Must See Sight Number Five: Corrie Ten Boom Museum

Corrie Ten Boom Museum, The Netherlands

As much as I'd like to say I am, I am not a reader. You know that part of you that wishes you were always something that you're not? Like maybe you wish you were quieter, or louder, or an astronaut for all I know! Well, I wish I was more of a reader. Not just a novel here, a magazine there, but my nose digged deep into english literature. It's so prestige and sophisticated. Is prestige the right word? Maybe if I read more my vocabulary would be better too and maybe if I stopped talking about my bad reading habits you wouldn't be so bored of reading this and wishing I would just get to the point. So I will. It takes a lot for me to get into a book. I usually give it a couple chapters but if it doesn't grab me, I'm done. But this year I read two books that I couldn't put down. That is a good sign! The first was, 'The Hiding Place' and the second, 'Tramp for the Lord'. Both written by Corrie Ten Boom. Corrie Ten Boom is a remarkable lady (1892-1983) from the Netherlands. During World War Two, her and her family hid Jews in this Harleem home to protect them from the Natzi's. They were eventually found out and were shipped to concentration camps where her father and sister died. Corrie survived. She writes about her experiences in 'The Hiding Place'. The stories she has of God's protection and provision are incredible. My favourite part of the book is when Corrie wakes up in the middle of the night and can't sleep. She hears her sister, Betsie downstairs so she goes down and they talk for a while. Corrie eventually goes back up to her room and feels for her pillow in the dark. She pulls her hand back quickly as she feels something sharp cut her hand. A piece of shrapnel had flown through her window and landed straight on her pillow right where her head would've been hadn't she been downstairs. Amazing! You must read the book! And so I would love to visit the museum where the family lived and to stand right in the rooms where these very things happened. I also think it's really neat that she was born on April 15 and died on April 15 too. April 15 happens to be my birthday as well. Here is a quote from the book. After Corrie cuts her hand she goes back downstairs to tell Betsie and this is said later in their conversation...

"There are no 'if's' in God's world. And no places that are safer than other places. The center of His will is our only safety - let us pray that we may always know it!" 

— Corrie ten Boom (The Hiding Place)


To see an interview with Corrie Ten Boom in 1974 check out this link: Corrie Ten Boom Interview


P.S.
I'd also really like to ride a bicycle while I'm in Holland!
I know you're all jealous of my photoshop skills.
                                                

A Brief Interruption!

            I'm sorry to interrupt my 'Top Ten Must See Sights' series but I just thought I should let everyone know that...I BOOKED MY FLIGHT TODAY!! Yes, it is official, I am Europe bound on October 29! I have been waiting for this day a few months now and I kind of felt like Hilary Swank in P.S. I Love You as I walked into the travel agent this morning. I guess the only difference was that my husband that doesn't exist never secretly planned a trip for me to Ireland while dying from a brain tumour, nor did the travel agent welcome me with tears. So, it wasn't quite like the movie BUT it was still super exciting! Yay for Europe!

Sight Number Four: Santorini, Greece

Santorini, Greece

White buildings, blue water - everyone seems to be in love with these two things when they think of Greece and I am no exception. I can't completely remember when I decided that this was a must-see country for me. Okay maybe I can. I think it was probably some time after I watched 'Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants' which just sounds so uninspiring to me. I wish I could say, "My great-great-great grandparents grew up in Greece, right on the island of Santorini and life was difficult for them but they lived long full lives and always smiled at the face of hardship. And now I will trace back in time, walking the very paths that they did so long ago". Um...or not. The closest thing I am to Greek is my dark hair and the fact that I absolutely love souvlaki. The ancient grandparent story is not my story.  I owe alot of my desire to Blake Lively, Alexis Bledel, America Ferrera, and Amber Tamblyn. But really, who doesn't want to go to Greece? Nearly everyone who has travelled Europe has said Greece is their favourite country. I have a feeling this may be the same for me as well. My hope is to finish off here in April so it will be nice and warm after my cold European winter. And maybe I will even spend my 25th birthday here! Oh the possibilities. As for Santorini, everyone says its beautiful and really captures the whole white buildings, blue water deal and also at this point it is safe. Once upon a time Savannah emailed me once and said, "How about we go to Santorini?" I think she was definately on to something. 

Perhaps I will ride a donkey??

