQ-G0pTe2J24uWb82AG0k3-Wzefxotlv3ltaowWHYWQ0dexDRCG5YmcWLq-3x6a3YTFfhTQVnH_fqinwuE-C7d-YuhfI/s1600/Spain64.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoRLoBaGzJDlBrPEKFzA5IVJl2d4MufArLuE2mBwXEdZY5hPcrQ-G0pTe2J24uWb82AG0k3-Wzefxotlv3ltaowWHYWQ0dexDRCG5YmcWLq-3x6a3YTFfhTQVnH_fqinwuE-C7d-YuhfI/s1600/Spain64.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from the top of the parking garage at the top of Toledo.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
It's the city where Cervantes wrote his famous Man From La Mancha (Don Quixote), a city world renowned for its swords and still riddled with bullet holes from the Spanish Civil War. We quickly found a hotel on the main plaza and started to walk our way through it's twisting towering streets with churches and synagogues around every corner.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Q7eGraYmZBJJyrcMDfdhTnkiSLOIaYTDpnLUsxJdFc4wSNCpAE0ojXm0OL9E9nKppdyawecpYRwXj6NoY89z5Tc-Yer5rAnznPiiP-c5qmbJxBgbUOMk-3zu6NAHBPPDr1Ss0Yacm9Y/s1600/Spain65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Q7eGraYmZBJJyrcMDfdhTnkiSLOIaYTDpnLUsxJdFc4wSNCpAE0ojXm0OL9E9nKppdyawecpYRwXj6NoY89z5Tc-Yer5rAnznPiiP-c5qmbJxBgbUOMk-3zu6NAHBPPDr1Ss0Yacm9Y/s1600/Spain65.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
When we found a statue of old Cervantes himself, we had to take a picture with him our own author extraordinaire.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjafMIAZZoh8jrAgX9RyGA3Ee5i07aNrcCFYSK8-iheMmA6CmFNZXwEHD1jNB1vIhnQ8le5feXErh1QlAvmxFaS6pNaNrzTayQYsKZAA2UbuIyGL8w2sJJw8Z9zcjTeDtTu9haPoqEIemo/s1600/Spain66.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjafMIAZZoh8jrAgX9RyGA3Ee5i07aNrcCFYSK8-iheMmA6CmFNZXwEHD1jNB1vIhnQ8le5feXErh1QlAvmxFaS6pNaNrzTayQYsKZAA2UbuIyGL8w2sJJw8Z9zcjTeDtTu9haPoqEIemo/s1600/Spain66.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
After a day in Toledo, we headed back to Madrid and the end our our journey. Before Madrid though, we made one more stop in a suburb of the capital and the hometown of Cervantes. We toured his family's house and found the Man from La Mancha to pose with us.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYFNv0eXA6HulOKSL1Rg6QCVZi28en_c2mEpNRS-PaCeDA5CgEAk9047CUAXa3PN2l3rRTXibUMOApYiXNSTQv1PQlEUXPcJKF6STLpt_O8mUynPuAzjtRF6M3WaMNhaf9y5EXHGM8kvY/s1600/Spain67.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYFNv0eXA6HulOKSL1Rg6QCVZi28en_c2mEpNRS-PaCeDA5CgEAk9047CUAXa3PN2l3rRTXibUMOApYiXNSTQv1PQlEUXPcJKF6STLpt_O8mUynPuAzjtRF6M3WaMNhaf9y5EXHGM8kvY/s1600/Spain67.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16588692928447732601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2457720619402126236.post-80115642506640947132014-02-18T09:56:00.000-08:002014-02-18T09:56:28.171-08:00awed by the mezquitaWe left Granada and spent a night in a small town (Alcala la Real) between it and our next destination, Cordoba. We rolled into Cordoba to find out that it was the nicest whether they had had in many weeks, and it was Sunday, so half of southern Spain had descended on the town to walk around and go the the markets. Parking was a nightmare. Finally we found a parking spot in a parking structure that was in some early twelve hundreds building (they really know how to re-purpose old buildings in Spain). By happen chance, the parking structure was right across the street from the hotel we had been hoping to stay out (sometimes the parking gods do shine down on you).