[From Beth & Mike] This morning we elected to take a later train to Belgium than expected since all of us appeared to need the extra sleep. When we arrived, we had the benefit of Saara and Mike’s exceptional navigational skills to get us from the train, through the subway, to our hotel without mishap (it took about four hours before I could find a single street sign). We planned better today, with snacks on the train, so a late lunch wasn’t a problem, and we could make it to one of Brussels’ signature sights Grote Markt (“The Grand Place”) before we had to eat without a complete meltdown – but not much before. We have yet to calmly navigate a foreign menu without completely freaking out about whether a mixed salad might include ranch dressing, or not.
Where they packed all the cathedrals into one place ….
[From Beth] So after a two hour flight from Tallin, Estonia, to Bremen, Germany, followed by a tram ride from the airport to the train station and a two hour train ride through the picturesque countryside, we arrived in Cologne (Koln), Germany. Mike stepped out into the sunlight and said something smart like “I wonder where they put that big cathedral that’s supposed to be here?”
Sightseeing in Helsinki/Tallinn
[From Beth] This morning in Helsinki was gorgeous. Mike and Colin headed out at about 5 am to scope out breakfast bars (dang, jet lag), and by the time the rest of us got moving, had found a nice buffet with all local, organic foods AND a gluten free toast for Jack and Saara.
We headed in the direction of the harbor and ran into the Senate Square and Helsinki Cathedral, which were awesome.
Getting to know you …
[From Beth] Before the kids hit their final wall for the evening, we managed to go out for a coffee with Henna, our-soon-to-be-third-exchange student, and her parents. Saara tells us the tradition in Finland is to eat dinner at 4:30 and have a coffee and small snack later. This was late enough (6:00 pm) to be a coffee date, which was great since none of us is up for dinner, but we knew Henna and her family were anxious about her trip, and that it would help to meet us.
Touchdown, Helsinki
We’ve arrived!
But after 30 hours of no sleep, we’re not quite ready to hit the town.
132lbs and sleepless in Boise.
[from Mike] Eight hours before we leave for the airport. I’ve spent several weeks trying to figure out how to minimize our luggage, and I’ve gotten it down to eight smallish carry-on’s and one checked bag. Total weight is 132 pounds. That’s for four people, so I’m satisfied. If we left all the gadgets (cameras, gameboys, iPod, iPad, cables, batteries, more cables, etc.), it would probably be only 100 pounds, but we can’t travel THAT lightly. Now all I need to do is go to sleep and stop obsessing about that one critical thing that I’ve forgotten… Whatever it is, I’m sure they have stores there.
