Day 93: A Rainy Day

The morning after Paris.

We woke up later in the morning than we planned. I gave Venice some medicine and worked on the blog, while Xander created animation sequences on the computer and Chris slept a bit longer. By the time we were dressed and fed, it was time to get going on our final things to do and see for the day.

Chris and I walked back to the walk-in clinic to get a refill for Venice's medicine. I had lost the receipt (and my mind) but it's all ok. They just look her up by the bottle we bring in and her last name. Refilling will be done. However, because it's a mixture that needs to be refrigerated, they give us the medicine in powder form, asking us to add 18ml of water when ready to mix. But what is 18ml? How does one measure this when traveling? They, brilliantly, measure out 18 ml of water (tap water, I might add) into an extra bottle so we know exactly how much to mix.

We stop in the market on the way home and pick up a few more items to tantalise Venice into eating, like pudding! And we walk home in the off-and-on drizzle.

We have a few things we'd like to do on our last day, here in London. Mainly to see the Borough Market, The Tower Bridge, The London Tower, and the London Eye. It's doable, and we set out, after a quick snack.

To maximise our time, we call an Uber car to get us to the Borough Market. We can take the Tube, but Venice has decided to rally and come with us. She's moving very slowly, taking someone's arm for most of her walking efforts. We figure, we can save time and her energy if we take an Uber car to our first destination.

Our Uber car arrives, while Chris is having the front desk print out our pre-purchased London Eye tickets. So, we wait for a bit in the car. Then we're off... or are we? As we head towards the river, traffic gets thick. Our driver comments how certain streets are closed off. Oh, and that one's closed too. Hmm, so's that one. We are basically stuck with a 100 other cars that didn't know half the streets are closed (construction?). Finally, it seems we get past the construction only to find more closed off streets, for "no one knows why". Our driver says they weren't closed this morning when he was here earlier. So, why? I wonder, out loud, if the queen went by or something. He did say there was a motorcade. I wonder if it's related to Paris. At this point, Chris mentions one of the festivals was cancelled (or postponed) due to the events in Paris. In the end, we still don't know why all these roads were closed.

In the meantime, it's raining, so we can't really have the windows open too much. The driver keeps it very warm in there. It's a bit uncomfortable in there. Venice actually takes a few cat naps, her body is so tired. I keep turning on Google Maps and watching where we're going, constantly wondering where the heck we ARE going as it seems we are only getting farther away from our destination.

After an HOUR of this, we finally decide to get out of the dang Uber and just take the Tube, thinking we should have done that in the first place. What a waste of an hour and ££. Bright side? Venice got more sleep?

So, we take the Tube to the Borough Market, which means we have to walk a little bit, because you can only get so close. It's not a big deal, this is how it's been our entire trip, however, when someone is sick and moving slowly AND it's raining... it can kind of suck (thus our attempt at using an Uber car). We walk slowly in the rain towards our destination.

The Tower Bridge (left), Venice in front of a City of London sign (right). 

We walk across the London Bridge and catch a rainy glimpse of the Tower Bridge. I liken my experience to when I saw the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Something I have seen over and over before, but seeing it in person, surprisingly, took my breath away. It was really beautiful (and real!) in the rain. Sparkling in the distance (even though my photos make it look dark and dingy).

Venice and me on the London Bridge (left)
Chris and Xander on the London Bridge with the Shard in the background (right)

We don't linger on the London Bridge, due to the rain. We push on towards the Borough Market. I didn't know much about this market, other than several people have suggested we go and check it out, that it's a cool place to go. Turns out, it's also similar to Pike's Market in Seattle (someone else said this). It's an open air market under the aboveground railways. There are tons of food cards, craft stalls, and lots of "hanging out" spots.

The Borough Market

However, due to today's rain, there are a lot of empty-wet tables and people are all crowding into the areas that are covered. Trying not to poke anyone with an umbrella or ducking around with jacket hoods pulled over our heads, we don't get to enjoy the atmosphere as much as if we had come on a dryer day. Our tour of the area is quick and then we're ready to settle in for lunch (it's also very late due to our traffic snafu).

The fish! restaurant. Xander ready to dig in (left),
rain on the roof (middle), the food prep area (right)

By the time we sit down to order, it's 2:51pm. Sigh. We have to reassess what we can do in the next few hours. The Tower Bridge closes at 5pm, London Tower at 4:30pm, and we have purchased open tickets for the London Eye. We do not think we can eat and arrive in time for the Tower Bridge or London Tower, so we are conceding those. We already have tickets to the London Eye so that is what we'll do after we eat.

