Paris Day 2: Cluny Museum and le Louvre

So day 2, dad had to go to work, so it was just Matt, mom, and myself. We went to the Musee National du Moyen Age aka-the Cluny Musem. I didn't get to go there when I was in Paris last time so I was pretty excited to go this time. Mom was excited too. Matt, not so much. It has this tapestry called "The Lady and the Unicorn" which apparently is quite famous-so we saw that. They also had pilfered some stained glass windows from different churches and cathedrals, which they then put on display...like this one...

Here is a portion of "The Lady and the Unicorn." It was rather interesting. And kind of odd too. If you want some info on this tapestry, go here: http://www.tchevalier.com/unicorn/tapestries/


There were all sorts of cool things in this museum, which used to be a castle-cause that's how they roll in Europe ;) So since this used to be castle, there was a chapel area, that had the most beautiful ceiling. It wasn't a very large area so I had to squat down to get good shots.


And there always had to be a dancing sculpture right? "Ain't no party like a medieval party!"


After the Cluny Museum we ventured out to walk to the Louvre. We crossed by Notre Dame and some shops and all sorts of good stuff-like these nurseries. They had some really pretty (and good smelling) flowers out front!



And then we stopped for a crepe-yummm!! Here our crepe maker hold up a vat of nutella because we all need a VAT of nutella right??? Those were some tasty crepes....

See-tasty!!

Also on the bridges, they put locks on with your love to lock your love in Paris together forever. Awww, so sweet. No, we didn't do that. Matt isn't into vandalism.


So we got into the Louvre, home of some great and amazing pieces! Home of the Mona Lisa. Venus de Milo. Paula Hill?? What????

She makes a good mummy huh?? HAHAHAHAA!!


The ancient Greeks were always ready for a fight...their art proves it....


Matt and I would've made really good models for the ancient Egyptians, don't you think??


Posing with "Winged Victory of Samothrace"- we look pretty victorious ourselves huh?


So this guy dropped a bottle by Matt and Matt tried to kick it in front of himself so he could pick it up and give it back to the guy. Well the guy freaked out and was yelling at Matt (in some language we didn't understand) and grabbed his bottle (full of some nasty tea we think) and stalked away. As he stalked away all we could do was giggle at his AWESOME outfit.


And these signs were all over the museum-no touching, don't talk to loud, and no flash pictures. I think I may want to put these up in our house....


All in all it wasn't a bad day-we had fun taking some goofy pics and looking at timeless pieces. I think Matt even enjoyed himself sometimes too ;)

FRANCE!!! Day 1, Versailles

So I know I've not been posting lately-for several reasons.
1. We had to go back to the states last minute for a funeral-Matt's Grandmom Ethel passed away and we felt it was important to be with the family. She was a funny lady, who was always so sweet to me, and she'll be missed.
2. We had our crazy whirlwind trip to France and Belgium RIGHT after we got back from the states-we literally had 5 days to rest up, do laundry, pack, get Joey all set, then get to Paris! And then we were there for 2 weeks!
3. After we got back it's be ABSOLUTE CHAOS! We had a little over a week to relax then a friend of mine from the states (one Robin Clark) came for a visit and at the same time things decided to go CRAZY down at the stables. Pretty much since we've been back I've been teaching like a mad-woman and living in the pool since it's been so stinkin' hot!
4. It takes time people to get through all those pics, edit and delete and then upload (the longest part of the process), which is coming along slowly yet surely. So I will post these when I have time in sequence of what we did when, by day.
Whew.

So, France. Paris. The city of lights. The city of love, amour. I do love this city, and you all know me-I'm not a city person really. Matt and I got in Saturday night, took the train to our lodgings (which was not a hotel but someone's apartment which we thought would be a little different, more like a Bed and Breakfast and it was ok but needless to say Matt is no longer letting me pick the places to stay without him researching the bejeepers out of it first and really really approving of it even though he approved of this one....yea....) so we got the place fine (and I quote directions: "we're in between the blue sex shop and a grocery store with a green sign"-yup...)


