Helsinki, Finnland

Finnland.

A place I never imagined I would ever get to go. I don't even know the first thing about the Finnish. Helsinki is cold, and lots of snow. St. Petersburg, Russia is just north east across the Finnland, Bay. That should explain how could it is, if I am north of St. Petersburg!

I ventured out to tour and site see and ended up walking around for 3hours (not intentionally).

My Walking Route (Kamppi Kampen = My Hotel)

The Finland Bay was frozen. I've never seen a body of water that big so frozen. The ships break up the ice so that they can still travel around. When they are moving they are traveling in an icy slush around the harbor.

Typically everything behind me is water

It's very cold here, my face was so cold I decided to just head back to the hotel. But what should have been a nice 15-20 minute walk ended up being about an hour+ of wandering around Finland. I defiantly got to see all the highlights of the area, but not intentionally :p. By the time I got back I was frozen, exhausted and hungry. I grabbed a salad at a local cafe and then crashed on the bed for a good 2hour nap.

Looking back on Helsinki from the Finland Bay

Tarquin: Why do so many of your excuses involve Finland? 
Rebecca Bloomwood: Because nobody checks up on Finland,Tarkie. 
(Confessions of a Shopaholic)

The Girl in the Green Scarf....
Okay the green dress, but it's as close as I can get....

The small market by the bay

I wish I had skates!!

Breakfast

Dinner at Memphis: a burger place and then back to the hotel for some down time. I hate to admit it but I am exausted. I am looking forward to a good nights sleep and a glorious breakfast with Rooibos Tea!

Making Coffee in my Room

Peace.

Bremen, Germany

Flight: London to Bremen

The brothers Grimm

Some random facts about Bremen, Germany



Bremen is the coffee capital of Germany (How perfect for me! :))
Beck's beer is brewed in Bremen
Bremen is one of Europe's leading centres for space travel (probably not good that I mentioned the space center in the states then... eeee...)
Bremen is where the Mercedes-Benz SL, SLK, CLK and C-Class cars are made..




How perfect, coffee, beer, and sports cars. I guess I am set.





We had a good meal when we arrived: schnitzel with noodle! Love it!


The day in Bremen, consisted of me touring the downtown area, getting a Starbucks (am partial, okay?)



Headed to the gym. McFit; a very nice gym, had a good hard workout (had to work off all the schnitzel and chocolate I've been eating).

I had to meet dad at the airport. Now, what an adventure. Hauling 3 suitcases, and a very large back pack to the bus stop, a 20-30 minute ride, then finding the departure gate. I honestly was a mess. I'm an overachiever at that, so of course I had to juggle all the luggage and drink a coffee. Thankfully the airport wasn't that large, and if I would have been smart and read a few more signs, I wouldn't have had to walk back and forth so much. But I did it, and arrived with everything on time, and only spilled the coffee just slightly. :p

We caught  a flight to Stockholm, which had a layover in Amsterdam. We are really getting around on this trip.

After we arrived in Stockholm we just had a short walk to our hotel, because were were staying in the SkyHigh hotel located at the airport! What a great day! Just a short hike and we were there.

Thursday January 27th, 2011

"I'm just sittin' out here watching airplanes 

take off and fly ..."

(I am not particularly a fan of that song, it's sad, but while I ate my breakfast and read my bible, I was sitting over looking the run way, and that song came to my head, as I watched several planes take off while I enjoyed my nice cup of coffee.)

I stayed at the hotel all morning. Dad had a short meeting in Stockholm and it wasn't going to be long until he was back and we would be on our way again. I  just spent the day working-out, eating a wonderful breakfast, reading, watching project runway, and just taking a chill day.

Caught the 3:30 flight to Helsinki, Finnland and we will be spending the weekend there.

London,

A night on Lester Square:

Of course we have to go to the Theater. If you are in London for an evening and do not attend a play, you can never say you are living a true, full, vibrant, life.

