merry christmas

it's our christmas letter folks...happy holidays :)

 
 
 

Venice, Italy 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Holiday Greetings from Kirsten, Virginia (Ginny), Nadou and Radar.

 

January: We greeted the New Year together. I returned from Christmas in Canada on December 30th. January included a business trip to Washington for me. Later in the night we hosted friends for our Bye Bye Bushie Bash, celebrating the inauguration of Barack Obama.

February: Ginny accompanied me on a work trip to Washington. Ginny’s brother Larry joined us for a day in the city. When the work came to an end, we traveled by train to New York City for an extended weekend. We visited our friends Candice and Johanna, stopped at the Metropolitan and MOMA and saw three Broadway shows.

March: We celebrated our birthdays. Our beloved Perky passed away. I traveled to British Columbia to visit my sister Erika, her husband Chris and my beautiful niece and nephew, Jayme and Dustin.

April: Ginny and I traveled to Los Angeles/ San Diego for Easter. We saw friends of mine from my Covenant Players days. When we returned on April 17th we picked up Nadou, our new dog. Beautiful Nadou is Basenji and Italian Greyhound. We fell in love immediately.

May: Nadou was very slow to adjust. She was (still is) very timid and it became clear that she was in need of companionship. On May 20th Radar, a loving and comical rat terrier, became a member of the Lindbloom-Larsen clan.

Nadou and Radar









June and July: We set out for a monster road trip in June. We began with a weekend up by Lutsen, MN with gal pals Jocelyn and Pamm and then headed north. We stopped in Manitoba to spend time with my family. We visited my Grandmother Kath and my aunts Gillian and Jocelyn. I am pleased to have had a chance to introduce Ginny to friends as well. We drove across Canada to British Columbia. We stopped in Banff for a few days. We enjoyed incredible sights and horseback riding in the mountains. We continued on, stopping to meet more family (Ken and Helen Pearson) along the way, coming to the end of this leg of the journey in Abbotsford, at the home of my sister Erika and her family. After a few days, Ginny flew home and I stayed on for an extra two weeks before heading home via Manitoba. This return trip included travel with Erika, Jayme and Dustin. A wonderful time. Erika and the kids traveled all the way back to Minnesota and after a weeklong stay with the Lindbloom-Larsens, Erika and the kids returned to Canada.

August: On July 31st I had surgery. In 2006, I had weight-loss surgery. After losing 200 pounds, additional surgery was needed. Such significant weight loss left behind a lot of excess skin. I had reconstructive surgery on my abdomen to remove the excess. In the process I got a new belly-button. The surgery was a great success, I am very happy with my new shape. During this time our dear friend Sue Blough came from California to help out. What a tremendous gift. Ginny’s brother Dan visited in this month as well. We enjoyed our time with Dan very much.

September: Over the Labor Day weekend Ginny traveled to Iowa for a reunion of her maternal cousins. She had a great time. I did not make the trip as I was still recovering from surgery and was just getting back to work. September began a new school year for me. It was a very busy month.

October: We decided to go to Baltimore to see Ginny’s brother Larry. Brother Dan joined us for the four day weekend. We spent good time with Ginny’s extended family. I met Larry’s wife Carol, their children and families. I enjoyed this group very much. We look forward to seeing them again in the coming year.

November and December: What a very busy time. On November 19th, we flew to Paris. We spent 17 days traveling via train, making our way through France and Italy. We made stops in Avignon, Nice, the Cinque Terre, Venice, Florence and Rome. Ginny has been many times. This was all new for me, however. It was incredible! We returned on December 6th in time for the arrival of winter. 12 inches of snow has fallen in the past two days. I am enjoying the first “snow day” of the year as I write this letter. If you would like to hear more our the trip and see some of the photos, we blogged online each day of the trip (www.justkirjustgin.blogspot.com).

Love and wishes for a happy new year…CHEERS!

kirsten, ginny, nadou and radar

our journey home and a few final thoughts

We got up at 5 am on the morning of december 6th and made our way to the train station. It was about a 30 minute ride. The Rome airport was quite an adventure…we arrived at terminal 3...took a bus to terminal 5...we stood in line for check point one (passports)…did a second passport check…entered the check-in area…stood in line again to check luggage and get boarding passes (passports out again)…then we took a bus to another part of the terminal…where we checked in for flight (passport again)…and finally one more passport check as we boarded the flight…OMG!!!!

