To be continued...

I've been putting this off since I got home because I'm not ready to admit that it's done. After a fantastic two week vacation with my mom, I've been back in the USA for nearly two weeks now. While I normally posted pictures throughout my previous vacations, this time I wanted to maximize the last of my European adventure. Reuniting with my mom at London Heathrow after ten long months was just like the scene from Love Actually. Introducing her to her family in Estonia was a unique and unforgettable opportunity. Capping our trip off with Paris was the perfect way to end my French experience. Though I wouldn't say it's the end... 

That song is all wrong... London Bridge is still there! And isn't my mom beautiful?

At Buckingham Palace after the Changing of the Guard

We had an awesome spot right by the gate to watch the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace

Big Ben

I am adjusting to life in Seattle. At this point, I understand the saying "you can't go home again." Life here doesn't quite feel the same here but it's mostly because I am different. Though it's hard for me to pinpoint exactly what has changed (maybe you could tell me?), I am not the same girl I was last year. I've grown in ways that life in Seattle couldn't offer. I've endured the sting of homesickness, made a home for myself on the other side of the world, and figured out how to do a lot of things on my own. It wasn't always easy or fun but it was always worth it. I learned that the American way is not the only way and while I like teaching, I do not want to be a teacher. The last weeks of teaching were really tough; I was ready to pack my bags at the beginning of June. And then I met someone really special who had me backpedalling and dreading my return flight. Leaving was insanely difficult when I realized that I'd felt at home in northern France and had made connections that I wasn't prepared to leave. I'll be back some day... I'll figure it all out; I've gotten good at that. 

Me, Aunt Aino, and Mom... Three generations of Salu women. 

There's a whole lot of love between these two!

Mom, Jane, and Tiina at the youth song festival in Tallinn

There were only about 80,000 people there... 

Papa's oak tree! I love that there was an oak planted for each of the boys but what about the girls!

I already miss randomly passing castle ruins! 

Mom and here cousins; Tiina singing for the camera, Elmo, and Eino

Our family stone. Surprisingly, our family has detailed history recorded that starts with Kubja Hans in1684.

I thought I could get away with just smelling it.... but I took a bite, too!

We couldn't be related... 

Third time's a charm! But it stings with slightly burnt skin!! Mom, you're a true Estonian now!

Don't mess with her... 

Watchout, Pagans! Mom made a cross with the blacksmith (his first). 

Had to leave this one in Tartu.

Peekaboo! I see you!  

Kissing Students Statue in Tartu

Bon appétit!

There's no doubt we're related. Miss you Aunt Aino, can't wait to come back to Estonia some day!

My teaching contract is over, I'm back in Seattle, but I haven't closed the book on this chapter of my life. It's something I'll carry with me for years to come. It's renewed my love for French language, inspired a world traveler, connected me to family in Estonia, and introduced me to who I think I really am. I followed my dream and it's shaped me in ways that won't be undone. Now it's time for you to pursue your own dreams. You'll be thankful for it! Just don't thank me, thank yourself. But I do thank you for following me along the way. 

Mom would move to Paris in a heartbeat.  

Paris,  je t'aime!  

My favorite place in Paris... spent an afternoon there with one of my favorite people!  <3

Our last morning was seen from beneath this umbrella...

Cheers to a fabulous life in France, vacation with mom, and here's to my next adventure! 

Now that I've fulfilled my dream to live in Europe, I'm working on pursuing my next dream... Wonder what adventures it'll bring along the way? I'll never know until I try. 

Gros bisous, 

-kelse 

Murals, postcards, and chocolate fountains

Last up on my day trip to Brussels my recap of the random sites I saw around the city. I bet you didn't know that BD's are hugely popular in France and Belgium and that The Schtroumpfs were Belgian, did you? Confused? BD is short for bande dessinée or what we call comic strips and Schtroumpfs are the "kiddie cocaine" of the 80's that we lovingly know as The Smurfs. My kids are always stealing away peeks at their BD's, which are often used in class as part of their curriculum. It's nothing like comic books in the US. The most iconic of characters is Tintin, a cross between Indiana Jones and a journalist, who will soon be featured in a Spielberg trilogy along with his canine sidekick, Snowy. France has a theme park dedicated to Astérix, a Gaulish gladiator fighting off Romans; their most loved comic series. 

