Snegovik, Riebeeck, South Africa

kristl


Posted Aug 28, 2007, 6:43 pm
I found that my friends Berlin Bear and Éireannach will travel to different countries and now I wish to travel too. They shew me the ToyVoyager site...
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1273/1260001166_1ac5895b8d.jpg?v=0
and told everything they knew.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1415/1259148329_32072b6425.jpg?v=0

So I decided to travel myself too! I tryed to prepare but found a map of Moscow only.. But now you can see it :)
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1274/1260000536_5316d375a3.jpg?v=0

Well I will have to find some hosts.. Let me tell you about myself a bit..
I live on the 8th floor
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1161/1259149269_39daad0a7b.jpg?v=0
My favourite room is Kitchen!
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1206/1259148923_da0a108657.jpg?v=0
And I like sweets most of all ;)
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1440/1259148715_896d1f3fdf.jpg?v=0
And here you can see me helping Kristl with a puzzle ;)
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1172/1260001728_2fb69453a4.jpg?v=0

Hope you'll like me.. cause I'm going to look for hosts ;)
tarepanda


Posted Sep 11, 2007, 3:07 am
Wow! I am in Florida now!! And what hot weather it is.  I am melting!

I was picked up by Tarepanda today at the post office.  Those stupid clerks could not find me (and honestly I wasn't hiding!) and that got Tarepanda so nervous about getting to work late, but fortunately they brought me safely to Tarepanda.

I went with Tarepanda to a BookCrossing meeting.  They are a group that let books travel around the world.  Yeah, like we do.  Anyway, a pretty girl finds me irresistable, shared a pizza with me and invited me home.  Wohoo! 
ppagano


Posted Sep 14, 2007, 1:44 am
I'm happy to say that Snegovik is here safe with me and I will be taking care of him as well as showing him around a bit. ;)

Here I am working in Miami.
ppagano


Posted Sep 17, 2007, 4:33 am
ppagano took me on the "Phil Peterson's 35th Key West Poker Run" from sept. 14 - Sept. 16. The Poker run started at Peterson's Harley-Davidson in Cutler Bay and ended at Key West.
Here is our starting point.
ppagano


Posted Sep 17, 2007, 5:01 am
Here's one of our rest stops...see all the bikes!  It is very hot and sunny here,  I was sooo excited to travel with all these bikers!
ppagano


Posted Sep 17, 2007, 5:08 am
It was a long ride and we arrived safe and sound. Here I am relaxing with my new travel friend Romeo. 
ppagano


Posted Sep 17, 2007, 5:15 am
I arrived at "The Southernmost Point" of Florida.
Here I am with ppagano and Romeo.
ppagano


Posted Oct 9, 2007, 3:23 am
On 10/06-10/07/07: I went out on the boat this weekend to attend the party, "Columbus Day Regatta".  :p
As we weren't on an actual sail boat we were on a boat that hooked up to four others and partied from one day to the next. 
It was very windy and rained during the night, but during the day it was nice and very sunny. B)
My pal Romeo kept me in good company.
ppagano


Posted Oct 9, 2007, 4:36 am
I attended a Bookcrossing Meeting tonight where I made it back safe and sound for further travels with Tarepanda.
I can't wait to continue my journey with my new pals. :D
tarepanda


Posted Oct 19, 2007, 2:50 pm
I was glad to see my host again after a month.  Well, I felt a bit guilty to just leaving her on the first day I arrived.  Also it was a great pleasure to meet Mocha, Tarepanda's toy, and Helen, who is visiting from England.  Romeo is coming along for a visit as well, so wow, what a big group.

We helped stocked up the Official BookCrossing Zone at Panera before we headed home.
tarepanda


Posted Oct 19, 2007, 3:23 pm
Today we went to the Schnebly's Winery.  They are the southern most winery in the U.S.  As it is too warm to grow grapes, they make their wine from tropical fruits like lychee (my host's favorite), mango, guava and passion fruit. 

The tour guide told us that they are experimenting the production of vodka from tomato.  "Tomato?" Someone in the group asked. "Sure," replied the guide. "What do you think regular vodka is made of? Potato!"  Hmmm, I would be interested in that tomato vodka.  :p

Later, we went to a place called Outback Steakhouse.  I tried the cheese fries.  It's French fries loaded with cheese and bacon, and we dipped them in ranch dressing.  Mmm, yummy.
tarepanda


Posted Oct 19, 2007, 4:01 pm
What an exciting day it was!! I don't quite know where to start.

Okay, we went to Butterfly World today.  Helen Bear wants to see some butterflies.  So a bunch of us TV went along.  By a bunch I mean a big bunch.  I have never met so many TV in my life!  Let me see if I remember all the names: in the back we have Ruzovacek from Czech Republic, Budd from England, me and Mumble, a tropical penquin from Miami. Then we have Mommet, Romeo, Prince Charming, Helen from England and Mocha.

It was a long drive but we chit-chat all the way, although I will steal a quiet minute to look out at the palm trees as we speed by.  They looked pretty tall - I think I will pick a smaller one to climb.

The garden is very beautiful.  There are a lot of butterflies, plants and birds.  I took a picture with a pepper tree!
tarepanda


Posted Oct 19, 2007, 4:25 pm
Today I went to try Cuban food.  As Miami has a substantial Cuban population, the cuisine is quite popular here.

Usually the dish has some meat - beef, pork or chicken - and is served with rice.  The rice is added with salt and oil, and usually we put red bean or black bean over it.  I put a little bit of both on mine.  Plantain is a very popular side dish, it is similar to banana but bigger.  To the left is tostones, crunchy deep fried green plantain slices, and to the right is sweet plantain, which is made from soft, well ripen fruit.

I enjoyed my food so much.  In fact, I got a little bit onto myself though my host helped wash me clean.
tarepanda


Posted Oct 25, 2007, 3:50 pm
Today I decide that it's time to tackle one of my missions.  I will climb a palm tree.

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u314/azuki726/toy%20voyagers/snowman025.jpg

We go around the place looking for the perfect tree to climb.

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u314/azuki726/toy%20voyagers/snowman024.jpg

Umm... That looks huge.  But I will give it a try!!

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u314/azuki726/toy%20voyagers/snowman041.jpg

Here I go!!!

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u314/azuki726/toy%20voyagers/snegovik043.jpg

Ouch! That hurts!!

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u314/azuki726/toy%20voyagers/snowman045.jpg

I found a little one... I did it!!!  I made it!!!

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u314/azuki726/toy%20voyagers/snowman050.jpg

It's not easy, but I think I am getting good at it.  Of course it helps to have my friends cheering me on!!

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u314/azuki726/toy%20voyagers/snegorik035.jpg

Under my encouragement, everybody manages to climb up the tree and it feels so good sitting up there!!

Wow what a day!! I am so happy.
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u314/azuki726/toy%20voyagers/snowman038.jpg

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u314/azuki726/toy%20voyagers/snegorvik037.jpg
tarepanda


Posted Oct 25, 2007, 4:17 pm
As an aspiring traveling gourmet - maybe one day I will host my own show on Travel Channel - I look forward to checking out different cuisines.

