Concert de l'Ecole

Yesterday, Logan and Shea participated in a school singing concert.  Shea was totally excited and Logan was well, anxiety ridden.  Most of the songs were sung in French, or course.  They did sing one song in English.  It was Chim-Chim Cher-ee from Mary Poppins.  I think it might have been for our benefit, but who knows.  We don't know French well enough to ask!  There isn't really a hard CH sound in French, so the Chim sounded more like Shim-shimmanee.  When practicing for the concert, they asked Logan and Shea how to correctly pronounce the words.  Great way to get my kids a little more involved.

The concert was held in a really old small town church.  It wasn't like any concert I have ever been too.  The school children would sing a few numbers and then this orchestra made up of young and older children would play a few pieces. The director of this "orchestra/choir" is a part of some major orchestra in Liege.  You can tell these people love what they are doing and wanted to be there.  It is such a big difference from the have too and guilt-ed into involvement I am so used to.

At the end of the concert everyone kept clapping like they were asking for an encore....and one was given.  I am sure this is the norm.  It seemed like everyone knew what to do and we loved it.  So worth the money we spent to watch the performance.  (Shea front row middle; Logan top right back)

©ColleenFisher

Will the REAL Valkenburg...please stand up, please stand up!

The Real Valkenburg

Saturday we decided to go to our first European Christmas market. Different markets make claims on being the oldest, the most "lit up" etc.  The one we chose was in a town called Valkenburg located in Holland.  It's claim to fame was "the largest and oldest Christmas market held underground."  That's right, it is held in a cave.  What isn't cool about that?  So, we plugged the address, or the part of the address we did know (Valkenburg, Holland) into our GPS and off we went. 

The drive was fairly uneventful. It is amazing what a few treats and a Ninetendo DS can do. Ahh, we had finally arrived, but we could see no signs pointing us to where the Christmas market was.  We stopped in at a gas station and asked the attendant.  "No idea, maybe the airfield?"  No, they are held in caves.  "Sorry, don't know."  We drove to the airfield thinking maybe someone there could help...but no.  We pulled into a gardening store and Brent the Brave asked the lady behind the cash register if she knew anything about the Valkenburg Christmas Market.  "Yes."  Yeah!!!!

"But you are in the wrong Valkenburg.  This Valkenburg is to close to the see to have caves.  The Valkenburg you need to go to is in the 'mountains'.  About a 2 hour drive from here."  What?!?!?  That's right the 'REAL' Valkenburg we wanted was only about an hour from our house to the east, not the north.  Nice.

Decision time.  Well, we could just take the 2 hour drive home or take the 2 hour drive to the 'REAL' Valkenburg and hang out, then go home.  So off we drove again to find the 'REAL' Valkenburg.

We arrived after the festive parade and pretty late in the evening.  We found parking, always seems to be an event in itself.  Walked to one of the two Christmas Markets held in caves and asked to go in. We walked up to pay (yes, it costs money to go shop..I think it is weird too) and the lady says, "We close in 15 minutes.  It probably won't be worth it.  I could sell you a child ticket and you could go in for 2 euro cheaper." Ok.  We did drive all that way.  "Oh, sorry.  My register won't allow me to sell you tickets."

So, the kids settled for a sausage dog as a consolation prize.  Never mind that we had eaten at McDonald's, the only place near the road, just an hour earlier.   Side Note- My children are going to look so old when we move back to the states.  They are growing like crazy.

We walked the streets for a little bit and found a souvenir shop that was still open.  We spent our time looking at everything and then came home.  Had to feel like the drive was worth it.

Next day:
Drove to the Christmas Market in the 'REAL' Valekenburg.  It took a little more than one hour.  Spent 12 euro on admission into the cave.  Checked out the vendor's wares.  Went back to the market we visited the night before, ate another sausage dog and came home.''

My review:
The cave was the coolest part about the whole Christmas Market.  It is enormous.  People hid in them during the World Wars.  They reminded me of something straight out of Lord of the Rings.  The Christmas Market itelf- kinda lame.  I was expecting more Christmas ambiance.  It ended up feeling like a swap meet in the wrong place.

