Green and colorful

Vancouver really impresses me with it's greenery and many many colors. We had a meeting in Chinatown yesterday and since it was at the end of the day, we had the opportunity to walk around a bit. I paid a visit to Dr. Sun Yat Sen's chinese garden. It was a spectacular little oasis in the city with small ponds and impressive rocks and bonzai trees.

I've enjoyed the city and the food in particular. Lunch yesterday was a fish taco made of blackened fish. It was incredibly taste- and colorful.

The purple garnish was red cabbage which had been pickled in a marinade with among other things fennel seeds. I have never tasted anything like it. Yum.

Finally a little impression from my morning walk.

Vancouver sushi

I've been dying to go to one of the conveyor sushi places. Imagine that the first time had to be a place halfway round the world and then it wasn't even conveyor belts. I did'nt get the name of the restaurant but it was so fun with the small boats going around with the fresh sushi. Too bad I didn't manage to get a better picture.

We had excellent seafood in Toronto, but I just can't wait to let my taste buds get a taste of the fresh catch from the Pacific.

Niagara

Tomorrow we are on a tight schedule meeting with bunches of immigration representatives but due to Labor day we had a visit with the Danish ambassador and then Niagara! It was truely fascinating experiencing those millions and millions of liters of water dropping 50 m plus in to the Niagara gorge. And wet! Lots of water was whirled into the air so you got wet walking on the walkway on the top of the falls.

Toronto II

Sunday morning was on our own. I had the chance to walk around Toronto. Among other places I visited the Royal Ontario museum. The museum originally is situated in the old university but opened a new spectacular entrance designed by Liebeskind in 2007. I wasn't able to get a decent picture of the entrance. But there is one here http://images.rom.on.ca/public/images/ROM2007_9327_4.jpg Otherwise Toroto architecturally seems mayhem compared to fx. Chicago. It reminds me a bit like Brussels were old and new, tall and short is just tossed around in what seems a disorganised fashion.

But the museum was awesome. They had a special exhibition of the Chinese terra cotta graves. It kind of tickled me to think about the distance both the exhibit and I had travelled to meet each other.

I was particular impressed with the standing exhibition on Canadian culture and identity, fx. the set on the death of general Wolfe.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ulg6TFoFZk

Toronto

First time to Toronto. The CN tower fills the view from my hotel room. We went to the restaurant on the top last night. The food was delicious and the view of Toronto and lake Ontaria magnificent.

Next gen

Axel has been growing like a bean sprout this summer. I guess it comes with the teenage. And now he officially is taller than Ellen.

What's this?

Suddenly those two guys showed up in our backyard looking spooky.

Northridge tribal wars

First photos of Erik's adventure is tribal war - an event at his host family's church. It looked fun and wet! We talked to Erik yesterday. He is doing fine and having a swell time!

Privilige of a big garden

Before Rhodes Farmor gave us a small pool for the garden. Once home again it was an immediate request to have it installed. Alas 3000 l (750 gl) of water takes a few hours to pump out so it didn't take more than a split second from me turning off the water until the pool was full of kids. Needless to say the water was freezing.

Parlez vous francais?

Axel returning from band trip in Provence. It sounded like a wonderful trip with many experiences. A bed of white flowers which turned out to be plants covered with small snails. Finding the floor at the end of a week in the room he shared with 3 other boys. Giving a concert in the local town square for 4 old people and many many other stories.

Hip Grandma

I don't know about you, but I know some grandchildren who can't wait to get a ride in Grandma's new car.

Butterflies and Good byes

Erik ready for take off. We just got info he made it sound and safe and went straight to bed when he arrived in Owatonna.

Pool

I don't believe I ever have done so little. In two consecutive days we have just been marinating in the pool. It must be those teenage vibes rubbing off.

No liquids on the plane

The kids didn't seem to mind their last morning in Rhodes feasting on leftover watermelon and sodas for breakfast.

Old town Rhodes

Typical tourists touring. We had a lot of fun with the shopkeepers inviting us to their stores to dell us "stories" and sell their goods. One was really impressed since I travelled with 4 children and left the wife at home. Another was certain he had seen Rita in a movie. The Greeks love a bargain nowhere is the price what it seems.

Warm day

A magnificent start on a hot day. Breakfast on our balcony with a view of the mountains on the Turkish coast. All day at the beach and red and sore shoulders despite plenty of suntan lotion. There is a lesson to be learned.

Butterfly valley

A canyon vits through the landscape in the center of Rhodes. It was a great experience walking upstream witnessing the thousands of butterflies resting on branches, rocks and what not oe just whirling around to find a new place of rest. We made it a sport to spot the crabs in the creek.
Magnificent traditional Greek lunch at a gaverne in a small village. I'll never tire of that tomato salad!

Thirteen

Another teenager in the house. Morning was broken with a full English Breakfast. The day spent at the pool - a who knows an evening swim in the Sea?

Wonderful

Up at 3 AM and an afternoon in the Mediterranean - ah life is wonderful and vacation even so!

Last day of school

In Denmark it is a custom to celebrate the last day of school which is the last day before the study break before final exams. The 9 graders will dress up and go to school. At school they usually have made some comical scetches about their teachers. They will throw around caramels to the younger pupils and fight with water. It is a lot of fun and something they all look forward to.

Erik and his best friend Alex really got into the dressing up part. Each being bodypainted in red and blue. Who said Avatar? They had really planned this and went through it even though it was very cold and a rainy day. We all had a really good time.

Final exams

Erik has his final written exams next week. And he is prepared. There's no risk of running low on sugar or calories with this package.

Skatergirl

Rita was at her first rollerskating contest yesterday. She did a really good show.

Danish baker

Erik has started practising his cooking skills so he can treat his host family to Danish delicacies. First thing down was how to make danishes. He is good so they have something to look forward to.

Sweet sixteen

We celebrated Erik's birthday today with a traditional Easter lunch. Erik had asked for strawberry cheese cake. He had a lot of fun. Erik and his friend Alex found song book with lullabyes and other childrens song which they bellowed out to the entertainment of Rita and their cousins.