Brussels Day 1 and 2

The first afternoon we arrived in Brussels and took a bus to the city.  Then we found an information booth to tell us how to get to the city center.  We got a map, the guy showed us where we were and we misunderstood his 50 or be 15 minute walk.  But we found the center and we found Krista!!

The Square Day 1

It was such a great day so we sat down talked had a drink and some Belgium Fries and then walked around a little.  At dusk we decided it was time to find our hostel and that was day one all wrapped up.

A row of houses near our hotel.

On day two we had waffles for breakfast, took a walking tour in the morning, and a beer tour in the evening.  We had great weather, though it looked like rain for parts of the day in held off and stayed dry!

The park and HUGE church near our hotel.

Waffles for breakfast!

The Square Day 2

The Square Day 2

Mannekin Pi

 

English Cafe

Earlier this spring we were learning food vocabulary in first grade.  So to make the unit more relatable we taught our students how to order in a restaurant and then created the English cafe.  Our students were able to order a drink (orange juice, apple juice or water) a main course (toast, a bread roll or a rice cake) with a side (peanut butter, jam, or butter), a fruit (orange slices, apple slices or half of a banana) and a desert (muffin or cookie).  It was really fun and they did a great job ordering and speaking in English.  Our helpers made it a huge success.

 

Adrian's Birthday

Well I guess it has been a while since I last posted but the days, months and weeks are flying by as we are nearing our journey home.

For Adrian's Birthday we went to the sweetest little vineyard in Minch (a small vineyard near Bielsko) called Winnica Mnich.  It was a beautiful sunny day, we got to walk around the vines and the owner told us about the different grapes he had planted.  Then we went inside their home, the coolest remodeled barn I had ever seen, for what we thought was a wine tasting.  They had a wonderful spread of cheeses, cakes, bread and of course several red and white wine for us to "try".  Each sample turned out to be a glass of wine.  We had a great time talking with the owner and his wife along with meeting their daughter who popped in and out of the room. They also had the best dog, after Bailey of course!

http://www.winnicamnich.pl/

The kitchen and dining room.

The entryway.

The owner pouring wine for Kayla and Iza.

Bella

Grape masher

After the wine "tasting" we went back to Bielsko Biala for a nice dinner.

The next day (Adrian's actual birthday) we went to our favorite cake place and a mountain hut for Oscypki and Bigos.  YUMMMMMMMM

Zakopane and the Crocuses

We went with Ilona and some of her friends to Zakopane this spring to see the crocuses.  It was a nice walk into the valley that was mostly flat.  We rented bikes so that was a blast.  A nice lady was selling oscypek (the mountain cheese that we love) so be bought some as a snack on our walk.  We had a fun day hanging out and even had a snowball fight!

Skiing in Slovakia for Iza's Birthday

For Iza's birthday we went skiing in the mountains in Slovakia.  I was so excited and we were blown away by the great views.  The first morning was great we went to the top and explored several different runs.  Then we stopped for a late lunch break and after lunch decided to go back up to the top.   

Me at the top of the mountain.  WE MADE IT!!

Our hotel.

Can you see Kayla and me in Kat's goggles?

Little did we know that it was far from clear at the top.  We could hardly see a few feet ahead.  It was a bit unnerving but we slowly made our way back to the bottom and decided to call it a day.  In this picture Kayla is right ahead of me, then Kat and Iza was leading the way.  We guided by sound instead of site. But we all made it safe and sound.

On day two we were off again.  We checked out several other runs and enjoyed the sunshine.  In the afternoon we tried out the other side of the mountain where it is less marked and not groomed.
  

Morning of day two.  They are ready for another fun day.

Nice view in the background.

The whole day two crew.

To the other side!!

I could have stood up here and looked at the mountains all day!

Team Krakowska

We "American Potatoes" on the menu all weekend and had to try them.  I guess these are American Potatoes.

Last Run :(

Goodbye Mountains

A castle/fort that we saw on the drive back to Poland.

It was such a great weekend.  We might not have gotten much skiing in this winter but the skiing we did do was quality!!!