Palio!

Before I get stared, I would like to give a big virtual shout out to Uncle Don for making this trip happen, and spending time with my little family.

Today was the big horse race in Siena today. Think Kentucky Derby meets soccer hooligans, meets NASCAR, with a little bit of the Sopranos mixed in for good measure. They put in dirt track around the outside of what is still a beautiful Piazza Il Campo and have a good old fashion horse race. This medieval tradition continues, with each of the city's neighborhoods being represented in the race, the whole city is abuzz. Each neighborhood has its own flag and mascot, with residents sporting their colors proudly on their building and on their backs. As demonstrated by Beck.


What is left of the square was packed with people and the elite had bleachers to look down at the action from above. The real excitement like in NASCAR is on the corners were horse, track, and jockey have all been known to become separated from each other. Apparently there are some shady dealings involving the race. I'm not saying I saw anything, but if I did, there might have been something going down by the playground in Piazza San Francisco. But like I said, I didn't see nothing.


The guide book did not say what time the race was, so we just left for Siena when we were ready to leave in the morning. We got there about six hours early. So we walked around with the rest of the tourists, walked on the track, and left. One of these days we're going to build our kids endurance so they can last several hours in the 90+ heat.

Once again no pictures of Lucignano, but the plan is to wake up early, and snap a few in the morning before we get started. Uncle Don has been great with the kids, he has shown amazing patience with our demanding little ones. Until next time, ciao!

-Issac

Location:Siena, Italia

Ciao Bella!

30 June/ 1 July
Sorry a about the delay we don't have wifi in the house we are staying in, we have to go down to the garden. Life is rough. We are now in Lucignano, but we flew into Milano, Italia's second city, financial and fashion capital.




Milano's main attraction was the Duomo, a gigantic gothic style cathedral designed to house the entire population of the town at the time it was built. We also window shopped a bit, but designer Italian is a little much for teachers from Colorado. I would have pictures from inside, but 6am flights have an effect on the amiability of little ones. We also walked though the gates and court yard of the local castle. Were we got hustled out of two euros by a pair of Senegalese immigrants peddling woven bracelets.







Driving in Milano was interesting, optional lanes, no street signs, driving directly on the train tracks. However they do have the good sense to drive on the correct side of the road, unlike the English. We did make into town from the airport, which makes DIA seem close, around the city, to the main attractions, and back out to the Autostrata, all without GPS, or even a map.

Sorry only one our little village, Lucignano, we have been too busy living the local life. This is Beck in front of the church, lots of pictures of churches because thereafter lots of churches.


Last night after rolling into down in the evening and picking up Uncle Don on the way, we had the good fortune to be just in time to join the village for their annual summer festival. Many of the restaurants had a "taste of" type of deal going on, you get a wine glass and fork at the gate and they provide the plate with a delicious snack, or pour you a glass of vino. Needless to say it was a great intro to the village. With one large stage, and a few other musicians set up through out the village, the village of 4000 was hoppin'. The party lasted well into the morning, with the many 'buona sera' being exchanged between locals, Italian tourist, and us.

Tonight was the big game between Espana and Italia for the Euro 2012 title. Just like in Germany nearly everyone watched to game together at some local joint. We actually had one of those fabulous Tuscan meals people annoy you with they return home. Then watch the game at the bar, it is fun to be around people when they are excited about any game.

Lucignano has the feel of small mountain towns in Colorado, the locals have their own thing going on, but they are more than prepared and happy to welcome visitors.

I'll have pictures of our local digs tomorrow. Buona notte.
-Issac

Location:Milano, Italia

Auf Wiedersehen

29 June
At the behest of my son we took a river boat tour of Berlin today. The meandering down the Spree River was relaxing, if not sunny. A good thing this old man knows to bring a hat. Beck could barely contain himself on the tram down to the river, that we could only hope he like it. Of course he did, now he can check off one more mode of transport of the list in his head.


Even Janelle enjoyed the sunny day. After the tour we just walked around town for a while. We then came back to walk around the neighborhood a bit, and get a bite to eat. It was a chill day, it was nice.

