July 4, 2007

• Independence & Doggie Ear Plugs

  

   

  The Fourth of July (Independence Day for you non-Americans) has always been my least favorite holiday of the year.  It’s not because I hate the independence and freedom this country was founded on, and it’s not because George W. Bush is single handedly trying to dismantle many of those freedoms.  The reasons behind my loathing of this holiday are more complex.  They date back to grade school and many memories I’d rather not recount.  They hark back to college, when, after my dog Oreo was shot at point blank range with a .38 caliber revolver (and survived); he was deathly afraid of fireworks.  (The story of how Oreo got shot by a horribly inhumane campus security guard is another long entry for another day).  Oreo was so scared of fireworks in fact, that he used to hide in the closet of my bedroom shaking like a leaf whenever there were any fireworks.  Even firecrackers made him run and hide, which, given the circumstances was quite understandable.  Every 4th of July from the time of the shooting until the year he died, I would sit in the closet with him, while playing the loudest music I could find, and hold him while he drooled and shook.  So, needless to say, the 4th brings back some pretty painful memories.  I am an adult though, and I’m not one to dwell on the past.  Suffice it to say, it’s just a day that makes me remember certain things.  

   

  It’s not like I’ve never had good 4th’s of July.  Last year was one of the best.  I was in Germany for the World Cup, and there was something cathartic about spending America’s Independence Day in Europe, especially in Germany.  I was with some of my best friends in the world and we had a wonderful time.  To honor that special memory, I’m posting my pictures from that trip.  There are over 800 photos, so don’t feel obligated to look, but I wanted to preserve them here for posterity, and since I wasn’t blogging last year, I thought it appropriate on this Independence Day.  Happy Birthday America, and Oreo, plug your ears!

  
  

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  			What a trip! Germany hosted the world and the world was amazed by what it saw here. Today we were invited to breakfast in Stuttgart. We then drove back to Munich with a couple of Mick’s friends who were on their way to catch a flight to Georgia (in Russia, not the US :) We then met Eva and her two beautiful children Ana and Tim. I hadn’t seen her in five years and we had a nice visit. A final farewell BBQ with new friends lasted into the night and I got a final chance to have fun with the kids. This is the last time I’ll be posting pictures from this trip, as I leave in the morning at 7:15. Thanks to all of my German friends who were such wonderful hosts. A special thanks to Beate & Matthias for their hospitality and friendship. See you all in South Africa in 2010! - Carey Anthony
  	World Cup Day 10 – The Final Day (1 album)

  			We woke up early (again :) and traveled 230 kilometers to Stuttgart, the city with the second highest number of foreigners in Europe. Mick and Miggl used to live here, so we met all of their friends in a large park for another big BBQ. The World Cup final started at 8 PM, so we headed to a beer garden in the city center and watched the game. Italy managed to pull it off in the penalty round and they are now the world champions! There are a LOT of Italians in Stuttgart and the city went WILD as these photos will attest. The game was not without controversy though. A MUCH beloved player on the French team, Zidane, was eliminated from the game for head butting an opponent. He is loved and respected all over the world and this unsportsmanlike act was quite out of character shocking everyone. Despite that, France played an amazing game (I’m told :) and we celebrated! Viva Italia!! - Carey Anthony
  	World Cup Day 9 (1 album)

  			The day started at 6:45 AM (after going to bed at 3:45 :) when we took David and Hyun Ju to the airport. We then took an hour long hike to a nice beer garden for lunch and hiked back home to prepare for the party and the 3rd place match between Germany & Portugal. My hosts wanted me to photograph everyone at the party, but as usual, the ratio of kid photos to adult photos is about 2:1 The party was amazing…great food and lots of new friends. To make the day even better, Germany won, to the delight of the host country crowd. This country has done an amazing job hosting this World Cup, and I know many of you will be visiting in the future because of it. Until tomorrow….Cheers! P.S. If you sign in to view these photos, you can leave comments and order prints and gifts. Kodak also has a German site at www.kodakgallery.de - Carey Anthony
  	World Cup Day 8 (1 album)

