Berlin and Cinque Terre

I've been absent from the blog for awhile so it's been suggested I write a little about our travels. I'd be happy to! We departed Stockholm on a cool afternoon for Berlin. All our worldly possessions for 2 weeks were stuffed into that green carry-on. For those of you that are unaware, Yasmiene possesses a portable blackhole which she uses to pack luggage. So while the luggage looks small it's incredibly dense. The flight was relatively uneventful or I may have just blocked the memory.

We arrived in Berlin and eventually got to our apartment, which was in the Charlottenburg neighborhood. It was near to the Kurfürstendamm. A street of expensive shopping. Of particular note was the Mercedes store where they have their own bar. Obviously if you're shopping for a luxury automobile you'd need to think it over after a few beers or jager shots. Our apartment was quite spacious and it was great to have a kitchen to cook up some wurst after a busy day of touristing.

Touristing we did. You can see the lego giraffe standing outside Legoland which we visited on a very hot day. It was a huge hit with Saniya and Rowan for the legos, Yaz and Rob for the airconditioning. There were other things besides legos as well, such as a ball pit that Rowan found particularly intriguing.

Legoland is in the Sony Center at Potsdamer Platz. Quite a modern building, which is typical of East Berlin architecture. You definately could see a lot of development and repairs being made once you crossed the point where the wall used to be. 20 years later and there seems like much more work will need to be done.

The amount of restoration work going on at Museum Island is quite evident. This fountain is in front of Berliner Dom and was a great way to cool off in the heat. We also made it to the
Pergamon Museum where we witnessed the Pergamon Altar and Ishtar Gate. Very impressive collection. It was also entertaining because Rowan was very tired and uninterested in Hellenistic art. He consistantly proclaimed that Classical was more his style. Unfortunately, it only came out as crying, which echoed quite loudly off the battling titans and gods.

In addition to these tourist destinations we visited Checkpoint Charlie and were considering visiting the museum, until a convoy of tourist buses arrived and an invasion of annoying group tourists assaulted the museum entry.

The Reichstag
was a quick morning stop for a quick jaunt to the top for the view. The dome was closed for cleaning but we did get to see some nice views of the city. I was consistently amazed at the devastation caused by WWII on Berlin by looking at old pictures and how it is hard to see any of that damage anymore. The city has been rebuilt and most of the external scars are gone. I wonder what scars remain on the psyche with the German people, however. I bring this up because in 1933 there was a fire at the Reichstag that Hitler used to suspend civil rights in Germany and secure his power. I'm afraid fear still plays a large role in what dictates policy in some governments, which truly is a shame.

I figure I'll wrap things
up as it is getting relatively long. So for our final few pictures we're at Schloss Charlottenburg enjoying ice cream and Queen Charlotte's gardens. It was a nice day trip but I must say that I find Baroque palaces quite boring. The gardens were good to stroll through and Rowan was quite interested in the manicured minature trees.
The plan was to write about the whole trip on this entry, but it's a bit unrealistic. So I will get to the Italy portion of the trip in a little bit. Meanwhile you'll have to stare out the glass at your plane and wonder when it's going to takeoff.


Cinque Terre, Italy

Quicker than anticipated I've decided to finish up posting about our trip. Talk about motivation. Must be the sunburn. Which hasn't started peeling so I suspect it might turn into a tan. Shocking that my pale swedish winter skin could actually turn somewhat brown. We had a fantastic trip to Italy.

We departed Berlin on the aforementioned plane and arrived late into Milan. After a bus/taxi ride we arrived at our hotel. Then off to the train station next morning. This was the scene as we arrived in Manarola. Actually, we missed our stop and had to get off back on another train. Fortunately, the train headed back to Manarola was right there.

We got a great apartment with a large balcony and a view of the sea. The balcony was a scene of enjoyment one evening.

Our view


Running back and forth, back and forth.

At other times it was just relaxing to look out while getting a hug.

Manarola is one of five towns on the sea in Cinque Terre. They are all perched precariously on cliffs next to the sea and there are walking paths that connect them. Some walks are more difficult than others and we were able to do most of them. Our first walk was from Manarola to Corniglia. About halfway we climbed down a steep path to the sea for some swimming. A little rough for the kids but they enjoyed playing in the sand and getting splashed from the big waves. Swimming was an important part of this vacation as it was a great way to stay cool and Saniya could practice becoming a dolphin.

