Tuesday, August 14, 2007
We made it!
We finally made it home this morning at 2am. We had a great trip and can't wait to share our stories and pictures with you all. Thanks for all of your comments and for following our european vacation.
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Final day of European Tour
Today was our last full day of our trip. It was sad yet exciting because we saw a lot of cool things today. The six of us (just the Delgados and Griffis') headed out for a tour of the city. We went to the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Mamertine Prision (where Peter and Paul were imprisioned), and Circus Maximus (where they held chariot races). After we had done all that, no one could make a decision on what to do next and we were wasting time so Candice and I split off by ourselves and let the others do what they wanted to do. We walked so much today it's incredible! We headed to the Trevi Fountain (such a beautiful sight) and then to the Pantheon where we stopped at a great little outdoor cafe for lunch. We both had Spaghetti Carbonara (pasta with a cream sauce with eggs and ham) and split a cheese pizza. The food was amazing. It was a great last Italian meal. Then we headed to the Capuccini Crypt which is where the bones of 4000 monks decorates a church. It was interesting but crazy at the same time. From there we went to the Spanish Steps and sat out and people watched for a little while. From there we just walked and walked and walked around getting lost on purpose to see side streets we wouldn't normally see. It was great!
We all met back up at the hotel and started packing and getting everything together. We will be back home at around midnight tomorrow night. Thanks for keeping up with our adventure and we'll post some more pictures so you can all see what we did.
Arivederci!
We all met back up at the hotel and started packing and getting everything together. We will be back home at around midnight tomorrow night. Thanks for keeping up with our adventure and we'll post some more pictures so you can all see what we did.
Arivederci!
Leaving Cevoli but hold on toyoru privates
This day has to be one of the highlights of my entire trip. Once I tell you the story you will say, “what in the hell is wrong with him?”
We had to leave the Cevoli house for 10 AM. Our train actually left from Pisa at 10 AM so we had to get going early after a very long night of eating and merriment.
Remember 3 cars and 16 people. Candice, Michael and I left in our rental headed to Pisa to return it. Carmen and rest of the crew left a little bit later with her brother to go to Pontedara catch a train to Pisa and we would all meet in Pisa. For the most part the returning of the car and getting to the Pisa train station was mostly uneventful, usual and customary. Candice Michael and I took a quick side trip to the leaning tour of Pisa and its attached buildings. Pretty interesting sight. Loved the street vendors selling stuff even I would not buy.
Carmen and her crew were very late in getting to the station due to some delays in getting to Pontadera with her brother. So were pressed for time. We ran to the Pisa to Rome train. WE all get on find our cabin and that is when it got interesting. I realized some place in between the lobby and the train I had lost my wallet. The train is now moving towards Rome. So, we are all scrambling looking in every bag, under seats, in the hall of the train…you get the drift. So I began to make calls to cancel debit cards etc. After I cancelled the first one the conductor came in and I am trying to speak to him in SpanItalian. I am explaining to him what happened and he cannot understand me. Then he says in very good English. Do you speak English? I say what the heck! So I explained that I had lost my walled would he please call the station to see if by God’s providence grace and mercy someone has turned it in. There was going to be little chance since most of these train stations are full of pick pockets, thieves and con artist. They warn you about all that in Italy especially.
I know this is long but hand in here with me. The conductor gets into the swing of things and calls the Pisa station and there is a big commotion with hollering on the cell phone and everyone is getting fired up. He goes off then comes back and says that the wallet has been found. I really got fired up about this time. So we are at our first stop an hour away from Pisa. I get off the train while everyone continues to Rome. I wait for a return to Pisa. Finally I arrive in Pisa and head to the fine outstanding Police station in the train station. I get there and it is closed. Everything closed for lunch for about 3 hours. But I see a speaker and ring it. I tell them my name and they let me in. They sit me down, we high five and laugh about the idiot who lost his wallet. Nobody spoke English in this station. But all I know that my wallet was sitting there on the counter with all the contents. When they realized I did not speak Italian to go for the commander. Here is where this is really funny.
