Germany

Back in Deustchland except now we are in Nuremberg which is close to where David lives. Mom, Jennifer and I spent some shopping, looking at the sites which included a castle, a couple of churches and then took the tram out to The Documentation center. You walked through this building which on the old Nazi Party Rally Grounds and listen/read/watch videos about the Nazi party before, during, and after the war. Since Nuremberg was considered the most German city of all of Germany, and it centrally located, it was the desingated meeting place for Nazis all over the country come together at these rallies. It was definately our history lesson for the day. Then we also headed soutwest to Rothenburg, the biggest walled city. It was this cute little town, with cobblestone roads and Bavarian arcithecture. Although there were cars in the city, only through one entry place, you would think that this place was frozen in time and people should still be getting around by horse and carriage. And here we are at the torture chambers. After Rothenburg we headed back to Munich to get ready for the long flight home to America.

Austria

Well the hills were alive...it snowed! Which we were told was unusual for this time of year. Salzburg was a very beautiful city. And yes, I was one of those people and I totally did the Sound of Music tour. Not only did we see the sites from the movie, sing along with the songs on the bus, and learn fun interesting facts about the movie, we were also able to see more of Austria than just Salzburg by going up into the mountains and to the lakes and a couple of different villages along the way. We also went into the salt mines which was fun. And we got put on these really cool jump suits before we headed to work in the mines. Besides seeing the sites of the city, we happened to be in Salzburg over Easter and Sunday morning we got up early and walked to the nearest Church and enjoyed a very Austrian Easter mass. The church we went to was beautiful and the choir sang with the organs which sounded amazing and then of course listened to the priest speak in German.

Munich

David and I met up with mom and Jennifer in Munich after our Barcelona trip and stayed there one night before driving to Salzburg, Austria to see if the hills really are alive with the Sound of Music. But what is Munich without going to the Hofbrauhaus? We enjoyed German culture, people, food and of course beer our first night in Germany. And this time when I was there the place was smoke free! I could actually breathe and enjoy my weiner schnitzel and spatzle. We also enjoyed the city the next day before we drove on the autobahn to Austria where speeding is not an option but a requirement.

España

Spain...I think my new favorite place to visit. I just love the culture, colors, food, language, people, etc. here and I wish I had more time to explore the rest of the country. I spent 5 days here, most of it just to relax but I did succomb to some tourist sites...but worth it. I stayed in Barcelona and enjoyed an authenic flamenco show, walked la Rambla which is in downtown Barcelona and is one of the main strips in the city which leads to the Mediterrean sea, and of course enjoyed paellas and sangrias, spent some time at Park Guell listening to solo musicians playing in the park, went to visit the olympic site, walked around Parc de la Cituadella people watching, and also enjoyed relaxing in the sun along the sea, and of course ate magnum icecream bars every chance I got...ahh the reason I come to Europe. I just love the pace over here, so relaxing, where time isn´t an issue and where I can enjoy sipping on some cafe con leche at every cafe along the way...ahh the life... so carefree and simple....until next time...adios España! Next stop...Germany...Guten Tag!

St. Patrick´s Day

For all you fellow Irishmen...Happy St. Patrick´s Day! As it has become tradition for me, starting back in college, the search for green beer on St. Patrick´s day has continued even while I am in Barcelona. And yet while I am here, green beer has been found! Although, here in Spain, they don´t designate one day to celebrate St. Patrick, but they give a whole weekend to him... hmmm I wonder why? :) David and I ventured into downtown Barcelona and found a good ol´ Irish bar where English is primarily spoken (and we didn´t have to try and get by with our broken Spanish), and enjoyed some green beer with fellow Irishmen and Americans. Happy St. Paddy´s day and the luck of the Irish to you all!

Baby Weigl

My best friend Elizabeth is having a girl and I am so excited for her and her husband Nate. These are their sonograms pics. It's so amazing that technology allows you to see such early stages of life. And even more amazing is that God knew, since the beginning of time, the exact time when this child was coming and he can tell you the number of hairs on her head....amazing.

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wondeful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. " Psalm 139:13-16

I am so excited for you Nate and Elizabeth and I am excitedly anticpating her arrival. And yes you can name her after me :)

O-house..What! What!

Here's some pictures of Oxford House Reunion. I lived here at Oregon State my freshmen and sophomore years. It was fun catching up with the girls and laughing at old pictures and re-telling stories of the good ol' days when life was simple yet crazy.

Only in P-town...

Do you notice anything out of the ordinary in this picture??















Here's a closer look...



I guess only in Portland can a bed of flowers actually be used as a bed.