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 |   Life with Jody--former Soldier (medically retired), writer (in training), and lots more |
This blog tied for 3rd Place in the June 2016 "The Bard's Hall Contest"  This is a non-specific blog about me and my life, the things I do, the problems I cause, and the trouble I manage to escape. Topics that may be covered include but are in no way limited to food, animals (especially farm animals), war, the military, photography, North Carolina, medical problems and medical care, religion, writing, and examples of extreme laziness. |
| Howdy Everyone! Well, as we continue our trip in Germany, I continue my color coordination. With the German flag being black, red, and yellow, I will keep the prompt in black and write my part in red because I think the yellow is too hard to read.  August 20th, Hamburg It's only 2 hours on the train. We're back to a hostel in Hamburg http://www.hostelworld.com/hosteldetails.php/Pyjama-Park-Schanzenviertel/Hamburg... I love where we're staying in Hamburg. Mostly because the name is so cute--Pyjama Park. How adorable is that?!?  It's a cute place too. The decor is mostly white and clean, but it was just redone. I wonder how long all this white will be white...lolWe're dumping our stuff and we're off to a day of exploring you choose, its a hop on, hop off bus. I got you the skip the lines option. https://www.tripadvisor.com/AttractionProductDetail?product=3880HAM01&d=1962624&... Hop On Off Tour Stops - Departure Main Train Station Main train station - Kirchenallee Ferdinandstor Holzdamm - Hotel Atlantik Fonteney - Hotel Intercontinental Hallerstrasse Rothenbaumchaussee Johnsallee Moorweidenstrasse - Hotel Elysee Marseiller Strabe - Hotel SAS Plaza Bei den Kirchenhofen Sievekingplatz Gansemarkt Dammtorstrasse - Hotel Oper Esplanade - Hotel Baseler Hof Neuer Jungfernstieg - Hotel Four Seasons Town hall square Rodingsmarkt - Hotel Steigenberger St Michaelis Church Seewartenstrasse - Hotel Hafen Hamburg Reeperbahn St. Pauli Fishmarket Port landing piers 1-2 (departure harbor cruise) Auf dem Sande Shanghaiallee Tube Steinstrasse Main train station - Spitalerstrasse I hopped on and off with a number of folks, but I made sure I stuck with Whata SpoonStealer to be sure I didn't get lost. She's such a card, though! She had me cracking up half the day! We'll meet up at 6pm for a short sailing experience on Lake Alster before dining at Restaurant Hala at Beselerplatz 11, 22607 Hamburg, Germany https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g187331-d8052433-Reviews-Barca_BOA... Enjoy a 1-hour small-group sunset cruise on a traditional sailing boat in the middle of Hamburg. Set the sails and enjoy the panoramic views of Hamburg's city from a beautiful two master. No sailing experience from you is required! Your skipper will guide your tour on the Alster lake. Enjoy a cool drink (beer, bubbles, soft drink - one drink included in ticket) on board. Relax and escape from the hazzle of the city. Well, I gotta say, the sail boat wasn't as relaxing as I'd expected. Who can relax when you're being told to lean half your body off the boat. I admit it--I didn't lean as far as I could. I was scared I'd lose my grip and fall overboard. Thankfully, no one fell overboard and the whole thing didn't flip over because some of us weren't hanging far enough over the edge. (Hey, I wasn't the ONLY one...) Thankfully, all's well that ends well and we all ended dry, so that went well. lol Before we head out for game night I've got a huge surprise for you, I overheard Fivesixer and Kit of House Lannister talking about McDonald's. I haven't had a chicken nugget in such a long time either. That's my junk food toxin occasionally with hot mustard sauce.  https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g187331-d5510442-Reviews-McDonald_... Oh, good grief! Lyn's a sly fox took us to get a hamburger in Hamburg.  Well, I can't blame her; I wouldn't have been able to resist either. lolAfter dinner we're going to do game night Hamburg style. These places got rave reviews. I'm sure one of them will appeal. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g187331-d8045977-Reviews-One_Way_O... https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g187331-d9605450-Reviews-TwistedRo... https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g187331-d7591283-Reviews-Hidden_in... If not we can continue our pillow wars. That Kittee and Norb are up to something; I can feel it. We opted for the game center, One Way Out. It's a giant puzzle room/maze thingy. I'd never gotten to do one of these, so I was VERY excited! I was on a team with Gaby ~ Keeper Of The Realm, Sally, Fivesixer, Whata SpoonStealer, and Kit of House Lannister. I thought we were all pretty smart, so we'd get through this thing in record time. Ummm...turns out that's not necessarily the case. In some of these things, there's a certain amount of luck and speed involved that brains just can't really make up for. In others, there's a LOT of luck and speed involved that brains just can't make up for. lol Well, we all had fun and that's what matters. |
| Howdy Once Again! Again, we're in Germany and the flag colors are black, red, and yellow. I'll be writing my part in red and the prompt will be in black. August 19th Berlin/Dresden We'll meet up at 8 am for our adventure in Dresden Absorb the wealth of culture and elegant architecture found in Dresden, longstanding hub of German arts, during this 10-hour day trip from Berlin. Begin with a guided tour of the city center on foot, learning about its history as you explore the Zwinger palace, Semperoper (Semper Opera) and Frauenkirche (Church of our Lady). Then spend the afternoon independently, wandering through the city’s lush parks, baroque architecture or lovely riverbanks along the Elbe, offering skyline views. This Berlin to Dresden visit also includes transport by air-conditioned coach. Highlights: Full-day trip to Dresden from Berlin. Take a guided walking tour of Dresden and learn about the city’s fascinating history. See top Dresden attractions, such as the Semperoper, the Frauenkirche and the Zwinger. Stroll along the river Elbe and enjoy beautiful views of the city. Enjoy free time to explore the city at your leisure. Transport by comfortable, modern, air-conditioned minivan. Read more about Dresden Day Trip from Berlin - Berlin | Viator at: https://www.viator.com/tours/Berlin/Dresden-Day-Trip-from-Berlin/d488-5560DRESDE... I gotta say, I was NOT looking forward to this trip. I'm exhausted and with all this travel, it's really hard to rest up. I'm never letting Lyn's a sly fox schedule another vacation for me. I'll be glad to get back to the U.S. On the flip side, she's choosing the MOST AWESOME THINGS! I don't want to just spend a day in my room sleeping and resting because I'll miss something really super cool! Darn that Lyn! lol Dresden was beyond what I expected! The architecture is AMAZING! And I don't really get that into architecture, so if I'm impressed, it's GOT to be amazing! And it's got 40 museums! I wasn't sure if SB Musing was going to be in heaven or hell with that! lol Either way, the city was amazing! After lunch I wandered around alone. I love my travel group, but I just needed some alone time. I do NOT recommend wandering in foreign countries by yourself, but I was assured that Dresden is safe enough. Of course, I didn't say WHY I was asking how safe Dresden was. lol But I was planning to stay in the main part of town where all the touristy staff is anyway, so I'm sure the most common problem is being cheated by high prices. lol Dinner is at 7:30pm Spend a night out at one of the most famous sites in Berlin with “An Evening at Charlottenburg Palace,” a dinner and concert experience with the Berlin Residence Orchestra, plus a tour of the palace. Enjoy a 3-course candlelight dinner in the Palace Orangery. Then take in the classical sounds of the Berlin Residence Orchestra, performing selections from Bach, Handel, Mozart and more. Choose from four ticket categories. At intermission, VIP seat holders receive a glass of champagne. This event regularly sells out weeks in advance, so book early. Highlights: Berlin Residence Orchestra concert at Charlottenburg Palace. Panoramic view of Berlin's main highlights as Bellevue Palace, the Government, District and the Reichstag. 