If You Love Something, Set If Free

(the following section was posted in Minnetonka, MN. We are home. It is 10:00pm MN time and 3am Icelandic time. Off to bed.)

It is 10:50am and I told my family I would be back by 11am. We are departing again today – we are departing for home. I have escaped for a few and have taken my lap top to the streets of Reykjavik. Me, and my Kaffe besides look out onto a quaint one way in a section of what I can only assume was once a bustling shipping village. The town is beginning to swell in modern growth.

This place is out of reach. I sit from afar in a tiny Icelandic coffee house and with longing, look down the streets. This town calls to me, tantalizing me in every way, almost looking past me in conversation, implying, “You can’t have this.” Ironically, the soundtrack from Garden State is playing – an eclectic movie depicting those in need of finding their way.

People dress up here in Reykjavik – if saying, you are a guest in my house and I welcome you, I have put on my best dress. No one mimics my jeans, walking shoes and hoodie attire. Window shopping brings a second layer of what is not to be – cute hats, scarves, sweaters are well over hundreds of dollars. This does not bode well for someone on a ‘’clearance rack’ budget.

I teeter in range of emotion, knowing I am to leave this love behind. I am enamored, jealous, intrigued by people and culture, yearning to be educated and hopeful for another encounter.

Iceland and Family:

My time is cutting short; but here it is
1. Arrive to cute “IKEA-esque” apartment. Two bedroom, on cusp of walking to shops, bakeries, coffee houses, shipping yard, etc

2. Get a good night’s rest and in the morning head out to:
a. Crater Lake
b. Thingvillr – Viking parliamentary place (http://www.thingvellir.is/english)
c. Geysirs
d. Gullfoss – largest waterfall in all of Europe – glacier fed (http://www.vulkaner.no/n/gullfoss/egullfoss.html)
e. Beautiful Lake where kids and I build stone statues out of rocks.
f. Blue Lagoon – enticing mineral geothermal spa – huge.( http://www.bluelagoon.com/)

3. Home around 10:45pm…sun does not set and so it feels like 4pm.

4. Today – leave for home. Will walk same streets I have walked alone. Historical Church to educate ourselves and take typical pictures. (http://www.sacred-destinations.com/iceland/reykjavik-hallgrimskirkja)

5. Souvenir shop with kids

We are at the end of a magnificent journey. One last sip of my espresso, one last look down the street, one last glance at a world I am not to be acquainted with, one last moment typing these words on this keyboard..and…stop

Where Did I Put My Garlic Necklace?

The Avenson family has shared some exceptional moments within our European journey. However, our dependency upon transportation has hailed upon us with significant hits of bad luck.

1. Arriving in Paris airport, luggage is no where. 2 days go by before we see clean clothing.

2. Luggage arrives in 2 days at 1:45am. Stroller arrives, but back axle is bent, so back wheels have a slight twist to them when navigating the road.

3. Leaving Paris, John picks up rental vehicle (Mercedes Vito...large van). The rental place (Europcar) is not ready for john and the vehicle they give us just came back into the store front. It is trashed inside with a half a tank of gas; but we are on a time schedule, we need the car, we take it.


4. Arrive in Strasbourg, France. On our travels across France, the brake light continues to go on and when driving down incline, the breaks squeak. The next day, we stop by another Europcar facility; they tell us they do not have a replacement car, but they have one at the airport - 20 kilometers in the opposite direction of travel. We arrive, and while investigating the vehicle, we see the tires are basically bald and would not be safe on the rode. Get in new car and take off. Tank is full at this time but this has taken a huge chunk out of our travel time.

5. Last day of travel. New car has suited us well. Arrive in Frankfurt Airport with half tank of gas -- Europe is not forthcoming about any of their rules and regulations. Becuase we picked up car with half tank, we simply assumed. Pull in garage and maintenance guy says, "Oh, no gas? This is really going to cost you." Get luggage, car seat, stroller, backpacks, baby backpack and kids all into Europcar Office and they tell us to fill the tank (1/2 way), it will cost us 170.00 Euro (208.00 US Dollars). After 40 minutes of talking to this guy and that guy and this guy and that guy; none of which took an ounce of responsibility, we get through to some guy in Hamburg. He very reluctantly agrees to let us pay for a half tank of gas at regular gas price. Imagine 3 kids tired, sitting on a car rental office floor, sitting patiently and one 15 month old 'holding it together' for just so long.