My host took me to a Lebonese restaurant. They have a belly dancer.  I ate a dish of falafel, which is grounded chick pea balls, lentil rice, tabouleh salad (wheat, onion and parsley) and hummus.  I also tried a date juice drink. It has a hint of rose in it.  Very interesting.

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u314/azuki726/toy%20voyagers/snowman002.jpg

We also went to try Caribbean food.  It's heavily influenced by East Indian cuisine.  I ate a roti stuffed w potatoes and chick peas.  You can also have them stuffed with curry goat, chicken or other stuff.  They added the Scotch bonnet pepper which makes it super super hot!! But like my host said, it's deliciously spicy so you keep panting and reaching for more.  I have never tasted anything like this.

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u314/azuki726/toy%20voyagers/snowman023.jpg

Mocha saw that I was melting fm the weather and the spice, so he took me to his favorite, Coldstone Creamery.  First you select the flavor of ice cream you want.

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u314/azuki726/toy%20voyagers/coldstone1.jpg

Then you pick the mix-ins.  There are a lot to choose from: berries and fruits, nuts, candy bars, gummi bears, brownie...  They mix the ingredients together on a very cold stone.

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u314/azuki726/toy%20voyagers/coldstone4.jpg

Yummy! Mocha got one called Mud Pie Mojo, w peanut butter, oreo cookies and almond in coffee ice cream, and I got one of banana ice cream w banana, strawberry and chocolate chips. 

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u314/azuki726/toy%20voyagers/snowman012.jpg

The ice cream cools me down, but I must say that the warm weather is getting too much for me.  I think I should head for cooler weather before I becomes a puddle of water.

As a farewell, Mommet suggested treating me to a Key Lime pie, the Official State Pie of Florida.  Key Lime is a specialty of Florida and the Caribbeans and it's smaller than the regular lime.  In the olden days, cans of condensed milk are the only dairy available in those remote places, and some clever housewives founded out that by mixing key lime juice and condensed milk, you get a nice pie without baking!!!  Blonde Giraffe has won the Best Key Lime Pie title.

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u314/azuki726/toy%20voyagers/snowman022.jpg

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u314/azuki726/toy%20voyagers/snowman017.jpg

Let's dig in!!  Farewell, my dear friends in Florida, hope you all stay well and see you again one day!

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u314/azuki726/toy%20voyagers/snowman015.jpg
Mistigree


Posted Nov 17, 2007, 9:56 pm
Here I am, in France !
I had already begun to melt in Florida and the few days spent in my envelope to reach France did not help... So before melting totally, the first thing I did when I arrived in Mistigree's flat was having a cold ice cubes bath !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2230/2040765491_125bc795df.jpg?v=0

I was quite reinvigorated after that and Mistigree showed me where I was going to sleep... in her fridge !! I was happy because I thought this would allow me to eat discreetly during the night too, as I'm a greedy snowman.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2079/2040765495_e8348ac9f5.jpg?v=0

I saw there were many fruits on the fridge and thought of all the good products there should be IN the fridge, waiting for me...It made my mouth water !!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2187/2040769559_1f5eb2643e.jpg?v=0

Unfortunately, what a terrible deception when I opened the fridge !! It was quite empty !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2191/2040765497_98af2840c7.jpg?v=0

There were just butter, yogurts, eggs and some slices of ham... I was expecting something else !!! Some nice French dishes or French cheese at least...
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2292/2040765501_42c73ebf0e.jpg?v=0

I looked at the botton of the fridge in case there were something more interesting, but I only found vegetables : 1 tomato, 2 green peppers, 1 aubergine and some carrots...
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2021/2040769541_9244f93452.jpg?v=0

No wine either. Just milk, soya drink and water.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2376/2040769549_d8d7beeeb1.jpg?v=0

I was so disappointed that I decided to sleep right now.
Hopefully my bed is perfect !! It is situated in the freezer and I can use the ice tray as a cushion.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2272/2040765489_bc75526b3f.jpg?v=0

I can also close the door if there is too much noise outside !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2418/2040765487_a4e3efe8c3.jpg?v=0
Mistigree


Posted Nov 25, 2007, 2:53 pm
As Rosemary, who's also hosted by Mistigree at the moment, wanted to visit beautiful gardens, we went to see "Le jardin des plantes" this morning, one of the most beautiful park of Toulouse.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2405/2050492747_cbf8b3afb9.jpg?v=0

Just near the entrance gate, I saw a strange painted van.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2115/2051249318_030130de60.jpg?v=0

When I approached, I noticed there was a palm tree on it !! I was sure it was a good sign and that I'll maybe climb on a palm again today as I already did in Florida.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2061/2050492749_e79ff45501.jpg?v=0

Very soon indeed, I saw a big palm that was waiting for me.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2318/2051249336_e27315342d.jpg?v=0

It seems so high !!?!!!?
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2373/2051249320_ae4d9a83ff.jpg?v=0

Well, here goes !!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2411/2051249328_cc9b38f028.jpg?v=0

Unfortunately, I was not trained enough and I was quickly out of breath ...I only managed to reach the tag, but not the top...
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2111/2051249324_55946acd1d.jpg?v=0

All the palms in this garden were too big for me and I decided to go to another garden just near, called "Jardin du grand rond" where there is a nice bandstand.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2316/2050492765_dd60d80804.jpg?v=0

All around the bandstand, there was a flower bed that had been especially made for the rugby worldcup that took place last month and that Toulouse hosted 4 matchs for.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2366/2050492757_0cb31b22b2.jpg?v=0

And guess what... there was a palm made of grass and plants !! hum... seems like another good sign for me...
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2188/2050492753_3997b637b9.jpg?v=0

Here is a palm thicket !!! Perfet for me !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2273/2050497579_a493adef1c.jpg?v=0

Hum, not so perfect in fact !!! It had thornbushes everywhere !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2253/2050497585_ee94054e7f.jpg?v=0

Suddenly I saw THE perfect palm to climb on, not too small, not too big...
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2240/2050497595_b5e5fcab9a.jpg?v=0

Let's go !!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2249/2050497589_d11f6b0c8f.jpg?v=0

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS !!! I did it !!!!! (and without any ice axe or rope !)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2193/2050497587_0b5b1a99de.jpg?v=0

Then I saw on a map there were a third garden in the area and decided to visit it too.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2087/2050507479_8a640db91d.jpg?v=0

It is "Le jardin royal". This garden is dedicated to Déodat de Séverac who was a French composer who was born not very far from Toulouse.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2170/2050507481_4338bad4e4.jpg?v=0

No palm trees in this garden but a very pleasant little lake with a bird house in the middle !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2311/2051285240_47eb51f004.jpg?v=0

There was a statue of a man... Do you regognize him ??
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2189/2051285262_9508ab59a6.jpg?v=0 http://krysalide.canalblog.com/images/t-petit_20prince1.jpg

It is Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, the French writer who wrote "the little prince" and who was an aviator as well. He used to stay in a hotel in Toulouse...
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2059/2051285250_a7e99aed16.jpg?v=0

Very near, was this modern sculpture.. Don't ask me what it represents...
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2078/2050507471_01aaae6073.jpg?v=0

