View 2008 Recap Slideshow
As we say goodbye to 2008, Lou and I cannot help but celebrate the 100th post on our blog, by looking back at what a life-changing year it has been. Living abroad has been a whirlwind adventure, introducing us to new jobs, friends and way of life. It has been both a challenging and rewarding experience as we immerse ourselves, if ever so briefly, in countries and cultures so different from our own. From a family-owned rubber operation in Koh Yao Noi, Thailand to the Jemma El Efna in Marrakesh, Morocco, we have been enamored and intrigued by the colourful people we have encountered, the unique foods we have tasted and one-of-a-kind experiences shared together in our first year of marriage.
We know that some people hate looking at our blog (Linsey - you are envious of our trips, but we are more envious of your return to student life and naps!) but hope others appreciate the glimpse our photos and blurbs provide into another side of the globe. Living abroad, we have picked up so many new hobbies (the true way to see a city is by pounding the unbeaten pavement), interests (I have drug Lou to every foreign food market and tasted the best dragon fruit, manchego, olives and mulled wine available) and at the same time, an appreciation for the convenience and choices provided in America. We have learned so much living abroad about ourselves and the different places and people around us that sometimes, it is a shame that we cannot share more of our exploration via photos.
Here are some of impromtu photo highlights of 2008: 
As our Christmas trip to Bavaria lasted close to two weeks, we decided to mark the end of the year, in stark contrast to the way we spent most of it with no flights or luggage, but simply us at home with a home-cooked meal and and a nice bottle of champagne.
The fire definitely still burns in us to travel and see the world during 2009 and throughout the rest of our lives, but it is also very exciting for us that after four years of living in Washington, D.C. and over a year in Dublin, we will eventually find our way home to Minneapolis. We look forward to becoming a more regular fixture in our families and friends lives, becoming home owners and maybe even owning a microwave again. 
After getting a couple ornaments and meeting Strauss, who planned two nights in Munich on his way to Egypt for the holiday, we had a lunch of soup and a beer (for me), tea for Erin, then made our way to Munich's Residenz, where the royal family lived for hundreds of years dating to the 1508, with the building dating back to 1385. 
We checked out another Christmas market in the courtyard of the Residenz and had a potato latkes in honor of Strauss, as he humored us by tagging along at all the Christmas markets. 
That night we ate at Paulaner's big beer hall/eatery and had a beer at Augustiner Keller in the basement (like 60 feet below ground) brewery. Erin was a tropper as she was at the height of her illness while we had a beer here (and as I began to deteriorate).
The following day we wandered around again, but only in the morning to get drugs and then it was back to bed until 3:30 for Erin and I. However, we managed to make it to the Hofbrahaus for a couple beers (even though I was sick, I couldn't pass up un mas after an initial tea). 
On the way to dinner, we stumbled upon yet another seriously cute xmas market that was exclusively for nativity purchases (along with the usual gluwein and pretzels that everyone was eating and drinking). 
Munich was great despite not being able to do the complete beer hall experience....but to our credit we made it to the Hofbrahaus, an Ayinger, an Augustiner, a Paulaner, and the Anchen's beer halls; not a bad showing. We were able to parttake in the amazing Christmas markets though!!
We made a quick tour through town and then arrived in Regensburg to an even more picturesque town, one of the coolest and most historic we have experienced in our time here, complete with colorful buildings and several Christmas markets. 
The next morning we woke up to a great view, had breakfast, and then made it to a hospital in the old town, seeing Dr. Beer and getting some much needed meds. Following the hospital, we wandered around the markets some more and to some shops.
We went to a home store and found Erin's Christmas present, which was wrapped in the store and hauled to the post-office. As you can see below, it was too big to put in an envelope, so we had to send the package to Ireland to be able to ship it home!
We eventually made it out of Regensburg and it was across the border to Salzburg for one last market and our Christmas celebration!
Last weekend it was off to Budapest, to experience another weekend of the Christmas spirit with the locals of the city. We had a Saturday afternoon flight and arrived at about 8pm for a 24 hour sprint through the city! We don't really mind the quick weekend as we really just walk around the historic district and the christmas markets and 1-1.5 days is all we need!
That first night, we wandered around the town and market, took some pics, had some mulled wine, and ate at a winery who recently opened a cool cellar restaurant in the city.
The next morning we walked to the Buda side of the river up to the castle, visited the museum, and walked back to the market. It was a very pleasant day.
Last weekend, Erin and I started a whirlwind adventure that will span the next several weeks celebrating christmas, probably the longest christmas celebration we'll ever have...you just have to seize the opportunity. Unfortunately, the weekdays are for work (myself trekking back and forth from Galway), while the weekends are for travel! Don't feel too bad though....I know you don't.
We arrived at about 11am on Saturday and hit the markets, where there are four very central markets in Prague's old town (creeping into the new town). We walked around with our first glass of mulled wine and mead checking out the food and trinkets for sale. The square was absolutely beautiful and we did a great job soaking up the atmosphere. The stalls themselves were a bit commerical, but it didn't deter from the ambiance. There is a massive tree in the main square and a stage where carolers from all over the country would come and sing in 30 minute intervals. It was very cool to hear the Czech christmas songs (many like ours just translated, many in english too:) 
The best pics we took were on the first night, when we went to the top of the old town tower and took pics of the market from above (like in the first pic). During the day, we stumbled upon a famous bar that has its own microbrewery and produces one of the world stongest beers at 12.6% (they say the strongest, but I didn't want to disappoint any other brewers reading this out there). U Medivicku (sp) is the name and the pub was founded in the 1400's....it was a really cool place with great beer. Erin had a cult favorite called Oldgott. We then wandered across the Charles bridge for a view of one of the coolest sights in Europe.
Bridge at night with Prague Castle in the background.
The next morning I got up early while Erin slept and took a few shots of the bridge pre-tourist craziness. Erin and I then went to the castle and toured it, as well as St. Vitnus cathedral, an impressive church that dates back to the early middle ages, with the current structure dating to the 1400's.
Lou joined me in Minneapolis for the weekend and we had nice family feast at Alissa and Jeremy's house. We threw a few steaks on the grill (brrr.....why do Minnesotan's love to grill even in the winter?) and Jeremy made a nice little coq au vin. It was Lou's grandparent's anniversary so they came over to celebrate along with David, Lisa and Jake, and Anne and Doug. It was great to see all of them as it had been over a year. 
Lou carved the bird.
The gang.
