McMom is here visiting again and she brought a suticase full of goodies (catfood, peanutbutter, flavored coffees, spices, pudding mixes, chocoloate chips, M&Ms, books, etc.). USA booty is so nice to get but what is even better is a VISITOR!!!
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Summer Wine
Having enjoyed the architecture, food, and sites of Paris but not the people we wanted to give France one more try. So we headed off to Bordeaux a few weeks ago to see wine country. Bordeaux is described as "little Paris" and does have a number of beautiful limestone buildings but beyond that there was little there to remind me of Paris. The people in Bordeaux were much friendlier but it did not have the sites or the food of Paris. However, it is worth a trip for to be in wine country is quite romantic and fun.
After flying into La Rochelle we hopped a train to Bordeaux. On the way we passed many sunflower fields and a few vineyards. Once in Bordeaux we found the city center and were surrounded by shopping and restaurants. There are a number of huge beautiful arches around the city and one right by our hotel had a small fruit and veg market just below it. The second day we were there we took a one day wine tour which started out at an old chateau in the chateau district of Bordeaux. Here we learned about wine making and had a tasting. Then we walked through more of the old chateau district before heading off to a hole in the wall French restaurant for lunch. This was the kind of place a tourist would hope to find but never be able to on their own. The restaurant owner greeted us and was quite welcoming. We were given wine, bread, and a dish of hot goats cheese to start. The main course was duck with potatoes and salad. This was followed by a different wine and an opportunity to go downstairs to the cheese room where we could try as many of the 150 cheeses there were. I have never seen a cheese room and did not even know they existed. It was a cold wet room down in the cellar. I couldn't believe people were eating the cheeses that were hairy and moldy! After eating the best brie cheese I have ever had we were served apple pie (totally different than American apple pie) and cafe. The food was authentic and terrific as was the atmosphere.
After lunch we took a bus out to a working vineyard where we took a tour to learn how the wine is made. This area was so beautiful as there were vineyards in every direction as far as the eye could see. After the tour we had more wine tasting and then visited the medieval town St. Emillion which is in the middle of all the vineyards. Surprisingly enough this day long tour was only 52 euro per person- the best value of anything we have done so far! If you enjoy wine a visit to Bordeaux is definitely worth it!
After flying into La Rochelle we hopped a train to Bordeaux. On the way we passed many sunflower fields and a few vineyards. Once in Bordeaux we found the city center and were surrounded by shopping and restaurants. There are a number of huge beautiful arches around the city and one right by our hotel had a small fruit and veg market just below it. The second day we were there we took a one day wine tour which started out at an old chateau in the chateau district of Bordeaux. Here we learned about wine making and had a tasting. Then we walked through more of the old chateau district before heading off to a hole in the wall French restaurant for lunch. This was the kind of place a tourist would hope to find but never be able to on their own. The restaurant owner greeted us and was quite welcoming. We were given wine, bread, and a dish of hot goats cheese to start. The main course was duck with potatoes and salad. This was followed by a different wine and an opportunity to go downstairs to the cheese room where we could try as many of the 150 cheeses there were. I have never seen a cheese room and did not even know they existed. It was a cold wet room down in the cellar. I couldn't believe people were eating the cheeses that were hairy and moldy! After eating the best brie cheese I have ever had we were served apple pie (totally different than American apple pie) and cafe. The food was authentic and terrific as was the atmosphere.
After lunch we took a bus out to a working vineyard where we took a tour to learn how the wine is made. This area was so beautiful as there were vineyards in every direction as far as the eye could see. After the tour we had more wine tasting and then visited the medieval town St. Emillion which is in the middle of all the vineyards. Surprisingly enough this day long tour was only 52 euro per person- the best value of anything we have done so far! If you enjoy wine a visit to Bordeaux is definitely worth it!
Saturday, September 06, 2008
Slideshow Celebrating One Year Over Seas
Here is a quick slideshow commemorating some of my favorite places and things we have done over the past year. Thanks be to God for a great year!
One Year in Dublin
One year ago today we stepped off the plane into an overcast Dublin. Looking back on it I can hardly believe I moved over here, just like that. I mean I hadn't even been here before! It was a big move and I can clearly remember God's grace to me every step of the way. He is so faithful.
So, what can I say afer a year of life outside the United Sates, of life in Europe, of life in Dublin? Again God's faithfulness comes to mind. We have been many places and seen many wonderful things. Some of these travels have even been shared with loved ones. God has given us health and kept us safe and has kept our loved ones at home safe and healthy. I am very thankful for all of this. I am also very thankful for God's provision for Matt and I in our relationship as we experience all of this together. It has been a joy to share this adventure with my loving husband!
Dublin is not home but it is an ok place to live for a while and I do not regret moving here though I miss Tucson. I thank God neither one of us is miserable and that we are of the same mind in regards to being here. The weather is starting to ware on us but we have many adventures left to share over on this side of the world so we will stick it out for a while longer.
God has been gracious to bring people into our lives to brighten it up when it gets gloomy. I think of my Welsh friend Catrin who is so much fun to be with and other international friends that I have met while here (Anna from Australia, Sandra from France, Anna from Italy, Marianne from Germany, Camila from Brazil, Jane from the Phillipines, Jael from Israel, and Tania from Australia to name a few). There have also been a number of Irish who have been a blessing to us (Matt's boss Annette, Adam and Deb, Kathleen and Mickey, Dorothy, David and Honour, and Pastor John) I am thankful for God bringing us to Immanuel Church Dublin where we are making friends and hearing the word faithfully proclaimed in this city.
So one year later I am glad we moved here and even glad we are not done yet with being here. This has been an adventure and an eye opening experience. I love seeing God's world, the different cultures and peoples. I love traveling, seeing historic sites, eating authentic foods, talking to natives, and looking at everything through a biblical worldview. This past year has been a year of blessing and I am glad to be sharing it with Matt.
So, what can I say afer a year of life outside the United Sates, of life in Europe, of life in Dublin? Again God's faithfulness comes to mind. We have been many places and seen many wonderful things. Some of these travels have even been shared with loved ones. God has given us health and kept us safe and has kept our loved ones at home safe and healthy. I am very thankful for all of this. I am also very thankful for God's provision for Matt and I in our relationship as we experience all of this together. It has been a joy to share this adventure with my loving husband!
Dublin is not home but it is an ok place to live for a while and I do not regret moving here though I miss Tucson. I thank God neither one of us is miserable and that we are of the same mind in regards to being here. The weather is starting to ware on us but we have many adventures left to share over on this side of the world so we will stick it out for a while longer.
God has been gracious to bring people into our lives to brighten it up when it gets gloomy. I think of my Welsh friend Catrin who is so much fun to be with and other international friends that I have met while here (Anna from Australia, Sandra from France, Anna from Italy, Marianne from Germany, Camila from Brazil, Jane from the Phillipines, Jael from Israel, and Tania from Australia to name a few). There have also been a number of Irish who have been a blessing to us (Matt's boss Annette, Adam and Deb, Kathleen and Mickey, Dorothy, David and Honour, and Pastor John) I am thankful for God bringing us to Immanuel Church Dublin where we are making friends and hearing the word faithfully proclaimed in this city.
So one year later I am glad we moved here and even glad we are not done yet with being here. This has been an adventure and an eye opening experience. I love seeing God's world, the different cultures and peoples. I love traveling, seeing historic sites, eating authentic foods, talking to natives, and looking at everything through a biblical worldview. This past year has been a year of blessing and I am glad to be sharing it with Matt.
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