The Cubicle is empty!!!

Wow! only 3 days to go and we’re not half done packing yet. We still need to get the small stuff e.g. batteries, film, digital camera, band-aids, etc. This really takes alot of time.

I also have to coordinate who will collect mail and cut the grass while we’re gone.

But, my biggest worry is the NW Airline strike. I hope our baggage will make it to where we’re arriving. Just in case, I will try to carry-on my backpack. If I can’t, I’ll pack a days clothing in my carry-on just in case the baggage gets lost.

Also, Maria has yet to start thinking about what she’ll be packing. She’s been extremely busy at work and “scheduled” get-together with her friends prior to leaving for the trip. But she’ll be able to finally put some time into the trip the next couple of nights. I hope I’ll have my stuff all packed so I can help her pack. She’s the “right on time gal.” Never too early and never too late. Just good timing. Must be that internal clock that people are talking about. j/k!

I guess I’d better start whittling the checklist.

Arrivederci und Auf Wiedersehen!

Hasta Luego!!!!!!

jimbing……….

It certainly is a loaded question, for sure. But, I suppose everyone has their own reasons. Whether it is to see loved ones, relaxation, see historical sites, learn another language or understand another culture, it is dependent on our experiences and what type of people we are as individual.

For me, I travel foremost to see loved ones as my family is spread out between Wisconsin, Texas, Georgia, California, Hawaii, Italy and Philippines. But, I also travel for experiences that I normally don’t experience at “home.” People that know me, knows I like to eat. I will try most things once just for the experience. If I like it, I’ll probably have it again. We won’t know what we like unless we try. Everything in moderation though, with deprivation and over indulgence in between to gauge our moderation. I also like to learn other cultures and see historical sites and really understand why it was built or why did it happen here. I still yet have to master the art of starting a conversation with locals. My foreign language skills is very poor. That’s why it will be interesting when I will travel by myselt if I can really “survive” using another language. I guess I have to stop using the “do you speak english” excuse. I think I will have a better travel experience and connect more with the locals if I try the local language. Easier said than done though.

Deanna knows German. She minored in German in College. So, she’ll most likely do the speaking in Austria and Germany. I will have to observe her and learn as much since I’ll be in Germany for 2 or 3 extra days by myself. No clue what Belgians speak. But I understand that they speak predominantly French there. So I’ll have to practice how to be a snotty French. Oui Oui! Netherlands, no clue what Dutch is all about. But the Hollanders are fluent in English and German also, so there is more flexibility to communicate in Netherlands than in France wannabe Belgium.

I guess the reason I want to stop in Brussels are to try Brussells sprouts, Belgian style. Try Brussells mussells. Try Belgian Fries with Mayo! that’s right Mayo. With Ketchup would just be so un-French.

Maybe if we test their Mayo, we’ll actually find out that it’s kechup without the food coloring! Sacre Cour!!! Then we’ll headline USA Today with “Belgian Mayo is actually French Kechup!” For those of you wondering what the heck is Boado talking about see the Lance Armstrong EPO saga.

Anyway check these picks out from our last trip to Le Francais and Italia.

We were heading to a restaurant in Cinalunga (located in eastern Tuscany region) and saw this fountain that was built in 1520. Pretty funny moment that Alesandro will probably be told endlessly by his Uncle.

The pic above I took in Florence. There was a protest march going on at the time we were there. So alot of the side streets were blocked by these protestors. But I saw these “revolutionary dogs” by the Medici square. They were also panhandlling for their owner. Note the thank you note on the box. (barely visible) I thought it was cute and funny at the same time. Just one of those things I guess that you’d never see in LaX.

Just thought I share some thoughts this Wed. night. Checking packing list is really just a bore.

Hasta Luego, jimbing………….

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