On the path to Corniglia. Manarola in the background.


Always ready for ice cream.


The next day was spent walking to Riomaggiore from Manarola. This is an easy walk along the water. We went to the beach but it was very rough for the children, but I enjoyed getting thrown around in the surf. For lunch the fish balls were a hit. Our next walk was the most scenic. We caught the train to Corniglia and then walked to Vernazza. It was a beautiful walk among grape vines and olive trees, with dramatic views of the sea. Saniya was impressive with her hiking skills and enjoyed some chocolate pie in a cafe, high on the path.

On the path to Vernazza. Corniglia in the background.


Decent into Vernazza.


The remaining days were spent in Vernazza swimming. We did stop by Monterosso but it was over touristed and the beach wasn't so great. Vernazza has the best beach for the young ones. So we swam and swam and swam. And burned and burned and burned. I did anyway. The kids had some protective layer of skin or something. We used the same sunscreen and I got cooked and they didn't? The most exciting part of the trip occured on this beach, however. Saniya was swimming by herself. She was so proud to be floating alone with her arm floats and swimming along. She loves the water and so we always seemed to be swimming and/or eating ice cream.

A view of our Vernazza swimming hole from the castle


Swimming, swimming, swimming


Also built some sand castles


Gelato!


Time to finish up with a few more shots of Italy.

Smile


A postcard view of our town Manarola


Happy vacation!


Rob

We're back!

Hi Everyone,

Just a quick note that we are home and had a great time. We arrived late, late, late last night. Saniya tells us she is happy to be home with her toys. Rowan is happy about anything immediate, really. We will write more over the weekend and post some pixs, just wanted to say that all went well with no problems.

Yasmiene and the crew

Vacation!

Ok, I am getting jazzed for our trip. We leave in three days. We spend one week in Berlin. Then we fly to Milan and travel by train to Cinque Terra, Italy. These are five villages on the northern coast. We will spend our second week here, based in the town of Manarola, and return the end of July. We have an apartment in both places so I am hoping for comfort and space from kids when needed.

I must admit I have not been so excited for this trip. The thought of Rowan all over the place...what can I say, but I have had a turn around. After the last few days of planning the logistics and getting that kind of un-fun stuff out of the way, tonight I was looking at Cinque Terra and started getting really EXCITED! It looks sooooooooo incredible. I can't believe we are going. Yeah! Berlin will be great as a place that both of us really want to experience before we leave. Italy will be the magical italian get away that Italy always is.

So, we are off and will be thinking of everyone and hoping you all are having relaxing and fun vacations of your own.

We'll check in when we get back on the 26th.

Caio (Italian)
Auf Wiedersehen (German)
Hej då (Swedish)
Bye (you know that one!)

Yasmiene

Ready or not, here it comes....

Recently, I had an epiphany. Actually, it was from my friend, Kori, who relayed when her kids were small and having a really trying period, in retrospect, it was the precursor to a big developmental leap. Well, I concur and feel we are now just coming out of a really trying month with Rowan. It just felt so exhausting. When in this kind of a trying time, one can't really put their finger on just what it is. It feels challenging, but it feels like everyday is hard, and I would say, "maybe this is how it is now". But now as I look back I realize, "that was sooooooooo hard and it was all about the development that he has just accomplished". So, in the last month; he is talking and repeating back almost all the words you say to him, he moved to a big bed from a crib, he is all of a sudden able to really be balanced, began jumping and maneuvering himself in a way that he could not do even two weeks ago. I was at the playground yesterday and I felt like I could sit from across the play area and see him and not have to be really helping him at all. THAT IS SO HUGE! I feel like I have a different son. It is weird how fast they grow. I know that is cheesy, but really I feel it at the moment. So, to all of you that are in the midst of a "what the hell is this" and "what is going on" phase with your young'uns. It will pass and it is all about them pushing you to realize they are going to the next level, whether you are ready for them to or not.

So, I guess my lesson-to-self this week is that when I want to scream and run out of the house, it is just one of my children teaching me where they are at now, instead of where I thought they were. Great eye opener.
Yasmiene