3-course dinner before the concert at Charlottenburg Palace Orangery. Enjoy a self-guided tour of the palace, the largest in Berlin. Listen to renowned Berlin musicians playing Bach, Mozart and more. Read more about 'An Evening at Charlottenburg Palace' Palace Tour, Dinner and Concert by the Berlin Residence Orchestra - Berlin | Viator at: https://www.viator.com/tours/Berlin/An-Evening-at-Charlottenburg-Palace-Palace-T... I wasn't sure how this dinner and concert was going to go since my brain injury causes music to become overwhelming a lot of the time now since Iraq. I brought my ear plugs to help. Dinner was delicious and I got to sit with PandaPaws Licensed VetTech, Brother Nature, and ElaineElaine, so of course, I enjoyed the dinner conversation. When it came time for the music, I was pleasantly surprised to see the people all dressed as they would back in the days of Bach or Mozart. It was cool. I also found the ear plugs helped my brain to be able to tolerate the music, so all in all, it was a very lovely evening. In fact, it kind of brought back memories of similar concerts from when I was a child. My parents believed in making us well-rounded kids and took us to a wide variety of things from a play about Snoopy to a string quartet. We saw (and heard) a lot more than most kids our age, especially for our income level (middle class). Anyway, it was nice to remember the good old days before most of the rest of my family was dead and I had a minor traumatic brain injury...back during a happier time. |
| Howdy Once Again! Well, today our virtual tour of Europe takes us to Germany. Germany's flag is black, red, and yellow. I decided yellow would probably be too hard to read, so I'm keeping the prompt in black and I'll, yet again, be typing in red. I think I'm going to be really disappointed when I get to a country that doesn't have red in their flag. lol August 18, 2016 Berlin We'll staying at the Marriott. Potsdamer Platz location in Berlin, Germany's city centre. Our 370 guest rooms and 9 deluxe suites are each outfitted with in-room entertainment, stone bathrooms with walk-in showers, and fashionable decor. No matter your reason for visiting Berlin, we can help you feel at home with quality amenities such as a 24-hour fitness center and an indoor pool. Dine-in and enjoy delicious steak and seafood from our Midtown Grill, or savor a specialty cocktail from our trendy CATWALK fashion bar. Our well-situated hotel places you near many of Berlin's most notable attractions, including Brandenburg Gate and the Holocaust Memorial. http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/bermc-berlin-marriott-hotel/ I'm rooming with Sally on this leg. It's appropriate that she be stuck with me since she's the reason I'm here. lol She's such a sweetheart, though! I really like spending time with her! Our room is across from Fivesixer and Andy~hating university, so I think she and I are both quite pleased. I don't know if the boys care at all, but hey, as long as WE'RE happy...  Not long after we got to the hotel, Jellyfish-on holiday, Gaby ~ Keeper Of The Realm, 🌷 Carol St.Ann 🌷, and WakeUpAndLive️~🚬🚭2024 came to the door asking if we wanted to go to the pool to sort of wake up. Today's my last day in the Army, so I decided it was best I not be alone (Sally had decided to take a nap), so I agreed to go. Besides, I couldn't sleep and I didn't want to disturb her. What's quieter than a quiet roommate? No roommate. lol Kit of House Lannister, Elycia Lee ☮, SandraLynn Team Florent!, and BlueMoon had apparently decided the same thing. It was more crowded there than I'd expected considering the time, but it was fun. We managed to get into a splashing contest and got to making such a ruckus that someone from the staff came in and asked us in German to hold it down. We don't speak German, but we knew what the complaint was. Hahaha We had quieter fun, but still enjoyed ourselves. Finally we decided to go upstairs to get ready for lunch. I was starved! After lunch at the hotel, we'll be going on another Segway tour Experience Berlin like never before on this guided, educational and entertaining, 3-hour small-group Segway tour. Berlin is Germany’s capital and cultural centerpiece. Cruise to all its main sites — like the Berlin Wall, Brandenburg Gate, Berlin Cathedral and Museum Island, Reichstag, Gendarmenmarkt and many more — stopping frequently to hear fascinating stories, take pictures and discuss Berlin’s history. Guided Segway training, plus a helmet and poncho (in case of inclement weather) are included. Dress in weather-appropriate clothes with flat, closed-toed shoes. Highlights Segway tour of Berlin See more of the city than you would on a walking tour Cruise by major attractions like the Berlin Wall and Brandenburg Gate Read more about Berlin Segway Tour - Berlin | Viator at: https://www.viator.com/tours/Berlin/Berlin-Segway-Tour/d488-3933BERSEGWAY?pub=vc... The segway tours were limited to 8 per group, so we broke up into groups of 8. I got to be with Apondia, Princess Megan Rose GOT Fox, Dragon is hiding, Finn O'Flaherty, 💙 Carly, PandaPaws Licensed VetTech, and Andy~hating university (swoon). We had a fabulous time on the segways. It was funny because Andy~hating university was trying to hotdog on his, most of us were being normal, but a couple of folks were a bit skittish about the whole plan, though they caught on and seemed to really have a ball after a bit. lol I was also amused that someone who shall go nameless, actually asked more questions than I did. That's impressive! Our poor guide was inundated with questions. We all had a lot of questions, but between me and my rival questioner, that guide was probably glad to be rid of us. lol When we got back, one of the other groups was all atwitter about their experience. I didn't think anything about it since I figured we all had mostly the same experience, but theirs was much different! First, one of them "fell off," though no one would say who. Even better, they fell off because they were evacuating because they were about to hit someone and didn't think they could stop in time. Well, that didn't matter and their segway bumped them anyway. Well, it turns out it was Dolph Lundgren (whom I'm a BIG fan of) and some super famous international model (I've never heard of). Even their guide was excited! I'm so jealous! They said Dolph was really nice about it, but the model was angry because in the incident, somehow her thousand dollar shoes got scuffed. Well, I can't blame her. I'd be pretty angry, myself. But then, shoes get scuffed. That's why I'd never buy a thousand dollar pair, even if I could afford them. lol