and then ventured out for some food, even though it was about 10PM. The Next morning we got up and met mom and dad at their hotel then we headed off to the first site of the trip, Versailles. We took the RER B (I remember so well-especially since they post signs like this on the metro warning not to get your fingers stuck like the pinky bunny...weird yet thoughtful to warn you)


into the town and followed the HORDES of other tourists to the palace. Sadly we did not get there at opening time of very early at all which means we then had to battle the crowds. Matt being the sneaky fellow that he is at times wiggled out way into the 1.5hr line in the front and we waited a whole 15 minutes; I felt bad, and at the same time not.
Earlier we had gotten separated from my parents so we went through the palace just Matt and I. I figure we took a lot of pics at each spot so I'm only posting a handful here and you HAVE to go to the cypruslife to see them all! (http://thecypruslife.shutterfly.com/) So here we have a classic Matt and Lynsey shot, in the famed Hall of Mirrors. Matt wouldn't pretend that one of the chandeliers was falling on him so this is as good as it gets ;)

So if you haven't had the pleasure of visiting this very opulent, extravagant, over the top, and GAWDY place, that's too bad. Mainly because the gardens are totally worth the trip alone! They are my favorite part of Versailles. There are fountains all over the place, flowers, paths to get lost in, and much frolicking to be had! So where there are fountains, there are artsy pics to be had.....

And where there are pretty flowers, there are creative pics to be had....


I love the contrast of that super bright flower with the darker colors around it.
Once out in the gardens we found our way back to mom and dad and had fun hanging out and goofing off with them too! Now that is a good looking bunch right?


All in all we had a fun day at Versailles and I think mom and Matt enjoyed their first taste France!

The Land of Milk and Honey....Kind of

So over Memorial Day weekend we had the great opportunity to go to Israel! It was a last minute trip-we had some friends on the previous Sunday say that they were going, we decided to look into it, by Wednesday we had bought tickets to go, and Friday we were on the boat! We did a 2 day cruise which is only offered 2 times a year with the line we went with. It really was a great chance to jump on, given the time of year and the turbulent political climate in that region of the world. So we left Lemosos at 6pm on Friday evening, destined for the Holy land.

The following morning we arrived in Haifa, the major port city of Israel. At 730 am we got on a bus to journey to Jerusalem, the capital city and a major Holy site for the country. The ride took about 2 hours, which was not very fun and pretty smelly given the different ethnic groups represented on our English speak bus. We first got to stop at an overlook of the city (right next to the Mount of Olives) to take pics like this one.....


Next we got off the bus to walk into the city for about 2 hours. Our first stop was the most Holy of sites, the Wailing Wall. This is the only pic I really have of it since you're not supposed to take pictures of the wall itself and I felt that it would have been disrespectful to take one. So here is where we entered....


Had I taken a picture, it probably would've been along these lines....

It was a great experience to be there. We were there on Saturday, or Shabbat in Hebrew, which is the day of rest for Jews. There were lots of people around, praying and chanting at the wall, which made the experience more vivid I think. I really enjoyed just standing by the wall, listening to people pour their hearts out to God, and just seeing the faith and devotion so many had. Many people go up and touch the wall while praying, either with their hands or foreheads, but I didn't feel the need to touch it. Just standing in it's shadow, knowing that this was a most Holy place and that Jesus would return to this spot, was enough for me.

We continued through the city, walking by the markets and stalls with tons of people and smells surrounding us. Our guide didn't let us shop at all in the bazaar which was a big let down-usually you can get the best deals there. But hey, we have to help her get her kick back at the shops right?

The way she prefaced the trip through the city is that we would be walking where Jesus had when he lived, really following is path to the crucifixion spot. So we winded through the streets, stopping at various points where, according to legend, he had stumbled, fallen, taken water, etc. All these accounts are in the Bible, so the exact locations are left to legend more than anything else.

We stopped at the crucifixion site; where there used to be just a dirt hill, now there are building and churches built over top to mark the spot. It didn't even seem like we were really climbing at all when we arrived here.


This is the garden where He prayed....


Inside it was crazy packed! It was so difficult to see things with so many people around. First we went up stairs to where, according to legend again, the cross was actually put into the ground. THE spot. There was an altar over top the mound marking THE spot. There was also a line about an hour long to just kneel so see it more clearly. Again, no time to spot and linger. We headed down stairs where there was a beautiful mosaic (see Cyprus Life for all the pics!) and this stone slab, which is believed to be the stone that was placed in front of His tomb, which was just around the corner. People were touching, kissing, pouring olive oil, wine, and other offerings onto this slab. Again I am amazed at what people will do to artifacts, however Holy they are, thinking that it will change them in some way. For some people it seemed a genuine reflection of their faith, for others it seemed like a ritual that they had to perform to be blessed.


