Amber & Sheri's European Adventures

Funny Things

2009-10-18T07:01:00.000-07:00

One of the funniest parts about our trip has been the public transportation in each place. Most European places have great public transportation! But there are some places, even though brilliant, that are just plain ridiculous because of the amount of people that you find using public transportation. Mainly in places like England, France, Spain, and Italy. Endless people everywhere, pilling ontop of each other to try and get where they are going. Sheri and I cannot help but laugh when we try to get on things with the locals, this all ready giving us away as 'tourists' because we are the only ones smiling and laughing. This public transportation is serious business, every man or woman for themselves! There is no being friendly or polite, "everyone try to squeeze your fat butts simultaneously through the door." (Brian Regan) I mean I don't know how to be serious when there is someone I have never met and their face is inches away from mine. Not only that but I can't be serious when I watch as everyone is falling over onto each other as the people operating the transportation stop unexpectadly or take sharp turns. How can you be serious, especially when you are apart of that madness?

Rome was probably the worst place for all of this. Not only were the metros full of people but even the buses had people crammed inside of them. There was a point when we had just gone to the market and were trying to find a place to sit and eat. As we were walking down the street we saw buses crammed with people in every available open space and they were stopping to pick up more people. We couldn't believe it and were so thankful we weren't trying to get on that bus. Eventually we had to go through this mess as we were going to the colosseum. The metro had all ready been packed, Sheri and I were standing and holding onto bars provided with people all around us. Here we are in the center of all this and as we stop to pick up more people poor Sheri yells out "We can't get anymore people on this thing!" I always know that when Sheri's patience is up something must be pretty ridiculous, luckily that was our last stop and then we could get off. I will put some pictures up that I took in my attempt to share just how crazy all this was. Two things one should know when traveling by public transportation, get ready for a lot of people and learn to breath through your mouth cause there is some pretty horrific body odor.

I don't think these pictures do justice to how crazy it was but it will give you some idea. This one is the bus, you can see people pushed up against the door. I'm not sure how they got out safely.

The metro, it's all marked up with graffiti, can't see very well the people inside but it is like the bus.

This is one where we were attempting to get on and decided to wait for the next one to roll around. You can see people getting on and people getting off. It doesn't do it justice because these tunnels were long and my camera can only pick up so much.

A Little Bit Of Everything :)

2009-10-09T14:20:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

It has been a while since I have blogged and to satisfy those who keep asking here goes nothing..............We've really enjoyed our trip so far, not what we both had thought it would be as we were excited to venture out and meet missionaries. Hopefully finding a place that would spark our passion and take off serving. But with the fall through of most of our contacts its been more of a venture out on your own and see what happens. So far we've done quite well and are all ready talking about what we will do next as we realize what might have been better, or where might have been a better place to be as we learn transportation for each place. Transportation is huge when traveling, confusing in some areas and if you don't know what you are doing you are in for a real treat. Sheri and I jumped on a bus after our hotel clerk told us which one would take us to the train station so that we could reserve our train for the next morning. Well the smart thinkers we are we didn't even think to ask which bus we would have to take back and in what direction. So what happened.....we spent an hour getting on and off buses, asking people who didn't speak much English exactly where we were and how to get where we needed to go. It was an adventure after dark!

There has been so many funny things that have happened. I think I naturally find humor in a lot of things but really some things are just ridiculous. Most people know that I love wearing sandals, if I could get away with not wearing shoes the rest of my life I would be so happy. One warning I could offer you though is to not wear them on days that you are traveling, especially in Europe! I don't know what it is about dog poop not being picked up on streets and the slippery marble floors everywhere you go but if you are wearing sandals your butt is bound to regret it. No joke I have fallen flat on my butt twice while here! The first time was in Madrid Spain, feeling good that morning walking down the street with all our stuff to get on the train for Barcelona, and with all of my stuff I can't see in front of me very well. As I go to step around a gentleman on the sidewalk ahhh crap I'm going down. Not realizing what the heck just happened I look around and no joke fresh dog crap lying on the street and now on the bottom of my shoe. Not only that but a sore rear end to go with it. You know people always talk about God knowing our limits in certain situations, I've heard some say that's why people go through certain things, well that day I was believing. It wasn't a big deal that I fell, I could handle that, but if I would have fallen and gotten that dog poop on more than my shoe I think I could have died.

