Third day in paradise: Roland Garros

Where Nadal and Federer have played 

Today Whit, Brit, and I are going to do one of the things I've been most excited for on our trip, going to Roland Garros.  For those of you who aren't tennis fans, Roland Garros is where the French Tennis Open is played.  I was constantly taking pictures of the journalist room, locker room, main court and at the museum.  This is the most excited I've been on this trip.  I love tennis that much!  I'm a lucky girl.  Tennis and Paris, what more could I ask for?!

Highlight:

-The people in Paris are so kind.  In the metro the men offer woman their seats.  They also help everyone take luggage and strollers off the metro.  The people here are so polite.

-Standing on and touching the same court that Federer and Nadal have played and won the French Open.

-Getting the souvenir of clay from Roland Garros.  It was $26 dollars for some dirt, but I won't regret getting it.

-Having Phantom of the Opera songs stuck in my head while we walked around the opera house.

Lowlight:

Spilling nutella on my jeans.  It was such a big mess and a waste of a delicious food.  Anyone that knows me wouldn't be surprise by me spilling though.

Distance walked:

12.05 miles.  On of these days I want to walk a half marathon.  We still have two weeks to do it.

Men's trophy cup.  I'm so strong I can hold
up the whole thing by myself :)

Roger's locker.  There's clay on my hands
from his shoe.  

Foot fault.  You're out! 

These Roland Garros souvenirs were over $60 but well
worth it.  I paid $28 for a bottle of clay.
It's been my favorite purchase so far. 

Opera House

This is where the tennis players sit when they win.
Obviously we won and we were really excited!

Opera Stairs where they do the masquerade dance

Second day in paradise

Cheetah scarf from Paris.  Brining out the inner animal. 

Walking around and exploring Paris is so charming.  Everyone where you go has magnificent buildings.  I'm always amazed how beautiful it is here.  This is my favorite city in the whole world for a good reason.  Today I fell in love with Paris all over again!

Highlight:  

-Taking a river cruise on the Seine while the sun was setting.  The view of the Notre Dame with the sun behind it was beautiful.

-Eating the best churro I ever had and will have.  That may have been my favorite thing I've had here.  So greasy and yummy!

-Two men playing the accordion on the metro.  Gives you a true Paris experience.

Lowlight:

Going to bed at almost 2 every night and not getting enough sleep.  My eyes are so puffy morning.  It's worth the lack of sleep though.

Distance walked: 

12.68 (we did a lot of exploring today)

This picture was worth the risk that I might fall off into
the Seine River. 12.78  (we explored a lot!)

Sisters!

All six of the beautiful, wonderful, fun girls!

Highlight of my day

The churro we devoured 

Most wonderful place in the whole wide world

We're in my favorite place in the whole wide world, PARIS!  I haven't stopped smiling since I moment I stepped off the train in Paris.  When walking through the streets my eyes are constantly up looking at the buildings.  I'm surprised I haven't tripped yet.  The architecture in Paris is amazing on every street.  While we were crossing a bridge the Eiffel Tower appeared over a building.  We all were beaming and so excited.  I love being surprised when I see it.  It makes a rememberable moment.  

Climbing the the Eiffel Tower stairs was much more enjoyable workout than the stair steeper.  Looking out on Pairs was gorgeous.  We then stayed by the Eiffel Tower the rest of the night.   The Eiffel Tower sparkles at night with lights.  It really is a magical experience.  

Highlight:  

Sitting on the lawn by the Eiffel Tower while it sparkles and talking and laughing with all the girls.  I'm was in my happy place.  

Lowlight:  

While on the train boarder control showed us their badge asked Amy, Whit, and I to get our passports out.  I saw he had a gun and a knife under his jacket.  He was just dressed in normal clothes so I didn't know if I could trust him or not.  There were several of them.  It hard knowing who to trust.  He saw the bright pink pedometer in my pocket and asked to inspect it.  He laughed when he realized what it was.  He thought it was funny.  