Venice mostly hangs out as company with us, as food is still unappetising to her. Chris, Xander, and I all order fish and chips (on my Bingo list!) along with mushy peas (they're not good... only the mushy peas in Prague have been good, and those were amazing!) Xander ordered cod, Chris ordered halibut, and I ordered haddock. The food is large and we stuff ourselves with the yummy food, tasting each other's choice of fish.

Someone suggested we try a coffee place in the Borough Market, so we went to get a cup before we headed to the London Eye. As we walked through the market, we walked through a tunnel-hallway. One entire side of the hallway was painted with blackboard paint and had the permanent words, "Before I die, I want to". There were several pieces of chalk on the ground ready for anyone to add to the wall what they wanted to do. I love this concept! What fun! We almost didn't walk this way and I'm glad we did. There were several others there as we approached, writing their own words. The kids joined. Venice wrote, "Make a homeless shelter" and Xander signs his name. There is one prominent writing that says, "Pray for Paris".

Public Chalkboard

The coffee was a fun establishment, completely open on one side of the store. It was definitely crowded and we had to wait in the queue. The kids waited outside. We sipped our caffeine goodness and were ready to head to the London Eye.

We slowly made our way back to the Tube, passing the Waterloo station again. Cool! Next time I'd like to go in and look around. It is one of the 15th busiest terminals in Europe and is huge inside. Lots of movies have been filmed here, etc. Next time!

A wall and doors before getting into the train. You still must mind the gap,
but I guess it keeps you from falling onto the tracks when there is no train there.

When we arrive at the London Eye, we figure out the line to enter. Since we purchased Flexi tickets ahead of time, we get to go into the shorter line. The regular line doesn't seem to be too long. Each capsule holds about 25 people, so it moves pretty quickly. However, seeing as Venice isn't 100%, it's completely worth our Flexi tickets so that we can get into the shorter line and we walk right onto the next Capsule.

We had read about the London Eye ahead of time. We knew that it rarely stops. The wheel spins slowly (one rotation in about 30 minutes) and is slow enough for people to hop on and hop off at the bottom. I'm not sure we had to hurry as much as we did, but there's definitely a feeling of hurry up and get into the capsule or you'll be left behind or dangling or... They do slow it down or stop it if you are in a wheelchair or less steady on your feet. We all successfully get on (just with a little bit of a thrill thinking we might not make it).

The London Eye lit up in French colours.

View (top), Venice is grateful for a seat (left), Big Ben (middle)
Xander is grateful for the digital view (right)

More French colours. London Eye (left and right), National Theatre (middle)

Big Ben, again (top-left), Venice sitting, again (top-right)
Chris and Venice looking at the view (bottom-left), Xander and I being the view (bottom-middle)
A capsule about to be on the bottom where people will get off (bottom-right)

By the time we get off the London Eye, the regular line is almost gone. I'm surprised. It's a Saturday night, why wouldn't you want to ride the London Eye at night? Seems romantic. Perhaps it's because it's raining? I was impressed that even in the dark and rain, we were able to enjoy the view.

We head home. Venice is super tired by now. We're a little nervous to try another Uber car, so we go home on our own via the Tube. I tried to carry Venice piggy-back, but wow... she's gotten too big. I make it one block and have to give up. We walk slowly, arm-in-arm, instead.

Venice goes straight to bed when we get back. Chris, Xander, and I have a simple dinner at home, eating through some of the food we have left (e.g. pasta, lettuce, deli meats, etc.)

We begin to pack for our trip to Scotland tomorrow. Trying to pack smartly, too. Pack everything into one bag that we won't need to get to at all (until we're back home). Pack other bags with dirty clothes that won't be opened. And the other ones with just the right amount of clothes we need for the rest of the trip. All the while, trying to keep the big bag not too full (so we make the weight limit at the airport). Having shipped so many items, we don't have too much to pack, so it doesn't take too long to get it all gathered up. We are ready.

Good-night, London!

Of course they have a camera on the Eye, ready to take your photo for a price!
We didn't really buy many souvenirs in London, so I splurge on this goofy photo,
taken with complete strangers.

Day 62: Rainy Day

It's that time of year when it's cold enough to snow, but when the precipitation comes, it warms up. That's the forecast for this week. 30s and cold, but when the rain comes, it'll be in the 40s.

So, what happens to all the wonderful sidewalk-dining in the winter? I see most restaurants have awnings that they lower down to help keep patrons dry. I have seen a few heaters, but mostly, I see blankets on the backs of chairs. To the left, not the best photo, sorry, is a café that has white blankets and British-flag blankets set out on the backs of the chairs. This way, patrons can sit outside and snuggle under a blanket if they are cold. This seems to be very common at all the restaurants that have outside seating.