The commander asks me in broken English, what happened? I told him that I must have dropped my wallet. He said no, you were picked pocketed by an 8 year old and his Egyptian mother. I said, Yes, Sweet! I was fired up that I was picked by an 8 year old. Anyway two hours later after high fiving again and writing out a police report, signing it and congratulating the police on outstanding police work I left heading back to Rome. I really wanted a picture of my police dudes but I did not have my camera.
I finally arrived in Rome about 7 PM that night and met everyone at the hotel and told the story. Guys, this was God watching out for me. Normally these rings of kids in the stations and airports do not get caught. It just happened that two of my police buddies were watching them and actually saw them pick my wallet and caught them on the spot.
Well, after it al settle down we went out to a good ole American meal at the Rome Hard Rock Café. That was the best hamburger I have ever had. After the meal we hired a taxi and took a night tour of Rome. It was just beautiful seeing everything by night. Again it was about 1 Am by the time we arrived back at the hotel.
Tomorrow, we are going to the Coloseum, the Roman Forum, the Capitol, the Vatican and complete the 100th stage of the Tour de Gelato.
We will be home Monday. WE are ready to come home but it is really bittersweet. We have had such a great time that it makes it so hard to leave. But we are ready to come home for sure.
Buono Giorno Y’all
We had to leave the Cevoli house for 10 AM. Our train actually left from Pisa at 10 AM so we had to get going early after a very long night of eating and merriment.
Remember 3 cars and 16 people. Candice, Michael and I left in our rental headed to Pisa to return it. Carmen and rest of the crew left a little bit later with her brother to go to Pontedara catch a train to Pisa and we would all meet in Pisa. For the most part the returning of the car and getting to the Pisa train station was mostly uneventful, usual and customary. Candice Michael and I took a quick side trip to the leaning tour of Pisa and its attached buildings. Pretty interesting sight. Loved the street vendors selling stuff even I would not buy.
Carmen and her crew were very late in getting to the station due to some delays in getting to Pontadera with her brother. So were pressed for time. We ran to the Pisa to Rome train. WE all get on find our cabin and that is when it got interesting. I realized some place in between the lobby and the train I had lost my wallet. The train is now moving towards Rome. So, we are all scrambling looking in every bag, under seats, in the hall of the train…you get the drift. So I began to make calls to cancel debit cards etc. After I cancelled the first one the conductor came in and I am trying to speak to him in SpanItalian. I am explaining to him what happened and he cannot understand me. Then he says in very good English. Do you speak English? I say what the heck! So I explained that I had lost my walled would he please call the station to see if by God’s providence grace and mercy someone has turned it in. There was going to be little chance since most of these train stations are full of pick pockets, thieves and con artist. They warn you about all that in Italy especially.
I know this is long but hand in here with me. The conductor gets into the swing of things and calls the Pisa station and there is a big commotion with hollering on the cell phone and everyone is getting fired up. He goes off then comes back and says that the wallet has been found. I really got fired up about this time. So we are at our first stop an hour away from Pisa. I get off the train while everyone continues to Rome. I wait for a return to Pisa. Finally I arrive in Pisa and head to the fine outstanding Police station in the train station. I get there and it is closed. Everything closed for lunch for about 3 hours. But I see a speaker and ring it. I tell them my name and they let me in. They sit me down, we high five and laugh about the idiot who lost his wallet. Nobody spoke English in this station. But all I know that my wallet was sitting there on the counter with all the contents. When they realized I did not speak Italian to go for the commander. Here is where this is really funny.
The commander asks me in broken English, what happened? I told him that I must have dropped my wallet. He said no, you were picked pocketed by an 8 year old and his Egyptian mother. I said, Yes, Sweet! I was fired up that I was picked by an 8 year old. Anyway two hours later after high fiving again and writing out a police report, signing it and congratulating the police on outstanding police work I left heading back to Rome. I really wanted a picture of my police dudes but I did not have my camera.
I finally arrived in Rome about 7 PM that night and met everyone at the hotel and told the story. Guys, this was God watching out for me. Normally these rings of kids in the stations and airports do not get caught. It just happened that two of my police buddies were watching them and actually saw them pick my wallet and caught them on the spot.
