Istanbul - Blue Mosque

Istanbul - Tokapi Palace

Istanbul - Haghia Sophia

Bodrum Turkey

Dawn and I spend the first 3 days in Turkey in a beach town called Bodrum. It was really nice and easy to navigate. First day of our holiday was spent pool side soaking in some much needed sun. Then we wanted to see some beaches and swim in the sea so we took a day long boat ride. They stop at 3 or 4 beaches through out the day. We had fun soaking up the sun and swimming in the Aegean Sea. On the last day we got massages. It was a little strange. He massaged my arm pits. Very weird. Next stop Istanbul.

München

After a London and a few crazy nights in Karlsruhe, we headed off to München. It is a lovely city. We did our best to make the most of the day that we had but we were a bit wrecked from the day before. I can't even tell you what we saw really. Just did alot of walking around and sight seeing.

More London Photos

London baby!

Summer holiday season is upon us. One of my CAH friends from New York came over for a european holiday. I joined her in London. We had 3 days there and saw all of the major sites. We rode the Eye (rip off! It is boring, don't do it), Windor Castle, changing of the guard, Tower of London (who's loos have won many awards), London Bridge, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace. It was a good time! After London, we came back to Karlsruhe, then München and Turkey. More to follow.....

We have moved!

Although I said it would never happen, I would never move again...ever, it happened. We moved. And that isn't a typo, it is we. We officially got a new apartment and moved in together. The new place is much bigger (130 sq. meters) and has enough space for us both. It is a lot of work getting settled in but we are nearly finished. Still some painting that needs to be done and some new furniture needs to be bought but it is shaping up quite nicely. Pictures will soon follow.

Stitches and Skype

I managed to make it 34 years in life with out stitches. That time has ended. In one of my clumsiest moments yet, I dropped a knife onto my finger. I was putting the dishes away and dropped the knife onto my index finger. Surprisingly deep cut resulted but no pain and not much bleeing. I went to the hospital just to see and they gave me 2 stiches.

Also this week, I signed up for skpe so everyone can call me for free!!! Just sign up for skype!

Verona Italy

This week I was in Italy for work. I did manage to get out between meetings to see a bit of the city. Verona is beautiful! I highly recommend it. The people are also very nice. I left my wallet behind in a restaurant bathroom. Someone who worked at the restaurant found it and has mailed it back to me. Hopefully it will be in my hands next week with everything in it (credit cards, cash, drivers license etc....). I must say I am surprised that it was found. I thought for sure it would be gone forever. Gratzi people of Italy Gratzi!!

More hiking photos....

Eva and I and the hound dogs went hiking a few weekends back. It started off really nice and sunny. Then turned to rain and hail. In the end it was sunny again. We celebrated our suvival with a few radlers and a sausage.

Baden Baden

So what does one do on a Sunday afternoon to relax? Go to the bath in Baden Baden of course. It is only a 25 minute drive from Karlsruhe and it is lovely. We took a walk around town and enjoyed the snow before heading into the pool. No pictures from inside the pool as there are naked areas. But after relaxing in the mineral pools we felt great!

The Rhein

As you have seen from previous posts I have become quite a fan of hiking. Last weekend we went hiking along the Rhein. As you may know the Rhein is one of the longest river in Germany and Karlsruhe is next to it. The weather wasn't ideal, it was snowing and raining a bit, we managed to enjoy it. As we do with all hikes, we stopped for lunch along the way. This time we ended up on a boat that was converted to a restaurant. It was like a gentlemans club in there. Dark paneling on the walls, guys smoking pipes....all a bit strange but the food was great! I ate wild boar with spätzle. Tasty!

2010

Glückliches Neu Jahr! Happy New Year everyone! Yes, I know that my post are infrequent. I would like to think that this year I would be better about posting but I know I won't. It isn't on my list of things to improve on in 2010. So what is the plan for 2010 you might be asking....Good question.