So here it is....the tomb. The empty (well at least of Jesus) tomb. It's hard to imagine what it really was like in His time, with all the glittering and gold and extras that have now been placed around these sites. I would have much rather seen a mound of dirt and a cavernous hole than this-I think it would've been more real for me, and probably Matt as well. It's difficult to focus on the reality of where you are when it's been over shadowed by all the extra stuff. Again, the line to get into the tomb was over an hour so we didn't go in. But in some respects why would you want to see an empty space-if He were still there that would be something else entirely, but then again if He were there than our faith would be nonexistent.


After finishing up in that church we headed back into the city, finished walking through the markets and got back on the bus, heading off to Bethlehem. Now, as most geologically minded people know, Bethlehem is on the West Bank, in control of the Palestinians. So to get there you must go through a buffer wall. No armored men came on to the bus to let us onto this side, but they definitely did to get back into Israel. Crazy stuff my friends. Here is the wall....


Anyhew, before we say the spot of Jesus' birth, we got to shop a little. It really wasn't all that grand, much rather shop in the bazaar but oh well. All I can think when I see this pic is "look at all that wood (that's what she said) "


Once again, there was a huge (or rather 3) church covering what once was a stable. Now it is grandiose and packed to get into and you have to be very very quiet and you will probably get yelled at anyway. There were guys strolling around this building with guns-made me a little nervous. I'm not a big fan of guns. So once we crawled through the holes, I mean doors, and waited and waited and waited we finally descended a few steps to see this......

After seeing where Jesus was born, we hopped back on the bus for 2 hrs back to the boat and good nights sleep.

The next morning we got up, got back on the bus at 730 and headed north this time to the Sea of Galilee and Narareth (or Nazarene for us English people). This is the area where Jesus grew up and started His ministry. First stop, where Mary received the annunciation from Gabriel that she was to have Jesus. It was a lovely church (again it was actually more than one) and there was a mass going on while we were there so we couldn't go down to the altar area.


The big thing that parts of Israel boasts about is that Jews, Christians, and Muslims all live together harmoniously despite the differences in their religions. So all over the place you see mosques, churches, cathedrals, and signage in different languages proclaiming the "truth." I think this was my favorite sign that we saw......


Yea that definitely is a very loving and peaceful religion. I'm proud to be a loser by the Quran's standard.

Next stop was the Church of Beatitudes where Jesus gave His sermon on the mount, right on the sea of Galilee. This was our favorite spot of the trip. It was very calming and beautiful. Jesus did pick a good spot to start his ministry.


Isn't it a great church? And it was so simple inside.


After visiting the church we had a fish lunch, the same that Jesus did the miracle of multiplying fish and bread. It was rather tasty. Even Matt seemed to enjoy his fish.

Then we went to Capagog, and crashed at Peter's mom's house, which also has a church over the site. It was very peaceful and lovely. Again, Jesus knew how to pick some good spots ;)


Our final stop was the Jordan river. If you wanted to, you could be baptized in the river. We opted out of that but we did stick our feet in. Sadly at that point our camera battery died so we don't have a picture on our camera of us in the river. Our friends who we went with do so I need to get the copy. Again this site was tremendously touristy but it was handled better than some of the other sites.


All in all it was a great experience and I would LOVE to go back and really spend some more time in each area that we visited. This trip was a good warm up for going back so we don't get super duper lost ;) I would say that it is worth a trip there if you are able to go-it is quite an amazing thing to see these places that you (or at least we have) read about in the Bible and to see places that changed man kind forever. Now when we read about Jesus' life it will be with a new perspective and understanding which was the whole point really.