Well, after it al settle down we went out to a good ole American meal at the Rome Hard Rock Café. That was the best hamburger I have ever had. After the meal we hired a taxi and took a night tour of Rome. It was just beautiful seeing everything by night. Again it was about 1 Am by the time we arrived back at the hotel.
Tomorrow, we are going to the Coloseum, the Roman Forum, the Capitol, the Vatican and complete the 100th stage of the Tour de Gelato.
We will be home Monday. WE are ready to come home but it is really bittersweet. We have had such a great time that it makes it so hard to leave. But we are ready to come home for sure.
Buono Giorno Y’all
Friday in Cortona, Florence and Tuscany
Our time is coming to end in Cevoli. Words cannot express or explain our stay in this Tuscan Villa, Villa Cevoli.
Today is Friday and everyone is heading different ways. Michael Delgado, Michael and Jill Griffis, The Birds headed out to Florence to see the Academia. That is where you see the Michelangelo’s David. A piece of art to be seen. David is huge except for his penis. This is a work of art everyone needs to see. The Ingram’s headed to the mountains, Charlie and Cathy headed a different way. Carmen, Candice and I headed to Cortona, about 2 hours driving time. It was the most exhilarating drive. I was doing 110 mph. I was rocking. The music was up load and I was trucking on the autostrada. I love this place. Believe it or not I only got lost a couple of times which was good. When you get lost in this country you find another beautiful place.
Cortona is the hill town where the film Under the Tuscan Sun was filmed. It is one of the prettiest towns we visited the entire trip. We walked all through the town and continued our “Tour de Gelato” Stage 92. WE have eaten approximately 2 tons of gelato on this trip.
If you have not seen the movie please rent it. It is not only a great love story but a great setting in this movie. We found the house of the author that wrote Under the Tuscan Sun. WE got caught in the rain so we sat inside of an ancient Catholic church and just enjoyed our time in there. After the rain stopped we walked all through the town. There was only one level street in the whole town. Needless to say if heaven isn’t what is cracked up to be and Gimmenwald is full and Cinque Terre is not available and Cevoli doe not have any vacancies then send me to Cortona.
Everyone met up back at the house late that evening and went out to eat in a hill town close by. We arrived about 10 PM and left at 1:30 AM. What a meal in this quaint local eatery. Somme of the guys got the 28oz T bone. It was incredible. I got the deer ravioli in a rare pork sauce. Don’t ask me what rare pork sauce is but it was really good. WE had a grand time for a last night meal.
What a week in Cevoli!
Buono Sera, Y’all
Today is Friday and everyone is heading different ways. Michael Delgado, Michael and Jill Griffis, The Birds headed out to Florence to see the Academia. That is where you see the Michelangelo’s David. A piece of art to be seen. David is huge except for his penis. This is a work of art everyone needs to see. The Ingram’s headed to the mountains, Charlie and Cathy headed a different way. Carmen, Candice and I headed to Cortona, about 2 hours driving time. It was the most exhilarating drive. I was doing 110 mph. I was rocking. The music was up load and I was trucking on the autostrada. I love this place. Believe it or not I only got lost a couple of times which was good. When you get lost in this country you find another beautiful place.
Cortona is the hill town where the film Under the Tuscan Sun was filmed. It is one of the prettiest towns we visited the entire trip. We walked all through the town and continued our “Tour de Gelato” Stage 92. WE have eaten approximately 2 tons of gelato on this trip.
If you have not seen the movie please rent it. It is not only a great love story but a great setting in this movie. We found the house of the author that wrote Under the Tuscan Sun. WE got caught in the rain so we sat inside of an ancient Catholic church and just enjoyed our time in there. After the rain stopped we walked all through the town. There was only one level street in the whole town. Needless to say if heaven isn’t what is cracked up to be and Gimmenwald is full and Cinque Terre is not available and Cevoli doe not have any vacancies then send me to Cortona.
Everyone met up back at the house late that evening and went out to eat in a hill town close by. We arrived about 10 PM and left at 1:30 AM. What a meal in this quaint local eatery. Somme of the guys got the 28oz T bone. It was incredible. I got the deer ravioli in a rare pork sauce. Don’t ask me what rare pork sauce is but it was really good. WE had a grand time for a last night meal.
What a week in Cevoli!
