I'm sipping on coffee and eating toast with jam. No one else is awake so I have a few moments to myself before our adventurous day begins. At 11am we leave for the airport. At 5:50pm we will be in Atlanta!
Not sure how I will put into words our 10 days in England. Sour cherry vodka will surely get a mention. We had a wonderful time being spoiled by our family - Lora, Bibs, Mila and Alyosha. It's hard to leave. And the 9 hour plane trip ahead does not make it any easier!
But I am prepared - new cars, a double-decker bus, activity books, story books, colored pencils. And I think Lucas is ready to be home. Although he has decided that he does "not yike airplanes." Last night, I quoted some books of his that we had left behind and he went into a zone. He kept asking me to physically produce one of the books I quoted, practically able to smell it in front of him.
OK, enough procrastinating. See you all soon! xoxo
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
This is it!
Prague does not let go, of you or of me. This little mother has claws. There is nothing for it but to give in.
- Franz Kafka
It's been a week of lasts...
pastries on the curb,
tram rides,
evening walks,
dinners at Clear Head Vegetarianska Restaurant,
lollipops from Martin (although he gave us a whole sack for the road,)
big hoorahs in the old town flat.In the final hours, everything has started to magnify itself, to push itself forward onto us. The patronly spires are more pronounced above the swells of mint patinaed domes. Flags of red white and blue gleam against the dynamic grays of dusk.
Even the weather pulsates with all of Prague's personalities. We walk in cold raindrops, then are warmed by a heavy sun. It spills like liquid gold from the Charles Bridge, into every crevice of the city, leaving no shadows. Then it recedes again. Cold currents slide through the summery air, swirling around us, awakening, enlivening.
Even the weather pulsates with all of Prague's personalities. We walk in cold raindrops, then are warmed by a heavy sun. It spills like liquid gold from the Charles Bridge, into every crevice of the city, leaving no shadows. Then it recedes again. Cold currents slide through the summery air, swirling around us, awakening, enlivening.
Tomorrow the plane pulls us out of here. What a gift this has been!
What we can see will last only a short time. What we can not see will last forever.
2 Corinthians 4:18
Karlstejn Castle
Sunday, Chris took a 30 minute train ride to see the Karlstejn Castle and its surroundings. Beautiful! Lucas was thrilled to see a picture of Daddy holding an owl. His owl impression rivals his peacock. And I much prefer a soft whooooo to a loud SquiZAAAAK!.JPG)
Monday, June 8, 2009
Daddy-Lukey Time
Saturday morning was "Daddy-Lukey time," so it's been coined. Winnie tagged along, which I guess is allowed. But Mommy is always asked nicely, yet directly to leave.
First they went to the metro station Luka, his Russian name!
Then the duo explored a new part of Prague filled with fields and views, Hlubocepy.
In true Daddy-Lukey style, the boys woke up from their afternoon naps ravenous after miles of hiking on a 100 calorie "lunch."
So when I came back from "Mommy time," I went right to work on some Caprese Salad sandwiches and crackers with Brie. They were greatly appreciated...
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Lucasisms
Reading the tram station map in Amsterdam around midnight after our Italian feast, desperate to help his parents find their way back to the hotel. (shown above)
"My ears are tired."
On the tram, finally on our way home.
"Those are cool socks (you) have there Daddy. Can I touch them?"
"Yummy, Indeed!"
Commenting on day-old oatmeal I was feeding him in the tub.
"I want a cookie."
Today, in a flash, this morphed into a blood-curdling, gut wrenching, "I NEED another cookEEEEEEEE!!!!" (They were organic, whole-wheat crackers.)
"I want a lollipop."
He now says this every time we see Martin. And we see him often. It's kind of embarrassing. Today was the first time one has not emerged from his bag. I plan to make him zucchini bread before we leave.
"Ummmm (intense contemplation)....Nope!"
"Actualleeeeeee..............Nope!"
This is how he politely declines anything that is requested of him.
