Paris, je t'aime anyway

Well, you can tell from my previous post (and if you read Becca's blog - link in the right column) that we had quite the time in Paris. However, despite all of that, somehow I still can't shake a feeling of awe about this beautiful city and a feeling of gratitude that I was privileged to experience a few days there. I have to say that I've never been one for jumping pictures, but that half-hour we spent in front of the Eiffel Tower was seriously fun!



We also really enjoyed Versailles and all the fountains in the gardens there.



One of my favorite things about being in France in general was that quite a bit more of my high school French came back to me than I thought was possible. Tres bien!

I was glad to see the Eiffel Tower and explore the Louvre and the d'Orsay, and it was fun to eat so many baguettes. But I have to say I was pretty happy to get out of Paris and see some of Northern France.

I think Paris is trying to kill me...

It's official. I LOVE Paris!!! I thought I would like it, but it overwhelmed me because there is just so much to it - so much land, so much history, so much to do and see. I am used to Seattle and Zagreb, not Paris! I absolutely love it, but I have learned a few things. Mainly: Do not try to cheap-skate Paris. You may as well just wait until you can afford it (and with the dollar the way it is, that might be awhile...). We tried to stay at a budget hotel - BAD choice (details forthcoming but too long to write tonight. Suffice it to say you pay for what you get...). And then we saved money with the Museum Pass - which really is a good idea and is totally worth it. However, you should not try to do ALL of the museums in 2 days. Your feet will hate you... Especially if you injured one of them in Brussels and have not given it time to recover. Also, don't kid yourself that when you go to Disneyland Paris you won't buy anything. Of course you will buy things! That's half the fun of Disneyland! (How could I NOT buy the Disneyland Paris Pirates of the Caribbean T-shirt for 7 Euro??) And never - I repeat, NEVER - EVER - believe the hotel people when they tell you laundry is inexpensive or that they have a free shuttle to the train station. Umm, not all of this bill was mine - in fact most of it wasn't - but how can these people live with themselves charging $440 for a bag of laundry??? 5 Euro per pair of socks? Are you kidding me??? No, we discovered. They were not kidding. Ok, I'm done griping. In my next post, look forward to reading about the joys and amazing-ness that is Paris! (I still love it... Pray that I can afford the rest of this trip - still 3.5 months to go!)

Luxembourg!

I have always wanted to go to Luxembourg. I think it all stems from a project I did in high school French class and my mom let me use a train ticket and some other items from Luxembourg that she had from a trip to France in the 1960s. Anyway, Luxembourg turned out to be everything I hoped for and more! Seriously the cutest city. All built on hills with valleys and pretty trees that made the air smell really good. We also got to explore the cave-tunnels in the old fortress that was built in 936 A.D. It was so cool! We definitely got some great photos. Our hostel was pretty nice, and there was a whole bus of people from Serbia. :) I talked to one girl (who said I spoke Serbian well - I think she was just flattering me...), who said they were a church choir. Now we're waiting in the train station on our way to Paris. I've been surprised that I actually remember quite a bit of my high school French. But we'll see how that goes once we actually get to France...

Brussels, Belgium

Waffles. Chocolate. Pretty buildings. Susannah. What's not to love about Brussels?? We took a train from Amsterdam to Brussels and picked Bianca up at the airport. After waiting for a couple hours for Bianca's bag to arrive, we got back to our hostel (which was really nice) and then spent the evening wandering around. The Grand Place was beautiful and I seriously enjoyed the waffles! We took a train out to Bruges one day. Bruges is gorgeous. We climbed up to the top of the bell tower and the man who plays the bells was in there giving a concert while we were at the top. Pretty nice! We also enjoyed some fries with curry-ketchup (made me dream of the currywurst Paige and I ate in Berlin last fall!) In Brussels we were able to meet up with my friend Susannah, which was great. She gave a a little tour of the city, including Manneken Pis - I think it's required that tourists to Brussels see this statue, although I don't get the draw... - and she took us to her favorite cafe on the Grand Place. It was wonderful to see her and catch up.

Amsterdam, Holland

We arrived in Amsterdam on Thursday, May 22nd and found our hostel without too much trouble. We were pretty tired and jet lagged but wanted to try to get on local time as quickly as possible so we stayed up and found a nice bench by a canal to sit and talk and pray. The next morning we took a 3-hour walking tour of the city, which was a really nice overview and helped us get our bearings. The sad part of this tour was that in walking through the Red Light District, we – of course – saw some girls in windows. It made my insides hurt. I am glad that Holland is a tolerant country and Amsterdam is a tolerant city, but I think there are reasons for limiting this sort of thing. Anyway, we learned some interesting things on the tour (although I’m not sure everything was 100% accurate), such as the fact that it was a Catholic architect who designed some of the Protestant churches – even though the Catholic churches had to meet in secret (but how secret are you when the whole town knows where you are – because they made you go there – an you’re singing with a full choir out of open third-floor windows??). We also did a tour via canal boat, which we both really enjoyed. It gives you a different perspective on the city, and was a bonus because we love boats! Another highlight of Amsterdam was going to the Anne Frank House Museum. Our last day in the Netherlands, we took a train to Haarlem. We really wanted to go to the Corrie Ten Boomhuis, which we did, but the museum was closed. Nevertheless, we really enjoyed Haarlem. The streets and architecture are beautiful and it was much more peaceful than Amsterdam – lots less people. It feels like a city you could really live in. One funny thing in Haarlem was that there was some sort of motorcycle convention and there was an older woman – maybe eighty? – on her motorcycle posing in front of the cathedral on the main square. You go girl!