All what I know is that it is dedicated to the airmail pioneers that were flying from France to South America.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2023/2050507475_1dddfe9b96.jpg?v=0
Mistigree


Posted Nov 25, 2007, 6:30 pm
After the 3 parks, we continued our way and passed along a building that Mistigree never noticed before, although she uses to take this street regularely. This building has a sundial on its façade (I wish there were some snowdials too !!)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2133/2062864978_fe828ebf50.jpg?v=0

In front of this building, is the Pillon confectioner's and chocolate maker. Pillon (the name of the boss) is said to be the best chocolate maker of Toulouse (but maybe the more expensive also !)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2011/2062864972_71296ff534.jpg?v=0

Here are some violet candies in his windowshop as it is a speciality of the town.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2119/2062864980_752dbf9d4c.jpg?v=0

Yuuuuuuuuuuum !! Those macaroons seems delicious !! There are many different flavour, of course violet, but also roses and ten or so others flavours.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2037/2062115603_bafa7e7c70.jpg?v=0

I nearly walked a little and I saw another confectioner's !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2284/2062115615_c2e4ca2bb1.jpg?v=0

It is called "Le poussin bleu" (the blue chick"), I don't know why !? I liked its sign a lot !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2210/2062115619_2668619d1f.jpg?v=0

And then, just a bit further, a French tea shop !! Look, they have Christmas tea !!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2120/2062115607_11ce3b0a64.jpg?v=0

Youhou !! Do you recognize me ??? I'm with Mistigree and what you see is our reflection in a teapot !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2418/2062115611_f49fcb6736.jpg?v=0

This is "Madame du Barry" shop. They sell local products but also delicate food.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2283/2062115623_a47fd5a73e.jpg?v=0

I saw there were "foie gras", but Mistigree refused to buy some for me, she doesn't like it !!! What a pitty !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2229/2062913242_b19e1676d1.jpg?v=0

When I saw this giant Champagne bottle, I thought of Tiger Tom. If he had been there with us, we could have shared it !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2332/2062913246_7d562117c2.jpg?v=0

One of the specialities of Madame du Barry shop is "La poularde fermière aux truffes"... It is a fattened pullet with truffles, but I guess it is quite as expensive as caviar !!!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2196/2062913252_7d0fca02ba.jpg?v=0
Mistigree


Posted Nov 25, 2007, 6:50 pm
Just near Madame du Barry, I saw this building with a policeman at the door (not on the picture, because Mistigree waited for him to go away). It is the prefectorial office.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2365/2062913262_fb397f5050.jpg?v=0

That's why there are French flags on the façade !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2266/2062913254_56660bbc42.jpg?v=0

Hey ! A palm sticker in a stationer's ! That would be perfect to decorate my freezer inside Mistigree's fridge !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2345/2062913272_2bb3700657.jpg?v=0

Mistigree took me to the river Garonne then, where I posed in front of the bridge "Pont-Neuf" ("new-bridge")... which is in fact ... the oldest bridge of the city !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2255/2062130885_dea61702e2.jpg?v=0

I noticed a boat upstairs and asked Mistigree if we could have a boat trip on the river, but she did not want because she already did it this summer with Mood and Dottie Grace !!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2374/2062130897_7a24984f2b.jpg?v=0

So the boat started without me on board !! The dome that you can see in the back is an old hospital.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2236/2062130907_5261ea167c.jpg?v=0

Instead of a cruise, I looked at people wo were blowing up giant ballons ! There were a fish...
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2230/2062927738_8a9cc771d1.jpg?v=0

... an octopus...
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2171/2062927764_6ffd40f664.jpg?v=0

... and a kind of big long fish that looked like a Chinese dragon !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2226/2062927746_68274c978a.jpg?v=0

Mistigree told me that there was a festival in Toulouse today "Festa Tolosa" because Toulouse is a candidate city for being "the european cultural city" in 2013.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2327/2062864960_4a3bb0b342.jpg?v=0

And indeed when we arrived at the Capitole (the name of the townhall and the main place of Toulouse), there were some excitement and I noticed there was a stage over there !!!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2027/2062927768_445630f2f2.jpg?v=0

I ran to see the stage nearer and saw that some gipsy musicians were playing ! So we stayed here for a while listening to the guitar !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2351/2062934264_cba9284d1c.jpg?v=0

There were also a giant ballon here with a fantastic scene on it.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2202/2062934280_1b52845fde.jpg?v=0
Mistigree


Posted Dec 15, 2007, 4:54 pm
Let me introduce you my new friend, Seamus, who comes from Finland.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2051/1990113690_ef870456c8.jpg?v=0

He didn't agree with Rosemary concerning their respective tails sizes (he thought he had the bigger one) and I was given important responsibilities : to measure them.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2343/1990113730_1153b0a950.jpg?v=0

It appeared that Seamus had the smallest tail. He was so disappointed !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2201/1990113710_69568719c8.jpg?v=0
Mistigree


Posted Dec 15, 2007, 5:32 pm
Before Seamus leaves France (he told us he had to leave quickly), we decided to play some board games as he's fond of them.
We began with a game where we had to do braces with cards featuring French blazons.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2051/1990113612_560c77ff42.jpg?v=0

Seamus won so rapidly that Rosemary thought he had cheated during the game and we decided to be in a sulk for a while ! http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2307/1990113634_b2251b7475.jpg?v=0

Seamus told us we were only bad losers  and to prove him he was wrong, we agreed to play another game. So let's go for a Monopoly !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2389/2040639785_d03c5a97f5.jpg?v=0

It is a Monopoly about Europe and all the pieces are European monuments. I chose the Manekenpis because he makes me laugh!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2077/2062946481_3b31c6046d.jpg?v=0

Unfortunetely, I spent a great part of the game in jail and as Rosemary was ruined, Seamus won again.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2267/2063739874_1501ce5224.jpg?v=0

We tried a last game called "La bonne paye" where we have to make money in different ways.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2350/1990149750_0b41634847.jpg?v=0

I wasn't good at this game because I spent all my money having leisure, and at the end I had many loans to reimburse.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2287/2062946267_449a71e2f9.jpg?v=0
Mistigree


Posted Dec 15, 2007, 5:43 pm
Today I've thought of Elephonse because I saw a 2CV in the street and I know she's fond of them !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2081/2062948637_6b1b3c81f2.jpg?v=0

This car seems also as nice as the 2CV, maybe Steve /+/ Helly would love it !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2073/2062948385_f1653c4128.jpg?v=0

Talking about cars, there is an advertising campaing about road safety at the moment and we can see many signs in the streets. I like that one with the eggs family. It says "on the road we are all fragile, breathe, smile, reduce speed"
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2129/2062934300_58539b3c4c.jpg?v=0

And this one says "we are not here to get run over" !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2224/2062864966_bd80c9c6ff.jpg?v=0
Mistigree


Posted Dec 15, 2007, 6:27 pm
Look what Mistigree has bought ! A big box of clementines from Corsica !! It smells good and the colour suits very well to my nose !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2029/2062948877_bb4ad23cd8.jpg?v=0