Finding out Roger Federer lost his Wimbledon match. Distance walked:

6.52 miles 

View from the second floor

View from the Eiffel Tower.  I love the
rooftops and cast iron work here. 

I told you it was magical when it sparkles.  

Belgium

Belgium Square

We took a two hour train to Belgium.  The architecture here is incredible.  We spent the whole day walking all over exploring the city.  I'm a fan of Belgium.  There's chocolate shops and Belgium waffle shops on every corner.  What more could you want in life?


Highlight:

• Eating a Belgium waffle with nutella and strawberries.  It was so good I even licked the plate after.  Then all the girls gave me their plate to lick.  Nutella is dangerous stuff.  
• While we were trying to figure out the metro in Belgium a man from Paris came up to help us.  He was very helpful and a tender mercy.  He talked to us for quite a while and would walk with us to show where we go. We told him we were from Salt Lake CIty.  He got SO excited.   He's going to Utah next to visit his Mormon friends.  He says he thinks the same as Mormons and loves them.  He was so happy to know we were Mormon.  Was that a coincidence...I think not!  Honestly what are the changes??  And he was from Paris, even better! 
• Seeing the intricate architecture here.   My it really did take my breathe away when I walked into the Belgium Square.  

Lowlight:

• It took almost two hours to get from the train station to our hotel.  It took forever to figure out the metro here and where we were going.  Whit and I tried to get off the metro at a stop and no one would move.  All the others girls got off on the stop and we couldn't get out.  We had to be rude and literally push everyone out of our way with our huge backpacks and luggage.  Whit's face was bright red and she had a look of terror on her face.  That was scary.  

Distance Walked:

8.57 miles 

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  Belgium Square 

  

  Belgium Square 

  
  
  
  
  

  

  Our second Belgium Waffel 

  
  
  
  

Holland

We ventured out today and into Zaanse Scamans about 30 minutes out of Amsterdam.   It now feels like we’re in Holland because we saw windmills.  Four, huge windmills.  Unfortunately the large field next to them was empty because tulip season is over, but I imagined them in my head and it was beautiful. 

While in this small we were attacked by two animals.  Tricia almost got bit by a goat when we were taking a picture by it.  I guess we were asking for it.  Then a hen attacked the bread in my hand while I was eating lunch.  The darn animal almost bit my finger.  Out of reflex I kicked it and it flew high in the air.  Serves it right for trying to eat a hungry woman’s lunch. 

Later we went to the Anne Frank house.  It was a very educational experience.   We walked thought the secret bookcase that was the entrance to their hiding place. Eight people were in hiding the upper part of the house.  It was actually quite spacious for such a small area.  It’s sad to think they were confined there and couldn’t get out.  New item on my to do list, read The Diary of Anne Frank again. 

Today we did much better with the chaos on the streets.   We made it the whole day without being hit by a tram, biker, or bus.  We did have one very close call though.   Now we just have to make it to the train station without getting hit.  I think we’ll manage ...maybe.    

Highlight:

-        Seeing the original Anne Frank diary with her elegant cursive writing. 

-        Eating the world’s creamiest ice cream.   

Lowlight:

More cheese tasting and demostartion 

-I blew a fuse gosh dang it.  This morning I went to plug in a heating pad.  Right when it touched the outlet it exploded the heating pad control and it blew up.  It literarily shot two pieces off of it and sparks flew.  Then we saw the breaker right outside our hotel door.  I pressed a button and turned someone else’s power off.  Oops.  Then I fixed I found our and the lights when on.  It was sad, but also funny. There's never a dull moment in my life! 

Distance walked:

8.92 miles

A plethora of delft to buy.  I keep thinking of Tanji, Trent, and Katrina when I see it. 

Wooden shoes, seriously?!  Why would you
 ever want to wear these.  The only thing they're
good for is taking picture of.

