Long hike, quick post

On Saturday we went hiking in the forrest. We ednded up getting lost (my fault), and then found again (Landon's fault). But as the picture below will prove, even getting lost was delightful because the forrest was so lush and gorgeous it almost invites you to lose your way. My mom told us that we should have sung "The Hills Are Alive" while hiking. For those of you who have heard Landon and I sing, you will know that this would have been a very bad idea.

Strolling Germany

We once again went on a stroll around the neighborhood, but this time we remembered the camera. here are a few highlights. We love Frankfurt and this doesn't even scratch the surface on the coolness of this city, but enjoy!

A cool park down the street from us.

This is the Alte Oper (Old Opera House) that is nearly next door to us. Please note how very chivalrous my husband is...he carries Griffin in the baby bjorn whenever we go out together.


One of the great things about this city is how you can have a 600 year-old watchtower next to a modern skyscraper. The juxtaposition is at once perplexing, refreshing, and inspiring.

Check out this giant tree we found in a park near our apartment. This was HUGE!

This is one of my favorite architecture pictures we've taken thus far on the trip. I think this cathedral dates back to 847AD.

German product review

While here in Germany I've had the chance to sample some products that I'd like to critique.

CEREAL: First of all, most of you know that I love cereal. In the U.S. one of my favorite cereals is Cinnamon Toast Crunch. I expected this cereal called Mini Zimtos to taste similar. I was mistaken. The cinnamon is way stronger than I expected. The best way to describe it is to say it is like eating a bowl of Big Red gum...except crunchier. At first, this was a dissappointment, but because we'd purchased a large box I felt compelled to finish it. By the time the box was empty I loved this cereal.

BRATWURST: I'm not a big hot dog fan. Sure I'll have one at a baseball game or a cook out (Becky, do you remember the lecture your dad gave me about the difference between a cook out and a barbeque? I have never again made the same mistake). Anyway, I wasn't expecting to enjoy bratwurst any more or less than hot dogs. But oh wow!!!! We made some friends at church here and they invited us over for a bratwurst cook out and it's embarrassing to say how many bratwurst I ate, so I'll just tell you that it was a lot and they were magnificent!

TOOTHPASTE: I don't know, and can't tell you what flavor this toothpaste says it is. What I can tell you is that it is disgusting. I will point out that I still brush every night and every morning, but with extreme loathing. It tastes like I'm going to bed with a mouthfull of weeds, and waking up with a mouthfull of dirt, with perhaps some undertones of black licorice. Ew.

BREADS: This one is very general. But the bread here is great great great!

GOUDA: And the cheese is even better!

Posts everyone!

I have been remiss in my duties as an international blogger, and for that I apologize. I hope to make it up to you today. I've got enough fodder for about three blog posts so hopefully I have the patience to download all of the pictures I've got.

First of all, here are a few pictures from last weekend when we walked around to a neat plaza (Romaplatze) in downtown Frankfurt.

This is exactly what I visualized Germany to look like. I was glad that there was a place that so perfectly fulfilled my vivid imagination.

A very talented street performer who is balancing a stacked tower of full wine glasses and plates on his nose while playing the clarinet. I'm not exactly sure what might inspire someone to perfect this specific skill, but it was rather entertaining to watch him work the crowd. Unfortunately, right after he got the whole stack of plates and glasses all balanced and started playing the clarinet it started raining and the crowd dissolved quicker than the wicked witch of the west, poor guy.

During the raintsotrm (at least during the very worst of it) we ducked under this bridge to keep dry. As you can see we were joined by several others, many of whom decided that this was a great time to light up a cigarette, grrrr. So for Griffin's lungs we braved the storm and ran to the nearest pastry shop...oh, the sacrifices we make for our son. As a side note, German apple pastries are delicious!

And here is a picture of a red scooter in the rain.