Anyway, we couldn't get anyone to tell us who had bailed just before hitting someone. Oh well, but I've narrowed it down to someone in that group. I know, not helpful, but it was either Fran 💜 💜 💜, LostGhost: Seeking & Learning, Moody Blue: Needs an Upgrade, Winnie, Prosperous Snow celebrating, Lyn's a sly fox, ElaineElaine, or Brother Nature. Personally, I've got my opinions, but I can't really say for sure who it is. But I'm dying to know. How embarrassing! lol We're skipping the line for this once in a lifetime experience by celebrating our visit to Berlin with a sky-high meal in the clouds during this VIP dinner 679 feet (207 meters) above the city in the revolving restaurant of the Berlin TV Tower. Enjoy skip-the-line access to the tallest building in Berlin, sitting down for a VIP dinner at Sphere, the revolving eatery located at the tower’s apex. Savor a delicious 2-course dinner at a guaranteed window-seat table, accompanied by three wines and soak up the incredible vistas of nearby Berlin landmarks like Charlottenburg Palace and Checkpoint Charlie. Highlights Skip-the-line VIP dinner atop the famous Berlin TV Tower Treat yourself to an unforgettable dining experience at the top of the highest building in Berlin Enjoy skip-the-line entrance to Sphere, a revolving restaurant at a soaring 679 feet Dine in the elegant atmosphere and admire incredible 360-degree views of Berlin from your table Choose from four different dinner menus to suit your taste and savor three glasses of wine. Read more about Skip the Line: Dinner Atop the Berlin TV Tower - Berlin | Viator at: https://www.viator.com/tours/Berlin/Skip-the-Line-Dinner-atop-the-Berlin-TV-Towe... Well, dinner was interesting. We had to decide what we wanted to eat ahead of time, then arrived according to our choice. Also odd, there were only 4 choices. Whatever, I found something I'd like, so I was happy. The place was packed, but just as advertised, everyone had a window seat table. I got to sit with Fivesixer and SB Musing. There were only 3 of us because we were at the end of our group of folks who wanted to eat the chicken. Norb was really funny and kept us laughing quite a bit before dinner came. I also pawned off my wine since I don't like wine, but instead of telling the waiter, I just slowly poured some into each of their glasses bit by bit to make it seem like I was drinking some. lol Hey, we paid good money for this meal, wine included. I'm not getting cheated out of my wine!Anyway, as the night went on, I got quiet as I began to realize that my last day in the Army was coming to an end. It was really hard for me to focus on the conversation and throw in something here and there to pretend I was still "with the group." I think SB Musing must have noticed because after dinner, when we all started back, she delayed leaving the table for a minute and asked me to wait for her. Then on the way back she talked to me one-on-one about what I was going through. I cried a bit, but she was SUPER SWEET about the whole thing! I really appreciated her and I think when we got back to the room, she said something to Sally while I was in the bathroom because Sally was extra awesome too. Thank you, ladies! I NEEDED THAT! Did you check in with your fellow backpackers lately? How are they doing with all this traveling? No, I've been a bad friend and haven't checked on my fellow travelers. How's everyone doing? Everyone still alive? On to real life... Saying Goodbye to the Army My social worker and occupational therapist took me to the nearest veterans' memorial today...a veterans' cemetery. Hmmm...I feel like there should be a different memorial here, but whatever. It was a BEAUTIFUL cemetery! I laid flowers at the base of the U.S. and POW flags and wrote on 3 biodegreadable dove-shaped balloons. One I wrote my poem, "Salute to My God-Given Life" , on. On one I wrote thank you to everyone I could think of (but later realized I'd STILL left some folks off) and on the back I'd asked God's forgiveness for my sins. I can't remember what I wrote on the other one...the 2nd balloon. Even before we left, just minutes later, I couldn't remember. Maybe it was the stress of everything. God knows I was STRESSED!!! I cried a good bit, naturally. It was really hard for me.Because I'm prone to making ridiculous decisions since Iraq, I'm not even going to try to explain why I think this is a good idea, but my apartment complex changed their mind and said I COULD have rabbits. So I've decided to go check out some rabbit places this weekend and see if I want to get a rabbit or 2 (for company when I'm not playing with it). I'm pondering either the American Chinchilla Rabbit, the most endangered breed of rabbit in the U.S., or the Silver Fox Rabbit, another endangered breed, but doing better than the Am Chin. Here's a link for the American Chinchilla Rabbit https://livestockconservancy.org/index.php/heritage/internal/americanchinchilla Here a link for the Silver Fox Rabbit. https://livestockconservancy.org/index.php/heritage/internal/silver-fox I thought I could get maybe 2 does (girls) and breed them occassionally to help build up the breed numbers. That way it would be ALMOST like I'm farming endangered livestock like I originally wanted to do. But I'll sell the babies instead of keeping them...after all, I DO live in an apartment. lolI haven't decided for sure yet. I don't want my place to stink and I'm a light sleeper in a small and echo-y apartment. Maybe I should just get a cat instead... |
| Howdy Everyone! Still in the Czech Republic, we'll be using blue and red again since their flag is red, white, and blue. The prompt is in blue and I'll be typing in red. August 17th Prague Choices are yours today, I'm offering options for you. Explore one of the Czech Republic’s most beautiful fortress-palaces on this 4-hour trip to Konopiste Castle from Prague. Travel through central Bohemia by coach and tour the chateau-like building, used as a private residence by Austria’s Archduke Franz Ferdinand, whose assassination in 1917 led to World War I. Discover how the original 13th-century fortress was rebuilt several times; admire the collections of weaponry, tapestries and art; learn about the lives of the Archduke and his family, and finish with a stroll around the glorious, statue-dotted gardens. Highlights Visit the beautiful Konopiste Castle on a half-day trip from Prague Discover the castle’s history and rich artistic heritage with your professional guide Walk through the romantic garden area and see the beautiful rose garden Travel in a comfortable coach and enjoy Bohemia's picturesque landscape Read more about Konopiste Castle Half-Day Trip from Prague - Prague | Viator at: https://www.viator.com/tours/Prague/Konopiste-Castle-Half-Day-Trip-from-Prague/d... History Buffs Take a humbling lesson in the horrors of World War II on this day trip to Terezin from Prague by rail. Traveling with a professional guide, follow part of a rail line used to transport Jewish prisoners to the former Nazi deportation camp, a converted 18th-century fortress where many thousands died at the hands of the Nazis. Tour the barracks and compound of the Main Fortress; visit the museum, cemetery and columbarium; and learn how the Nazis presented the camp as a lively Jewish community to dupe official Red Cross observers. Highlights Day trip to Terezin concentration camp by rail from Prague, with a guide Tour the haunting Main Fortress camp, where thousands of Jewish people were held during WWII Travel on the same