I know I'm tall but still.  The only person
that could fit in here is Frodo Baggins.  

World's Steepest Stairs:
Second flight of stairs to our hotel room
This picture doesn't even show how step these
are.  I feel like we're mountain climbing going up these things.
Tomorrow will be interesting tying to get our luggage down.
It'll probably be easiest to just through it down. 

We're here! We're here!

 After months of planning, talking, and dreaming about going to Europe it’s FINALLY here!  We flew into Amsterdam and didn’t waste anytime.  We had 15 hours straight of sightseeing today. The buildings here are so tall and narrow.  They’re stacked side by side with several in a row. There are canals that run in between most streets.  It’s so pretty to see water running between the roads with boats on them. 

In Amsterdam we went to the Van Gough Museum.  He’s my favorite artist to see his work in person.  I love his thick, colorful brush strokes.  It was three full stories of his artwork.  We also went on a river cruise and a cheese tasting store.  The cheese was delicious! 

There are bikes EVERYWHERE here.  Thousands and thousands of them I tell you.  They’re all crazy drivers and don’t care about pedestrians.  I was almost ran over by several of them today.  Pretty sure I got sworn at several times.  It's a good thing I don't understand Dutch.  Then there are trams that ride way too close for comfort next to the sidewalks.  The trains, trams, and bikes are crossing every which way. I'd be surprised if tomorrow I don't get run over by one of them.  We all had close calls today almost being taken down by a biker.  Hopefully we can make it safe tomorrow.  Cross your fingers for us that we’ll make it out alive :)

Highlight:

-Being with six girls in a bakery ordering desserts. I love all the girls on this trip.  We’re all laughing so much and having so much fun.   Everyone probably thinks we’re drunk because we’re always laughing. 

-Eating a waffle with a sugar coating and nutella without an ounce of guilt. 

Lowlight:

-I am so tired.  I’ve slept less than five hours in the last 54 hours.  I need my beauty sleep.  My extreme exhaustion didn’t hit until we sit down.  I was a goner on the river cruise.  Whenever I blinked my eyes it was a struggle to open them up again.  Hopefully I’ll get lots of sleep tonight! 

-I can't figure out how to change my blog site to English.  It's all in Dutch.   This makes things very complicated. 

Distance walked:

12.08 miles...that's almost a half marathon! 

 (I bought an accurate pedometer.  I made sure to test it on  a treadmill before to make sure it works and it did!)

Cheese with a baguette for lunch

So pretty!

 

Oh how I've missed European bakeries 

Tall building with canals.  Just like I told you. 

We’re on our way to Amsterdam.   It’s been a blast being with the girls and we haven’t even boarded the plane.  The flight was a long 12 hours in a tight, confined area.  Planes are not built for tall people with long legs.  I didn’t get one wink of sleep last night.  I was too excited about Europe and it's impossible to sleep when people keep bumping you and you're sitting up straight in a seat.  That means I’ll be awake for over 34 hours.  Good thing we’ll be on a high from being in Europe to keep up awake. 

Highlight:
Talking with a man on the plane that’s from Paris.  I loved talking to him about his love for his city.  He said there are amazing cities all over, but Paris is extraordinary.  I agree with him. 

Lowlight:

Not being able to sleep on the plane at all.  I have HUGE bags under my eyes.  Thank goodness for makeup!

Dream Vacation #2

Last year I went on my dream vacation to Europe.  I spent six unbelievable weeks there.  I thought it was a once in a life time opportunity. I was wrong.  I'm going back to have another, "once in a life time trip."  My life is truly blessed, and I'm very lucky. I can't wait for all the adventures, architecture, people I meet,  incredible food, and the unknown priceless memories that are about to happen. I don't want to look back on life and regret not living it to the fullest. So here's to living life to the fullest in every stage and enjoying every step of the journey.   

   
 Let the adventure begin...June 24th!