Well, I decided to do something different instead of some Rick Steves. I decided to play a clip of the film, 'Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants'. Alexis Bledel's story actually does take place on the island of Santorini and this clip shows alot of the scenery and culture so if you were never into this movie and never plan to be, ignore the cheesy (but heart-fluttering) storyline and enjoy the view.

Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants

Sight Number Three: The Normandy Coast, France

D-day Beach

Chaotic, bloody, and utterly noisy was this beach on June 6, 1944. It was D-day, the day that began the liberation of Europe from the German Nazis in WWll. The Americans had Utah and Omaha beach in the west, the British were at Gold and Sword and the Canadians were positioned at Juno Beach. I believe about 4000 soldiers died, american, canadian and british combined but they were still victorious. It was such an important day in history and I want to see at least one of those beaches to help me get more of a glimpse of what WWll was all about. I don't know which museum I will visit but apparently there is only one Canadian one in Normandy. Maybe I will end up there but wherever I go I hope to learn more about this day and the soldiers who risked and even lost their lives. I really don't know much but it is intriguing and I do love the 1998 film, 'Saving Private Ryan' which its opening scene is the American soldiers arriving on their ships to the beach seen below. There are a couple photos I put on here, one from 'Saving Private Ryan' (both on the left) and then a very similar one but the real deal (on the right).

        
So, I am sure this will be a very intriguing visit and an eye opening one at that. I think it's crazy to be standing in the same spot where something so significant and real happened. Yep, I am looking forward to that. 


Check out Rick Steve's great clip on this topic : D-day, Normandy, France

Karin's Top 10 Sights: Number Two...Ireland

Ireland and...its stones. Yes, stones.

Magically delicious? No, that doesn't do Ireland justice especially when its Lucky Charms cereal that Lucky the Leprachaun is referring too. Mmm...mini chemical injected pavlovas swimming in a mass of crunchy 'whole grain' alphabet letters. How magical. No, I would go with astonishing vast sea of grass with each strand handcrafted by the hands of God and the authentic look of each individual stone tucked in tightly beside its neighboring stones to make one overwhelmingly, never ending, artistic wall. Too long? Too Cheesy? Okay maybe but this photo is how I like to think of Ireland. Throw in a castle or two and we're good to go. At this very moment you quite possibly could be thinking, 'Okay Ireland is beautiful, but England and Scotland kind of have the same feel to them, why choose Ireland?' Well, first of all we're only on number two (although I don't think either of those two countries made it on my top ten...oops!) And second of all I'm fifty percent sure that Shrek is Irish. I know, not very convincing. As of five minutes ago I was sure he was Irish and then I thought I should do some studies to be sure of my Shrek knowledge and it turns out there is a debate on the worldwide web about whether Shrek is in fact Irish or Scottish. If this really intrigues you be sure to check out the Facebook page, 'Is Shrek Irish or Scottish?' No joke. So nevertheless my statement is not strong BUT this I know for sure, P.S. I Love You was definately filmed in Ireland and who doesn't love that movie? Boys, shut it. Here's a photo for the girls.

                                          *Sigh*

Okay, so the reasons I've shared aren't very meaningful or profound but those movies aside, let's face it, Ireland is beautiful, historical and romantic. It's where I want to go.

So there you have it, Number Two. I decided to scrap Wikipedia by the way. The other day a friend said, "I checked out your blog the other day. I didn't read the Wikipedia stuff, though." And I said, "Ya, I didn't either." Haha. So, I thought it best to leave that out but I do enjoy Rick Steeves so here's another link for you to enjoy:   Ireland

Karin's Top Ten Sights Begin

I have been thinking about this post for a while now. And not just this one post but the other nine to come. Yes, it's true, I am about to begin my first series. (I already have my second planned too!) For each post I want to write about a city, sight or whatever it may be that I know I must see. Many things have caught my eye and I would like to share them with you. I will share some information about it and why I want to see it. Now that I think about it, I don't know alot of information about the things I want to see. Well, Wikipedia might just become a good friend of mine by the end of this.  There are two things I ask of you whoever is reading. That is to enjoy it of course and if any of you have been to these places and have some tips or info that you think I should know or maybe you'd even like to share about your own exciting (or not so exciting?) adventure at these places then please share, I would LOVE to hear!
So with further adue I give you Item Number One! Oh and by the way (sorry, I am sure taking my sweet time getting to the point) these are in no specific order except for this first one which is BY FAR number one on my list. Take a good look at this photo and you will know why...




Number one : MONT ST. MICHEL, France

um... can you say WOW?!

