Mama…
Mama’s hugs
Mama’s words of wisdom
Mama’s encouragement
Mama’s voice
Mama’s laughter
Mama’s selflessness
Mama’s courage
Mama’s smile
Mama’s care
Mama’s countless hours of listening to me whine, cry or talk non-stop
Mama’s help problem solving life’s issues
Mama’s perfume
Mama’s cuddle
Mama’s help when I became a Mama
Mama’s Love…Priceless
Thank you to my Mama, Mamasita, Mommy, Mom. For bringing me into this world.
I Love you more than words.
Love, Snickle-Fritz
Katie arrives today! She has been in India for 8 weeks. Finally the day has arrived… we get to see her face!
We get to hug, squish and kiss her lots this week and then she heads back to Switzerland. We won’t see her again in July.
Love you Kitty Kat Katie!
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This time of year in Nepal is beautiful. Right outside our living room window is a big huge tree. It is bare for the most of the year and then in May…it blooms the most vibrant beautiful purple flowers.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Jacarandatree.jpg
When we see the tree show it’s beautiful colors or feel the wind pick up and hear the sky rumble ready to open up with a quick hard rain, we know our time here in Nepal is coming to an end.
Last year we sat on our patio with our dear friends Mike and Lisa. They were in the same space as we are this time of year. Sorting through the items to take home and leave behind. Saying their goodbyes and embracing the moments. Marty and I sat under the last full moon with them last year and listen to Michael Buble’s song “Home”. The 4 of us listened to the song and could not hold back the tears. Marty and I were excited for them and their return to the States, but we were going to miss them terribly. Now it is our turn, we are packing our things and heading home.
A few nights ago, Marty and I stood under Our last full moon in Nepal. It was the Super full moon! We toasted our dear friends Mike and Lisa, our kids, family and friends. I know I have referred to the moon a lot in my blog or on FB, but it has been the one thing that connects us to home. It connects us to the love we feel from friends and family. It is full, happy and always there to make us smile. It is one full moon closer to home.
Soon when we view the moon from WA or in Tunis, it will connect us to our dear friends here in Nepal. We will see all their faces, blow them a kiss, toast them and we will be smiling at them. They have blessed us so much.
So, as the last 3 weeks creep up on us one day at a time, we remember to stay focused on the now, finish well and embrace all that we have learned. We look forward to being in WA for 2 1/2 months. Taking it all in and appreciating every moment.
With a thankful and very full heart we are ready.
Enjoy this song. Not sure if you can click on it or if you have to copy and paste to a new tab. Anyway, We love you all and we will be home soon!
http://www.jango.com/music/Michael+Buble/Home
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Love,
Marty and Bridged
Well friends, here we are. The month of May.
Two years ago this month, Marty and I were living out of 8 suitcases in a basement apartment getting ready for the adventure ahead of us. We had no idea where we were going, what we were in for and what were were going to experience. It was a blank canvas. All we knew was, we were in it together.
Through the month of May, I am reflecting on our time here and also looking ahead. I look forward to embracing the family and friends we will be seeing in short time.
Reflecting….
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Wow, as I look back at the date of my last post, it was April 3rd. Now as I write, it is April 18th. Tomorrow, I head back to KTM and we will be wrapping up our time there. Ok, so I am a little bit more behind… it is now April 30th! Oh well, Ke Garne! Nepali for “What to do?”
I remember looking at the past 3 weeks on my calendar months ago. It seemed so far away and now I am at the end of the trip finding my groove again in KTM. I thought I would blog more during my trip as I had faster internet and so much to share, but really, time got away from me. So here I am in KTM remembering all that I saw, tasted, felt and breathed in Tunis, Oxford and Budapest.
Marty and I had a fabulous time in Tunis. We loved the weather, beauty, water and history. Oh, and I forgot to mention… the sun. You must have sunglasses at all times! The sun is so bright. SO BRIGHT! It makes the sky and water the most brilliant blue. We have found that we seek the sun. We need the sun. We need to wear SPF! Especially Marty!
When we left on this trip I told Marty that when I worked at my past employment, I loved it when patients would come in and talk about their travels. Africa, Europe, South America, Asia, etc. It was always so fascinating to hear their first impressions and what impacted them the most on their trips. I would ask them 3 things.
1. What moved them about the country they visited?
2. What was their favorite site?
3. What did it smell like? (I know, that last question was a weird one. But really, it is a question worth asking).
As Marty and I have traveled to many different countries and cities the past two years, each place has it’s own charm, vibe, feel and smell. Again, I know that sounds weird. But I think when you dream about travel or a distant land, what questions do you ask yourself? Marty and I were with each other until Budapest. He was able to stay for a couple of days there and then flew back to KTM.
So here are my thoughts about those 3 questions while traveling in 3 countries in 3 weeks…
Tunis…
1. What moved me about Tunis? I have to say the brilliant blue sky and water.
2. What was my favorite site? Oh my goodness, there are so many sites to see. I guess I would have to say in the week time span we were there, the fresh market (keep in mind, being in KTM for 2 years and seeing this display of amazing color was a beautiful experience). I have to add the breathtaking historical ruins dating back 2000 years. EVERYWHERE!
3. What did it smell like? The sea – I was fighting a head cold though. Must of caught it on the airplane. Marty and I enjoyed the dry heat, breeze and spring beginning to bloom.
Oxford…
1. What moved me about England? Cobble stone streets and the “Harry Potter” like school town where Marty had his IB training. We were in Oxford for just a short amount of time. Marty was busy in his classes till late.
2. What was my favorite site? This is lame, I was sick during this part of the trip, so I spent time in my hotel room trying to get well. However, the College campus was so pristine and beautiful. We did have a nice quaint dinner at “Eagle and Child” with a good ole basket of Fish and Chips. This restaurant was where CS Lewis and JRR Tolken to name a few, met once a week to discuss literature, politics and religion. Pretty cool hang out I must say!