The second time was traveling from Barcelona to Switzerland. I had made it longer in the day this time as we were in the middle of our traveling day. As we were heading down the nice slippery marble stairs to get to our train platform it was like slow motion. I don't know how it happened I just remember thinking “oh no” and BAM the biggest sound you have ever heard. Poor Sheri was in front of me, all ready had made it down the stairs with no problem only to find me on the stairs struggling to get up as I have my big travel bag on my back. There was an older lady who had been going down the stairs with us at the time, she turned around also to see that I had fallen. I didn't understand much of what she was saying as she didn't speak English but the gesture of her hitting her butt and laughing let me know exactly what she was saying. Moral of the story, never wear sandals on traveling days!

Pretty much if you are traveling I hope that you have a sense of humor. A lot of things go wrong and there is no way of getting around it cause it is bound to happen. You can plan plan plan and something will still happen unexpectedly . We've missed our train due to not realizing our train was taking off from another train station and we've had our train reservations get made for the wrong day, leaving us stranded and wondering if we will actually make it to our next destination that day. But I will say that God has always provided and if you are looking to see where you are exactly on that whole trust line I recommend that you travel, it's a slap in the face.

I shared a little in the last blog I posted about what it would be like to live radical like Jesus' disciples did and countless other people who have lived throughout history. On this trip I've realized how much I struggle with the idea of balance. My thinking is very much a black and white way of thinking, I struggle with it daily, going back and forth in my head constantly. Let's be honest I think too much most days, I put too much of myself into most things and don't leave room for God to be apart and ultimately get glory through it. Ridiculous! The exciting thing about this time away from things is that it has allowed me to see things that were hidden away in the daily living. Things like fears that were tucked away and hidden and ways of thinking that didn't make any sense. Plus to just get a break as hard things took their toll, to find clarity in the chaos that was taking place in my own head.

I will end now as I've written so much tonight. But I will end with what I've been reading in scripture. I've still been going through the gospels. It has been so great because it brings me back to when I first came to know Christ personally and first started reading about all that He had done. The scriptures were so alive then, I remember being overwhelmed by Jesus' ministry and telling people “oh man look what He did, get over here and read this!” What happened to that passion? Somewhere in the time that has passed I lost that passion for scripture, but as I have been traveling I've been praying for God to use His word to speak to me. That I might not go back unchanged and that I might go back being disciplined. Anyway, in my reading I've been so overwhelmed with Jesus' consistency in loving and teaching His disciples. How many times do they just not get things and He would have to explain them over and over. But each time it was done out of such love, the gospel of Mark just really seems to point out that compassion and consistency in Jesus with His disciples. I contemplate my consistency in loving others and in my compassion towards them. It's so easy to get caught up in myself and what might be going wrong for me that day. To not notice others around me, to not take into consideration what they have been through that day. Maybe just even being open to how God can work through me to fulfill a need that day, its interesting. Consistency in loving others is difficult, even for the people that are really close to us. I pray I could be more consistant.

Thanks for reading, love you all and hope this finds you well. Many blessings....Amber

2009-10-09T12:43:00.000-07:00

Amber and Sheri ready to go see the 3-D London Eye Experience video.

The outside of Shakespeare's Globe.

The weir and bridge in Bath.

A bridge in London.

A mummie at the British Museum.

Pics of England cont.

2009-10-09T12:35:00.000-07:00

These are the punting boats at Cambridge.

The Mathematical Bridge at Cambridge. The myth is that Isaac Newton put it together without any nuts or bolts (it was purely mathematical) but then students took it apart to figure it out and couldn't get it back together again.

Corpus Christi at Cambridge. The church that Diane Hakalah serves at.

Bikes at Cambridge. Everyone rides even when in a dress or suit.