6. Arrive in Iceland. It's raining with gale force winds. We are transported to rental car facility and as we walk into small shop, the front entry door swings open with such force, it bangs up against shop edifice. With great strength, I grab hold of the doorknob and close the door. This does not seem to be uncommon, as others have done the same, including those working in the shop and the metal wall adjacent to the door is dented from force. A driver brings our car around and parks it in close proximity to another rental. As john is going around with sales associate, marking off specificity of vehicle, the slightly opened back passenger door quickly swings open and bangs right into the side of the neighboring car. The rental car company now wants to nail us with the cost of fixing the near by car. 30,000.00 kronars (234.00 US Dollars). Again, we sat, fighting our case, talking to this guy and that guy and this guy and that guy - convincing them that we did not place the car in it's spot and we did not damage the car, the wind did and we did not even have the keys to the car at this time - it wasn't even in our possession. We are let go with hand shakes.

So...tonight, as we consider driving possibly over a hundred miles tomorrow in our drive through Iceland, one has to wonder....was it really a black cat i saw, crossing my path, when i accidentally broke the mirror inside the house while trying to escape the owl looking at me through the window as i ducked under the ladder to avoid being hit by the opened umbrella that knocked over the salt jar? Not sure.

thanks for listening.
Katie

Oh Ya, We Went to Austria, Too!

Driving and navigating roads within the marked unknown brings a sense of heightened awareness to mind. It's not that we have been lost, necessarily, we have simply missed our mark on several occasions. It has been fun, laughable, stressful and arguable as to what street (that is not clearly marked) we should turn. So, today, on our way into Fussen, we went a bit too far, went through a mountain and ended up in Austria. We didn't stay long; we were off 'the map' and turned around, back into Germany.

Present Occupation:


A wooden deck, comfy chair, cold beer,lake view, cool breeze and Alps straight ahead. It is shameful we are leaving this picturesque postcard early tomorrow morning. We are in an apartment with two bedrooms, living room, kitchen and DECK with an uncompromising view of tree lined hills, pristine lake and Alps in the surround. Lovely, peaceful, simple.

Finishing off this compliment; discussion, historical perspective, food, writing, and connection to something that surpasses the smallness of my world.

Tomorrow we will make all attempt to visit Dachau - a Nazi Concentration Camp. This will be our lasting attraction before reaching Erin's home. I somber closing to a magnificent journey.

The chirp of the birds in conjunction with the gale of warm wind divert my eyes from screen to lake. Etching the sole perfectness within my cognitive layout. When I am old and gray and my days are unremarkable, I shall visit this place. Familial conversation will transpire around me, but my gaze will be fixed and my mind will bring me back to here....this place. A cow moos to make it's presence known - to make certain it does not exist without my notice. Perhaps 40 years from now, the sound of a cow will elicit a responsive gesture...a remembrance of Fussen.

Thanks for listening.

Lost in Translation

This morning, when i opened up Facebook, it was translated in French. It automatically accepts the language from it's home base wi-fi. This evening, i opened up my blog and it was all in German. We are all happily tucked into bed (except me) in Gunzberg, Germany. The claim to fame is not the tacky hotel we are occupying, but LEGOLAND; literally out in the middle of no where and i believe this hotel was built as an accomodation. Clearly, it was not graced by one of Lego's designers, but perhaps by a neighboring farm family who liked to dapple in interior decor. I sit in a room with primary lego colors and our room is fashioned with it's very own Lego picture above the bed. Anyone staying here can assume that you are stopping by the park of blocks - but presently, 5 young adults just passed me on the way out the door to smoke. Hmmm.

Germany's greeting mimics my own children's lackadasical approach to their day. No big signs to say we had crossed into another country - just a small acknowledgement as we crossed the Rhine.


