Surprise! My Family Comes to Europe

About three weeks ago, my dad called me and said he wanted to come out for one final visit before Brian and I move home next month.  The original plan was for him to come to England, and then the three of us would head over to Switzerland for a few days.  However, my brother and his wife decided they really wanted to come too, and while they were here, they wanted to see Germany.  So Brian and I went into trip planning crisis mode and somehow pulled together a 9-day European vacation for us and my family in about 2 weeks.  It definitely put our trip planning skills to the test, but I am  happy to say that we succeeded.  =)

Brian and I with my family in front of the Reichstag in Berlin

Our trip started with somewhere my brother has always wanted to go: Berlin.  I traveled there in December with a couple of friends and really wanted to take Brian back there, so it worked out well.  The weather there was horrible, but to our credit, we still got out and saw all the major sites, including the Berlin Wall, Checkpoint Charlie (the most famous border crossing between East and West Berlin), and the Brandenburg Gate.  We also visited the largest church in Berlin and the AquaDom, the largest cynlindrical aquarium in the world at the Radisson Blu Hotel.

Me with my family in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin

Inside the Berlin Cathedral

The AquaDom in Berlin

At the end of the weekend, Brian flew back to England to work during the week, while my family and I took a 4-hour train southward to Bad Kreuznach, where my mom was born and raised and where she used to take my brother and I when we were children.  It was also where she and my dad met, so it was extra special for me and my brother to go there with our dad who showed us around.  We even went back to my mom's old house and talked to the owners about how things have changed.  It was such an incredible experience to go back there as a family to honor my mom and include her in some way in our trip.


Me with my dad and brother in front of my mom's house in Bad Kreuznach, Germany

The toy store where Daniel and I used to go when we visited BK as kids -
we all bought something there this time too!

After an amazing couple days in this part of Germany, we boarded a train again, this time to head over to Switzerland.  More on that part of the adventure tomorrow!

Back to Croatia

Brian and I are wrapping up our time here in England and are taking our last trips.  We really wanted to go back to visit Brian's family in Koprivnica, Croatia, and we were lucky enough to find an extended weekend to head over there once again.  Croatia was my biggest surprise of all of our travels.  It was the first time I had traveled to Eastern Europe, and I didn't know what to expect.  We both love Croatia and definitely want to travel back to explore the coastline in the future.  Of course we also love Croatia though because of the family and friends we have made there.  =)

Our family in Croatia

Reading with Paula  =)

Anja loved Brian's watch!

The thing you need to know about visiting Brian's family in Croatia is that they are amazing cooks and have a vineyard and make incredible wine.  We joked that we didn't eat for a few days prior to our trip to make room in our tummies!  We ate homemade strudel, fresh cheese from a family member's cow, real chicken noodle soup, and many other delicious dishes.  And of course we had what has now become my favorite drink - Bambus.  Bambus is a mix of Coke and red wine.  Brian's favorite is the Gemist, a mixture of white wine and sparkling water.  Brian also loves Croatian beer, Pan.

A  night out in Koprivnica, Croatia

Our first night, we went to downtown Koprivnica for Museum Night.  We then headed over to a local bar for drinks and live music.  The band even played some American favorites like "Stand by Me" using traditional Croatian instruments, including the Tamburica, an instrument Brian's great-grandfather used to play growing up in the former Yugoslavia.

Museum Night in Koprivnica

A surreal night - hanging out in a Croatian bar listening to a traditional Croatian band. 

The next day, I went shopping with the girls while Brian headed out to the vineyard to see more wine preparation.  He didn't really work too hard; he just enjoyed the wine.  That night, we had yet another amazing meal with the entire family.

At the vineyard

Paula studying with me before dinner  =)

On our final day, we drove around different parts of the city and then headed out to the lake to feed the swans.  We of course ended the night with yet another amazing meal and of course Bambus and Gemist.  As we expected, this was another incredible trip.  Here's hoping we can return again soon!

We recruited a new Croatian segment of the Gator Club - Go Gators!

