We made it here!
There were no gypsies searchin for presents from us on last night's train from Praha to AMS, but it was Julian's 18th birthday at midnight and we all lined up in the hallway of the train with our legs wide open and we made him crawl through them and we each took our turn spanking him 18 times. My family tradition, called the "Birthday Spanking Machine". Those are the memories we do not have on film, but will last forever in the kid's hearts. What a great birthday for Julian!
We all SLEPT so soundly on the train that we woke up when the Netherlands Customs asked us for our passports an hour before departure, so at 9:30 everyone groggily made their way to the train restroom, (no toilet paper) and tried to freshen up before entering the prettiest of all of the cities.
It was very easy to take the tram to the hotel, the streets were not cobble stoned, so the kids didnn't have too much trouble walking the few blocks to our hotel, and the rooms were not ready...as usual...so we all walked to the INFAMOUS PANCAKE BAKERY, which was took us past Anne Frank's Huis, and we all did a Family Style ordering so we could taste the many different delectables, such as cinammon caramel and ice cream pancake, nutella and banana, and chocolate sauce. OMGosh we all agreed one of the best meals (although we have been saying that alot recently). We didn't write about Prague's group meal in Wenceslas Square. The waiters were by far all models, and the food from Devilish Chicken Stew, to Roasted Chicken (served on the spit) the kids were so full, but not tired enough to call it a night. Again they went dancing. So much fun, following them around and watching them dance. The smiles and the sweat and the friendships are so far unreal!!! I am so happy to watch them become a family and absorb these memories together.
So, we just finished a 3 hour bike tour of Amsterdam, not as many historical monuments to listen to stories about, but our Tour Guide, Aaron, is from Long Beach, actually, Wrightwood, and helped the kids find out the friendliest neighborhoods, the local Los Angeles shops, and took us up and down the MANY canals, and taught us how to understand the "Bike"" culture. We also ALL loved Vondelpark, which is where the hippies lay out (sometimes nude, although not today... thank goodness) and we admired how beautiful everyone is riding their bikes around.
Most of the kids are tired, but not enough to not hit the Amsterdam H & M and get lost along the canals.
We just finished eating at Eat At Joe's and had Vegetairan lasagne, BBQ ribs, the BEST Greek salad (it was the Goat Cheese) ever!
We will meet back up at 10 pm for a safe tour of the Red Light District, before we hit the dance club which opens after midnight....(I have like 50 more gray hairs...and I am in EXCELLENT SHAPE), but my eyes are watering right now, as I must get back my room and close them for at least an hour before another whirlwind night, and day.
Tomorrow, there are many who are visiting the Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum and Anne Frank's House, and others just want to SHOP as it is OUR LAST DAY IN EUROPE.
(The Two Jen's went to Anne's house today, and said it was depressing).
In any case,
Phone less, but still able to keep an eye on all the kids, and happy that we have made it this far with only Marcella's skinned toe, a few mosquito bites and one or two hickies (huh???)
Ok,
Love to all parents family and friends.
See you soon!
oh, and sorry no more pictures, i was only able to do the pictures because of my phone and now...poo poo, the gypsies took out sight away...
Each kid has over 1000 pictures, so you will see them soon~!
:Love
Ty
Friday, July 9, 2010
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Hi Everyone
Jennifer Miskabi here. Budapest was awesome. My favorite part while in Budapest was on the second day, when Jennifer Cohenmehr and I visited the biggest synagogue in all of Europe. It was amazing to see so much culture and religion in one place. The architecture was amazing as well. Some parts of the synagogue (such as the "beema")were made with actual gold, and it made the synagogue even more beautiful than it really was. Cohenmehr and I took a tour of the synagogue, and it turned out that our tour guide had an interesting past to share with us. Her father, a devout Catholic, saved many lives during the Holocaust. As she shared her story many of us teared up. Overall it was a great experience that will stick with me.
Now Kimberley Hammilton will take over.
