Morocco may be my paradise

The last few days have been a whirlwind.

No. A massive storm complete with hail and monsoons that, thankfully, finaled with a rainbow.

Rome was wonderful--we stayed in a B&B a stone's throw from the Pantheon. Our schedule was slow but filled--and we got to enjoy slightly warmer tempatures...high 40's...which was welcomed with open arms.

The Italian people are warm and were very willing to point us in the right direction whenever we wandered off course--and we manged to find a couple of good restaurants who catered to locals instead of the tourists...unfortunately the rest of our meals were a bit so-so...one of which  was the equivelant of a really bad mexican restaurant decorated with random items (including hanging dolls?) and loud wailing music. This is adventure people.

It is incredible to explore this city with its blocks of modern world, the cracks filled with ancient ruins...you almost can't absorb the chasm. It feels like you have wandered onto a movie set...is it real?

After nearly  4 days of the Roman experience, we headed to Malaga, Spain to meet up once more with Brandon and Chrissy---with the intention of staying 1 night and then continuing on to Morocco.

Life didn't quite happen that way. Let's just say the next 36 hours may or may not have involved, missed flights, snow, 3 hours or less of sleep, maintenance workers, cold floors, busted noses, lice, and a stolen car.

Needless to say--our arrival in Morocco was filled with elation---well our arrival to Chefchoen was filled with elation.

Our hotel..was spectacular. Imagine a glorious Moroccan building in your mind--with huts dotted up the mountain behind it---cabanas with thatched roofs, patterned cushions everywhere--lanterns and lights twinkling along the path, brilliant colors on everything your eye can land on...

We got a chalet with two bedrooms and a salon (common area)...each couple with their own bathroom---the same magical feeling continuing into our quarters. We could have stayed there for weeks.

Our one night was perfect. The food--insane. Moroccan food is delicious! Dinner was outrageously generous--none of us finishing our meal (Red included)...and breakfast was "whoa". The fresh squeezed orange juice pushed it over the top.

After our night of luxury we headed into the town of Chefchoen---famous for being blue. It is so picturesque. This is my first time in an Arab culture---it felt so adventurous getting lost in their tiny streets of the Medina, haggling over prices for their goods, eating Tagine...of course taking a million pictures (that I wish I could share with you!)

It was the perfect 1st taste of the Moroccan world. We went on from Chefchoen...and drove to Casablanca--which took and hour and a half longer then it was supposed to---the driving insane. But, we made it. So no complaints. (I think we are starting to adjust to the fact that nothing goes as planned here).

We arrived at Brandon and Chrissy's place around 9pm and received the grand tour. Their beach bungalow is wild! You walk outside to get get to any other part of the house---Red can't stand straight in the kitchen or dining area---but the view---it is majestic. The waves are pounding the beach just a few yards away from their steps. Perfect.

We woke up this morning and have made our way to the school where they work...where I am currently writing this, and Red is sitting in on Brandon's math class. We are just hanging around today--getting to know the community...tomorrow afternoon we head to Marrakesh. Let the bargaining begin! I'm definitely planning to do some shopping. You surprised?

Au revoir!

-Laura

Travels continue

Since Belgium, Red and I have seen some of the world. By world I mean the frozen world that is Europe right now.

We headed to Munich, Germany from Belgium and from Munich to Interlaken. Munich was wonderful! Still one of my top cities in Europe to visit. Germany is such a beautiful country and the people are super friendly. (It doesn't hurt that I have a fabulous friend there--Anne, who took us to a delicious Thai restaurant.)

We stayed in a true dorm hostel there so Red would get the real hostel experience. Overall it was pretty positive--those bunk beds were comfortable!

Interlaken is just as beautiful as my memory told me---but very different from that summer. This time the whole world seemed to be blanketed in snow unable to completely wake up because it was too cold outside...or perhaps I just felt that way.

Our hostel was awesome---we basically planned interlaken as our downtime in the trip, taking full advantage of the meditation/music room.

It was wonderful rejuvenation needed before our unexpected 10 hour trek to Venice Italy! It was supposed to be only 7 hours but because of all the crazy wintery weather the train schedules were a wreck.

We finally made it to Venice where we rented an apartment with our friends Brandon and Chrissy. Situated in the Jewish ghetto it was the perfect jumping off point for getting lost in the maze of Venice. It has been frigid here as well, so it wasn't quite as enjoyable as we hoped. We did manage to play some killer games in the streets (the Italians staring at us blankly) and we also drank our fill of some killer cappuccinos.

I'll post more on Venice later. We are headed to Rome this afternoon. There is more to come!

Belgium in live and living color

We arrived in Brussels by train this morning and was greeted at the platform by Ms. Denise, mother to the infamous childhood friend of Red, Hans.

Ms. Denise's warm hugs were the perfect greeting on that freezing platform, the wind blowing our hair and our cheeks flushed with the cold. She greeted Red like he was her lost son. You could feel how happy both Hans and his mom were to see Red after 12 years of separation.

From the train station, we wandered through the huge Sunday market to the car and drove through the narrow streets to the famous Market square where the buildings date back to the 1400's...remarkable. After a few pictures we snuck into a local restaurant for some cappuccinos and good conversation. The restaurant's building was built in the 1600's and had a massive fire built in the center. ( Even more remarkable was the giant stuffed horse behind our table---very middle ages?)

