Trip 3: Why yes I will taste your wine...

29 October 2011

Awake to wonderfully cool, fall air. Decide the bathroom is a little too chilly for showers and close the window. Shower, get dressed, and head downstairs for breakfast. Today is going to be a GREAT day.

Gather our bags and head back out on the road. We are heading to the Alsace region of France today for some vino drinking. WOO! HOO!  A few weeks ago, I had one of the hardest internal debates I have ever had with myself – Alsace or Champagne region. Alsace has ALL of my favorite grapes/wines. Champagne has champagne. So, Alsace won only because Liam PROMISED to bring me back to Champagne over the next few years while we are in Europe. (So, it’s in writing buddy – no going back now! Hehehehehehe.)

It’s about a 4 hour drive to our hotel in Zellenberg, France. The boys are in the front and I curl up in the back as we are on our way. Stop around noon for gas, coffee, and I grab a salad.  The boys decide they aren’t that hungry and will wait till later.

See the sign to Zellenberg and turn down a curvy road that passes through row after row of grapevines. Keep driving and arrive in the town center with a large church and quaint French countryside villas. Pass three wineries and hundreds more grape vines as we wander to our hotel. Life just doesn’t get any better than this. Find out there is a total of 5 wineries that offer tastings. Check into the hotel and away we went. 

See. A ridiculously cute town in Alsace.

We rounded the corner from the hotel and discovered that the first winery was literally next door to our hotel. In fact, they almost shared a parking lot. Began tasting. Liam was excited because unlike our wine trip through Seattle while we were dating, all of these tastings were FREE! Talk about a kid in a candy store. That also meant my wine-purchasing budget had expanded. Needless to say, I was pretty excited as well. Tasted several great wines and bought a few bottles (as in 2 sealed cases).

Walked across the street to the next winery. Tasted a few and bought a few bottles. This went on as we walked around the town and hit all five wineries. Keeping in mind that we had to some how get all of this wine back to Tanzania, we decided to buy 23 bottles. Yes. We thought that one through didn’t we??? I went a little over board because there are only South African wines for sale in Tanzania, and while they are absolutely delicious, every once in a while it’s nice to have a different flavor.

I was carrying most of the wine in my backpack because I looked at it as an increased workout regime as we walked around town, up and down the hills. Plus, I’m the wine drinker in our house, so I figured it’s my job to protect it.

 Full of delicious French wine. Mostly Pinot Gris varietal. Fingers crossed it's en route to Tanzania and makes it here safely!

We went to the last winery right at 5pm. Since the next day was a national holiday, we were trying to maximize our afternoon and taste them all. The pinot gris wines in this area were FANTASTIC. In fact, I think that’s the VAST majority of the wine we bought. In fact, we bought at least one pinot gris at each vineyard. To think, many moons ago, I always said I didn’t drink white wines. Well, I saw the light and haven’t looked back ever since. White wine is DELICIOUS. Well, except for Chardonnay.

Since we were all stumbling a little after 15-20 tastings, we decided to find a restaurant for dinner. Walked across the street from the last winery and were told that the restaurant was booked for the evening. Decided to head back up the hill to see if there were any availabilities at another restaurant we had passed. There was so we plopped down and proceeded to dig our way into a very delicious meal.

After dinner, we walked back to our hotel. The weather was delightful. Nice crisp, clean air. Grapes vines all around. This is the life. Now, I’m really starting to get excited that we are moving to Italy. There is going to be SOOOOOO many opportunities for us to wander around Europe. I cannot wait. Now, fingers crossed I find a job in Vicenza so we can have the dream European vacation while we are living in Italy! We are going to  wander all over Europe! It’s going to be so much fun!

Open a window and off to sleep!!

Trip 3: Germany to Belgium

28 October 2011

Road trip through Europe. Yes, please. After a great nap and a great meal, I’m starting to realize how crazy living in Africa has made me. But, I think that’s part of the appeal of Africa.  Who knew it was possible to become crazier?