During the process we encountered an american woman traveling alone…she had been to france and italy as well…we did not talk to her directly…but anyone within 50 feet knew all about her trip…she was something else…I enjoyed the short bus ride with her…I have to confess that ginny and I had several smiles and “you have got to be kidding” looks between us…this woman was definitely over the top…just thinking about her makes me smile…oh the mark she must have made on her trip…WOW.

I have been thinking about the trip…there is so much…I loved it…even the challenges, for they make for the best stories…I am coming home lighter (all that walking) and a coffee drinker…the coke light in europe is NOT diet coke…I needed a caffeine replacement and lattes and cappuccinos did the trick…I will confess that I have had 3 diet cokes on the flight today…

I loved to eat in france…I enjoyed the morning coffee stop…paris was a hit…as was a day spent in nice with matisse and chagall…venice was charming…the trip to florence was too short…will go again…rome grew on me…loved the past two days and the sights…old spoke to me…I have learned that I can travel for 17 days with 3 outfits…I have been overwhelmed and under-whelmed by churches (a little conflicted about that)...there are parts of me that have been re-energized by this trip and parts that have seen light for the first time…I have developed new appreciation for many things…for travel…for all that is out there yet to be seen…for art…for people…for my ginny
 
I asked ginny if she would please write for this final blog entry for this trip and she agreed...thanks gin.
 
Ginny writes...
 
Time, for me, moves a whole lot faster at home than it did while Kirsten and I were traveling. She hit the ground running Monday morning. I hit the ground, too, but not at great speed. I am still moving a bit slowly (digestive tract issues since our last day in Rome), but I seem to be busy every minute. Haven't found time to write this until today, our fourth day back! Oy.
 
Jet lag continues to interrupt a good night's sleep for both of us, and there are sudden moments during the day when one seems to hit an air pocket, to use a flying term.

These are my observations, after a super trip with a great traveling companion:

1. As I have mentioned to some of you already, I experienced Paris, Venice and Rome through three sets of senses. I recalled many impressions from my very first visits to these cities fifty years ago (that's a half-century, folks), when I had just graduated from St. Olaf College and was on my way to teach in a German village. And I have been in these cities several times since. I experienced them this time as a, well, somewhat older chick, for whom not much is new but much is still beautiful and fascinating. And, best of all, I had the pleasure of sharing Kirsten's excitement and awe as she took to touring in France and Italy with the same ease and delight as the moi of 50 years ago.

2. I wish to comment on two major differences between France and Italy. Besides the language, of course.

First, the bread. French bread, esp. the baguette, is admired around the world and consumed with great appreciation on site by citizens and aliens alike. Italian bread is, well, tough and boring. Even what may look like a baguette or a croissant is not. And the croissant will be filled with jam. euw.

Second, the coffee. The French savor their coffee in a sitting position. At a sidewalk cafe, either indoors or out. The Italians tend to stay erect, empty their cup (usually tiny) in one swallow and get on with life. So, it's Sip&Savor vs Gulp&Run. We saw NO insulated coffee mugs in anyone's grasp on the whole trip

An aside: the French serve a cup or tall glass of strong coffee and steamed milk, with foam on the top. It is called un café crême, or just un crême for short. If you have studied French, you know that crême is a feminine word, so it would logically require an une in front of it, not an un. But if you order une crême, you may get a cup of half&half for your grammatical correctness. So, when in France, be like the natives and order un crême. It's worth the exhorbitant price.

3. Exhorbitant prices. Fifty years ago, a middle-class American could travel or live in Europe like royalty, because the dollar was so strong. Forget it. Today the dollar is weak against the Euro (it is worth about 64¢) and European prices are higher anyway. So you learn what's a good deal and what isn't and you have a good time.

4. Transportation. I miss the trains of Europe. They will take you anywhere, everywhere, and you don't have to go through security as in an airport or worry about parking in the middle of a huge city.

