Once again we are packing to leave & I'm fighting my way through the German keyboard - they have a Z where we have a Y, among other changes.
Graduation Day was a whirl wind. Antje had a seminar and Chris was working. Ginny & Kevin were in class. Gwen was excited and we still had to do grocery shopping, prepare some of the food for the 14 guests, fix lunch for Ginny & a friend and get ourselfs dressed. Gwen can only be described as In A Dither. She had me check out a dress, couple pairs of shoes, makeup and jacket. I thought she looked nice, no matter what she wore. Loose the gum, though! Philip kept his nose buried in a book & out of the fray.
Ginny & Kevin arrive from school and there's a flurry of showers and more dressing before we all head to the tram. Naturally, we arrive at the church and it starts raining so everyone's trying to get through the church doors. Antje, Chris, & Antje's Uncle Sigfreud arrive. Shortly after, her parents come and then friends of Gwens.
There was lots of music - I particularly enjoyed the celebration of jazz music. A young woman sang Birdland which got the crowd to rocking & then went into Fever.
This keyboard is making me wild! I'll finish up at home & add some pictures.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Friday, September 4, 2009
Recap & Update
We returned to Zurich yesterday evening - more about that day later.
Back to Slovenia - and the horse farm - it's a resort with a golf course and as guests of the resort, you can ride the horses! I'm all ready lobbying friends Laurrie & Jim to reconsider the Loire Valley (next year's trip) and come to Slovenia.
I'm still puzzled by the Who is Sisi mystery? Something about the story sounded so familiar. Fortunately, using my Blackberry, I search on Google. Sisi and Empress Elizabeth of Austria-Hungary are one and the same. And of course, Sisi married - she had 3 children. She was a bit of a dilettante - hated court protocal, her children were taken from her, her husband refused to see her, she traveled extensively & tried to maintain her 20" waist - today, we'd call her anorexic. Mikki response? That's not the way Romy Schneider played her in the movie!!! Geesh! (When I repeated the story to Chris, his response was identical to Mikki's!!!)
Morgan & Georgia are finishing a week of end of summer activities - Georgia is one of the leaders. They do everything from sports to crafts and both girls come home exhausted. Tho Georgia perks right up as she showers to go out with Kevin, her boyfriend. She's about a foot taller than he is but that seems to both neither of them.
Kilian is a nervous wreck waiting for his math exam results. He passed math last year but because his teachers felt he didn't work to his potential; he was required to take a 2nd math exam August 30 - which meant he had to study while he was in the states. Then when he returned and his teacher learned he spent the summer in the states, his teacher said "why didn't you tell us you would be in America for the summer? We never would have required that you take the exam." Mikki was white with fury.
And of course Kilian passed.
Except for the beautiful day in Slovenia, the weather was hot and muggy. By 1:00, we're all inside and staying quiet. Mikki continues to do well but she's so tired. The doctor's tell her it will be about a year before she feels better. Of course it doesn't help that the chemo plunged her into menopause, for which her body wasn't ready and she's having most of the side-effects.
Mikki & I are shopping for a graduation gift for Gwen. We finally settle on small rose earrings with a little tiny flying pig (with painted purple toes) dangling from the roses. (a flying pig is good luck) We wanted something to wish her well during this transition and also something a little quirky. Gwen though they were adorable. Chris' not so much' but he's not wearing them.
Thursday came too soon and we caught our train back to Zurich. With only 15 mins to switch trains in Milano & Italian trains never run on time - we're resigned to a long wait for the next train. Amazingly enough, we arrive in Milan on time and our Zurich train awaits us. We happily settle in - glad not to be hauling suitcase around (that's going to be an issue for me if I travel by myself - this trip proves I can't handle a large suitcase…will need to figure out how to pack lightly with my small bag) All goes well until we reach Lugano and the Swiss announce "sorry for the inconvenience, but this train is ending. Everyone must disenbark." Say what!!! We're only half way there. After an hour wait we catch a train bound for Basel, then switch at Art Goedau for a Zurich train. Even with all that, we arrive only about 2 hours late. Thank goodness we are familiar with Switzerland and know the names of the end stations. The lines at the ticket office were 30-40 people deep and moving slowly.