Brace Amber crossing Abbey Road with no shoes! :)

Pics of England

2009-10-09T12:26:00.000-07:00

This is inside the Liverpool St. Train Station at London. It's a huge station!

This is the gate outside of Buckingham Palace. They were amazing and very detailed with lots of contrasting colors of black and gold.

Sheri and Amber in an oversized astro-turf chair. You can't see them but there is also a couch and giant lamp.

What's London without the red double-deckers and telephone booths?

This is Big Ben and right next to it outside the picture is parliment.

Dedicated To Sheri

2009-10-07T13:21:00.001-07:00

Sheri taking a peek of the view from inside 'The Eye'

Dear good friend of mine Sheri,
You do not know that I am putting these pictures on here but I wanted to dedicate a blog specifically to you so that all could see just how brave you are. Also just how proud of you one should be. You conquered it, not easy to conquer one of your biggest fears but HOORAH you did it. So proud of you my friend. -Amber :)

A nervous smile but ready to take on the world!

The biggest 'ferris wheel' and you conquered it

Far view of 'The Eye'

Sheri Post - France

2009-10-07T13:11:00.000-07:00

After the much entertaining England, is France. I have to be honest and say that I think I was most nervous on this trip for France. The first day was in Paris and it was quite rough after all the traveling, customs, and another one of those really interesting hotels. The train station was probably the most interesting to start off with because there was a homeless man peeing in the trash can, some very shady people around, and there was some of the worst smells I have ever experienced. But once we got out to the country where a family who owned a bed and breakfast hosted us, everything changed around. It was a beautiful country with amazing hills and landscapes that were very picturesque like a painting. It was really enjoyable and spent a couple days going out into the woods and visiting chateaus and ruins. It was so fun and hardly any people around which was great because then we got to climb all over things. :) At the beginning of the walk through the woods we were told to watch out for certain plants nick named “white buttons” and to also keep an eye out for spiders, ticks, etc. While I happened to be by a stream trying to chase down and catch a frog I grabbed at a plant which stung like heck and got a tiny miniscule thorn in my thumb. Amber saw what I had done and informed me that the plant I grabbed looked a lot like the plant we were not supposed to touch. Sure enough, soon after where the thorn was a small white dot started to form on my hand. Nothing really happens because it doesn't spread like poison ivy which is great. But for such a small thorn it stung quite a bit for a long while and basically, I felt like an idiot. Every time we passed that type of plant every person made the effort to make sure I knew that it was there and to not touch it. :) Anyway's, the bed and breakfast “La Colorado” was absolute amazing. The people there were incredible and challenged me in so many way on how I live my life, the way that I think about things, my relationship with Christ, how I am to serve him and about who I am and who I should be. God used them as such a blessing in my life and I am so thankful for it. After being at the bed and breakfast it gave me and Amber a new confidence as headed to France for two days. We visited the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, and Notre Dame Cathedral which were all so cool! I cannot describe to you how awesome these all were. Each one was so massive in size and history. There will be pictures so you can get a glimpse of these but there is nothing like experiencing it all up close. Well, that is all I have for now and will talk to you later!

Sheri Post - England

2009-10-07T13:09:00.000-07:00

So I think the last place we left off was at Scotland which was a great place with some astounding landscapes straight from a storybook. Next is London, England. There is so much history that my mind almost explodes with buildings, facts, architecture, life, and people! We got to see some amazing things like Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, London Bridge, Tate Modern (art museum), British Library which has original writings from Jane Austen, Leonardo DaVinci, Mozart, Beethoven, Shakespeare, original Scripture from 6th and 7th century, and so much more. I don't think that there is space enough to write about everything! There was so much before me that I didn't know what to do with myself. But one thing we did try to do( take pictures) is apparently the very wrong thing to do. But every time the security guard came around to tell us that we weren't aloud to take pictures they were quite nice about it. I think there was only like two or three places we got caught for it. :)
Not only did we spend time in central London but we got to escape to Cambridge where a friend of ours took us on a grand tour. She was an amazing guide who took us to each building and told us the scoop on everything. It was hard to retain everything, but me and Amber did our best to sponge in all the information. It is a really funny place with many different myths, legends, and ghost stories. That day we also did punting which was probably the coolest part of the day. You sit in a wooden boat and someone stands on the back and directs the boat through the water with a stick. It actually is quite a lot like gondolas. To finish the day there, we filled our bellies with pub food, a drink, and a great chat.
On another day we took a train to Bath which is a great little town where natural spring water abounds. Royalty and all who could afford it would come and take baths there due to the myth about it having magical powers. We wandered around town with a friend of mine who lives close by and she acted as bit of a tour guide for the day as well. Needless to say it was a great week spent in England.
I would like to take time to thank all those who hosted us, gave tours, and befriended us while we were there. So a great big thanks to Ann, John, Diane, and Charity. You were a huge blessing to us!