But what does this have to do with Brussels? Well, as part of the Comic Book Route, there are over 30 murals of famous Belgian comic characters scattered around town. If I'd have known before my trip, I'd have found a map online! But I kept an eye out throughout my wanderings and snapped several pictures! 

Tintin nearby to Mannekin Pis

Sorry for the terrible picture, it's tough to photograph a window in the sunlight... But if you look closely, you'll notice that Mannekin Pis is peeing chocolate. Not that appetizing, if you ask me. And the picture that follows is his lesser-known counterpart, Jeanneke Pis. Yep, a fountain of a little girl squatting. Classy! Then I spotted these lovely postcards... even better how they're juxtaposed!

We could have had this chocolate fountain at our Senior Ball instead... tant pis!

Right outside Delirium Café behind lock and key... Jeanneke Pis.

Same time, same place... bitch!  

And for a few more random things... I saw several areas around town actually designated for you to have your dog do his business. Much cuter than the sign telling you not to leave your dog poop at Burg Nanstein in Germany! Then, can you please tell me what these animals are supposed to be because I want one. And finally, to all my Chi Omegas, every owl I see makes me think of you guys - even in the form of graffiti! 

Insert your own caption here... Just do it. 

Chi O love in Brussels.

I have no idea what this window front was for. Who killed Miss Rose? I say it was the creeper clocking in at over 7'6". Don't they use the metric system?

How many behemoths do you know over 7 feet? And I thought Pierre was too damn tall! 

Well, that's it. And guess what? Now that it's June, I can officially say that I come home next month!! Even better, I get to see my mom this month!

Bisous,
-kelse

Une bande dessinée - A comic strip 
Tant pis! - Too bad! 
Rendez-vous ici, demain, même heure. - Meet me tomorrow, same time, same place. 
Une salope - a bitch, whore 
Qui a tué Mlle Rose? - Who killed Miss Rose? 

The last castle

All good trips come to an end. Sadly, all great trips do too - but not before seeing one last castle! The Burg Nanstein in Landstühl was unlike any other that I've seen. It was build in 1162 by a Holy Roman Emperor but aside from being sieged and razed, there's not a whole lot of information available on it. Well, that is, at least not in English. So I have no idea what it's made of, I just know that it's pretty cool.

First off... have you ever seen a sign like this in public? At a historical site? Me neither. 

Secondly, how quaint is this town? In person, it's easy to see McD's Golden Arches in the distance...

A cannon shooting into a brick wall? Well thought out...

A staircase that leads no where? (I'm sure at one time it did; at least I hope so!)

A doorway that was even too small for Rosie! 

I'm not even that tall! 

Look at this wall... interesting, huh? 

The last thing we did before heading to the train station to part ways was stop by The Officer's Club to congratulate Jeric's commander on his promotion. His commander was really nice and told us all to order drinks on him. I figured that I'd been in Germany for 9 days and had only had coffee, water, and diet coke.... so I should probably end the trip by at least trying a beer. Especially if someone else was picking it up! So I ordered a Hef which is one of the few beers I remember ever enjoying. I drank about half of it before we had to leave. It wasn't my least favorite thing in the world but it wasn't my favorite either. But I gave it a good effort. Be proud, Dad... baby steps! 

This one's for you, Dad! 

And with that, my trip swiftly ended. Sad but beautiful day. Prost! I'm spending this weekend in Le Mans, France with yet another friend from high school. I'm really excited to see another part of France and another familiar face. Let's be honest, I'm grateful to be here but I'm sick of Lille. Anyways, bon weekend! 

Bisous, 

-kelse