Amsterdam & other Cool Places

LAST PHOTOS FROM PARIS (Good by, so long, farewell!)

2009-06-26T10:00:00.000-07:00

We got to the airport (Charles de Gaulle) very early, luckily. It was 3 hours of standing in lines. Here are Lynne, Megan, Xandra & Thomas trying to wait patiently.

My sister Edith and Lynne are in front of the Sacre Coeur church in top of Montmartre. this is an Art Nouveau church. We had a nice evening on Montmartre, a good way to end a trip to Paris (or europe). We say in my favorite Irish Pub in Paris, drank some wine, some beer, some hot chocolate, and watched the people walk by. Ahhhhh, Priceless! Goodbye until next time, Paris

OTHER ARCH DU TRIUMPH PHOTOS

2009-06-26T09:55:00.001-07:00

Our bus tour did not get to the "New" Paris gateway arch this time due to traffic, but looking North from the "old" Paris Arch, it is a straight line from there all the way down to the Louvre Museum. All the big buildings are outside the Paris Ring, keeping the classic part of the city pure.

The highest spot in the city is Montmartre, so it shows up well on this photo. We went over there in the evening.

PHOTOS FROM TOP OF ARCH Du TRIUMPH By Howard Du Bose

2009-06-26T09:49:00.001-07:00

Pretty hard to take a photo of yourself, but here I am atop the Arch du Triumph, with the Eiffel Tower in the background. My sister Edith Du Bose, took the photo.

Here is a photo of my sister, Edith Du Bose, who lives in Ettenheimmünster, Germany, with the Eiffel tower behind her.

You can see a lot of Paris from the top of the Arch du Triumph. This was my first time, so I took some photos. This is the Champs Elysees, a very expensive shopping street.

OUR DAY IN PARIS, SOME PHOTOS

2009-06-26T09:36:00.000-07:00

Here we have proof positive that Lynne was in Paris, her photo with the Eiffel tower in the background.

On our bus tour of Pariis, we had a photo stop at the Trocadero, and here is our group in front of the Eiffel Tower.

LEAVING BRUSSELS LATE, AND GETTING TO PARIS LATE, DRAT!.

2009-06-26T06:57:00.001-07:00

We found this artistic cow in our Paris neighborhood, on our walk back from the train on our first night. Troy was not amused!

We got to the Louvre late, due to traffic, but we did have time to look at the old fortress foundations in the basement. Here is Lynne next to a large column

This is the Brussels Cathedral, with Xandra standing in front. It was on our walk from the bus to the Guild Square where we ate chocolate and waffles.

Some of our DSA ladies in front of of the very pretty Brussels city Hall.

HOW ABOUT THAT BRUSSELS? IF IT IS MONDAY, WE MUST BE IN BELGIUM!

2009-06-26T06:49:00.001-07:00

Lynne & the girls in front of Le Homo Erectus, a gay bar across from my favorite restaurant. Not sure Lynne knows what to make of it!

My favorite restaurant in Brussels, the Red Ball. We were too early to eat, but we had coffee & beer. I told the guy I would try to make him world famous, so the next time you are in brussels, please go, eat, and tell him I sent you. Very good Belgian Pizza, right behind the City Hall.

The big draw in Brussels, besides the chocolate and the waffles, is Manikin Pis. Lynne checks it out.

We all got to pose in front of Manikin Pis. This little guy has his own museum. Thousands of folks have made him little sets of clothes. None this day, unfortunately. This was actually a neighborhood water source before it got so famous.

MORE AMSTERDAM PHOTOS

2009-06-26T06:30:00.001-07:00

Josie & Jeevan on the bench. Troy seems lost in thought. Perhaps it is too early?

The boys on the bench, contemplating the Ann Frank Haus. Thomas knows how to relax.

After the Ann Frank Haus, we had to wait for our canal cruise boat. Luckily there were some very nice benches there for the girls to sit on. Here Xandra is fighting with her 2nd breakfast. It was good bread.

MORE AMSTERDAM PHOTOS, WATCH OUT, X-RATED!

2009-06-26T06:23:00.001-07:00

Most graffetti was just tags and names, but this one was actually tryong to br art! Oh, well, it is Amsterdam!

This sculpture was in the sidewalk near the Ann Frank house, and you will notice that they have to lock it to keep it from being stolen. (Click on it to enlarge!)

MORE COOL AMSTERDAM PHOTIOS

2009-06-24T17:56:00.000-07:00

Troy took some time lookig over the designs at the condom store.

The girls thought they were funny!

MORE OF OUR FIRST WALK THROUGH AMSTERDAM, AND THE NEXT MORNING.

2009-06-23T16:11:00.000-07:00

Even for Amsterdam, here is an example of someone who has way too much time on his hands. The kids thought it was cute, however.

MORE OF OUR FIRST WALK THROUGH AMSTERDAM, AND THE NEXT MORNING.