Edinburgh Continued Again

2009-09-24T14:16:00.001-07:00

Inside Edinburgh Castle, this is taken inside the Queen's room

Picture through one of the window's in the Queen's room

Had to stick our feet in after the long walk, cold but so worth it.

We found some gum on the side of the bunk bed in our hostel, we were pretty grossed out by this

Being silly while by the ocean, it was chilly and we were excited that we made it there

Edinburgh Continued

2009-09-24T14:06:00.001-07:00

Took us two hours of walking to get to the coast but we made it!! Beautiful!

More of the beautiful water

Taken on our journey to find the coast, Sheri made a friend along the way.

Local boy playing the bagpipes

Our hostel, yes it was above a bar. It was a neat place to stay

Edinburgh Scotland

2009-09-24T13:50:00.001-07:00

The fabulous Royal Mile sign

A picture down the Royal Mile

"We eat...We fight...We die!" quoted by Sir William Wallace himself

Enjoying Panini's before we go to Edinburgh Castle

Far view of Edinburgh Castle (taken in the Queen's Garden)

Glasgow Continued

2009-09-24T13:38:00.001-07:00

Picture of the University of Glasgow

Us as we try to laugh off our hotel situation

We feel safe, no actually we didn't. (These pictures don't tell the story, make the hotel actually look nice which is ridiculous)

Really this looks ok but these pictures are just trying to be nice.

Amber contemplating whether or not to stay

Glasgow Scotland

2009-09-24T13:27:00.001-07:00

Here we are leaving Glasgow for Edinburgh via train

Picture from a walk we took one day, love the green

More beautiful green

Sheri climbing in a tree

Amber walking along in a park

Dublin Continued

2009-09-20T10:20:00.001-07:00

Greatest guitar player?

At St. Patricks Cathedral

Sheri around city hall in Dublin

Statue/ Art representing a serious famine that took place in Ireland

Locals playing ther music on the streets, it was amazing!

A Few Pics From Dublin

2009-09-20T10:10:00.001-07:00

Our tour guide in Dublin; I think Sheri and I were the only ones laughing on the tour when he was cracking jokes. He really is a comedian!

Queen of Tarts!!! Had some good pastry treats! :)

Sheri looking serious in 'The Garden of Remembrance'

Part of the statue in 'The Garden of Remembrance'

Outside our Hostel in Dublin, loved the green door

Ferry from Dublin to Holyhead

2009-09-13T05:09:00.000-07:00

the view from the deck of the giant ferry
playing "kings in the corner" on the ferry

the logo for the Irish Ferries

Something Small

2009-09-13T03:35:00.000-07:00

Well this is definitely a first, as we are sitting on a train heading to London. I had no idea that you could have wifi on a train, but needles to say it is pretty exciting as this is a 5 hour train ride. We've really enjoyed our time in Ireland and Scotland as they both have so much great history, so much battle for independence. There is something about being here and walking where people have walked that makes it become more alive.

It's fun traveling with someone who is like you in many ways. One way that Sheri and I have struggled is feeling overwhelmed as we get into new cities, as it is loud and there are so many people. By nature we are just two introverted people, who occassionally like to be amoungst the poeple. What is great about this is that we don't mind sacrificing the major touristy spots to just go for an adventure. Not looking at a map but just walking in a general direction of where something should be and hoping that we come across it. Yesterday, Saturday 12th, we set out to find the coast and after about two hours of walking in the general direction we found a great spot. We just walked and sat and took off our shoes to enjoy the water and sand beneath our feet. What a joy it is to just be silent and enjoy all that our Father has created. The beauty of the land seems unreal at times.......breathtaking! This has been my favorite part about this trip so far, all the little things.

