Oct 13, 2012 - Layover in Detroit

My Trip To China. Not an exciting or even slightly creative title for the first posting but that is what it is. The trip begins with some anxious days and weeks. Lining up the visa for traveling to China, registering with the US Dept of State, studying seating charts on international flights, and making reservations with hotels half a world away. All of these things contribute to a feeling that this is more than just a trip to another conference. Is it once in a lifetime? I hope not. The trip begins in a one step up, two steps back...

Jul 16, 2012 - Part 2 Ready to go across the pond...

We have a layover in Detroit as we wait to board our flight to London. We are taking turns walking without luggage to keep the muscles and joints active. :) Michaela tells us that Aaron and Deanne have left Murunda on their journey to meet us in Kigali. It is really happening!!

Jul 5, 2012 - Dallas to Portland via Detroit

Up very early to get to the airport an hour away by 6 AM and into the air an hour later. Our flight took us to Detroit, about 3 hours NE of Dallas. We had an hour there and then a short 2 hour flight due east into Portland, Maine, which is a hundred miles north or so of Boston. We rented a car at the airport and drove through to our motel with time left to go into the city. We walked around the shops and the wharves of the older part of the city and drove through the business district. Its quite a nice city but what amazed us is how hard it...

Dec 5, 2011 - "Look how much Mr. Waldorf copied from Germany!!!"

EDITORS NOTE: Lines in quotes are by Lydia, applies today to title pictures only. As I write she is sleeping. I did not have my camera with me at the hotel breakfast, but it was confirmation that we are in Waldorf-land. Tomorrow I'll add pictures and show you what I mean. Our homeschool is guided by the philosophy of Rudolf Steiner, who started the first Waldorf School in Germany, in the 1920's. The school was named for the Waldorf Cigartte Factory, whose employees' children were to attend the school. Of any group of private schools, there...

Dec 2, 2011 - Bis spater

If I'm to believe my computer search, Bis spater means see you later in German. If it's a curse word, please leave feedback at answers.com. I've done some playing with the itinerary feature. Apologies if I did not insert any birthdays that I should have. Shabbat Shalom

Nov 30, 2011 - Camera

In response to questions: camera is a Sony DSC HX9V I need 16 on pictures like I need a kitchen flood; I've set it to 5. Video feature is cute but I can't get them to upload. The makers of this site are working on the bug that seems to be the problem. Camera has a widescreen and a gps so that outdoor photos should not be mystery location shots. The tree is from First Grade. Each day a leaf was added to reflect the weather. See how much sunnier it was than is our reputation?!

Nov 27, 2011 - Camera Test

This camera is small but has a powerful zoom; seems good for travel. I have to test it out. Grandma Joyce visited today and asked for treatment for painful toes. Laser acupuncture uses 21 century needles which radiate blue, green, red, and infared light. In the few weeks I've been working with it, it has been at least as effective as old-fashioned needles. While in Berlin I expect to visit the office of the world leader in laser acupuncture. Kevin will be in Herne observing a colleague. Lydia and I will be in Berlin rather than Herne,...

Nov 26, 2011 - Preparation

One week from tonight we should be lifting off if our departure is on time. I hope we get out of here before the snow gets in. There are 5 more days to prepare for this short notice trip, and a list of about 30 things to do, including to see if this online travel thing works. It will help us let Grandparents, and curious friends read about our adventures, and if all goes well we'll have a 21st century scrapbook for when we get home.

Sep 4, 2011 - Motor City

Between doctor's appointments, we do manage to get out occasionally. We met up with our friends Keith and Joyce for dinner one evening and had a lovely time. We met them last year during our stay here, and they gave us lots of good information for our trip to the Upper Peninsula. While we were elsewhere during this past year, they decided they wanted to buy a Foretravel like ours, and as luck would have it, another couple we know, our good friends Jeff and Carol, decided to sell their 1995 Foretravel which was beautifully maintained and...

Aug 29, 2011 - ... not quite there yet...

I woke up Saturday morning excited and a little anxious, but I felt ready and prepared. I had packed the next four months of my life, including nine pairs of shoes, into two suitcases. I had read several pamphlets and packets of information from ISA, the program I'm studying abroad through. I had imagined what I would feel like on this day for years... On my route between home and college, I drive pass the Detroit Metro Airport. I watch the planes taking off over me, and imagine what I'd be feeling if I were on one those planes, flying to...

Aug 1, 2011 - T minus 4 weeks

Wow! In almost 4 weeks, I will be on a plane, flying over the Atlantic. Since elementary school, I have wanted to learn a foreign language and study abroad. I've been all but nervous about living in Spain this semester... up until now. All my close friends are ready to head back to college, while I'm getting ready to live 4,000 miles away. It's so surreal to me. I've been reading the student handbook that my study abroad program has sent me. It provides loads of information about traveling safely, experiencing a new culture, adjusting to...

Jul 23, 2011 - london and paris

Hello everyone from paris! Sorry I've not been able to blog much, but there has not been service yet. I got into london and it was very beautiful. It was difficult to be by myself in a foreign country all day. When I finally met up with my tour group that evening I felt much more comfortable, and we went to dinner at a nice restaurant. There was pizza and we had dough balls with nutella. Yum! we spent most of yesterday traveling to paris and went over the english channel on a ferry. We saw the gorgeous white cliffs of dover. Then we got to...