Well, it's actually Kimberly Hamilton... thanks Jen!!! Anyways, hello to all that are reading the tales of our extraordinary Euro-Trip. I have been having the time of my life since we step foot in LAX the day after graduation. Recently, we finished our voyage in Budapest, and I must say that mine wasn't as meaningful as most of the group's. My first day in Budapest was spent sleeping in the lobby while waiting for our rooms to be ready. I wasn't feeling very well when we got off the train from Venice, and all I really wanted was sleep and my favorite stuffed animal (which i left at home. Everyone else went on an intense bike ride. I was extremely jealous when they all came back with their stories of how great the views were from certain bridges and that that was the best bike tour by far. The next day I was much better and went out shopping with some of the girls. Our main goal was to hit up the funkiest stores out there, and let me tell you, there were A LOT!! We also managed to make our way to a mall (as if there weren't any in la. My favorite part of budapest was seeing all of the intricately designed buildings that surrounded the streets and the views at night from the bridges. My least favorite part, was the food. Our last night's choice for dinner in Budapest: fried cheese or chicken with french fries. I could feel my arteries clogging up after every single bite. The train ride was hot and smelly, and of course I got no sleep, but it was al worth it because Prague is bsolutely beautiful!!!! Once we made it to the hostel, which is funky and pink, we slept in the lobby for a couple of hours. A group of girls and I went over to starbucks for a pick me up, and ended sleeping on the couches! The whole group then headed down for our bike tour, which ended up getting completely rained on. There was thunder and lightning and the rain was hitting us like bullets. I was freezing in my tank top, shorts, and flip flops and yearned for a hot shower and warm, cozy bed. Dinner was great, we had many choices and I chose the fettucine with chicken and spinach. After dinner, Miskabi and I tracked down a mini mart with international calling, and we both made long needed calls to our parents. It was so great to hear their voices, and I cried when I heard my mother tell me she loved me. It had been over a week!! Overall, I'm really enjoying it here in prague and can't wait to hit up amsterdam!!!
peace out everybody!!!
~Kimbo
(Kimberly Hamilton)
Now Kimberley Hammilton will take over.
Well, it's actually Kimberly Hamilton... thanks Jen!!! Anyways, hello to all that are reading the tales of our extraordinary Euro-Trip. I have been having the time of my life since we step foot in LAX the day after graduation. Recently, we finished our voyage in Budapest, and I must say that mine wasn't as meaningful as most of the group's. My first day in Budapest was spent sleeping in the lobby while waiting for our rooms to be ready. I wasn't feeling very well when we got off the train from Venice, and all I really wanted was sleep and my favorite stuffed animal (which i left at home. Everyone else went on an intense bike ride. I was extremely jealous when they all came back with their stories of how great the views were from certain bridges and that that was the best bike tour by far. The next day I was much better and went out shopping with some of the girls. Our main goal was to hit up the funkiest stores out there, and let me tell you, there were A LOT!! We also managed to make our way to a mall (as if there weren't any in la. My favorite part of budapest was seeing all of the intricately designed buildings that surrounded the streets and the views at night from the bridges. My least favorite part, was the food. Our last night's choice for dinner in Budapest: fried cheese or chicken with french fries. I could feel my arteries clogging up after every single bite. The train ride was hot and smelly, and of course I got no sleep, but it was al worth it because Prague is bsolutely beautiful!!!! Once we made it to the hostel, which is funky and pink, we slept in the lobby for a couple of hours. A group of girls and I went over to starbucks for a pick me up, and ended sleeping on the couches! The whole group then headed down for our bike tour, which ended up getting completely rained on. There was thunder and lightning and the rain was hitting us like bullets. I was freezing in my tank top, shorts, and flip flops and yearned for a hot shower and warm, cozy bed. Dinner was great, we had many choices and I chose the fettucine with chicken and spinach. After dinner, Miskabi and I tracked down a mini mart with international calling, and we both made long needed calls to our parents. It was so great to hear their voices, and I cried when I heard my mother tell me she loved me. It had been over a week!! Overall, I'm really enjoying it here in prague and can't wait to hit up amsterdam!!!
peace out everybody!!!
~Kimbo
(Kimberly Hamilton)
Miss Ty's view Budapest and 1st day in Prague
Hello Parents,
This is Tylene. I have lost my phone and internet access to gypsies!!! It has been a tough road from Budapest to Prague. The trip, however, is still a success. The kids are at breakfast right now, right be hind me, and it is 9 ish in the morning on the 7th of July. We are all stumbling around as our feet, from walking around Prague in the rain, all day yesterday has caught up with us.
I keep begging the kids to write this blog for me, but no one wants too...not for the lack of communication with parents and friends, but becaause the kids have 12 to 1 in teh shower department. We keep playing "nose goes" and it's been working as a first -last strategy.
Last night, i ditched out on dinner in Prague and slept ( i don't think I've done that on this trip yet) and they all had a huge variety of food to choose from. Veyas has been finding awesome restaurants that meet our tight budget. We started a bike tour yesterday at 11:30, but a huge, cold, rainstorm came, the girls were cold and wet, so we abandoned the tour, and will try again today, at least the streets will be clean for us all!
