On Sunday we gathered our things to spend a few nights in Svetogorsk, Russia, to catch up on visa maintenance. We made sure not to forget important goods as there is some difficulty in finding a nice grocery store on the other side. It wasn't so bad this time...other than the brown water that came out of the faucet in our hotel room. Don't worry...distilled water was on hand! It rained most of the time we were there, and when Harris and I had had enough of the room, well then I just put his rain suit on and off we went to jump in a few puddles!
When we arrived to our apartment Tuesday night, we had a big boy bed waiting for Harris in the living room. The transition has been a little challenging, but I'm sure that being away from the apartment hasn't helped any. He has no trouble getting in. It's the staying in that we have to work on:)
This last weekend we jetted to Copenhagen, Denmark. Like everything else we have seen here, it was amazingly beautiful. Unfortunately their biggest attraction was closed for the season...Tivoli Gardens which is Europe's first greatest amusement park that had influence on Walt Disney. We didn't have any trouble finding other things to see and do though. Saturday we took a canal tour around the city center which outlines the water. Harris was enamoured by the ride and it gave him a chance to get out of the stroller. We had lunch at a quaint cozy cafe that served smorrebrod (open faced sandwiches and a Danish cuisine). It rained quite a bit so we strolled around as much as we could and then took a break at the hotel. For dinner we ate at a unique candle lit but still casual restaurant called BioMio. This was my absolute favorite eatery with a perfect atmosphere. It was in an old Bosch building that still had the old sign lit up. Reminded me of midtown Memphis! The menu provided all organic foods with codes under each dish to show what the meal was rich in...Vit A,B,C etc, etc. The food was excellent!!! Thanks Rick Steves for the recommendations:) On Sunday we started early with a danish and coffee at an old 1870's bakery. Then we headed to the Rosenborg castle. We let Harris run around in the gardens and took lots of pictures here. We were so thankful for the pretty weather! Had lunch along the Nyhavn canal. Harris took a short nap while we sat outside under heaters. The man with the clarinet was nice and all and it made for a real European vibe, but Harris woke up from the Ava Maria blaring. Next we visited an "alternative" commune neighborhood that was mentioned in Rick's book, but we could have done without that stroll. I will just let you use your imagination on this one, but I will say that we saw some barrels with a fire going, a guy that had his nose all taped up, graffiti everywhere, and their main street was called Pusher street. When you were leaving there was a sign that said "now entering the EU". How is that for alternative? Matt says that was no hippie hangout with love and peace...just a bunch of dirty gypsies. Next we visited the Disney Store in city center...Harris' first time. He got a couple of cars for being such a trooper. We ate dinner again in the meat packing district...this time at a pizzeria called Mother. Another great atmosphere with good food!!
So Monday on the way home we stopped at the massive Ikea in Helsinki for lunch and picked up a couple of items for the apartment. The drive home wasn't so bad with the 8 rainbows that we spotted. Including a double one! The colorful leaves were at peak and the spotty areas of sunlight on them delivered some gorgeous views! And then home sweet home. Whew! I think that wraps it up in a nutshell. Hope it wasn't too detailed. Haven't written in a while so got a little carried away:)
Here are a few pics along with a link to Flickr...
http://flic.kr/s/aHsjCpUxKK
Love to all!!