"I not sure."
He's a bit uncertain about this one. But he likes it and offers it as a considerate alternative to "no."
Monday, June 1, 2009
Final Countdown
The timer has been set. We are leaving for the UK on June 10th and will visit our family there until June 20th. Then back to Atlanta!
Must say there is an air of apprehension around here. How will we part from the City of a Hundred Spires? (perhaps with a couple of real estate magazines tucked under arm)
Outside our tall open window, vibrant people are chatting over a barely-touched beer. One of the girls sporadically sings opera (and sings it well.) I am watery eyed after saying a last naschledenon to the housekeeper (who, BTW, could be a perfect 36-26-36 model and yoga instructor on the side.)
It's just a regular day and Lucas and I have already gone to a large and beautiful English-style garden that is rich with history, culture and peacocks. You should hear Lucas's impression. It's hilarious and spot on! Some sort of mystery fruit grows there on large vines - a cross between an avocado and a fig. Any guesses?
This morning's agenda also included apple streudel and a cappuccino at a patio table while horses trotted by pulling carriages. (Though I much prefer the traditional honey cake - wait until you try it.) Then we walked through the old town square and wound down a narrow cobbled-stoned street to a "Bric-and-Brac" store and played with the antique cars and trains offered to us by the shop owner.
Next we found ourselves in Anagram, a cozy bookshop, reading children's books. (Embarking on A Thousand Splendid Suns is not alleviating my wistful state of mind.) On our way home, we picked up sandwiches from the bakery and ate them on the curb.
All of this before nap time!
The beauty and character of Prague can not be exaggerated. Knowing its shadowed communist history I had this strange idea of a Gotham-like city with the occasional beautiful building. No, there is not a square inch in this city that is not a feast for the eyes and soul.
But I am looking forward to our Gardenia bushes blooming back home - there's nothing like sitting half naked on a warm, breezy Atlanta night and drinking in their scent.
And most of all, I'm looking forward to four very special Grandparents. Toddlers will be toddlers, even in Prague. Example: Lucas just picked up a random coffee cup and is currently chugging the murky black remnants. I need a vacation!
Must say there is an air of apprehension around here. How will we part from the City of a Hundred Spires? (perhaps with a couple of real estate magazines tucked under arm)
Outside our tall open window, vibrant people are chatting over a barely-touched beer. One of the girls sporadically sings opera (and sings it well.) I am watery eyed after saying a last naschledenon to the housekeeper (who, BTW, could be a perfect 36-26-36 model and yoga instructor on the side.)
It's just a regular day and Lucas and I have already gone to a large and beautiful English-style garden that is rich with history, culture and peacocks. You should hear Lucas's impression. It's hilarious and spot on! Some sort of mystery fruit grows there on large vines - a cross between an avocado and a fig. Any guesses?
This morning's agenda also included apple streudel and a cappuccino at a patio table while horses trotted by pulling carriages. (Though I much prefer the traditional honey cake - wait until you try it.) Then we walked through the old town square and wound down a narrow cobbled-stoned street to a "Bric-and-Brac" store and played with the antique cars and trains offered to us by the shop owner.
Next we found ourselves in Anagram, a cozy bookshop, reading children's books. (Embarking on A Thousand Splendid Suns is not alleviating my wistful state of mind.) On our way home, we picked up sandwiches from the bakery and ate them on the curb.
All of this before nap time!
The beauty and character of Prague can not be exaggerated. Knowing its shadowed communist history I had this strange idea of a Gotham-like city with the occasional beautiful building. No, there is not a square inch in this city that is not a feast for the eyes and soul.
But I am looking forward to our Gardenia bushes blooming back home - there's nothing like sitting half naked on a warm, breezy Atlanta night and drinking in their scent.
And most of all, I'm looking forward to four very special Grandparents. Toddlers will be toddlers, even in Prague. Example: Lucas just picked up a random coffee cup and is currently chugging the murky black remnants. I need a vacation!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