American 80's music playing softly in the background, a German fellow across the way burning the midnight oil as his family sleeps upstairs, two men from Japan recently enter to a darkened lobby asking me if i run the place and can I check them in. Chocolate crossaints, crepes and baguettes earlier today and now in whole new country. I am lost in translation.

Paris in Cliff Notes

Shortly, we will be leaving this city. Unknown of our return, we are like the baby who holds his hand out, reaching for something enticing while his mother drags him on to his destination.

In short recap:
Wednesday: Arrive. Paris greets us fondly, but missing luggage throws major kink into day.

Thursday: Meet Erin and girls in the morning. Girls hang out and play ball with kids in old roman park/Colosseum below our apartment where gladiators and lions entertained. Erin and i shopped for provisions. Came home and headed our for a very long day of walking and bus riding. walked to her favorite crepe place for lunch (jamon and formage), walked by her old apartment, the pantheon, university and variety of streets. took bus to a cute amusement park. Kids went on many rides together --- great day for bonding. Took VERY crowded metro train home and capped off with great dinner right by our apartment.

Friday: Erin and girls met us at apartment. We walked to the Bateaux Bus (water bus) and boarded the Seine for an afternoon of sight seeing. First stop: Effiel Tower. Super crowded. Got kids slushies. No ice coffee stands in Paris. Because of the crowd, we stood beneath the tower for quite some time in awe - watched the people shuffle by us and communicatively decided upon lunch at a park. More crepes. Park was by an aquarium. Bought tickets to go there instead. Kids enjoyed this time more than the Eiffel Tower, I believe. It was a great aquarium. Back on boat to stop at the Jardin des Tuileries. large sculpture garden. This is where Rodin's "The Thinker" is. Again, there are three adults and 6 kids all together. One day, john and I will come back and envelope oursleves within an educated history Small park for kids to play. three adults got a table outside small cafe and toasted the afternoon with a nice cold beer. Walked over to the Louvre, had delicious apricot gelato. Back on boat and home.

Saturday: Met Erin, Gilles and girls in a cool part of downtown Paris. Erin and I went shopping while dads and kids went to fun market. walked to Jardin des Luxembourg (cool playground) and had lunch in the park; baguettes, meet and cheese. walked the streets of paris again, found cafe for quick drink, departed as a group and met up again for dinner. Simon and Perry shared Escargot.

Sunday: rain storm. family to the Louvre. Met up with Erin at Notre Dame. More walking. Lunch. back to Jardin des Luxembourg for some relaxation. Families depart and Avensons take to the streets once again, stopping for crepes on the way home. Beautiful Catholic ceremonial march (?) passed us on the way home. Lots of catholics in Paris.

Monday: John took metro to go get our car. kids will be up soon and we will be off to Strasbourg.

A Poem in Tuscany

Like the Seine River, this post will have its own ebb and flow and up and down rhythm. As I near the end of cleaning this apartment we have called home for the past 5 days; I sneak into the back corner room, open my lap top and allow my fingers and mind to dance with the other.

Enjoy

Many years ago, my (now 81) year old neighbor, came to my door after a trip to Italy. He said, "While looking out my window, I saw a cat that reminded me of your Gato. He was there every morning when I awoke." He then took out a small alabaster figurine; that of a cat. "This is for you," he said. "It reminds me of a poem I wrote in Tuscany about the orange cat outside my window."

Tonight, I smile. Presently, there is a wild black cat roaming the walkway below, meowing in the lonely and 'nobody loves me' way that is similar to our cat, Alice, at home. No money will be spent on alabaster tonight.

Today, after a heavy rain storm, the family embarked on a trip to the Louvre. Because it is the first Sunday of the month, the Louvre was free and all countries seemed to be in generous representation today. Saying there was a multitude of people would be an understatement. The line wrapped around the outside pyramid and out an arch way and around the courtyard. Knowing that I did not want to endure this, I walked up to a man selling his Eiffel Tower key chains and asked to show me the other entrances (I did research before). He looked at our stroller and said, "Oh no Madame...you and baby get to walk right in. Go to the door on the far left and go in." In disbelief, we did as instructed. Found ourselves at the left door of the pyramid and literally walked right on through. A man was waiting there for us with an open elevator and took us straight down. We continued to act like the sophisticated family we are known to be - but once inside and out of view, the excitement was abounding. SCORE!!!

