Sunday, November 30, 2008

Paris 11/28/08

When we came into Paris it was dark. The stars were shining and the moon was gold. We came to our Youth Hostel and set up our beds. Then we went to bed. The next morning we called our former aupair, Yolanda. We organized a meeting by the Louvre, a famous art museum. While we were waiting we went inside and bought tickets. There were lots of naked statues that were fighting to the death. The paintings on the ceiling and walls are called Murals and there were lots of them. The Museum itself was a piece of art. A giant glass pyramid marks the underground pillars holding up the ground. We saw the Mona Lisa! It was fantastic. It was created by Leonardo Da Vinci himself! He has captured the very small degree of her eyes to make it look like she is always looking at you. No matter where you are standing in the room her eyes seem to follow you. It’s kind of creepy. Also you can’t tell what she’s thinking. She looks happy, sad, proud, and lots of other emotions, but you just can’t tell what one thing she’s really feeling.

Then we saw Yolanda and her boyfriend, David. *Robby talks in a very good French accent* (Paris is the city of love, no?) We had a great time looking at the Arc de Triumph, The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and Notre Dame Cathedral which is like the Flagship of all Churches. Then we went to lunch and I had a sausage on a warm, crisp, combination of a croissant and a piece of bread. Then we walked through the town aimlessly and saw the Seine River. We took the Metro to the Eiffel Tower. By now it was dark and when it gets dark they light it up in a dazzling wavy hue of blue. It’s amazing! We went to all three floors by elevator and saw practically all of Paris. In the dark of night, the Blue of the tower, and the lights of the city was beautiful. And every hour, for five minutes, they randomly flash 50,000 white lights that make it look even more dazzling. Despite everyone’s ooohhhh’s and aaaaahhhhhh’s something was missing. I never really figured out but something was definitely missing.
Oh well, then we said our goodbyes to Yolanda and David and went to bed. In the middle of the night, some bozo hit the fire alarm. So everyone woke up, some went downstairs, and then we were told to go back to bed. Imbecile! Finally we went to sleep and almost couldn’t wake up at 9:00 the next morning. Then we packed up and left. Goodbye Paris!

Amsterdam 11/26/08

In the morning we ate the hostel’s continental breakfast and boarded a train. Because there was space available, we got to ride up in first class. Then we got off in a town called Amsterdam. There was a series of canals connecting the city. We took a boat tour of these canals. It was fun.
But unlike towns in the US, marijuana is legal here! You can buy it in coffee shops! I stood well away from it, but to my surprise, Sam kept asking questions about it. Go figure. We saw Holland architecture and the Anne Frank Museum and LOTS of pictures of tulips and bulbs for sale. Holland is famous for its tulips.
Then we left on the train, got off on the wrong stop, panicked, got back home, and went to bed. The next morning we got up and began to drive to Paris.

Monday, November 24, 2008

Holland

We are in Belgium (see map on Home page). We have also been to Luxembourg. We saw the Grand Duke’s Palace there and saw why the people of Luxembourg have been terrorized by invasions from foreign countries. (If you didn’t know that they were, they were, and now you know) They were terrorized many times because of their geographical and strategic point. They were on a cliff which made a good defensive area, and a continuous supply of water by a fast moving river. We also saw a cathedral with beautiful stained glass, high ceilings and lots of cold, smooth stone called alabaster. We played at a giant park that was supposed to be a sunken Pirate ship. Then we went and stayed at a Youth Hostel for about 10 Euros a person. (A euro is about 1.20 American dollars so it is worth more) The next day we went to Belgium and stayed at another Youth Hostel in the city of Mons. There was a fair going on and I went through the haunted house. It was in pure darkness and I wasn’t scared. A couple of sensors and lights and treadmills don’t get me scared. But they did Sam and Ben. There weren’t many traps but the thought of getting scared or getting eaten was enough. Two ladies gat scared and ran past us at top speed. The treadmill was fun. Then we left the haunted house and shot some golf balls with bb guns. I was a perfect shot. Then we stayed the night at the Youth Hostel. The next morning we left and went to Holland. We stayed at yet another Youth Hostel and treated ourselves to dinner pancakes. I know, I was surprised too, but don’t worry it’s delicious.