I haven't given up hope just yet on all Christmas Markets.  Apparently there is a really amazing one in downtown Brussels.  I better make sure it is the'REAL' Brussels before I go.

©ColleenFisher

Visitors in the Night

It is after 9 p.m.  It's cold and dark outside and then our door bell rings.  Our door bell rarely rings, so I was honestly a little nervous answering it.  I call Brent's' name just in case I need a back-up for the mystery that awaits outside  He tells me, through our awesome video surveillance phone, that it is our next door neighbor.  Ok. No major problem, unless you don't speak any Dutch and she doesn't speak English, and she has a touch of dementia.

I open the door and invite her in. (It's cold outside).  She stands at my doorway and looks around.  She walks down the front entryway and looks in the kitchen and then our living space.  I "ask" her in English and with hand movements if she want to come into the living room.  She walks in and shakes Brent's hand and then starts talking rapidly in Dutch and to help us out she uses gestures.  She is very excited as she is speaking to use.  We here the words doctor and she is holding her chest and then gesturing the hand across the throat..you know...death. I am thinking that something is happening to her husband.

We are not quite sure what to do, so Brent calls our Landlord, her son.  No answer.  I end up taking her next door, hoping that this other neighbor (who I haven't met) knows some English.  (A lot of the Flemish people know at least a little, once again amazing)  I ring his doorbell.  He come to the door, but doesn't open it.  He yells through it in Flemish, of course.  I say, in English, "I am sorry.  I live next door and only speak English, and my other neighbor is very excited and trying to tell me something and I can't understand her."  He talks in Dutch again and then opens the door.

I ask him if he speaks English and he says a little and that he will try to help me.  He talks to my other neighbor and she repeats (I assume) what she told me without the gestures. He then translates for me that she wants me to know that her uncle and some of her extended family are in a bad way.  They are dying.  Phew.

I said, "Ok.  I am sorry to have bothered you.  I thought that maybe something was happening with her husband."  He says, "No, no.  By the way let me introduce myself properly.  I am Jan.  Welcome to the neighborhood.  My wife Betty has some short-term memory loss (and in walks the son-in his 40's?)  this is my son."  I attempt, "Guten Abend".  And he says to me, "You just spoke German,  in Dutch it is Goedenavond".  Oh, sorry.

Then Jan asks me, "Are you here on holiday?"  No. My husband works at research park.  "How long are you staying here?"  We will probably go home next summer.   "Are you learning Nederlander?"  I am currently trying to learn French and a little Dutch, but am doing both terribly.  We talk a little about the kids.  They can hear them.  I don't ask whether that is a bother or not.  I am sorry to have bothered you.  Thank you for your help.

My neighbor and I leave.  I ask her if her husband is home, with pointing, and she says yes but stops at my front door.  She wants to come in again.  Ok.  She comes into the living room again and sits on our couch.  I grab my handy, dandy computer and go to my good old standby...Google translate.  I start typing and she reads the translations and answers my questions.  "Do you want to stay here?"  Yes.  "Would you like to talk to me a little?"  Yes.  "Ok."

Her son calls Brent back and talks with his mom for awhile and then Brent. For the next 10 minutes or so I type questions while she answers them.  I attempt to speak what I am typing and she just looks at me and says.  Hmnnnn, no.  We "talk" about the chickens in the backyard and her beautiful walnut tree, and about our families.  I show her some pictures form facebook.  Her husband then comes and gets her.  He tries to just call her from the door, but she ignores him.  He comes in and then she goes with him.  I type, "Thank you for the visit" (dank u voor het bezoek).

Tonight was interesting.  Kind of sad ,a little crazy but mostly weird.  Sometimes you just have to accept the abnormality of it all, be creative and use the tools you have available.  Then again, maybe I just needed one more thing to make me stand out like sore thumb.

©ColleenFisher

Amster, Amster, dam, dam dam...

Yesterday we took a road trip to Amsterdam, The Netherlands.  Amsterdam is a little over 2 hours from our home and so we made our trip into a day trip.