  			After breakfast this morning Mick drove Youenn and I to Sabine’s family’s house in Altenbuch. There we had a delicious Bavarian lunch with Sabine’s Mom, Dad, Aunty (Tante) Gertrude and Grandma (Omi :) After admiring their beautiful garden and hearing delightful stories from the “old days”, we received wonderful gifts of hand knitted socks and said our goodbyes, promising to return again. We then drove to Mick’s house and visited her parents whom I haven’t seen in five years. Since I was last here, they closed their family bakery. Some of you may remember my pictures from 2000 and 2001 when I pulled fresh baked brezen (pretzels) from the bakery’s oven. Mick’s parents haven’t changed a bit, and their home was as welcoming as ever. After a quick dip in the pool, we headed back to Munich for a late dinner, then rode the subway home. We’re having a big party tomorrow…so must get some rest! - Carey Anthony
  	World Cup Day 7 (1 album)

  

  			Today we took a calming (at times :) rubber raft tour down the Alz River in Upper Bavaria near the Alps. The scenery was majestic and the weather was perfect…until the very end of the 5 mile trip when the clouds started rolling in and we knew a big storm was imminent. The rain and lightning didn’t start until we were driving home on the autobahn in Mick’s leaky Volkswagen. I didn’t take as many photos today, as I was trying to protect my camera from fellow rafters trying to tip us and errant trees that seemed out to get us! A pasta dinner at home was followed by lively discussion into the wee hours. Tomorrow we head to lower Bavaria to visit Sabine & Mick’s relatives and enjoy some more German hospitality. - Carey
  	World Cup Day 6 (1 album)

  
  

  Today we went to one of crazy King Ludwig’s castles and enjoyed a relaxing stroll through a Bavarian Forest. A delicious Mexican themed dinner back at the house was followed by watching the France/Portugal match. Some of us went to the huge “Fan Fest” at the Munich Olympic Stadium which wasn’t quite as crowded as last night when Germany played, but still had tens of thousands of colorful fans cheering for both teams. Our friend Youenn was happy for his home country when France won. Now it’s down to France and Italy (and I’m sure you all can guess who I’m hoping for Tomorrow we wake up early to go river rafting so Gute Nacht from Germany for now. –Carey Cheers! - Carey World Cup Day 5 (1 album) Today was a BIG day for soccer in Germany. Unfortunately they lost to the Italians, but as these photos will attest the fans love their team. We watched most of the game in a large beer garden. I’ve also included some photos from the Fan Fest at the Olympic Stadium at the end. We began the day strangely enough at another beer garden, where Germans young and old enjoyed breakfast and beer. We then went on another bike ride and Matthias and I went swimming in the aptly named Ice Channel of the Isar River….with a STRONG current and bone numbing temperatures. It was really refreshing. David and Hyun Ju arrived this afternoon from Hamburg, and Mick came from Stuttgart making friends wherever she went. Despite the crushing loss, it was a great day, and a great final for Germany. Tomorrow Youenn will be cheering for France, while many of our Brazilian friends will be cheering for Portugal. - Carey World Cup Day 4 (1 album)

  			Today was a wonderful lazy day. Since there’s not a soccer game until tomorrow, we went to Lake Starnberger and swam and barbequed to a gorgeous sunset. More friends are arriving tomorrow, as we prepare for the BIG game…Germany vs. Italy. Since we have all nationalities represented here, it should be an interesting night I hope those of you in the States have a happy 4th! –Carey
  	World Cup Day 3 (1 album)

  			Well, no soccer games today, but we still had a great time. Biked 17 miles through the Munich City Center and my friends were sure to point out every beer garden The weather couldn’t be more perfect. More of our friends arrived today. Hope most of you in the US are off tomorrow and that you had a great weekend. –Carey
  	World Cup Day 2 (1 album)

  			Hi Everyone, Here are the photos from my first few hours in Germany. I’ll try to post new photos each day, and you will get an automatic update. You don’t need to log in to view these (unless you want to save them or order them). I had a great flight over, and when I landed, England had just lost to Portugal, and the Brazil/France game was starting. To most everyone’s shock, Brazil lost. Germany is looking stronger all the time, and the fans here are WILD. Have a great weekend. I’ll send more tomorrow. It’s 3:15 AM here now, and I haven’t slept in what seems like days. Good night - Carey
  	World Cup Day 1 (1 album)

  • 10:25 pm
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