Rome

Just flew back from Rome and boy are my arms tired. Tippetts has been in Paris visiting and made the trip with me. Rome was great, saw lots of cool stuff. I am really glad that I was able to sneak it in before returning to the states next week.

In front of the Colisseum. We did the tour (good call Tip) and were able to skip the line. Aside from the Eiffel Tower, this was probably the most amazing thing I saw while living in Europe.

Inside of the Colisseum. Our tour guide had Tip and I face off as gladiators. Unfortunately I didn't represent very well.

Tip at the entrance of the Roman Forum.

The Spanish Steps. I guess these are a lot better to visit during the Spring when the flowers are blooming. Luckily I didn't have to stop too often before reaching the top.

My graceful attempt at tossing a coin into the Trevi fountain. It just made it, so I guess I had better start preparing for the return trip once the girls are done with college.

Dinner at the Pantheon. I went with the fettucini.

St. Peters Bassilica. Didn't see the Pope, but I can cross visiting the smallest country in the world off my to do list.

Apparently the hat I bought wasn't an original as the guy up ahead in the metro had the same one. So weird.

Probably won't post again until we are all moved back to K.C. So stay cool and have a cool summer.

Nuck

Aachen, Germany

So with my final remaining unplanned weekend remaining in Europe I decided to go to Aachen, Germany. It is the resting spot for Charlemagne. As Charlemagne was crowned Holy Roman Emperor this city took on a more central role throughout his reign, going so far as to call it the "New Jerusalem". I learned a lot and would recommend it to those looking for a good day trip while in the area.

The is the Aachen Cathedral. It was the first site added to UNESCO's list of historical places in Germany. It is also the resting spot of Charlemagne.

The front of the Cathedral. The treasury that holds a lot of cool stuff is around the corner.

This is the Aachen Town Hall. During the holiday season they hold a world renowned Christmas Market. Today all there was in the courtyard was a group of Medivel knights and their wenches. You can see them in the bottom left corner.

Lunchtime! When in Germany got to go with the Bratwurst. This was Round 1 of 2.

The throne of the Holy Roman Emperor. It is very underwhelming. The tour guide said the throne is made of marble that Jesus had walked on and that is why they did not feel the need to "fancy it up".

This is one of two important caskets within the cathedral. This one is said to contain 4 important religious relics. They include John the Baptists shroud when he was beheaded and the swaddling clothes of Jesus' birth. Every seven years they taken them out and put them on display for those people making a pilgrimage to Aachen.

This is the second of the caskets within the cathedral. It contains the body of Charlemagne. All I could think of was Indiana Jones and Raiders of the Lost Ark. Keep waiting for some crazy ghosts to come flying out and start melting people.

This is Printen. It is a shortbread type of food. Didn't quite top the brat from lunch.

Auf Wiedersehen
Nuck

Marseilles

Last month I was able to spend a couple days in Marseilles in the South of France. While not as glamorous as Nice, Cannes, or St. Tropez were all the wealthy go on holiday, Marseilles is pretty cool. My favorite part was the Chateau d'Ilf. This is France's version of Alcatraz. In the book the Count of Monte Cristo it is where Edmond Dantes (the Count) was sent.

The view from the hill looking down on Vieux-Port.

This is Notre Dame de la Garde. It is said to watch over sailors as they are coming and going from Marseilles.

This is looking out towards the Chateau d'Ilf from Notre Dame de la Garde.

Vieux Port. This is one of the main areas of the city. They had a huge fish market with some pretty interesting looking creatures that I would never dare try.

The cathedral de la mayor.

On the island Chateau d'Ilf.

Looking back at the city of Marseilles from the island.

Getting back into the Port after my trip to the islands.

I'm on a roll with these posts, so hopefully I'll be able to keep them going. I'm off to Germany in a couple hours. I'll be in Aachen, the resting place of Charlemage and where the Holy Roman Emperors were crowned from his time in the 700's to the 1400's. Should be fun.

Nuck

Bastille Day

Bastille Day fireworks at the Eiffel Tower. I didn't have the best spot to see everything, but it was still a blast. This video is dedicated to my lovely wife who lives and dies for firework shows.

Can anyone say Friday Night Fireworks at the K?

Nuck