European Adventure, Day 29: Going home

Excerpts from Dory’s journal

Photo captions by Stephanie

Day 29, 24/7/24, 8:45 Am 

Frankfurt Flughaven, Germany 

Hello! I am currently starving, since Mom placed “getting there” before “food”. Truly I tell you, it was not a good experience. My belly feels extremely empty. But now I can eat, and I can’t wait. Bye! 

Yours, Dorrel 

Day 29, 10:56 AM, 24/7/24  

Frankfurt Flughaven, Germany 

Hello! I am currently on the airplane. We are leaving. It has been a great and fun experience, living in Europe. Now I must return to the mundane Texas experience. The scream of the jay and the buzz of the cicadas are going to return to my brain. Goodbye reader! Until we meet again in the next experience! 

Yours faithfully, 

Dorrel 

Dory took this photo as we disembarked at DFW, because it was the same gate that we left from 4 weeks earlier. (photo: Dory)

European Adventure 2024, Day 28: Frankfurt

Excerpts from Dory’s journal

Photo captions by Stephanie

Day 28 11:06 AM, 23/7/24 

Heidelberg, Germany 

Hello! I am currently sitting in the reception room, and we are packing up and going to our last destination, Frankfurt. I have heard of the city before, though I don’t know where. It has a Natural History Museum, so that will be exciting. 

Yours,  

Dorrel 

Day 28, 12:33 PM, 23/7/24 

Frankfurt, Germany 

Hello! I am currently in the car, and we are in Frankfurt! But we are having logistical issues about how our car will be able to get into the city. Right now, we are going to check out our hotel. Bye! 

Yours,  

Dorrel 

Getting artsy with a family selfie while waiting for our tram. Having a car in Europe is great for getting in between cities, but inside cities it is a hassle. Frankfurt has declared their city an Environmental Zone, so you have to have a special permit to be able to enter by car. We ended up just parking at our hotel, which was on the outskirts of town by the airport, and taking a tram to the museum. They didn’t have any parking, anyways. (photo: Stephanie)

Day 28, 2:11 Pm, 23/7/24 

Frankfurt, Germany 

Hello! I am currently at the Natural History Museum’s Bistro. We’ve figured out the parking, now we will figure out the food. 

Well, our adventure is coming to an end. Only one day stands between us and the completion of our trip. When I started this trip, I thought this day would never come. Now it is here, and I am enjoying it. This Museum will be informative, I am sure. 

Yours, Dorrel 

The museum was indeed informative. It had lots of dinosaur and other skeletons, and lots and lots of taxidermied animals. (photo: Stephanie)

For example, there was a very large room with every type of taxidermied bird you could think of. (photo: Stephanie)

They were proud to have recently put this specimen of an anaconda eating a capybara back on display after a restoration. (photo: Dory)

I preferred the butterflies and moths. (photo: Stephanie)

European Adventure 2024, Day 27: Heidelberg

Excerpts from Dory’s journal

Photo captions by Stephanie

Day 27, 9:46 AM, 22/7/24  

Strasbourg, France 

Hello! I am currently on a couch in our apartment. We are leaving for Heidelberg! This town has a funicular, which we will ride up to the top and back down. It will be exciting!  

Yours, Dorrel 

Day 27 12:23 Pm, 22/7/24 

Heidelberg, Germany 

Hello! I am currently at a table in our hotel that we are going to be staying in. Germany is a country that is varied everywhere. There are Rhine lowlands, and there are mountains. Our hotel is very nice, because it opened just a week ago.  

Yours, Dorrel 

There are two separate legs of this trip. Halfway up we changed trains to a vintage wooden funicular. This is the view from the bottom of the first, more modern train. (photo: Dory)

A clock we peeped while waiting in line for the second funicular. (photo: Dory)

The vintage train just before we boarded. (photo: Stephanie)

View of the station as we ascended. (photo: Stephanie)

Day 27 3:40 Pm, 22/7/24 

Heidelberg, Germany 

Hello! I am currently on the old funicular part of the funicular (I called it mountain-rail in my journal because I had forgotten what it was called.) and it is very wooden. There are very tall trees around the funicular. I am on the side of a mountain! So exciting. Well, I must enjoy the moment. 

Yours, 

Dorrel 

There was window into the engine room, where we could watch the wheels turn while the train descended. (photo: Stephanie)

A view from the top. (photo: Stephanie)

Day 27 4:26 PM, 22/7/24 

Heidelberg, Germany 

Hello! I am currently waiting in line for the old (illegible) funicular car to come up the slope. It is a breathtaking view from here. You can see the city, and the other line of mountains. And the valley is just so nice. Anyways, the tram is here! Bye! 

