Renee and Andrea

Andrea and Renee finished up their visit with us last Monday although it seems like they just left. We had a great time but I have not had time to write about each of our excursions so the photo album will have to do along with these snapshots. We made it to Keukenhof, Brugges, Paris, Wallonia, and Oostende. On their own they toured Gent and Brussels. Eliot loved being with them!

We are off on our vacation. This whole year is sort of vacation but for this period we actually do not have to do any work and will be with Eliot non-stop. Perhaps I will be able to update from the road.

Keukenhof revisited

We went back to Keukenhof with Andrea and Renee and found indeed tulips had replaced daffodils. Andrea and Chris called Carol and Pat from Keukenhof so their parents could hear the famous calliope.

Andrea came up with the idea of taking photos enveloped in a tree.

Andrea and Renee helped Eliot get the sand out of his shoes after his playground stint.

Eliot tries out a gargantuan Adirondak chair.

Andrea and Renee visit us!

Andrea and Renee have been visiting us since last Friday. We have been traveling around Belgium, France, and the Netherlands with them. Here are some photos from their first day here - the obligatory waffle at the market and a trip to the green space Woluwe park after Eliot's nap. During Eliot's nap, Andrea, Renee and Chris toured Brussels a bit.

Also, as an aside, my laptop has died (banking on Brian's opinion that I will be able to retrieve files) and I can't use Picassa on my work computer. That means that the photos will be less organized and will probably appear haphazardly throughout the posts for a while.

Prague, Day 4

On our last day in Prague, we toured the Prague castle, a big complex of courtyards. The first picture shows the entrance to the first courtyard. Some government work is still done in the castle complex.
The interior of the castle's cathedral, St. Vitus. The web album shows more of the fantastic stained glass windows inside the cathedral.
We went back to the main city through the garden on the ramparts, which would have been a leisurly stroll down the castle hill through nicely sculpted gardens without a stroller. With the stroller it was a mini-olympic event that woke Eliot from his nap. At the bottom of the hill, we continued to see the gardens at the Czech senate. There were loud peacocks roaming about and some owls in a cage.
It was then time to wander back to Natalia's to get our cab to the airport. We passed this museum that must have been a modern art museum. Eliot liked these "big baby" statues outside the museum. (There were 3 of them.) Make of the face what you will.

In all, we a great time in Prague, lucking out again with the weather. It was fun to spend time with Natalia, who Eliot calls "Talia." There is so much to see in Prague, I hope we make it back again some day.

Prague, Day 3

We began the day at the zoo, where as I mentioned we saw many dogs. There were even water dishes set out for the dogs. Eliot had a great time and especially liked the gorillas and tigers. He wanted to take a tiger home to Natalia's.
Mandarin ducks at the Prague Botanical Gardens, our next stop.
We then went to a big city park - beautiful and would be great for biking if I lived in Prague.
Then Natalia took us to one of her favorite squares in her neighborhood. She and Chris had a beer and Eliot and I explored the fountain. Then we all had a great pizza dinner chez Natalia.

Prague, Day 2.2 Karlsheim

We met with Natalia in late afternoon and took a train into the countryside to see a castle. The train ride was along a beautiful river with people fishing, biking, and camping. Seeing the castle involved climbing a large hill. Chris was up for the challenge.
View from the castle. We missed the last tour by 15 min, but it was OK with me since Eliot is not one for castle tours anyway.
Eliot did find a pinwheel (long story) and was fascinated by it.
Here is the river we crossed on the way to/from the train station. Very pretty. Dogs were swimming in it chasing sticks their owners threw. The same dogs were on the train with us on the way back to Prague. Them and many, many other dogs. Dogs were lots of places in the Czech Republic that you would not find them in the US, including the zoo!

Prague, Day 2.1

On our second day, the Dunns set out in the morning for an adventure, planning to meet Natalia later for a trip out of the city. We headed to the Jewish quarter to visit some of the synagogues, but it was a poor choice of days. It was Saturday, the Jewish sabbath, and all sites were closed. So, we opted for a walking tour of the old town and ran across this lovely lilac-framed building.
Eliot plays atop a well in a Prague square. We entice him to look at the camera by asking him to wave to one of his family members e.g., Grandma Lydia. It works most of the time.
The famous astronomical clock in the main square. We never happened upon the main square at the top of the hour to see its figures rotate and we never wanted to wait the at least 20 minutes we would have needed to both times we were in the main square. Crowds, staring at a clock, and sitting in the stroller aren't a good mix for Eliot.
Jan Huss memorial in the main square. Each time we passed it a pigeon crowned Mr. Huss's head.

Prague, Day 1

Last weekend we took a great trip to Prague to visit Chris's PwC colleague, Natalia. She was a gracious host and unfazed by a toddler invading her home for four days. She won him over instantly with a gift of animal crackers. On our first day out, we went to the river front with stops at a few parks to stretch Eliot's legs. Here is one playground that had a pleasant group of kiddos enjoying the equipment on a sunny day. The playground was on an island.
Here is a view of Prague Castle and the Charles Bridge, two Prague landmarks, from the playground. If I lived in Prague I would take Eliot to this park all the time so I could enjoy the view.
Probably the most famous cathedral in Prague in the main square.
We met Natalia after her work day on Friday to enjoy a beer on PwC's rooftop deck. Well, Chris and Natalia enjoyed a beer. I sipped one but still am not a beer fan. Shocking after nearly a year in Belgium, I know.

More pictures in a web album soon.