Month 15: Update

EASTER:

The Luxemtribe celebrated Easter with dinner and an Easter egg hunt hosted by the Oates family. The dads hid the eggs in the park across the street, and it was really fun to see the kids stampede down the sidewalk about thirty seconds after this picture was taken:

COPENHAGEN:

Russell loves all things Scandanavia. After spending 2 years in Norway, he really goes all in--smoked fish for breakfast, down comforters, he can even speak the language. So, when our local airline posted a sale on tickets to Copenhagen, Russ heard the call of the Great White North, and off we went to make friends with our nearest Scandinavian neighbors.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Copenhagen Boat Tour

Nyhaven

Changing of the guard at Amalienborg Palace

World's Biggest Pillow Fight

(Seriously. Happens at Town Hall!)

Town Hall

Rosenborg Palace

Russell looks good in a crown!

Christian IV

This guy apparently had big personality, AND he was rocking the Jedi braid, so you know he had to be cool.

Climbing the tower at Church of our Savior

Christiania : Hippy Compound

LOW POINT:

Waking up covered in itchy, red welts with my eyes nearly swollen shut. (This glamorous pic was taken AFTER the swelling had gone down a bit.) Apparently, I am allergic to Copenhagen. The good news is that Denmark has both 7-11s AND Benadryl. Small miracles.

So what do you do when you realize you're allergic to your vacation destination? You go to a different country. The next morning, we hopped a train and went to Sweden!

Malmo, Sweden

Visited the park, ate Scandinavian food for lunch at a cute park cafe, and attended a concert at the brand new concert hall.

Eating Swedish fish in Sweden

BON VOYAGE, OATES FAMILY:

One more Luxemtribe get-together at the park.

We didn't want them to go. Like, at all. Tasha and Ben were some of our first friends in Lux, and they made an immeasurable difference when it came to our quality of life. Tasha showed up with a plant and food the first time I got sick here, looked me in the eye, and said, "You are NOT alone in Luxembourg." When my phone was stolen, Ben went with me to the police station to help me file my report in French. They fed our cats, they invited us to tag along on their adventures, and they shared our love of Indian food take-out. They're stellar. So, the selfish part of me started throwing a toddler tantrum when they got their marching orders and announced their imminent return to the USA. For propriety's sake, I rallied. Mostly. We miss them, but we're excited that they are enjoying their time back in the land of Target, Chick-fil-A, and minivans. Thanks, Oates, for showing us all how to be Luxembourg Expat Champions. We miss you like crazy.

ENGLAND ANNIVERSARY TRIP:

We've been married for two years, and we've covered a lot of miles in that amount of time. We revisited some of our honeymoon stomping ground for our anniversary, returning once again to Jolly Ole England.

London:

London Highlights: Fed birds in Kensington Gardens; Climbed the dome at St. Paul's; Dinner at the National Portrait Gallery's rooftop restaurant; Saw the play "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime"; Watched knights beat the crap out of each other on St. George's Day.

Oh hey, Victoria!

BRIGHTON:

Brighton Highlights: Checking out the quirky shops; Buying treats at the USA candy store; Visiting the Royal Pavilion; Walking down to the pier to see the seashore; Milkshakes before hopping back on the train.

"A little sea-bathing would set me up for life!"

The Village of RYE:

Rye Highlights: The street names; poking around the old streets and churchyards; climbing the church clock tower; scones and jam for breakfast; the amazing hot chocolate store.

They take chocolate very seriously. And they serve it in cereal bowls. My mother would approve.

GREENWICH:

Greenwich highlights: Checked out the Cutty Sark (ship); walked up to the Royal Observatory; visited the space photography exhibit at the Observatory; located the Prime Meridian.

THE END.