Relaxing with family at the Podravska Klet in Koprivnica

Hitting the Slopes in Bulgaria

The last item on Brian's Travel Bucket List was a proper ski vacation.  After extensive research, Brian decided we should go to what might be the most random place we've visited: Bulgaria.  It turns out that a lot of Brits go there for skiing rather than the Alps.  It was especially nice for us because we had never skied before and it was a lot less expensive!  So off we went to Borovets, Bulgaria...

Skiing in Borovets, Bulgaria

First, let me just say that skiing might be the hardest sport I have ever tried in my life.  Our first day, we went to the ski depot to meet our instructor.  The ski school didn't have a lot of people that week, so we were lucky enough to have an instructor dedicated to just the two of us.  We put on our ski boots, which may be the most uncomfortable shoes I have ever worn, and then had to carry our equipment to the slopes.  I was EXHAUSTED by the time we got there, and we hadn't even skied yet!

Ski school was a very different experience for Brian than it was for me.  He took to skiing like a natural, and the instructor loved him.  I, on the other hand, just didn't get it.  So by the middle of the first day, Brian was going down the beginner slopes on his own while I was behind with the instructor just trying to figure out the basics.  I'm not sure if it was fear or just sheer lack of coordination, but this sport just didn't come to me naturally.

I love this picture because I look like I'm about to run right into that kid.  =)

Brian, the pro skier, taking the drag lift for one of the runs

The second day, we took the lift up one of the mountains to try a beginner slope at the top.  I felt more comfortable the second day, but I still needed help with turns as I made my way down.  This was an unfortunate thing not to know because basically, I couldn't control where I went which meant that I definitely ran into a few people. 

Our first ever ski lift pass!

Ski run at the top of the mountain -
If you look closely, you can see me on the drag lift in the pink jacket.

Amazing conveyor belt that took us back up to the gondola to go down
the mountain - my legs were so thankful for this!

Brian did great, and after lunch, he was invited on a special trip down the mountain on what I was told was a beginner course.  I was invited to take the gondola down and meet them at the bottom.  =(  I wanted Brian to have fun, so I agreed and went down the gondola like a ski-loser.  *sigh*  I met Brian and our instructor at the bottom, where Brian looked completely beat.  It turns out the instructor had taken him down a red advanced run.  He said he didn't want to tell me.  Definitely very sneaky!  I was just happy to see my husband in one piece.

Check out that concentration!

The final day, we cut it short.  The conditions were awful because there had been a lot of rain the night before which had frozen under the snow.  Also it was extremely crowded, and after I ran into my second person, I decided enough was enough.  So that was when we enjoyed my type of ski vacation by going for massages and hot tub time.  =)

Overall, skiing was a lot harder than I thought it would be.  However, I do feel like I got more comfortable by the end, and I definitely would like to try skiing and/or snowboarding again.  Maybe next time I will be invited on the special field trip too...

Representing the Gator Nation in Bulgaria

Favorite British TV Shows

We were very excited to learn when we moved here that a lot of American TV shows are actually shown on British TV.  We don't have to miss our favorite Travel Channel, Food Network, and primetime shows (well at least most of them!  British TV doesn't have the Amazing Race).  We also started watching some British shows though.  These shows gave us a good understanding of life and culture over here, especially when we first moved.  Here are our favorite shows and information about them.  Let us know if you've seen them in the States!