Buono Sera, Y’all
Thursday in Cevoli
Today for the most part was a rest day. We stayed around the villa most of the day swimming, cooking local food, sunning, reading under the Tuscan sun. What a life. I could live here the rest of my life. The lifestyle is so laid back and easy going. It is easy to get accustomed to the Italian lifestyle. NO stress and no worries. That is for me. I love this place!
Late in the afternoon we took a ride to a local vineyard/winery and had a wine tasting. All 16 of us.in 3 cars which ended up a fiasco. One of the cars got lost and went to a different winery than the one we had chosen. They had their own wine tasting while we waited for them. They finally arrived at the right place, just an hour late. While we were waiting for our lost wine tasters we had a tour of the wine making operations. It was totally awesome. The wine tasting was very formal andIt was just tough for me to spit the wine out once it was tasted. I just kept drinking it until someone reminded me that this was a wine tasting not a drinking contest. Anyway, we tasted some of the good wines of Tuscany at Badia di Moronna. We cleansed our palate we some wonderful local salami and cheeses. The winery was set in this beautiful hill town with vineyards surrounding it. The grapes are just about to be harvested so the vines are indescribable with the grapes hanging off of them. We got some great pics.
After that we came home and drank some of the wine we purchased and cooked a wonderful pasta dinner, salad and brushchetta.
What a way to end the day. I haven’t been to bed before 1 am any night since I have been here.
Buono Sera Y’all
Late in the afternoon we took a ride to a local vineyard/winery and had a wine tasting. All 16 of us.in 3 cars which ended up a fiasco. One of the cars got lost and went to a different winery than the one we had chosen. They had their own wine tasting while we waited for them. They finally arrived at the right place, just an hour late. While we were waiting for our lost wine tasters we had a tour of the wine making operations. It was totally awesome. The wine tasting was very formal andIt was just tough for me to spit the wine out once it was tasted. I just kept drinking it until someone reminded me that this was a wine tasting not a drinking contest. Anyway, we tasted some of the good wines of Tuscany at Badia di Moronna. We cleansed our palate we some wonderful local salami and cheeses. The winery was set in this beautiful hill town with vineyards surrounding it. The grapes are just about to be harvested so the vines are indescribable with the grapes hanging off of them. We got some great pics.
After that we came home and drank some of the wine we purchased and cooked a wonderful pasta dinner, salad and brushchetta.
What a way to end the day. I haven’t been to bed before 1 am any night since I have been here.
Buono Sera Y’all
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Wednesday
Today was a day of traveling in many directions. Everyone in the house went their seperate ways. The Birds and Jill, Michael and Michael all went to Venice for the day. The rest of us headed to the walled cities of Volteera and San Gimignano. We had a great scenic drive on the way there with the most incredible views of Tuscany. The two towns date back to before the birth of Christ. We walked the cobble stone streets of these two top of the hill walled cities. This is no longer a European tour it has now become the "Tour de Gelato" we are in stage 27. Gelato is the local ice cream here. It is much like ours except they make theirs with milk and we make ours with cream. They have gelaterias on every corner and it is impossible to walk by without getting any.
Everyone arrived back at the villa at different times of the night and some not even until the wee hours of the morning.
Everyone arrived back at the villa at different times of the night and some not even until the wee hours of the morning.
Tuesday
After our long day in Cinque Terre, we decided to just relax and hang around the villa for the day. Everyone pretty much did their own thing. Some layed out by the pool while others took the cars around town. Candice, Jill, Griffis and myself took our rental car up around some towns near ours. The view from up there was absolutely unbelieveable! We came across a Cantina de Vino (Winery) and tried to go in for a tour but it was closed. We are hopefully going to try to make it back and get a tour before we leave.
When we got back to the villa I was surprised with an original Tuscan birthday party. With all the trimmings of a Tuscan meal, vino, and family it just doesn't get any better than that. Well I thought it didn't get any better than that until the real show began. As Carmen did an impression of Tina Turner 70 tunes outfitted the the mini skirt and crazy hair. She had us rolling on the floor. The night went on as we all just sat around talking until about 2am. It was one of the greatest birthdays I've ever had.
