June 24, 2015 - Tanya in Oslo! Elisa Leaves for Prague

Tanya's Daily Scoop
TRIP COUNTDOWN
Currently Traveling In: Oslo

You'll never believe what happened...

GREETINGS EVERYONE from 
OSLO, NORWAY!

It's my first time here in Oslo, and I've gotta say that I'm having a great time. No surprise huh?!

I happen to be traveling solo at the time, and while that might not be my preference I also have no problem travelin' on my own. 

Plus, I plan on writing a post on what to do when traveling solo in Oslo!

And this is certainly not to say that I do not miss my gang and have already started counting down the days until being with them again..
They just don't understand what it's like to be a Wanderluster! Know what I mean?

Until then, smile joyfully and enjoy each day to it's fullest, and always remember that each and every day is a gift!

As far as yesterday went, I had a very nice visit with my Grandma, and my dad was on good behavior - BONUS! lol

I'll see them again once I return to the USA and the kids meet me in NY. Cosette will actually be staying with them for at least one of the nights that I'm on the MLB All Star Game Road Trip to Cincinnati, with Dominic and Dave.

I know that my Grandma and Dad are looking very forward to her visit!

Checking in at JFK

On board my fun flight to Oslo!

Rainbows over Norway!

Not only has today been filled with some awesome sights in Oslo, such as:
- City Hall
- Norwegian Parliament
- Royal Palace Park/Historical Museum
- Vigeland Park
- Norwegian Folk Museum
- Viking Ship Museum
- Kon Tiki Museum, Fram Museum
- Viking Ship Museum
- Norwegian Folk Museum
- Vestbanen (Nobel Peace Center)
- Akershus Fortress
- DFDS Harbor
- Norwegian National Opera & Ballet
- Oslo Central Station
*Just to name a few!!!

Being that my flight was delayed out of JFK, I was late to arrive in Oslo. Therefore giving me less time then originally planned to sightsee and tour. 
But I still managed to make my planned city tour and spend some time checking out and walking on the roof of the amazing architecturally designed Opera House!

BUT ALSO....yours truly got stopped on the streets of Oslo by the television crew for Norway's channel 2. Where I was asked to to be filmed and memorize this info to announce into the rolling camera:

"Oslo is home to the first world champion Wilhelm Henrie. Father of the famous Sonja Henie, and track cycling champion in 1894!"

Well that was fun!
It will be airing at 10am local time across all of Norway! 

*Sonja Henie (April 8, 1912 – October 12, 1969) was a Norwegian figure skater and film star. She was a three-time Olympic Champion (1928, 1932, 1936) in Ladies' Singles, a ten-time World Champion (1927–1936) and a six-time European Champion (1931–1936). Henie won more Olympic and World titles than any other ladies' figure skater. At the height of her acting career she was one of the highest paid stars in Hollywood.

How totally cool and funny is that?!

Another one of today's highlights is knowing that Elisa is catching her flight to Europe tonight! 

Tomorrow is when we begin our Cousins Europe Trip by Rail!

Today also happens to be W2GW! 
And for those of you who are new and unfamiliar with what that is, it is when Elisa and I search upcoming things of interest to do. 
They are hand picked by us and usually things and places that you would find us at!

So even though I am away and traveling, I have still listed some local fun things to do!

Here's one that I'd probably be going to if I wasn't on the other side of the globe!
 
A Taste of Greece - 36th Annual Greek Festival

WHEN: June 26, 27, 28 2015
WHERE: Saint Paul's Greek Orthodox Church -
 4949 Alton Parkway Irvine, California 92604 

This is a fun-filled Festival for the whole family! Pastries, dancing, full-Scale carnival, boutique & delicious Greek food including a wine taverna. There will also be cooking demonstrations, Greek folk dancing lessons, church tours and opportunity drawings!
For more info CLICK HERE

And here's one for ya if you happen to be going to Krakow (like us)!

25TH JEWISH CULTURE FESTIVAL

WHEN: JUNE 25TH - JULY 5TH, 2015
WHERE: Various Venues

Life is what interests us — its astonishing capacity for rebirth and flourishing anew. The Festival is an unending celebration of Jewish life.

Cracow, Kazimierz—the symbol after the war of Jewish absence, it has again become a place of Jewish presence. The mirror of the Festival reflects the diverse beauty of Jewish culture, the richness of life, and the profundity of religion.

Our attitude toward Tradition is respectful—but we are not confined exclusively to Tradition. We pay tribute to the past while thinking unceasingly about the future.