train tracks used to transport prisoners to Terezin from Prague Explore the museum and see the former barracks, cells and SS offices Visit the poignant Jewish cemetery, crematorium and columbarium Learn how the Nazis presented Terezin as a thriving community to WWII Red Cross monitors Stop at Bohušovice rail station from where many Jews were taken on to Terezin Read more about Terezin Concentration Camp Day Trip from Prague by Train - Prague | Viator at: https://www.viator.com/tours/Prague/Terezin-Concentration-Camp-Day-Trip-from-Pra... Take your taste buds on a journey around some of Prague’s best drinking haunts on this 5-hour evening Prague beer tour. With a local guide, visit five iconic bars and pubs, including a microbrewery, as you learn about Prague’s long-held passion for beer. Head into the trendy Žižkov district and Prague Old Town and team your tastings with classic Czech ‘tapas’ such as hearty pork chili and pickled sausage. Get insider tips on the top brews to try, and hear fascinating stories about Czech culture from your knowledgeable guide. Highlights 5-hour Prague evening beer tour Enjoy Prague’s thriving bar scene as you explore the city by foot and metro Taste different beer styles from highly acclaimed Czech microbreweries Try a variety of favorite local brews paired with typical Czech beer snacks Hear stories about Prague’s culture and history from your guide Read more about Prague Beer and Czech Tapas Evening Walking Tour - Prague | Viator at: https://www.viator.com/tours/Prague/Prague-Beer-and-Czech-Tapas-Evening-Walking-... We're leaving at one am and doing the last sleeping passenger train out of Prague. We'll be on the train for 5 hours, we'll have time to crash once we arrive if you need more sleep, swim or hit the Catwalk Fashion Bar. Well, I hated having to decide between the castle and the WWII prison camp, but eventually the prison camp won out. I chose the prison camp because, especially since Iraq, I have a fascination with war and a special need to see that America is right in getting involved in the affairs of others. I think WWII shows that clearly. Of course, we have Japan to thank for dragging us in, but whatever. lol I believe it's important to the outcome of WWII that we were involved. I wasn't interested in what sounded to me like an educational pub crawl. lol I don't like beer anyway. Plus, after 5 drinks, they'd be carrying me. Hahaha But I did get to hear how much fun other folks had when they went. I am a bit jealous I didn't get to try the snacks (pickled sausage? no idea such a thing existed...lol) and some of the stories were interesting, but all in all, I'm glad I didn't go. Though that microbrewery DID sound pretty awesome... I also got to see and hear stories from the castle. That was really cool and I hated missing out, but I had to pick (and don't regret my decision). It's AMAZING to me that something built in 1280 is still in liveable condition! I bet that contractor is pretty proud! lol I got to see pics folks took on their cell phones and that place is super awesome! Apparently Hollywood thought so too since they used it to film part of The Illusionist in 2006. Cool! Anyway, to the choice I made...Terezin. It's crazy how when the Red Cross came out to see it (didn't know they did that), it was presented as a thriving Jewish community. Wow! Really?!? Crazy! I bet those guys nearly died when they found out what was REALLY going on there later. Talk about having a HUGE life regret! I'm sure they never got over that! Another interesting thing is that not only did the prisoners go without food or enough food much of the time, but they were also deprived of water. Interesting. There weren't just water fountains in the barracks like there are in the U.S. military barracks. When in Germany, I visited Dachau, one of the most notorious camps. There were similarities between it and Terezin. For one, both had the German phrase, "arbeit macht frei" or "work sets one free" inscribed above the entrance. Personally, I'd have totally fallen for that, at least at first. But I guess that's why they put it there. One of the most touching things on the trip was the pictures drawn by kids in the camp. Though I didn't even really think about kids being there and certainly didn't consider they'd ever have drawing implements, but still, the drawings are haunting. The other bizarre thing that's almost disturbing is that, at least for me, I can't feel the horror or death. It "feels" like any other place I've been. I experienced the same thing at Dachau. I felt like I should be able to "feel" all the death and sadness there, but I can't. To me, that's almost sad in itself. Misery of that depth should permeate time and space, in my opinion. When I got back, I was tired from the day-long trip, but SB Musing suggested since we were leaving at 1 am, maybe we should just stay up. That SEEMED like a good idea at the time. But it turns out, I'm not as good at staying up late as I used to be. lol She did a great job of trying to keep me engaged, but ultimately I gave up. I have no idea how I pulled all of those 30 hour duties. lol Anyway, maybe she made it, but I sure didn't. Too bad too, as I fell asleep about 30 minutes before I had to get up, so it just made me more exhausted. lol Writing is easy. All you do is stare at a blank sheet of paper until drops of blood form on your forehead. - Gene Fowler |
| Howdy again! Well, today we're "in" Czech Republic (or the Czech Republic as I call it lol). Their flag is red, white, and blue. Lovely color choice, if I do say so myself. lol Anyway, I'm really glad I originally (accidentally) picked writing my part in red. Who knew there were so many countries with red as part of their flag. Not I. Anyway, I'll write my part in blue and have the prompt in red. (The white will simply be the background. Hahaha!) Day 16--Prague, Czech Republic 4 hour train trip to Prague... breakfast on train Well, another fairly long train ride. I'm not sure I'm digging all these trains. But then again, if we drove, it would take a LOT longer, so I guess their okay. lol The breakfast on the train was, as expected, "train priced." Hahaha But I will admit, I was impressed with the selection. It was like a mini restaurant, so that was nice. And the food wasn't bad considering it was "fast" food. (Get it--we're on a train, so the food is going fast...never mind...) ANYWAY, I had a long, leisurely breakfast with 🌷 Carol St.Ann 🌷 and Elycia Lee ☮. It was nice to be able to just enjoy each other's company without having to worry about being somewhere or missing something a guide says. But I'm REALLY excited about Prague. I've been wanting to go there for years. It's just so cool looking and has some awesome history! I'm excited! We're staying in a hostel in the downtown area which you will have the opportunity to explore on your own or do the 3.5 hour tour. http://www.hostelworld.com/hosteldetails.php/Hostel-DownTown/Prague/21097 Get the most from one day in Prague with this 3.5-hour coach and walking tour of the Czech capital. With an experienced guide to explain the sights, ride a comfortable coach past landmarks such as Wenceslas Square, the State Opera and more. Stop at Prague Castle and stroll around its highlights such as St Vitus Cathedral and Golden Lane; and walk to the Old Town to admire the Old Town Square with its Town Hall and Astronomical Clock. Ideal for first-time visitors or anyone short on time in the city. Highlights 3.5-hour sightseeing tour of Prague