While it is harder having our two kids close together in age, a bit more competitive than Iris and me. At least once a day they show how much they love each other.

I feel our time in Berlin was well balanced between being tourists, and living as the locals do. We ate at restaurants where we were the only non-Locals, and saw that sites that everyone has seen pictures of on tv. We had a great time, and maybe if the opportunity comes again we'll visit again. But for now, auf wiedersehen. Next stop, Milan.

-Issac

Location:The Spree River

Workin' At The Sandbox Yea!

Lucky for Mom and Dad, the apartment had an adorable sandbox which our children used EVERY day.



This was welcome creative time where the parents could just watch and relax (preferably with fresh fruit and wine)!
- Janelle NG

Berlin- The Big Sites

28 June
Today we set out to see the big sites of Berlin today. After a surprisingly inefficient tram/subway/elevated train ride, I'm still not sure if it was the fact that I can't speak German. When we arrived at Mitte (central Berlin) our first stop was the Brandenburg Gate. The Mitte was a zoo today, when we came out of the subway station there were Poleizi everywhere, a stage set up on the far side of the gate, not to mention the tourists. Janelle and I were asking each other, was it always like this or was something going on? We soon found out that Germans take their soccer seriously. Some people were there to see the sites but most people were rolling in to get ready for a very large street party/public viewing of the semifinal Euro 2012 game between Germany and Italy. More on that later.





We also saw the Reichstag, the imposing, glass domed German capital building.



After we indulged the adults with some historical sites, it was the kid's turn with a trip the Legoland Discovery Center. Which is not to be confused with Legoland Theme Park, the Discovery Center was great fun for the kids, but it was like the less cool little sister. It was the highlight of the day for the kids none the less.








I wanted to watch the soccer game were the Germans would, but we decided that a several thousand person block party, with riot police wouldn't be the best place to be with the little ones. So we went out to eat. But as far as I can tell there aren't any sports bars per se, but even better most of the many restaurants in the neighborhood had tv's out on the sidewalks. So we sat down at a place that looked kid friendly and enjoyed the game and dinner. Unfortunately for the Germans the game did not go too well, but this should make for a good time in Italy Monday.
-Issac

Location:Berlin Germany

Museums Part 1

27 June
Sorry abut the delay on the posting. Last night was rough, jet lag and five year olds don't mix. But I am pleased to say we had great fun yesterday. Lindsay and Nick's place is in a cool neighborhood. I know it's cool because it's urban, and we are surrounded by hipsters, half of them with small kids. It's just like being at home.



Wednesday we spent trolling two museums, the Pergamonmuseum, and the Neues Museum. The Pergamonmuseum has reconstructed the Market Gates of Miletus, the Ishtar Gates, and has many more artifacts from ancient civilizations. What impressed all of us most was how they had the gates reconstructed inside the museum building has the gates would have been where they stood.



The main attraction at the Neues was a 3000 year old bust of Nefertiti. Sorry no pictures allowed. It suffices to say, the bust of Nefertiti you can picture in your head right now, this is it. But we do have some pictures of other Egyptian stuff.



Both museums are on Museumsinsel (Museum Island) were they have five or so museums in one place, nerd heaven, we loved it. Credit were credit is due Janelle is great at being mom/tour guide.



-Issac

Location:Berlin, Germany

European Expedition Day 1

After many hours of airplane travel, we touched down in the small, calm airport of Berlin. The kids traveled really well for being on polite behavior for a total of 18 hours (including layovers and waiting in lines and on busses).


The taxi ride to the apartment was enough of a thrill ride to cross a few other extreme experiences off my list. Let's just say that distance between cars is really measured in millimeters and signaling is optional as well as traveling at a constant speed. There was a lot of gunning the engine and slamming on the breaks; and even the 3-year-old was clutching the edge of her carseat.
We spent the day stretching our legs and visiting a grocery store. We are extremely lucky to have a great place to stay courtesy of Issac's cousin Lindsey.


- Janelle NG

Location:Berlin, Germany