Alexander Family's Big Adventure: Trier

Sunday, July 22, 2018

Trier take two

You may remember that I took the family to Trier one day last year. (If you missed that post, you can read it here: https://onegreendoggy.blogspot.com/2017/11/trier-germany-and-some-other-stuff.html)

I remember that day was pretty drizzly out. Trier had been decorated for Christmas, and that was adorable, but what a difference sunshine and blue sky can make! Also, not to pound this into the ground too much, but what a difference traveling with just the two of us made! When the family went there last year, we didn't go up Porta Nigra, we didn't go in the church, and we barely made it to the amphitheatre. I was still so happy to have gone! But this time, we went up Porta Nigra, we went into the church (the part that was open), we went shopping, we ate, we went to the Roman baths, and we went to the amphitheatre! Incredible! And to top it off, I parked out of the main area for free. We had to walk a bit, but I didn't have to squeeze the van into a tiny old garage and get stressed about scraping it. And I didn't have to pay €20 for parking! Win win!

Going home from Trier was easy enough because as I mentioned earlier, Michelle and I still had another special day together. It was going to be great!

Porta Nigra

Detail inside Porta Nigra

Michelle inside Porta Nigra. I'm missing her now.

View of Porta Nigra from inside Porta Nigra

St. Peter's Cathedral of Trier

Pipes!

Detail inside cathedral

Wow.

Egyptian Geese near the Roman baths. Neat!

Hallway inside the Roman baths

View of Roman baths with picture of them in the 15th century

Roman amphitheatre

Friday, November 17, 2017

Trier, Germany

Trier, Germany was every bit as awesome as I expected it to be. It rained the entire day but was still incredible. We saw the Porta Nigra, a coliseum, and a good part of town since we walked to the coliseum. There was a march or protest, which I pulled the family away from for our safety, thanks to the training I get as an Army civilian.

We were all pretty tired by the end of the day, but it was a good day for sure. Some stores were already decorated for Christmas, so that sparked my Christmas spirit. And the windows were pleasant to see. I am really starting to get excited for the Christmas markets here, and most of all for my mom's visit. It's going to be great to have her here for three whole weeks! I have a lot to look forward to. This is my favorite season.

...Alex sometimes has a hard time waking up in the morning, and I still feel so bad for him about it. This morning was one of those mornings, but I told him we're putting up the tree this weekend. Then a little bit later I told him I'll bet he's looking forward to summer, and he said no, he was looking forward to Christmas. I know he's okay, but in a way this will be a rough two years for him.

I had a good experience last week at the grocery store. A man came up to me and started talking to me in German, and I understood him! Woo hoo! I didn't converse but I was happy to actually understand him. Other things are still lost in translation, though. I'm building up that list! I had been a little bit discouraged about it, but I think I'm back on for trying. In fact, I think I'll open up Duolingo right now!

I love and miss my friends and family! Just thought you should know.