5. Well,what isn't a trade-off? That's life. There are great advantages to being in Europe and other but just as great advantages to living in the US. Right now, I am happy that we did our trip in safety and in health, we didn't lose anything or get ripped off, and we have the blog, the photos and lots of anecdotes to tide us over the winter. By the way, we already have two possible itineraries planned for the next trip. ☺

all roads leading home...thank you rome

our final day in europe...the sun is shining...not a cloud in the sky... we board our bus and off we go...to the coloseum, palatine hill and the forum...

the coloseum is amazing...i am truly taken with this place...

we stand in line with many...finally we are within the walls...

as we are walking through the coloseum ginny tells me of a book that she has read about the coloseum and its cats...we take a corner and voila...a cat...

i am impressed by the ruins...it is hard to imagine the "goings on here"...and yet i feel like i can see the people...and hear the cheers and jeers...i am blown away by the structure...the genius in building in this time...

we head outside and into the square...i meet david...a super flirty gladiator...determined to make a few euros...he is charming and "what the heck"...every girl (even this one) should have her picture taken with a gladiator when opportunity presents itself...

we make our way to palatine hill...i should say that ginny is not feeling well...i am glad the sun is shining...i think that the sun encourages her on...she is fighting some kind of bug i think...what a trooper...onward nd upward...litterally...there are many stairs and steps on palatine hill....

we make our way down to the roman forum...we mark our spot...

old...old..old...it is hard to wrap the brain around it...ceasar...peter...paul...like crazy old....

this is the spot where ceasar was burned after his assasination...

there are many arches in rome...many many arches...

a quick look back at the forum...

we make our way our of the ruins and back into the city...our destination campo di fiore...a friend recommended the stop...i just can't get enough of the city...the streets...the squares...

the streets are full of interesting people...

we arrive in the sqaure...love the store fronts...the square is full of vendors today...

a quick stop at the mozzarella bar...

we catch our bus and head back to vatican city in hopes of seeing the sistine chapel...the sky over St. Peter's is very different today...

we enter the vatican museum...thinking that we will make a quick stop to see the chapel...we mark our spot...

there is nothing quick about this stop...the museum is layed out in a way that makes you walk through what seems like miles of hallway and "stuff"...we had our sights set on the chapel so the walk to find it seemed excessive and quite frankly we thought it would never end...i took a few shots along the way...

we finally arrived int he chapel...no photos allowed...would love to share it with you...it was SPECTACULAR...worth the walk...worth the wait...what an amazing work...

we left the mueseum...and started back...ginny is tired...very tired...we buy a couple of shirts for people along the way...we finally get to our bus and we ride...the bus deviates from the route...it takes me a couple of stops to realize it...when i do...we ask and wouldn't you know it...a protest..a different one...this time it is a communist group protesting the italian prime minister...a massive protest at the stop nearest our hotel...we jump off the bus and start to walk...an eveing stroll around the coloseum and through the noisy and very busy streets of rome...

we are back at the hotel...my sweet ginny is resting...we will leave the hotel at 6:30 am...we will be in flight a total of 13.5 hours tomorrow...hoping that the bug will run its course in the night...

we (ginny and i) will write our last blog in flight to be posted sunday evening when we return...what an ourstanding trip...thanks for coming along with us...

when in rome...be prepared to go with the flow...

rome...it rains...it pours...we have been away 16 days and have had rain three days...feel very fortunate...we head out to catch our hop on hop off bus and encounter a protest...farmers protesting...the police are a huge presence...

i take a few shots of those exercising their right to say enough...

the protest it taking place in front of one of the many churches in rome...we realize after a 30 minute wait that our bus is not picking us up at this location because of the protest...we dig out our map and walk to the ext bus stop...

we finally get on a bus...traffic is HORRIBLE...the whole area is impacrted by the protest...it takes us an hour more to get to our destination for this part of the day....vatican city...the sky gets darker and darker...when we arrive the sky is ready to open up...