But I was more interested in something else than the clementines... A French baguette, only for me !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2146/2062947685_a20c5d3d7e.jpg?v=0

Hmm, in fact it is not a real French baguette, because French baguettes aren't usually so pointed (look ! it is even more pointed than my nose !). This bread is called "campanette"but the taste is quite the same as the baguette.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2400/2063740504_74d3f74880.jpg?v=0

And you can believe me because I tasted it !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2213/2062947919_5ddd653afa.jpg?v=0
Mistigree


Posted Dec 15, 2007, 9:02 pm
This morning, I had an appetizing breakfast in a French café.
I was served coffee, orange juice, bread, croissant, biscuits, marmelade and butter.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2086/2112625155_beaaff9f1e.jpg?v=0

I first tasted slices of bread with jam.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2184/2112625027_738619a23c.jpg?v=0

And then I ate the croissant with relish, dunking it in my coffee as they do in France (and elsewhere I guess ?)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2146/2112624707_8f20334f16.jpg?v=0

We had a walk in the town centre and when I saw this little train that was selling roasted chestnuts, I wish I hadn't eaten so much just before !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2285/2113403944_0d3a7088da.jpg?v=0

It was so tempting to see all those chestnuts in the little carriage !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2069/2112624831_ebffb97f92.jpg?v=0

But my agony was only begining...
Mistigree took me to "le paradis gourmand" (the greedy paradise") a candies shop in an old pink boutique.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2234/2112625965_ec3f936450.jpg?v=0

Oh all those barley sugars and sweets, but my stomach was so full !!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2144/2113404492_f68ba65b9f.jpg?v=0

And all those violet flavoured things from Toulouse that I could not taste to avoid a bilious attack !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2276/2112625325_2dabd0e556.jpg?v=0

Watch this pyramid of macarons ! So colourful and yummy-looking !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2232/2112626091_0f073dbb3a.jpg?v=0

Here are different marmelades made by Francis Miot, a French jam maker. They have funny names such as "witches jam" or "kisses jam" !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2056/2112625707_66e33d34ca.jpg?v=0

As you can see, they already began to display Christmas things in shops. Each year, they're doing it earlier and earlier ! Sometimes you even have the Halloween things and the Christmas things at the same time told me Mistigree !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2077/2062934290_0356040e39.jpg?v=0

Mistigree found a shop with very funny/strange-looking toys, I wish I could have make friend with them but they couldn't go out of the shop !! Mistigree and I are going to think of a commando to set them free !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2413/2113404608_d285b7589a.jpg?v=0
Mistigree


Posted Dec 15, 2007, 9:19 pm
In the afternoon, I watched figure skating on TV.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2295/2112626195_8329587814.jpg?v=0

As Mistigree was cleaning my room in the fridge, it gave me an idea...
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2011/2113405422_49d9302acd.jpg?v=0

Why not trying to skate on the ice too ?
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2133/2113405652_aa8e927537.jpg?v=0

I tried to do the same figure as the skater I had seen just before, but it was not very conclusive as you can see...
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2076/2112626441_999862cba2.jpg?v=0
Mistigree


Posted Dec 16, 2007, 1:48 pm
Today, Mistigree took me to "Le salon du chocolat". It is a kind of trade fair about chocolate, that is held during 2 days in Toulouse.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2420/2112934205_60fc1c8170.jpg?v=0

We first have to look for the Hall #7, because in the others halls was held a car exhibition, that had not the same interest for me !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2288/2112934319_7ec06d3d76.jpg?v=0

Here we are ! Hall #7 !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2111/2112936759_7077c49991.jpg?v=0

I first read about where the chocolate comes from and how it is made.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2355/2112934471_9696898dd4.jpg?v=0

I learnt lots of informations and improved my French at this occasion.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2289/2112934617_00e7720080.jpg?v=0

Then, I went to see some chocolate sculptures.
This one represents Claude Nougaro. It is (-it was- because he died some years ago) a French singer from Toulouse well-known here for his rough accent.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2059/2112935137_6074a0d3a7.jpg?v=0

I first thought this sculpture represented the Pisa Tower, but in fact it seems to be a Santa Claus Tower !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2285/2113714422_534125aeaa.jpg?v=0

Aren't those little chocolate Christmas trees lovely ?
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2199/2113716138_f55b13723a.jpg?v=0

Oh ! And another pyramid of macarons here ! It seems the macarons are very in vogue this year in France !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2397/2112935697_0b17a9a2cb.jpg?v=0

Here are some milk, dark and white chocolate marshmallows. It looked like little trees trunks !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2111/2112935817_f53da65bff.jpg?v=0

And here, you have giant gingerbreads bigger than me !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2274/2112936123_fdae146954.jpg?v=0

Of course, there were also some bottles of wine that made me think of Tiger Tom.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2130/2113715504_7395580aca.jpg?v=0

We went then to see a stand where Francis Miot, the French jam maker whose jams I saw last week in a windowshop, was giving some advice to prepare one's own jam.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2110/2112936245_bfdc969ee0.jpg?v=0

Mistigree who's shy did not dare to ask him to have a picture taken with me, and she did not dare to use the flash either, that's why this picture with Francis Miot is so blurred !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2255/2112935429_3c98a59445.jpg?v=0

What I prefered is the chocolate fountain ! A giant one, where we could dip little brioches, mashmallows or grapes. Yum-yum !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2089/2112936373_3663855498.jpg?v=0

I wish I had the same hat as this chef !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2392/2112936515_0e50f549ea.jpg?v=0
Mistigree


Posted Dec 20, 2007, 12:26 pm
Mistigree took me with her at work today because she wanted to show me 2 things.
The first one is this paper made by the secretary where all the employees have to tell at what date they are going to be on Christmas holidays (because everyone doesn't have the same holidays)... So proud she included a snowman's image on it !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2090/2115195910_564bf92b42.jpg?v=0

And the second one is this wooden document case that Mistigree decorated by herself (with patterns she has cut in paper napkins). The winter document case is with snowmen too !! (yes, because there are 4 of them, one for each season !)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2189/2115196034_84700de645.jpg?v=0
Mistigree


Posted Dec 20, 2007, 1:34 pm
Mistigree didn't know it was my birthday today. Hopefully, the others toys here knew it and they prepared me a birthday chocolate custard tart !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2416/2115392615_4fc5d33fe6.jpg?v=0

I was glad to spend my birthday here and I blew out the candles with pleasure !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2083/2115392743_9e1ec3c8a7.jpg?v=0

Patrick, the leprechaun, even gave me a present coming from everyone !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2410/2115393053_bdfc979d18.jpg?v=0

What a surprise when I opened the envelope ! I couldn't believe my eyes !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2044/2116171578_2876f8bb55.jpg?v=0

It was a badge with my effigy on it ! I immediately hung it on my scarf !!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2352/2116172426_207014b782.jpg?v=0
Mistigree


Posted Dec 20, 2007, 2:19 pm
This morning, I went to see the Christmas decorations they have installed in the townhall's courtyard, they are so nice, because there are pink and purple plays of lights between the trees !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2062/2115196284_57cb508754.jpg?v=0