Yours, Dorrel 

Dory neglected to mention that at the halfway/change point on the funicular, we explored the ruins of the Heidelberg castle. It dates from the 13th century, was added onto and adapted over the centuries, but was heavily damaged in the 17th century and never repaired. (photo: Stephanie)

View of the castle from the city below. (photo: Stephanie)

One fun feature of Heidelberg are these fountains all over the place where you can rinse your hands. They were very careful to note that the water is NOT potable. (photo: Stephanie)

European Adventure 2024, Day 26: Strasbourg--2nd full day

Excerpts from Dory’s journal

Photo captions by Stephanie

As we set out for the day we found these traditional Alsatian dancers accompanied by a full band. What is that palm tree doing in the middle of Europe, you might ask? It is planted in a box which was invented at Versailles in the 17th century so the gardeners could showcase exotic plants/trees, while also being able to easily move the whole thing indoors in winter. (photo: Stephanie)

We walked over to La Petite France, a historic and touristy neighborhood in Strasbourg with lots of bridges and canals and cobblestone streets. (photo: Stephanie)

I really just wanted to take a photo of these plant boxes which lined the canals and were absolutely works of art, but then Vivian thought I was telling her to gesture toward her brother instead of the plants, so we just went with it. The cobblestone streets were quaint but hard to walk on. (photo: Stephanie)

Day 26, 12:25 AM, 21-7-24 

Strasbourg, France 

3 Days Left 

Hello! I am currently at the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art. I did not get enough sleep, so now I feel like (illegible). Anyways, I must trudge on. 

Yours, Dorrel 

While he is not a huge fan of modern art, something about this piece spoke to him. A.R. Penck (alias Ralf Winkler), Systembild, 1967. (photo: Dory)

Day 26, 12:25 AM, 21/7/24 

Strasbourg, France 

Hello! I am currently waiting for food in an unbelievably bad downpour. This is a rain to remember! It is so wet! The air is 90% water at this point. And every second it gets worse! My mom says it will clear up soon, but it sure does not look like it! All the people in the novelty item (mini train) are so wet! Any person without a rain jacket is toast. Thankfully Mom has umbrellas even though Dad and I think they are not that good. 

Yours, Dorrel 

I inadvertently caught Thomas making a weird face, but this is the only photo I took, so here it is. We were mostly safe from the downpour under these large umbrellas, but there were still gaps and leaks, so it was a good thing mom packed those umbrellas after all, huh? (photo: Stephanie)

This is one of like ten photos Dory took, trying to capture the rain. You can see it hitting the water of the canal in the bottom right corner. We felt particularly sorry for the people in the open tour boat that passed by. (photo: Dory)

After the rain stopped, our waiter eventually came to take our order. This is tarte flambée, which is the traditional Alsatian version of pizza. (photo: Thomas)

Day 26, 12:25 Am, 21/7/24  

Strasbourg, France 

Hello! I am currently on a couch in the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art. My family just can’t get enough of the art, but I can. Anyways, I will look at the fluorescent clock that is 2 minutes behind, on the opposite side. 

Yours, Dorrel 

It felt like a good time for a family photo. (photo: Stephanie)

European Adventure 2024, Day 25: Strasbourg--1st full day

Excerpts from Dory’s journal

Photo captions by Stephanie

Day 25, 10:15 AM 20/7/24  

4 DAYS LEFT 

Strasbourg, France 

Hello! I am currently in our apartment. Today is a relaxing day. We are going to do a laid-back thing, eat lunch, then a more involving activity. Well, the days are ticking by till we must go. We will try our best to enjoy these last days. 

Yours sincerely, Dorrel 

The view from a window in our apartment of the cathedral that we climbed. (photo: Stephanie)

A view from the cathedral platform, with an arrow pointing to the window from which I took the above photo. (photo: Stephanie)

Day 25, 11:35 AM, 20-7-24 

Strasbourg, France 

Hello! I am currently at the giant cathedral in the city. I am on the Platform, which is on the very top of the cathedral. The view is amazing! You can see the modern part of the city, as well as the historic part. It is truly an amazing place. 

Yours, Dorrel 

A view from the cathedral platform. (photo: Dory)

Dory was particularly offended by this tourist “train” that we saw in Strasbourg and in other cities. It is not really a train, you see, which is troubling. Also it makes an annoying “toot toot” sound when pedestrians need to move out of its way. I thought it was a clever idea, because it is narrow enough to go down streets not big enough for a bus, and there were headphones and a console for each tourist to be able to hear the tour in the language of their choice. (photo: Dory)

Apparently the cathedral platform has been a destination for tourists for centuries. In the 18th & 19th centuries people would climb the 330 steps and hang out and carve their names into the sandstone walls. (photo: Stephanie)

A view from the spiral staircase leading to the platform. (photo: Stephanie)

Another view from the spiral staircase. (photo: Stephanie)

Day 25, 12:47 AM, 20-7-24 

Strasbourg, France 

Hello! I am currently at the apartment, and I have just bought a compass. Because nothing teaches you better than the garden of Versailles that if you do not always have a compass with you when you’re in Europe, you’re a fool. Unfortunately, it is really (illegible). I have a better one at home, but it is at home.  

Yours, 

Dorrel 

Day 25, 20-7-24 3:00 PM 

Strasbourg, France 

Hello! I am currently at the shop/locker area in the city history museum. My family is still taking the experience in, so they must be enjoying themselves. I did also, but at a faster rate. I still must wait, though. Sis has the keys to the locker. 