See top Prague attractions including the State Opera, National Museum, Charles Bridge and more Walk around Prague Castle's courtyards and explore the Old Town Choice of morning and afternoon tours Commentary in English and German Read more about Prague in One Day Sightseeing Tour - Prague | Viator at: https://www.viator.com/tours/Prague/Prague-in-One-Day-Sightseeing-Tour/d462-2190... My favorite thing on our 3.5 hour tour was the Astronomical Clock with the apostles that go around with the time, sort of like a coo-coo clock. That was pretty rockin'. I wish we had something like that in MY town. Dine in style and admire the floodlit beauty of Prague on this 3-hour luxury cruise along the Vltava River. Step aboard a beautiful, small boat and glide by Prague’s landmarks as you savor a gourmet 3-course dinner accompanied by a half-bottle of wine and lilting, live piano music. Ogle floodlit Prague Castle, cruise under the Charles Bridge, and absorb magical views of the city’s illuminated skyline. Enjoy the intimate atmosphere of the small boat, and if you wish, upgrade to dine in the bow area for the best, panoramic views. Highlights 3-hour luxury dinner and sightseeing intimate cruise on the Vltava River Savor a 3-course dinner and enjoy live piano music as you sail. Experience magical views over Prague’s top attractions, all beautifully floodlit by night. Glide past Prague Castle, the statue-lined Charles Bridge and other major landmarks. Enjoy a complimentary aperitif and a half-bottle of wine with your meal. Choose from an excellent drinks selection at the on-board bar (own expense) Upgrade to dine in the boat’s bow area with panoramic views. Read more about Prague Luxury Dinner Cruise on Vltava River - Prague | Viator at: https://www.viator.com/tours/Prague/Prague-Luxury-Dinner-Cruise-on-Vltava-River/... I've upgraded us for this evening's adventure. What part of today's adventure interested you the most? I thought I'd be more worn out from the day, but I guess the train ride and the cruise gave me enough rest. I REALLY loved that dinner cruise. I think that was my favorite thing. (Well, except the wine, but I had no trouble getting rid of my portion. lol) Oh, interesting to note, one of their desert choices was cheese. Huh? Well, another choice was chocolate mousse, so I'll cut them a break. I have nothing against cheese, I just don't think of it as dessert. Then again, maybe I should. lol Getting to see a city as majestic as Prague all lit up with spotlights is truly an awesome event to be remembered. Spotlights have a very different effect from neon lights and it suits this city perfectly! Tonight should be a fine ending to a wonderful day! I'm rooming with Jellyfish-on holiday, Kit of House Lannister, Sally, and SB Musing. We all get along great and no one snores, so I'm sure this rooming situation will be just peachy for us all. Writing is easy. All you do is stare at a blank sheet of paper until drops of blood form on your forehead. - Gene Fowler |
| Howdy Everyone! The Austrian flag is red and white so I'll write my response to the prompt in red. August 15th--Salzburg, Austria Historical Costume Walking Tour Salzburg in the year 1765: The historical costume walking tour leads you through the Salzburg of Mozart with its varied aspects of music, dance, culinary art and entertainment at the Archbishop's court. https://www.saltomusicale.at This was a LOT more fun than I'd expected! I didn't realize the tour guides were going to be in costumes! I thought we were just going to talk about what they wore back then while looking at costumes on manikins. This was AWESOME! Elisabeth and Philipp were a total BLAST! They are also total GENIUSES! She speaks English, German, and Italian! He speaks English, German, French, and Spanish! The best part was Philipp's Arnold Schwartzenegger impression...what was basically just him speaking in English with a deeper voice. HAHAHAHA!!! I'd like to add that not only was the tour fun, but Philipp wasn't too hard on the eyes. I kept jabbing SB Musing and looking over at Sally every time he would say something particularly endearing. I'm sure Elisabeth was just as hot, but you'd have to ask Fivesixer or Andy~hating university about that. lol Eisenstadt Woman-Power in Eisenstadt Pursue the paths of the well-known women of Eisenstadt. In the Jewish district, you’ll hear the exciting story of Franziska Wolf and Ottilie Laschober. In the Haydn house, you’ll enjoy listening to anecdotes about Mrs. Haydn and her social circle. You'll also get an insight into the power of the noble ladies at Esterházy Palace. https://www.eisenstadt-tourismus.at In the Haydn house, I got to spend some time with Prosperous Snow celebrating and Winnie. What a neat pair of ladies. They are as sweet as they are smart! I'm glad I hung out with them some on this part of the trip. I learned a lot from them both about a wide variety of things! It was great! It made this part of the trip all the more special! Dinner is at 6pm at Mini https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g190454-d3485308-Reviews-Mini-Vien... Dinner was lovely. I don't even know what I ordered. lol I saw someone else's food being brought and said I wanted that. Luckily, it tasted as good as it looked. I was feeling pretty adventurous, so I didn't even ask what it was. It looked and smelled delicious and it didn't disappoint. I got to enjoy a leisurely dinner in an very elegant place with PandaPaws Licensed VetTech, 💙 Carly, and Fran 💜 💜 💜. It was a load of fun! I haven't laughed that much in quite some time! I'm glad there wasn't really any place to sit by the time I got in the restaurant. I would have missed one of my most enjoyable times since arriving with this group. (No offense to my other travel companions!!!) Salzburg after Dark Get to know the secrets of Salzburg after Dark. On this guided walk you will hear chilling stories that took place hundreds of years ago and find out why we only get scared in the dark. https://www.tourguide-salzburg.com Scare us too! This was one of my favorite parts of the last few days, but I like learning about real ghost stories...mind you, I don't want to EXPERIENCE one, but I like to listen and learn. lol Moody Blue: Needs an Upgrade, LostGhost: Seeking & Learning, and Finn O'Flaherty hung out with me during this part of the trip. It was funny because ONE of us started getting scared...but I won't say WHICH of us. lol But it was QUITE funny! Hahahaha! Anyway, it was really interesting learning about various stories from Salzburg, especially the part about the witch trials. Huh. I didn't know that had happened elsewhere too. Obviously there were differences, but still, very interesting. |
