So we were winding our way down a small alleyway in Paris, taking the scenic route back home. Strangely enough I started seeing Hebrew lettering on the storefronts. We kept going and I saw men dressed in black and wearing keepah’s and suddenly I was back home in the middle east. We couldn’t resist the 3 falafel shops in a row. Sure enough, best falafel this side of Jerusalem was had in Paris.
We confirmed we were in the middle east, because 2 guys start fighting over a motorcycle, till mama comes out of a shop and beats the 2 grown men with her cane……ahhhhhh the middle east.
A world adventure with kids? Why not? For the first time in a long time we have no greater obligations than our family. Our kids can be carried, changed on the grass, happy with a stick as a toy, so we are selling our house, free ourselves of clutter and OFF WE GO!
The plan? To learn what it means to be on an adventure with God. Sharing ideas on helping people launch their own adventure and hopefully in some way using our skills to bring justice and mercy to those in need.
Showing posts with label France. Show all posts
Showing posts with label France. Show all posts
Friday, November 5, 2010
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Businessmen and Baguettes
Sept 6 2010
Yes, accommodations may be less than desirable for the young family trying to stick to a budget, but I really do love Paris. I love that men in suits have a cellphone in one hand and a baguette to take home in the other. I love that the café’s are lined with tables looking out on the street and that every table is taken. That there is a love for good food, friends and café crème. It is also so beautiful. The attention to detail and beauty makes me think the line of kings couldn’t have been all bad…well, except for Marie Antoinette.
I had brought Dickens’s A tale of Two Cities to read with me on the plane and was so glad I did. We were staying in the “Bastille” district map(which perhaps explains why our hotel was less than stellar) and it was making me a little squeamish reading Dickens’ account of the French Revolution at the same moment as I was walking Parisian streets where so much blood had been shed.
What a history this country has.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Floating down the Seine
Sept. 6 2010
We weren’t planning on taking one of those tourist boat rides down the Seine but as you know by now the Louvre was closed. So, since Cameron kept yelling “Boat, boat, boat” with every sea-vessel that passed his gaze we decided why not comply?
I don’t know why Paris doesn’t have water taxis. In my opinion it would be a great step up from the larger crafts that circulate up and down the Seine. Most are rather tacky and not all that cheap or user friendly. Best advice on picking one is decide what it is you want to see- do you need it to stop?
Ours was just a straight tour that showed mostly the underside of Paris’ bridges. Yes, we had to sit in plastic row-seats and the aisles were covered with plastic poinsettias- I don’t know why. A big plus was the busload of Seniors from Spain-- you’ve never seen my boys so happy and to pass each bridge in Paris by water and be told their history and significance was really fun. Also, you are told about the places you wouldn’t see in a guidebook and to look at the Eifel Tower from the water is even more spectacular than being under it.
The seniors from Spain turned out to be highly entertained by my children. This meant that Simeon got a lollipop and was able to monologue to some grandmothers who didn’t speak English but thought he was so cute. With the kids occupied and contained Rob and I….were able to relax and have a nap.
We weren’t planning on taking one of those tourist boat rides down the Seine but as you know by now the Louvre was closed. So, since Cameron kept yelling “Boat, boat, boat” with every sea-vessel that passed his gaze we decided why not comply?
I don’t know why Paris doesn’t have water taxis. In my opinion it would be a great step up from the larger crafts that circulate up and down the Seine. Most are rather tacky and not all that cheap or user friendly. Best advice on picking one is decide what it is you want to see- do you need it to stop?
Ours was just a straight tour that showed mostly the underside of Paris’ bridges. Yes, we had to sit in plastic row-seats and the aisles were covered with plastic poinsettias- I don’t know why. A big plus was the busload of Seniors from Spain-- you’ve never seen my boys so happy and to pass each bridge in Paris by water and be told their history and significance was really fun. Also, you are told about the places you wouldn’t see in a guidebook and to look at the Eifel Tower from the water is even more spectacular than being under it.
The seniors from Spain turned out to be highly entertained by my children. This meant that Simeon got a lollipop and was able to monologue to some grandmothers who didn’t speak English but thought he was so cute. With the kids occupied and contained Rob and I….were able to relax and have a nap.
'CN Tower-Eifel Tower..'
Sept 6 2010
We took the kids to see the Eifel tower- aka ‘the trinket trap.’ We decided it was easier with the stroller to take the bus. I think we were right, but it did take 45min from the Bastille. I have to say the best thing about the tower was the Merry-go-round at the bottom. As it turns out the kids really did remember and enjoy just seeing it. In preparing the kids for the trip the Eiffel Tower was one of the things that would define for us, ‘ when we are in the world.’
On the way home Simeon came up with an awesome song he wishes to share. Sing with Simeon “C.N. Tower, Eifel Tower” now repeat this in a loud voice for two hours straight throughout the streets of Paris and you will see the impact that Mr. Eifel had on my young son.
We took the kids to see the Eifel tower- aka ‘the trinket trap.’ We decided it was easier with the stroller to take the bus. I think we were right, but it did take 45min from the Bastille. I have to say the best thing about the tower was the Merry-go-round at the bottom. As it turns out the kids really did remember and enjoy just seeing it. In preparing the kids for the trip the Eiffel Tower was one of the things that would define for us, ‘ when we are in the world.’
On the way home Simeon came up with an awesome song he wishes to share. Sing with Simeon “C.N. Tower, Eifel Tower” now repeat this in a loud voice for two hours straight throughout the streets of Paris and you will see the impact that Mr. Eifel had on my young son.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Kids Camp at Olinda
Fri. Aug. 27th
Little did we know we set up camp in the wrong spot. Friday to Sunday had us landed in the beautiful village of Olinda just a five minute walk from Taize. We packed up our luggage and made another treck past horses (Cameron was in his element) and fields of lavender (Kathryn was in hers) and Simeon had old stone walls to climb so all the children were joyous despite their time-zone suffering.
Olinda was exactly what we needed to recuperate. They had a park for each of our children’s age groups and programs for each of the kids in the mornings. They also had a drama and bible study of the prodigal son story in the afternoon.
Olinda was exactly what we needed to recuperate. They had a park for each of our children’s age groups and programs for each of the kids in the mornings. They also had a drama and bible study of the prodigal son story in the afternoon.
While the kids had their program in the mornings we had a teaching around the prodigal son story as well and then a group time with parents who also spoke English. Our group leaders were Andrew and Anna from England with Brigitta and Aiden their children. Brigitta became Kathryn’s “best best best best friend” [Emphasis hers] and Simeon and Aiden spent most of their shared time arguing about who was bigger.
Olinda has an incredible chapel in the cellar of the home they had us staying in (Yes, a week without a tent;) And we met a most amazing family from France as well.
So thankful to finally feel like I am able to breathe.
So thankful to finally feel like I am able to breathe.
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