A Midwest Summer: Part 1

  { Potawatomi Historic Inn }

I was lucky enough to spend almost two weeks at the very end of summer. It was the perfect way to finish out this busy summer. Although I didn't get to enjoy a full summer (thanks to an extended Eastern European trip), the short-lived warm summer days were filled with family, friends, and lots of lazing around. Our first stop was Angola, Indiana were we spent lakeside with Alan's family - boat rides on the lake, moonlit walks, sandcastles, hiking, and bike rides.

{ Picture perfect summer clouds }

{ Sandcastles }

A Midwest Summer: Part 2

The second part of the trip was all about the sites of Lake Michigan. Saugatuck is  a quaint beach town all about handcrafted salt water taffy, old fashioned ice cream, and fudge (yes, I did indulge - a lot).  Saugatuck comes complete with an old school diner/general store, soda jerk and soda pop! Right outside of Saugatuck is the buried city of Singapore which is now made up of massive sandunes. To get to the beautiful beaches of Lake Michigan, you hike through a sandy forest and finally make your way to a secluded oasis.  We stumbled upon a fawn and doe, just a few feet away on our hike to the beach (this sighting made the 2-mile worthwhile).  We finally called it a day (literally) in South Haven with a warm sunset. I even got to see the first addition to a SFR Alan worked on in the early days of his career.

Identity Crisis in Eastern Europe

So everyone in Eastern Europe thought I was either Spanish or Italian and would greet me with "Hola" or "Ciao".  Even when I responded in American English I was greeted with more Spanish and Italian. I gave up so I decided to dress the part :) Hola, Ciao and Donatella Versace-esque sunglasses!

Vienna: At Night

Here's the last in a series of beautiful cities at night: Vienna. Here are some pictures I took after enjoying a unique concert with the Hofburg Orchestra at the Hofburg Palace.  I was expecting a typical (and stuffy) performance, but this orchestra was anything but boring. The Hofburg Orchestra was the funniest, most entertaining, and most talented orchestra I have seen.  Here are some snapshots of the Hofburg Palace, City Hall (yes, it looks like a Castle), and the Neu Palace/National Library as we strolled through Vienna while enjoying ice cream (of course). 

Vienna: We're Moving Here

Vienna is our last stop of our Eastern European tour and we are in love! Vienna is move than anything we had expected and has sold us - we're moving here (well, if we can get jobs, visas, just a few important things).  After spending a few days here, I know why Vienna is consistently considered one of the best places to live in the world. It's an all around perfect place to exist. 
Half the city of Vienna is made up of gardens and parks where you can bike, stroll, picnic, or just laze away.  The streets are lined with every type of imaginable cafe and eatery.  Vienna is also home to the most number of museums - whatever your thrill, there's a museum for it. A Mozart concert every night? Check. Shopping galore? Check. Coffee is only enjoyed sitting at a cafe? Check. 
Vienna had us at hello...

Annette the Tour Guide

I will be your tour guide, free of charge!! 

* just pay for my airfare and accommodations :)

Budapest: House of Terror

It's not terrifying, just disturbing.  The most fascinating thing about our trip to Eastern Europe has been to learn about a history that is so foreign to us, but happened in our lifetime.  The story of Communism, the lives destroyed by it, and the communities that emerged from it have been such a valuable learning experience on this trip. The House of Terror is dedicated to the Hungarians that lost their lives during the Communist Regime and Iron Cross Fascist Regime.  Pictures of the interior are not allowed, unfortunately, since this museum is such a visual experience.  Below is the wall of pictures dedicated to those who lost their lives, the "iron curtain", and fabulous signage to the museum (when the sun hits the building at the right angle, the sign casts a shadow on the building that reads "terror" - so symbolic!)

Budapest: Annette's New Calling

Who needs a Master's Degree when you can major in Chocolate and Pastries?!?!