Yours, Dorrel 

The sort of silly fun we were having while Dory was sprinting through the museum. (photo: Stephanie)

More silliness with hats. (photo: Stephanie)

European Adventure 2024, Day 24: On the Way to Strasbourg

Excerpts from Dory’s journal

Photo captions by Stephanie

We loved being able to see the countryside of the parts of France we drove through. Here we were experiencing slow enough traffic for me to take a photo of a field of sunflowers, but this was unusual. For the most part, traffic moved very smoothly and drivers were more courteous than what I typically experience back home. (photo: Stephanie)

Day 24, 9:38 AM, 19-7-24

Metz, France

1 WORKWEEK LEFT.

Hello! I am currently in the car, and we are going to Strasbourg! Another battle site of the War of 1870, Strasbourg is a town with a lot of heritage. It is also the capital of Europe!

Yours,

Dorrel

Approaching the memorial. Dory tends to walk faster than the rest of us. The blank white circular sign with a red border means that no vehicles are allowed past that point. (photo: Stephanie)

Just past that little bridge, there was a pond with some really big fish in it. (photo: Dory)

This part of France has mountains, so we got to climb a series of switchbacks to reach the memorial. (photo: Stephanie)

Once at the top, a beautiful view. (photo: Stephanie)

The photo Dory was taking in my photo above. (photo: Dory)

Day 24, 2:23 PM, 19-7-24

Alsace-Moselle Region, France

Hello! I am currently in the Alsace-Moselle region. The Alsace-Moselle Memorial is a museum detailing the history of the region. The WW2 section is particularly disturbing and dark. You first learn about the first annexation, which is much more peaceful and profitable. Then you learn about the second annexation, which is just pure hate and horror. Nazi Germany features.

Yours,

Dorrel

Photos were not allowed in the memorial. It was an immersive experience of how the region fared during WWII. The Alsace-Moselle region has changed hands several times since the War of 1870. Sometimes it was France, sometimes it was Germany. During WWII, the Nazis annexed the region, and there was an actual concentration camp (Natzweiler-Struthof, indicated with the arrow in my photo here) just across the valley from this memorial. I wish we had known about it earlier, because I would have made sure we had time to visit. (photo: Stephanie)

European Adventure 2024, Day 23: Gravelotte

Excerpts from Dory’s journal

Photo captions by Stephanie

Note: As of yesterday we have returned to the United States, but I will continue posting two or three back issues per day until our trip log is complete. —SSH

Day 23, 10:30 AM, 18/7/24

Troyes, France

Hello! I am currently at the kitchen table in this Airbnb, and we are going to go to Metz! A military battle in the War of 1870 happened there, and there is also a museum there that covers the War of 1870. We will probably arrive in Metz around 2, since the Frenchies love their lunch breaks as much as the Dutch love their coffee breaks. Now I must get packing. Goodbye!

Yours,

Dorrel

We did not get a photo of Dory’s panini, but we felt that Thomas’s “Italian Hot Dog” deserved to be remembered, along with the pizza Vivian and I shared. There are fewer places to stop for food and gas on the road in France, but in general the food on offer is far superior to what is often found in truck stops in the US. (photo: Stephanie)

Day 23, 1:16 PM, 18/7/24

Verdun, France

Hello! I am currently at a rest stop, and we are eating lunch! I have a ham and cheese panini. Well, we are in the Verdun area, which is where a big WW1 battle happened. I will write once we are in Metz.

Yours,

Dorrel

In case you are not up on your history of the War of 1870 (what we in the US call the Franco-Prussian War), it was very short (only 6 months) but very bloody—particularly the Battle of Gravelotte (18 August 1870), where in ONE day, 20,163 Prussian troops were killed, wounded or missing in action, along with 12,275 French. (photo: Stephanie)

Tempting as it was, we did not purchase this hat. (photo: Stephanie)

Day 23, 3:18 PM, 18-7-24

Gravelotte, France

Hello! I am currently on a bench. We are in Gravelotte, a village on the outskirts of Metz. The War of 1870 Museum actually doesn’t give much to the actual fighting, probably because the war was so short. However, it does give a lot to what happened after the war of 1870. Particularly the annexation. Well, I feel tired, pegged the (illegible) out of my head with trivia, and struggling to process what I had just seen.

Yours,

Dorrel

The museum was located across the street from a memorial/cemetery/mass grave. Prussians on the left, French on the right. (photo: Dory)

(photo: Stephanie)

(photo: Stephanie)

(photo: Stephanie)

European Adventure 2024, Day 22: Troyes

Excerpts from Dory’s journal

Photo captions by Stephanie

Day 22 9:10 AM, 17-7-24

Versailles, France

1 WEEK LEFT

Hello! I am currently at a desk yet again, and we are moving yet again to Troyes where there is a Tool Museum.

Yours, 

Dorrel

On the way to Troyes, we saw these columns of steam? smoke? and Dory thought it was worthy of a photo. (photo: Dory)

Day 22, 12:46 PM, 17/7/24

Troyes, France

Hello! I am currently at a table in a pasta restaurant. We have arrived in Troyes, and we are going to go to the Tool Museum after this repast. Well, we’ve got one full week before we have to go. These final days will pass too quick for us to remember them.

