Sunday, April 30, 2006

A few more random pictures...

My last night in Belgium we had Bailey's in chocolate cups. There is only one word to describe it: yummy.

Ine pouring the delicious treat into the tiny cups


Eating the cups


Ine's Parents--who were super nice.

I can't wait to see them all again.

At one point I had 3 forms of currency with me. And yes, it does get confusing...
(pounds, yen, and euros)


Danny (and friends)

I'm choosing to not explain Danny. I'm putting this up for my own amusement (and Ine and Taylor can laugh too if they chose).

I love to fly

A few of you expressed interest in the pictures I left out, so here they are. Prepare to be disappointed...

My last look at Belgium


According to the pilot we had a good tail wind...


My only look at Denmark outside of the airport


What I did during my 11 hour flight...




The map--which I looked at every 30 minutes or so, because I was ready to be home

Friday, April 21, 2006

London, baby...

Ine, Christophe and I woke up at 3:30 in the morning to go catch a bus which would take us to Cassis, France. From there we were getting on a ferry, then going to England. After a lot of questioning from passport control, since I was the only American on a bus full of Belgians, we were on our way. The ferry was crowded and there were guys drinking pints of beer at 7 in the morning...very interesting. Europeans love their beer. Anyhow, we made it there and the plan was to meet Taylor at Hanover Square, where we were getting dropped off. Well, that didn't quite work out, right Taylor? :-) We eventually met up with him at Trafalgar's Square and we had a great day in London. Since we were only there for a day, Ine and I had a 'plan' which we more or less stuck to. (Lindsey, you would have been so proud of our organized plan--which of course, Ine gets all the credit for, since you all know I'm not a planner.)

We met Taylor in front of the National Gallery


Ine and I had some fun chasing the birds too.






Taylor and I in Trafalgar's Square


I love this picture...I don't know why, but I do.


Sidewalk art


Statue of Alison Lapper (If you don't know her story, you should look it up.)


What? Texas has it's own Embassy?


Big Ben


Taylor took this picture when Ine and I weren't paying attention. I have no idea what I was pointing at.


Me and Abe


Christophe, Ine and I in front of Westminster Abbey


Ine, I don't think you're supposed to get friendly with the horses


The London Eye


Buckingham Palace




We were in London, so of course it rained at one point


Fish and Chips...yum yum



I told Taylor there was a bridge called "The Women's bridge" that women built while the men were away at war. He replied, "Oh, is that the one that fell down?" Gotta love it...

The Tower Bridge--We only passed this in the bus...we didn't make our way over there.


Animals in War--ok, this was for the animals that 'didn't have a choice' to participate in the war.

I'm sorry, I laughed. I'm not insensitive and you all know I love my dog, but don't we have bigger problems in the world? Where are the statues for the hundreds that die because of genocide everyday? (Ok, I'm stepping off my soapbox now.)

Fun in the phone booth


This was funny to everyone but me. I'm used to looking right since they drive on the left in Japan too.


Saying goodbye to Taylor.

It had been 3 years since we had seen each other...who knows how long it will be this time.

Ine took this without Christophe and I noticing. We were picking out songs on the jukebox on the ferry. My pick: Travis-"Beautiful Occupation"


And finally--just for fun

Cory, do you remember when we had to keep you on a leash? Oh, the good ole days...

Next time I'm in England I want to see more of the countryside. We passed some beautiful rolling hills on our drive from the ferry to London that I must return to before my life is over...

Mussels in Holland

After our day at the coast, we crossed the border into Holland so I could have my first experience consuming mussels.

Here they are...


They look pretty sick if you ask me, but they weren't bad at all. I'd eat them again if they were offered to me.

The empty shells


The Belgian coast

Alright, enough of you have nagged me. I will give in and post more pictures from my trip to Belgium.
One day Ine, Christophe (her boyfriend), and I went to the coast.

We walked along the beach a little, despite the fact that we were wearing coats. It was still nice to be at the ocean.


The tire marks are ugly...yes, quite ugly.

Shadow shot


Some kids playing in the sand with coats, gloves, and hats on


Big, Blue Sky


At the end of a pier




We got lucky--Christophe saw a fellow school mate (he is in nautical school) that was working on a boat, so we got to take a tour.


(The big boat behind the small ones is the one we toured.)



Christophe and Michael


Michael showed off and climbed the ropes...it really was pretty cool.




The dining cabin


Taking my turn at the wheel...


And Ine got a turn too...


A few more silly shots from the day





It's a grand 'ole flag..


So, that was our day at the coast.