Florence & Pisa

Last weekend, we took a 3 hour train ride to Florence and spent two nights. We also took side train trips from Florence to Pisa and Lucca, near the coast. The weather was perfect, the food in Florence was delicious, and we had a hotel room that was clean and roomy and in the center of everything (our thanks to Rick Steves.) The biggest highlight for me was our first stop -- visiting the Accademia Gallery where Michaelangelo's David stands -- 17 feet tall and 506 years old. After seeing photos all of our lives, this was a thrill for me and Bryan. I had to sneak this photo because they wouldn't allow it. I know, I know, sue me or call the Florentine Carabinieri. This was too big a deal not to have my own shot (or 2!) Copies of David were all over town where I could take his picture, but I did not know this at the time. Anyway you've all seen him before, but here's the real deal!



Here are more of my statue shots from around town...





Here's the gorgeous view we had of the Arno River, near sunset, from the famous Ponte Vecchio bridge...



The cathedrals are so amazing, and there were so many of them, one more beautiful than the next. We always go in the cathedrals if they are open. It is quite humbling and the art in them is the best anywhere. I took so many medieval cathedral pictures I've lost track of which one was which! Here are some interiors and exteriors...





Art really was everywhere --even on the streets...


Here's a monkey shot for the grandparents...


We took a one hour train ride west to Pisa, where the famous leaning tower lives. It was also a thrill to see in person. It was not as tall as I thought it would be, but it leaned more than I thought it could! It is Pisa tourist law that you must subject your children to stupid pushing-over-the-tower photos. We had no choice in the matter, so here's our best efforts. ;o)


We had lunch in view of the tower. The pizza was the worst we've had in Italy and they charged us 5 euro for tap water, but the kids still enjoyed their much anticipated piece-a-pisa-pizza!


Here's the kiddos overlooking the same Arno River, just in Pisa this time...


We then took a 30 minute train ride to the town of Lucca. It is an old high-walled fortified city. I didn't get very good pictures there because it was getting dark and was drizzling and we were tired and hungry. We walked across town and went in a few cathedrals and headed back to the train station to return to Florence for another yummy dinner. Another cathedral visit and a train trip the next morning and we were home. We all had a wonderful time. The kids were so good and enjoyed everything as well. We'll definitely be going back to Florence!

Green Belt

Here's our new 3rd level green belt. Andrew just started Tae Kwon Do here in Italy, but he got credit for his lessons in Texas. He is pumped up to work up to his black belt by the time we leave Italy. Here he is with his instructor, Corinne.



Here's the kids tossing their old belts at the end of the ceremony. Andrew is in the middle back.

Halloween

Here's the Jedi and the Candy Corn Witch...


And here's the same sweet little witch after she passed out on the floor when we got home...

Festa della Zucca

Sunday, the kids and I drove about an hour and a half east to the town of Venzone (Ven-zoh-nay) for their annual pumpkin festival. Bryan is in Florida for a conference and we are jealous, but we found fun at the festival! We met up with our good friends, the James. In medieval times, Venzone was protected by high walls and gates (and also mountains) which are still standing. For this festival, all the townspeople dress in medieval costume and all the restaurants make pumpkin-y foods. We tried pumpkin and bacon pizza, pumpkin gnocci, pumpkin pies, pumpkin cookies, and pumpkin bread. It was all yummy.



The parade was fun mostly because of the drums and music. And the townspeople who had the fanciest costumes got to show them off...



Anyone with old-fashioned or strange talents came out to entertain. Here's a guy who put on a juggling and magic show and did some painful looking chin balancing acts. That's a bench with another bench on top! Ouch!




Here's a couple of fire-breathers. This was Andrew's favorite...


Andrew also loved the medieval armor display. He had to try some on...


We can't forget the pumpkins! Here's Andrew, Lizzie, Sara, and Tabby showing off the big prize-winning pumpkin, weighing in at 622 pounds! And after that is an example of the amazing pumpkin carvings on display.



It was a great time, even with the long drive home in the dark and rain!