I had made a scavenger hunt for us but left it at home. It was a good thing. We would not have been able to navigate as freely as I had planned. It was crowded and steamy hot. Clearly not the most attractive of circumstances for your first visit - but we proudly endured. Simon really wanted to see print drawings, but the floor was closed. Perry wanted to see the Mona Lisa and he did. It would not be Perry if he waited patiently three rows back. He and his camera worked their way through the crowd, he got front and center with Ms. Lisa and took 7 pictures (or so he says). We also enjoyed the Egyptian Antiquities wing. Sidney put up with us for over two and a half hours but ultimately was the catalyst in our departure; being quite disagreeable with our personal venue. No amount of milk, biscuit or pacifier soothed the antsy demons within.

Notre Dame. Oh I wish I had more than three sentences to say about Notre Dame; but today, its only purpose was a meeting place for sister and family. All involved parties were quite hungry. Brother in Law led the way down his streets of Paris. Lunch, crepes, and then Luxembourg Gardens for a 'sit' near the incredible Senate building.

A walk home with the family; who decided upon a nice long walk home through the open streets of Paris in lieu of a Metro ride home. Perfect Dinner. Discussion of the day. Play at the park. Showers and bed.

Tomorrow we leave for Strasbourg. Another page, another journey, another dance with fingers and mind. Till we meet again, adieu.

When in Paris...Do as the Parisians???

Parisians sit. They sit and they sit and they sit. Dr. Seuss might eloquently take pen to pad and say, "Parisians sit here and they sit there; they sit everywhere. They sit on a chair, they sit in a pair, they sit without a care.

Parisians know how to relax. The "to go" intellect does not exist. There is no eating or drinking in active transistion and if hungry or in need of coffee, Parisians make time to sit in a corner cafe, side by side and watch the world (in envy) pass them by.

A family of 6 does not sit, it never sits. If it does, it has plenty of activity to keep it sitting: activity books. puzzles, doodle pads, games; and then it is off again. It careens through a slow motion warp of tranquility.

We can all take lesson from those who inhabit this lovely city. But, as I sit here, stealing my own time, i am forced to leave this post, as the youngest avenson has not learned from this philosophy.

Thanks for listening.

The Beginning of Something Wonderful

The Icelandic plane (Klafka) departed ontime with all 6 Avensons aboard; settled, comfortable and eager. Upon landing in Iceland, we realize our luggage tickets indicate that the 'Sorenson luggage' is on it's way to Amsterdam. With all intent and commitment, Icelandic Air desperatly tries to stop this from happening. To no avail, our luggage is gone, flying the unintended skies, marking its destination.

Arriving at the apartment, the sleepless family goes down for a nap while Lucy and I take foot to the Parisian streets. We are able to navigate both to a market and a patissere. With limited knowledge and abibility to communicate, we pay our first euros and purchase provisions for the family.

Back at the apartment, john is now up and embarking on his own (unknown at the time) exhausted journey - dealing with the airlines. The apartment has a phone to use for local calls. We are with one cell phone, that will be out of power by evenings end. The phone calls made are futile; offices are now closed, automated systems have no record of our luggage. We put in our first load of laundry and call it a night.

Thursday morning

John talks to a human being who informs him that our luggage is in Copenhagen. It will make a flight to Paris, but will not be here until evening. The directions are clear: a French and non speaking driver will pick up your luggage and call you locally on a french phone. Translation: If we dont want to be trapped in our apartment all day, we will have to purchase a French Cell Phone.

My sister Erin calls and says that she and her girls will have breakfast and then she and i will depart for a morning of 'not on our itinerary' errands. I, therefore, take the kids out to the small patissere just outside our apartment and order (in French...although, comically find that when answering yes, I say 'Si' instead of 'Qui.' Thankfully the owner thinks this is cute and plays along) our morning faire: chocolate crossaints, brioche, and almond pan.

