4 and Krakow

He's 4!  Can't imagine life without Evan's sweetness and curiosity!  4th birthday and 3rd different city...Chicago twice, Holland, and Krakow.  We spent the day celebrating and acclimating to another new city.     





Chose one present to open in the morning.  This also gives an idea of our view from our hotel.  A pretty spot on the river with a view of the Wawel Castle as well, which was our first spot in checking out Krakow.  The castle is large with much to see, but the Dragon's Den was the most interesting to the 3 of us. 



Here's Evan by the entrance. Unfortunately, the den is only open for an inside tour during the summer months. We did manage to find the dragon though. Evan has been pretty into the dragon. Both kids received a stuffed dragon when we checked into the hotel.







From castle looking back to our hotel (just right of center)
We decided to have dinner on the Market Square.  We took a birthday tram ride to and from.  Evan has been begging to ride the tram in each city since we saw the first one in Warsaw.  He was delighted!



Earlier in the day we located a cupcake shop. Evan chose a different cupcake for each of us to enjoy.  The baker was so sweet and patient, telling Evan to pick his out for free and he even got to put his name on the box (with a little help)

  Today we headed to the Transport Museum.  We spent time with the hands on exhibits and also viewed many motorcycles, trams, cars, etc. from the past.  

Lake Como, Italy and Lugano, Switzerland

 Milan is in such great proximity to the Italian Alps. We decided to take advantage of this by renting a car and heading for the beauty North of Milan. Our whole day, including much of our driving as well as our time in towns, was filled with incredible views and awe of such beautiful scenery. Lake Como is the shape of an upside-down "Y" and we made our first stop at the crux of the "Y", Bellagio.   We spent a few hours meandering through the town - admiring the arcitecture, taking in the views, indulging in espresso and croissants, and breaking for lunch in the main piazza.

 

View as we drove up one side of the "Y'.  Much of the shoreline is populated and much of the driving is on roads built into the edge of the mountains.  Quite often about one and a half car widths wide.  Jeremy did some excellent driving. 

 

Taken from Bellagio looking to town across.

  

Bellagio - a "vertical" town, as most were along the way.



 Then we headed over the border to experience a bit of Switzerland.  We found it interesting that there seemed to be a distinct difference,noticed quite quickly, between Italy and Switzerland.  Switzerland appeared cleaner and more modern.  Again, we spent time walking the town and emjoyed dinner here.


Piazza along the water in Lugano

A great walkway and park run along a very large portion of the lakefront. 

Now, we arrived in Krakow.  Excited for what another week holds...

Milan

Ciao!  We're in Milan!  Here's what we've been up to:

A church service in Italian.  Well, we heard a sermon in Italian and sang songs and scripture in English.  We walked a significant distance in the rain to attend this English speaking service, per their website.  However, we entered to a lengthy sermon in Italian.  As we exited we found out the English speaking service followed, so stayed for as long as we could before needing to check out of our hotel and into our more permanent one for the week. Jeremy frequently attends a service when he is abroad, but it had been quite a while for me and I was struck with amazement at the beauty of the church worldwide.  Such a great opportunity and reminder of the diversity of God's people.  Kept thinking how I might again see these people in Heaven.

Sunday afternoon:  A trip to the Duomo via Evan's preferred method of transport - the subway.

Another way of transport:  Ayana is under there. :)  Rainy on Sunday and Monday, but our poncho came in handy!

The Duomo was started in the mid 1300's and took nearly 6 centuries to complete.

Then, back to the Duomo today with the 3 of us to head to the top.  Amazing architecture and incredible views!  We took an elevator to the terrace level and then did a good number of steps to get to the roof.  Evan and Ayana were the only kids I saw the whole time we were up there.  I felt quite nervous the whole time, trying to watch them near the edges, take pictures, and take in the scence.  Sort of crazy,and we got some looks, but we did it and I do not regret it!

Mountains in the distance near Switzerland.

Top of the Duomo letting all know how many more sleeps til his birthday

Statues on top and Piazza below.

And after our climbing, we snacked on the steps of the Duomo overlooking the bustling Piazza del Duomo.

Monday we needed a down day, so we headed to the pool. Swim caps required! Ha! Personally, I think they pull them off well. :)  I, on the other hand, did not, so no pics of that included.

We are taking in much of the local food.  Pizza, Pasta, Fresh cheeses, Gelato.  If we lacked a bit in food last week, we are definitely making up for it this week.  YUM!

   

More Warsaw

Currently awaiting our flight to Milan at the Warsaw Chopin Airport.  I believe we have a total of 9 flights on this trip.  Evan still thinks it's pretty cool, but not sure by the time we get to number 7.  He frequently comments on the speed of the flight, "...really, really fast.  Like a race car."  As well as on "where" we go on the plane, "way up like to Jesus."  Haven't figured out a successful way to explain we can't "fly" in a plane to Heaven. Just love this boy and all his comments along the way.  Can't imagine all that's going on in his mind.  

Week one went quickly!  Excited for our next stop.  Still hard to believe Jeremy and I are going back to Italy.  Both of us were quite sure when we left Italy on our 2008 Europe trip that it would be a long time, if at all, before we'd return.  So thankful to have this opportunity and explore another Italian city. 



Here's an update on how we spent our other days in Warsaw.  Wednesday we went to the Copernicus Science Center.  It's a hands on science museum and, per several Polish citizens we spoke with, this is a very new idea for them.  Pretty funny how often Evan had to tell other kids and museum workers that he speaks English.  We really enjoyed it!

Evan's favorite...flying the helicopter or "elpopter".  We came back to this one several times.

On Thursday, we had our first bit of sunshine, but the cold temps remained.  The wind chill has been between 10-20 degrees everyday.  Weather we wouldn't often go walking around in back in GR, but here walking is our option to really explore the city!  We've made the best of it and the kids have done very well.  A few times we ducked in bookstores to warm up, which served as more great cultural experience for us.  And Evan doesn't mind the book in Polish as opposed to to English...he still found a great stack to peruse.  So Thursday, with sun to help keep us "warm", we headed for Old Town and on the way saw The Presidential Palace, The Royal Palace, and many neat streets, shops, and cafes.  This morning, sun again, we returned so we could enjoy it with Jeremy too.  Most of Warsaw was essentially destroyed during WWII and Old Town was rebuilt with the rubble.  Great Square!