We went on to the Manneke Pis ( the peeing boy statue) which is infamous in Brussels. The story goes that two sides of Belgium were at war and one side was lighting a fuse to a bomb for the other side. A little boy wandered out right at that moment, saw the fuse, and peed on it, becoming the hero of the conflict. ( what a smart little boy!)

After grabbing some pastries for a snack, and exploring the Tin Tin store, we went on to the "atom" a monument that was built for the world exposition. It was so cool!! Literally a giant atom symbolizing the different cities in Belgium.

Now, we are relaxing at Hans' home about to eat a home cooked meal. ( Red has been raving about Ms. Denise's food for YEARS so I am very excited...especially for her fries...because I may or may not be addicted to potatoes.)

Posting pictures soon!

La mode a là Paris

Ladies, Ladies (and perhaps a few gentlemen)...

It is officially time to discuss the style of the fashion capital of the world. This post is in no way meant to be difinitive, but it does reflect a few main ideas that I have gleaned from our counter gamines a là Paris.

1. Bed head is in: it seems that most French women allow their hair to do it's natutral thing. Whether you have course curls, frizzy waves, or stick straight strands, style it as it goes. And if you do "fix" it, do so in an effortless way such as a messy bun, half undone braid, or a random clip.

2. Make up is meant to enhance: I've seen more French women with more make-up on than ever before. Red lips and blue eye shadow being the highlight. However, the French have the art of enhancement down. Even when they have on a full face of make-up, it never seems like a mask. It seems natural---are we Americans even able to fake this?

3. Boots, boots, boots: Never before have I seen so many styles in my life (nor have I ever seen so many uggs in the city of love...they use to make fun of them!) They are wearing a lot of riding boots and desert boots, and wedge booties, and all types of ankle bootes...with everything they own.When I say they are wearing boots with everything...I mean everything: shorts, jeans, leggings, skirts, dresses...colors mixing; brown with black; navy with black. It is such a ménage!

4. Short skirts and hose: French girls are not afraid of the cold nor of pantyhose. They rock the pantyhose with everything including all frocks, shorts, and mini skirts. I have seen only 1 bare leg yet and she looked miserable. So ladies in the U.S. don't be afraid to wear panty hose or tights, they make everything look très chic.

 http://www.scarfcreative.com/2010/12/street-style-winter-white.html

5. Nipped at the waist coats: Well thought out, the typical French girl realizes that most people will only see her shoes and her coat. So she opts for a coat that nips in at the waist so that her shape can be appreciated. It could be military style, a puff jacket, long or short, but most likely it will be nipped in at the waist.

6. Handbag: Really you will see every style of purse possible. But there seems to be an influx in bags you carry by hand instead of a shoulder strap. Think big and practically structured like a weekender bag.

As a general rule, the French dress more elegantly than we Americans. Though this does not mean more formal---it's simply more beautiful.

It certainly inspires me to take my purchases more seriously by buying fewer but nicer pieces.

What are your thoughts? Should we be satisfied with less but with better?

From the Plains to the Mountains

I had never driven across Kansas before. I had never been creeped out by massive wind farms before. I had  never driven through a canyon with crazy snow and ice before.

Before our most recent road trip, I had been living life safely on the edge of the Mississippi; far, far, away from any thoughts of eternal plains, energy farms, and mountains.

But now.

But now, I am changed for forever. No really. This isn't meant to be as dramatic as it sounds. But I am changed.

Red and I just returned from a sweet road trip with our friends Jackie and Micah. Jackie's family lives out in Colorado about 2 hours west of Denver in Glenwood Springs. (Not to be confused with paradise...)

No doubt, Red and I jumped on the opportunity to meet her family and to get away into the mountains. The  drive's terrain was invigorating...You hear everyone complain about driving through the plains and despising it, oh but friends!--it is beautiful!

As we drove across this vast expanse, I couldn't help but be reminded of the beach. Odd I know. No ocean for miles--and I think of the beach. But it was something about the swaying of the tall golden grasses that reminded me of dunes and the richness of the blue sky that reminded me of the depths of the sea.

I looked out my window and felt as if inspiration roams freely across this land; that if I could throw myself into it's thralls then I would be changed. Perhaps I would double in size to take up space or perhaps I would grow smaller to better experience God's delirious creation. But yes, changed.

As we drew closer to Denver we began to saw the Rockies push out of the horizon as if they had to stake their claim. There is no denying their stature---why they think they would be pushed around, is beyond me...but..

How these mountains shock your system is undeniable. I had only visited CO once before. It was with Red for his high school friend's wedding and it was summer time. Winter is a completely different experience.

These mountains, ruddy with red earth, Aspens, and craggy rocks jut to the sky suddenly and with out remorse. As we weaved through the valleys and canyons and held our breath dangerously long through tunnels burrowed in the mountains' bellies, a whole new world came to life. It swirled with snow. We slid with ice. White took over for red and we entered into what I like to refer to as: Narnia. (spoken with a fabulous British accent.)

It was enchanting:

The foray into the canyon took an hour longer than expected. But, alas, we arrived at Jackie's home. Blown away by the beautiful drive, thankful to make it there safely, and starving for potato soup--we jumped out of the car eager.

The snow still falling:

I think the one of our party most excited to arrive was Hunter, Jackie and Micah's adorable pup:

Stay tuned for the rest of this trip--it's only just begun...