So here we are. Gwen's graduation is today. Besides Antje's family, Gwen's invited friends. She and I did the food shopping earlier. Tomorrow she's invited friends to meet me so I can discuss their American trip.
Well more shopping to do - later.
Back to Slovenia - and the horse farm - it's a resort with a golf course and as guests of the resort, you can ride the horses! I'm all ready lobbying friends Laurrie & Jim to reconsider the Loire Valley (next year's trip) and come to Slovenia.
I'm still puzzled by the Who is Sisi mystery? Something about the story sounded so familiar. Fortunately, using my Blackberry, I search on Google. Sisi and Empress Elizabeth of Austria-Hungary are one and the same. And of course, Sisi married - she had 3 children. She was a bit of a dilettante - hated court protocal, her children were taken from her, her husband refused to see her, she traveled extensively & tried to maintain her 20" waist - today, we'd call her anorexic. Mikki response? That's not the way Romy Schneider played her in the movie!!! Geesh! (When I repeated the story to Chris, his response was identical to Mikki's!!!)
Morgan & Georgia are finishing a week of end of summer activities - Georgia is one of the leaders. They do everything from sports to crafts and both girls come home exhausted. Tho Georgia perks right up as she showers to go out with Kevin, her boyfriend. She's about a foot taller than he is but that seems to both neither of them.
Kilian is a nervous wreck waiting for his math exam results. He passed math last year but because his teachers felt he didn't work to his potential; he was required to take a 2nd math exam August 30 - which meant he had to study while he was in the states. Then when he returned and his teacher learned he spent the summer in the states, his teacher said "why didn't you tell us you would be in America for the summer? We never would have required that you take the exam." Mikki was white with fury.
And of course Kilian passed.
Except for the beautiful day in Slovenia, the weather was hot and muggy. By 1:00, we're all inside and staying quiet. Mikki continues to do well but she's so tired. The doctor's tell her it will be about a year before she feels better. Of course it doesn't help that the chemo plunged her into menopause, for which her body wasn't ready and she's having most of the side-effects.
Mikki & I are shopping for a graduation gift for Gwen. We finally settle on small rose earrings with a little tiny flying pig (with painted purple toes) dangling from the roses. (a flying pig is good luck) We wanted something to wish her well during this transition and also something a little quirky. Gwen though they were adorable. Chris' not so much' but he's not wearing them.
Thursday came too soon and we caught our train back to Zurich. With only 15 mins to switch trains in Milano & Italian trains never run on time - we're resigned to a long wait for the next train. Amazingly enough, we arrive in Milan on time and our Zurich train awaits us. We happily settle in - glad not to be hauling suitcase around (that's going to be an issue for me if I travel by myself - this trip proves I can't handle a large suitcase…will need to figure out how to pack lightly with my small bag) All goes well until we reach Lugano and the Swiss announce "sorry for the inconvenience, but this train is ending. Everyone must disenbark." Say what!!! We're only half way there. After an hour wait we catch a train bound for Basel, then switch at Art Goedau for a Zurich train. Even with all that, we arrive only about 2 hours late. Thank goodness we are familiar with Switzerland and know the names of the end stations. The lines at the ticket office were 30-40 people deep and moving slowly.
So here we are. Gwen's graduation is today. Besides Antje's family, Gwen's invited friends. She and I did the food shopping earlier. Tomorrow she's invited friends to meet me so I can discuss their American trip.
Well more shopping to do - later.
Monday, August 31, 2009
,Limes, Horses & a Reluctant Princess
What a fantastic day! The air is still cool & fresh. We decide to drive about an hour to a famous lipanzza stud farm in slovenia.
Because there were 5&6 hour backups on the autostrada, fortunately we took the coast road & the views of the adriatic are spectacular.
