Wade finds ejectable Jesus

After years of searching (literally), Patrick and I found a nativity scene that actually has an ejectable Jesus. No, I'm not going to burn in hell - well, maybe - but all Nativity scenes found in the past had Jesus glued, attached, melted, and/or screwed into the manger. We're talking 20 years of looking for one like our family version we've had for 30 years. Fortunately, we found one. Special kudos for Patrick, it was a bit pricey, but he convinced me in his quiet way to buy it.

India: Driving to Ranthambhore

So after a long day in Jaipur seeing the sites and finishing up with a little shopping. We hoped in the van the next morning for a three hour ride to Ranthambhore, home of one of the better Indian National Parks. So this part of the trip will be a nice natural break from historical monuments, etc.

The drive was interesting, since you were able to go through small villages and see how a lot of people lived. No Super Wal-Mart to be found, and I couldn't help but think which way India will go economically.

We've all heard about how India's economy is just booming, and it is. But driving through these rural villages (and India has a lot of them), you can't help but think how the economy will end up helping these people. I think I understand better when Gandhi said that what happens in the villages happens to India.

Rome

You know . . . you would think with having 18 months in Europe, you could pretty much go wherever you wanted in that time. And although we have been to a ton of places - we still thought we would make it to places like Berlin, Sweden, Greece, Spain, and Portugal - oh well - maybe next year.

In an effort to prioritize trips - we did take a long weekend down to Rome. It was also fortunate because Julie Backus was close by in Florence, and Katherine Duff (who is currently based in Basingstoke) flew down.

India: Shopping with Guides (Jaipur)

As there are colors of a rainbow, so too are there a myriad ways to shop in India. We suspect that our Indian tour guides are paid relatively little and infrequently, so the bulk of their income comes from tips and commissions from local stores.

Obviously it's harder to get a decent price in a Tourist shop with an unknown commission on top, so it's not my favorite way to spend a tour of India. But it's nice to see what they have and to see the demonstrations on how to make a rug or a wood block printed cloth. In this particular store in Jaipur, Gaby tried on a sarong.

India: Hawa Mahal (Jaipur)

Looks like the maharaj had the old city of Jaipur painted pink (actually it's more like a blushed terra cotta) to welcome the future King of England about a 100 years ago. Pink being the color of welcome.

Personally, I think the "house" they built for his visit is way more astonishing, but Jaipur is probably known more for the fact that every single building in the old city is this color. This particular building, the Hawa Mahal, is nothing more than a facade used by the maharaj's harem to be able to see the comings and goings of street life in Jaipur.

Rome: Even the staircase

Even the staircases are fantastic. I'm sure there was some story about this one - like it's the largest free standing staircase in the world or something like that - but I think I missed it.

Rome: My favorite picture of Patrick

I have to admit - I have a lot of pictures of Patrick, but this is probably my favorite right now.

This sculpture is actual in the Vatican (imagine that) - and it is absolutely beautiful. After walking through huge frescoes, sculptures, gold, jewels, and paintings - when Patrick saw it, he said, "This is what Christianity should be". He's right, and I love his expression.

Rome: School of Athens

Raphael's little fresco on the school of Athens. Turns out that it's located in a relatively small library of Pope from the Middle Ages - and it's in really good condition.

Rome: Whittakers, are you paying attention?

Yes Andrea, that's a Cappucino - with a capital "C".

Why does this cappucino have a capital "C", it's because it's a cappucino FROM Italy. We had THOUSANDS of them while we were in ITALY. You know Italy, it's the only place in the entire freaking planet that knows how to make a proper cappucino. (OK, granted, Tim found a place in northern Indiana, but I'm haven't experienced it myself)

And yes, I told Patrick I was taking the picture just for you - hence the explanation of his grin.

Rome: Roman Holiday

I always get these two confused - but I'm pretty sure it was Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck (always want to say it's Katherine Hepburn, but she was the Spencer Tracey chick). Regardless, had to run back to the statue with the biting hand to do the tourist thing.

It turns out that it was really close to the Circus Maximus, but we forgot to do it the first time. We also didn't bother to stand in line and put our hand in the mouth - that was just a little too touristy.

Rome: Romulus and Remus

Good 'ole Romulus and Remus - legendary founders of Rome. The site of this statue is apparently where those two were suckled by a she-wolf - by the way, what's the difference between a she-wolf and just a normal wolf - more attitude?

Anyway . . .

It was special for me, because I took Latin in high school for four years, and my Latin name was Romulus (no sense being the guy who got killed, might as well go for the founder of Rome) - turns out Wade in Latin just really doesn't exist.

Rome: Lead me into Utopia, and then drop me into Hell

Three guesses on what this is . . . nope, nope, nope - it's the Circus Maximus. Kind of reminds you of Lincoln Park, actually.

Although there were a lot of puppies running around the course for exercise, not much else to write home about. The marble and statues had been removed milleniums ago.

Rome: The Forum

I think when I was in Rome before, the Forum had been ungoing some reconstruction. It's right next to the Colliseum, so it was an easy walk through.