We live here and now in a dynamically changing real world. We show those changes the moment they occur. Today's orthodoxy was yesterday's heresy. We are contemporary heretics—hungry for what was, what is, and what shall be.

We don't care about applause or pandering to fashion. All we care about is the standard of artistic truth. Authenticity. Our festival is the most old-school, radical, avant-garde festival of Jewish culture in the world!

We never have been and never will be a klezmer festival! We are a festival of diverse worlds: the worlds of Ashkenazy, Sephardic, Oriental, and finally of Israeli culture. 

Our spiritual capital is Yerushaláyim and the center of all these worlds is the Land of Israel.

Only life can reconcile memory with the future. The Jewish Culture Festival in Cracow is a festival of life.  
 
Janusz Makuch, Director, Jewish Culture Festival in Cracow

For more info CLICK HERE

That's gonna be a wrap folks.
Wishing you a Wonderful Wednesday!

I'll catch ya back here on the Daily LIVE from Prague tomorrow,
-T

Elisa's Daily Scoop
TRIP COUNTDOWN
Next Trip Departs: Today

Leaving for Prague Tonight

Hey there!!  I cannot believe my Eastern Europe trip is finally here!!

Oh BABY am I psyched!!!

I went through my suit cases and carry-ons one last time yesterday and feel that I’m 100% ready for the journey over the next 16 days.

Electronically, I’ve got everything!!
My phone, camera and laptop chargers; my phone and laptop and my two trusty cameras, with extra SD cards, as I know I’m going to be snapping and video taping away!

The only thing I have been unable to pack are my kids (insert sad face).  I know they would absolutely DESPISE this trip with all the walking and “history places” as they call them.  

We have a plan for staying in touch at all times using FaceTime, chat apps, email and yes, texting, if the need arises.

Tonight I’m sure I’ll shed some tears at the airport, as we say our goodbyes. 

Looking back on yesterday, we had a fun day together. I took my girls, nephew Julian and my bestie Denise’s daughter Madison to see “Inside Out” the new Disney Pixar movie.  

I thought it was adorable!  Of course, I’ve yet to see a G-rated movie in the past 5 years that hasn’t made me cry and this one was no different. Moral of the story: You can never truly feel Joy if you don’t allow yourself to feel Sadness.  Great lesson.  The fading memory of the imaginary friend choked me up, I have to say.

A  friend sent me this cute summation of Disney Pixar films over the past 20 years and thought I would share it with you: 

Today, is really a mellow day for the most part.  The kids only have 2 hours of school today since it is their last day!  YAY! Took a picture of the girls with Dr. Kilbride, their principal, who is retiring this year.  Goodbyes are so sad!

Then I'll be heading over to say goodbye to Danielle, Mom and Dad.  

Kelsey & Gianna with Dr. Kilbride - on her last day as Principal

I have an evening flight, which gives me most of the day to spend with the kiddies. They too, are packed and ready for the next 2 weeks, where they will split their time between Denise’s and our Remsenburg house with Daddy. 
UGH, I’m going to miss them!!!

Well, peeps, this time tomorrow, I will be writing you from Prague, Czech Republic!
I can’t wait to share my thoughts, experiences, photos and videos with you!!

Please check out Tanya’s blog, as I know she is going to have lots to say for W2GW (Where to Go Wednesday) about what to do in Oslo, Noway when traveling solo!!

She also listed some great festivals and events including the 36th Annual Greek Festival in Irvine, CA!!
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Now, indulge me while I get a tad philosophical on you.  I remember only a few short years ago, I was “talking” about putting a plan together for really seeing the world.  

I envisioned myself in different places, soaking up the culture, learning different history, experiencing it with people I love, particularly my kids.  And lo and behold, today, my whole life revolves around traveling! 

We truly do become what we think about all the time - good and bad.  

And I’ve come to see travel as the metaphor for life:

>  You can either sit home and let life pass you by or you can plan your own adventure. 

> You can either ignore the paths that God puts in front of you and blindly sleep walk in what is familiar and safe or summon the courage to take the road that awakens your mind and soul and demands more and enables you to fulfill your human potential during your time on Earth.  

Do you have a wanderlust for life?

I know I do!  I’ve never been content to let life pass me by and while it can take me a while to take that first step, once I do, there’s no turning back. 

I think this bible quote from The Book of Luke says it best about creating your own destiny:

“And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” Luke 11:9

Well, my good peeps, I'm off - first to get my kiddies from school and then to get my hair done. ... and then...off to the airport!!

Till tomorrow, 

-E
xoxo