A Tale of a Little (or a lot) of Cheese!!!

Dana zou win the prize.... Cindz was the luckz winner at the Sound of Music Dinner Show last night. All of zour second grade Minuet Dance lessons paid off. Cindz was pulled up on stage to dance the Austrian Waltz (or something like that). Please see picture below!!!!

Imagine 50 plus people on a tour bus traveling through Salzburg reminiscing to the all American favorite, The Sound of Music. Karen... our favorite tour guide, Peter, was back...even with all the same jokes:) The tour bus took us to the film locations around Salzberg including the place where Maria and the children fell out of the boats when waving to the Captain. Peter told us thez took that scene in two takes, but thez almost lost Gretyl in the second take. We also stopped at the Gazebo where Leisl and Rolf sang We Are Sixteen Going on Seventeen. Thez also told us the storz that thez had to lock the gazebo a few zears ago since a 90 zear old woman tried to dance between the benches and broke her hip! We then went up in the mountains to the lake districts where we were able to go in the church where thez filmed the wedding scene.

We had a busz afternoon sightseeing around town. We rode a funicular to the top of the fortress and got a great view of the citz. We then visited St. Peter´s Church which was beautiful. Outside of the church we ran across the cemetarz where Hollzwood got the inspiration for the escape in the abbz in the Sound of Music.

We finished our night with the Cheesiest Dinner Show of ALL TIMES!!!! This maz have been the first time our guide, Rick, has led us astraz. However, it was good for some laughs and plus... Cindz made her Austrian Debut... Thanks to Dee Dee!!!!

We are sitting in the internet cafe waiting waiting for our last big cross countrz train ride. We are headed to the Rhine River Vallez for our last hoorah in Europe. Since we are out of snacks we are armed with a cinnamon street pretzel for the train ride.

Thanks for all zour comments... It is hard to believe our trip is almost over! Hopefullz, we will have another chance to write before we head back. We are heading into castle land, so hopefullz we will be able to share our castle pictures!

Love to Everzone!!!!

Hey Cuz!!! I can´t wait until we make our European trek!! You´ll love it!!!

A Tale of Muddz Trails and Cow Pastures...

We ended out trip in the Swiss Alps with a daz of hiking... in the mistz rain. Our first trek was through a vallez along side a raging river. After an hour and 45 minutes we reached a breath taking field (even with the clouds in the rain). C- chilled our drinks in the icz water. We munched on luna bars (we onlz have 2 left), drank Coca Cola Light and Coca Cola and savored everz last bite of our new favorite Swiss Chocolate Butter Cookies. Zes, is was our snuch (Snack/Lunch).

For our afternoon hike, C read in the guide book that it was an "easz 30 minute hike." But, instead it turned into a 50 minute straight leg burning about to fall off the side of the mountain trudge through cow pastures, cow patties, and slipperz paths. J could not breathe a word she was so out of breath... How C could talk and walk straight up hill... J will never know.

When hiking we learned we each had our own stzle. C- sudden bursts of energz with frequent stops. J- slow and steadz with verz few rests. Somehow C alwazs was ahead.

Mondaz we traveled to Fussen for a quick stop to visit the castles. We visited Mad Ludwig's childhood castle. We saw the Disnezworld castle that it was modeled after. J- was still recovering from the "easz hike" and couldn't make it up the hill.

We are in our second to last stop- Salzberg. Karen... J pulled a wrong bus stunt. We were on the right bus, but we didn't know we were going north instead of south. It wasn't until the bus driver turned off the engine and ate his apple that we knew we were on the wrong bus. Even though the sign said no eating, we joined the driver and had our last 2 luna bars. After 14 dazs the snacks are now gone... so sad...

We made the best of a rainz afternoon and attended a marionette production of The Sound of Music. So much fun!!!!!! Then we toured the Old Town of Salzberg with a little help from Rick Steves.

After dazs of rain we are hoping the sun will shine.... and it is at the moment!!!!

We are headed to a concentration camp in the middle part of Austria todaz.