• Come Dine with Me - I first found this show when we were living in the hotel for 6 weeks.  The premise is that 5 strangers get together every night for 5 days, and they rotate hosting and cooking a 3-course meal.  At the end, everyone scores each other secretly, and the winner receives 1,000 GBP.  This show is great because it introduced us to British cooking and the names for British ingredients - this is where we learned that aubergine is actually eggplant and courgette is actually zucchini.  It also gave a great insight into culture around the UK.
• The Hotel Inspector - Brian and I have stayed in more than 70 European accomodations, so this show is a great favorite of our's.  A renowned hotel expert visits struggling hotels and B&Bs to find out what the owners are doing wrong and then offer recommendations.  We definitely think we could be Hotel Inspectors at this point!  =)
• Anything with Gordon Ramsay - Gordon Ramsay is so much different on shows here in the UK than in the US. He is a lot nicer for some reason; we've noticed the same thing with Simon Cowell. Ramsay just completed a show called "Ramsay's Best Restaurant" where he test restaurants of different types of cuisines to see who was the best in the country.
• UK Border Force - Anyone who has tried to enter the UK, either with a visa or just on vacation, knows they take immigration and border control very seriously.  They take it so seriously that they have an entire series devoted to it called the UK Border Force.  The reality show follows immigration and border control officers, both at the airport and throughout the country.  It sounds weird, but it's actually a fascinating show to watch and gives you real insight into how many people try to smuggle their way in and why the UK is so strict.
• Relocation, Relocation - This show allows you to indulge in real estate fantasties.  It follows couples who are looking for two homes: one in the UK and one abroad somewhere in Europe usually.  We love seeing the different houses and how they are affected by the cultures of the country they are in.  Plus it's always fun to dream about buying a chalet in Switzerland or a villa in Italy!  =)\

My grandmother who moved to the States from Germany when I was a teenager said she used to watch American TV to learn the language better.  Now I see why.  Watching British TV has definitely given us a great insight into this country, especially when we first moved here.  We're going to miss our new favorite shows.  Thank goodness for BBC America!  Hopefully we can find some of them on there when we move back to Florida.

New Year's on the Algarve Coast of Portugal

When Brian asked me where I wanted to go during his break between Christmas and New Year's, I instantly said, "Take me somewhere warm!"  We had been meaning to go to Portugal, so we decided to head to the most southern part of the country: the Algarve Coast.

Exploring the Algarve Coast

This trip was all about relaxing and enjoying the beautiful landscapes of the Algarve.  Our first day, we visited a local vineyard, Quinta Does Vales, to try Portugese wines.  That night, we enjoyed a traditional Portugese dinner at a local restaurant.  As a warning, if you don't like pork, you might not find a lot of dinner options in this region.  Luckily Brian and I do enjoy pork, and we had some lovely meals.

Portugese vineyard

Delicious mixed kebab

Brian loves climbing, and I love sunshine (which we don't see very often here in England), so we decided to do a few coastal walks.  Unfortunately the weather was a bit iffy - it would be sunshine one minute and then a torrential downpour the next that would last a few minutes.  This meant that the trails were very muddy and slippery.  I'm not going to lie; both of us did fall!  The views were breathtaking and made it all worth it though.  As Florida babies, we have seen a lot of coasts and beaches, but combining that with the rocks and elevation made it all the more beautiful.

Hiking along the coast

Avoiding one of the many puddles on our hike

In addition to nature, we explored some of the cities in the area including Silves, Faro and Lagos.  In Faro, we saw the most unique chapel I think either of us has ever seen, which says a lot because we have seen so many since living in Europe.  The Capela de Ossos (or Chapel of the Bones) is built using skeletal remains of more than 1,200 monks.  I have to be honest that I couldn't stand in there for long because it disturbed me.  Lagos was a lot lighter.  We enjoyed walking along the water and shopping along the little streets.

Chapel of the Bones

This palm tree (with the sunshine!) reminded me of home.  =)

Overall, Portugal was beautiful even in the winter.  I'm so glad we were able to make it there before moving home in a couple of months.

Beautiful oranges found throughout the region

American English and British English are NOT the same

When we were getting ready to move to the UK, everyone said we were so lucky because at least we didn't have to learn another language.  Admittedly, moving here wasn't as hard as moving somewhere like Germany or Italy, but let me assure you that we have run into language barriers over the last two years.  To assimilate and communicate better with the locals, we started learning "British English" - we don't talk with an accent, but we definitely use words and phrases that are now common to us.  We thought we would share some of our favorites so our American friends would know what we were talking about when we moved home soon!  =)