Yours,

Dorrel

I super disagree that the stained glass museum was “not all that interesting.” They had an interesting mix of old and modern, like this 3D image of a parent feeding their infant. (video: Stephanie)

They also had a temporary exhibit about how (well before the recent fire) there was a movement to update some of the stained glass in Notre-Dame Paris with more modern pieces. Several pieces were created before people decided, “No, not modern like that.” I had a dear friend named Genevieve, so this piece caught my eye. (photo: Stephanie)

Day 22, 1:59 PM, 17/7/24

Troyes, France

Hello! I am currently in the Stained Glass Museum in Troyes, and as you might expect, it is not all that interesting. Just a bunch of stained glass windows, nothing more. You could get the same experience from being in an old church. Anyways, we are going to the Tool Museum after this, and I will write more there.

Yours,

Dorrel

Troyes is famous for having a lot of these half-timbered houses, mostly from the 16th century. (photo: Stephanie)

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The tool museum had an astounding number of tools from the 17th, 18th &19th centuries, artfully arranged. (photo: Stephanie)

(photo: Stephanie)

Day 22, 4:00 PM, 17/7/24

Troyes, France

Hello! I am currently in the courtyard of the Tool Museum. I just saw a great deal of tools, and I am feeling a bit overwhelmed. Mom and Sis are sunbathing, and Dad is rolling leaves to smell them.

Yours,

Dorrel

Note: it might be more accurate to say that Thomas was crushing leaves to smell them. This courtyard garden had several herbs (such as mint) growing in it. (photo: Thomas)

Our Airbnb was located above/behind this tattoo shop, and next door to the hotel where Napoleon really liked to stay when he visited. (photo: Stephanie)

European Adventure 2024, Day 21: Versailles

Excerpts from Dory’s journal

Photo captions by Stephanie

Day 21, 9:10 AM, July 16, 2024

Alençon 

Hello! We are getting ready to leave again, to go to Versailles! The word which my Spelling Bee runner-up managed to spell is where I will be going. It will be interesting.

Yours, Dorrel

Day 21 11:28 AM, July 16, 2024

France

Hello! We just stopped at a gas station to get some food and drinks to eat and drink as snacks. We also went to the bathroom. Anyways, back to the road!

Yours, Dorrel

Approaching the palace. (photo: Dory)

It was helpful that they matched in pink that day, as it was very crowded. (photo: Stephanie)

Day 21, ??:?? Am, July 16, 2024

Versailles Gardens, France

Hello! I am on a bench, in the Queen’s Grove. It is a very secluded spot, where not a lot of tourists go. It is very close to the entrance of the gardens, but no one goes here because they are too interested looking at the gardens from above. Although some tourists have enough brain-power in their pea-sized traveling brains to come here.

Yours, Dorrel

L’Orangerie where they had a cool art exhibition, plus a statue of Louis XIV by Bernini at the far end. (photo: Stephanie)

Windy, sunny family selfie with the palace behind us. We were also cracking up because of the influencers next to us doing silly poses but in the utmost seriousness. (photo: Stephanie)

The gardens are so heckin massive that even though there were TONS of people there, we could still find quiet avenues all to ourselves. (photo: Stephanie)

The Hall of Mirrors, where lots of important stuff happened. (photo: Dory)

An exceptionally pretty chèvre that Thomas and I ate for dinner once we got back to the hotel. With a lovely French wine in a paper cup, because we are fancy like that. (photo: Stephanie)

European Adventure 2024, Day 20: Mont Saint-Michel

Excerpts from Dory’s journal

Photo captions by Stephanie

On the way out of Bayeux as we were approaching a roundabout, I chucked my phone at Thomas and ordered him to take a photo of the medieval knights riding topiary horses. I am doing all of the driving. So. Many. Roundabouts. (photo: Thomas)

Day 20 9:29 AM, 15/7/24

Bayeux

Hello! I am currently in the car, and we are going to Mont-saint-Michel! Man, my 6th grade teacher had a painting of Mont-saint-Michel but never went there, so this will be a experience very much read!

Yours,

Dorrel

We were thinking of you, Ms. Phillips! It was a rainy day, but we loved seeing this city on a rock out to sea. Thankfully they built a causeway out to it, so now we don’t have to wait for low tide and wade out. (photo: Dory)

There is a shuttle bus that we could have taken from the parking area, but Thomas voted to make the 30 minute walk out on foot, so we could approach like the pilgrims of old. Another super interesting cultural note: French people love to take their dogs to tourist attractions. (photo: Stephanie)

The tide was still low when we got there. (photo: Dory)

Day 20 12:47 PM, 15/7/24

Mont-saint-Michel

Hello! I am currently at a table, after having waited for 30 minutes for a table to free up and to let us eat. I was about to murder someone and eat them, and I was formulating a plan to do that, when we got the message that a table was ready. Anyways, we are on the island of Mont-saint-Michel! It is a very congested space, because of course, a lot of tourists have heard of it. But the streets are very good, and I feel like I am in a miniature Italy. Whatever, we are preparing for lunch! Bye!

