Wordless Wednesday: Heidelberg Castle

I've shown you all a few glimpses of where I live. I live in the town Leimen which is just south of Heidelberg. Almost regularly, preferably by the tram, I love to visit Heidelberg. Here are some pictures from the weekend. I will dedicate Wordless Wednesday to my town and Heidelberg for the rest of my time left here. I am also in the process of making a video. But am not ready to show that as we are so busy preparing to leave. Not much time left now!

I first visited the Heidelberg Castle in 2004.
From wiki: The earliest castle structure was built before AD 1214 and later expanded into 2 castles circa 1294; however, in 1537, a lightning-bolt destroyed the upper castle. The present structures had been expanded by 1650, before damage by later wars and fires. In 1764, another lightning-bolt destroyed some rebuilt sections.





























Hope you liked the photos! Have a great day!

Farewell Germany Pt 2

This is a bit of series: the first. I intended it to be. I am a quiet person, but when I start talking, I don't stop. I'm quite self-conscious of that and prefer to  judge er observe quietly.

Anyway, I left off the last post about my first few years in Germany. Those were spent in the military. I met my now husband in the last few months of my military career.

He's 9 years older than me, and taught me a lot about myself. I was basically going down a downward spiral.  Yes, mom....I am airing some intimate details of my life sorry. But maybe someone can benefit (for blackmail or otherwise) from these tales. I am not going to be all cliche and annoying, but he was definitely an integral part in me creating a new version of myself. Finally learning how to cook, pursuing my dreams of being a June Cleaver wannabe. It was nice and almost overwhelming to have someone support almost everything I wanted to pursue.


I am not going to say that I became this perfect little wife after marrying my husband. I still had my moments that I am certainly not proud of. Like all humans, no marriage is perfect and ours most certainly isn't. But what makes a good or healthy marriage is not giving up on the person. There were times when I wanted to leave and he as well, but we always made the other sit down and listen to the other instead  of talking at one another. Last summer our marriage had an "aha" moment. We finally discussed key factors draining our marriage. And it was so overwhelmingly good. It felt like the slate was finally clean afterwards. Though during the discussion there was a lot of tears, but we learned exactly each others feelings, no longer attempting to predict what they really were.

OK I went off tangent a bit. But this has everything to do with my growth while in Germany. Learning to let go of guilt, mistrust, ego, and other psychology shit.

So like giving birth to my three beautiful children, my husband made a big impact on my life and my love for Germany. If it weren't for us living in the boonies, I wouldn't have known how amazing Germany is beyond the bars and clubs LOL for real. We went to fresh markets, bakeries, got to know our neighbors and was hungry for more culture. We got the wonderful opportunity to stay in Germany but we had to move. That's my next post.

Milan, Italy with the Family

Canals of Milan not like Venice or even Amsterdam. But like, Amsterdam, the canals are close to some eccentric areas of the city.

I've wanted to go to Milan forever. It just seems so glamorous, though I am not that fashion forward. After having children, it just didn't seem like the typical family-friendly destination.

I love this "fail" family photo

I was wrong. There are gelatarias, patisscerias, playgrounds all over. Almost every block has a playground. The funny part is that there were more adults relaxing and soaking up the sun than there were children! Also a free aquarium, that's small but a nice break. It's located next to the huge park Piazza Sempione! If you're there long term, there are also indoor swimming pools all over the place. 

My children loved Milan. I think they loved it mostly for the incredible weather! It was in the lower 60s (Fahrenheit) while were there. A big contrast to the 30s and 40s in the town we live in Germany. The people were extremely friendly and curious. My children can be a bit eccentric (like their parents) and they got a lot of odd looks from the locals. My husband and I were cracking up lol. 

One annoying aspect of Milan that I experienced in Paris back in 2010 not in 2013 is all the peddlers. It was ridiculous. I had my big azz camera so I basically had "I am a tourist" boldly written on my forehead.

We checked out the Duomo church, Piazza della Scala, Sforza Castle and other landmarks. Like most places we've been, we have little children, there were no partaking in the famous operas or museums. But my husband and I said we will definitely be back....some time in the lifetime! 

Atop the Duomo Cathedral

Beautiful Streets of Central Milan

The Sforza Castle

In front of the Sforza Fountain 

Of course we ate quite well. The restaurants' prices were a bit on the high end, but we didn't have one bad meal. The prices stung initially, but later we had no regrets! Right, honey?

We didn't eat here, but thought it was cool! There are a lot of top designers with cafes here! Even Gucci!

Plus the helpings were huge

Beautiful fresh market!

At least it's Spring somewhere!

Collecting rocks by the cathedral. A tradition we have

Piazza della Duomo

This was terrifying but I've always wanted to do it!

Duomo Cathedral

Ossobucco With Risotto Milanese. HUGE helping! But Good!

Ravioli with Wild Boar Ragu also mine LOL.....I had a food baby here, too.

Loads of food "on the house" also some shots of Limoncello at the end and lots of candy for the kids!

Crostini also on the house

Helping me document it all!

Ciao Bellas!! 

I have over 100 pictures in my flickr album if you want to see more. The link is on the left sidebar.

Weekend fun in the South of France and some other randomness

Hello all!

Hope you're all well and enjoyed your Easter Weekend.

Girrrrrrrl how'd your broke ass afford travel so much?

When there is a will there is a way! I am so so so thankful to have seen what I have. Us leaving in the next couple months has really got our butts in gear with seeing as much of Europe as possible. Most people I know when they're time is coming to a close in Germany they travel A LOT. And we are no exception.

We decided to go to the South of France in February. We were chilly and was hoping for a warm climate that was close enough to drive to. So happy we drove because we saw soooo many beautiful sites the Swiss Alps and Italian Alps are breathtakingly gorgeous. The smell of the sea was refreshing on the last leg of the long drive.. Not something you smell often in Southern Germany where we live. I love the sea, I wanted to stop in Italy and jump in the clear blue Mediterranean but we had about 2 hours more to drive (mostly due to toll lines!).

If you're driving to the South of France from Germany. Make sure you have change for the tolls in France. The French tolls wouldn't take our cards though the Italian ones did. We had some mishaps in France that was embarrassing- just a lil tip!

My oldest, claimed to 'hate France' (when visiting only once to a small French town with no English speakers) said this was the best vacation up there with our trip to Switzerland last winter. Chilling on the French Riviera is definitely bucket list worthy. The striking blue waters, the food, the fashion, the eclectic people,  the surroundings are all AMAZING.

Here are some pictures!

On the road


In St Paul de Vence


Crazy Lays Flavors in France too. There's a Bolognese flavor as well


From my rental French Kitchen



He loved the scenery


In Nice. Was cloudy but not cold out. The water was cold, though!


But I wore my bikini and jumped in with my jacket anyway LOL


Needed to wear shoes with all the pebbles OUCH


The Apartment! Pretty


Nice is very kid friendly. With restaurants and playgrounds everywhere



My daughter met all kinds of kids. Must be the curls


The next day was warmer


We also went to Monaco
One the ride




In Monaco













Warm Day YAY!

Beautiful Water!




Hubby enjoying his Monaco Beer


Nicoise Salad




My son and I shared!


Window Shopping?




At the Monte Carlo Casino!!! I wish we could have gone inside, definitely for a couples trip when we're 60 lol


hope you all enjoyed the photos!!! We had a wonderful time!