Just outside of Trieste, we come across Miramare castle. Mikki explains it's the home of a famous princess, Sisi. The story sounds familiar but I get confused by all those Hapsburgs. We stop for spritz & coffees before walking up the hill to the castle; the harbor is filled with beautiful boats. The castle grounds are beautiful & the views are magnificent. I read some of the signs & become confused - no mention of a Sisi but lots of talk about Maxmilliano & Carlotta - who I'm pretty sure were the emperor & empress of Mexico. (about them I know a lot) there's also mention of Elizabeth, empress of Hungary, again I know a lot & I'm more than a little suspicious about this Sisi person but mikki assures me Sisi refused to marry.
Leaving the castle we make a mistake & end up in the middle of Trieste, much to my delight & Mikki's dismay. In an effort to correct our course she tells Franco we have to get to the top of the hill. Oh what a hill! At one time the car is in the wrong gear & we are sliding backwards.
We cross into Slovenia - no border guards as they are part of the EU. As we enter the farm grounds we see a pasture full of beautiful white horses. There must have been 50 or more mares & some foals.
The grounds are lovely but I can't spot the lime trees Mikki mentioned. Something about lime trees planted for the horses. We watch a training demonstration - the horses are magnificent. Then head for a tour of the farm. The guide is explaining that the linden trees (my favorite) are planted in honor of the horses. My head is swiveling, trying to catch Mikki's eye - lime trees/linden trees?? It's not like they are the same.
More later
Because there were 5&6 hour backups on the autostrada, fortunately we took the coast road & the views of the adriatic are spectacular.
Just outside of Trieste, we come across Miramare castle. Mikki explains it's the home of a famous princess, Sisi. The story sounds familiar but I get confused by all those Hapsburgs. We stop for spritz & coffees before walking up the hill to the castle; the harbor is filled with beautiful boats. The castle grounds are beautiful & the views are magnificent. I read some of the signs & become confused - no mention of a Sisi but lots of talk about Maxmilliano & Carlotta - who I'm pretty sure were the emperor & empress of Mexico. (about them I know a lot) there's also mention of Elizabeth, empress of Hungary, again I know a lot & I'm more than a little suspicious about this Sisi person but mikki assures me Sisi refused to marry.
Leaving the castle we make a mistake & end up in the middle of Trieste, much to my delight & Mikki's dismay. In an effort to correct our course she tells Franco we have to get to the top of the hill. Oh what a hill! At one time the car is in the wrong gear & we are sliding backwards.
We cross into Slovenia - no border guards as they are part of the EU. As we enter the farm grounds we see a pasture full of beautiful white horses. There must have been 50 or more mares & some foals.
The grounds are lovely but I can't spot the lime trees Mikki mentioned. Something about lime trees planted for the horses. We watch a training demonstration - the horses are magnificent. Then head for a tour of the farm. The guide is explaining that the linden trees (my favorite) are planted in honor of the horses. My head is swiveling, trying to catch Mikki's eye - lime trees/linden trees?? It's not like they are the same.
More later
Days Go By
Friday & Saturday pass. Franco arrives & we continue to visit, eat, drink & visit more. Mikki & Franco are looking forward to Ben's visit. The last time they saw him was at Breckenridge & he was still a boy. That brings back lots of memories & laughs.
Franco still works about 5 hours away & only comes home for the weekends.
Heat continued to be brutal Friday but we woke up Saturday to rain, which finally broke the cycle of heat. By evening, we were grabbing jackets.
Kilian, Mikki, Morgan & I play Zoombie Flux.Kilian & I disagree about Keepers, which leads to a lively discussion.
Franco still works about 5 hours away & only comes home for the weekends.
Heat continued to be brutal Friday but we woke up Saturday to rain, which finally broke the cycle of heat. By evening, we were grabbing jackets.
Kilian, Mikki, Morgan & I play Zoombie Flux.Kilian & I disagree about Keepers, which leads to a lively discussion.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
We arrive Summago
Mikki looks terrific! Antje & Chris told me she was doing fine, but very tired. Still, before I could relax, I had to see for myself.
It's hot. Not Oklahoma hot; but close & much more humid.
Great to see Kilian again, Georgia came in & we met the boyfriend, then Morgan arrived. School starts in 2 weeks so the kids are enjoying the last days of summer vacation.Franco will be in tomorrow to begin his 2 weeks of vacation.