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAKlaYQIn6h1SDziLPN0BjuHSmdV6Kx0QGkjcTnoi4QENrhL6x0jObKdHZJJK4BJQ1trRAQYP8bRgJqaR0wR1sMqA9-gyWvgyzzeNvYLNl88LP_PLuTOPDp5w62MaON-CRF4mQxHPIDVA/s1600/Spain58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAKlaYQIn6h1SDziLPN0BjuHSmdV6Kx0QGkjcTnoi4QENrhL6x0jObKdHZJJK4BJQ1trRAQYP8bRgJqaR0wR1sMqA9-gyWvgyzzeNvYLNl88LP_PLuTOPDp5w62MaON-CRF4mQxHPIDVA/s1600/Spain58.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Cordoba, like all the cities we had been going to, is an ancient city with lots of narrow streets and huge churches. We explored the city for a bit and ate at one of the better restaurants we had eaten at so far in Spain. Spanish food was good, but not very full of taste, and this restaurant was an exception. After a little talking to the waiter, we found out why: the chef was American - haha.<br />
<br />
The next day we headed out to the biggest sight in the town, the Mezquita. Like many things in this part of Spain, it was Moorish built and then once they were kicked out, re-purposed as something Christian. It was a very impressive complex with hundreds of white and red arches stretching in all directions. Then in the middle of the whole thing was a Catholic church. We got in for free because on weekday mornings, there is a time before the morning services where they just open the doors and you can walk right in. Although, get there early, because at 9:30, they send guards around to shoo everyone out.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitJSlQReexN-J6znD0-8lVFXdd8xIWNmgH4OnZk0vjMqQux2OMKHRNx6NZRzFJbddMSSLqfqbDRapjCJ9QZ299eSOn4aOH3LDySzy5cqCa0XWsbwOU6TYu8Bz-HnjZj4EZdybaf5Uccgw/s1600/Spain59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitJSlQReexN-J6znD0-8lVFXdd8xIWNmgH4OnZk0vjMqQux2OMKHRNx6NZRzFJbddMSSLqfqbDRapjCJ9QZ299eSOn4aOH3LDySzy5cqCa0XWsbwOU6TYu8Bz-HnjZj4EZdybaf5Uccgw/s1600/Spain59.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outside the Mezquita.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilAO1FqbooaNqLqv_J_IumbZLnNMjEKWL059Aiok5t1aNrP2y8aiBb-rT-Gp_c3DkL0WLSmLyW9-JhuynazBMWyWHZwYyWJFfi0uTOaA4g7dqgaW2-Ndq_-OzAfxuFtHKLjI380M4370A/s1600/Spain62.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilAO1FqbooaNqLqv_J_IumbZLnNMjEKWL059Aiok5t1aNrP2y8aiBb-rT-Gp_c3DkL0WLSmLyW9-JhuynazBMWyWHZwYyWJFfi0uTOaA4g7dqgaW2-Ndq_-OzAfxuFtHKLjI380M4370A/s1600/Spain62.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUDrNjm1vdu0Xjsb9cEhMOZLziQNr1R0OWhU1nj6wWUY-nyvDKa-3UpSltZMcgVJVpNdCFAg4UGo-d9NNbVUHFALUPGlm7yINbWWRkH3_UtBRRdWPzZsSZtBiMOU3C1wXiCBPAj71p8-E/s1600/Spain61.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUDrNjm1vdu0Xjsb9cEhMOZLziQNr1R0OWhU1nj6wWUY-nyvDKa-3UpSltZMcgVJVpNdCFAg4UGo-d9NNbVUHFALUPGlm7yINbWWRkH3_UtBRRdWPzZsSZtBiMOU3C1wXiCBPAj71p8-E/s1600/Spain61.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh31w-oxk9sjyQtec71yB0UdeNBQNdfD-_9mKyadqE7t45FaPdqSSn1mv5vuwfDuWKRhMnrpAOEIgadpUGIAzh9lVrew1w3j4PkqQBHXZwQpoFCQ-RFeAW5HBYiPd06PdhW9sG_3nHtybw/s1600/Spain60.