Krakow: The Pigeons of Market Square

Long ago Poland was divided into many lands, cities, and towns.  Henry IV, a Polish Prince residing in Krakow, decided to try and become the king of all of the Polish lands, but he needed gold to help him travel to Rome and meet with the Pope. And so, the Prince contacted a witch, who bargained that she would loan him gold to help him arrive in Rome and to meet with the Pope, but he would have to return a King.  The witch also turned the Prince's knights into pigeons, so they could not escort him on his long journey.  The Prince agreed and left Krakow, leaving his knights-pigeons behind. However, the Krakow Prince never arrived  in Rome as he spent all of his gold in various cities and towns building alliances. The Prince never returned to Krakow and could not meet the bargain with the witch. And so, the Prince's pigeon knights are still waiting for their king on the Main Square...

Krakow: Studio Quilinare

Alan and I love taking recommendations from locals on places to see and eat when we travel.  The girl who manages the apartments we are staying in recommended a brand new restaurant in the Jewish Quarter - Studio Quilinare.  As soon as we entered the garden (terrace/patio) we knew we would love this place.  We had the sweetest waitress, who barely spoke English and as we learned later was starting her 2nd day of work as a waitress.  After we finished a wonderful bottle of Rose we thought we told her that the wine was great, but she heard we want another bottle, so we got another bottle of Rose.  Although she was a brand new waitress, no one had bothered to show her how to open a bottle of wine, so she accidentally pushed the cork into the bottle, instead of out.  The restauranteur of the restaurant immediately rushed to apologize to us - fortunately for the young waitress, it was Alan and I who were her first American customers.  It turned out that we were the first American/foreign customers at the restaurant. Alan and I gave the restauranteur a crisp $1 bill since it's an American tradition to frame the earned dollar.  The restauranteur was so gracious that she gave us an alcohol infused dessert for free.  By the time we left dinner, we had consumed 2 bottles of Rose and 2 alcoholic desserts. Here are some pictures of the entrance and garden, and the aftermath of the restauranteur's generosity...

Krakow: Coffee and a Sundae, on a Thursday

Auschwitz-Berkinau

One of the most humbling experiences of my life. To think millions of people (Jews, Pols, Soviets, Gypsies, and many others) were killed here - only 60 years ago. It only took a matter of 4 years for the SS to create an industry to transport, execute, and recycle millions of people.

Krakow: The Beautiful

Alan and I were lucky to spend 3 days in Krakow, Poland this week. Krakow is yet another beautiful Eastern European city, but the people make it so much more special.  Everyone, and I mean everyone, is so pleasant and kind that they make the city so much more enjoyable.  This did take us awhile to realize. Alan and I arrived in Krakow at 6:00AM and wandered through the city square. It was empty, except for a few bars that were open, catering to the early morning drinkers (alcohol, not coffee).  Nothing opens until much later, around 9:00 or 10:00AM.  At this point, I was regretting leaving Prague, for gloomy and empty Krakow.  By later morning though, the city square and the city itself were something different.  The Krakowians were out and about - the city square was packed with people.  What I loved about Krakow was the eclectic mix of people that make up the city. Krakow is a College town so there are lots of students, in addition to families, businesspeople, and seniors. All of the Krakowians take so much pride in their city and will go above and beyond to make sure travelers have a great trip. They do this because they wants to and care to, not because they rely on it - this makes their hospitality so genuine.  I fell in love with Krakow and the people of Krakow and was very sad to leave this wonderful city behind. Here are some pictures of Krakow at dusk.

Picturesque Prague

Prague is the most beautiful city that I have ever visited - it is so picturesque that it is impossible to take a bad picture!

Alan's three favorites: Annette, Architecture & Food

Our first dinner in Prague was at Klub Architektu.  This restaurant, gallery, and bookshop is located underground in a wine cellar.  Our excellent meal, including a bottle of Moravian Pinot Noir, cost 900CZK, which is about 50USD.