| Howdy! So, today we're in Austria. The Austrian flag is red and white...hmmm...well, I can't type in white, so I'll just use red and BLACK. lol Red was the color I typed in last time, so I'll keep that. Black will be the prompt's color. I hope that's not too confusing when I go on to write about other things after this 30-Day Blogging Challenge entry... August 14th--Vienna, Austria http://www.altstadt.at/en One of Austria's famous Design Hotels. Vienna is the capital of Austria, lies in the country’s east on the Danube River. Its artistic and intellectual legacy was shaped by residents including Mozart, Beethoven and Sigmund Freud. The city is also known for its Imperial palaces, including Schönbrunn, the Habsburgs’ summer residence. In the MuseumsQuartier district, historic and contemporary buildings display works by Egon Schiele, Gustav Klimt and other artists. Well, that was a very long train ride, but worth it. Intrestingly, Kit of House Lannister tried to get us to sing a Dutch song about 100 little fishes and them getting eaten by sharks one at a time. Not a bad song, but it was too early for singing. lol I should have put in my ear plugs and gone to bed rather than continuing to have fun with my roommates from our last place last night. http://www.austria.info/uk/where-to-go/cities/vienna Vienna Love and Desire in Vienna Stories about love and desire in Vienna are a universally intriguing and almost inexhaustible topic. Viennese have partaken in the pleasures of the flesh for centuries. The so-called “Hübschlerinnen” (prostitutes) of the Middle Ages and the courtesans of the famous Graben street of the baroque era were part of the Viennese way of life and love. This entertaining tour will give you insight into life inside those private dining rooms, and you will hear anecdotes about flirtatious encounters, but also about true love at the royal court. https://www.guides-in-vienna.at What?!? No tour of the Vienna Sausage Factory?!? This place sucks! Hahaha Kidding. We are getting closer to my roots--Germany and Switzerland! I'm excited!I wasn't so thrilled about the idea of a "Love and Desire" tour, since I'm not a romantic for the most part, but when they started talking about prostitutes and courtesans, I decided this tour wasn't so bad after all. lol Central Cemetery In 1874 Viennese citizen Jakob Zelzer was the first to be buried in the newly-opened Central Cemetery. Today this resting place with more than 3 million graves is the largest in Europe. Besides countless ordinary citizens, the cemetery has the largest number of celebrity graves. Musicians such as Beethoven, Schubert, Johann Strauss or Falco; actors such as Hans Moser, Theo Lingen or Curd Jürgens; painters, architects and sculptors and other luminaries are interred here next to Presidents of the Republic and mayors of the city. https://www.guides-in-vienna.at I wasn't sure how I'd feel about going to a cemetery. I haven't been to one since I came back from Iraq. At first I stuck with the group and listened to the guide talk about famous people buried here. It was interested, but I kept being drawn to looking at the other graves. Those of the not so famous. I saw one that I'm sure was for a Soldier and then I got teary. I wandered away so the others wouldn't see and I found myself just looking and looking for the other Soldiers who were buried there. Each time I found one I thanked them for all they did to serve their country and especially thanks if they did anything in a joint effort with mine. SB Musing noticed me off alone and came to check on me at one point. That was really sweet of her, but she sensed that I was okay and just wanted solitude, so after she knew I was okay, she left me alone. I felt like she kept checking on me, but that's okay. That's what friends do. I think it was obvious to everyone that I was having some trouble, but I felt like I was doing something good for them, those many long-forgotten who'd served their country so faithfully. No one came to visit their graves, well, perhaps friends or family if they'd not been deceased that long, but for most, they probably rarely, if ever, got a visitor. After 30 or 40 years, time passes and so do friends and family. In any event, whether anyone cared, living or dead, it made ME feel better and that's what I guess really matters. Dinner is at 7:00pm at Die Metzgerei https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g190454-d6691633-Reviews-Die_Metzg... Interestingly, Die Metzgerei means The Butcher's Shop. I guess their meat is fresh. lol I wasn't feeling meaty today, though. Oddly, I got pasta again. lol No idea what got into me. But it was good. It tasted a bit different from what we'd had in Italy, but I suppose everyone adds their own flavor according to their national tastes. Dinner was fine; dessert was great! Tell us about the music you heard in the cemetery, did you let it carry you to a haunted place or did you decide to crank some of your own and rattle the dead. I also wonder if those long-gone warriors knew or cared that they were in the company of what others considered greatness. I wonder if Mozart played for them. Did they hear music? All I heard was the far away sound of "Taps" on some unknown bugle Anyway, when we got back, Sally asked if I wanted to hang out. I think she might have been a bit worried about me. I had a lot on my mind, but knew she would be a good distraction. I was right! Her and her cocktails! She's going to turn me into a lush! lol But she certainly knows what to order, I'll give her that! She's a great person and a wonderful friend!. Real Life Today I decided I really wanted to pet some animals, so I walked down to Pet Smart for the first time. Turns out they don't have dogs. I'm not sure if that's all Pet Smarts or just this one, but THIS one doesn't have dogs. Also, the local shelter that provides the cats, is only there on Wednesday and Saturday, so I can only play with a cat then. Seriously? What if I really wanted to buy a cat TODAY? She said I could call the volunteer in. I'd feel guilty doing that. Then again, I certainly wouldn't buy a cat I've never played with. Whatever. I was kind of irritated, but mostly that I got all hot and sweaty and didn't get to play with any pets. Oh well... Well, I think I found out why my bar stools were in the garage sale. If you're even slightly damp (like from summer sweat), the paint starts coming off. Now the one I'm sitting on, instead of being black with a little red peaking through is now mostly red on the seat. Hmmm...inconvenient. Tomorrow the pest control guy is supposed to come and kill my 2 wasp nests. That will be good. I also need to ask the front office about my a/c. It's really loud (though I think that might be the location that makes it so echo-y) and seems to cycle harder and gentler then harder etc. while it's on. That doesn't seem normal. I'll be out of the Army on Friday. I'm SO SUPER SAD! I thought about buying a pet on Friday to cheer me up and mark a difference in my life. As a civilian I can more easily have pets. But I was thinking of going to visit my ex-boyfriend who would then drive me to see my alpacas in New York (state). I can't get a pet, then board it a week or 2 later. That's just wrong...not to mention, expensive. lol Well, I broke 100 merit badges today. That's cool. My team, the White Walkers, won Game of Thrones. That's cool too. I'm just not in a real celebratory mood, I guess. I keep trying to feign happiness on this virtual trip, but I find I'm kind of a party pooper--even virtually.  I did mosey down to Wal-Mart to get a new thumb drive so I can download pics. Maybe I'll figure out how to upload pictures and actually put pics on all my stories like other folks have. Probably not, but I can hope. I have no idea how I managed to upload that profile pic I have that says Warning: Newbie at Work. lol I did it SOMEHOW, but I can't figure out how to upload anything again. That Writing 101 doesn't always work for my brain. Sometimes I just can't understand it! Maybe I'm having an "lack of awareness" episode and just don't know. Huh...maybe. After all, the doc said I'm not aware of them. Anyway, the bug guy comes "early," (whatever that means) so I need to get to bed. TTFN! |