Mistigree told me she will try to release some toys around in a few days, maybe in the trees holes !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2127/2115196432_7398825ffd.jpg?v=0

Those angels in the air are sparkling when they turn !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2129/2115196542_20e124b564.jpg?v=0

Then I met a penguin familly in a windowshop, but of course they were not real penguins. I think it is not here that I will meet real penguins and fulfill my mission thus !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2257/2114416915_ae3aa624a3.jpg?v=0

Today in France there was the "téléthon". It is an event that is held each year everywhere to raise funds to help the reseach to find cure for muscular diseases. So there are sport events, cooked food to buy, games etc...
A balloons release was planned in the afternoon, but we couldn't stay so long, so I just saw the balloons in their net !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2181/2115196648_f67e9756e6.jpg?v=0
Mistigree


Posted Jan 9, 2008, 8:07 pm
The Christmas market ("marché de Noël") is now installed on the main place of Toulouse.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2248/2124248801_ff800ea714.jpg?v=0

There are several little wooden chalets where we can buy handicrafts or goodies to eat (gauffres, hot spicy wine, cheese...)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2021/2125021752_7ae3888525.jpg?v=0

And look what I found on the roof of one of the chalets ? Another snowman with the same red scarf as me !!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2269/2124248709_a32427b94d.jpg?v=0

The Townhall has dressed itself up with Christmas trees...
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2311/2125022172_9c21241ce9.jpg?v=0
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2080/2124249229_8e6b7d634d.jpg?v=0

And of course, there are Santa Claus everywhere !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2394/2125021670_f7130bdc71.jpg?v=0

There is also an old roudabout for children with (it seems so) pictures of Venice at the top...
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2367/2124249131_1441692c15.jpg?v=0
Mistigree


Posted Jan 9, 2008, 8:48 pm
Hey ! look !!! I'm far from the sun of Miami !!
You could believe it is snow, but it is just frost in fact.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2056/2127892984_dce9ef02c5.jpg?v=0

Mistigree went to work with her bike and I can tell you I was not reassured on the road because it was slippery !!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2263/2127892888_a89a09a867.jpg?v=0

The reason why I came to Mistigree's work today is that there was a Christmas meal in the student refectory where Mistigree uses to eat every day (she doesn't work here and she's not a student but she can eat there though !)
They had decorated the refectory with moss, pine cones and clementines for the occasion .
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2234/2127893118_7e97f16437.jpg?v=0

And of course the tables were festive as well !
What I got in my hands is a card to show I did well reserve and pay my meal some days before !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2284/2127893278_b963895027.jpg?v=0

As an entrée, we had a little glass (called "verrine" in French) with something that tasted like salmon with cream, and then a slice of some kind of "foie gras".
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2092/2127116667_29e4e4ee73.jpg?v=1198280447

Then I feasted on a guinea fowl leg served with roasted potatoes, mushrooms and carrots (I was afraid they cut my nose to serve it for the meal !)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2291/2127116785_8f237c5e59.jpg?v=1198280431

Before the dessert, we had some cow cheese with black cherries marmelade.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2062/2127893742_b15c98c2df.jpg?v=1198280395

And of course... a Yule log as a dessert ! I chose a caramel one and it was delicious !! After the meal Mistigree returned to work. As for me I had a little siesta on her desk !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2121/2127893650_7922b92259.jpg?v=1198280415
Mistigree


Posted Jan 22, 2008, 4:58 pm
I moved to Ger last Saturday. It is the village where Mistigree's parents live. We're going to spend Christmas here with her family.
I met Mistigree's nephew and we got the job of the Christmas tree, so I helped him to bring the decorations from the attic to the room where the Christmas tree had to be.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2373/2181548740_bef5f1bfe2.jpg?v=0

I even dived into the garlands just for fun (and also to make Mistigree's nephew laugh!)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2167/2180761159_382c5c5745.jpg?v=0

Hey ! A snowman ! I like his white and blue squared scarf !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2183/2181548980_4b84f51d05.jpg?v=0

Here is the result of our co-operation ! A Christmas tree a little bit loaded, but it is not Christmas every day, don't you agree ?
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2057/2180761441_a97ebe22ee.jpg?v=0

Then I installed the crib with Mistigree's nieces. It is the same characters as when Mistigree was a child, so they should have at least 35 years and even more ! Not everyone in the family believes in Jesus, but they used to have a crib though !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2324/2180761653_66de147ece.jpg?v=0

As the donkey was lost (or broken ?) we replaced it by an elephant, and I even put a tree inside his trunk !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2317/2181549250_96b0c7c177.jpg?v=0
Mistigree


Posted Jan 22, 2008, 5:17 pm
Hopefully there is a chimney here. It doesn't work anymore, but it will allow Father Christmas to come down here !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2221/2181549732_850d7dce13.jpg?v=0

Mistigree's nieces made some drawings and they hang them on the chimney as a present for him ! They even wrote some words to ask him if he could sign a paper for herselves (yes, like a star !)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2336/2181549852_cbe3a621b4_m.jpg http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2152/2180762363_e646470fcc_m.jpg

While everybody was sleeping, I stayed near the chimney when suddenly I heard a big BANG !! It was Father Christmas, but poor him, he landed his head in the flowers !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2325/2181613662_1ffe5e7fdb.jpg?v=0

I helped him to get up but I must say he's a quite heavy man !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2084/2181614246_b517c875b2.jpg?v=0

He told me he was a bit in a hurry because he had many others houses to visit, and therefore I suggested to help him in his task.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2269/2181614110_27408b2757.jpg?v=0

He had plenty of gifts for everybody. Hopefully they were all marked with little tags and the name of the appropriate person.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2173/2180826375_cf767846fb.jpg?v=0

Some of the gifts were so heavy that they needed to be carried by the both of us !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2021/2180826527_0d36e0d4a8.jpg?v=0

Well ! What a hard job to be Santa Claus ! It is so exhausting ! Hopefully we managed to place all the presents for everybody to find them around the chimney the day after.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2259/2180827033_8da3a39733.jpg?v=0

Before leaving, he wrote a few words for Mistigree's nieces. It says "Dear children thank you for your beautiful drawings" !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2286/2181614564_45d3d5c48f.jpg?v=0
Mistigree


Posted Jan 22, 2008, 6:51 pm
This is me after all the presents have been opened !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2104/2180827299_0a9a184ed6.jpg?v=0

Usually, there is a midnight supper for Christmas, but Mistigree's family prefers to have a meal the day after. As I wanted to be helpful, I dressed the table.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2037/2181562884_1e6cf00fd5.jpg?v=0

And then... I waited to be served ! You will notice that the papernapkins suit to my nose !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2191/2181562722_f8768b4f5f.jpg?v=0

As an entrée, we had some smoked salmon with mini tomatoes and some different flavours yummy tartlets
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2277/2181562530_b4c6b8d0a3.jpg?v=0
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2373/2180775417_2c4673e5e0.jpg?v=0

I was then assigned to the toaster to make some toasts for the "foie gras" (Mistigree is the only one in the family who doesn't like it !!!!)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2391/2180775821_fc0e13de94.jpg?v=0

