Turkey!

Turkey was so different. I wasn't sure what to expect being in a Muslim country. I made sure I was very modest and kept quiet to get a feel for what was appropriate as a woman in this country. I soon learned, that while there was still traditionally dressed Muslim women it is a very modern Muslim country with many cultures. I still felt careful as to trust anyone here. We learned there is a rug mophia here, okay, that is my interpretation of their conspiracy to get you to buy rugs. From the private tour guide to the taxi guy-they work with those that own the rug markets to trap tourists into buying their expensive rugs. We were in a room full of these guys-just the four of us and my poor mother-in-law was the focus of these men. As kind as they were we felt very unsafe and we were trying to figure out how to get out of there. Thank heavens for a dramatic Chinese lady shouting "where is the cheap stuff? You said this was cheap in here?" That she was a distraction and we bailed out of there. But we had fun seeing the Haga Sophia and the Blue Mosk. They have gorgeous tile work and it was neat to see that. I do have to say, the spirit is not present in there at all. Just an Erie feeling. We had fun at the Grand Bizarre and to realize that has probably been the center for trade for thousands of years is pretty amazing. It was fun to buy stuff here where it is a lot cheaper and to Haggle. Trevor did the Haggling. He just offered them 1/8 the price and made them come down to what he wanted them to sell it for. So really he didn't haggle but I like his style. We loved the Turkish Delight. Mildly sweet jellies. We bought some in bulk and learned it is rather addicting. So I wanted to buy my kids a box of it and when we brought it home for them to taste it was way sweeter than the recipe we had in Turkey. So we missed it. We stopped to have lunch and had a Turkish gyro. They put marinated meat on a Kabob and it rotates to stay warm. They slice it off and serve it with vegetables and warm soft pitas. Trevor still talks about how good the food is and gave me a challenge to mimick it here.
Ephesus was neat. It is amazing to stand somewhere and realize that is where Paul preached the gospel. To see history brings it to life. It was amazing to have been in Mother Mary's home. We just feel so privileged to have had this chance to go to these countries and to see such historical sights. It was a lot of fun spending time with Steven and Cindy and make memories. We will be forever grateful that we had this once in a lifetime chance.

GREECE!

I loved Greece, Mykonos the little island most. Everything was stark white with blue accents. We pulled up to port and saw the village and it is exactly what you would expect from a Greek island. Small, white and blue. I loved this is the same way I loved the french village-Eze. They were both narrow alleys, rock (Mykonos was painted white)They were small scale,quaint and clean. We had breakfast there and I enjoyed an omelet Greek style-of course excellent. Greece and Spain have the best fresh squeezed orange juice-to die for! Anyway, it was fun to walk around the little village and enjoy the shops and friendly natives. Things here were not as expensive as other places. This was one of my favorite places on the trip because it was so unique. Athens was another big European city. And all cities in Europe are about the same. It was cool to see the ancient ruins on the top of the hill though. It was amazing to experience this piece of the world (okay, the entire trip for that matter) but to see this history and relate to the stories of history we read about was incredible. It was really hot, the hottest day and we were against slippery white stone and so, me without sun glasses it was difficult to stay up their too long. But what a blessing it was to be there. We came down and sat at a cafe to order lunch, I decided I don't like Greek lamb Kabobs. Of course I didn't know it was lamb. But there vegetables and fresh Pitas were great. I regret I didn't have something I like in Greece except that egg omelet because the food is famous for its flavor and spices. Greece was amazing! We had so much fun and built so many memories. Next up is Turkey!