I want to thank everyone for all your great comments for my birthday. It was greatly appreciated. You made my day!
When we got back to the villa I was surprised with an original Tuscan birthday party. With all the trimmings of a Tuscan meal, vino, and family it just doesn't get any better than that. Well I thought it didn't get any better than that until the real show began. As Carmen did an impression of Tina Turner 70 tunes outfitted the the mini skirt and crazy hair. She had us rolling on the floor. The night went on as we all just sat around talking until about 2am. It was one of the greatest birthdays I've ever had.
I want to thank everyone for all your great comments for my birthday. It was greatly appreciated. You made my day!
Monday
We all woke up early and headed to the train station. We were on our way to Cinque Terre (five small towns linked together by hiking paths and trains). They are the most beautiful seaside villages you have ever seen. We started off in the first town (Riomaggiore) and hiked to Manorola and Corniglia. These were easier of the hikes. When it got to the third hike (an hour and half hike) just Jill, Michael Griffis and I took on that task while everyone else caught the train. The hike was so beautiful and it would make a man or woman out of you. The pictures don’t do it justice. It is one of the most beautiful places we have all ever seen.
After the hike we all met up and jumped into the Mediterranean to cool off and do some cliff jumping. The water is crystal clear 50-60 feet down. Once we finished we took the train back to Pontadera and drove back to the villa exhausted. We had a nice pasta dinner out on the terrace then we all crashed.
After the hike we all met up and jumped into the Mediterranean to cool off and do some cliff jumping. The water is crystal clear 50-60 feet down. Once we finished we took the train back to Pontadera and drove back to the villa exhausted. We had a nice pasta dinner out on the terrace then we all crashed.
Sunday
Sunday was relax day. We picked up lots of meats, cheeses, breads, and croissants and had a big buffet by the pool. All the boys got a game of pool volleyball together while the ladies got a tan “under the Tuscan sun”. If you haven’t seen that movie, you should really go rent it. We had the music playing outside and really had a terrific day just all being together at the villa.
Cevoli
We left Nice around 10am on Saturday and headed for the villa. It was a bit hectic trying to track everyone down to meet up. We hadn’t spoken to Jill and Michael and weren’t sure if they knew how to get to the villa. We finally heard from them and they were going to go to Florence to wait for me to come get them. We were also having to meet Jennifer’s fiancé who was flying into Rome and meeting us at the train station in Pisa. We finally found him and got on a train to a small town called Pontadera which was the closest we could get by train to the villa. I left everyone there and stayed on the train for Florence to get Jill and Michael. It was so great to see them as they got off the train and I was sitting there waiting for them. We had really missed them! The three of us hopped right back on a train and headed to Pontadera and got a taxi to the villa. When we arrived everyone was already there…all 16 of us.
The villa is HUGE! It has three floors 10 bedrooms and about 20 living rooms. I can sleep in the fireplace. It has terraces and sitting areas. It also has a beautiful pool over looking Tuscany. We all sat out by the pool and told about our travels and laughed until the wee hours of the morning.
The villa is HUGE! It has three floors 10 bedrooms and about 20 living rooms. I can sleep in the fireplace. It has terraces and sitting areas. It also has a beautiful pool over looking Tuscany. We all sat out by the pool and told about our travels and laughed until the wee hours of the morning.
Lauterbrunnen to Nice, France: LOST
Our trip to Nice started on Thursday morning bright and early. We left Lauterbrunnen and took the train to Interlaken where we took yet another train to Milan, Italy. Miguel, Carmen, Katie, Ruby and Jennifer sat in first class while Michael and Candice sat in second class. We only had 10 minutes in Milan to get to our final train for Nice. In all the hustle and confusion of that station, we left Michael and Candice behind. Carmen and I were in a panic but we knew that Candice and Michael would find a way to meet us in Nice. There was a train leaving 4 hours after ours so we felt secure in the fact that they could get to us. Our group arrived in Nice and checked into our hotel and went to eat until it was time to go meet Candice and Michael at the train station in Nice.