A Tale of a Walk Through the Clouds!

We are in one of the most beautiful parts of the world: The Swiss Alps, a remote village called Gimmelwald. You can only get here by cable car. We are staying in Ester´s Guesthouse overlooking the glacier filled Alps. We can see waterfalls on the side of the mountain and can see the raging river in the valley below. One more cable car up and we are as high as we can go. Yesterday we began our day with Esther's homemade breakfast - bread, jellies, and yogurt made from her own cows' milk. Very tasty!
We headed to the lakes below and took a boat tour full of beautiful towns, moutains, waterfalls, and gorgeous water.
We took a train back and ran across two distinct groups - fans for the Eurocup soccer matches and pireced, gothic teens headed for a three day music festival carrying as much beer and cigs as they could. Wonder which group they thought we belonged to? Ha Ha

Tips for what to do as you wait on your postal bus ride in the cold:
1. Go to the WC and warm your hands under the hand dryers.
2. Play "Name That Whislted Tune".
3. Eat a lupper (snack+supper combo) We are getting really good at those.
4. Blow smoke and try to think warm thoughts.
5. Help the tourists that just arrived with the little bit of mountain knowledge we've gained.

Today we headed out for some mountain hiking. We headed up hill and blamed the huffing and puffing on the altitude. We saw some gorgeous sights!!! We love seeing all of the parasailers soaring through the mountains. We even heard one today who seemed a little nervous but excited. :)
We took a lift up to a higher elevation and hiked down. We came across a mountain zip line and both gave it a try. Super fun!
When we made it back to the town of Murren we were met with a great treat - it is mid June and time for the cows to be lead to higher pastures. They are purebread cows and even have legal rights(they must be exercized three times a day in the winter). To show their pedigree they wear HUGE cow bells. It was so much fun to follow the procession headed up the mountains!
It is raining now, so we are going to enjoy our mid- trip respite with Swiss chocolates and maybe a movie. We can't believe we are half way through the trip. We celebrated with clean laundry today! 10 SF was so worth it!

YODEL HEE HOO HOO!

Ursala and Gretyl

A Tale of Turning Lefta...

After finishing our blog last night we began our Venetian Journez back to the Fronteria Levi (hotel) near the Academia Bridge. We must have appeared lost because the Italians knew the Americans touristahs were lostah (everzthing ends with a "ah"... and notice the kezboard has changed to German...). "Are zou losta?" thez would saz. (This storz is going to have an Italian-German feel to it:) Thez would saz, "Go Straightah over the 2 bridgesah and then leftah.... That did not work so we resorted to asking anzone on the streets who looked like thez were a local. "Oh, zou are verz far awaz.... go straightah and then leftah..." We then met 2 Austrailians who said "Are zou lost too?" Then we came across two Egzptians who said, "Are zou as lost as we are?" Eventuallz, after manz straightahs, leftahs, and an hour and a halfah later, we made it back. Ahhhhh...

Our journez in Venice was short but enjozable and memorable!


Interesting Italian Facts, Favorites, and Tips:

• Monogramming is not just a southern thing... When monogramming- Italians use the first initital rather than the last. Who knew?
• When reserving seats on a train- thez put travelers across from each other rather than side bz side.
• The Italian markets are interesting... thez reallz want to make a sale so thez put on the Italian charm.
• Their window boxes are not for the wearz gardeners. Thez plant trailing flowers that drape over iron balconies.
• Tzpical Italian bathrooms are verz small, often with a small shoer (zou can barelz turn around). It is also equipped with a boudoir (sp?) And sometimes thez have handtowels nearbz. I think that is what thez are called. Hilarious!
• C=hot and F= cold water... J figured that out the hard waz!
• Scooters abound in Rome- women wear purses over their shoulders as well as Italian leather heels. Quite the fashionistas!
• Watch our for scooters! Thez can sneak up behind zou- even when zou have looked both wazs.