We saw where Julius Caesar was killed and then buried, but I think we needed a better tour book or something, because I didn't get the significance of all the buildings.

Rome: The gang at the Colliseum

Here I am with Katherine Duff (on the left) and Julie Backus. No, Katherine is not talking on her cellphone, she was just experiencing one of the lamer audio tours that Rome had to offer.

Bonus kudos for Julie on this trip - not only did we not hook up with her until much later - and had her waiting in the hotel. She also was an old Rome pro and had to suffer through another tour of the Colliseum (kind of the same way we feel about Paris sometimes).

Rome: Those prudes

Yes, this was actually a sign in our hotel.

Had a nice little terrace out back, but apparently they've must have had troubles in the past.

Where do you actually find a sign like that?

Rome: Food Inspiration

I have taken a lot of pictures over the last 18 months on foods that inspire me. This is a typical one that I had taken in Rome after passing a little pastry shop. Not sure what the heck it actually is - probably a strawberry and orange frothing cake thing with puffpastry to hide all the messy imperfections.

And even though I would have no idea how to cut into it - it has to be good.

Rome: Saint Peter's

Although I've seen St. Peter's before, this is the first time that I had actually climbed to the top (much easier than the Duomo in Florence). Kind of amazing to see the backs of all those statues unfinished or to look down on the altar.

Rome: The Sistine Chapel

Well, round two on the Sistine Chapel.

I had actually visited the Sistine Chapel back when I was in college and living in Luxembourg. At the time they were actually in the middle (literally) of restoring the ceiling. A huge platform that ran the width of the ceiling was about right in the middle of the ceiling. So you could see half with the restoration and half without. The restoration was a bit controversial because many art restorers felt that they were removing too many layers - specifically, a layer of glue. One side thought it was put on 10 years after the ceiling was finished; the other side thought it was intentionally done by Michaelagelo baby and provided a certain amount of depth and modelling that Michelangelo was famous for.

I would tend to agree with the latter camp after seeing the ceiling again - they took too much off.

The one that really did it for me was the section where God was flying away - I think he just finished creating day and night or something like that. Basically when you see it for real, it looks like God's robe is a bit thin in the buttocks region - OK, it looks like he's mooning everyone down below. Not thinking Michelangelo could have gotten away with a mooning Creator back then - they were a bit strict on stuff like that.

Don't get me wrong, I think the restoration is fanstastic for its colors. When I saw the Last Judgement before the restoration, you had no idea what it was a picture of it was so sooty and quite frankly - a black wall. Now the colors are outstanding with really deep blues that remind me of Chartres.

Anyway - that's my unprofessional art restorer opinion.

Rome: Pleasant Surprise

As everyone typically goes to the Vatican Museum to see the Sistine Chapel or various frescoes - there are some surprises.

One of them was the collection of modern (20th century paintings). Although some remind me of a 1970's church art collection, some of them are actually pretty good. This one in particular is a painting by Van Gogh, who painted a couple of Pietas latter in his life - after the whole ear incident.

Rome: Not as scientifically backward as you may think

For all the crap one might give the Catholic Church for being a bit anti-scientific during the Middle Ages, they sometimes surprise us.

When walking through the Vatican Museum, we came across a huge map room, where Popes had commissioned maps drawn of the World. Considering this was done around the time of Columbus, they at least had some of the best maps in the World. Now the cynic would say this was so they could better maintain their territories (especially in Italy) - but at least give them credit where credit was due.

Waiting to move

We're waiting - and waiting....

Turns out that we're suppose to move out of Building 110 and into a luxurious walk-in closet for three (even though there's five of us). So all our bags are packed, but not sure when we're moving - from left to right - Laurence, Patrick, and Daniel

Bruno's back !!!

After a sad and heartfelt goodbye, who should pop at my desk than M. Bruno Mercier (god, I thought I was done with him - I'm kidding!). I suppose change is inevitable.

Turns out Fegersheim wants some more hands with the inventory thing, so they brought in Bruno for a couple of months.

Biking with Daniel and Katey

Although I have been a fat slob since I've gotten back from the US (and not ridden my bike to work yet) - Patrick and I did manage to go out with Daniel and Katey (sorry, bad spelling, I'm sure) around Alsace on mountain bikes.

It was a bit muddy - which was the best part. And we didn't really know exactly where we were going - second best part. But it was fun.

Winter Wonderland

Although we have been fortunate this winter with very mild temperatures - expect 2007 to be a crappy wine year - we did have some snow.

Here's a picture off of our Terrace.

Mr. Potato Head found in Paris

While walking through Paris with Kelly we came across this really cool art shop around the Sorbonne - kind of reminded me of Mr. Potato Head.

Mission Impossible

No, this is not an optical illusion.

One of the benefits (or burdens) of being one of the last Americans to leave a foreign country after 15 months, is that you inherit everyone's alcohol collection. Obviously, M. Weber made the largest contribution, but others helped too.

We're planning on just having a golf drinking party - where each room of the apartment has a different drink. It could get ugly, but at least we won't be wasting any alcohol.