When we completed the audio tour at the Reichstag, we heard that there was a stone path from the Reichstag to the Brandenburger Tor that represents where The Wall used to be. We haven't seen this yet. But, as I was on my morning walk, I noticed a stone path crossing the sidewalk. Another reminder that I haven't seen it all even though I've been walking this way for months! I'm guessing this is similar to what the audio tour was talking about.

As I continue to walk, I see a couple looking down at a spot on the sidewalk. Over what looks like a mini-manhole cover (12 inches in diameter?) I have walked passed these as well, not really noticing them, thinking they were some sort of utility cover. But, as I see this couple intently looking, I take a closer look at another one up the block. They represent successful escapes. They have the date of the escape and name of the person/s who escaped (and a reference number).

The stones representing The Wall (left and middle)
B338, Flucht (middle-right)
C400 Flucht eine Person (a person)  (right)

Random: There are a lot of birds helping to "clean up" after the weekends of crowds that frequent Mauerpark. The love to pick through the trash. I keep wishing a dog would run through the massive bird groups, but they don't (darn trained dogs). So, I tried to walk through them to get them to fly. Kind of funny.

Remember the woman's face painted on the wall at Mauerpark? When I first saw it, I overhead one guy tell another that it was already there for two weeks (with the impression that this was a "miracle" because none of the art ever lasts that long on this part of the wall). Well, it has only NOW been painted over. So, that was 2 months of it being virtually untouched. Someone finally had the nerve to paint over it.. and then a day later someone painted over THAT person's art. So, it's gone in a blink after lasting so long.

Top left and middle = 2 months ago
Top right = 1 month ago
Bottom left = two days ago
Bottom right = today

Here's the iconic Fraternal Kiss recreation that exists at the Ost-West-Café (East-West). The East Side Gallery painting inspired by the 1979 photograph. Anyway, I missed it at the East Side Gallery, but I walk by this rendition almost every day. Along with the image is an orange Trabi and Polizei car.

Fall colours are becoming more vibrant.

And I just want to take a moment to talk about parking, here in Berlin. I a soooooo glad that I do not drive here. I have not missed a car. Not once. And I definitely don't missing trying to parallel park. I see what these Berliners have to do and I can't even imagine trying it myself. There are other streets where you park perpendicular to the sidewalks, but there are many of these parallel situations where I just don't even understand how they do it (all with the pressure of the tram coming down the street along with 20 bicycles). Just look at the photos below and tell me if you could get in or out of that tight spot? Side note: I have seen lots of drivers go onto the curb to help them park in these tight spots. But still, crazy.

So, I am, gratuitously showing a few photos of my new boots (with me in them). And a photo of my new maroon jacket from Patagonia. AND, a shot of what I'm now wearing during my morning walks. I did not bring enough cold weather items for exercising, so I'm wearing Chris' running gloves, his running-rain jacket, my compression socks under my knicker-running pants. And my puffy vest underneath it all. I look silly, but it helps my legs from freezing and keeps my chest, arms, and hands nice and warm. I just pretend no one can see me... or that I'm about to go play baseball.

Green boots (left), maroon boots (middle), jogging-basballer (right)

So, today was a rest day. Venice made more Bubble Tea creations. I caught up, mostly, on the blog.

I did get a notice that Chris' coworkers will NOT be coming over this week. But before I could feel sad that I went through all that cleaning effort, we were asked by management if they could show our apartment to a prospective renter (who wants it for 6 months) tomorrow at 4:30pm. So, it's a good thing I did clean! Phew!

The kids and I decide to go to Tommie's Burgers (a favourite place, for sure). They do make the best milkshakes in town (that we've tried thus far).

Seriously, that's all we did today.

Day 56: Rainy Day

Ok, I've said this before, but I truly mean it now... today was a lazy day.

Chris had a breakfast-interview scheduled, so no breakfast and no walk together. This means... that we are all still in jammies at 2pm.

We don't have any errands that need to be done. It's raining. I have no motivation to do anything outside of the apartment.

Well, ok. I did go "outside. Technically. I tried to capture the cute little birds that visit us by feeding them on one of our balconies. But the darn little buggers would never approach while I was ready to take their photo. The only evidence I have is the before and after...

Before, with crumbs (left) and after (right).

I mention to the kids, "It's a movie kind of day." I figured, we'd watch something on Netflix. Instead, the kids decided to MAKE a movie. They busied themselves with creating a screenplay, setting up lighting, and putting together clips in a template using iMovie.