Parking is somewhat of a nightmare in Amsterdam, so the plan was to go to the Olympic Stadium there and park and then rent bicycles.  Upon our arrival the parking lot was completely full and it was raining.  So, we made a plan B.  We drove to Anne Frank's house and were somehow lucky enough to find parking right in front.  We waited in line and then took the self-guided tour.  The more I see and hear about WWII, the more I admire those individuals that chose to hold tightly to hope and optimism.  It astounds me.  So many time I feel like abandoning ship and wonder who would I be if I lived in those times.  I wish I were one of the strong, but I really wonder.  We purchased a book call Tales from the Secret Annex by Anne Frank.  This book consists of the short-stories, poems and thoughts that Anne wrote down.  I lately seem to be having many thoughts about a little word WHY?  On the inside cover she wrote:

"Why?  Ever since I was a little girl and could barely talk, the word "why" has lived and grown along with me.  It's a well-known fact that children ask questions about anything and everything, since almost everything is new to them.  That was especially true of me,and not just as a child.  Even when I was older, I couldn't stop asking questions.  I have to admit that it can be annoying sometimes, but I comfort myself with the thought that "You won't know until you ask, " though by now I've asked so much that they ought to have made me a professor.  When I got older, I noticed that not all questions can be asked and that many whys can never be answered.  As a  result, I tried to work things our for myself by mulling over my own questions.  And I came to the important discovery that questions which you either can't or shouldn't ask in public, or questions which you can't put into words, can easily be solved in your own head.  So the word "why" not only taught me to ask, but also to think.  And thinking has never hurt anyone.  On the contrary, it does us all a world of good."

I love her thoughts.  And only a teenager.

We got lunch and then went to the Van Gogh museum.  We didn't spend as much time as I would like to of here.  Beautiful paintings.  My favorite...the Almond Blossom.  Really breathtaking.  So much beauty from a sad individual.  It was interesting to learn a little more about Van Gogh's life to.  I would love to go to this museum again.

It was time for dinner and we decided to drive outside of the city.  Like I said earlier, the parking is crazy and expensive.  We did a GPS search on places to eat and found the best Chinese food I have ever tasted in my life.  The restaurant was called Chinese Delight and it was.  I have never really enjoyed seafood, but this place has changed my mind.  It was amazing.  I asked Shea what her favorite part of the day was...dinner. I think she might have eaten more than me, and that is a big feat!

©ColleenFisher

Beethoven Who?

Brussels is home to over 80 museums, so we thought we would check out the Musical Instrument Museum (MIM).  I thought it was pretty amazing.

First of all the building the museum is in was designed by an architect named Paul Saintenoy in the art nouveau style.  No, I don't know much about architecture or this architect, but I am totally digging his style.  Dark wood and trim and door with marble tiling.  Very cool.

On to the museum.  You are giving headphone to wear and when you are standing in front of and facing the exhibit the music from that particular instrument plays.  There were instruments from India, Africa, China and of course Europe dating pretty far back.  (OK.  You got me. I can't remember the oldest musical instrument there.)

My children were definitely feeling the beat.  Hayden and Shea were shaking there little tushies all over the place.  No I didn't stop them,  I joined their ranks.  In fact there were other people dancing there as well.

I only took two pictures here.  After taking them, my friend informed me that they weren't allowed.  Whoops, but I wish I would have known that a little later.  Upstairs in the piano/harpsicord/guitar area was a piano that belonged to Beethoven.  That's right THE Beethoven.  Kind of amazing. I brought the kids over to the piano and told them, "This piano belonged to Beethoven."  Shea said, "The dog?" (a movie naturally) and Logan said, "No. don't you know who Beethoven is?...he painted the Mona Lisa."  Then proceeded to laugh hysterically. "Just kidding Mom, I know who he is."

Today we are going to talk about Beethoven.

©ColleenFisher

Technopolis

Shea lost her head

Hayden using his head

On Wednesday, the kids and I joined some friends at Technopolis in Mechelen.  Technopolis is filled 100's of  hands-on experiments.  This place is amazing.  The building is so full of fun, that it spills out onto the front sidewalk.

When pulling into the parking lot you see a huge lever system with a car on one side.  The kids all pulled on the ropes hanging from the opposite side and hoisted that car like it was nothing.  They were instantly on cloud nine.