The other Patrick is scaring me

Not sure if he's missing all the other AE's, or he had a really bad Xmas with an extended family - but M. Emanuel is being scary.

No doubt the pressures of being the 'go to' person for all things Building 700 are starting to take a toll.

How long would it take you to clean this kitchen?

You'll love this story.

As you know by now, Patrick and I moved out of our old apartment to a new one around the corner. More info on the new apartment later.

As you can imagine, we were somewhat responsible for cleaning the old apartment before we moved out. Not a full crazy (like my mother) clean, but definitely a wipe things down, and don't leave any trash around. In fact, I asked if I should have a cleaning woman come to run over the place, but the housing agency said that wouldn't be necessary.

Well, after doing a quick walkthrough with the landlords and asking them to call me if they had any issues, I was summoned to Fegersheim's HR Director shortly after getting back from the holidays.

Although the landlord plans to spend 20 hours cleaning the apartment, apparently ours was so "dirty" that it actually took 40 hours to clean it. They also had to replace items, like a kitchen soap dispenser - still not entirely sure why. Although it's only 7.99 euros at IKEA to get a new one, they charged 68 euros - (ooops, those receipts really can come in handy sometimes). Total bill 600 euros.

Even though logic would enter at some point . . . it was only a 65 square meter apartment and they only had 12 hours before the new tenant arrived - I'm not one to leave these things to chance. I took lots of pictures like the one above (and this is the dirtiest one I could find).

So how long do you think it would take to clean this kitchen in this condition? Apparently more than four hours - priceless.

Kelly Visit

When we flew back from the holidays in the US, we took my niece, Kelly, along with us. We did the whole business class thing, which she won't appreciate truly until she needs to fly commoner class. And we did the whole Switzerland, Germany (a little bit), and France thing.

Although my proudest moment of her has to be when she returned to the US . . . she brought back french bread and petit pain au chocolat to share with her family. Although the family raved, she commented that they were a bit too old (like 10 hours) . . . my work is done.

Kelly Visit: Eiffel Tower

You can't go to Paris and not go see the Eiffel Tower, so here we are.

I've never been up in the thing, but it is a fantastic little view of the city.

Kelly Trip: No gelato for you

This unfortunately is going to be a "miss" on the Kelly Visit scorecard.

After walking around Paris and passing up gelato (it was freezing - you don't eat frozen desserts, when you're already freezing) - we promised Kelly that we would go back to a gelato stand the next day after lunch. Unfortunately, it was closed - ergo - pathetic Kelly looking in the window - with a big window seperately her from said gelato.

Kelly Visit: Cute Puppy

Apologies for the poor quality of the image, but I didn't want to be too obvious of a tourist.

This is definitely one thing that I am going to miss about Europe - dogs allowed in restaurants. Before you 'ewww' - you need to know that they are always really well behaved. Many times I can be in a retaurant for hours, and not even notice that there is a dog there until I get up from the table. I think they really understand that dogs are just part of the family.

This particular cutey was found next to us in a small brasserie in Le Marais. I wanted to get up and play with him, but Patrick said no (like he does everytime).

Kelly Visit: Rollerblading in Paris

Walking back from dinner on our first night in Paris, we were stopped at a crosswalk for a long time. After a few minutes, we see tons of rollerbladers coming down the street. We had heard of this before; every Friday in front of the Mayor's residence basically everyone groups up to rollerblade through Paris.

It was pretty cool, but I don't think we would have been able to keep up - they were going pretty fast. But we couldn't have timed it more perfectly if we tried.

Kelly Visit: Dinner with Liane and Ellen

I know Kelly has a look on her face like, "Oh my God, I just had dinner with a bunch of crazy people" - but we really did have a wonderful time at LiAne's - as always. The woman can cook. And after a too long of an absence in seeing Ellen, we were able to have dinner with her as well.

I would go through what we had for dinner, but I'm on Day 3 of a fast - so I don't really want to think about it - cow liver is sounding good right now.

Kelly Visit: Freezing in Strasbourg

Aren't they cute?!

Had to get a quick picture of Patrick and Kelly before they took the Xmas decorations down. It's not the best shot, but you can kind of see the Cathedral in the background - and it was basically taken just outside our old apartment.

Kelly Visit: Looking out of the Musee D'Orsay

One of the more interesting views of Paris - this is a shot looking out of the huge clock in the Musée D'Orsay and out towards the north of Paris. Has a cool picture of Kelly and Patrick in it, but it turned a bit murky.

Kelly Visit: Most claustrophobic bookstore on the planet

Although I appreciate the population density of Paris, and I understand that small shops are a requirement - this is just too crazy.

While in Paris we stopped at an english bookstore that you literally could not move around in very easily - OK, not at all. It was like 10 pack rats who all share a disturbing attraction to books set up shop in a size of an American master bathroom. I went downstairs in the basement (even worse), and someone else came downstairs. They had to walk backwards and go back up the stairs part way in order to me to get by him. Awesome.