• "Rubbish" - This is Brian's favorite British word, and we have both started to use it quite often.  It can mean the trash as in "Where is the rubbish bin please?" or it can mean something is stupid, for lack of a better word, as in "This policy is rubbish!" 
• "Proper" - This is my particular favorite word.  It means that something is appropriate as in "I finally got a proper backpack for school" or "I am going to take you to a proper pub."  It means it is the real thing.
• "Hiya!  You all right?" - This is a common greeting when you run into people you know in town basically like our "Hi!  How are you?" 
• "Queue" - This can be used as a noun for a line to wait for something as in "Please stand in the queue to make a purchase."  Or it can also be used as a verb as in "Please queue here to board your RyanAir flight." 
• "Quid" - This translates basically to a "buck" as slang for a dollar.  If you say something is 30 Quid, you mean that it is 30 Great British Pounds.
• "Ta" - People say this to mean "thanks." 
• "Loo" or "WC" - I one time asked for a restroom, and the lady was definitely confused!

We also had to learn a complete new vocabulary for the grocery store.  Here are some of our favorite British ingredients with their American translations:

• Courgette = Zucchini
• Coriander = Cilantro
• Crisps = Potato Chips
• Chips = French Fries
• Pudding = Dessert
• Squash = A Fruit Drink Concentrate (mixed with water)
• Lemonade = Basically Sprite
• Cloudy Lemonade = What we think of as Lemonade  =)

Don't even get me started on the car terms we had to learn!  The bonnet is the hood; the boot is the trunk; and the windscreen is the windshield.

See below for Brian's graphical representation of these and other fun translations.  

Weekend in London

Brian and I have been to London several times, but there are still a lot of things we haven't done yet.  We decided to make a list and head into London for a weekend to check some of the things off of it.  Our first (and possibly most important) stop during the trip was to Chipotle, the first one in the UK that recently opened!  Chipotle is always our first stop when we fly home, so it was nice to have a taste of home in the interim.  Amazingly, it actually tasted the same as home!  It was such a special treat.

Enjoying Chipotle in London

After Chipotle, we headed over to Westminster Abbey to take a guided tour.  We had done an audio tour when we visited London in 2008, but to be led by an actual church official was more insightful and interesting.  We were able to go to places in the church that you normally don't see, and we learned a lot about royal weddings because of course this is where Prince William and Kate Middleton will wed on April 29, 2011.  We also saw the Coronation Chair. 

That night, we headed over to London's Winter Wonderland, which was a pseudo-Christmas Market.  We didn't think the Brits would be able to compete with the German Christmas Markets we love so much, but they actually did a really good job and even included a Bavarian Village to give it a little German flair.  =)  There were tons of amusement park rides and of course mulled wine and apple cider which we love.

Enjoying apple cider at London's Winter Wonderland

The next morning, we were able to tour the Houses of Parliament, which is actually considered a palace.  It was much more beautiful than we expected and definitely had the feel of a palace rather than a government building.  We went into the House of Lords and the House of Commons to see where the debating happens.  It was an amazing tour and one we would highly recommend to anyone visiting.

As we exited the Houses of Parliament, we were hit with an extremely heavy snowfall, bordering on blizzard conditions.  It didn't last long, but London was COVERED very quickly with several inches of snow.  In fact, this was the storm that caused Heathrow to shut down for about 5 days.  Brian and I have seen London in every season, but this was the first time we had ever seen snow there.  It was really special.  Check out our video.  =)

That afternoon, we caught up with friends who recently moved to the UK to experience our other favorite food that we can't get here in Bury: sushi!  We all then headed over to the Borough Market, which is basically a fresh food market where you can get fruits and veggies, meats, cheeses, drinks, etc.  Brian and I picked up butternut squash ravioli, fresh tomatoes and mozzarella for dinner that night...  Unfortunately we had to save it for the next night because it took us 5 1/2 hours to drive home (normally it takes under 2 hours).  The roads were HORRIBLE because of the snow.  Luckily we made it home safe and sound though. 

Teresa and I with a little snowman at Borough Market

The snow waiting for us on our car in London

London is definitely a city I didn't love at first, but each time I go, I fall in love with it a bit more.  We're looking forward to a few more day trips at least there before we move home.