All of Italy

We literally went all over Italy. We loved Italy. The people were friendlier, warmer and treated you better than a tourist. The men seemed to have a custom of respect for women and insisted that women were first in everything from ordering and receiving food, to purchasing. Italy was wonderful. There was so much history to see, of course the architecture was fabulous and rich with history. I loved all the statues, especially when you could find one dressed. If I ever had a lot of money I would put beautiful, dressed statues in my garden. The food was great, no matter where we went and it was fun to see the distinct look of the Italians. Our journey began in Florence, which was our least favorite place in Italy. Perhaps it was because it was our only guided tour day. But we saw some neat burial places like, Leonardo Divinci and Galileo. The leaning tower of Pisa was cool to see and experience as well.
The next place we went was the Island of Capri. It was beautiful and quaint. They are known for their lemons and they were about the size of a small football. A lot of celebrities come here and so you see a lot of designer shops and know that it is pointless to buy anything. However, I did buy myself and my girls a music box that is inlaid wood, a dying art that the island has been famous for. It was just beautiful and picturesque.
Rome, while most people do it in 5 days, we did it in 5 hours. Way too fast and I regret we didn't have more time there. It is packed with history and magnificence. We didn't get to see all of the Vatican. There were too many people and the Pope was having Sunday service-reverent I know. We did get to hear him pray and hear the choir though, which was an experience. But as my mother in law says, it is the church of all churches. So we regret we didn't see all of it, but what we did was impressive. I loved the Trevy fountains and Trevor loved the Colosseum. Everywhere you look there are fountains and structures that are apart of history, yet they have included them into their current building structures. So neat and ancient compare to what we find in America with our newer history.
The last place we were actually at was in Venice. We loved Venice and wanted more time there. The uniqueness of the water ways and the beauty all around had such a different kind of charm-a kind of romance. There were mask shops everywhere and the more you looked around the more confused you got. But with the patience of my father-in-law, I was able to bring home 6 of them for our kids. It was so beautiful and overwhelming, that I am still taking it in. I am so thankful to have had the chance to see the bigger things of Italy and experience it. It is something I have always wanted to do and we had such a blast. We will always be grateful that we had this once in a lifetime chance.

Spain, France and Monte Carlo

Trevor and I had such a blast. We saw so many neat things that it was literally overwhelming. We are so blessed to have been able to take this opportunity. Because we saw so much I will divide the slide shows up according to the countries we were in. So the first one is Spain, France and Monte Carlo. Spain had unique markets. I am sure you can find these things where ever you go, but in all the countries we were in we didn't see another market like it. Aside from the produce, we didn't like the food too well. It was neat to be in Barcelona-Columbus' home. And Europe is always fun for the archetecture/churches. It is neat to just sit back and take it in.
Monte Carlo was overwhelming because you could feel the money that circulates there. It seems everyone owns a yacht with their own personal crew and we didn't shop there, why bother with the prices. But it was fun to see the palace museum with Napoleon artifacts and All the archetecture and gardens.
We took a cab up into Eze France. Eze is a 14th century village still in use! It was the quaintest thing I have ever seen, and the pictures I have just don't do it justice. Rock pathways, buildings and walls are in great shape with wrought iron widows, hinges, gates and door knockers. They have made use of all the old inns, shops and such and continued using them for the same thing-shops, cafes and hotel inns.It was so cool. I thought it was a perfect day. I even got to try out my rough french, all though the people were rude and ignored me all except one lady of whom I bought post cards from. I had fun conversing with her and it was neat to be in a french speaking country. We are so thankful to have been there and miss these places already. That is all for now. Stay tuned for Italy, Greece and Turkey

Tribute to a boy's best friend, Andre the giant.

Just a few days ago we got the news that our dog tragically wounded himself and our neighbor had to put him out while we were in Europe. I never understood how people could mourn over a dog, it's just a dog I thought, not a person. But I was quite wrong. Dog's are special members of the family with so much to teach. Aside from the unconditional love he was my children's good friend. Especially Justin who felt like he lost a brother. Justin spent hours playing with Andre, and I think the two had a unique relationship only known to dogs and boys. We adopted Andre a year and a half ago and I think I knew he wouldn't be with us too long because he was older and so I hesitated bonding with him, hoping to save myself from hurting too much when he did go. I was expecting to one day hold him in my arms as he died from old age, but instead he died alone, away from his family to an excruciating brutal death. It's interesting, while I tried to save myself from the hurt of loosing an animal by not giving him my whole heart, I still hurt, perhaps even more for not giving him my all. What a great lesson to apply with our relationships with people. Saints Bernards are a special breed, a magnificant gentle giants with an innate need to watch over, protect and save-thus known as the Saint. So what is a dog anyway? What exactly did God have in mind when he created them? As Trevor and I broke the news to our children and sobs and questions filled the room, I asked these questions myself. To a child, and some people their dog is their world. I found in offering comfort to our children who cried they would never see him again the conviction that we will was stronger than ever. I refuse to believe that animals cease to exsist. And all that I know of God and his deep love for his children, testifies to me that we will see our pets again. Animals are a mere prepatory gateway for the bigger questions and trials that come when losing the people we love. And I know We will miss his kisses, hugs and snoring. We will miss his giant bear like, impressive body. We will miss his need to love us and be with us. We will miss cuddling up to his giant body and having him wrap his arm around us. While we are grateful he shared his life with us and for all he taught us, he will be sorely missed.