Istanbul, day 1!

Wow, what a city! With my 5 friends from Holland we took to the city. It is such a different city, with a very diffirent flavour than many European cities..... The mosques and their chants tower over it all. It is very impressive. Take a look.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A day with my sisters!

On Wednesday Marian, Lidwien and I spent the day together. We went to Utrecht and walked around all day, shopping, talking, walking and having a great time!

 

 

 

 

Holland

I am in Holland visiting my family. A fun Sunday afternoon walk in the Hatertse Vennen, a very beautiful area. They have pumkins here too!

 

 

 

 

Toronto zoo

Yesterday we went to the Toronto Zoo. We had not been for a long time and this time had an oportunity to join a provate tour by the executive director. It was amazing. We got to visit the hospital, meet many staff, go behind the scenes and receive VIP attention! It motivated me to go more often. It is truly beautiful. Take a look at the flamingos. Aren't they stunning? And a close up with a brown bear and a grizzley bear makes you wish you will never encounter one in person outside the zoo! We git to feed the rhino, and of course saw the giant panda. All in all, it was fantastic!

 

Bath, Lacock, Salisbury and Stonehenge

While in the UK I decided to take a tour that included visiting Bath, Lacock, Salisbury and Stonehenge. What a tour it was! So beautiful and so much history. I will definitely go back to see more of the UK.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

UK visit

 

 

 

 

I am in the UK for work but had some time this weekend to tour. Today I took a hop on- hop off tour, which is a great way to see lots in a short time. Westminster is one of the most impressive sights in my view!

Tomorrow I will visit Stonehenge, the first day after the summer solstice! Exciting....!

 

And they score!!!!!!!

Need I say more :)






 

More Chicago

How crazy is this? In many Chicago establishments, tou can see this sticker..... Including on the doors to the convention centre where the cancer conference was. I am glad i don't live there. Can you imagine, bringing your gun?????

 

Chicago and Milwaukee

The first part of this past week I was in Chicago, attending the annual ASCO cancer conference, and then drove to Milwaukee for the annual Bead and Button show, a very large jewelry making event. I met up with my friend Rebekah and we both had a much needed R&R! We took some classes, admired incredible pieces made by others, did some shopping and had just a great time! It astounds me how many different styles and pieces exist. They are all different. Maybe not all my taste but incredibly creative. I can't wait until next year......

 

Family

We spent a day with my family. Peter, my brother and Maaike, his wife, are visiting from Holland. A great day. Family, there is nothing better!

 

My new sweater....

" If it aint Dutch, it ain't much"!

My new sweater;)

 

 

Last day

Today was a fun day again. I went to a flower market and also a jade market. Jade is very popular here and since beads are my thing i thought I' check it out..... :). They were in the same place so very convenient.

There were such beaultiful orchids at the flower market, amazing! I did find some fun beads too. And look at the tea packaging.

My final outing was to another, you guessed it, temple. It even had a public health nurse checking blood pressures! And the line ups to be blessed by some nuns were hours long.

 

 

 

 

 

The final image that upset me was of a blind man, whose parents had him play music in the hopes to raise money, hopefully for his care?

And then the week was over.... An amazing experience yet again!

 

 

 

 

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On Friday I did a number of things. I visited Taipei 101, the highest tower here in Taiwan. (Second highest in the world.) The elevator takes you to the top in 37 seconds! It is pressurized like an airplane and so you don't notice the pressure change. The view was stunning.

 

 

I also visited the Chan Kai Shek memorial and the national theatre and national concert hall nearby. Very impressive when you stand there and realize he is responsible for the current split of communism and China in Taiwan.

 

Of course another temple or the day wouldn't be complete....:) The table you see is full of food, and presents for the Gods. They are sold right. In the temple so you can be sure not to forget! The temples are so interesting. They are in the midst of life and everything goes on there. It is a great place to rest and watch people.

 

And finally the famous Shilin night market. Absolutely crazy but a lot of fun. These kids ar "shrimping" with real live shrimp!