To change from the stuffed turkey that people usually eat for Christmas, there was beef in a pastry case served with roasted potatoes and mushrooms.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2297/2181563782_502ace5b6a.jpg?v=0
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2068/2181563148_c81983ae53.jpg?v=0

I smelt the wine to see if I had a glass served or no...
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2278/2180775945_1c9de6f50f.jpg?v=0

Yes, I did and it was delicious !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2185/2180775699_650bd6d852.jpg?v=0

There were no Yule log as a dessert because Mistigree's nephew is allergic to eggs, butter, milk and all sort of things, so we just ate some fruits (anyway, we were full !) and Mistigree gave me some "papillottes" also. I don't know how to translate that in English, but they are chocolate sweets.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2023/2181563928_b280d39c39.jpg?v=0

Inside every papillotte's wrapping, there is a paper with an anecdote written on it. This one was about a parisian club of chocolate crazy persons that was created in Paris at the begining of the XX century !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2031/2180776465_ca2f4dae38.jpg?v=0
Mistigree


Posted Jan 22, 2008, 8:58 pm
Let me introduce you to Absinthe. She's a really pleasant dog but she has tangled hair and... she's a bit stinking too !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2012/2180770051_ccda534e34.jpg?v=0

Therefore Mistigree decided to give her a bath and I helped to apply the shampoo.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2117/2181558098_8ac4439041.jpg?v=0

Yuk ! Look at this dirtiness !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2417/2181557968_c10a86a166.jpg?v=0

After the bath, she was smelling good and I jumped on her back for some dog-riding !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2226/2181558278_dc311b55f5.jpg?v=0
Mistigree


Posted Jan 26, 2008, 10:25 pm
We have come back to Toulouse today, and as Mistigree did not have time to prepare her Christmas tree here in Toulouse before Christmas, we did an after-Christmas tree ! Or I should better say : I DID the after-Christmas tree alone.
Mistigree gave me this big box where she stows her Christmas decorations.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2063/2181623504_2d79d15c9d.jpg?v=0

WOW !! All these things !! Most of them are violet or claret because Mistigree likes those colours.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2139/2181623788_23a25048e5.jpg?v=0

Have you seen my new scarf ?? It is like a feather boa !!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2004/2181623318_f6be80e75b.jpg?v=0

Mistigree is not fond of traditionnal garlands, therefore she prefers to use feathers as a garland, or little pompoms.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2139/2180836699_78db8a259d.jpg?v=0

I enjoyed very much all the different decorations. There were balls of course...
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2043/2181623964_d054424a7b.jpg?v=0

... but also a little Christmas tree, a fairy, a cage (that Mistigree bought 12 years ago in England, and she likes it a lot !), a chair (!), a moon, an amphora, a lady gnome, books (as Mistigree is doing Bookcrossing)... I must say her decorations are very eclectic !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2333/2181624958_933b196623.jpg?v=0
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2049/2181625240_eb40333b26.jpg?v=0 http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2317/2181625794_44aee14a8a.jpg?v=0

There were also 4 Santa Claus !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2063/2180837285_96c3254182.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2169/2181625364_ec13f09986.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2042/2180837163_fe8f1dcdf9.jpg?v=0
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2014/2181625502_b2181cbb2f.jpg

A feather star on the top...
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2179/2180838477_6a3a988b88.jpg?v=0

... and we have a perfect after-Christmas tree !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2087/2181624468_380f679364.jpg?v=0

I also met a friend snowman, he's called Néron ! Mistigree usually brings him to her work for Christmas, but this year she forgot to do it !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2280/2180837559_891c18f778.jpg?v=0

It is a very small snowman as you can see !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2272/2181625664_06228e9cb8.jpg?v=0
Mistigree


Posted Jan 27, 2008, 10:54 am
Mistigree and Mood who are (very old !) school friends are going to spend New Year's Eve together (they are not fond of big fiesta with many people !) and they are going to give each others their Christmas presents. Therefore I helped Mistigree to wrap Mood's presents.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2115/2180839053_266fab721a.jpg?v=0

Look at those strange boots that Mistigree is going to offer to Mood !!! She told me that Mood likes warm clothes (and pink colour) and that she chose them herself.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2160/2180838697_1692d3d697.jpg?v=0

In the evening, Mood came with Amara Anthea, I was so excited to meet her !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2230/2181642330_7a0edcac21.jpg?v=0

At 8 pm, we watched Nicolas Sarkozy, the new French president who was expressing his New Years greetings to the French. Mistigree watched him to laugh at him above all she told me, as she's not fond of him ! I can not say, I don't know him, and ToyVoyagers are apolitical I explained to Mistigree.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2393/2180856223_2880f86060.jpg?v=0

We ate very yummy toasts with dried meat (it is called "viande des Grisons" and it comes from Switzerland) and tzatziki (from Greece)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2107/2180856375_2f1ab25f16.jpg?v=0

And then, just salad (but with many things inside : walnuts, croûtons, lardons...) and a mushrooms tart. It was enough because wewere already full just after the toasts !!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2347/2181643688_2faaab3100.jpg?v=0
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2090/2181643828_0462713d7d.jpg?v=0

What I prefered was the dessert, a kind of Cappuccino mousse.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2141/2180855475_f5ed4665df.jpg?v=0

Mood and Mistigree opened their gifts and Mistigree was happy : she's got a new plush that she adores ! It is a black and white cat called Huckelberry. She told me she won't make him travel (or maybe just with her) because she doesn't want him to get lost !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2263/2181642484_bf8555fee5.jpg?v=0
Mistigree


Posted Jan 27, 2008, 11:09 am
Here we are in year 2008 !! Happy New Year kristl !!! I miss you !! I miss you so much that I need to eat to forget that I miss you !!
For breakfast we had a "galette des rois" (Twelfth Night cake). Usually it is only eaten from the 6th of January, but... I couldn't wait and I wanted to taste it before !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2316/2180856845_3abac0b987.jpg?v=0

I got the charm, but I wonder if Mistigree did not give me the part with the charm on purpose so that I am happy !
The charm was... a rugby player !! (Rugby is THE local sport here !)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2240/2181642810_63d3afbf5e.jpg?v=0

HIP HIP HOORAY FOR KING SNEGOVIK !
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2081/2181643180_61b221d9f7.jpg?v=0
Mistigree


Posted Jan 27, 2008, 1:01 pm
We went to the town centre today and we saw they had replaced the Christmas scenery in the courtyard of the townhall by something else...
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In fact they have hung little pupills drawings representing Christmas time or New Year wishes. It is a good idea and it was very pleasant to look at ! It was so colourful !
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"Joyeux Noël" means "Merry Christmas" in French.
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And "Bonne année" means "Happy new year".
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I found this drawing perfect to represent ToyVoyagers because it represents the earth and all the different people living on it !
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Of course, there were snowmen drawings too.
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That one has the same profile as me !
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Mistigree


Posted Jan 27, 2008, 2:34 pm
Today, the natural history museum of Toulouse opened again ! It was closed for years for it to be renovated ! We did not go to see it because there would have been too many people and Mistigree prefers to wait some weeks before visiting it, but in the town there were some things to celebrate the reopening, such as this giant egg...
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... or those footprints on the ground that lead to the museum if we follow them !
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Nothing to deal with the museum this time, but they also installed a little ice rink on the Capitole place (where the Christmas market was held) ! I did not try it because the last time I skated on the ice, remember, I felt down !
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Mistigree