We stayed in the Hotel Lafayette a few blocks from the Promenade de Anglais. It was a perfect setting for us, however we were still concerned for Michael and Candice. At 9:30, Carmen and I were SO happy to see Michael and Candice get off the train. There were a few little tense moments for Carmen and I. The rest of our time in Nice was absolutely awesome! We walked along the beach front and went to the old city.
On our first full day in Nice we headed out for a day trip to Monoco/Monte Carlo. It was incredible! All of us went to the casino in Monte Carlo and the technology highlight of this trip we found there. I went to the restroom and when I finished my business, I went to flush and once the flush was finished a box came out from the wall and the toilet seat made a 360 degree turn under this box and was being cleansed and sanitized right before my eyes. Perer this is your kind of toilet seat! We walked all throughout Monte Carlo and went up to the palace where Grace Kelly and the prince lived.
Everyone else went back to the hotel but Candice and I went to Cannes to take a picture on the red carpet where they hold the Cannes film festival. This is something that Candice REALLY wanted to do. We also took some pictures of our faces in celebrity cutouts. It’s priceless. I was Antonio Bandaras and Candice was Angelina Jolie. They are hilarious!
The next morning we left for the villa in Cevoli, Italy.
We stayed in the Hotel Lafayette a few blocks from the Promenade de Anglais. It was a perfect setting for us, however we were still concerned for Michael and Candice. At 9:30, Carmen and I were SO happy to see Michael and Candice get off the train. There were a few little tense moments for Carmen and I. The rest of our time in Nice was absolutely awesome! We walked along the beach front and went to the old city.
On our first full day in Nice we headed out for a day trip to Monoco/Monte Carlo. It was incredible! All of us went to the casino in Monte Carlo and the technology highlight of this trip we found there. I went to the restroom and when I finished my business, I went to flush and once the flush was finished a box came out from the wall and the toilet seat made a 360 degree turn under this box and was being cleansed and sanitized right before my eyes. Perer this is your kind of toilet seat! We walked all throughout Monte Carlo and went up to the palace where Grace Kelly and the prince lived.
Everyone else went back to the hotel but Candice and I went to Cannes to take a picture on the red carpet where they hold the Cannes film festival. This is something that Candice REALLY wanted to do. We also took some pictures of our faces in celebrity cutouts. It’s priceless. I was Antonio Bandaras and Candice was Angelina Jolie. They are hilarious!
The next morning we left for the villa in Cevoli, Italy.
Leaving Switzerland
Even though we're left Switzerland on the 2nd we want to share a few pictures with you of the most beautiful village we've ever seen...Gimmelwald. A Carmenism: "If Heaven isn't all that it's cracked up to be, send me to Gimmelwald." Pictures to come...
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Addendum to Paris to Switzerland post
I need to add that the Griffis' are no longer with us in case you were wondering why they aren't in the pictures anymore. Jill stayed in Paris to meet Michael at the airport and they will join us for the reunion part of the trip in Italy.
I must also add that on the picture of our hotel we are occupying the second floor of our hotel. Imagine us sitting right there on that very balcony. haha
I must also add that on the picture of our hotel we are occupying the second floor of our hotel. Imagine us sitting right there on that very balcony. haha
Jungfrau - top of Europe
Michael going through a tight squeeze in a tunnel in the Ice Palace. He's trying to make it look like his muscles are too big to fit through the tunnel.
We got the whole group in this picture where Ruby is trying to look sexy on top of Jungfrau (pronounced Young-frow)
We got the whole group in this picture where Ruby is trying to look sexy on top of Jungfrau (pronounced Young-frow)
Michael going down on the zip line.
Carmen walking up a mountain heading to the zip line where she did a hands free, spread eagle ride down 250 meters (don't worry, we got it on video).
Candice and Michael petting huskies before dog sledding.
A Delgado family portrait with the beautiful scenery.
Another family moment inside the Ice Palace. It was so slippery that we almost all busted our butts. It was absolutely incredible!
Miguel and Carmen posing as Ice Palace eskimos. We tried to get M to wear the one with the dress but Carmen wanted it for herself. 
At the end of the day, Michael fell asleep while everyone else was drinking hot chocolate.