Bella Befana Bazaar

This weekend was the Bella Befana Bazaar on base. Vendors from all over Europe bring their wares to a big hangar on base and we all go shopping! My friend Kika and I volunteered some of our time to help with the set up. We got to know a very nice family from Holland while helping to unload their truck and set up their area. They sell all kinds of Dutch antiques and traditional Dutch decor. They also sell antique French and Belgian beer and wine barrels! I had to get one of those! Here are Dirk and Ank de Ridder of Holland Handicrafts and their daughter, who was so sweet, but I can't spell her name any better than I can pronounce it!


And I saw some old friends as well...Roza Gomel and her son Yusuf. I first met Roza 11 years ago when Andrew was a baby. They are from Turkey and they sell Persian and Oriental rugs. I have seen them at shows and bazaars now almost every year since I met them and I love, love, love the rugs I've purchased from them. Roza always has lots of hugs and gifts for the kids and Yusuf always gives them candy!


And here's what you really want to see --what I bought! Here are the two big items ... a 1920's Belgian Secretary desk and a 1950's French beer barrel. I bought some smaller stuff too, but some of that is going to be Christmas presents for some of those who are reading this blog, so it wouldn't do to show anymore!

First Snow on the Mountains

Here's the first glimpse of snow on the mountaintop behind our house. Can't wait to see it when there's more!

Garmisch

Finally! Our much anticipated trip to Germany! It was a 5 hour drive through the Alps to the towns of Garmisch and Partenkirchen. There is a US Army post there and a military resort called Edelweiss Lodge, where we stayed for 3 nights. The townspeople are very used to Americans, so we didn't have to speak much German. The temperature was great, but unfortunately there was fog on the mountains all weekend until the morning of our departure! At least the fall leaves were at their peak! Here's the hotel on the last day without the fog...



On Saturday, we hiked the Partnachklamm Gorge. It was fun to go through tunnels and walk along precipitous trails to pass through the gorge. With the river rushing by below, and the fall colors and sunshine above, it was beautiful.





Toboggan rides down the mountain were a must! We all enjoyed that. The kids also enjoyed the little bit of funny German printed on their ride tokens (good for one ride). They both got about 6 fahrts each so they were very happy!



Sara only rode with me this one time, then she was ready to be on her own!


I loved the German architecture and decor, especially the paintings on buildings. Here's the downtown area marketplace...



Dinner was at the Gasthof Fraundorfer. It was a delicious meal of schnitzel, beer, and the best sauerkraut we've ever tasted! Real German sauerkraut is NOTHING like we have in the US ... it is sooo good!



The kids enjoyed the hotel's indoor pool each evening.


On Sunday we drove an hour to see the famous Neuschwanstein castle. It was built by Bavarian King Ludwig in 1869-73 and is the most visited castle in Europe. It is the castle that Disney modeled their fairytale castles after. Much to my dismay, I experienced a photographer's nightmare of extreme fog obstructing the view. We couldn't see a view of the castle from down below and we couldn't see any view from on top of it. It was like it was up against a white wall. Up close, Andrew thought the castle looked like Hogwarts Castle from Harry Potter, but Sara cleverly decided it would more appropriately called "Fogwarts" that day. We went on a tour of the inside and it was as fancy and ornate as you would expect a castle to be.


There is supposed to be the most AMAZING view right behind my dear family in this photo. So, I took the picture anyway.


So that you know what Neuschwanstein looks like, here's the castle on a clear autumn day. This is not a picture I took, it is a stock photo off the internet. We were so disappointed that we couldn't see it! I will simply have to come back!


Lower down the mountain, so not so foggy, was Schloss Hohenschwangau, shown behind Andrew and Sara. It is the castle where Ludwig grew up. We saw smaller castles on hills, kind of like this one, all throughout our drives across Germany and Austria. We drove up to Garmisch through Innsbruck and came back through Salzburg.


On the way back from Neuschwanstein we stopped at an 18th century cathedral called the Weiskirche.



Here's what most of the scenery looked like on our drives. I was shooting pictures out the window the whole time!


We didn't have enough time for everything. There's still skiing, the gondola ride to the summit of Mount Zugspitze (9700ft.), the Salt Mines, the Linderhof Palace, the Ettal Monastery, and a return to Neuschwanstein. Not to mention, many biergartens we want to try. Darn it, but I guess we will have to go again!