1. Improve my german. I have been here 2 years now and while I can speak, it definitely needs work. Being the perfectionist that I am, I won't be entirely happy until I am fluent. This will take many years but I am determined to get there.

2. Find a new apartment. Yes, I know I said I would never move again but life changes and so must I. While I love my apartment (and I do mean I LOVE it!) it isn't big enough for 2 so we are searching for a new one. So far we have seen 6 apartments and none of them are right. I am holidng out for the perfect one.

3. Travel more. I am so excited that my CAH friend from New York is coming for a visit this summer. We are going to go to London, tour around Germany a bit and then go to Turkey. Viel spaß!!

That is it really. I have accomplished much in the 2 years I have been here and still love living here. I just want to relax and enjoy this year. The first 2 have been a bit chaotic so I am looking forward to a peaceful year.

Thanksgiving 2009

Well, this year I hosted Thanksgiving Part II. It went much better than last year as I learned a few lessons along the way. The Irish were still late (next time the paddy doesn't get to go to Ireland before a holiday as he can't be trusted to remember his passport)...long story. I still wasn't able to organize a turkey for the event so we made due with chickens. We had a lovely meal! My friends and I are such good cooks, if I do say so myself. Eva made a beef stew that was served in a pumpkin, Andreas made knödel (german bread dumplings), Judith made rolle (beef rolls stuffed with pickle and cheese)....so much food and it was all delicious! No pictures this year so I will add that to the list of things to get right for next year. 1. Turkey 2. pictures. 2010 will be the best one yet!

Good News!

I am so excited to say that soon I will be self employed! It has been a long road to get here and really has only come about because of a complicated visa situation but the day will soon be here. I have health insurance, a business number, a tax number and all that is left is to pay the visa office €40 and the deal will be done. January 8, I will be officially self employed!

Also in the news is that I will arrive stateside for my offical christmas visit in exactly 5 days! I am so excited to be coming home this year. I am most excited to be bringing a special someone with me. He hasn't been to the US before so it will be fun to show him around and introduce him to my family. It will be a short trip (only 8 days) but it is a much needed rest. See you soon!!!

The Next Adventure

Eva, Craig and I (and the 2 dogs) decided on a 2 day hike in the Black Forest. Eva made all the arrangments and mapped our course and we were off. The hike was supposed to involve hiking up 2 mountains in the Black Forest (Belchen and Blauen). The hike was to take 2 days and cover a distance of 37km.

The hike was beautiful and mostly uneventful except for 2 things. One, we were nearly stampeded by a herd of cows. Our hiking path went though their field and lets just say they did not appreciate tourists. Two, it snowed! I think we must have been at 1100 meters or so when it started snowing. By the time we reached the top of Belchen we could barely see. We got to experience the first snowfall of the season.

The second day of the hike was canceled due to rain. It was raining so hard that we would have been soaked in under 5 minutes. And it would not have been fun to hike for 6 hours, wet and cold.

2 girls, 2 hound dogs and a map

Earlier in the week, I suggested to Eva that we go for a bike ride. She suggested an alternative plan, hiking in the Black Forest. Of course I agreed so we set out on Saturday morning for a 19km hike with her 2 dogs. We hiked from Oberrot to Bad Herrenalb. The guide book said it would take 5 hours and only the first 2.5 would be strenuous as it was all uphill. In reality it took 6.5 hours and the first 3.5 hours were uphill. The views were amazing but it was exhausting. Today my glutes are sore but I feel relaxed. Soon I will be ready for another adventure with Eva.

What's the craic? Part IV

While in Ireland I saw my first Gaelic football match. It is a combination of soccer and rugby. I was quite impressed with the brutality and foul language. I don't understand all the rules but I do know it is illegal to kick another guy in the head. See the video. Cound the number of times they yell the word "bollocks".

What's the craic? Part III

While in Ireland I spent some time in Kinlough and Bondouran. Lot of lakes and of course the ocean. How knew that you could surf in Ireland? And no, I didn't try it. I stayed on dry land.