Germany Nov 22

Wow! I really haven’t blogged in a while, but so much has happened. As you all know I am using Calvert Homeschooling and I met my teacher who I mail pretty much all my stuff I do in class to. Her name is Mrs. Clark, she loves to golf (I like mini putt-putt but that strays from the topic) and she’s very nice. Hi Mrs. Clark! *Robby waves at computer camera that’s not currently on* Next we went to a place that I will mention in a minute.
But first for a recap, don’t worry it relates to the present, just an FYI. I was born in Leavenworth, Kansas. Then because my Dad is in the Army we move a lot so after I was born we moved to Baltimore, Maryland for about 2 years. Then Virginia for 1 year. Hanover, Maryland was for 6, and this was my childhood and the bulk of my life. This is where I first went to school and made good friends that I could remember because I was old enough. Then to Austin, Texas for 1 year, and Fort Greely, Alaska for 3.
So the place where I mainly grew up and remembered the most because I was there the longest was Hanover, Maryland. And after 4 ½ years (but it feels more like twenty (even though I’m only 13)) I came back and everyone looks so Big! Scott was my best Pal and he’s all tall and athletic and smart. *Robby sniffles ….. and commences to Bawling* (They grow up so fast!) *Just Kidding* I visited my old school and saw all my old teachers. Well, They’re not really old, they’re actually very young and pretty, but they’re just my teachers from back then so they’re ………… you know ………… old teachers. And my lovely Principal, Dr. Mumford is still happy, and fun, and has a billion stuffed bunnies in her office. It was great! We parked the R.V. in our next-door neighbor’s driveway. We had delicious cooked meals by Mrs. Zelnoski and lots of play time with the Zelnoski Girls and Troy. Then we left. Parting twice is twice as bad as parting the first time because everyone’s more mature, and they just got over you leaving the first time and now you have to do it again.
Then we went to an Army base called Fort Mead, winterized our R.V. and left to the Airport. Do you know why? Well, um, because, let me break it to all of you fans out there softly. *Robby says this next part very loudly* WE ARE ON TO EUROPE! Whoooooooooooo. Germany specifically. And I (for the first time) am blogging in another continent! We saw Heidelberg Castle and the town of Heidelberg. A bunch of strange little cars, and waaaaaaaay different looking houses. It’s very cool and it’s snowing! Not like I’ve never seen snow before but it’s German snow! We saw a giant fort that was made 2000 years ago by the Roman Empire called Porta Nigra in Triar, Germany. It was in almost perfect condition. And the plane ride was practically free because it was military and we are military dependents. The plane ride was a long 8 hours and we watched Hancock, Kung-fu Panda, and The Incredible hulk. They were all great. Now for some fun-facts. It is illegal to wash your car in a public street; you have to pay to go to the bathroom; you get arrested if you swear in public; and they use Euros in Europe. Cool little coins. We ate schnitzel which is deep fried pork. We are almost at Luxembourg.

Pennsylvania Nov 10

I haven’t done much since I last talked, but Obama has won! It is time for a change! As you can see I am a big Obama fan. It’s so great, no more Bush Administration! We will change the world, levy taxes and get our economy back on its feet! I went to one of his rallies and saw him in person in Manassas, Virginia. I did more school and almost finished my tests. We went to Pennsylvania and saw Gettysburg. We saw a museum about the civil war and saw friends from Alaska: The Rennhacks. The next day we saw some more friends from Alaska, the Hilldreths, our next-door neighbors on Fort Greely. We went bowling and saw their new house. It was nice. That’s all for now.

Maryland Nov 6

After we left West point we went to my Uncle Eric’s house. My cousins: Logan, Erin, Lauren, and Duncan were a lot of fun to play with and I could have had more fun without my sprained ankle but I’m getting around pretty well now. We had Halloween and I was a guy in a black cloak that gave out candy with a broken ankle. (To see brothers costumes look at their blogs) We had some company, the Tones. Yes the same Tones as Canada. The very lovely Mrs. Kathy and her kids, Alex and Jack. We had a ball, even with a sprained ankle. We went to this cool corn maze and I went through the longest path on crutches. I shot a boat with a pumpkin cannon that shoots, Guess…………Pumpkins! The Boat was an old fishing boat suspended 40 feet in the air. In other words it wasn’t illegal. We had so much fun. After they left we did school for about the following 4 days and I just completed my math test 40 of 160. I’m catching up!