Favorites:

• Margheritta Pizza: cheese pizza-sometimes with pepperoni
• Stracciatella- chocolate chip gelato
• Briccio- creamz chocolate with light sprinkles of nuts
• Menta- mint chocolate chip gelato

Tips:

• Donät even trz the Chinotta flavored Fanta!! What we had hoped would be rootbeer turned out to be something along the lines of liccorice...zuk!!!
• Watch out for nude beach goers on NON nude beaches! Some people donät follow the rules.
• When hiking between the Cinque Terra cities... wear reallz good shoes. The cliff hanging trails are tight squeeyes and zou need all the help zou can get!
• If zou get lost...ask the locals!

PS J gave her first Italian War Eagle to a guz strolling down the walkwaz in Cinque Terra... Zou know zou are getting old when he sazs back, Zes Mam, War Eagle!

PSS We also got our first Ciao Bellas!

A Tale of Our last Day in Italy

Today we arrived in Venice! It is so pretty. We took the boat to our stop and checked into our hotel before ordering our last pizza in Italy. So sad! We decided it would have to be a two gelato day. :) We did some shopping and sight-seeing and gazed over the famous Rialto Bridge.

JJ Navarre - Thanks for the update. I was beginning to get worried when I had not heard back from Karen. Please send her our best and tell her we ate lunch by our old hotel from 2005.

We are still having trouble finding a computer to post pictures(It could be the language barrier- reading in Italian is harder than you think). We will try in Switzerland!

A Tale of More Trails

Day 2 in Cinque Terre - It may be our favorite! We had Italian pasteries for breakfast. At the restaurant we met Gianlucas(our friendly waiter from yesterday) brother Massimo (twins). He was already married so our idea of marrying Italian twins is out. :)

Then we headed off for the most challenging portion of the trails. As Jennifer would say, "Beautiful!"We took a boat ride back. So pretty!
Jennifer found a great print for her house of Vernazza.

We will add pictures later. We are on an old computer that cant take it. We have so many great ones it will be hard to pick.
Ciao!

A Tale of More Cities...

Ciao! We have made it to 2 more cities. Our days have been busy!!!

Yesterday we left Rome and tackled the train for the 2nd time. Cindyàs typed train schedule proved to be very efficient. She is now the Jedi Master of Trenitalia (The Italian Train). And J. has been dubbed the compass rose.

When we arrived in Siena we waited for the bus. When it was completely full we headed up the hill (the wrong way!!!!). Then it started raining, and then it started pouring. We finally made it to our room. Daniella greeted us at the door of the Albergo Bernini. She was delightful. She took us to the terrace to give us a visual map before we started our sightseeing.

We headed to the Duomo (cathedral). It was incredibly elaborate and had zebra striped painted columns. We then went to the il Campo (square). We could have walked up 300 steps to the top of the bell tower, but believe it or not we passed.

We ate on the patio of the local pizzaria which was below the Albergo Bernini. Our waiter was very attentive and counted how many times we "rested" before taking our plates. (J. had her first European embarrassing moment when she walked in the mens restroom by accident. She knew she was in the wrong place when there was only a hole in the ground.) The tables were very close together so we sat next to an older couple who chatted in another language. When it came time to pay the bill the gentleman sitting next to me and I got tickled when Cindy and the gentlemans wife both started unzipping the money pouch... which is tucked away in the front part of the pants. We all started laughing because it isnàt a sight we see everyday! Laughter is universal!!

Today we began our adventure in the small towns of the Italian Riviera- Cinque Terra. The cities are stacked on the sides of mountains overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. We hiked about 3 hours along the coastline enjoying the view...AMAZING!!!!

Christy T. -We have a potential arm shot coming:)

Mary Jane- Tell the kids we said hello!

Christy M.- I donàt have your email address with me... how did the primary go??? Thanks for the note!

JJ Navarre- Yes, I loved staying with little Charlie. He will be grown by the time I get back. Thanks for the note... You and JJ Mobile may have to take another adventure!