Erin arrives and we hit the streets. Underware, hats, t-shirts, toothbrushes and a cute little wallet for moi and two new pairs of sandals- hee hee.

The day is lovely. Truly idealic. The cousins reconnect, laugh, joke, play, hold hands and share stories. this makes my sister and I mimic in action for we are truly happy watching our children together. Holding Sidney the entire time (remember, stroller is in Copenhagen) the day arms get tired, but it is rewarding just the same. it is a day in Paris and all company is in good spirits. The evening with family closes with a delicious dinner.

BUT -- all good beginnings need an end. And this story, fortunately, has a terrific ending. However, the journey there was nothing short of a living nightmare.

LUGGAGE

We arrive home last night. My cell phone was dead. My computer was dead. There was a message on the home machine from the driver. He is French and hence, his message was in French...and it was very quick. So, while john attemps to call my sister on his new "all in French" cell phone, I am putting all four kids to bed. The first three are easy. They are whipped. The 4th (baby), not so much. He held it together amazingly well during the day. He never even flinched as we boarded the busting at the seams metro (he got a bit sweaty standing shoulder to shoulder with a multitude of strangers, but he never flinched). He ate a perfect dinner and now home, when we needed him to do one last thing -go to sleep - he wasnt having it. All those times he felt like crying during the day, all came out that evening.

So, to recap - cell phone in french. cant make calls out. Message from driver all in French. Baby crying.

Not being able to get erin, john begins to decipher message, playing it over and over again. phonetically writing what he (and i when i can) hears. Erin calls. he plays message for her, but she can't understand it through the cell phone line. John records it on blackberry. calls his work and talks to the General Manager (who knows French). He can't decipher it All he can say in French is "Tough Luck."

John takes to the streets. Goes into a restaurant and a waiter helps him with the number. Even if we *were* able to call, we would be talking to a French man who wouldn't understand us. Also, as an aside, our cell phone only had 10 minutes of air time, we were instructed to call a particular number later in the day to receive the credits we had purchased in the store. So, with each phone call on the cell, the minutes were ticking away...tick, tick, tick...beep - time is up.

john calls the number he received from the waiter's translation, leaves a message (in english) and at 10pm, the baby falls asleep. In the meantime, john is trying to use his online translator to help with any type of translation.

10:30 FRENCH brother in law calls on his way home from his very long day at a conference. Yeah!!! FRENCH brother in law calls. He tells us he will be at the apartment shortly to help us out. FRENCH brother in law!!

Shortly after 10:30, Gilles arrives. HUGE HUG for Gilles! He not only translates the message and writes down the CORRECT number, he also fixes our cell phone and gets our needed credits and switches our 'French' cell phone into the understandable english language. He also calls the driver and although the driver was making his last couple of deliveries and preferred to call us in the morning, Gilles pressed on and arranged for a 2am drop off.

Long story short: our luggage arrived last night at 1:50 am. We are now currently dressed and ready for the day.

Spontaneous Blimp

I have to seize these moments for there are far too many that present and as i file away the thought with the accompanied, "I will write about that later tonight when it is quiet," I never do.

So, the race is on; as it always is. Sidney is in his chair taking his last bites and I will be summoned into my rightful court. But the thoughts are sporadic, fast and fleeting and if not harnessed; they will fade from view. These prominent thoughts will be eluded and sadly, thoughts of dishes, stories, clean up and kids will mark with territorial strength.

So, what is this about.

Words.

I love words.

I love how a good author will encapsulate a simple feeling or thought within a rainbow or letters, producing a symphony of sound in my mind. I love the way words sound. I love placement of the tongue, i love syllables, I succumb to the force of the well trained mind.

Time has yielded this experience.

Words I love to say:
Circuitous
Loquacious
Endoplasmic Reticulum
Provexity

Phrase: Verbal Gymnastics

Now in overtime.
Thanks for listening.