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh31w-oxk9sjyQtec71yB0UdeNBQNdfD-_9mKyadqE7t45FaPdqSSn1mv5vuwfDuWKRhMnrpAOEIgadpUGIAzh9lVrew1w3j4PkqQBHXZwQpoFCQ-RFeAW5HBYiPd06PdhW9sG_3nHtybw/s1600/Spain60.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now that's a door.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifwvERC6H5-_71J-bdiyLHlQWCP4DWwAuJ56h9PvaHOnkwgoCSS6mqAPenqNgoKyc-7KX7LSBfb-ZNZvJyCSstSCyHHDpWfQfsB11PUqNduEFwQqxSJmFXjHNEO92-1eytvjUP6Egr0ls/s1600/Spain63.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifwvERC6H5-_71J-bdiyLHlQWCP4DWwAuJ56h9PvaHOnkwgoCSS6mqAPenqNgoKyc-7KX7LSBfb-ZNZvJyCSstSCyHHDpWfQfsB11PUqNduEFwQqxSJmFXjHNEO92-1eytvjUP6Egr0ls/s1600/Spain63.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cathedral inside the Mezquita.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16588692928447732601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2457720619402126236.post-57651506696900624952014-02-18T09:32:00.002-08:002014-02-18T09:32:54.955-08:00the alhambra: not your ordinary palaceAfter reluctantly leaving the coast, we headed back north towards Granada. As we approached Granada, we were alarmed by the snowy peaks that stood behind the city. We had seen so many rolling hills that an actual mountain was quite the sight.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1fjxzcu2qNx-hUsns4zlqufopxAD_4M6sNP3H5R67u_fE5uqCUV-IUKstgWHm0X7N343l_TmBcun6voldlr6hiqus34DTQOzxbD4Wv-iETdv0aCA8vtHZuKPQi6DTYLDM7oWzPOIsbNo/s1600/Spain49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1fjxzcu2qNx-hUsns4zlqufopxAD_4M6sNP3H5R67u_fE5uqCUV-IUKstgWHm0X7N343l_TmBcun6voldlr6hiqus34DTQOzxbD4Wv-iETdv0aCA8vtHZuKPQi6DTYLDM7oWzPOIsbNo/s1600/Spain49.jpg" /></a></div>
We arrived in the middle of the day and tried to look for a hotel on the hill where the Alhambra was - which was quite difficult. At one point we wound our way down a tiny street that dead-ended and Maggie and Andrew's mom went on foot in search of a hotel, leaving Andrew and his dad with the double parked car (but we had a good view of the Alhambra).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt3wVsrlj5nFgqg-RWHNKkrDM5I1HgK15I4-C1a56emGIQFDB-ouLWFxxfQ4Ozv-5Yzg6xd0AfYR3yUS-rmfJKaTf0bZ865-Fe4q3mzIIQBQnFvljHMGiCQjAwe5sIjr1aonwieeUWUAk/s1600/Spain50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt3wVsrlj5nFgqg-RWHNKkrDM5I1HgK15I4-C1a56emGIQFDB-ouLWFxxfQ4Ozv-5Yzg6xd0AfYR3yUS-rmfJKaTf0bZ865-Fe4q3mzIIQBQnFvljHMGiCQjAwe5sIjr1aonwieeUWUAk/s1600/Spain50.jpg" /></a></div>
We ended up parking in the Alhambra parking lot and from there decided to just go to the Alhambra and leave Granada afterwards.<br />
<br />
The Alhambra is a old Moorish Palace that is the most touristed spot in Spain. As we read, the famous decorations inside were only supposed to last as long as the ruler who built them, but luckily for us, they have stood up against the test of time. The whole complex takes up a giant area with gardens, churches and palaces all within the grounds.