It's about 5:00am.the silly rooster(neighbors) has crowed for an hour!
Fortunately the air cooled off. Jackie is making her rounds checking on her people.
Getting to the blog is hit or miss. Sometimes it works, sometimes not.
We had no trouble switching trains in maestre. Only difficulty was trying to reach Mikki. Texting wasn't working & the pay phones require a card. (note to Ben, either have a prepaid phone or buy an Italian phone card) finally, the young man at the concession helped me by calling Mikki on his phone.at last, we're here!
It's hot. Not Oklahoma hot; but close & much more humid.
Great to see Kilian again, Georgia came in & we met the boyfriend, then Morgan arrived. School starts in 2 weeks so the kids are enjoying the last days of summer vacation.Franco will be in tomorrow to begin his 2 weeks of vacation.
It's about 5:00am.the silly rooster(neighbors) has crowed for an hour!
Fortunately the air cooled off. Jackie is making her rounds checking on her people.
Getting to the blog is hit or miss. Sometimes it works, sometimes not.
We had no trouble switching trains in maestre. Only difficulty was trying to reach Mikki. Texting wasn't working & the pay phones require a card. (note to Ben, either have a prepaid phone or buy an Italian phone card) finally, the young man at the concession helped me by calling Mikki on his phone.at last, we're here!
Italian transportation
1st of all, what self-respecting food service cart serves Nescafe??? I wanted an espresso!
The bus ride to Como was as exciting going as it was coming. Bus was packed but everyone was friendly, giving up seats to older people, offering advise about which stop was upcoming, etc...most of the tourists appear to be german, rarely do we hear American & only occasionally English. My ear is getting used to Italian. I can pick out words & phrases.
Good thing as the Como train station announcements are mostly in Italian.
We changed trains in Milan - always an adventure with it's mass of humanity & pick pockets. I keep an eye on things while Philip goes to buy sandwiches.
I love to watch the Italian women; they can wear the most outrageous outfits & look so chic! Anything glittery is in!!
Would appear tights & long loose blouses with gorgeous belts are currently vogue. I feel particularly frumpy in my simple brown slacks, T-shirt & jacket. Where's my glitter?
Once the Venice train track is posted, there is a mass of people trying to manuver themselfs & suitcases down a 7' wide platform. Naturally, our coach is at the far end.
The Venice train is crowded. I hear some American, Japanese, Italian, English, & German. It's still holidays in much of Europe so people are in good spirits.
Since we don't know which train we'll be on to Portuguaro, we'll call Mikki after we arrive. Ciao!
The bus ride to Como was as exciting going as it was coming. Bus was packed but everyone was friendly, giving up seats to older people, offering advise about which stop was upcoming, etc...most of the tourists appear to be german, rarely do we hear American & only occasionally English. My ear is getting used to Italian. I can pick out words & phrases.
Good thing as the Como train station announcements are mostly in Italian.
We changed trains in Milan - always an adventure with it's mass of humanity & pick pockets. I keep an eye on things while Philip goes to buy sandwiches.
I love to watch the Italian women; they can wear the most outrageous outfits & look so chic! Anything glittery is in!!
Would appear tights & long loose blouses with gorgeous belts are currently vogue. I feel particularly frumpy in my simple brown slacks, T-shirt & jacket. Where's my glitter?
Once the Venice train track is posted, there is a mass of people trying to manuver themselfs & suitcases down a 7' wide platform. Naturally, our coach is at the far end.
The Venice train is crowded. I hear some American, Japanese, Italian, English, & German. It's still holidays in much of Europe so people are in good spirits.
Since we don't know which train we'll be on to Portuguaro, we'll call Mikki after we arrive. Ciao!
leaving lake como
We're not about to miss this bus! The hotel had an early breakfast for us, had an early check out; we hurry off with our suitcases & here we stand - 40 mins before the bus arrives! We're such dopes & if we're at the wrong stop - can't find a bus stop sign anywhere. Aah, I hear Philip asking a local, who says we're in the rigt place. Now if I can only figure out how to call Mikki but I have several hours to fret.
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