Posted Feb 4, 2008, 8:44 pm
Mistigree told me I had to leave tomorrow. I asked Calixte (a black duck who seems to be a tough customer !) to help me hanging my tag on my scarf.
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He read my tag with much attention and asked me to tell him about ToyVoyaging ! I think I've attracted a new follower because after that, he asked Mistigree if she could register him on the website !
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Mistigree took a last picture of both of us, but maybe we will meet again later during our trips, who knows ?
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Mistigree


Posted Feb 4, 2008, 8:48 pm
Here we are... ! I left France this evening !
Ready to visit Pandamao in Germany !
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Pandamao


Posted Feb 8, 2008, 7:57 pm
Climbed out of the box today - a small crowd of curious toyvoyagers was waiting to warmly welcome me. Also Sylphide and Tenderbear had arrived at the same day. We're going to have a lot of fun  :D
Pandamao


Posted Feb 10, 2008, 11:53 pm
Today Barthélémy wanted to visit the "Alter Südfriedhof" (Old South Cemetery) so I just came along.

This is what I read about the cemetery:

It is a little known fact that Munich's oldest green area is 450 years old, that it's in the heart of town and that it's a cemetery - the Alter Südfriedhof. The cemetery is something of a conservation area and bears unique testimony to the city's cultural history. Its romantically overgrown graves, tombs and mausoleums pay homage to distinguished Munich figures - artists, architects, master builders and scientists.

In the plague year 1523 graveyards within the city walls were so overfilled that a new cemetery - the "Äußerer Freithof" - was opened outside the city gate at the Sendlinger Tor. The cemetery wall and all the buildings were later destroyed as a preventative military measure in the Thirty Years War. Well into the 18th century the cemetery was looked on as a poor man's burial ground. In 1844, a new section designed by Gärtner was added and it continued to be Munich's central burial ground up to 1868.
Pandamao


Posted Feb 11, 2008, 12:15 am
The cemetery suffered severe bomb damage in 1944-45. Today, only a quarter of the graves are identifiable and many are in urgent need of renovation. Work is underway.
Pandamao


Posted Feb 11, 2008, 12:56 am
Even if the cemetery is not in use anymore many people were walking there. It is like a park nowadays. We saw little spring flowers blossom and sat on a bench in the sun.

Some of the graves are inside the back wall of the houses. And windows pop up between the statues on the graves.
Pandamao


Posted Feb 11, 2008, 2:54 pm
Our host had bought red cabbage ... because she could hardly eat 2 kg of it on her own we decided to prepare and preserve it. Sylphide did the research and found a nice recipe. Then our host had to cut the onions and red cabbage. We sprinkled everything with salt and now it has to rest for a whole night.
Pandamao


Posted Feb 12, 2008, 9:07 pm
After one night we washed and dried the cabbage, filled it in glass and filled the glass with vinegar (prepared with oranges and spices - mmmh, great smell). I helped to close the lids. Now the cabbage has to rest for 3 or 4 months - too bad, because I'll travel and not be able to test the taste.
Pandamao


Posted Feb 16, 2008, 10:10 pm
For the weekend we visited our host's dad. He lives in a small town in the North-East of Bavaria. I took a walk in the city center - nice houses. The battery of the camera was low so I only took photos of the houses.
Pandamao


Posted Feb 18, 2008, 7:27 pm
The weather was sunny but cold. We went for a walk (together with half of Munich's inhabitants) to Nymphenburg Castle and park.

Pandamao


Posted Mar 22, 2008, 3:54 pm
It's been a long time since I was out last time. Today I went for a little walk and saw the German museum (Science and Technic museum). It is built on a little island in the Isar river.
Pandamao


Posted Mar 24, 2008, 11:43 pm
HAPPY EASTER!
Today it's Easter Monday and Pandamao went to this little town in the Oberpfalz to see her dad and she took me along.
We walked along the street and wondered what was going on in that little park opposite. When we came closer we saw that it was an "Easter fountain". In this part of Bavaria it's the custom to decorate the fountains with Easter eggs. There must be hundreds or thousands of eggs here. They really look beautiful.
Pandamao


Posted Mar 28, 2008, 10:35 pm
I did some more sight-seeing today and went to the area where the Hofbräuhaus is located. The first photo shows the Orlando House and then I pose in the front of the nearby Hofbräuhaus. It is a huuuuuuuge beerhall.
I also met some local bears. We had a nice conversation about TVs and traveling the world but the Bavarian bears did not want to join. Seems, that they would miss their Sunday morning beer Stammtisch (regulars' table) at the Hofbräuhaus too much.
Pandamao


Posted Mar 28, 2008, 11:37 pm
Then I took a look at the "Alter Hof", which was the first residence of the Wittelsbach dynasty, built in the 13th century.
Pandamao


Posted Mar 30, 2008, 10:17 pm
Yummy, today I got to taste pasta with homemade bear's garlic pesto! Delicious!
Pandamao


Posted Mar 30, 2008, 11:00 pm
It was a nice time in Munich but tomorrow I'll share a box with FoxForce to travel to Bruchsal. I heard there a a lot of toyvoyagers waiting for us  :D
Also Pamplemoose is leaving but he is going to Austria.
fam-united


Posted Apr 3, 2008, 8:51 pm
FoxForce and I arrived in Bruchsal yesterday. Petra was so busy, that she just forgot us in our package. Can you imagine, how it is to keep in this box, although knowing, that you arrived at your destination???

Petra promissed us to take even more care for us now and to show us around everywhere, but she said, that she will need more time than usually, before she can start to do this.

Tomorrow we will bake some cakes together and we all are looking forward to it. Now we will go to sleep as it is rather late.

Bye, Snegovik
fam-united


Posted Apr 10, 2008, 11:58 am
Today it's time for baking cakes for my host's mum's birthday. She is 70 years now and Petra was asked to bake two cakes: Donauwellenkuchen (Danube waves cake) and Zebrakuchen (zebra cake). Petra decided to bake a surprise cake too, with a part of the Happy Birthday song.

We sat all together watching and helping Petra with preparing the dough.

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So here are the photos with me. If you are interested in recipes, I can try to ask Petra to write them here or send them to you.

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Finally the cakes are ready

The nougat cream cake:
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only the words "Happy birthday" have to be put on the cake now.

The Zebra-cake
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Somehow we miss the last photo of the Danube waves cake, the one with the cherries.
fam-united


Posted Apr 27, 2008, 12:00 pm
Today Kari arrived at home again and he told us a lot about Australia. Now I know, that Kira1997 send him to my host family as a present for their daughter some years ago. He wanted to see them again, so he decided to go to Australia as a toyvoyager.

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fam-united


Posted Apr 27, 2008, 12:57 pm
Maybe you heard about the Buran arriving in Speyer? The new home will be the technical museum in Speyer: http://www.museumspeyer.de/index.html

The Buran ( the only space shuttle of the Soviet Buran program)was only on one unmanned spaceflight in 1988. The shuttle program was cancelled in 1993. It was destroyed by a hangar collapse in 2003.
The Buran is the world's first genuine space shuttle to be exhibited to the general public.

