Brussels Revisited, or Life is a Carousel

Yes, Christmas was months ago.  I've gotten over being spot on with this blog and it's timing.  So off to our winter break to Belgium.

Emma loves a good carousel

Nico's fondness for them on display, too

Checking out the colorful MP chocolate

The kids just love their family portrait in La Grand-Place

Chameleon time

Ostrich man

"The smallest house in Brussels"

Déjà-vu!  Last time here Emma was a bun in the oven :)

UNESCO  World Heritage Site

Mannequin Pis, the man of the moment

Feeling the love

Recreating photo from 5 years ago, Mark adds something different this time!

Surprise, another carousel for Nico

Just one of Mason's many GQ shots (I take so many since he used to hate me taking his photo)

Marché de Nöel

Brussels just makes me happy.  Let's make that Belgium in general.  I know both times we visited it was cold, rainy, and grey, but the beauty and architecture of the city, the chocolate, the people, the waffles, the frites . . . what's not to love?  We first came in 2005 when I was pregnant with Emma, and this time she was enthralled with her introduction to Mannequin Pis (ok, not really).  

Beautiful Israel

View from our Tel-Aviv hotel room

Little man caught in the act

Enjoying a few rays on our pasty UK skin

Monument commemorating the events below . . . 

View of Jerusalem

Family tombs similar to those where Jesus believed to be buried

Garden of Gethsemane

Entrance to Gethsemane

Way back in November, Mark was asked to speak at an HR meeting in Israel for Cisco execs and employees. So naturally he wanted to make a weekend of it . . . and naturally we needed babysitting help! Cue desperate plea to Dad & Sharon who had yet to visit us overseas. We lucked out as they were willing to travel (quickly) and watch the kids for a few days. Even better, my dad was willing to drive, something most visitors are scared and cautious doing on the "other side of the road." :)

With children secured, Mark and I enjoyed a whirlwind two days: one in Tel-Aviv, the other in Jerusalem. Our day in Tel-Aviv was spent walking from the beaches of the town to Jaffa, setting of Jonah's famous whale tale. It was very old and also kind of artsy. Lovely! We ate at a restaurant called Manta Ray and had one of the most delicious meals I've ever eaten. Everything was fresh, the fish, the veggies, yummy entrees, mains, and desserts. Lots of people were out in full force since it was Sunday, back to work day. I forgot that the Sabbath is Friday there so the weekend is Fri. and Sat.

Gethsemane "tomb" (presided over by Orthodox Churches)  

Church of Mary Magdalene

Jerusalem marché

Women's section of Western Wall

Men's area of Western Wall

Our second and last day was spent on a private tour of Jerusalem. Our tour guide, Tony, was Italian and Israeli. He was born in Israel, then his family emigrated to Italy. He said he always wanted to return so voila, we profited from his expertise. He tailors his tours to the client (us) and finding out that we were Christian/LDS, he showed us the BYU Center and gave insightful commentary on the places we visited. He was interested in our views as many of the sites were debatable as to their authenticity. And, it was interesting that the Orthodox, Catholic, and Muslim faiths all shared responsibility for the management of these holy places including Gethsemane, Jesus' tomb, crucifixion site, etc. It didn't seem right, however, to see people draping themselves all over these spots and then only being able to catch a glimpse of them with security having to limit visiting time ... almost like when Jesus chased the merchants from the temple because they had defiled, had corrupted a sacred place. Everything just seemed strange and dark. But who knows where all these events really took place? So in the end, Mark and I were just blessed to be in such a wonderful, important country. We took away new ideas about harmony and witnessed all kinds of people from all kinds of religious backgrounds living side by side there. That's the story we don't often hear enough about!

Animal Attractions

This guy was worth the little hike to the top of Parc Güell.  All he could sing was "Happy Days" and "Light My Fire" in broken English.  Over and over.  Classic!  Worth every euro, too.

Look at this handsome lad.  Mark had to have his picture taken by Gaudi's famous lizard friend.

Speaking of friends, Nico made one at the Aquàrium.

And Emma was not to be outdone with her whaley amigo.

This street performer earned his in a whimsical, stilted ensemble.

The Casa-Museu, where the Gaudi lived for 20 yrs. of his life.   It's one of several "gingerbread" houses in Parc Güell, very funky.

This is Marina's elephant face.

And this is the King of the Jungle welcoming us to his crib.  Yes, he's taking a dump.  Sorry, but everyone got a kick out of his nonchalant greeting.

Parc de la Ciutadella's lovely Cascade Fountain.  So long Barcelona!  Next time we're going to so catch a Barca game at Nou Stadium (in our dreams :)

Sagrada Familia

As promised (and about three months later), our visit to Barcelona's #1 tourist attraction:  La Sagrada Familia, Antoni Gaudí.  First stone laid in 1882.  Completion set for 2030 if donations continue.  Wow.  That's what you say as you regard this massive cathedral, but not for it's grandeur, more for it's split personality design and detail.  Everywhere one looks there's something else to see and discover, and for that reason my children managed to enjoy our visit.  Really.  This is a close up of the front (or what is now the main entrance), more modern and almost cubist in design.

General view upon arrival.

Jesus overlooking the construction, making sure all is well.

Inside, hard at work and getting closer to completion.

Blurry photo of stained-glass.

Hardhats for the guys from the head office.

The statue of Jesus first confused me as I thought it was some avant-garde version, at least from far away.  I eventually realized he's wrapped for protection and will be unveiled from his spiderman prison in due time.

Very cool ceiling and columns, designed to appear as trees bend and support.

Color variation, nothing here is "normal," or expected (I guess you could say).

The rear of cathedral, much more gothic-looking and detailed to the max!  I forgot to take a picture of the famous Nativity facade, but it's in there.  You could spend hours just staring and straining to see all the work.  Good I Spy material.

Looks like it's haunted or melting even.

A rare picture of the kids and I.  Yay!

Mark and Nico strike a pose.

Managed to get all our heads in this one, but I am seriously lame at DIY photos.  Nevertheless, we had a great time and spent one of the most interesting days learning and laughing together.

Whilst touring and descending the top of church, one can wander through giant sculptures of fruit and veg.  Gaudí had a true sense of all things organic.

View of the city from the top.

The old botanical cross.  As mentioned, Gaudí loved nature and incorporated into his architecture--everywhere.

Cranes, cranes go away.  They ruined my lovely shot but they're everywhere, what can you do?  We took an elevator up for a small fee and the stairs down for free.  It was the only way, so there were lots of silent prayers that my children (i.e. Nico and Emma) would survive the spiralling descent since neither railings nor safety features existed to keep them from plummeting to their deaths.  Phew!!  We made it.  That concludes our visit, my next post will be a wrap up with some random photos from the rest of our trip, and then on to Israel.  It's my hope that I will soon return to regular blogging and include more meaningful events like birthdays, matches, concerts, etc.  Crossing my fingers!