3. What did it smell like? Washington State. Well, it was wet, rainy and a bit chilly. But I appreciated the fresh air. It was needed to help clear my lungs.
Budapest…
What moved me about Hungary? The beautiful architecture and how small I really felt. Oh and also the gyro stands. YUM!!! I am hooked forever!
What was my favorite site? The Parliament and St. Stephens Basilica. There are several other sites I didn’t have the opportunity to see, so a return trip is needed.
What did it smell like? Very similar to Washington State. The weather was warming up so it was a bit floral but with a bit of old world feel and smell. Ok, I know, “Old World smell?” Well, You could smell the history. That is all I can say. You have to visit yourself to grab that one!
All in all it was a busy 3 weeks of exploring our new home in Tunis, finding housing, meeting new people, embracing old friends, work, classes (Marty), catching up on e-mails, working, recovering from a cold, late nights, gyros for brunch, embracing history, brushing up on history and enjoying the different languages, cultures and foods.
By the end of the trip, I was ready to get back routine and what I knew familiar in KTM.
If you ask, would you visit those places again? My answer would be absolutely YES!
Yesterday Marty and I had our morning coffee and breakfast then put on our walking shoes and headed out the door. We walked through Andy and Shelly’s neighborhood, first stopping at the end of their road where the road stops and the beach starts. We took in the view and then turned around to head to the train station. It is just a few blocks from the house. We got up to the window to pay for our ticket to catch the train to La Marsa but there was no train for some reason. Oh, well? So we decided to catch a taxi. We stood on the side of the road and finally were able to flag down a cab. Nice taxi driver, clean cab and…we decided that we look forward to learning more French. The cab driver was great, we spoke in very little French and more English and he spoke in French with very little English. We enjoyed the ride to La Marsa. I had been there with Shelly earlier in the week so the surroundings were looking pretty familiar. The cab dropped us off in front of the big Mall just down from the train station. I looked around and my bearings were off. I remember the Mall but then what? So as Marty and I do, we began walking around to find a landmark that was familiar. That is how we stumble around Kathmandu. We were heading in the right direction but turned a block or two to soon. So we walked toward the water and that is where my sense of direction kicked in. I said, “Oh hey yeah, here we go! It is right down this street and to the left!” The Market is kind of hidden down a street in a covered area. We crossed the street and made it to the main entrance. The bouquet of flowers greeted us as we entered the building. Last time I was at the market, I didn’t have my camera. It was a lot busier then and there was much more produce and meat. Marty and I hit the market about 45 min before closing, but at least it gave him an idea what it is like.
After the market we headed down to the beach. Finally our toes touched the water! We stopped in a little cafe and enjoyed a wonderful lunch. We sat on a park bench and took in the view and fresh breeze on our faces. It was time to head back home, so we grabbed a taxi. Another pleasant taxi ride, learning a little Arabic this time from the taxi driver.We walked down the streets back to the house. On our way we stopped in a little park down from Andy and Shelly’s house that has a nice cafe with a view of the water. Had an espresso while talking about the day. It was a good day!
Here are some photos. I am playing with how to post photos by gallery or slide show that is why there are duplicates. Enjoy!
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Yesterday we had a beautiful brunch at the Secondary Principals house. Enjoyed new and familiar company, soaked up the amazing sun rays, and just took in the moments. Although we spent Friday evening with many of the same people, Marty and I were a little more with-it since we had two sleeps in Tunis. (Friday night we were very jet-lagged.)
Afterward, Andy and Shelly took us to a craft fair. I found some beautiful green pottery and olive wood.
It was a nice treat to begin preparing my kitchen in Tunis and got me excited to set up home again. Then we headed to a sweet town called Sidi Bou Said. Here is a link to see some amazing pictures.
https://www.google.com/search?q=sidi+bou+said&hl=en&sa=X&prmd=imvns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&ei=zFJ5T_PvBcOr0QW764maDQ&ved=0CEEQsAQ&biw=1366&bih=575
We strolled along the quiet streets and enjoyed the famous blue doors and white buildings. The view of the water is spectacular. On our way back to the car we stopped in at a cafe to have some fresh squeezed orange juice and a Brik. What is Brik? It is egg, tuna, cheese and spinach cooked in a thin layer of filo dough. It is folded over like a quesadilla. It is light yet rich tasting. We were going to then go to a restaurant shortly after but by the time we were heading back to Andy and Shelly’s neighborhood, we were quite content.
Marty and I have been fighting a sinus cold/sore throat the past 2 days, think it is from the airplane, so we were pretty tired when we got back to the house. It is also our day 3 of travel. This is usually the time where we both hit the wall and just want to chill out and rest. So here we are…the Donahues have left for their day of school and we are enjoying listening to the birds sing, drinking coffee and enjoying some breakfast.
I think we will take our time getting out of the house today, get the train that is just down the street from the house and head to Le Marsa. I am excited to show Marty the market and both of us can explore that area a bit today. The sun is out once again, cool fresh air is flowing through the windows. We will slather on our sunscreen, grab our shades and go out for another day of sight-seeing, exploring our new territory.
I truly look forward to sharing this beautiful city and historical sites with our family and friends. I think you are all going to like it! Plus, after spending some time with us in Tunis, you can get on a ferry and be in Italy the next morning (or just fly the 1.5 hours it takes to get there). Or, for those of you so inclined, get on a Mediterranean cruise ship and we’ll see you when you get back! There are many European destination choices all within 2.5 hours or less. We’ll have to be careful because the temptations are so enticing for any break from school of over 4 days.
Much Love,
Marty and Bridged
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