Petra wanted to go there to watch the arrival, but the weather was too bad, so we only got the chance to read the newspaper

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2229/2442316497_bc2648874a.jpg?v=0
fam-united


Posted Apr 27, 2008, 9:54 pm
I had a really great day today. The sun was shining and it was really warm. Now I believe, that it is springtime.
Petra woke up early and told us to get ready to for a walk. We were very curious and excited of course. First we bought some bread rolls for breakfast (only a few bakeries or open on Sundays) and then we brought Ralf to work (normally he doesn't work on Sundays).

And then we drove in the car for about 15 minutes. We sat in the rucksack and you can believe me, it wasn't the best way to travel.

After we walked a little bit, we found this sign:

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It told us the rules, how we had to behave at this place.

Oh, you surely want to know, where we were. There is a small Japanese Garden not far away from Bruchsal in Münzesheim, which Petra was told, that it is really pretty. She never had been there before, but now she wanted to go there together with us.

So now look at the photos and enjoy!

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I saw a part of the Berlin Wall:
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This building was very interesting, especielly the ceiling, which was made of white and blue bottles.
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fam-united


Posted May 5, 2008, 4:23 pm
Petra asked Pebbels, Ted, Curly and me, whether we would like to join her and visit the third graders. She told us, that she teaches them, how to weave. They try to make a pincushion shaped like a ladybug - ladybird, when it is ready.

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fam-united


Posted May 5, 2008, 4:49 pm
I think, I forgot to tell something about the history of Bruchsal.
Bruchsal was first named in 976 A.D., but since a few weeks we know, that it must be even older than this. They found something next to a church and realized that this is really old. I had been very curious to get to know more about this, but the weather was so terrible, that we had no chance to go there.
So you only see the most interesting places here. Petra was in a hurry, so the photos aren't that great she says.
Here you see the backsite of the palace and a part of the palace garden. The palace was nearly completely destroyed during the Second World War and rebuilt around 1973.

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fam-united


Posted May 5, 2008, 5:38 pm
Because the weather was much better than the days before, we drove to Untergrombach, which is one of the suburbs of Bruchsal. The Michaelsberg, a small hill - only 296m high, belongs to Untergrombach. You have a wonderful view over the Rhine valley and if the weather is very very good, you can see the Palatine Mountains in the far.
3500 - 2600 BC first signs of humans had been found on this place, the "Michelsberg culture".

This view shows a part of Bruchsal, which is at the border between Rhine Valley and Kraichgau.

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The quarry pond belongs to Untergrombach, which you see on this photo. This is the best view to see the Palatine Mountains on the horizon, but today we had no luck.

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You see another part of Untergrombach. You see, that it is also to the border of the Kraichgau.

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This nice chapel is called Michaelskapelle and it is on top of the Michaelsberg. Petra told me, that there are many couples, that want to marry in this chapel.

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Here you see so-called "Steinriegel" (field clearance cairn), made by people working on their fields a long long time ago. They threw the big stones from their fields to the border of the neighbour's field, so that in the middle all stones were accumulated. Many animals and flowers love this gaunt places and that's why a few weeks ago, people cleaned the Steinriegel from all the earth, that came between the stone during the many many years and from all the other plants, that love to grow in earth.

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Another word I learned is "Magerrasen" (neglected grassland), which is typical for the Michaelsberg. The town you see is Untergrombach.

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The Michaelsberg is nature reserve area, I'm sure, you already realized this too. There are beautiful rare flowers and animals.

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Lizette


Posted May 19, 2008, 1:04 pm
Yay!!  I arrived safe and sound in South Africa.  I am quite lucky as we are going into winter,  so it is not that hot anymore ( I won't melt) .....thus we had to go enjoy some of the last rays summer has to offer....
Lizette


Posted May 19, 2008, 1:25 pm
We went to Gordon's bay, which is a small little seaside town not to far from Stellenbosch.
Lizette


Posted May 19, 2008, 1:35 pm
Looking for presents....
Lizette


Posted May 19, 2008, 1:56 pm
That looks like a good place to take a nap...
Lizette


Posted May 19, 2008, 2:40 pm
Staring of into the sunset before we hit the road again...
Lizette


Posted May 19, 2008, 3:05 pm
Cape Town....here we come!!!! (in the back you can see Table Mountain)

Table Mountain is a flat-topped mountain forming a prominent landmark overlooking the city of Cape Town in South Africa. It is a significant tourist attraction, with many visitors using the cableway to take a ride to the top. The mountain forms part of the Table Mountain National Park.
Lizette


Posted May 19, 2008, 3:28 pm
Oh Jippeeee,  my host mum decided to take me with her to the Good food and Wind Show at the Cape Town Convention Centre seeing as I am such a big lover of nice food.....

There were many exibitors with lots of different tasty types of different foods and wines....the Pesto's were some of my favourites...oh and the beer too!
fam-united


Posted Jun 8, 2008, 9:16 am
It's my last day here in Germany and Petra thought, that I should see this nice small park from where you have a beautiful view over Bruchsal too.

Here you see the Belvedere, which was a hunting lodge a long long time ago. It's a place for open air theatre and several other festivals during summer.
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Not far away I saw this fountain.
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I just love the beautiful trees in this park.
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Just going out of the park you come to the place with this nice view over Bruchsal.
From left to right you see the tower of the old castle, the tower of the City Church Unsere liebe Frau and the tower of the Lutherkirche. The flat roof in front of us is a part of the new older people house.
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Just turning a bit to the left site we see the towers of the baroque church St. Peter, which isn't far from Petra's home.
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Here you see the rest of the older people house, also the white building behind the ones with the flat roofs belongs to these houses. The grey building in the far is a grammar school called St. Paulusheim. It is a house, that was founded by patres of the Pallotti order and still some patres live there and also are teachers at the school.
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So now it is time to say goodbye to Germany.
Lizette


Posted Jun 30, 2008, 2:29 pm
Had a lovely ladies brunch today...not really sure why, but the food was yummie enough...
Lizette


Posted Jun 30, 2008, 2:37 pm
Uncle Samie's little shop...one of the oldest shops in Stellenbosch.  At the moment it is more of a tourist attraction,  but fun enough....I wonder what is inside??
Lizette


Posted Jun 30, 2008, 2:41 pm
Some springbok skins...and some very strange animals....luckily there are some sweets and funny foods too.
One of my favourites was the Wilson toffee's.
Lizette


Posted Jun 30, 2008, 2:43 pm
Time to go home and make some snacks....OH and there they go again with that big fire....don't they know snowmen can melt!!!
Lizette


Posted Jul 12, 2008, 8:14 am
Today we are in seach of SNOW!!! Can you believe it, in Africa.  This is indeed very rare, and I brought all my snowman powers along for the trip.....

Lizette


Posted Jul 12, 2008, 8:17 am
AAAhhh!! Mountains!!  And look a little bit of snow on the tops!! (one snowman can only do so much)

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