3 Years Down...How Many More to Go???

So today is our wedding anniversary. Crazy I know. Marrying Matt was one of the happiest days of my life, the happiest being the day we moved to Cyprus (ok ok, you know I kid!) In all seriousness (or as serious as I can be really), I thought it would be fun to take a look back on the last 3 years, more really this day in the last 3 years. If you really look back on our life since we got married, you just have to go "whew! will they ever stop??" Here's a fast recap of that's happened since May 16, 2008:
Got married. Honeymoon in Punta Cana, Dominica Republic.
I (Lynsey) moved from Colorado to Tucson where Matt was stationed at the time.
April 2009, move to Beale AFB in Yuba, California.
May 2009, buy a house. Also 1 year anniversary (spent in Yuba)
January-March 2010, Matt on TDY.
May 2010, 2 year anniversary (went to Redwoods for weekend).
June-July 2010, Matt on TDY again.
September 2010, move to Cyprus.
May 2011, 3 year anniversary (spent in Cyprus with amazing trip planned for June/July).
So those are the bullet points of our last 3 years. In some respects it doesn't look that crazy-but having lived it-it is!!! I am so thankful for all that has happened to us, even though at times it has been tremendously difficult. Always being away from family is never easy but it has made our relationship that much stronger and we know that these experiences are wonderful treasures we will be able to share with our children one day. I feel like this list is a perfect visual to compliment the title of the blog-"Blessed Be:" because that is completely what we are! So the photos are what has happened in visual form (for the most part)....

May 16, 2008-wedding day! So young. So carefree-if only then we knew what laid ahead...

Honeymoon-can you tell???

Year 1-we bought this, instead of going here.....

Hawaii folks. We had originally intended on doing a funtastic trip here for our one year....

Year 2. Redwood National Forrest-it was a great weekend getaway to celebrate.

We did celebrate a little when I went to Puerto Rico to see Matt on his TDY.

Here is where we live now-Cyprus. So clear and blue. And beautiful!

Year 3. Anniversary dinner at Columbia Resort in Pissouri Bay. Oh so tasty. And lovely.

We will forever be skipping off into the unknown, together, holding hands. As long as we're together we can tackle our crazy life just fine, wherever it may take us!

It's Been a While....

So it's been a little while since I've posted-sorry about that. I was out of the country for a few weeks so I didn't get to post at all cause I was busy having fun in the states! It was a wild, fast, and crazy trip but oober fun and it was great to see so many people! Mom also came back with me to help me deal with the stress of bringing Joey home with me but also just for a fun visit! It was great to have her and I CAN NOT WAIT for our trip in June/July with mom and dad-it's going to be epic!!
The pictures are a little out of order, oops. The ending of the trip is on top and the beginning is on bottom-deal with it. Just kidding. The pictures will better show the fun and adventures I had in the states and what we did with mom here.
I'm in the process of finding a horse to loan or own (for free preferably but spending just a little $$ wouldn't be the end of the world.). It certainly is a process. Once I find one/make a decision there will be tons of posts on it and all the fun riding I will be doing with it! Also, I will be doing some info updates on the BIG TRIP!! Next month (is it already here?? I have been waiting FOREVER for June to get here!!) we are going to Paris for a week since dad has to go for the big airshow (Matt is going for a day or 2 since he's a geek like that) and then off to Belgium and the Netherlands. None of us have been up that way so it's a new experience and adventure for all of us-so excited!! I'll try not to rub it in your faces too badly ;)

Here mom is exploring some tombs-crawling around is always great fun!

Here I've picked out my future burial spot-my tomb. Lovely isn't it?!

Mom's posing with Aphrodite's Rock-she really doesn't need to be there-she's already youthful enough ;)

Mom is a bad influence; she said "Hey why don't you guys climb on the pillars and I'll take a pic!" Shame on her.....

A little windswept never hurt anyone.

Joey smooches....always nice

She had a great time watching me teach-looks like it's going to rain!!

Joey getting used to the new car-he doesn't like being in the boot!

Picturesque on a Venetian bridge....

We went to say hey to the queen at Windsor castle-and to give her some wedding advice ;)

Business class baby! That's the life of luxury there.

Caution-Joey is a live animal in that kennel! So happy in there huh?

Took some riding lessons while at home-I actually look like a proper rider there!

No trip home is complete without a trail ride with mom on our old fogies!

I got to go some good friend's wedding-it was so awesome to be part of it! I even got a dance with the groom ;)

Hopefully this random assortment of pictures help you to see my fun time at home!! It was good to be there for a visit but I was so happy to be back on this side of the world-where I belong!