The GriswALDE'S And Their European Vacation!

Day two in Rome and we're off for a loooonnnngggg day of touring. We were actually very very lucky and somehow found and stuck with a tour guide, named Jason from Canada, who was absolutely hilarious!! He really knew his history and kept us entertained for two days worth of sightseeing. Like I mentioned before there really aren't any words known to me that could possibly describe the Colosseum. How the Roman's constructed it in only 8 years 2,000 years ago is a mystery to me.

Now, since Gladiator is one of my all time favortie movies, Lindsay and I couldn't help but think about and map out the scenery from the film to the real deal. I have to say that the movie producers really did their research for this one. The chambers beneath were the preparation quarters for Maximus, a bad ass gladiator, and his companion fighters to prepare themselves for a fight before the Emperor. A modern day stage was constructed to show people today what the grownd floor would have looked like. It's incredible that this structure has survived this long for people like us to experience it today. So if you haven't seen Gladiator the movie yet I STRONGLY recommend it! It's AMAZING!





After the Colosseum and a tour of Palatine Hill/The Roman Forum, we found a little place to drink wine and eat yummy pasta. I've made great friends with the wine in Italy. It loves me and I love it! It compliments pasta, pizza, paninis, gelato, and even just by it self is alright.

Once we had a good rest and filled out bellies with food we ventured out on another tour with our tour guide, Jason, to see the Imperial Palace, the Pantheon, and the famous Trevi fountain. Jason really knew how to make history interesting and entertaining. We actually learned some stuff and have fun too.

One of our favorite spots, was the Trevi Fountain. So while listening with great interest to Jason, who comes along and scares the CRAP out of me? but one of my good friends from Illinois, Elliot Thron. I was ready to knee this wierdo coming up behind me in the crotch but I soon realized it was a familiar face. Elliot is studying in Rome for the semester and just randomly picked me out on my tour while he was taking a stroll past the Trevi fountain. Wow what a small word it can be. My pictures were not so great so I posted a video to better represent the grandeur and beauty of this attraction.

Adios Mallorca! Bongiorno Roma!

A million apologies, everyone, for not keeping up on my blogging duties! The internet in Rome was not suitable for my picture uploading needs. My last couple days in Mallorca were a bit crazy. The madre and the padre arrived on the island after a long flight and some how found their way to my apartment with their rental car and google map of Palma. Let's just say it involved me...on the phone with my brother...who tagged along unbeknownst to me...crammed into a tiny car with my parents and all the luggage...driving through Palma sans street signs and "too many freakin' roundabouts". Eventually they found my neighborhood and everyone was happy to finally be here.
It was super amazing to have my family attend the last game of the season, and get a taste of what my life was like for the past three months. I still cannot believe how fast my time in Mallorca flew. From the first day I arrived to greeting my parents upon their arrival feels like a blink of the eye.

Luckily we had a full day together on Mallorca as a family after my last game, so we took advantage of the beautiful weather to roam around Palma. We visited Placa Espana, San Miguel, and of coarse the Gran Catedral (Grand Cathedral). We couldn't have asked for a more perfect day!

Mallorca really is breathtaking! Lindsay couldn't get enough of the Mediterranean architecture and now wishes to move to Europe and build her own little island hacienda.

Taking a stroll through sunny Palma on a super fabulous day!

After a nice relaxing last day in Mallorca, I packed my bags and said my goodbyes. I will never forget my incredible experience I had in Spain and hope others can have the same opportunity to live in a foreign country. Seeing how other cultures function and go about their lives is an eye opening experience and really makes me greatful for the people and luxeries I have in the United States. Next stop...Rome!

Rome, Italy

Our arrival in Rome was a little scary. After we made our way by train from the airport we didn't quite know what we were doing so we followed everyone out amongst the city streets and walked with our luggage all the way to our hotel. It just happened that we took a roundabout way (UP HILL, through the homeless tunnel, and around the ghetto), but eventually found the hotel which had no visible sign to be seen from the street. It all turned out just fine seeing as our hotel was fabulous and we found a great local restaurant to stuff our faces with antipasti and steaming hot pizza.
The next day we embarqued on our journey of sightseeing starting at the Spanish Steps at the Piazza di Spagna. I would like to point out the picture below. It seems that everyone else in the picture is very interested in taking pictures of the Spanish Steps. But oh no not for me...I have encountered the Holy Avenue of Gucci, Fendi, Prada, Chanel, and D&G.

Since we didn't really have a rhyme or reason for our sightseeing the first day, we just decided to go where the wind took us. So apparently it was blowing towards the Piazza del Popolo.

This Plaza is particulary extraordinary because you can climb to a tower surrounding the square to see a view of the entire city. There aren't enough words to describe the beauty of Rome so I will let the pictures speak for themselves. Next up...day 2 in Rome. Colosseum, Palatine Hill, The Roman Forum, Imperial Palace, Pantheon, and The Trevi Fountain. Ciao!

Here comes the sun...

A day surrounded by beauty!

Oh how wonderful life can be! I'm so excited to be able to finally show ya'll what Stefanie looks like on the beach. Now I don't mean just any touristy beach everyone else goes to on the island, I'm talking about a supreme VIP secret beach that only locals know about and is very hard to find. Lucky for me I had the priveldge of tagging along with Mika, her husband and his colleagues to this one of a kind hotspot. On Sunday we all drove to Cap de ses Salines, a lighthouse on the southeast part of the island. In order to get here we had to drive to Campos, a little agricultural town in country side.

Then once we parked at the lighthouse lookout we walked about 30 minutes to get to our VIP private beach that looked like this..Platje des Caragol (Mallorquin of course)

And here is proof that I actually obtained color in the winter on Mallorca! It's March 17 and this is what the weather is like here. Just fabulous!

And here is the awesome and truly amazing family that I've become great friends with during my time on the island. They have welcomed me into their home and included me in on all the great things Mallorca has to offer. From the left is Eran, Mika's brother who is visiting from Israel, Jeremy, Mika's husband with Shanie on his shoulders, me, and Mika.

Next up...Mom and Dad fly into Mallorca on Thursday!! I can't believe how fast this last week has come. Stay tuned because trip with Mom and Dad will be documented!!! Hasta luego!

Cheeseburger in Paradise

There really is a first for everything. Like seeing a half-eaten cheeseburger speared to a cactus. These crazy Spaniards sure know how to have fun. Saturday night was a huge victory for our team against Grupo Gervasport. After falling pretty fast in the first game, we came back hard and determined in the next three games to pull out a win. It is always the perfect reason to go out on the town and celebrate. It was a fun filled night of Salsa dancing and club hopping along Paseo Maritimo a.k.a. Mallorca nightlife hotspot is flooded with bars, clubs, restaurants, and hotels. After a long night of dancing the food of choice for us and MANY locals is a little hole in the wall called "Grillmeister". Here I had my first 18'' hotdog on a baguette (well it's not really a hotdog more like spicy sausage) with curry salted, steaming hot french fries. Woowee talk about good eats. Can't believe there's only two weeks of the season left. TIME FLIES! Mama Alde and Papa Alde get in on March 19 for last game weekend and for some fun on Mallorca. Thanks for staying tuned...more to come!