Yours,

Dorrel

Somehow, this is the only photo Dory or I took inside the city walls. Thomas about to dig into his crêpe. We ordered local cider on tap, and they served it to us in this little porcelain pitcher and teacup, which we thought was weird. (photo: Stephanie)

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This was a big travel day. We drive 1.5 hours from Bayeux to Mont Saint-Michel, and then we drove 2 hours to Alençon, where we spent the night in another Airbnb. Thomas and I walked to a grocery store for some dinner/breakfast provisions, and I couldn’t resist taking a video of the hundreds of ribbons they had hung above the street. I hope you can watch it with the speakers on, so you can hear the noise the wind made. We are always amazed at the amount of public art for art’s sake there is here. -SSH

European Adventure 2024, Day 19, Quiet Day in Bayeux

Excerpts from Dory’s journal

Photo captions by Stephanie

Thomas has been looking forward to shopping in a French hypermarket since we came here 15 years ago with my parents. On that trip my dad got grumpy, and we had to leave the store before Thomas really got to look at everything. We left the kids at the apartment so Thomas could shop to his heart’s content. (photo: Stephanie)

We enjoyed lunch on the patio. The table was a bit rickety, which is why Thomas is clutching it like that. (photo: Stephanie)

I have no idea what this building is. But as you can see there are American flags everywhere in Bayeux. I think some of the decorations were left from the 80th D-Day anniversary the month before, but I’m pretty sure this is the most American-friendly town in all of France. (photo: Dory)

Dory thought it was hilarious that someone had written LOL on this door. (photo: Dory)

We really like the blooms on this bush, so Thomas volunteered to pose for a photo. (photo: Stephanie)

Day 19 4:50 PM, 14/7/24

Bayeux

Hello! I am currently relaxing. We have just seen the Bayeux tapestry, which depicts William the Bastard’s journey into becoming William the Conqueror. Anyways, this is like the Sunday that I got my watch on. Bye!

Yours,

Dorrel

Note: by “like the Sunday that I got my watch on,” Dory means we didn’t make him go anywhere in the morning and just did one small thing in the afternoon in an effort to not overdo it Every. Single. Day. We were not allowed to take photos of the tapestry, but you can read more about it here. -SSH

Walking back to our apartment. Dory did not see the point of stopping for a photo. (photo: Stephanie)

We dropped Dory off at the apartment before going for glace. The mint tasted a lot more like a York Peppermint Pattie than what I’m used to mint ice cream tasting like. We had to search for a place that was open, because it was a Sunday, and in France it is normal for most things to be closed on Sunday. (photo: Thomas)

European Adventure 2024, Day 18: Normandy Beaches

Excerpts from Dory’s journal

Photo captions by Stephanie

On the way to meet our guide for the day. (photo: Dory)

We got to Omaha Beach early.

(photo: Stephanie)

Dory found a good skipping rock.

(photo: Stephanie)

Climbing up to explore some bunkers.

(photo: Stephanie)

A gorgeous alien-looking thistle.

(photo: Stephanie)

We were fascinated by all the rose hips.

(photo: Stephanie)

A bunker. Dory really likes taking photos of bunkers.

(photo: Dory)

The inside of a bunker.

(photo: Dory)

The inside of another bunker.

(photo: Dory)

The inside of yet another bunker.

(photo: Dory)

Day 18 10:41 AM, 13/7/24

Normandy beaches, France

Hello! I am currently sitting on some steps. I have just toured Omaha beach, and now we are at a cemetery. Why is it a thing with tours to see dead people? It’s weird tbh. Anyways, this cemetery is very similar to the Arlington national cemetery in Washington Dc. 

Yours,

Dorrel

Normandy American Cemetery. (photo: Stephanie)

Ceiling mosaic in the chapel at the cemetery. (photo: Stephanie)

Day 18 1:06 Pm, 13/7/24

Normandy, France

Hello! I have just eaten some lunch, and now I am ready to have my guide peg the (illegible) out of my head with some trivia about WW2. I now have a rock that I bring with me everywhere. I thought this tour would be a morning thing, but no. 

Yours, 

Dorrel

Listening to the guide explain how Rangers scaled the cliffs in the background. (photo: Stephanie)

Church window in Sainte-Mère-Église where paratroopers landed. (photo: Stephanie)

European Adventure 2024, Day 17: traveling from Amiens to Bayeux

Excerpts from Dory’s journal

Photo captions by Stephanie

Day 17, 12/7/24

Amiens, France

Hello! I am currently in the car again, and we are going to Bayeux. This second phase of our vacay is very hectic. Always moving one side up and down the other! But at least I had a good breakfast. Maybe a bit too much caffeine though…But Amiens is a very nice village.

Yours, 

Dorrel

Note: Dory did indeed have too much coffee. -SSH

Photo of a bridge Dory found particularly interesting. (photo: Dory)

An even more exciting bridge. (photo: Dory)

Pretty sure Dory took this picture while we were waiting for the tollbooth at the base of the really exciting bridge. There are lots of tolls in France. (photo: Dory)

Day 17 12/7/24 1:37 PM

Rest stop, France

Hello! I am currently sitting at a picnic bench, and we are preparing to eat! Sis has a bug, but otherwise everything is good! We have another hour to wait to get to our destination, and I will write once I am there!