2009-06-23T15:48:00.001-07:00

I now have a favorite bar in Amsterdam, Ricks, which Susanne showed us. She also told me the difference between a cafe and a coffee shop One serves coffee and intoxicating beverages, and one serves coffee and intoxicating herbs. Under Dutch law, one cannot sit at the coffee shop tables and drink a beer bought from the cafe.

WE FINALLY GOT TO AMSTERDAM AND HEADED DOWNTOWN OUR FIRST EVENING.

2009-06-23T15:39:00.000-07:00

When we got to the Train station in Amsterdam, I was struck by this virtual sea of bicycles. It looks larger than the photo shows.

Here is Susanne giving us the map spiel in Amsterdam. She is getting quite good t this!

LOADING THE BUS TO LEAVE

2009-06-20T14:23:00.001-07:00

Folks still bringing things for Charlie to load.

Seen from the back of the buss, the suitcases seem to never cease.

Charlie, our bus Belgian driver, trying to figure out how to load all our stuff in the bus.

WE ALSO VISITED A CLOG AND CHEESE SHOP

2009-06-20T14:00:00.001-07:00

After seeing everything demonstrated, Josie wanted to find a souvenir, but so many choices!

Xandra tries on a large pair of clogs, aided by the master clog and cheese maker himself.

LAST WINDMILL PHOTOS, PROMISE!

2009-06-20T13:50:00.000-07:00

And last, a few other folks in front of the windmill with Susanne.

MORE WINDMILL PHOTOS.

2009-06-20T13:45:00.001-07:00

Everyone wanted to get into the windmill action with Susanne. Here are some of the South Carolina folks.

Of course, it is obligatory for Lynne and Howard to get in a shot of the windmill.

Some of the "boys" in front of the windmill. thanks, guys.

20 JUNE, 09, WE DROVE FROM HAMBURG TO AMSTERDAM

2009-06-20T13:26:00.000-07:00

Starting with the best last, and leaving the other for the first, here are our girls in front of a real windmill that is currently being used as a house, but it original.

Our tour director, Susanne, is standing in front of this windmill waiting for us to all get off the bus and take photos.

Here is the windmill unadorned by tourists. I wonder how the folks who live here feel, getting 50 bus loads of tourists in their front yard daily?

WE ENDED UP OUR DAY IN HAMBURG

2009-06-19T14:56:00.000-07:00

This is one of the twisted chimneys that were designed to keep sparks from setting fire to Hamburg, again!

Lynne checks out the goods, in the rain, in one of the narrow shopping streets of Hamburg.

OUR DAY IN LÜBECK & HAMBURG. (Not a lot of photos because of rain!)

2009-06-19T14:48:00.000-07:00

Lübeck is a very old city, with a very beautiful RatHaus (City Hall) that was built in sections over 200+ years. We had lunch in the basement.

Our group in front of the famous Lübeck Tor, or gate.

The old main gate of Lübeck, famous in all of Germany. Beautiful.

JUST A COUPLE OF MORE PHOTOS FROM ELSINORE & KRONBERG

2009-06-19T14:36:00.000-07:00

Not in Elsinore, but here is Lynne at our dinner spot, RizRaz, our last night in Copenhagen.

Some of the South Carolina Mothers and Daughters pose by the moat at Kronberg Castle.

And, of course, Lynne & Howard in front of Kronberg Castle.

THEN AFTER LUNCH WE LEFT COPENHAGEN FOR ELSENORE

2009-06-19T13:49:00.000-07:00

Here is the whole group in front on Kronberg Castle.

Here is our group in front of the castle.

Kronberg castle is a very old castle that was one of a pair. The other one is in Sweden on the other side of the water.

WE GOT TO MEET THE LITTLE MERMAID!

2009-06-19T13:41:00.000-07:00

She sits alone there in the harbour. Soon she is going to China for a year-long visit. But we got to se her before she went.

Naturally we got a photo of the DSA crowd with the Mermaid, if nothing else, to cheer her on her way. Can you pick out which one is the mermaid?

WE WENT BY THE ROYAL PALACE TO SAY HELLO TO THE QUEEN, BUT WE SHOULD HAVE CALLED AHEAD, BECAUSE SHE WAS NOT AT HOME. DRAT!

2009-06-19T13:31:00.000-07:00

Another great photo of me with a palace guard here at the Royal Palace.

If you get a photo of Xandra, you need to give Megan equal time. You can decide who is the more spiffy!

Xandra ventured over to one of the guards, just before he was changed. she liked him! "They are so young!"

OUR SECOND DAY IN COPENHAGEN, NOT REALLY IN COPENHAGEN

2009-06-19T13:25:00.001-07:00

Of course, I had to get a photo of Myself with the lareg elephant.

We were brave enough to let 2 of our girls get real close to the gigantic Carlsberg elephant!

I do not know why Carlsberg picked an elephant for the symbol, but the ones at the brewery were very impressive.

WE DID A LOT IN COPENHAGEN THAT FIRST DAY!

