Updates and photos for our family and friends

26.4.05

We're Engaged!

Leave it to Britt to not only create one incredibly romantic proposal, but two!

Friday afternoon, April 22, Britt and I were sitting in the palace gardens of Madrid, talking about our upcoming plans and enjoying the beauty of the park, when he stated that we should return to America this summer and marry. I was elated, and said I would love to do that as well.

Three days later, on the Charles Bridge in Prague, with a beautiful Swarovski ring, Britt got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. I said, "yes, of course." A band of Czech folk musicians, who were playing for tourists on the bridge at the time, began to play Louis Armstrong's "What a Wonderful World." It was one of those perfect moments that makes life incredible.


Two of the happiest people in Prague.


Our bench in the palace gardens, just after Britt's proposal.


Britt says I have "perma grin"...I think he's right.


The ring

Madrid, April 21 - 25

My what an incredible trip. Britt and I had hoped to experience as much Spanish culture as possible, and I believe we did just that! We were sitting in a cafe, having tapas (little snacks) and sangria, and decided to come up with the best word we could use to describe Spain. We both decided the word was "warm". The Spaniards seem determined to have have fun and take it easy. Every afternoon the shops would close up for the afternoon siesta, and dinner goers didn't hit the streets until 9 or 10 pm! I don't think anyone really stays home in Spain, they're too busy having a good time.

Our adventure to Madrid began at 4:00 am Thursday morning. We took a bus to the Hamburg Airport, and took a prop airplane to Prague. We had been delayed in Hamburg, which meant by the time we got to Prague our direct flight to Madrid was already gone. So, they put us on the next flight to Lyon, France, and from there we caught a flight to Madrid. That's right...FOUR countries in eight hours. We felt like quite the world travelers.

We spent the majority of our trip staying at a place called Cat's Hostel. Hostels are great for the price, but you get very little sleep (up to 12 beds to a room and people coming and going at all hours) and you have to share a bathroom with a bunch of strangers (imagine 20 women fighting for position in front of two bathroom mirrors). Our third night at the hostel, Britt and I were fast asleep in our bunks when at 4 am the light goes on and in walks 10 englishmen, our roommates. One of the men was getting married, and these guys were in Madrid for the stag party. They were all quite nice, but we decided we'd had enough hostel fun and stayed our last night at the Hotel Coloso.

As for all the things we got to see, I'll let the pictures do the talking....


Bienvenido a Espana!


A weary traveler at Cat's Hostel...our home in Madrid.


The ceiling inside the courtyard.


Interior courtyard of Cat's Hostel.


We walked down so many interesting side streets, it's easy to get them confused. I do know, however, that we walked up and down this little stretch quite a bit. This street was lined with shops, cafes, and bars.


In front of the Palacio Real


Palace guards


Statues along the Plaza de Oriente


The Palace gardens


The gardens of the Palacio Real


Chess games in the Parque del Buen Retiro


Britt and The Palacio de Cristal


The Palacio de Cristal. This was built in the late 1800's for a Madrid exhibition to house a variety of imported plants.


The Palacio Velazquez. Inside was a photography exhibition entitled "Living Spaces" and was basically picutres of walls and windows (and not even interesting ones). Luckily, it was free to go inside, because otherwise I would have felt cheated.


Must...sit...too...much...walking.


Grrr.


Britt does his own rendition of the photography exhibition.


I need a nap! And there's no better spot than the Parque del Buen Retiro.


Britt, Melinda, and Velasquez in front of the Prado.


Put on your headsets and protective eye wear kids...we're taking the Madrid Vision Bus Tour!


The Plaza de Canova del Castil from atop the bus.


Our fellow passengers on the bus tour.


Interesting architecture along the Madrid Vision bus route.


Estadio Santiago Bernabeu...home of Real Madrid AND David Beckham!


I guess in Spain the hamburgers need festive decorations...like a "pickle hat".


Cafe con leche on a windy afternoon in the Plaza Mayor


A great shot of the statue in Plaza Mayor


Britt in Plaza Mayor


We're #1...and Spain agrees!


Which came first...this building in Madrid, or the Flatiron Building in New York City?


See the light haired man in the back with his head bent down? It's Rick Steves! If you watch PBS at all, you'll probably have seen his show "Travels with Rick Steves". Britt and I watched his show alot while at KAET. We called him over to our table (not knowing if it was REALLY him), but it was and we chatted about our trip and living in Germany. Okay, we're dorks, but it was RICK STEVES!!!! We love that guy!


Sunset along the Plaza de Oriente. This is one of the Spaniards favorite spots for an evening paseo.


Again, my super secret talent shows itself! Or, perhaps we've just been visiting incredibly beautiful places and it's easy to feel that you're a great photographer? Either way, this is part of the Palacio Real.


Britt admiring the beauty of the Catedral de la Almudena


Catedral de la Almudena at sunset


The back of the Palacio Real


The Catedral de la Almudena

7.4.05

Laboe, April 3

Spring is here and we couldn't be more excited. Even though both Britt and I are originally from cold climates, somewhere along the way we became weather wimps (thanks ASU!). I think we both agree we EARNED this springtime.

In this spirit we decided to take a 40 minute ferry ride to a little town just North of Kiel, called Laboe. This town reminded me of Sausalito, but with a better beach! Who knew that Germany had great beaches?!?

The town was having some sort of "fish fest", complete with awesome German folk music. So, as we picnicked on the sand, we listened to someone tearing it up on a synthesizer. Cool.

Laboe is also home to a dry docked U-boat! I can think of a few jobs I'd really hate, and I believe submariner can be added to the list. A German friend of Britt's explained that there are very strict rules aboard the submarines (in so far as how the sailors interact and talk with one another), because of the limited space and the amount of time they're stuck together. It was really interesting to go inside and see just how little space there actually is.


Willkommen im Laboe!


Britt enjoying the ferry ride


Zzzzzz.


Hi.


It's hard to read what Britt wrote in the sand, but as my friend Marci says, "you gotta love the cheese."


A German U-boat. This one was built in 1945 and was in service until 1972.


Nah, I'm not claustrophobic.


U-boat bunks.


Torpedos!