Paris to Switzerland - Monday 30, 2007
The morning started early at the hour of six and thiry minutes. Michael held us up a little by not listening to Carmen telling him to PACK THE NIGHT BEFORE! Other than that the check out went without a hitch. Once again we carried our bags for our last metro ride in Paris. First class was nice and roomy....but not EVERYONE got to ride first class, including Katie who found out she was train sick for the first time surprising not only herself but the other passengers as well with some nice vomit. Needless to say she spent the remainder of the trip in first class bathroom. We arrived that same afternoon in Switzerland at around 3:00.
We are staying at the Hotel Staubbach named after the waterfall near town and is also the oldest hotel in the town of Lauterbrunnen founded in the late 1800's. We were told our room was "not up to date" with the rest of the rooms in the hotel. Turns out they were wrong. The three bedroom hotel room was far better than we had anticipated.
After settling into our rooms we took a stroll down our one street town. The beauty surrounding the town is like something painted in a masterpiece. The town is down in a deep valley with the Swiss Alps towering over both sides. The people are friendly and easy going. It's a nice change from the fast pace of Paris. While everyone else went to sleep, Candice, Michael, and I went to a small restaurant and sat outside admiring the beauty around us and had desert. I had the most delicious apple strudle with hot custard...it was too fine. After that we went back to the hotel and attempted to watch the Iger Santions in preparation for our trip up the mountains but unfortuntately we couldn't make it through the whole thing. So we all headed to bed.
Miguel
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Flippin Sweet Tour
Le Tour de France that is!!!!!
We were here for the final day of the Tour de France in Paris and we got a front row seat! We started the day by going to Notre Dame for a tour. When we arrived there, mass was in progress however they allowed tourists to continue touring while mass was going on. Well, if i had to describe it in 170 words or less I would describe it as "churchy"...just kidding. This 800 plus year old church has more intricate woodwork, stain glass, and arches than any of the modern buildings of today. The 100 foot high ceilings are a work of art themselves. Although they were selling souvenirs in the back of the church, the feeling of holiness was not lost on us. It was amazing to realize that we were standing the very church that Napolean Bonaparte was crowned emperor in. While reading our guidebook we found out so many interesting facts that we had passed over the first time through and ended up staying another 45 mins. looking for the hidden gems of architecture.
After leaving Notre Dame we headed to the Champs-Elysees to get a good spot for Le Tour de France. We got a front row spot right by the barrier for the street. We were literally so close that we could feel the air hit us as the bikes flew by us. We waited for what seemed like an eternity (only 3 hours) we waited for the race to begin. It was a world class event worth waiting for. We were so fortunate to be here for this event.
After the race we went to Cafe Panis to eat. Unfortunately we had our first rude experience with a French person. Our waitress was extremely rude. We then headed back to our hotel to (sadly) pack for our departure tomorrow.
Michael, Jill, Miguel, and Candice (we all put of thoughts together)
European Tour - Paris Day 2 (Saturday)
WHAT A DAY!!!! I became the alarm clock for everyone and woke everyone up at approximately 7:30. There were a lot of grumpy people...jet lag was prevailing. Trying to get 7 people to move simultaneously makes me understand what our generals are going through in Iraq. Finally everyone stirred up, dressed and we headed to Rue Cler (a traditional European neighborhood at its best). I could live there the rest of my life. It was open market, great bakery, Candice and I even bought some greek salad and fresh country ham and turkey to make on a picnic later. After everyone ate their fills of croissants, coffee and other assortments of French goodies, we began our walk to the Eiffel Tower.The walk from Rue Cler to the Eiffel was Parisian scenary at its best through tree lined streets, flowered pot filled balconies, the sirens that you can only hear in French movies I truly lost myself in the ambiance of the moment. We walked through Trocadaro park which provides the best view of the tower however we did not go up the Tower because we wanted to make that trip at night and see all the lights. We walked all around the tower and took in its magnificence. We then got on the hop-on hop-off bus which is exactly what its name says. It takes you throughtout all of Paris to all the main sites allowing you to get on and off wherever you want as much as you want. The bus took us from the Eiffel Tower to Royal Palace, Place de Concorde, burial site of Napolean, Notre Dame, Latin Quarter, Champs-Elysees, and Arc de Triomphe. We decided to "hop-off" at Champs-Elysees (a picture that I had in my mind that came to life before me). We went to the Arc de Triomphe and took the 300 plus steps up to the top and saw all of Paris from the top. After spending time at the top of the Arc we spent time browsing the shops down the Champs-Elysees, being very Parisian. I was speaking in French like I knew what the hell I was doing, nobody understood me but I was having a great time.