Indulging in a breakfast of real cheese, real milk, and delicious food is a fantastic way to start your day. Still trying to process that there are places in the world where you can buy fresh, safe things to eat. Starting to really see what Third World means. Guess you have to leave the sandbox every once in a while…

Decided to take a walk around the hotel to kill some time until we pick up Al from the airport. Headed down the street towards the Main river which runs through Frankfurt. Enjoyed a nice leisure stroll in beautiful fall weather with the greatest person I know. As we passed a few of the parks, we found a see-saw and decided we must. So, here are two over-30 adults seesawing at 10am. There were a group of teenagers walking past us and laughing. But, we didn’t care. You can’t find seesaws in the States anymore. They are too “dangerous.” Whatever. Kids are supposed to get hurt. It’s part of growing up. (I think we just signed up for a lifetime of ER visits).

Main River, Frankfurt am Main. Notice the two guys rowing down the river...

"Liam, LOOOK! A tree with leaves that are changing colors. WOW! It's fall. Not constant summer"

A fountain? A sandbox? A multi-functional toy for children AND adults. Yes!!!!

Look at all the fun things kids can hurt themselves on. Germany is a GREAT place. I'll move here any day!! A PIRATE SHIP. Seriously. Germans know how to play!

Head to the Airport to kidnap our friend Al. He’s going to be our travel buddy through Africa for pretty much the rest of the year. So, welcome Al. To our crazy little world.

Pull up to the airport and reposition our bags in the car. While Liam is cleaning out the suitcase from where the laundry detergent exploded, I walk into the airport to see when Al’s plane is landing. Well turns out it has landed. So, I sit down and wait for him to appear. Walk out to the car with Al in tow, and Liam was a little “frustrated.” He claims I disappeared. Whatever. I told him I was going to check on Al’s flight. Well, it was only located in one place. Right outside of the baggage claim. So, I figured waiting wouldn’t be an issue. But, I was wrong. Because I didn’t have my cell phone and I was gone for 30-45 minutes. Oops. I’m sorry Liam!

Jumped in the car and headed to Belgium. One of the things Liam really wanted to do on this trip was head to the WWII memorial in Bastonge. Jumped on the Autoban and away we went. I would like to discontinue a rumor right now.  I was a little disappointed in the speed at which people were driving. The Autoban is just another highway. People were driving anywhere from 60-120 mph. In a German car, it feels like you are walking - slowly. Germans know how to design a vroom vroom.

Stopped at a rest stop to grab some grub. Even gas station food is fabulous. Just makes me want to amp up our culinary skills. Game on. We are moving to Europe now. The Connor kitchen is only going to get better.

Arrive at our hotel, check-in and meander to Bastonge historical center. After WWII, Belgium built this monument to honor the soldiers who died during the Battle of the Bulge. The unit Liam was associated with for his entire career, until we left Alaska, was involved in the Battle of Bulge. So, he was pretty proud of his history.

Patton's head. In concrete.

I really love this memorial. And it didn't hurt that it was a GORGEOUS fall day.

This picture makes me happy. He's right where he belongs. ALASKA.

It was a gorgeous cool fall day. I think one of the hardest things about living in Africa is going to be giving up fall & winter weather.  It’s my absolute favorite time of year. Anybody know how I can bottle it up to move with me?

Stop at a pub and have a few Belgian beers. Delicious. I have not had a beer since pre-pregnancy. I refuse to drink the stuff in Africa because it stinks and probably isn’t worth the calories. But, to let the beautiful flavors of a Hefeweizen hit my lips…now, that is beer bliss!  And I think I’ll have another!

Return to our hotel and decide to eat dinner there since the chef is an up & coming star. And for GOOD reason. Man. Frédéric Bolis has skills. I’m really starting to feel like our kitchen needs some help. Culinary classes in Italy? Maybe I shall.

After indulging in a delicious meal, we migrated upstairs to a comfy bed with his and hers covers. Or as we shall forever call them, the end to who stole my covers. Turn off the heat and open the windows. Fall air feels so cozy. Liam might disagree, but he married a personal heater. So, he will sleep just fine, all toasty and warm!