Part 1 continued

We went back to the apartment early on Christmas Eve to read stories and play games. Our jetlag was really bad and none of us could go to sleep until 4-5am, which meant we woke up at 12-1pm on Christmas Day - fun, fun! We each had brought a small gift for each other and we enjoyed the simplicity of our gift exchange. Since we had slept most of the day, we hurried to get dressed and get back to the Grand Place (only thing open) to finish exploring. The place was packed, but still we marveled at the beauty of the city center. We also had our first Belgian waffle, A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! We bought it off of the street, wrapped in paper and piping hot - I don't think I can eat waffles again here in the States! By the way did I mention that it was COLD in Brussels? After about 2 hours of walking, I could no longer feel my feet! Enjoy the pictures, and more later!

Brussels, Part 1

To pick up where I left off, Trey only got worse, so we made the call to Belgium's universal healthcare line and a English speaking doctor showed up within an hour at OUR apartment! I knew he was catching a cold, but I felt he had strep throat because that was the root of the pain (and fever), plus he had the white spots on the back of the throat. Well anyway after an exam and throat swab the doctor confirmed the infection and prescribed meds and we were off to the pharmacy. By the way, the house call cost us $40 - we were sure it would cost a lot more $$$$, but obviously the Europeans know how to make healthcare affordable! He wrote 4 prescriptions and that cost us a whopping $20! Enough about that, he made a full and speedy recovery and we were back in business!

On Christmas Eve, we took off for the Grand Place in the center of Brussels to visit the Chirstmas markets and go ice skating. The Grand Place was absolutely beautiful and all the vendors in the stalls had amazing things to sell (we picked up a handmade nesting doll for Bella). We had our first meal in a restaurant there as well, and it was amazing. Trey had the rabbit, Hamartrya and I had a traditional beef stew and picky Bella had a cheese pizza! We also had our first taste of Belgian beer - very good!

I'm not a slacker, our computer crashed!

On our second day in Brussels, our computer crashed, cutting us off from everything, so I will have to do a lot of catching up! We are back in the U.S.A, and as soon as I get over my jetlag, I will recap our wonderful European escape!

Pictures by Trey

Breakfast in the San Diego airport

Trey told me to "pose".

Trey and Bella being silly!

Trey being Trey!

Trey said the pilot said this was the Mississippi River!

We made it!

After a whole day of traveling (always exhausting) we have made it! The weather here is surprisingly mild, about 45-50, so we are pleased! Trey got sick on the way over and is still not 100%! His fever has gone away, but his throat is sore and he is having "dips". The only saving grace is doctors will come to you over here is Brussels and the standard of care is classified as high! So if he is not better tomorrow, I might have to make that call! So please keep him in your prayers so he can get out and enjoy Brussels!

As many of you know, Hamartrya is pretty good with his French, he is also good with his social skills! So as you can imagine, he was super excited to start his first french conversation in Brussels. Well, he picked the wrong person (our cab driver!!:) Don't get me wrong, the man was extremely nice, but he had to make eye contact with Hamartrya during any and all dialog. Yes, even while he was driving. Of course Hamartrya is oblivious to the fact that we almost ended up in two ditches, side swiped 3 cars and took out a guard rail, but we made it to the apartment safely and my heart rate has just returned to normal! Once we arrived at the apartment, we cleaned up and took a brief nap before attempting to venture out in Brussels. Trey thought he was better, but we (Trey, Bella and I) ended up coming right back. Hamartrya saved the day by finding a grocery store and getting us much needed food and drink. We have spent the rest of the night playing games and watching French t.v. - very interesting. Tomorrow we are going to try to go to the Christmas market and ice skate and visit the huge "atom" in the center of town. That is all for now, until tomorrow.....

Off to Brussels and Merry Christmas!

On Monday we are off to Brussels for the holidays! As you can imagine we are all very excited and can't wait to explore the city! We are also going to take the high speed train to Paris so Trey can see that tower made out of Lego's (Eiffel Tower)!!:) But anyway, I plan to blog everyday and post pictures as sort of an attempt to keep a journal of our trip, so stay tuned... Hamartrya also plans to write our annual Christmes letter while we are there as well, so it will probably arrive sometime in late January!!:)

Merry Christmas to all of our family and wonderful friends, may the true meaning of Christmas make its way into everyones heart!

Three Tharpe's

This is what happens when you combine good food and long distances traveled!