Well, hello! Or, goodbye...

I realize I haven't posted here since November, but in lieu of posting about past events, suffice it to say that the months in between were great (you can see photos of my trip to China, etc. on Facebook). I was able to take a Croatian (BCS) language class at UW during winter quarter - where I met some great new friends (Lori! Diana! Alsu! Veronica!). Then I worked for 6 weeks as the Interim Administrative Assistant for Urban and Global Missions at UPC, which was a great experience. I got to work with some really nice people who are doing wonderful work. Now, I am getting ready to be out of the country for the summer, and trying to figure out what I will do when the summer is over. I'm hoping that over the course of my travels this summer, God will give me some clarity about future decisions. I've realized over the past several months that I really enjoy being in Seattle and being able to have a "regular" schedule. My Bible study has been wonderful - I will really miss you beautiful women! And I have loved being able to take ballet, go to the gym, go to Nas Klub and BTF, and spend time with my family and all of the friends I have here. I am really leaning toward spending next year in Seattle, though that will mean I will miss friends in other places. Prayers about decisions for the next phase of my life are much appreciated! I'm leaving on May 21st for 4 months in Europe (I know, tough work, but someone has to do it...), and the itinerary is on the righthand side of this page. If you happen to be in a city at the same time as me, I'd love to see you! If not, then I hope you'll keep in touch over the summer. I'll do my best to keep this page updated and promise to reply to emails when I can find internet that's not too expensive!

Consolidation of 2007 schedule posts

My purpose in Fužine

While I am in Fužine ("foo-zh-in-ay"), I will be teaching English to people in the town, and volunteering with ROM. ROM is the acronym for "Renewing Our Minds," an organization that is close to my heart. I first volunteered for ROM in the summer of 2005, as part of the Deputation program sponsored by my church in Seattle. I was drawn back to Croatia again last summer, and was thankful to Christine and Tihomir for letting me volunteer again. I am grateful for this opportunity, and excited to be able to be part of such a great organization.

May 2-May 24: Fužine, Croatia

In Fužine, teaching English and helping prepare for EDS, ROM, and the Fužine Youth Festival. Also visiting the EUS conference in Crikvenica.

May 24-June 5: Balkan Prayer Breakfast and ROM regional trip

We will be attending the Balkan Prayer Breakfast in Sofia, Bulgaria, after which, we will visit ROM friends in Macedonia and Kosova/o.

June 5-August 22: Fužine, Croatia

When we get back from the Balkan Prayer Breakfast and regional trip, the summer ROM/EDS season will get into full swing. The Fužine Youth Festival will run from June 17-21. The Economic diplomacy Seminar and EDS leadership workshop run from June 29-July 15. (Our UPC Deputees arrive on June 25! We are so excited for you to get here, Karuna and Whitney!) The Renewing Our Minds gathering and ROM leadership workshop run from July 25-August 19. (We are also excited to be joined by ROM speakers from UPC, Brandon Bleek and Allen Belton!) When ROM ends on August 19, I will meet my friend Sandra, from Seattle, at the airport in Zagreb and then we will spend a few days in Fužine before beginning our journey through Croatia, Bosnia & Hercegovina, and Serbia.

August 22-September 12: Croatia/Bosnia/Serbia/Vienna tour

Traveling through Europe with Sandra. (Fužine, Plitvice, Split, Dubrovnik, Mostar, Sarajevo, Belgrade, Vukovar, Osijek, Zagreb, Vienna)

September 12-17: Seattle, WA, USA

In Seattle for Elizabeth and Nathan's wedding.

September 17-October 2: Fužine, Croatia/Serbia/Macedonia/Kosovo

Back in Fužine and road trip to Kosovo for ROM Reunion.

October 2-25: Croatia

Visiting friends in Vukovar, Osijek, and Zagreb. Time in Fužine with Paige!

October 25-29: London

Traveling to London with Tina to visit John and Phyllis, Simona, and Tina's cousins.

October 30-November 1: Berlin, Germany

Visiting Paige in Berlin.

November 1-6: Zagreb, Croatia

Visiting friends in Zagreb, and spending some time with the UPC women's team on their way back home from Bosnia.

November 6-10: Seattle, WA

Back home in Seattle for a few days to sleep it off, unpack, do laundry, and re-pack.

November 11-19: China

Trip to Beijing and Shanghai, China.

November 19-29: Seattle, Chehalis, and Vancouver, WA

Thanksgiving, hanging out with friends and family.

November 30-December 2: Vancouver, Canada

Missa's Bachelorette/Birthday fiesta in Canada.

December 3: Relient K!

The Relient K concert is such big deal, it gets its own post!

December 4-31: Seattle, WA

In Seattle for Christmas and Matt and Missa's wedding!