Xander editing (left), The stage (middle), Venice setting up the scene (right)

Note: Below you can see a video Venice put together using footage she already had. The movie the kids are working on together is only partially complete.

Meanwhile, I baked two different kinds of cookies. As I ran out of flour and white sugar, my second batch was flourless-peanut butter cookies using all brown sugar. All the cookies were yummy and what better way to warm up the house than with the smell of baked goods?

I made the chocolate chip cookies
at bit on the "too large" side...

Here are some side notes (to distract you from the fact that we really did nothing today):

• Yogurt here is very soupy. Maybe soupier than Yoplait. You could almost drink it. This seems to be how it is all over Europe (at least in the Czech Republic, Austria, and Germany). 

• There are so many new buildings butting right up against really old buildings. Pictured below is one that is very modern looking right next to one that has bricked up windows and graffiti. 

• I love all the different Bahn stations. Some are very industrial-functional looking, but others are truly beautiful.

Bahn station (left), New and Old buildings (right)

• There are no closets, in the bedrooms, in Germany (at least not in our apartment and from what I have researched, they are not something that are found in apartments). Thus, they have cabinets (large armoires... by Ikea) to hang your clothes in. 

• My cute purse I bought for Oktoberfest? Broken. The strap broke before we even left Munich. Dang it. Another item I'll have to fix/sew when we get back to The States.

• Again, the bicycle lanes. I got better photos (see below), but I still can't seem to capture a photo of how truly crazy it is and how you better look out. I'll keep trying.

Pedestrian in the Pedestrian Walkway (left)
Bicycles in the Bicycle path (right) and look closely, as there
is also a bicycle (in the far distance in the middle-left) going
the "wrong" way/against traffic in the Pedestrian walkway.

When Chris returned home, he had to jump onto a conference call. I couldn't NOT make dinner... after he worked all day and I didn't do much... so I made dinner (which, of course, Chris ended up helping me with... but I did most of it, I swear!)

And then, Chris, read to the family (we're now reading, "Escape From Mr. Lemoncello's Library" together).

Seriously. Lazy day.

Sahalie and Koosah Falls

Koosah falls.

 WHEN: July 13, 2014


WHERE: Along the McKenzie Pass-Santiam Pass and West Cascades National Scenic Byways off Highway 126, Eugene, OR. We walked the Water Falls Loop Trail


WHY: Chris had been wanting to explore these falls and we were blueberry picking nearby. And why not? It is a beautiful hike with two big falls to view.


WHO: Chris, Diana, Venice and Xander.

Flowers at the bottom of the loop.	View at the top of the loop.

WEATHER: Humid and warm with thunderstorms! We were all a little nervous with the thunder, hoping lightening didn't come close. We were grateful for all the tall trees surrounding us.


WHAT:
Approximately a 3 mile loop
Elevation is 2,800 ft.

"I enjoyed the bridge that you cross the river on, because it was just a log suspended over the river with a handrail. It was dangerous and that's what made it enjoyable. " - Venice

"It was kind of scary hearing the thunder because you were wondering if was going to strike one of the trees and fall on you, but it was still fun." - Xander

Marys Peak

Somewhat protected by the tall trees.

WHEN: September 22, 2013


WHERE: Marys Peak, just southwest of Philomath, OR.


WHY: Today's hike was in lieu of camping due to poor weather conditions. Normally this hike has beautiful views of the Willamette Valley, Cascade Range and Pacific Ocean.


WHO: Chris, Diana, Venice and Xander.

The beautiful view from the summit.

WEATHER: Extremely windy with lots of rain. We guessed approximately 25 MPH winds with 40 MPH gusts? The wind made it cold.

"When I first went out, I though the weather was crazy. Some of the winds shook our car." - Xander

"I'm happy we made it to the top, it was a very short hike. If you don't want a long hike, don't go there, but if you want a nice place for lunch or a good place for pictures, do. I'm proud we made it because of the storm." - Venice


WHAT:
Approximately 1.5 miles.
Summit over 4,000 ft.
Round trip less than on hour.

Rainbow on the way home.

"I loved the energy and excitement of the kids on such a blustery day." - Chris

"It's a good place to play DnD because it's a forest with lots of natural habitats in it. I liked muddy log skipping!" - Venice

"I liked leaning back into the wind." - Xander

"Despite the crazy wind and rain, the kids had fun on the hike. They jumped puddles, climbed trees and discovered a really large worm. We were thankful for the warmth and dryness our car provided as well as the beautiful rainbow in store for us." - Diana