I've been reading a book called "Crazy Love" and have been going through the book of Matthew at the same time. I've really enjoyed what I've been reading so far as it challenges me on what a 'Christian' life should look like. I've thought a lot about what the term radical means in terms of the life of one who claims to follow Christ. It seems that the term 'radical' is seen in a negative light, even in the eyes of most Churches today. I know that when I used to think of what a radical was the first thought was those people who stand with signs on the street corner persecuting people as they come by. I have been struggling through it, wanting so much for my life to reflect that of a radical, but not like the people that I spoke of above. I don't see the love of Christ anywhere near those people, but I want to live as one of the radicals I find throughout scripture. There is a passage in Matthew 10 that I was reading a few nights ago as we were in our shaddy hotel room in Glasgow. There it talks about when Jesus was sending out the twelve, telling them to go to the lost sheep of Israel but as they go about Jesus tells them not to take anything with them. No gold or silver or copper, having no bag with an extra tunic or sandals or staff. I was challenged by Jesus's words, as this would be so hard, it rips me apart just thinking about it as I'm not sure if this is something that I could do. The faith involved to obey and go as He tells them to is amazing. Can you imagine how RADICAL that would look today? I believe there are probably people doing just this and man I pray that God would have grace and patience with me. That He would teach me what it means to truly love Him wholeheartedly. That one day I can honestly say to Him, "nope Lord there is nothing in my life that is before you."

Well, sorry I don't claim to be a writer but I wanted to let you all know a little bit more of what is going on as we travel. That our hope is to allow God to move us in this journey, not just for the sake of seeing cool things. Love you all, thanks for following as we love your support. Many blessings friends!

Amber

Scotland

2009-09-09T12:29:00.001-07:00

Sorry it's been a while since either one of us has last blogged, the days have been going quite fast. The trip to Scotland has been quite interesting so far. For starters, if you ever find yourself on a train from Holyhead to Glasgow, make sure you read all the instructions on how to lock the bathroom door. It's quite humiliating to get caught with your pants down. And if ever in Glasgow, never stay at the Lomond Hotel. First thoughts were, sketchy. First words out of my mouth were, "Are we at a brothel?" Anyway's, we are surviving quite well and everything has been quite a learning experience. I know that I am learning so much about myself.
The ferry ride from Dublin, Ireland to Holyhead, Scotland was so fun! The ship was huge and it was amazing to stand out on the deck and look to the horizon. Although, the port water was disgusting and looked more like a rootbeer float than actual water.
The weather started out really cold, but warmed up for our stay in Glasgow. It has taken quite an adjustement from Ireland to Scotland with the people not being as open or friendly. Today we took things easy and enjoyed a picnic in the park at Kelvinton, then a tea at Costa's Coffee. I will post some picture of Dublin, but there aren't very many of Scotland yet. Hopefully tomorrow we will be able to take a walk out in the country or even a hike through the beautiful Scotland terrain.
With much love,
Sheri

2009-09-04T08:10:00.000-07:00

Enjoying Ice Cream after we accomplished the Blarney

Sheri FINALLY kissing the stone :)

Sheri arguing with the poor man, "This is as far as I want to go!"

Amber without batting an eye kisses the stone "I shall never wash these lips again."

First Stop...Cork Ireland Part Amber

2009-09-04T07:21:00.000-07:00

Plane ride wasn't too bad, didn't really struggle with jet lag as I was able to stay up but one hour through the nine hour flight. I really enjoyed the flight attendants on British airways as they were very helpful and polite. Once we arrived in London things started to get kind of difficult because we had no idea what the heck we were doing or where we were going. Apparently you have to fill out some sort of form as you go through customs just to have them approve of you in their country. The man at the customs desk wasn't so friendly, seemed to enjoy giving us a hard time and there is just something about those kind of people who take pleasure in making things harder for you that gets me feisty. As the man is grilling us with questions he asks, "Is this your first time here?" Stupidly I say "Yes...can you tell." Sheri at this point is cracking up as the man behind the desk sits in silence. Woops!