| Howdy again! Well, just so you know, I'll be on this virtual tour of Europe all month. I'm still going with the red and green theme in honor of the Italian flag. Grab those boys, we are off for a great day. August 13th We'll be heading out at 8am today Our day tour will take about 9 hours so be sure to dress comfortably, we're leaving right after we lock up our gear. Visit Verona, the setting of Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo and Juliet,’ on this day trip from Venice. Soak up the city’s history, architecture and culture as you check out castles, churches, frescoes, Gothic landmarks, charming piazzas and Verona’s renowned amphitheater. A knowledgeable local guide will bring the city to life on this small-group tour limited to 15 people. Highlights Verona day trip from Venice See sights related to Romeo and Juliet, as well as other historical landmarks Skip the line at the ancient Roman amphitheater Pass by the Verona Duomo and the famed Juliet balcony Walk along the river past Casa di Romeo Learn about the city as you walk along its streets with an in-the-know guide Small-group tour limited to 15 people provides a more personalized experience Read more about Romeo and Juliets Verona Day Trip from Venice - Venice | Viator at: https://www.viator.com/tours/Venice/Romeo-and-Juliets-Verona-Day-Trip-from-Venic... This was interesting. I had no idea how high Juliet's balcony really was. Huh. I guess they tend to make it lower in on stage for convenience. lol I bet knowing people would be touring all this Romeo and Juliet stuff centuries past Shakespeare's day would have totally blown his mind! Hahaha Dinner is at Ristorante Enoteca Cangrande https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g187871-d1639024-Reviews-Ristorant... I got to eat lunch with Andy~hating university. It was great getting to spend a bit more time with him. Shhh...don't tell anyone, but I have to admit, though I suppose Fivesixer has a nice butt, I'm just not a butt babe. I'm more of a chest chick and believe me, Andy~hating university has an AWESOME chest with great abs and biceps to boot! I noticed it on our first day I was with everyone at the beach. But I was just too shy to try to talk with him. I finally got up the nerve and we had a great time. Would it be wrong to try and hang out with him next time we're at the beach??? Hahaha In case anyone is interested, Finn O'Flaherty has quite the package, too. I don't mean "package." Well, maybe, but my eyes are too polite to slide down that far. I just mean he's very well proportioned. Regarding the restaurant. It was very quaint and the staff were lovely. I tried the horse meat. I gotta say, it didn't really taste like chicken. lol I know it's tempting but please don't feed the pigeons when we are walking past St. Marks. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/dont-feed-the-pigeons-in-venice-b... Who knew it was illegal to feed pigeons in Venice? Interesting... Anyway, I got to spend more time with SB Musing, Sally, and WakeUpAndLive️~🚬🚭2024. I also hung out with some folks I don't really know such as 🌷 Carol St.Ann 🌷, BlueMoon, and Apondia. What a great time with some great folks! I'm so glad I got to spend some quality time with everyone! I know it's a long day but please have all your stuff packed this evening, we're leaving very early. We've got a 5 hour train hour ride, but it's a beautiful scenic ride to Vienna. We've got bag lunches so we can begin our day once we leave our stuff at the hotel. While I'm not looking forward to the 5 hour train ride, I am looking forward to seeing Vienna. I just have to pack my stuff and hope a random pillow fight doesn't break out. The Army gave me a "No Combatives Profile," meaning I'm not allowed to do combatives and I think pillow fights fall into that. lol I'm pretty damaged,so... Anyway, maybe we'll end up with pillow FORTS! Those can be fun! lol Either way, wish me luck! As for that other thing you might call a REAL life, oddly, once I'm done writing my fantasy life blog, I no longer feel motivated to write my real one. lol Is it because my real life isn't nearly as interesting or because I'm just lazy? Perhaps it's a combination of the two. lol TTFN Writing is easy. All you do is stare at a blank sheet of paper until drops of blood form on your forehead. - Gene Fowler |
| Howdy! We continue on our virtual tour of Europe and in the spirit of Italy, I continue to write my blog in green (prompt) and red (me) to represent the Italian flag. Virtual Day in Venice August 12th Venice http://www.hostelworld.com/hosteldetails.php/AWA-Venice-Apartments-San-Marco/Ven... We have 5 apartments so we'll be split into groups of 5 or 6 per room during our stay in this crazy city. I'm grateful that we have air conditioning again. A disturbing number of places here don't have a/c unless you're in a real hotel or something. Even a lot of the places we tour don't always have a/c. Oh well, we have it for now! We have a two hour tour scheduled this morning and you have the afternoon to explore on your own after lunch. we need to hook up for our dinner date. https://www.viator.com/tours/Venice/Skip-The-Line-St-Marks-Basilica-and-Doges-Pa... We went to St. Mark's Basilica and Doges Palace this morning. That was some of the most beautiful architecture I've seen in a very long time. WOW! Then we went to a glass blowing shop. That was SUPER COOL! I've never been someplace where they let US blow the glass. Awesome! (I think in the U.S. they're afraid of someone getting hurt and suing them.) Anyway, Fivesixer did a lovely vase. Sally actually tried her hand at making swirls in the glass. I was impressed! I was nervous for my turn, but the guy helping us made sure everyone left with something they could enjoy. I suppose it's just good business. lol Anyway, that was SUPER COOL and I REALLY appreciate Sally taking pictures of me! I also got to enjoy more time with Fran 💜 💜 💜 and Jellyfish-on holiday along with Sally when we went roaming around downtown and through the square. It's interesting to see just subtle differences between Italy and America, like how they can take their dogs so many more places than we can or the differences in their much more fashionable dress. However, after a while, I have to admit, I was exhausted. I'm too old for all this running around and I had to head back to the apartments for a little nap. I'd only planned to sleeping for an hour, but it dragged into nearly 2 1/2. I REALLY needed the sleep. I just hope I can sleep tonight. But I felt a lot better and was ready for that gondola ride and dinner! Dinner is at 7:30 this evening, the wait is going so worth it on this Gondola and Serenade and dinner experience. Feel the romance of a classic Venetian experience with a serenaded gondola ride through Venice’s famed canals, capped off by dinner or lunch at a renowned local eatery. Settle into a traditional gondola boat for a 35-minute ride through the Grand Canal and some of the city’s smaller waterways, while onboard musicians provide a passionate soundtrack of Italian ballads. Savor an authentic Venetian meal at the top-rated Hostaria Ai Coristi Restaurant to conclude your enchanted evening or afternoon tour. Highlights 35-minute Venice gondola ride with serenade plus a meal Share a ride on the Grand Canal and glide down smaller canals Listen to a musician and a singer serenade you aboard one of eight gondolas in your flotilla Enjoy a two-course lunch or dinner at Hostaria Ai Coristi Restaurant Read more about Venice Gondola Ride and Serenade with Dinner - Venice | Viator at: https://www.viator.com/tours/Venice/Venice-Gondola-Ride-and-Serenade-with-Dinner... YIKES those gondolas were a lot more tippy than I expected. I'm not sure if it's just my poor memory or a simply lack of boating experience, but I sort of thought they'd have a flatter bottom than they did. Oh well, no one fell overboard and that's the main thing. lol Although, it wouldn't have been as bad as it would have been maybe 10 or 20 years ago. I'd heard previously that Venice smelled because of the water and water pollution. I guess they heard enough people complain that they decided to clean it up. It's quite nice now. I got to ride in the gondola with Sally, Kit of House Lannister, and Princess Megan Rose GOT Fox. That was great. I really enjoyed getting to actually talk with both Princess Megan Rose and Kittiara. I've seen them around, but haven't really engaged them in any real conversation until now. They are both really awesome people--like I expected any less. lol I was especially excited to build a bond for future contest hosting! I don't know what I'll want to host or when, but I'm sure it will happen and I want to know successful folks whose brains I can pick when the time comes. Afterward we ate and gondolaed (not sure that's supposed to be a verb, but whatever), we went back to the apartments. I got to share with Kit of House Lannister, Elycia Lee ☮, SB Musing, WakeUpAndLive️~🚬🚭2024, and SandraLynn Team Florent!. What a fun bunch of ladies! Though, shhh...but that SB Musing is an odd duck. She was like jumping on the beds and feeling them to see which was the best one when we first got here. Hmmm...so she leaves the leftovers to us. To me, a bed is a bed (mostly). Especially when I'm tried like I was this afternoon. But now that I've had a good nap (perhaps longer than I should have), I'm tired, but also willing to stay up and chat with my roommies. As one by one, folks started going to bed, we got quieter and quieter as not to disturb the others, until it was just SB Musing and me. I told her how much I admired her spunk and her sense of humor. She's a really neat lady and I'm glad I'm getting to know her better! However, she's a night owl and I'm getting tired, so off to bed with me... |
| Howdy! Here's some more from my virtual tour of Europe Italian Riviera Again, the green is what the prompt was and the red is what I wrote. It's in honor of the Italian flag, which is red, white, and green. Not sure why all the names came up in green, but whatever. lolAugust 11th Quick grab your breakfast we're off for a full day adventure! Grab your swimsuits and good walking shoes. Explore the Italian Riviera on this day trip to the beautiful Cinque Terre from Florence, with transport between each small town provided. Led by a local guide, discover each fishing village by coach, train and boat, from the beaches of Monterosso to the charming streets of Riomaggiore. Stop for a swim in the turquoise waters and upgrade to include a traditional Italian lunch. Soak up all the character of this UNESCO-listed region before heading back to Florence. Highlights Full-day trip to the Cinque Terre from Florence with transport Discover the UNESCO-listed Cinque Terre with your tour leader Travel between destinations by coach, train and boat Soak up the scenic views and distinct character of Riomaggiore, Manarola, Monterosso and Vernazza Enjoy a traditional lunch in quaint Monterosso, if option selected Stop off for a swim in the turquoise waters at one of the area’s beaches Read more about Cinque Terre Day Trip with Transport from Florence - Florence | Viator at: https://www.viator.com/tours/Florence/Cinque-Terre-Day-Trip-with-Transport-from-... What an interesting day! The fishing villages were cool, but I didn't care for the lunch so much...fish. I'm just not a fish person. They're fine to look at when they're all swimming around, but once they die, I want to have nothing to do with them anymore. The villages were neat to see, though. It certainly makes me glad I'm not an Italian fisherman! Their lives are HARD! Then again, there's the peaceful times on the ocean between all the hard work, so I'm sure that's nice. But it's certainly not the life for me! I found the building colors in the villages to be really fascinating. It was like a rainbow had thrown up on their little corner of paradise. lol I'd never get used to how narrow some of those streets are. I might one day learn to ride a scooter, but I certainly wasn't going to ever drive there. lol However, the HIGHLIGHT of the trip to the villages was the hottie that started talking to Elycia Lee ☮ and I. Mmmm-mm! Too bad his English wasn't better. I had a really hard time understanding him, but who cares? He spoke the international language of 'hot guy paying attention to us,' so it didn't matter what he said. Going to the beach later was good. We've gone to the beach a lot, though. I'm getting burned, even with sunscreen. lol I swear this is more beach time than I had my last year of living in HI! Hahaha The waters here were FABULOUS! I'm glad I invested in the cheap mask and snorkle; they were totally worth it to be able to get a closer look of the underwater sea life. Dinner is up to you guys, if your hungry after all we've done today. I recommend the Panini Toscani or if you just want a lighter fare the Montecristo has the typical bar fare of meats and cheese platters. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurants-g187895-Florence_Tuscany.html https://www.yelp.com/biz/trattoria-sostanza-firenze-2?page_src=best_of_yelp I opted for dinner with SB Musing. Aside from her place sounding delicious, especially since I was STARVING, but also, I wanted to know how her afternoon went. I'm not sure I ever want to spend time alone with her in a museum or any other place with rules. I'm pretty sure with her behavior and my bad luck, we'd get kicked out...if we were lucky. Anyway, that restaurant she chose was delicious! Since I was so hungry, I got an appetizer and desert as well. Truth be told, I was sort of fully by the desert, but that chocolate whatever it was that I got (I can't remember the Italian word, but it doesn't matter, it was CHOCOLATE lol) was AMAZING! I definitely left feeling suck, but it was worth it! lolWhen we got back to the hotel, Sally invited me to hang out with her and Jellyfish-on holiday and have some cocktails. I was so tired and so stuffed, but I REALLY enjoy Sally's company and Jellyfish is someone I'd been meaning to get to know better, so it seemed like the perfect time. I meant to only have 1 drink and stay like maybe an hour. (Don't forget, in Italy, dinner is later than it usually is in the U.S.A.) But we were having so much fun, I totally lost track of time and forgot how tired I was. I'm pretty sure there were energy drinks in a couple of those "get me something fruity and delicious" drinks I had. lol I'm really going to regret this in the morning, but for tonight, I got to spend time with two wonderful ladies and get to know them better. I'm SO glad for that! Sally, thank you SO much for inviting me on this trip! You're awesome! We have to be on the train at 8 am, a two hour ride to Venice. Writing is easy. All you do is stare at a blank sheet of paper until drops of blood form on your forehead. - Gene Fowler |
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And you won't catch me craving chicken feet, even boneless ones. Lol They were good enough to eat but not good enough to crave. Lol
That seems like a waste of perfectly good chicken feet. 