 The first time I saw this beautiful work of architecture was on the back of a travel magazine a friend of mine gave me just this last year. I had to take a double take because I couldn't believe that something like this even existed in the real world. It's so fairy tale like and uh...I don't know... round? I can hardly describe it. I just know it's beautiful and I need to see it. The funny thing is, it's the second most visited place in France after the Eiffel Tower but I've never heard of it before. Have you? It is located in Northern France along the Normandy coastline and I'm going to let wikipedia do the rest of the talking...

Mont Saint-Michel (English: Saint Michael's Mount) is a rocky tidal island and a commune in Normandy, France. It is located approximately one kilometer (just over a half-mile) off the country's north coast, at the mouth of the Couesnon River near Avranches. The population of the island is 41.

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Mont-Saint-Michel was used in the sixth and seventh centuries as an Armorican stronghold of Romano-Breton culture and power, until it was ransacked by the Franks, thus ending the trans-channel culture that had stood since the departure of the Romans in AD 460.

Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey, ca. 1865-1895

Before the construction of the first monastic establishment in the 8th century, the island was called "monte tombe". According to legend, St. Michael the Archangel appeared to St. Aubert, bishop of Avranches, in 708 and instructed him to build a church on the rocky islet. Aubert repeatedly ignored the angel's instruction, until St. Michael burned a hole in the bishop's skull with his finger.^[3]

The mount gained strategic significance in 933 when William "Long Sword", William I, Duke of Normandy, annexed the Cotentin Peninsula, definitively placing the mount in Normandy. It is depicted in the Bayeux Tapestry which commemorates the 1066 Norman conquest of England. 

In 1067, the monastery of Mont-Saint-Michel gave its support to duke William of Normandy in his claim to the throne of England. It was rewarded with properties and grounds on the English side of the Channel, including a small island located to the west of Cornwall, which was modeled after the Mount, and became a Norman priory named St Michael's Mount of Penzance.

During the Hundred Years' War, the English made repeated assaults on the island, but were unable to seize it due to the abbey's improved fortifications.

When Louis XI of France founded the Order of Saint Michael in 1496, he intended that the abbey church of Mont Saint-Michel be the chapel for the Order, but because of its great distance from Paris, his intention could never be realized.

The wealth and influence of the abbey extended to many daughter foundations, including St Michael's Mount in Cornwall. However, its popularity and prestige as a centre of pilgrimage waned with the Reformation, and by the time of the French Revolution there were scarcely any monks in residence. The abbey was closed and converted into a prison, initially to hold clerical opponents of the republican régime. High-profile political prisoners followed, but by 1836, influential figures – including Victor Hugo– had launched a campaign to restore what was seen as a national architectural treasure. The prison was finally closed in 1863, and the mount was declared a historic monument in 1874. The Mont-Saint-Michel and its bay were added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in 1979, and it was listed with criteria such as cultural, historical, and architectural significance, as well as human-created and natural beauty.<sup>[4]


Check out this link for more info and a peak inside brought to you by Rick Steeves >>> Mont St. Michel</sup>

Mmm... can't wait!

Savannah

Well, I am sad to say it is time for an apology. Too early in my opinion but what can ya do? I was reading over my blog title and blog description the other day as I so often do, admiring my blog that I am so very proud of and I noticed something. A few things actually. I noticed that in my many posts (two to be exact) I have talked about A) the history I'd like to discover,  B) the art I'd like to admire, C) the friends I'd like to reconnect with,  D) the delicious food I can't wait to eat, and E) among all this, experiencing beauty in these many different aspects.  Yes, if you were to read over my blog description and my two exciting posts you would find this all out. But perhaps you are wondering about the last part of the sentence so nicely tucked under, "Hello Europe, nice to meet you".  And I quote, '...all with my best friend'. It is true, I have failed to mention her, the one thing that will make this trip even more special. My best friend.  Her name is Savannah if you haven't already put two and two together and she's great to say the least. We met six years ago at bible school and both stayed on for the second year program. Then she left, I stayed and we've seen eachother I think twice in the last four years. But we write letters like mad men, or mad women to be politcally correct and now if things go as planned we will have one incredible reunion in Europe! How cool is that?  So that is that and now you know who the best friend is. Mystery revealed. Unfortunately, I am pictureless but I'll make up for it later. Well, I think I've covered all the bases now. Let me know if I've missed anything. Things are going to get rolling now. I already have my next post planned. Is that nerdy? Meh, who cares?!