2 Weeks: 5 Countries

 As the first week of school approaches one of the most common questions I get as a teacher is "How was your summer?  Did you go anywhere?".  So, I figured why not share it out with all of you out there!  Paul and I ventured for two weeks in Europe, to the left is a photo of the beginning of the adventure.  We lucked out and flew first class out of Minneapolis to Amsterdam.  I'd never flown first class before(thank you airline retiree for the hook-up!) but let me tell you, I could certainly get used to it!!! Also, let me apologize in advance if this post is a bit scatter-brained... it's the last week before teachers return, we've got some trainings this week.... it's a crazy time!!!

    There's Paul showing probably what my face looked like when I first saw our seats.  My seat layed down into a bed, and I was welcomed aboard with a travel kit, and a choice of beverage.... We even had our own TV's and unlimited free movie choices....... We took off around 7:30 pm from Minneapolis, Minnesota and landed around 7:30 am  in......

AMSTERDAM!!!

Iamsterdam sign at Schipol Airport, and Anne Frank Statue near her house

    In Amsterdam we saw some phenomenal architecture, and museums.  We visited the Van Gogh museum which was a life goal for me.  We also went to the Anne Frank House which was so powerful and moving.  If you go to Amsterdam, no matter what the wait was, I recommend you wait out the line.  We toured Amsterdam for 2-3 days.  An awesome highlight was stumbling across an art market, where we purchase two pieces of art by local artists. 

Amsterdam Grand Centraal Station, and a side canal view from our evening Canal Cruise!

Next Stop: BRUSSELS

    Alright, well, we hit some minor bumps during our time in Brussels. First, the language barrier.  Teaching in a bi-lingual school I've always thought I understood how my students feel when they come in speaking no English(and I instruct in English).  In Brussels they speak primarily French and German, Paul and I were certainly at a disadvantage.   We made it through, but at times, it certainly posed a new challenge and I now have actually experienced that feeling, which students who enter my classroom feel.  

     I had no idea that the day we arrived to Brussels by train, was their National Liberation day!  This was great because there was a parade, and festival in the local park however, we found out that once you are in that festival and the parade starts, you're there for the entire 3.5 hour parade.  So we got trapped in the park, where we saw glimpses of the parade, local food, and celebrations. Of course... we had to have a Belgian waffle!

Waffle time, Liberation Day Festival, and Sculptural Detail of local Architecture

     After the experience of the parade, we ventured out for dinner, ended the evening, and made out plans to visit the city center the following day.  We ventured out to the city center and meandered around.  Brussels is a rather small town, so we weren't worried about getting lost! I really cant use words to describe how breathtaking the city center was.  To have a city, so old, which survived war, and have the buildings still in tact and original, is insane.  Around the USA I feel like we are quick to scrap the old, and bring in the new, but Brussels was a city which really froze their architectural style in time, and it stays the same today.

City Center Architecture Close-Up

City Center, Where we found some more original ART!

Next Stop: LONDON!

We arrived in wonderful London, England a city mid-evening, found dinner, and began our plan of attack to ensure in our 4 days there involved everything we wanted to do and see.  Let me tell you, it was A TON of stuff. 

  While traveling around London, we saw...... (here comes the list!)... Harrods, Buckingham Palace, The Tate Modern, Piccadilly Circus,  London Bridge, The Tower of London, Chelsea Football Club Stadium, The Lord Cricket Grounds, Wimbledon, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben and Parliament, A Marvel Movie Red Carpet Premier, The Globe Theater, St. Paul's Cathedral, and so much more!

Press Room, Chelsea Football Club Stadium

London Bridge, Paul and I with Big Ben in the Background

   While we were visiting the Tower of London, there were two cool moments!  One, was while we were awaiting the tour to begin, Paul kept staring a me leaning against a wall, then staring at the kids on one side of me, and then staring at the very tall man besides me on the other side.  I couldn't figure it out and finally, he sends me a message saying "I think that guy is Seal, the guy Heidi Klum was with.... and their kids..." So of course, I glance and realize it is! So that was just a fun little event!  Also during our visit to The Tower of London was the installation occurring of roughly 889,000 metal poppies in the moat and surrounding areas of the Tower.  This is a commemoration of all soldiers who fought in the war.  It was remarkable to see such a large scale installation happening all due to volunteers helping an artist create their vision.  Check out the images below of the progress so far! 

Tower of London, Poppy Installations

And now...... a quick connection in WALES, 

3 trains and a ferry to.... IRELAND.... 

1 last train to SLIGO!

   When I was a Junior in college I took the amazing opportunity to study abroad in Dublin, Ireland where I met Aine.  She was my Irish roommate while I studied abroad and meeting her and her family was so welcoming and helpful.  Aine was my home away from home, she was my friend, my sister, and my best friend while I was abroad.  That being said, Aine and her family live in Sligo, Ireland so when Paul and I decided we were going to end our trip in Ireland, going to Sligo was absolutely going to happen.  We got to Sligo and spent time with Aine's parents and her awesome sister Emer, and boyfriend.  They took us around to all the Sligo sights including Strandhill Beach a place I visited 5 years ago.  We went to the local Sligo soccer team match where they even gave us a shout-out for coming all the way from Washington DC!  It was an amazing time, in a place I called home.  

Our Irish Traffic Jam, and the four of us!

How can you not love Ireland?

    After a few days in Sligo, we ventured back to Dublin, which I know and remember so well.  I took Paul to my favorite spots, most specifically Bewley's Cafe on Grafton street.  We even got my favorite spot by the window which overlooks on the street performers.  We went to Jameson, Guinness, Trinity, Dublin Castle, Stephens Green, Kilmainham Gaol(jail),and much more.  It was incredible to be back in that space that I called home for 5-6 months while in college.  I was surprised at how quickly I picked up and remembered the local terms, streets, and ways to get around.  It was great to end in a city I knew so well, and I made sure to stock up on my favorite European candy and foods!  

Dublin Castle, Kilmainham Gaol, My Bewleys Spot View of Grafton Street

  So there it is, that's the most exciting part of my summer vacation I'd say.  Although it was only two weeks, it was certainly a non-stop, busy but amazing experience.  So parents, students, friends, and followers.... what did you do this summer vacation?!