St. Peter's is an incredible sight...

as we wait in line (in the rain...the sky has indeed opened up) a group of bishop/cardinal looking types cross the square...the are coming out for a photo op...after taking their own photo of their group they pose for photos with people...people who have gathered around them and when given the chance the people ask for photos with them...it was kind of weird actually...

we are in line for a while...we started way out where the end of the line is in this pic...we are almost in...

our first stop as we enter the basillica...the work is behind glass...some mad man attacked mary a few years ago...damaging the piece...behind bullet proof glass for safe keeping...crazy...

ginny asked for this pic to be taken...seems so out of place...

the building is really spectacular...

this is the only colored glass in the basillica...it is behind the alter...

holy moly....i took dozens of photos during this part of the day...

we leave the basillica and head to the vatican museum and the sistine chapel...the sun is out...woo hoo...

we stop for lunch....a great lunch...my favorite meal in italy i think...

the sistine chapel is hosting a concert today...it is closed...nuts...we head back to the main square to mark our spot on the journey...ginny is really a great sport with this...

we jump back on the bus and head back toward the hotel...take in a few more sights...the protest continues to impact traffic...how is this possible...

it is cooling off...the bus is standing still in traffic... i am not all that impressed...a tired girl i think...

we return to the hotel area...do a little shopping...

a protest...rain...and a concert have altered plans...that being so, we had a great day...looking forward to day two...

step by step the roman journey begins

we had a slower morning this morning...we did not leave the hotel until 9:30...we took a taxi to the train station and boarded a train for rome...it was a beautiful ride through tuscany...we arrived in rome our last stop on this INCREDIBLE trip...a little frustrated with the station...information was not easy to find...however, our hotel is very close to the station...only a few minutes by foot...we make a quick stop at the hotel...eat a little and hit the streets...the streets of rome are busy...very busy...we are certainly in an urban center...

we decide to take in a couple of specific sites today...we have 2.5 days to see it all...as we walk, we once again are caught up in the window shopping...ginny loved the look of these sandwiches...she thought that they looked like sushi (sorta)..we have eaten a lot of sandwiches on this trip...this makes me think of food in general...my friend kathy will cringe to read this but i have not enjoyed food in italy as thought as i would...we ate great pizza in vernazza and that as been the highlight...i miss french bread...oh how i miss the bread...

we make our way to trevi...you know the fountain...it was packed with people on a thursdy afternoon in the off season...lots of energy and activity there...we take the opportunity to mark our spot...

it really is quite spectacular....

other sites from the fountain...

we hit the streets again...off to the spanish steps...

at the steps there were lots of tourists....lots of energy...horse and carriage rides (maybe tomorrow night)...vendors selling there goods...there was a group of men selling these stress ball like things to the crowd...they were balloons filled with sand or something...they had yarn pieces glued on for hair and paper eyes glued on...they were nothing special at all...in the 20 minutes we sat on the steps we were asked to buy at least 6 times...they were persistant...we were more so...this makes me think about all of the requests made of us on this trip by people in the street...there are lots of people in the streets begging...the most distressing for we were the young mothers who came up to us today in the train station...baby on hip and hand out...they were insistant...i really hate the way i feel in these moments...at dinner tonight (we ate early and the restaurant was empty)...a man came in...looking over his shoulder to make sure he would not be caught by the restaurant host and approached our table...he had watches and bracelets for sale...it took a strong NO to send him away....arghhhhhhhhh....anyway...here are the spanish steps...

the infamous long-armed shot on the spanish steps...

more of the steps....

we are really into this marking our spot stuff...

from our spot on the steps we watch...we have definetly arrived in a new land...the energy of rome is different than that of florence...venice...nice...even paris...looking forward to seeing more of it...

we ate a little dinner close to the hotel this evening...we will hit the streets tomorrow...map and rick steves in hand...ginny has so carefully torn out the pages for the various cities we have travelled over the past two weeks...tomorrow we will take a bus tour...a classic hop on and off...rome is a little big for the walk everywhere approach...the bus will give me a good feel for the sights and then we will dive in to those things we want to see more of on saturday...

i can not believe that we are 3 days from our journey home...it has flown by...and yet it seems like we are a world away from paris...from nice... from the cinque terre...in many ways we are...