It hasn't been the easiest of transitions, the main reason being my pride and having to look like a moron everywhere I go. It's hard not knowing where you are going, relying on the locals to tell you after you've all ready asked them 20 times. But the Irish are very sweet people. Just as we would be walking along the street with our map people would stop us and ask us if we knew where we were going, with doubt in our minds we would ask for their suggestions. In our first full day here we took it upon ourselves to explore on our own. Feeling confident we trekked out to find the Blarney Castle, only to see that the route we had chosen wasn't for pedestrians. So we tried to follow along a narrow road that looked to follow the highway but soon found out that if we continued we might get hit by one of the many speeding cars going up and down this narrow road with no sidewalk. Came to this conclusion as we passed a couple of carcass's. So we walked back grabbing some lunch and trying to map out our plans to the rail station, we found the rail station and were able to see what our plan was for getting to Dublin on Saturday. As we left the rail station we were offered our first pint by two men, one I'm pretty sure was drunk in mid-afternoon, but we kindly refused. To finish the day we sat in a coffee shop, Sheri having tea and me a coffee, journaling and reading so that we might take time to reflect.
We were able to get to Blarney Castle today as we found a free bus that would take us there, pretty great if you ask me since everything is so expensive. What a fun and beautiful place, the hike up wasn't so bad. As you walked up the small steep stairway you could stop inside the different rooms, I took quite a few pictures out of the windows as we went. Once at the top I was so excited to kiss the stone. Had my camera out ready to take picture of Sheri as she went and so that she could take a picture of me too. Sheri did so great, she was nervous as she doesn't enjoy heights very much but after much "arguing" with the man he finally convinced her to just lean back and do it. The gap looked bigger as you were standing there looking at it than it really was as you lay on your back and held the bars to kiss it upside down. What a great start to our trip! As I said to Sheri as we were walking out of Blarney...."I shall never wash the lips again!"

First Stop...Cork Ireland Part Sheri

2009-09-04T07:09:00.001-07:00

The flight felt long and unending with my legs and butt going numb and only being able to sleep for one hour despite it being a nine hour flight. So getting through customs was interesting and so was figuring out Heathrow London airport. I felt silly going up and down every escalator known to man and then wandering through different places until we finally found where we were supposed to be. All in all, it was definitely a learning experience. One that I hope goes smoother on the way back home. I really am enjoying Cork and all it's people. They are very kind and helpful despite my being a bit foolish about everything. I want to put one of them in my pocket and bring them home with me just so I could here them speak with their accent any time I wanted to. :)
The highlight was definitely Blarney Castle today which was amazing. It was a lot higher up than I had expected and the wind was really blowing hard. I did fine all the way up those narrow and seriously steep stairs, but as soon as I got out to the stone I did not want to do it. I even asked the guy if I could skip this part, but he wouldn't let me. He kept trying to persuade me to just lay back and all will be fine. I argued for a little bit, but he was the sweetest guy and was very patient with me. In the end, he really wasn't going to let me get out of it and I ended up actually leaning back and kissing the stone despite the long drop! Thanks Blarney Stone Guy! :) We also met some fun people along the way and a couple people from Israel. I don't feel all that short here and I have actually seen more bearded women than I ever care to, but I absolutely have enjoyed being here. Until next time, yeah?!

Here We Go

2009-08-31T15:27:00.001-07:00

3 Weeks and 3 Days!!!!!!!!!

2009-08-09T18:19:00.000-07:00

Sheri - So excited for our European adventure, can't believe how quickly it has come upon us.
But we are ecstatic for the opportunities ahead.

Amber - Seems that there is still so much to do in terms of preparing for our adventure but I'm coming to the conclusion that I will probably not feel ready no matter how much planning we do as one does not know what to expect of a place never traveled before.

We would love to have your prayers! :)