Sprichst du Englisch?

My dear readers we have been on quite a cross country adventure. I've spoken so many languages in the past 3 days that my mind simply slips into "not English" mode. I've begun asking questions in German then replying to people in Spanish. And the really funny thing is that once most Italians realize I don't understand what they're saying in Italian, they begin speaking to me in German, even though I speak English to Barrett. On the other hand, I've been complimented by two Italians on how clearly I annunciate in English. They said they could understand almost everything I said. Two points for being able to speak my native tongue!

To that end our latest exploits have lent themselves to being multi-lingual.

Last weekend we travelled to an Italian antique market in Marostica, a walled castle town. You can see the wall on the hill above the town square. It circled the medieval city, which sits on the side of a hill.


This is the entrance to town. I'm not sure what the building is used for now, but it sure looks impressive.


I used my superior lack of understanding Italian to bargain for this antique bucket-of-a-thing, which was once used to carry fruits and vegetables to market. My bargaining tactic is to look at them like I have no idea what they're saying (which I don't), and then start to walk away once they say a price (I do understand Italian numbers). Once I start to turn away the price begins to drop. I continue to look confused until they start to say things like,"Regalo! Regalo!" which means, "it's like a gift at that price lady!" Barrett and I stand triumphant with our purchases (and our oldest nephew) outside the city wall.


For the last 3 days we've been in Garmisch, Bavaria, Germany staying at a NATO resort. My nephews call it "the hotel with two pools." It has an indoor pool and a gigantic outdoor hot tub. I felt like a movie star relaxing in the hot tub with the steam floating up around me as I gazed out at the Bavarian Alps. The hotel (and whole town for that matter) provides stunning views of the slopes.


One of the nifty things about driving from northern Italy, through Austria, into southern Germany, and then around Bavaria is that there are castles everywhere. They just pop up on hill tops. We made a special trip out into Bavaria to see some of the castles of Ludwig the Second. This monarch is rapidly becoming my all time favorite. He was a few french fries short of a happy meal and spent money like it grew on trees. Of course he had a hard time separating reality and fairytales, so maybe he thought it did. But thanks to him you can stumble onto views like this.




Neuschwansteim, the second castle, was dedicated to the works of Wagner. While the interior of the castle was not completed at the time of Ludwig's death (when the money tree died as well), all of the finished royal rooms are bedecked in murals depicting scenes from Wagner's operas. One room was even created to look like a cave, complete with stalagmites and stalagtites, to go with the operatic scenes in the adjoining room. Barrett says every guy needs a man cave.

On an unrelated note, this castle was the inspiration for the Disney World castle.

Getting up to see the castle required some figuring. It had snowed recently so buses weren't running. And a 40 minute uphill walk really isn't doable for a 2 and 4 year old. Clydesdales to the rescue!


Barrett and I were snug as bugs on the ride through the forest, which had views that make fairy tales seem very possible.




Too bad we already bought that other house...drat!


The view from the hotel paled in comparison to the view from the castle windows. If that doesn't make your pants fancy enough, they had even figured out how to centrally heat the whole castle. Of course Ludwig had large ceramic heaters too in all of his private rooms. Sorry. No pics of the rooms. It was not allowed. Say it in a German accent for fun. Eet vas noot aloud.


When we weren't hobnobbing with the rich, famous, and deceased, we enjoyed the simple pleasures of the Bavarian Alps. Food!

Yippee for strudel...


...and hot chocolate...


...and hot chocolate where you blow your own bubbles.


We visited the local church in Garmisch.




And wrapped up one night with schnitzel, sausages, German beer, and...


Lederhosen!


My parents arrive tomorrow for a week of sightseeing and feasting. The agenda includes Venice, Padua, Verona, and Rome. Bring on the Shakespeare!

Aufidersen,
Megan

A Day in the Life

One of the things that Barrett and I enjoy most about traveling is getting to see what daily life is like in another country. We like to see museums and monuments and other touristy type things, but the problem with those spots is...well...they're full of tourists. I don't travel to other countries in order to see more Americans. This trip to Italy has been particularly nice in this respect since we're living with family (they are American, but we're not holding it against them) and getting to see what it's like to navigate the basics here in Quinto, a small city outside Vicenza, which is a small city outside Venice.

Barrett likes to give the local children reading lessons in English.


I've decided to give cooking lessons to pre-schoolers, focusing on home made pretzels.


I also had an Italian day of beauty, so...

...do you remember Mexico Megan?


...Miami Megan?


Here's Italy Megan with a fabulous new Italian do. I love it!


The majority of our time is spent eating, mainly my favorite food group. The cheese group!


Max and I picnic in the back of the van on a snowy day in Asiago.


Did I mention that the best thing about Asiago is the local cheese? This picture is for you Olivia!


A quick family pic in the heart of Asiago. This charming little hill top town has an austere church and pretty alpine buildings, which are appropriate considering the Alps are in the background.






We wrapped up the day with a great dinner out.



Tomorrow we're off to the market in Marostica. Maybe there will be more cheese!