2009-06-19T13:16:00.000-07:00

Back at our hotel after a long day on foot, the kids could not wait to get to sleep and re-charge for tomorrow.

We all went to dinner that first night at a middle-eastern buffet. Very interesting food, nothing dull there. They do look tired, do they not?

The Butterfly was the name of the restauraunt. Pretty good choice, EF!

MORE COPENHAGEN PHOTOS

2009-06-19T13:10:00.001-07:00

Tour Director Susanne shows us how they play the piano in London, Copenhagen, and Paris! Multi-lingual and multi-talented!

On one of our exploratory walks, Lynne foud this very pretty door, and almost knocked to ack the folks in #6 where she could get one also.

Lynne meets Hans Christian Anderson, just before we walked down to the Danish National Museum, during some of our copious free time.

CONTINUING ON DAY 1 IN COPENHAGEN

2009-06-19T13:02:00.000-07:00

Lynne & I had lunch, but not too close to the rest of our crew.

Our first lunch in Copenhagen was at a little sasuage kiosk very near the old harbor.

The Dragon statue, in the plaza across from the City Hall, was our usual meeting spot after free time in Copenhagen.

ALSO ON DAY I IN DENMARK

2009-06-18T12:37:00.000-07:00

On our way to the train, we met up with this local gang, flashing their special gang sign.

DAY 1 OUR FIRST DAY IN DENMARK, 17 JUNE 09

2009-06-18T12:34:00.001-07:00

Here is Susanne Danks, our intrepid tour director, showing all of us neophytes how to manage the Free EF map of Copenhagen!

GOD, HOW I HATE AIRPORTS!!!

2009-06-16T13:15:00.000-07:00

It is amazing who you can run into in a busy airport like Dulles. We were pleasantly surprised to be able to tke a photo with these folks. Of course, I m not in the photo, because I am taking the photo, and Lynne is not in the photo because she is holding off the Secret Service guards!

I really like those EF packs because they are so highly visible in airports and malls!

Well, after so many months, here we all are waiting excitedly in the RDU Airport for our smooth check-in! Ready for Copenhagen., Thanks, Parents!

OUR MAGNIFICENT TOUR DIRECTOR!

2009-06-15T08:50:00.000-07:00

At last! I am sure who our tour director is. I found this photo 2 weeks ago, but was only able to cross check it with her e-mail address this morning. But here she is: Susanne Danks, Danish & English, but lives in Paris! Could life be more perfect? Really looking forward to her showing us the inside of Copenhagen, starting on Wed!

MORE OF OUR DSA TRAVELERS! (only missing 1 photo!)

2009-05-27T06:16:00.000-07:00

Last here, but not least, please meet Megan Taub who will also be one of the 3 Graces on our trip. Hi, Megan!

I do not know about that smile! Meet Troy Eason, DSA Graduate traveler extraordinaire!

And, of course, a slightly fuzzy foto of Alexandra Bent, pointing herself out in the photo of our 2006 Spring Break trip to France. Glad you can come along this time, Alexandra!

MEET OUR DSA GRADUATE TRAVELERS!

2009-05-27T05:38:00.001-07:00

Meet Josie Matthews! She is one of the 3 young ladies we have going with us this year.

It is a secret, but since I know you so well. On the outside this is Jeevan Voleti, but in reality he is SUPER TRAVELER. Up, Up, and away!!! Watch out Amsterdam!

Meet Ryne Jones. He was looking for looking for his foto on my wall of travelers, then he remembered that this is his first trip with Mr. D. and the DSA Europe Crew! Welcome, Ryne!

SUE RANDOLPH FROM EF

2009-05-21T09:32:00.000-07:00

FOR THE FIRST TIME ON ONE OF MY TRIP BLOGS, A PHOTO OF OUR EF REP! WITHOUT THE HARDWORK AND STEADFAST UNDERSTANDING AND COOPERATION OF SUE RANDOLPH AT EF, OUR DSA TRIPS TO EUROPE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN NEARLY AS SUCCESSFUL. THANKS, SUE!!!! YOU SHOULD COME GO WITH US SOMETIME!

WELCOME TO OUR GRAD 09 TRIP BLOG!

2009-05-19T09:33:00.000-07:00

ALSO ALONG ON THIS TRIP AS ADDITIONAL PROTECTION AGAINST THE GRADUATING HORDE WILL BE LYNNE SULLIVAN, RETIRED TEACHER EXTRAORDINAIRE, SEEN HERE ON THE SPRING SPAIN TRIP, POSING WITH DONNA AND THE "TIN MAN" IN TOLEDO. LYNNE IS THE ONE ON THE LEFT.

THE OUTSTANDINGLY SERIOUS GROUP LEADER OF THIS TRIP WILL BE MR. D., SEEN HERE IN SPAIN, THIS SPRING, WRAPPING HIMSELF IN THE FLAG. UNFORTUNATELY IT WAS THE SPANISH FLAG!