Yours,

Dorrel

Apparently Dory did not write once we got to Bayeux. But I did take this photo because I was having a hard time figuring out how much money I should put in the meter. Driving in Europe is super expensive, and parking is never free. Well, except on Sundays and other very specific hours of the other days. Like I said, confusing. And expensive. (photo: Stephanie)

European Adventure 2024, Day 16: Amiens

Excerpts from Dory’s journal

Photo captions by Stephanie

Day 16, 9:57 AM, July 11, 2024

Ghent, Belgium

We are packing up! Oh, sorry, hello! I am currently packing to go to Amiens. It is exciting! I really don’t have much to say, so bye!

Yours,

Dorrel

Day 16, 10:22 Am, 11-7-24

Ghent, Belgium

Hello again! I am currently at a coffee and waffle shop. I am not participating in the eating because I have already eaten. But yet, the rest of my family wants to eat, otherwise they would’ve not come here. We are going to Amiens, France. It will be a cultural experience!

Even though we ate breakfast in our hotel room already, we were not going to leave Belgium without eating Belgian waffles, so Vivian and I ate breakfast again. (photo: Stephanie)

Walking in Amiens. (photo: Stephanie)

Day 16, 3:36 PM, 11-7-24

Amiens, France

Hello! I am currently in a cathedral, and it is pretty big. Like, massive. The interior is full of pillars, and looks exactly like a typical cathedral. And no, I do not feel like I am in God’s presence. Anyways, I am going to admire the windows.

Yours,

Dorrel

Amiens Cathedral is the largest cathedral in France, big enough to fit two of Paris’ Notre-Dame Cathedrals. (photo: Stephanie)

(photo: Dory)

(photo: Dory)

Sometimes I make us take a family selfie. Everyone loves it. (photo: Stephanie)

European Adventure 2024, Day 15: Ghent

Excerpts from Dory’s journal

Photo captions by Stephanie

Day 15, July 10, 2024

8:20 AM Amsterdam

We are ready for the second phase! We are packing! Oh gosh. We will be leaving for France, but in doing so, we leave behind the peace and quiet that we have enjoyed for so long in Amsterdam. We will settle down sometimes, but not for long. Goodbye.

Yours, 

Dorrel

Day 15, 10:29 AM July 10, 2024

Motorway

Hello! I am in a car, and we are going to Ghent! We will see an actual castle, but right now we are experiencing typical Dutch weather.

Yours, 

Dorrel

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The stressful time in the garage, a series.

The ramp down into the narrowest, most cave-like parking garage in existence.

The first turn. Note the car parked alongside, which is about the length of my car from the opening.

Still the first opening, but now you can see how quickly I have to turn.

Up the slope to another opening barely wider than my car. Did I mention this is a standard that I rented earlier that day?!?

Closer look at the narrow opening to the parking area.

Our car, in the space only slightly larger than it. I had to pull forward so we could open the back.

Just made the last turn before leaving the garage. I made Thomas take a photo, for scale.

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Day 15, 1:19 PM, July 10, 2024

Ghent, Belgium

Hello! I am ready to murder a person and eat them! We had a stressful time in the garage, but we are past that. The hotel room is ready at 3:00 PM. Goodbye

Yours, 

Dorrel

Dory did not resort to cannibalism, but we did learn a valuable lesson about how long we can go without stopping for lunch. On arrival in Ghent we immediately got some sandwiches and ate them by this canal. (photo: Stephanie)

Next, we visited Gravensteen, the medieval castle in Ghent. There were ducks in the moat. (photo: Dory)

The photographer at work. (photo: Stephanie)

One innovation employed in constructing this castle was to move the fire from the middle of the room (too smoky) to the side, and then to build a tunnel to the outside for the smoke—aka a fireplace. (photo: Dory)

There was an entire hall of weapons. (photo: Dory)

A view from the top. (photo: Dory)

Another view. (photo: Dory)

Dory was amused to be able to spy on his parents through this small opening in a wall. (photo: Dory)

Day 15, 2:56 PM, July 10, 2024

Gravenstein Castle, Ghent, Belgium

Hello! I am currently under the stairs that go to the upper part of the castle. Truly I tell you, it is not likely that someone will walk in and distract me while I am here. Well, I have recovered from my crankiness, and I have also explored the castle. Now I wait.

Yours, 

Dorrel

A new-meets-old view of the roof of an open air market, on the way back to our hotel. (photo: Dory)

European Adventure 2024, Day 14: Watch repair + Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam

Excerpts from Dory’s journal

Photo captions by Stephanie

Day 14, 12:19 AM, July 9th, 2024

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Hello! I have repaired my watch, gotten refills for my fountain pen, and purchased a new fountain pen, all in the span of 60 minutes! Goodbye!

Yours, 

Dorrel

Watchme Amsterdam is the place to go for watch repair in Amsterdam. They replaced the battery, plus they had a wide selection of bands to replace the fake leather one. While we waited for 30 min, we went around the corner to HEMA, a budget department store. (photo: Stephanie)

Admiring his watch on the tram ride back. (photo: Stephanie)

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Tasting Dutch herring, a series.