Takin' it a day at a time,
Megan

Top Two Reasons to Visit Italy

Dear Reader,

We've arrived! After sixteen hours of planes, security checkpoints, and not a lot of sleep, you start to ask yourself if it's worth the hassle. I mean Venice and Rome will be awesome. And I can't wait to see Padua and Verona. But my jet lag was so bad I felt like I'd been trampled by a herd of buffalo.

And then I saw my top two reasons for this trip and yeah...it was totally worth it.


Max and I make time for a morning snuggle before breakfast.


Uncle Barrett and Cal were cuddled at the other end of the couch.

We've also been visited by Superman, Buzz Lightyear, and Mr. Incredible. Pictures to come!

Happy Snuggling!
Megan

Things I Learned in Mexico

Dear Reader,

In two days we depart for Italy. Our Mexican and Floridian adventures are behind us. One would think that after spending a month in a foreign country; living, learning, eating, and interacting with a new and different culture, that I would have discovered some deep truths about the world and myself. Maybe I did... Perhaps I could roll the experience around in my mind and type my thoughts up as an offering to the importance of international travel and cultural understanding. Perhaps...

But instead I'm going to post a selection of the funniest photos I took on the vacation!
Let's just admit that we'd all enjoy that more anyway.

So when we arrived in Guadalajara it was Jan. 1. And in Mexico that means all of the Christmas decorations are still up, including a life size nativity scene in the plaza. Apparently the donkey that the Holy Family rode into Bethlehem on had a bad case of Montezuma's revenge.



One thing that you learn really quickly about Mexican happy hour is the procedure for two-for-one drinks. Be prepared to get both of your drinks at the same time. Also be prepared to ask if the margaritas are frozen or on the rocks. Barrett's pants were fancy this evening (and a little girly), but he doesn't look too bothered by it.



I don't know who this is or what he's mad about, but it's hard to take him seriously with a pigeon on his head. I don't think the statue is fulfilling its original purpose.



Barrett's parents came for a visit and were fascinated by his facial hair. The bearded Barrett was captured on film for the sake of posterity.



One day on our beach trip we were walking through town, and well... Funny things you see in Mexico.





Running through the fountains means you'll visit Guadalajara again one day. It also means you'll have one wet shoe and look like you had an accident in your pants. Praise the Lord for warm weather.



These pics are from Florida. Alicia is the bride's name. Barrett's first two friends at law school were Alicia and Dharma. We've all traveled to each other's weddings in Puerto Rico, Oklahoma, and now Miami.



After the wedding we visited friends a couple hours north of Miami in Ft. Pierce. We had time to see the county fair and watch my friend's brother compete in the regional hog showing competition. Nothing excites Barrett more than bacon on the move. I was just excited to spend time with Sarah and Freddy.

You can check out Sarah's website full of gorgeous handmade paper products at http://www.etsy.com/shop/relove. Everything on the site is made from recycled paper products, so it's unique and good for the planet.





The first two months of our extended vacation have been wonderful. Making new friends. Visiting with old friends. We're looking forward to being with Barrett's sis and our nephews in Vicenza and to posting pictures of our new house once the deal is finalized.

The next blog will be from Italy!

Packed and ready,
Megan

Life's a Beach and then You Fly

It's time for the long awaited beach post. If we hadn't made you jealous before now, be prepared because I'm pulling out all the stops on this one.

First, let me tell you what I love about the beach. Most people would think that it would be the water, but actually I have very little interest in getting in the water. My favorite thing about the beach is lounge chairs and umbrellas. I can sit in the sun/under the umbrella and read for hours, which is actually what I did. That's how I finished my first totally spanish book. 504 pages, baby!

But enough with the chit-chat, let's get to the pictures.



We rolled into Sayulita in the state of Nayarit on a Tuesday. Unfortunately, it was a cloudy Tuesday, but we were still able to take a walk on the beach and stroll around the funny little town. Wednesday was a cloudy too. Fine for getting out and around, but not real lay on the beach weather. Thursday beach weather arrived and oh what a view.



Barrett and I quickly acclimated to the weather, and I began to log 3 grueling back to back 8-5 beach days. You can see the strain on our faces.





Maybe it's the beach or maybe it's my new photo editing software, but the year's melted off our faces.

Barrett got a boogie-board the last day and enjoyed the waves. And I finally got my feet wet to get a picture for the kids in Chicago.





But mostly this was the view I had. Just me, the sun, surfboards, and the sound of the ocean.



I was sad to leave Sayulita, but we happily headed to another beach town to wrap up our time in Mexico with friends. We met up with Eric and Karen in Ajijic on the shores of Lake Chapala, the largest lake in Mexico.





Chapala has an absurdly large gringo population of retirees and snowbirds. This would be a problem except for the fact that they'll invite you over to their swanky hillside homes to watch the Superbowl. We rooted for the Saints in style at an awesome house with an awesome view.





The toughest part of leaving Mexico was saying goodbye to Karen and Eric, but we have plans to catch up with them in Peru or somewhere in South America next summer.

Stay tuned for the final Mexico post coming later this week.

Slightly tanner than before,
Megan