Broadway Musical Presents: Wicked

"The untold musical story of The Wizard of Oz’s Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good... before Dorothy dropped in. Based on the imaginative Gregory Maguire novel, Wicked takes a fantasy journey through the unseen side of Oz, sharing a tale of unexpected friendship and love." 

It was well done, and I enjoyed it immensely! and it did cause me to tear up a bit. Such a softy...




When we got back to the hotel, dad decided he would really like a bowl of raisin brain cereal. So, he went to the restaurant at the hotel and asked the waitress if she had some, and how much it would be to get just a bowl of it. The waitress returned about 10 minutes later with a tray set with 2 bowls of cereal, a bowl of raisins and 2 glasses of milk. She apologized that they didn't have what he was looking for, but she did the best should could to create something similar.... free of charge. That's my dad :)

Of course we could not leave the UK without trying some of Britains' finest... 





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Off to Bremen, Germany....

"Parlez vous français"

Paris.

I met dad at Paris EST train station on January 22nd. I had left Germany the night before and took a sleeper train overnight to Paris. What a trip. Besides the german, mean, worker guy (who I am convinced  must have learned english watching movies on "how to be a prison warden") who treated me like I was ten, and yelled at me several times, I enjoyed the whole experience.  :p I am glad he wasn't around much because I might have had to one up him and then ask forgiveness later...

Chocolate Layered cake, candle and "Joyeux anniversaire"

My BIRTHDAY, what an amazing blessing to spend my birthday in Paris. Walking up and down the streets. Having lunch aboard a dinner cruise on the Seine River, drinking a cappuccino in a cafe that over looked Paris and the Eiffel Tower.  Oh, and of course I cannot forget to mention riding the metro. Im sold. I will be packing my bags and moving there... That is as soon as I can speak french.... Minor details :)
My dad and I Spent the night at The Royal Hotel, just a few blocks south of the Arc de Triomphe. 

My five-fingers and I have traveled the world. I went for a run early Sunday morning. The Eiffel Tower was a good mile or so from the hotel so I jumped on the Metro about 4 blocks from our hotel and got off at a stop that was probably 5 blocks from the Eiffel Tower. I ran around there, it was still dark by the time I reached the top of the steps near the Architectural museum. The glow of the sunrise was just starting to be seen. I watched the city start to come alive and then finished my run. Catching the metro back and finishing my run a few minutes later. A grand total of about 1 1/2 miles I assume. I love sunrises, and sunsets. What more can you ask for then to watch the sunrise in Paris?

Breakfast. Coffee. A chocolate cream filled doughnut. Sigh. Looks like I may need to run a bit more while I am over here... A little bit of shopping and then we packed our bags and headed for the train-station to catch a train to the airport. I am so thankful for the Atlanta airport; there may be trains everywhere but there are no trains in the airport. All terminals must be reached by foot. But, dad and I made it and got to our flight with plenty of time to spare. 

A prayer request was answered! Dads computer wasn't working when we left France. We both were praying a miracle would happen and it would work again. Dad had to spend sometime on the phone trying to make arrangements for another one to be sent or his to be fixed, so that he could do the work he came over to do. I had strong faith that the Lord was going to come through and continued to pray. 

I have to stop for a second and say that I did not at all like that the computer was not working, but having my dad "humble himself", lol :p and use my MAC did in some way make me smile on the inside. The clouds rolled back and the MACbook saved the day (well maybe saved us 5minutes, but still... lol)

Okay, I am done gloating, back to the story now. Upon arrival to the hotel, we tried one more time, and A MIRACLE the computer works! Thank you Lord for taking care of us, and caring about even the technology we use. 

My dad and I now are professional luggage walkers, :) we tackled about 10-15 flights of steps and at least 2 miles of walking with baggage in tote. What an adventure! 