In Budapest the kids had an awesome time at the dance clubs. I went with and watched them smiling more than walking around any city. Oh, the best part of Budapest, was when on the bike tour, we stopped to get Starbucks (yes, they are everywhere) and I was so hot that I rode through one of those ground spouting fountain sprays that go up and down. Well, monkey see mondey do, and the kids all got off of their bikes and started playing in the water. My gosh, my three year old never has had so much fun, they were pulling eachother in to see if the spray would go up them, betting eachother who could run through without getting wet, etc. Now Veyas the guide, and myself were just standing there in wonderment, cuz there's St. Istvan's Cathedral, the Budapest Castle and The Opera House, but the kids loved the water fountain!!! All is good.
So far, the family that has been made is wonderful. There are basically 2/3 groups. The Persian girls just LOVE to shop, so on their free time you can find them at Kate Moss' Top Shop and then there are two other groups, or one depending on the destination.
I am begging the kids to post,
Thank you all for being so understanding about how much the gypsies needed to call their loved ones with my phone>>>>>
Cheers
Ty
This is Tylene. I have lost my phone and internet access to gypsies!!! It has been a tough road from Budapest to Prague. The trip, however, is still a success. The kids are at breakfast right now, right be hind me, and it is 9 ish in the morning on the 7th of July. We are all stumbling around as our feet, from walking around Prague in the rain, all day yesterday has caught up with us.
I keep begging the kids to write this blog for me, but no one wants too...not for the lack of communication with parents and friends, but becaause the kids have 12 to 1 in teh shower department. We keep playing "nose goes" and it's been working as a first -last strategy.
Last night, i ditched out on dinner in Prague and slept ( i don't think I've done that on this trip yet) and they all had a huge variety of food to choose from. Veyas has been finding awesome restaurants that meet our tight budget. We started a bike tour yesterday at 11:30, but a huge, cold, rainstorm came, the girls were cold and wet, so we abandoned the tour, and will try again today, at least the streets will be clean for us all!
In Budapest the kids had an awesome time at the dance clubs. I went with and watched them smiling more than walking around any city. Oh, the best part of Budapest, was when on the bike tour, we stopped to get Starbucks (yes, they are everywhere) and I was so hot that I rode through one of those ground spouting fountain sprays that go up and down. Well, monkey see mondey do, and the kids all got off of their bikes and started playing in the water. My gosh, my three year old never has had so much fun, they were pulling eachother in to see if the spray would go up them, betting eachother who could run through without getting wet, etc. Now Veyas the guide, and myself were just standing there in wonderment, cuz there's St. Istvan's Cathedral, the Budapest Castle and The Opera House, but the kids loved the water fountain!!! All is good.
So far, the family that has been made is wonderful. There are basically 2/3 groups. The Persian girls just LOVE to shop, so on their free time you can find them at Kate Moss' Top Shop and then there are two other groups, or one depending on the destination.
I am begging the kids to post,
Thank you all for being so understanding about how much the gypsies needed to call their loved ones with my phone>>>>>
Cheers
Ty
Saturday, July 3, 2010
OMGűare we on daz 4 5 6 or 7.
that is the keyboard, not mewe are in budapest and the mosquitos have welcomed us gladly.In Venice it had beautiful archectecture and Dzlan believes it felt magestic. The walking tour was informal and the students loved listening to the stories our tour guide gave, especiallz about Marco íPolo. Venice has water taxis that take the kids everywhere they found the island of Murano which was peaceful and gave a fresh view of what Venice might be like if their werent an obnoxious amount of of tourists. At night the kids found a little more pace getting lost through the allies. Teh food was excellent. Pizza, gelato, and lasagne were the three most popular dishes. The hotel room was hot and had mosquitos too, but it was literallz two blocks from St. Marks Square. so the kids were able to find their waz back after their adventures. We boarded a 92o night train to budapest and the kids fell quicklz to sleep, however, the polizia and customs officers woke the kids up 6 times. within teh 1ö hour period. that means thez reallz didnt sleep that well. and our new group joke is zelling at eachother PASSPORT, because that is waht they woke us up sazing. Only one lost phone bug bites, and a slight head cold and 2ö happz tired footed IKOSI DEKIANS.....i will do mz best to post pictures tongiht so zou can wake up with some fresh views of our adventures.
