Sunday and Monday

Sunday was another uneventful day. We drove around Strasbourg a bit to see some sights my dad wanted to see. Then we stopped downtown, got lunch, and picked up some yummies for chocolate fondue (which I happened to ruin the first bar of chocolate we had, so we had to bust out the second. Oopsie!).
Monday, mom and I took the train to Paris to use up a train ticket.

We went to Montmartre, and saw Sacre Coeur. Mom did a bit of shopping, and we got lunch in a really cute restaurant (where we saw a little mouse scurrying along, the guy sitting near us freaked out. It was awesome).

Then we went to La Cinémathèque Française for Logan. We took some pictures, and went inside to look around. Mom wanted to see the  INSIDE of Notre Dame (something she's never done...even though she'd seen it twice now).

After that we went over to Champs-Èlysées to visit Laduree, a famous store that sells the world's best macarons. Then we stopped in a restaurant to have hot chocolates and dessert before getting on our train back home. A very fun day!

We made sure to touch Point Zero before leaving!

On the Road Again

Went back along the wine road today. We stopped and had lunch at a really neat place, and then we made our way to Riquewhir. Wandered around for a bit, got some hot drinks and yummy desserts. Then, since it was bitter cold, we decided to make our way back home. It was a fun day, nothing too extravagant happened. Now we are just getting ready for the big week ahead of us!

Will Write Soon

I should be writing about the movie mom and I went to see and how non-hilarious it was when everyone gave us strange looks because my mom was standing there eating a bucket of stale movie theater popcorn, but I really don't feel like writing. So maybe tomorrow. I might even write about the excessive wedding ideas I've been collecting the past couple of days...but only maybe...

Let the packing commence!

Yesterday, mom and I thought it would be a good idea to see whether or not all these wonderful gifts we've bought for everyone will actually make it home in our suitcases with us. Luckily, between my carry-on and my smaller check bag, they fit perfectly. Although neither had much room left for clothes. So today I packed all my clothes into my biggest check-bag...and VOILA! Everything so far fits beautifully...now let's just keep our fingers crossed that they aren't waaay over the designated weight!

Les Bains de Lavey

Sunday, my mom had to decide between driving to Geneva, or going to a spa in Switzerland that was on the way home. She chose the spa.
After spending quite a bit of time searching for this place ( Les Bains de Lavey ) , we finally found it, and went in. This spa was a bit bigger than the one we went to in Germany. The outside pool was bigger, and had a really cool whirlpool area in the middle. They also had lounge chairs set up inside, in front of floor to ceiling windows so you could lay in the sun, without being in the cold air. They had lounge rooms, that were scented and lit differently. They had saunas (1) small one 2) bigger one and hotter 3) medium temperature...but nude) and hamamas which are steam rooms (1) women only and  nude 2) men only and bathing suits 3) menand women with bathing suits). They even had a bar. It was quite enjoyable.
After three hours here, it was time to head home, stopping in Colmar for dinner.

"Don't You Think?!" Drunken Momma

Well, this weekend was our farewell to going abroad. No more long travel days and lugging luggage. While this is a happy thought, it's also a bit sad because it means this vacation is coming to an end.
So saturday, up and on the road. We drove to Evian (yes, like the water bottles), France. The funny part about this, was that we drove through Switzerland to get there. The original plan for this weekend was to stay in Evian, because it was cheaper than in Switzerland, but spend the majority of our time in Geneva. We never even saw Geneva.

On our way to Evian, we stopped and ate lunch somewhere in Switzerland along Lac Leman (Lake Geneva). Once we got to Evian, we parked and got settled into our hotel. Then, since it was getting late in the afternoon, we decided to stay in Evian for the evening. We wandered around the streets for a bit. Then we stopped into a salon de thé. I got a really yummy coconut cappuccino. My mom had decided that we were in need of a night out, since we hadn't seen much nightlife (apparently the time in Nice, Rothenburg, and here in Strasbourg with Justine's family were forgotten). So we went to dinner at an italian restaurant and after dinner, my mom and I each ordered a grappa, and my dad  ordered a eau de vie. Grappa can be anywhere from 70 to 100 proof...needless to say I couldn't drink it. With dinner I had ordered a sirop l'eau (which is like grenadine...but isn't just cherry flavored, there are all kinds of flavors) citron (lemon). So I just poured some of the grappa into my drink. Then it didn't taste too bad! But I only poured about half of the grappa I was given, so I still had quite a bit left (the glass came with the grappa over the directed pour line). My mom didn't really like hers, but still felt the need to finish it. She then proceeded to help me with mine. After having half a bottle of a strong red wine with dinner...she was quite happy at this point. It was only 8 o'clock.

After dinner, mom wanted to go to the casino bar for our "late night out". So we walked to the casino and got in. Mom wanted to gamble a little, so we got set up at a slot machine. Dad and I couldn't figure out what exactly we were supposed to do, so I just cashed out after a couple tries and only lost like 20 cents. My mom was happily pushing buttons and miraculously winning money. We managed to persuade her to cash out before things got out of control and she won 4 euros! Then we went to the bar. She ordered a "martini" but it wasn't a martini, it was a drink with Martini brand alcohol. It wasn't bad. I ordered a Tangenika, which had vodka, orange, pineapple and apricot juice in it. It was super delicious! By the end of this (around 9:30) mom was a bit...smashed. So it was time to call it a night. We headed back to the hotel, but had to stop at the car because mom, and I quote, "I have to have some of my chocolate!" The only problem is that we had parked the car on the third level down of the parking lot. And the stairs were spiral. She laughed at them the entire time down. By the time we got to the bottom of the stairs, I was laughing so hard at my mom laughing at the stairs and saying "these stairs are so funny!" that I was crying. Our late night may only have lasted until 10 pm...but it certainly was no less entertaining for it!

Deux Dindes!

Well, today was very successful!
Mom and I woke up early and got ready to go. We had made plans with Justine to pick her up from her house, and drive to Betschdorf, France; which is a city along the pottery road. There is classic pottery for the Alsace region. It's really beautiful and we've been wanting to go there for awhile.
So, my mom drove my dad to work in order for us to have the car, and we set off. This was going to be the 4th time we have driven to Justine's house (1st time for my mom driving), and every time we have gotten all turned around and lost. So we left here just a little bit before 10:30 (we were supposed to meet Justine at 11, and it is SUPPOSED to only take 15 minutes to get to her house...but has always taken us much longer). We got there 15 minutes later...without a single hitch! We were actually early!
Then we went on our way. This drive went smoothly as well (after a near death experience during a left hand turn and a confusing intersection...) and we got to Betschdorf in good time. Good job mom for excellent direction following!

We walked up and down the slightly deserted streets (it was a bit like a ghost town...but with a surprising amount of traffic) and stopped in a few shops. My mom picked out some things and I got something special, and then it was time for lunch. So we ate at a little restaurant, and then back on the road.
Justine showed us the way to a town in Germany because she thought they would have jello for us (my mom has been looking for it for one of her Thanksgiving dishes and France doesn't seem to like jello). We got to the store and found the jello. Then we made our way to where the milk was, and once there, I noticed my mom had fallen behind...she was in the frozen meats area. I motioned to her and she said, very excitedly while holding a frozen, wrapped bird, "I think it's a turkey!" So I went over, only to discover it was a goose (I think it's safe to say that 'bird-watching' can be scratched off my mom's potential hobby list). But further down the aisle, was a whole spot full of turkeys! So we now have two turkeys 'chilling' in Justine's freezer, waiting to be enjoyed for Thanksgiving dinner here in France. By the way...in case you were wondering, I named them Bill and Paul : )