Stevenage, Hertfordshire UK

Our Hotel

"In Hartford, Hereford and Hampshire, hurricanes hardly ever happen"

We arrived in Stevenage, late last night.

The UK has never been as appealing to me as France, or Italy or even Spain. There is just something about english speaking countries. I feel safer and more at home being around people who can't understand me. I find languages fascinating and I am now more determined than ever to finish spanish so that I can move on to learning french! It is a beautiful language. Of course being a hopeless romantic that I am, I should not be surprised why I like those countries and prefer them to others. I took a try at german. Maybe one day I will try and speak it, but the harsh tones almost made me want to cry when someone spoke to me, even if it was as simple as "Bitte leiten Sie den Zucker" (please pass the sugar)... 

Prince William 2003

The last time I was in the UK was about 7years ago. Being the silly teenage girl that I was, I had a brief attraction to Prince William. For the life of me I cannot understand why.... Except I must admit he has his good days :p... The idea of being a princess, with fame and recognition of a higher class did always appeal to me. I smile now thinking back on that moment in my life, when I imagined a life of "royalty" and longed for the day Prince William would have his driver come and pick me up in his Rolls-Royce and whisk me away to eminence and prestige :)...sigh :p

I just want to sit by a warm fire watching Kate and Leopold, and drink a nice cup of hot tea (said in a strong british accent)


I will be dancing around the hotel room, as I get ready to go shop and explore the town, singing "I could have danced all night, I could of danced all night"

So long for now, Cheers

Fun with the Woods

Thursday

Ashley and I stayed up talking well into the night....So, needless to say we did not get up early. 

When I finally woke up, I met Terri and went for a run (Terri had already had a good 3miles in by the time I joined her on the road) We finished are workout with pushups, sit-ups, handstand pushups, and an ab workout video. 

After Justice (6) watched us workout he remarked

“Uh, I need to relax” 

I guess he was tired just watching us!

Ashley made us mamamigas (TERRI HELP??). A very yummy Mexican scrambled egg dish, made with jalapeños, chopped tomatoes, corn tortillas,  eggs,  mixed peppers and cheese. Served with sour cream on top and fresh sliced oranges on the side. It was incredible!  

The adorable looks and giggles of little jo, and Liberty's chatterbox, princess lifestyle, only makes me love kids more! This family has blessed my life :)

Quotes of the day:

Liberty: "I want to grow up.... I want to grow up so I can watch Pirates of the Caribbean"

Justice: "I don't want to grow up, because I want to keep all my teeth!"

München

Shopping in Munich (München in german)

SHOPPING DAY!! Terri, Ashley, Sydney and I were dropped off at the train station at 8am, we were off to Munich for a day in the city. 1^st stop: Starbucks! J

Starbucks was providential! Ashley and I have were talking about the movie: Singing in the Rain, and when we walked into starbuck.... Singing in the Rain was playing... We were right where we were suppose to be!


Munich is a pretty big city, with railroads and people everywhere.

We shopped all day, enjoyed a German meal, and finished off the day with chocolates from a local vendor and coffee at Starbucks. 

Hit the Ground Running

After a 5 hour layover in Atlanta, and a glorious 9 hour flight I have arrived in Munich, Germany. And I have hit the ground running.

Terri and Eric Woods picked me up at the airport (I realized when I landed that I had no contact information, and wasn't even sure of the  towns' name where they live... am I crazy?)

I have had 4 hours of sleep in 32 hours. Determined to adjust quickly to the 7 hour time difference and avoid jet-lag, I have stayed awake. With good conversations, coffee and a brisk walk up the road to speak with a lady about buying fresh milk and eggs, I have managed to not crash and make it till evening.
We head back to Munich in the Morning for some shopping, coffee and some girl time... One of the only Starbucks in Germany is located in Munich.
So it will be such a treat :)...

Terri and her whole family are wonderful! I am looking forward to the few days I have with them! Praise the Lord for such wonderful people.

Peace! Got to catch some Z's