Well-Traveled

Friends, hello.  I'll be brief, because let's face it, I didn't come to Europe to do the things I do at home (i.e. spend too much time on the Internet).  Just here to give a quick update and post a few photos. 

We had layovers in Chicago and Dusseldorf.  I slept for most of our stay in the Dusseldorf airport (where the woman who came over the PA had a very seductive German voice...bordering on inappropriate, methinks) and the subsequent flight to London.  First, can I just say....I LOVE LOVE LOVE London.  Two days was not enough - I did not want to leave at all.  Josh has, at times, mentioned the idea of getting a job in London after he finishes school (I don't recall for what purpose); I was hesitant before, but I'm all about it now.  Yes, Josh, let's get a ridiculously overpriced flat in Kensington/Southwark/Notting Hill and furnish it entirely from Ikea...you can get a work visa and I'll stay in our flat and have a baby or two.  As soon as the kids have British accents, we can go.  Aren't I silly?  I love this little fantasy, though.  Time will tell, no?

Caught the Eurostar to Paris...whilst in the Chunnel I marveled that somebody figured out how to build a train tunnel under the freakin' English Channel.  Really?  And so many years ago?  How does that even happen?

In Paris, I was very anxious about pickpockets - Josh later lamented over-warning us about it.  It was more of a challenge, not knowing much French and having the sense that they're not all that crazy about us.  But you look around, and you think, "Come on, French!  We've done a lot for each other over the years!  French and Indian War?  WWII?  Statue of Liberty?  C'mon, let's be friends again!"  Nobody was rude to us, but there was certainly a note of impatience at some places.  Saw some beautiful things and woke up an hour after checkout time at the hotel.  Oops!

Now we're in Heidelberg, Germany, staying with Josh's cousin Joel and his family.  It's been so relaxing having more space in a house with home-cooked food and a hospitable family.  We're setting out today, hopefully hit up an H&M for some cheap clothing basics (Josh forgot his hoodie and one of my bra straps mysteriously shredded to nothing...hmmm), and I'm told we're having some cheap, fantastic Indian for lunch.  Here's a few photos, compliments of Elizabeth...because Laura made a couple of tragic mistakes.  First, I forgot the USB cable for my camera.  Second, I accidentally deleted ALL my photos the second morning in Paris while trying to delete just one.  I had a little meltdown on the Tube platform, but I'm over it.  So here you go - 

Okay, we're rushing off and it wasn't going well, so I'll come back to that later.  Cheers, mates!  Guten Tag!

Executioner of the Flies

I know we're all dealing with fruit flies right now...if you feel alone, don't. We've all got 'em this time of year. I found this idea on about.com...I set up my trap about an hour ago and there's probably 10 dead fruit flies in the bottom with another eight chillin' out on top of the saran wrap, hopefully well on their way to a vinegary death. And here, friends, I share this wisdom with you. Vinegar is the most amazing thing, seriously!

Battling a swarm of fruit flies in your kitchen or bathroom? Get rid of them quickly with this simple, homemade trap:

What You Need:

• Apple cider vinegar
• Dish soap
• A jar or small bowl
• Plastic wrap

What You Do:

1. Pour a cup of apple cider vinegar into a jar or small bowl.

2. Add a couple drops of dish soap to the jar.

3. Cover the container with plastic wrap, and poke a few small holes in the wrap.

4. Place in the area where you've seen the fruit flies, and wait for the trap to do its job.

Why This Works:

Fruit flies are attracted to the smell of the vinegar, and will attempt to land on its surface. However, they're in for a surpise – since the dish soap breaks the surface tension of the vinegar, the fruit flies fall in and drown. Say good-bye to that annoying swarm!

Benefits of Using Vinegar:

• no harsh fumes
• inexpensive
• environmentally-friendly

Tips and Warnings:

1) Keep out of the reach of children

2) A bottle with a small neck can also be used. (Plastic wrap isn't necessary, if you use this approach)