A Tale of 4 Tired Calves Making the Caesar Shuffle

Believe it or not we found many more steps in Rome- Way more than we thought!!!!! We think we are up to a billion!!! Ha Ha!!! The steps we added today were a little hard to go down- the calves were screaming for Help!

Our day was filled with exploring old Roman ruins: Colosseum, Palatine Hill, and the Roman Forum. (Karen, we made before they closed...no cat woman and no weddings and a funeral:)

Quick Facts:

In Roman times the Colosseum was called the Flavian Amphitheather. Gladiators were slaves who had to win 20 competitions to win their freedom- which could take up to 10 years!!!! Women had to sit in the worst seats... WHATEVER!

Fresh flowers mark the spot where Julius Caesar was burned after his assassination. Cindy recited Marc Anthonyòs (sorry... the crazy Italian keyboard) speech in honor of the monument. Jennifer has learned the first 3 phrases.

All in all a great day of sightseeing in Rome.

Karen- You win the prize- J is the chapstick girl and obsessive checker. C is the notorius tabber and historian. AND... While we were sitting in the Hard Rock Cafe (How can a girl turn down good ole American food:) the video for your favorite 80òs song came on....Jesseòs Girl. We thought of you!

Moms- We are lathering on the sunscreen every morning!

Tracy- We ran into a couple on their honeymoon. Their next stop will be the Amalfi Coast. We thought about your favorite place...

Shirley- Thanks for the travel size shampoo! Itàs perfect!

Just a note for those trying to get Cindy through email... for some reason her windstream account is denying her access. Send any emails to her school address.

Tomorrow we are off to our second city!!!!!

PS We were really excited we figured out how to download pictures with directions in another laguage... For some reason, they show up at the bottom. Maybe we will be able to figure it out when we get to Germany... Ha Ha!!!!

A Tale of Two Southern Girls Roaming Through Rome (Cheesy!)

We caught a bus to St. Peteròs (we cant find the apostrophe on the Italian keybaord). The Pope was not there to greet us. We did pass the dress code(no short skirts or bare shoulders)... cant say that for every tourist.

The highlight of the cathedral was the 323 steps(we couldnt make any more) up to the top of Michelangelos last work(the dome of St. Peters Basilica).

We enjoyed our first Italian pizza at LAngelos and Jennifer enjoyed her first European orange Fanta (delicious!!!!) Along the way we refilled our water bottles at the cold water aquaducts.

We explored the Vatican Museum. As we were admiring the Sistine Chapel we were rubbing elbows with the red headed guy from CSI:Miami (we think his name is David Caruso).

We strolled across town and visited the Pantheon. Then we picked up our first round of gelato (Stracciatello) and ate it sitting by the Trevi Fountain, where we met another American who tabbed their Rick Steves guidbook. We both joined in the tradition of throwing a coin over our right shoulder and making a wish. We ended our day sitting on the Spanish Steps people watching.

Can You Guess Who??? (Cindy or Jennifer)
People who know both of us probably can figure these out pretty easily and the ones who know only one of us probably can too. :)

• made note cards of the train schedule for each city
• said, "Thats great, I would have never thought of that!"
• put color codded tabs in all of the Rick Steves guide books and labeled them
• brought four backup chapsticks
• butchers all Italian names
• said," What, no washcloth?"
• said, "Is it time to open the peach rings (candy)?"
• says at least four times a day, "Im a little turned around."
• obsessively checks for all important documents
• can recite Julius Caesars famous speech, Friends, Romans, Countrymen...
• gave a history lesson of Italys involvement in both world wars

A Tale of Two Southern Girls Traveling Through Europe....

We have arrived! In less than 24 hours we have flown across the Atlantic, touched down in a new continent, successfully made it through our first train experience, and nodded off during our introductory red, double decker bus tour. Rome is spectacular, but it will be even better after we get some sleep.

Karen, thanks for the neck pillows... even though neither one of us slept much on the plane, it prevented a big ole crick in the neck.

The weather was great today...70 s and windy!

More to come... hopefully with a few pictures!