Inside Logan rode a bike 1/2 way across the lower floor on a tight-rope.  Shea lost her head on the optical-illusion table and Hayden pounded his against a drum to test sound waves.  (He originally used his fist but got tired and started using his head.  They had a chess set outside and Logan challenged some French speaking kids.  Both games the other boys quit before they lost.  Logan was a little disappointed they wouldn't let him finish.  Oh, well. We all took turns laying on a bed of nails and played with bubbles and water.  Logan and I played a "mind game". The game consists of a small ball that is pushed/pulled away from the person with the least amount of anxiety/stress/heartbeat.  Surprisingly, I won.

Logan the Acrobat

The place I learned the most, was also the most simply built.  It was a hallway with alternating light and dark carpet tiles.  You are given the instructions to cross to the other side of the hallway only on the light grey tiles.

Carpet with a meaning

On the other side you read.  "Did you only walk on the light grey tiles?  You really are a good girl or boy, aren't you? In some situations it's good to follow orders, but it's best if you maintain a healthy critical spirit.  Here at Technopolis also, when you're doing an experiment, critical thinking about why you're doing the various things you're asked to do is always better than the slavish following of orders."Sometimes, I honestly wish my kids would just do what I told them to do.  They are always asking why and do have strong wills.  I need to remember that that isn't such a bad trait.  Asking WHY is a valid question and so simple to do.  WHY don't I ask Why more?  WHY don't you?

©ColleenFisher

Koln, Germany

Kolner Dom

This past weekend was a 3-day weekend for Brent, so we packed up the car and headed to Koln (Cologne) Germany. Koln is only 2 1/2 hours away and we actually made it in about that much time.  I am not sure how, but I think I might have witnessed a miracle. (If wondering why, read about our trip to Paris)

Upon arrival we had pent-up energy from sitting for SO long that we decided to climb to the top of the Kolner Dom.  The children climbed with our friend Ron at record speed I am sure.  Brent stayed behind with the straggler, me. Not the best day to choose style over comfort.  Boots with heels are not the best way to climb a small and winding staircase. There was only one way up and down, so part of the time I was barely stepping on any stone as the crowd of people were trying to get past each other..  A little scary.

Forest Art

After this amazing feet we were starving.  (We hadn't eaten for like 3 hours.)  We headed to the massive train station to find a place to eat.  We divided and conquered the quest for lunch.  The adults bringing sushi/Chinese food in to the Pizza Hut for the kids.  After lunch we walked around a chocolate/candy and bought the kids a bag.  (Everything seems to go so much smoother when food and candy are involved.)

We then watched street performers and toured inside the cathedral.  We were a little tired of walking around so we decided to take a little train tour of Koln. Honestly it was kinda hmm, but it was nice to sit, chat and eat candy.  The kids loved it.

Rheinfels Castle

The next day we went to Rheinfels Castle near the town of St. Goar on the Rhine River.  This castle, built in 1245, is now in ruins.  It is amazing to see the size of this place, even in such a state.  There is a maze of tunnels underneath the ruins that you can go into still today.  It is so small that most adults would have to crawl through them.  Shea was the bravest and went with Brent first.  The boys followed later.  The boys went through twice and Shea 4 times.  Colleen 0.  I hate small spaces, especially in the dark.  The Rhine River was so beautiful dressed in its' full Autumn attire.  On the way home we looked down a forest road and had to turn around.  Carved out of trees were the coolest wooded statues.  Someone has amazing talent hidden in the forest.  My guess...forest gnomes.

The large prison cell (30 people)

Monday was All-Saints' Day and no school.  We were still in Koln and decided to go to the "El De" house.  It was used as a Gestapo Prison during WWII.  In the basement were cells built to hold 1 or two person, but really held 8-10 sometimes more.  On the walls were engraving written by the prisoners themselves in many different languages.  Russian, Czech, French, Dutch, German, Romanian and on.  Many saying they didn't know why they were there and about the torture they could hear coming from the other rooms. Heart wrenching stories. These stories could change a persons' life if we pondered them for any amount of time and....if we let them.


©ColleenFisher