Miss Ty
that is the keyboard, not mewe are in budapest and the mosquitos have welcomed us gladly.In Venice it had beautiful archectecture and Dzlan believes it felt magestic. The walking tour was informal and the students loved listening to the stories our tour guide gave, especiallz about Marco íPolo. Venice has water taxis that take the kids everywhere they found the island of Murano which was peaceful and gave a fresh view of what Venice might be like if their werent an obnoxious amount of of tourists. At night the kids found a little more pace getting lost through the allies. Teh food was excellent. Pizza, gelato, and lasagne were the three most popular dishes. The hotel room was hot and had mosquitos too, but it was literallz two blocks from St. Marks Square. so the kids were able to find their waz back after their adventures. We boarded a 92o night train to budapest and the kids fell quicklz to sleep, however, the polizia and customs officers woke the kids up 6 times. within teh 1ö hour period. that means thez reallz didnt sleep that well. and our new group joke is zelling at eachother PASSPORT, because that is waht they woke us up sazing. Only one lost phone bug bites, and a slight head cold and 2ö happz tired footed IKOSI DEKIANS.....i will do mz best to post pictures tongiht so zou can wake up with some fresh views of our adventures.
Miss Ty
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
London and Paris
(Sacre Couer steps)
(SALUTE!!)
(On River Cruise in Front of Eiffel Tower)
(Looking at Notre Dame on Bike Tour)
(Alex Gelber's Ikosi Deka Tribute in Brighton)
(In Hyde Park in London by Diana's Fountain)
(At Buckingham palace in london)
(ON BUS IN LONDON)
Day 5 Gay Paree
Eberyone planned to meet in Lobby at 8 to go to Versailles, but by 10:30 only 3 left. Theyy spent all day there and had an amazing time. They saw the whole inside and also the lands and Marie Antoinettes house! Parker got sunburnt. Lexi Roxy Bennet Alex and Julian were off on their feet and walked the ehole length from Ile St. Loius to Eiffel Tower. The Persian girls had their own private adventure and veyas and ty spent all day traveling the subways trying to make train refunds, make meetings and book dinner reservations, but they were able to stop at a cafe and have escargot!
Everyone met at 5 for jambon and cheese baguettes on the grass under the view of the Eiffel Tower before an amazing 4 hour bike tour of the streets of Paris and were able to see most all famous sites. Then take a Seine River cruise and watch the Eiffel Tower flicker with lights and the couples and parties make out on the River shore. The group has unified as a family and MANY pictures have been taken. Plus the chant of USA or IKOSI DEKA was heard echoing down the river.
Tommmorow promises to be full with most everyone discovering the art of the Louvre and eating in the Latin Quarter.
Dinner at La Poutre and heading out of Paris on a night train to Venezia.
And although that is the "plan". We will write again tomorrow to let the Real day plans onto the Blog!!!!!
Everyone met at 5 for jambon and cheese baguettes on the grass under the view of the Eiffel Tower before an amazing 4 hour bike tour of the streets of Paris and were able to see most all famous sites. Then take a Seine River cruise and watch the Eiffel Tower flicker with lights and the couples and parties make out on the River shore. The group has unified as a family and MANY pictures have been taken. Plus the chant of USA or IKOSI DEKA was heard echoing down the river.
Tommmorow promises to be full with most everyone discovering the art of the Louvre and eating in the Latin Quarter.
Dinner at La Poutre and heading out of Paris on a night train to Venezia.
And although that is the "plan". We will write again tomorrow to let the Real day plans onto the Blog!!!!!
Day 4 London to Paris
We woke up and had to pack up for our train to Paris. Half the group had the hostel's carbo-breakfast, the other half went to the waffle house around the corner. My waffle with fruit and whipped cream was the best thing I ate in London.
Took the double decker bus to the surprisingly beautiful train station. The train ride took us through the english countryside, through the channel and through france. Most of us slept through the ride. When I woke up we were surrounded in graffiti. Gelber was enthused.
Took the metro to our hotel. The Carlton's was a huge upgrade from the london hostel. We cleaned ourseves up and ate dinner at a local italian spot. Pasta for everyone. After dinner we hiked up the hills of MontMartre and sat on the steps in front of the Sacre Coeur church. As the sun set, the lights of Paris began to flicker on. The breathtaking sight excited us all to begin exploring.
Took the double decker bus to the surprisingly beautiful train station. The train ride took us through the english countryside, through the channel and through france. Most of us slept through the ride. When I woke up we were surrounded in graffiti. Gelber was enthused.
Took the metro to our hotel. The Carlton's was a huge upgrade from the london hostel. We cleaned ourseves up and ate dinner at a local italian spot. Pasta for everyone. After dinner we hiked up the hills of MontMartre and sat on the steps in front of the Sacre Coeur church. As the sun set, the lights of Paris began to flicker on. The breathtaking sight excited us all to begin exploring.
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