What a trip! What an experience!

We wrapped the week up by getting lost in a hedge maze and then taking a train ride thru the park. From the beginning we were taught to look for the details and from that point on there was never an unstimulated moment. From the distant water fountains, to the strong smell of wild onions EVERYWHERE, we were always invited to look, enjoy and feel like an old friend returning home.

We went to the Turkish district and saw a man slowly shaving away at a piece of wood that mystically turned in to shoes right before our eyes. What an old skill. It was pretty neat.

Further down the line there were a group of traditionally dressed elder women in an assembly line of sorts, making the most delicious flat bread yummies cooked on a hot stone. Then filled with spinach and cheese ((? i think)) and sold for the low low price of 1 euro. They thought it was the funniest thing for us to be taking pictures. I see their point. Next time I will ask to help.

We met a man who was ready to bargain. He knew that we were not walking away without something he had to offer. So taste this! Now, taste this! Only 12 euro! A bargain! (Now much of the negotiating was done with hand language and gestures because the tongues did not oblige) In the end we walked away from the homemade dried apricots and got some yummy pecans for a steal.

On a leisurely stroll back to the center of the city, we stopped by a beautiful school and played a bit of hopscotch. Cause when your feeling like every moment belongs to you, hopscotch seems like a perfect idea!

Soon the day began to fade and the night meandered in with colorful lights and laughing people. We sat many hours by the canal just watching boats and felt no sense of rush or more simply destination.

The people we met along the way added to the journey that much more. Everyone seemed ready to talk about their life in Amsterdam or question the life in America. We met people from all over the world. Let's see, Brazil, Russia, Italy, Lithuania, Portugal, South Africa, oh! the list goes on and on!

All we keep thinking is that next year we need to take the kids.

Cheers to all!! Coming up on the Jae and Olivia adventure, the Journey home! But that truly is another story. Have a good day!

Love, Us