2013 HIGHLIGHTS
- NC State vs. Duke bball game LIVE
- Getting to watch college basketball for the first time in two years
- Returning to Germany with Atticus - he was wonderful on the plane, our neighbors welcomed us with gifts we will never forget (cute clothes... including an honorary hoodie for the motorcycle club and a "made in Franken" tshirt, hand crocheted blanket, gift card to BabyOne, The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister)
- Bingo Nights with the girls
- Frülingsfest with the Tebbutts before they returned to the US
- Little Luke Tebbutt's baptism
- First vacation with Atticus to Tuscany
- Return to work
- Chodovar Beer Spa
- Paris with the girls
- Basketball
Day 1 - March 8
We drove from Nuremberg down to Lucca.
Visually stunning: nothing compares to driving through northern Italy
Financially stunning: the tolls along the way
Frighteningly stunning: trying to control a 115lb mastiff in the back of a car and breast-feed a baby while an innocent and friendly Italian decides he want to talk to you about italian weather in the rain
Refreshingly stunning: arriving at the most peaceful, artistically decorated, just plain gorgeous cabin in the middle of Italy and realizing you get to stay here for a week
Day 2 - March 9
Found a great market for produce and cheese, explored medieval Lucca, made up our own sign language to order items from the cheese store and deli, had an amazing amazing amazing dinner at a local spot recommended by the landlord.
Day 3 - March 10
Relaxed in our villa.
Day 4 - March 11
CINQUE TERRE - and wouldn't you know that torrential rains resulted in all the hiking paths closed. Had we been able to hike, I think that I would have absolutely love it. Unfortunately were were only able to visit the towns by train and I found it a bit overpriced and overtouristed. Highlight was definitely getting swarmed by Asians wanted to take pictures of Atticus.
Day 5 - March 12
Took off in search of the infamous Dario the Butcher. We found his deli and were treated to the most amazing meat dishes ever... BEEF SUSHI yall! Ventured on to Sienna... interesting, but without a formal tour guide, found it a bit boring.
Day 6 - March 13
Relaxed in our villa.
Day 7 - March 14
Took the train to Florence for an amazing atmosphere and over-priced everything. Would love to tour the city sometime without the little monster in tow. He was fantastic, but I have a new appreciation for seeing a city with a knowledgeable guide after Paris.
Day 8 - March 15
Drove home and enjoyed the views along the way.
CHODOVAR
On a recommendation from our friends we decided to check out the beer spa just over the Czech-German border and boy were we satisfied! After a night away with our boy, two full massages, two beer baths, and a big Czech meal, our wallets were still practically full and our bodies were relaxed.
According to the website, "Beer Baths are an original curative spa therapy combining remedial effects of warm mineral water, beer, ingredients for brewing beer, products of the brewing process and classical as well as special massages. The aim of the baths involves harmonizing functions of the organism, mental rest, recondition and relaxation. The procedures have curative effects on the complexion and hair, relieve muscle tension, warm up joints and support immune system of the organism. For better rejuvenating results I recommend to accompany the original beer treatment with a partial massage aimed at problematic body parts or a full body massage reducing muscle tension."
PARIS
During one tipsy bingo night with the girls, we decided it was time for another getaway to be planned. We wanted our darling Inge to join us, and the only place we could really get her to agree to was Paris... so off to Paris we went. My sweet friends did all of the planning, and they found an AMAZING apartment just down the street from the Lourve. To save money we drove and a friend of one of my friends agreed to let us use his parking spot for the weekend... this led to me pushing my 2 month old in his stroller and towing my bag through Paris after midnight... I couldn't help but be thankful there wasn't anyone around that could judge me. I also broke my "keep it real" communication style goal... the girls were helping me with Atticus's stuff and at times kind of struggling. Instead of asking, I just assumed they were getting annoyed with me and my crap, so I was just all "let me do it". It resulted in minor, minor, minor tension, but it could have all been avoided if I was more straight forward because I would have KNOWN they wanted to help instead of ASSUMED they were annoyed.
We walked and walked and walked. Anyone that knows me, knows that I LOVE to walk, so I was so thankful that these girls were game and soooooo helpful with Atticus. We skipped Musee d'Orsay because of the line, but I really hope to return one day. We did catch the Catacombs (taking a baby through a 2k maze of bones underground may not be the best idea, but wth) and the best of off the beaten path. We enjoyed an AMAZING lunch with FABULOUS decor the first day ... the beef tartare was the best I have ever had.
I will never forget the breakfast beer, the Joan of Arc statue, breast feeding under the Eifel, the guy with the soccer ball at the Sacre Couer, die Inge DRIVING around the Arc de Triomphe, the priest singing in the Notre Dame, getting to know Brandi, and having Inge get annoyed with me because I only wanted to drive the straight drive on flat, open ground.... :)
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