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVzbbuTKf9SOhpJl6ZBao1xlV-XYHM6ypQbR12ZzKQdvgtdvKApfbjuskkjUM4BcniHL2dDDfOSSAt0YnHVfWjJ-1fvD_qFv-xUbmp7Sm6g2Ju_nCjyC6rAt9Yjwej0uwWRZKbg_0Bf4k/s1600/Spain51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVzbbuTKf9SOhpJl6ZBao1xlV-XYHM6ypQbR12ZzKQdvgtdvKApfbjuskkjUM4BcniHL2dDDfOSSAt0YnHVfWjJ-1fvD_qFv-xUbmp7Sm6g2Ju_nCjyC6rAt9Yjwej0uwWRZKbg_0Bf4k/s1600/Spain51.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the gardens leading to the Palace.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDQk6EDj_CqXXPtBDHI8xl47ootEZ65LYRssUNsaa5aG2oKO07Wc94KFHcwhQD6tNiCbNhjtXsfqS0s5O5M3-AH6_DA76poPyPEm6t1hHMtQ1Dt25ghxaPpa1dncfk6rmUYD4r00s33C0/s1600/Spain52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDQk6EDj_CqXXPtBDHI8xl47ootEZ65LYRssUNsaa5aG2oKO07Wc94KFHcwhQD6tNiCbNhjtXsfqS0s5O5M3-AH6_DA76poPyPEm6t1hHMtQ1Dt25ghxaPpa1dncfk6rmUYD4r00s33C0/s1600/Spain52.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just your Joe average door in this place.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXLa__gP9tgEoN11Ol4uijLotg53r37y2lc28imh95HQttJ1eBIY4PlS6gO5vo1QZ4r5sdVKL9br41nluyfemlpHbZl8CsBsOqczSRIH_mh8raIANO7orF_qPk9NKLK5WuSKuezOIrASU/s1600/Spain53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXLa__gP9tgEoN11Ol4uijLotg53r37y2lc28imh95HQttJ1eBIY4PlS6gO5vo1QZ4r5sdVKL9br41nluyfemlpHbZl8CsBsOqczSRIH_mh8raIANO7orF_qPk9NKLK5WuSKuezOIrASU/s1600/Spain53.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO7V-oj8UnC77n5X6HjlnyXFiXGkXjqxrJQMYe76j7DhaXuIAU3qx9ZaX8QUZ6fRuAED3aDHDA774ABD7WuhwC57dV-Vdfub3YLZsy9NVSd3ibnVxxETsMnRtU8b3rHfQYUhzCks4Ii_E/s1600/Spain55.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO7V-oj8UnC77n5X6HjlnyXFiXGkXjqxrJQMYe76j7DhaXuIAU3qx9ZaX8QUZ6fRuAED3aDHDA774ABD7WuhwC57dV-Vdfub3YLZsy9NVSd3ibnVxxETsMnRtU8b3rHfQYUhzCks4Ii_E/s1600/Spain55.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguXIuSPvN0RzqpFOmZwcFLl-HZJRxlrl3x9s7hIIbPJ0_Ij74mU0oam2ZOHf5bSuvWKDIYLh30SUUidPC1HK3Q6xV1MYP64SLeVp4YwG2Q4uMojhXhNKLuBo-RiwhXvn4RZAsvlhGsCLs/s1600/Spain54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguXIuSPvN0RzqpFOmZwcFLl-HZJRxlrl3x9s7hIIbPJ0_Ij74mU0oam2ZOHf5bSuvWKDIYLh30SUUidPC1HK3Q6xV1MYP64SLeVp4YwG2Q4uMojhXhNKLuBo-RiwhXvn4RZAsvlhGsCLs/s1600/Spain54.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheE1x33gNx5h-ZwsubVJd0sLzkPCnrV_bcJln7Aipsm2oog1GvG2KfyNSZdANreIiH8jnxav4xvRz0iObfWXzxK6L1eGdICn8o3i4dkdCUanN5bYEaBwDqeRHvK35dmMiYSffLe5QTjxI/s1600/Spain56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheE1x33gNx5h-ZwsubVJd0sLzkPCnrV_bcJln7Aipsm2oog1GvG2KfyNSZdANreIiH8jnxav4xvRz0iObfWXzxK6L1eGdICn8o3i4dkdCUanN5bYEaBwDqeRHvK35dmMiYSffLe5QTjxI/s1600/Spain56.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the many beautiful ceilings in this place.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHsATaT11NE_OxRdg4P3NT9pFTwSEyxP7ehr4pb4SUQBOWRZSapkUe83X_EXUQ69nHKk5fTzrAFPKYg-GjPC6XyybbuuBUedB5n5D-DyyaGEjmYOyK2kLfbCSuMRseQuTFyaZ57dvX_vc/s1600/Spain57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHsATaT11NE_OxRdg4P3NT9pFTwSEyxP7ehr4pb4SUQBOWRZSapkUe83X_EXUQ69nHKk5fTzrAFPKYg-GjPC6XyybbuuBUedB5n5D-DyyaGEjmYOyK2kLfbCSuMRseQuTFyaZ57dvX_vc/s1600/Spain57.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view of Granada from the Palace.