Antwerp

Saturday Brent and I went to Antwerp for the day. We left on an early train and by the time we arrived in Belgium it was pouring out! I had a rain jacket but Brent did not bring his with. Lesson learned for next time! We went shopping and then had lunch trying to wait out the rain. Around 1 we decided that maybe we should see a movie because the rain was really coming down! We saw The Equalizer and once that was done the sun was shining. We were able to walk around and see quite a bit of the city.

On Sunday we debated on going to the beach but both did not really feel like riding the train again. It was a gorgeous day so we decided to walk around Amsterdam and went to the Artis Royal Zoo! We saw quite a few animals. They had goats that kept fighting and were entertaining to watch. Also a monkey that had just had a baby that day. It was so cute and tiny!! After the zoo we went and had a beer and appetizer outside.

This week has gone by pretty fast. Work has been busy and I had a lot of meetings. In the evenings we try to get out and walk around. Have cooked some but also try new restaurants since I have someone to go with now!! We have made stir fry a few different times and that is always my favorite with fresh vegetables from the market.

Only one apartment issue this week... sometimes I feel like I can't win. No hot water!! A repair man came out on Monday and we thought it was fixed but then Tuesday when I went to shower it was ice cold again. If I were at home this would not be as big of an issue because I would just drive to my parents house or go to the gym to shower. Thankfully the issue has been temporarily fixed until a part comes in. Hopefully this will be the last of my issues here. I feel like I am constantly emailing the owner.

Tomorrow Brent and I are going back to Belgium. Planning to be in Bruges Friday and Saturday night and then explore Brussels on Sunday. I have heard a lot of great things about Bruges so excited to spend some time there. I only have one more week with Brent so I am trying to enjoy every minute.

Germany!!

Had an AWESOME wknd in GERMANY!!!!

On Friday we caught an early train and went straight to Nuremberg. We stayed with Larry and Ruth in a small town called Roth about 20 minutes away. We arrived early afternoon and Larry met us in Nuremberg. This is a town very close to Ingolstadt where I studied so it was fun to be back! Since it was Brent's first time in Germany he had his first Nuremberg sausage and first German beer!!!

Friday night Ruth made chili and we had wine/beer and played Farkle. For those of you who have not played this it is a really fun dice game. We were all pretty competitive but had a great time and lots of laughs while playing.

An old friend of mine Jeanne is living in a town nearby and she came and picked us up in Roth and drove to Ingolstadt. This is the town that I studied in. Was very fun to be back and see how much had changed since I had been here. Had to share a few photos below for those of you reading who I was abroad with... our favorite places! While we were here a mini festival "Volksfest" was going on so we sat outside and had lunch/our first liter of beer!

On Sunday Brent and I headed to Munich. We arrived around 11 and had lunch and walked around. Decided that since we were going to Oktoberfest that we should buy some German attire! He got lederhosen and I got a dirndl both for a pretty good deal since it was the last day of the festival. We met up with a friend Sabine for coffee around 3 and then went to join her friends at Oktoberfest. Was such a fun night!! Both of us probably drank too much but was such a fun experience and I'm so glad that it worked for us to go.

We headed for home on Monday but stopped in Heidelberg for a few hours to break up the train ride. Was a fun town to walk around in!

We both enjoyed this wknd trip and are thankful for the experience! Still miss home but a wknd with Brent is Germany was pretty awesome!!

More visitors and friends

*Had no internet on Thursday so thas is a late post!!

On Saturday morning I went to the airport and met Julie (co-worker from MPLS) who was going to be in Amsterdam for the weekend. We walked around for a while and shared a yummy apple crumble. After a few hours I headed back to the airport to get my husband!! His flight was slightly delayed but I was not aware. Waited at the gate impatiently for 40 minutes but was thrilled to finally see him.

We went and dropped his stuff off at the apartment and then met Julie. Walked around and saw quite a bit of the city, stopped for a beer and traditional Dutch appetizer called bitter balls. After that we walked to a busy tourist area and had dinner at an Italian restaurant. We were all tired so had a fairly early night. Sunday we went on a boat tour – same one I had already done but knew they would both enjoy it. Perfect weather to be outside and see the city. We got lucky! Julie left early afternoon. Was fun to spend some time getting to know her more and think she enjoyed seeing Amsterdam!

Sunday evening Brent and I walked around the city and then stopped when he saw a sports bar. How could we not have a beer and watch football?? In the sports bar we met a couple Josh & Becky in Packer gear. They were from the California and are over here backpacking for a few months. They both saved up, quit their jobs wanting to travel for a few months. We had a lot of fun with them and ended up meeting up with them later this week.

Came home from work on Monday and my laundry was done and Brent was cooking dinner! He made chicken, rice and asparagus. Very good!! I told him that I could get used to his service… will put him to work during the day! On Tuesday we met Josh and Becky and went to an Ice Bar. Was expensive but included 3 beverages per person with the cost of the ticket. When we arrived we had a drink and waiting for our turn to go into the Ice bar. They had the game hammer slogan so we all played that. Then put on warm jackets and mittens and went inside the bar. Was slightly overrated but was a cool experience. Each cup was made from ice and you could either get a beer or a vodka orange juice. Below are a few pictures!

This wknd I am taking Friday and Monday off and Brent and I are going to Germany. VERY EXCITED to see Ingolstadt, the town that I studied abroad in. We are planning to stay with Larry and Ruth on Friday and Saturday night and then will stay in a hotel in Munich on Sunday night. Will post lots of pictures and stories when we get back.

Unfortunately I have not had very good internet at home so it has been very difficult to call, email or send messages back home. Hopefully it will be better next week.

Miss you all!!