Then we began Carmen's odyssey to find the world's largest perfume store. Needless to say, 4 hours later we were worn out and smelling like goat cheese having never laid eyes on any perfume. But we were close to the opera house so we decided to go in and check it out. It was incredible! The rooms were exquisite and the grandeur magnificent. Finally at about 7 pm we returned to our hotel for a power nap before heading out to the Eiffel Tower.
The Eiffel Tower at night is a site for this poor boys eyes. I crack myself up sometimes. haha This side is so outstanding that pictures don't do the engineering and architecture of this tower justice. It's clear to see why it's one of the 7 modern wonders of the world. From 10 pm until 12 the tower lights up with strobe lights for 10 minutes every hour on the hour. It was beautiful but the special part for me was being up there with my family. It was time to call it a night so we came down at midnight and headed back to the hotel and called it a night.
Miguel
European Tour- Paris Day 1 (Friday)
Let's back track a bit and start from the beginning. The flights were uneventful but exciting. We arrived in Paris at the Charles de Gualle airport (or as Michael calls it de Guy-yay) and that's when reality set in. Our maneuvering of Paris' metro system (underground subway) was a bit intense at first but we later got it down pat. Miguel's backpack, which he refused to carry and strapped to rollars was constantly falling off and of course we will never let him live that down. Our ride on the metro from the airport began our European tour after riding it for 45 mins to our final destination, our hotel (which is located in a great little area near the Bastille).
After arriving at our hotel we put all 8 of our bags in one room (it was the only one ready at the time) and went out to explore the city. Let me say that the rooms are extremely tiny and the Bird girls were shocked. After having all of our bags in the room we could no longer fit ourselves. We took a walk all around of little neighborhood (Marias Bastille) then came back in for a nap. Miguel (Dad) and I didn't want to sleep so they went out to walk along the Seine and happened on a festival (Paris Plage) down there. I have to tell everyone that my dad was looking really stylish wearing his sandals with black socks. We have pictures to prove it. haha
We all went out to dinner that night at a cute outdoor cafe and flirted all night with out waiter (in pictured above). Returned to the hotel at midnight and finally rested our bodies from the long day.
Candice
Decription of Pics:
Pic #1: Miguel and Carmen enjoying a quiche at one of the our neighborhood outdoor cafes.
Pic #2: All the girls crowding around our cute waiter (Benoit).
Pic #3: Ruby, Jennifer, Jill, and Katie eating pastries at a cafe.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
E Day is HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Everyone is packed and ready to go. Just wating on our ride. Last night we had a family meal to practice for Italy...Pizza Hut Pizza. Totally Awesome practice.
We are excited in anticipation of getting "in" the plane, finally. I feel like a kid going to Disney World. Next Stop New Orleans.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
All My Bags are Packed...
One more wake up! Our family is so excited about this trip together we cannot stand it. The Griswolds have nothing on the Delgado Family.
Packing has been an adventure as each family member attempts to fit as much as possible in a small suitcase. Everyone is limited to one suitcase and a day pack. Of course Candice was the first to have all her things in order and ready to go. The opposite goes for Jill. Here it is less than 12 hours before we depart for NO and she is still out shopping. Candice asked Jill if she was packed to which Jill answered, Yes. Candice questioned it and Jill finally fessed up. Well, the pile is next to the suitcase. For Jill that is being packed.
Will Post pictures later!
Packing has been an adventure as each family member attempts to fit as much as possible in a small suitcase. Everyone is limited to one suitcase and a day pack. Of course Candice was the first to have all her things in order and ready to go. The opposite goes for Jill. Here it is less than 12 hours before we depart for NO and she is still out shopping. Candice asked Jill if she was packed to which Jill answered, Yes. Candice questioned it and Jill finally fessed up. Well, the pile is next to the suitcase. For Jill that is being packed.
Will Post pictures later!
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