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A view out the front doors of the Stedelijk Museum. (photo: Dory)

Day 14, 4:16 PM, July 9th, 2024

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Hello! I am on a bench at the moment. I am in the Stedelijk, a modern art museum. I feel crapped out and ready to go to the apartment. However, my dad wants to see a bit more pornography that barely classifies as “modern art” and the NSFW “performance artist” (illegible) torture lover Marina “Artiharm” Abromovic exhibition. Honestly, it is a “exhibit” that will break your virginity in half, and tap dance on it, by the time you finish the “exhibition”. I hate it with all my heart that is not corrupted by all the imagery. It was surprising, but not in a good way. Almost everything here is NSFW. I warn all the virgins out there to stay away from this museum if they want to keep their virginity. I don’t know how people like this stuff!

Shockingly still yours,

Dorrel

Note: OK, so maybe taking a 12 year old to a Marina Abramović exhibit was not the best idea. But in all fairness, she is a legendary, groundbreaking artist, and nudity is in art from all the centuries (we certainly saw plenty in the Rijksmuseum the day before). Dory and I were in this gallery for about 5 minutes, and when he said he really wanted to move on, we did. For anyone interested in learning more about Maria Ambramović, I’ve incuded a TED talk below. -SSH

European Adventure 2024, Day 13: Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

Excerpts from Dory’s journal

Photo captions by Stephanie

Day 13, 10:31 AM, July 8th, 2024

Rijksmuseum

Hello! I am currently getting hurried by my mother as I write on the 13th day. We are in the Rijksmuseum, and we will see the Special collection.

Yours, 

Dorrel

The Special Collection was on gender and how it is expressed through posture and clothing, among other things. I particularly liked these breasts, because I look at breasts a lot in my line of work, and these looked back at me.

From the card next to the art: Mirror Breasts, Maria Roosen (1957), glass and mirrored glass with nylon thread, 1993-1999. Breasts are ubiquitous in art and can be viewed unabashedly. However, these glass breasts look back at the viewer, reflecting the surroundings. They are firm and round, yet fragile and hard. Roosen is fascinated by representations of the human body. ‘The physicality is you,’ she explained, ‘it is a kind of self-portrait.’

We tried bitterballen at lunch in the museum cafe. They are not bitter. Turns out, they are deep fried balls of beef stew. (photo: Stephanie)

Post-bitterballen selfie with Mom. (photo: Stephanie)

Day 13 1:30 PM, July 8th, 2024

Rijksmuseum

Hello! I am currently on a bench in the Gallery of Honors. It is moderately loud, but that’s fine. I am still waiting for my watch to be repaired, because it is a Monday, and the shop only opens on Tuesday. And I made 2 inkblots while shaking my pen so that the ink flows. (illegible)! 

Yours, 

Dorrel

We had to visit The Night Watch, since that was the piece of art Dory recreated for a project at school last year. It is still being restored. (photo: Dory)

Dory was very interested in this chess set designed by a Nazi occupier in The Netherlands during WW2. (photo: Dory)

Another angle on the chess set. (photo: Dory)

From the explanatory card: This chess set glorifies the conquest of Nazi Germany. The chess pieces are shaped like weapons, and the text in the border refers to countries that were occupied by Germany in 1939 and 1940. The chess set was made by a German soldier: artist Georg Fung from Koningsbergen, who was stationed in The Netherlands. It was shown in 1941 at the exhibition Kunst der Front organized by the German occupier in the Rijksmuseum.

European Adventure 2024, Day 12: a restful Sunday in Amsterdam.

Excerpts from Dory’s Journal

Photo captions by Stephanie

Poes the cat deigned to appear in a spot of sunlight on the kitchen floor and allowed me to take a photo. (photo: Stephanie)

We needed a slow day, so I let the rest of the family lay out while I went to church on my own at the English Reformed Church, Amsterdam. (photo: Stephanie)

The order of worship was very similar to what I am used to at St. John UCC in Robinson. They do have fancier communion cups, though. (photo: Stephanie)

Day 12, 1:49 PM, July 7th, 2024

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Hello! I am currently in the apartment, writing. I am waiting to go to the Antiekcentrum to get a new watch, because the old one is tiny and unfashionable. Anyways, today is a pretty relaxing day. We screened and I ate some toast with cheese for breakfast.

Yours, 

Dorrel

Dory took a picture of his cheese because he thought it looked like a face. (photo: Dory)

Day 12, 8:31 PM, July 7th, 2024

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Hello! I am writing to tell you that I purchased a watch. Not a dinky one, with a small watch face, but with a large, easy to read face and manly numbers. One that hopefully, will keep time.

