Summer Travels

It was a big decision for us to go to Germany for Pete’s niece’s wedding, and to Italy, but we have so many special memories and are so glad we went.  Jessica and Emily were flower girls, and Josh and Pete sang at the wedding ceremony.  I just sat and enjoyed the beautiful views and felt like a very blessed woman.  It is impossible to capture it all but here are a few memories of our trip.

Germany—a magical country with magical appliances

God really outdid Himself the day he made Bavaria, especially Tegernsee (where the wedding was):  The rolling green hills, the abundance of icy cold mountain lakes, and ones warm enough to swim in; the wonderful mountains to climb with spectacular vistas.  We took early morning walks (or runs) through cow pastures with the music of their bells to sing to.  You just feel like you have stepped back in time.  Definitely a place to “restoreth the soul.”  We biked along the Tegernsee Lake and even got to sail and swim there.  We really enjoyed visiting with Pete’s family while we were there.

Coming from Cameroon, we couldn’t help but notice all the magical appliances in the house we stayed in.  Some we remember from America—the magic machine that washes clothes and another to dry them, and the wonderful one in the kitchen that washes the dishes.  But this house seemed chalked full of new things.  They have a machine that slices bread, meat and cheese super thin.  A machine that makes any kind of gourmet coffee you could desire.  The shutters open and close magically and the salt and pepper shaker grinds out fresh items with just a touch of the finger.  They even have a stove top that won’t burn you if you put your hand on it while it is on.  Modern technology is amazing.  We also enjoyed the smooth roads where you could drive FAST.
 

Genoa, Italy—a city of sounds

I got a touch of the flu, so I spent 36 hours horizontal in Genoa.  I was in a room where the shutters did not open magically nor open at all, so I could not look out the window, but the sounds were enough to entertain me while Pete and the kids explored the city.

I loved the city sounds of cars and bikes and trains.  I could hear at least two sets of church bells and could hear the laughter of children in the streets.  We were so close to the sea, I imagined I could hear the sounds of the water.  I could hear people bringing their bottles, plastic, paper, etc, for recycling, which everyone seems to do.  As I lay there listening to the sounds, I was reminded how much time I spend talking and how I need to just sit back and listen a bit more.

Fortunately, we made it back to Genoa after going to Rome, Sienna, Florence, Pisa and Assisi and I was able to see the lovely beaches.  We even drove to Monaco for the day, where the kids did a bit of low-key snorkeling.

Rome—a city to walk in

Rome has a wonderful metro and bus system, but the best way to see it is just to walk and walk and walk.  There is history in every block.  We were fortunate to be staying in the historic area and so everything was close.  We saw the Coliseum, Pantheon, Vatican, St Peter’s, Trevi Fountain—just to name a few.  We also really enjoyed our time staying with some Augustinians priests and brothers.  The kids adored them and we had many great meals with them just laughing and sharing.  One of the highlights was being in the 6th row to see the Pope at St Peter’s Square.

We are so blessed and we appreciate all these memories we are creating as a family.  The kids are growing up to be really fine people.  We are very proud and grateful! 

-Joy