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16588692928447732601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2457720619402126236.post-74698030052776010962014-02-18T09:04:00.000-08:002014-02-18T09:04:06.716-08:00marbella, how i could retire in theeFrom Gibraltar, we headed south to Costa del Sol, otherwise known as the Florida of Spain. On a side note, all over Spain we saw these giant bull cutouts dotting the landscape. We have no idea what the purpose is, but they were always nice to see.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5yeFpuPqUwPiNM4yFTbhjvtoq62inoWK_aUBgfhWRK5xE8W_7VH9OMWHMSsRP9ZGZh-QLHetVVvsds2DCkVl05pi8Kciq56wW8ihFVYF4WjxW2SlgPqtIxXXa1ICbfJZdCTwg6hICkXs/s1600/Spain44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5yeFpuPqUwPiNM4yFTbhjvtoq62inoWK_aUBgfhWRK5xE8W_7VH9OMWHMSsRP9ZGZh-QLHetVVvsds2DCkVl05pi8Kciq56wW8ihFVYF4WjxW2SlgPqtIxXXa1ICbfJZdCTwg6hICkXs/s1600/Spain44.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
From the beginning of the trip, we had wanted to get some sun and surf while in Spain and the Costa del Sol seemed like the place to do it. We headed to the city of Marbella, known as the vacation spot for Russian mobsters and Saudi royalty (a Saudi royal built a replica of the White House here).<br />
<br />
We found a nice little B & B only a block away from the beach run by the nicest Spanish girl. The town was oozing with charm and we decided to stay a couple days.<br />
<br />
There was a boardwalk, good seafood and beaches, what more could we want. While we were there, we needed a night of down time, so one evening we even decided to stay in the room and have a cheese dinner while watching Yellow Submarine and Princess Bride. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRPlx_EGn2U_NZxL4pFghnyIHitAhHVCd0YYOFhlpXz8kUle83kRQKPMBVX_dVsd1_kasyEX-r_47YxXAM1dusTcvZ_U6YaNpWgr4jKC6SaRmRJuQynNMtNjFSz1VzNWP-rZ5FJqpNeiU/s1600/Spain45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRPlx_EGn2U_NZxL4pFghnyIHitAhHVCd0YYOFhlpXz8kUle83kRQKPMBVX_dVsd1_kasyEX-r_47YxXAM1dusTcvZ_U6YaNpWgr4jKC6SaRmRJuQynNMtNjFSz1VzNWP-rZ5FJqpNeiU/s1600/Spain45.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the beach</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5BY58X2zaQ6X0K1bv6fUvIL-9Kz_V9d7Ir2e7pcIK2NUpPKUhV_bb0UD1vDM9e58AuBY_pwh5b7ga_kPIgRIjcZpFf57zHcmrmS20JZu050KgRX1-mAHGy2zLbnNCNLCxjF3yfUphvE0/s1600/Spain47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5BY58X2zaQ6X0K1bv6fUvIL-9Kz_V9d7Ir2e7pcIK2NUpPKUhV_bb0UD1vDM9e58AuBY_pwh5b7ga_kPIgRIjcZpFf57zHcmrmS20JZu050KgRX1-mAHGy2zLbnNCNLCxjF3yfUphvE0/s1600/Spain47.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying the Seafood.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglra7wW7MWtAWeGuKYCXZPPBbZaQ1qQ7EcJcHdhxVlCTqFv7x7JjMzmfPYgLuvWc3P8YH3Ud2qq3ugnwaGsHU6Bcxzx1g67td4gmRsSwYW-0Zf4JpmgMR_0Jf4vON8dvQc_zwc2mKclLE/s1600/Spain48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglra7wW7MWtAWeGuKYCXZPPBbZaQ1qQ7EcJcHdhxVlCTqFv7x7JjMzmfPYgLuvWc3P8YH3Ud2qq3ugnwaGsHU6Bcxzx1g67td4gmRsSwYW-0Zf4JpmgMR_0Jf4vON8dvQc_zwc2mKclLE/s1600/Spain48.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nothing tastes better than beers on the beach at sunset.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16588692928447732601noreply@blogger.com0