Yours, 

Dorrel

Note: there will be photos of the watch. But for now, some food photos. -SSH

Thomas is extremely fond of this sort of dried sausage. This particular one was coated in dried garlic, so he wanted me to take a picture of it. You can see what it looks like sliced in the strawberry photo below. (photo: Stephanie)

One of my absolute favorite parts of visiting Europe is that the strawberries taste like strawberries are meant to taste! Do you see how red and ripe and juicy and flavorful these are? In the US, the strawberries are almost always picked too early, and they may turn red on the outside, but they are white on the inside and do not taste nearly as good as these. (photo: Stephanie)

European Adventure 2024, Day 11: Rotterdam

Excerpts from Dory’s Journal

Photo captions by Stephanie

On the platform, waiting to depart. (photo: Dory)

Day 11, 10:11 AM, July 6th, 2024

Amsterdam Centraal

Hello! I am currently on a train, waiting for it to start moving. We are going to Rotterdam today! We had a bit of a realization of “Which route will we take?!” at the ticket thangalang, but we chose the quicker route over the less direct route. But other than that, the ride here has been smooth! Anyways, I just heard the whistle blow, so we will be leaving soon! Goodbye!

Seeing you soon,

Dorrel

This vintage Volvo was fitted out so the guy who owned it could sling some pretty amazing espresso out the back. (photo: Stephanie)

A view from Het Niewe Instituut. (photo: Dory)

The gosling in question. (photo: Dory)

Day 11, 11:34 AM, July 6th, 2024

Het Niewe Instituut (The New Institute)

Hello! I got verily verily scared after a gosling and it’s parents went very close to me when I was trying to write. Thankfully, I stood still, and didn’t get attacked. Anyways, the train trip was good, and now we are going to go to the Chabot museum (which is a modern home turned into a modern art exhibit).

Yours Truly, 

Dorrel

Hendrik Chabot was a Dutch expressionist painter and sculptor, and this home was turned into a gallery for his art. (photo: Dory)

This was one of my favorites. (photo: Stephanie)

It was a very windy day for a family selfie outside the Chabot Museum. (photo: Stephanie)

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Dory omitted this from his narrative, but the nearest Albert Heijn to the museum was located inside the very spacious lobby of a hospital. We were very amused to see many of the hospital employees getting around on scooters. (photo: Stephanie)

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On approach to the Van Nelle Factory. Dory was a bit too far off to actually see the factory, but this photo shows how, where possible, Dutch roads have a strip of grass between the road for cars (grey pavement) and the path for bicycles (red pavement) and the path for people (grey pavers). (photo: Stephanie)

Day 11, 4:43 PM, July  6th, 2024

Netherlands rail system

Hello! I am currently on a train, wondering just exactly why my sister is so (illegible) off/sad. Maybe it’s because she knocked the phone out of a person’s hand when they were on a call? I don’t see any reason for why you should be sad for knocking a phone out of someone’s hand. Just forget it, and move on. (She did eventually move on.) Anyways, we toured the Van Nelle Factory, and it was amazing! You really cannot get the feeling of seeing something that you had seen in photos, in film, in media, and then going there and seeing it with your own eyes. Anyways, the tour was really informative, and the guide was an excellent guide. Well, this train ride will be our last one on this trip (aside from the funicular, but that is later and I won’t get into any more detail) so I will enjoy it!

Yours, 

Dorrel

Much closer. Now you can see some of the factory. It is designated as a UNESCO world heritage site due to its innovative architecture. You can read more about it here. (photo: Dory)

The bridges that moved goods that had been processed in the factory over to the warehouses/shipping area. (photo: Stephanie)

No longer in use as a factory, the Van Nelle has been converted to office space for design firms. These windows and the beams were innovative at the time, because they allowed air and light to reach the workers. (photo: Stephanie)

This piece of equipment was used in roasting the coffee. (photo: Stephanie)

Our guide told us that the windows were actually originally designed to be greenhouse windows. Dory got to open and close one. (photo: Stephanie)

One last look from our bus stop before we head back to the train station. (photo: Dory)

European Adventure 2024, Day 10: A rainy, bookish day in Amsterdam

Excerpts from Dory’s Journal

Photo captions by Stephanie

Wearing thrift finds from Utrecht: peep Thomas’s denim coveralls and Vivian’s sneakers with cherries made from SKULLS. (photo: Stephanie)

Dory’s view of the Book Market. (photo: Dory)

My view of the market. (photo: Stephanie)

Day 10, 1:56 PM, July 5th, 2024

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Hello! I am currently in a bookstore, and I have just bought some Isaac Asimov books from the book market. I was just reading I, Robot, a collection of short stories. It is currently raining, and we will soon go out and walk to an Albert-Heijn to get some food.

Yours truly,

Dorrel

That carrot cake was amazing. (photo: Stephanie)

Day 10, 3:35 PM, July 5th, 2024

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Hello! I am currently in a Lush store, waiting while Sis and Mom do weird (illegible) (illegible) with their faces. We just visited some sorta women’s only neighborhood, where we saw a juvenile herring gull. We also got some typical Dutch weather raining down upon us, but we have rain jackets for that.

Yours truly

Dorrel

The photographer in action. (photo: Stephanie)

The photo he took of the juvenile Herring Gull. By “some sorta women’s only neighborhood,” Dory means the Begijnhof, which was a space for beguines to live. Beguines were nun-adjacent—they were religious and lived in community but did not take vows. (photo: Dory)

The metro stop we took on the way back had a particularly interesting set of escalators. (photo: Dory)