30 days and 3 continents later

Today in France is known as the Fête de Rois.  In Puerto Rico, it was called Three Kings' Day.  In the US, although some may not celebrate it, it is also known as Epiphany, which celebrates the three wise men's visit to Jesus and also remembers his baptism. (Theological lesson here, and maybe you knew this, but the wise men actually visited Jesus and his family at their HOUSE, not in the stable where he was born…Matthew 2:11)

Back to Fête de Rois….it is a French tradition to serve a frangipane filled tart, known as the "galette des rois".  This tart can be homemade, or purchased at any number of locations….I even saw one at the gas station!  Anyone who has celebrated Mardi Gras is probably familiar with the idea.  There is a "féve" or a plastic token baked inside the tart and whoever gets the lucky piece is the Rois (King) for the day. Each galette des rois includes a crown to be worn by the lucky winner.

Of course, I am the queen around here, but maybe David will get lucky enough to find the féve and I'll let him choose what's for dinner!!

I hadn't realized that it's been so long since my last blog entry.  Quite a lot has happened in the past 30 days.  As many of you might remember, my friend Lisa came to visit.  While I could probably write 10 posts about all of the fun we had during her stay, I'll try to choose a few of my favorite moments of her trip.

She arrived in Frankfurt on Saturday afternoon.  After a quick nap, we were off to explore. She was soon in sensory OVERLOAD.  (She has a degree in interior design, so you can imagine how all of the Christmas decor kept her head swiveling!)

Day three was the biggie!  We were set to leave our apartment at 4:00am to drive to the airport in Basel.  We were headed to Morocco to celebrate Lisa's big 5-0. Well, someone WENT to bed early the night before, but apparently, she was so excited, that she didn't sleep AT ALL.  

We landed in Marrakesh and headed to our hotel, Riad al Bushra.  It was a lovely place and the owners, Gary and Steve were fabulous.  They revived us with a glass of hot mint tea and some fresh almond pastries.

They were also kind enough to take us to exchange our money into the local currency and Lisa and I "hit the market" before our Spa appointment. Now, if you have ever experienced a market in Mexico, Costa Rico, Jamaica, etc., then you might have some idea what we were up against.  LOTS of options, LOTS of vendors, PUSHY salespeople and LIMITED tourists.  (December is low tourism season)  Lisa lasted in the souk (open air marketplace) for almost 15 seconds before a henna artist had her hand and was squeezing dye onto her hand.  I had continued to walk when the lady was trying to "chat us up",  Lisa, however,  will talk to anyone….not a great quality in a souk.  After I physically removed Lisa's hand from the henna lady and she made Lisa pay her for the "gift", we continued on enjoying the market.

The olive souk….I took this photo for my friend Janaé

Onto the spa or "hamman".  I have had very limited experience with Spas.  I will tell you, if this was my first, it would've been my last.  We were ushered into a room with two "benches".  You better be really good friends with someone if you are going to spend 90 minutes with them in just your panties!  They slathered us up with a clay/mud masque (I thought I might need to marry my lady after she applied my masque rather brusquely) and left us to "steam".  I won't fill you in on all of the details, but lets just say Lisa, who had gotten something in her contact and was holding one in each hand, was unable to rinse the clay off of herself quickly enough for the attendants satisfaction.  Consequently, as she stood under the dribble of water exiting the shower head, hands out to her side with contacts held firmly, the attendant grabbed the front band of her panties, pulled them out from her body and dumped a bucket of water down them…..then had her turn and repeated from the backside.  We were laughing so hard, I might have wet myself, but who could tell with all the clay I was covered in.  Believe me, I wish I could've taken a photo to share with you, but of course, cameras are forbidden inside the hamman.

The next morning was Lisa's big day!  Gary and Steve had gotten her a birthday cake to celebrate.  

Gary turned 50 on Thursday, so we celebrated at dinner together on Wednesday

This was also our day to go into the Atlas mountains and enjoy a traditional Moroccan meal at a Kasbah.  It was a considerable journey out into the village, and we were to ride a mule up to the top….don't be surprised, but we needed a bathroom.  We were led to the local "restaurant/bed and breakfast" to use their facilities….

Yes, this was their facilities….Thank the Lord Lisa had wet ones…and yes, there was something lurking in that hole!  You can use your imagination on WHY that red bucket is necessary

Inside the Jardin Majorelle

Mounted up for the the Atlas mountains and the "restaurant" behind us

We left bright and early on Thursday morning.  We took a van to the airport.  As we were almost to the airport entrance, Lisa realized that she had left her ski jacket in the van.  Off she dashed!  Luckily, she was able to stop the driver and get her jacket,  Crisis averted….or so we thought.  About an hour later she realized that she had left her iPhone at our Riad….insert very sad face.  I didn't have the phone number for the Riad and so had to call David (at work) and have him call for us.  Bless their hearts, Gary and Steve took it directly to DHL to ship it back.  $100 later and Lisa would get her phone…but not until it flew home with me the following week.

So Thursday, was a van, then a plane, then a bus from the airport in Basel to a train station, then a tram from the Strasbourg train station and we finally landed at our apartment.  Don't rest yet, an hour later we were Christmas caroling with AIA around the Christmas markets. Lisa helped to lead the group (she can actually sing very well if you've never heard her!)

Outside the Opera…Lisa is in the plaid coat (that was almost left in Marrakesh)

Friday was our last "planned" activity and was "high tea" at a famous tea house here in Strasbourg called Au Fond du Jardin.  I was so blessed to be able to introduce Lisa to our friend, Katie and then our Pastor's wife, Janet.  Turns out that Janet's son and Lisa's son will be living together next year at Baylor in Waco, Texas….God is good that way.

Katie, Lisa and Janet at tea

Lisa had one more surprise on tap…our friend Luther popped in to say hello just before we had dinner.

What a great visit with my bestie.  Of course there are many more stories that I could share, but some things are best left off the Internet!!  David and I took her to the airport on Sunday and then we were able to stop in Heidelberg, Germany to see our friends' son, Jack Eggleston. play professional basketball with the Heidelberg team.  A great win for Heidelberg and a great opportunity for a visit with Jack.

We flew home on the 19th and began a whirlwind of visiting friends and Christmas celebrations.  Off to Cabo on the 27th with 2 of the 3 kids and now back in Strasbourg.  I'll have to fill you in on Cabo in another post, this one is getting a little lengthy!

I wish you all a Bonne année (Happy New Year).  Remember to be careful on that pronunciation….you don't want to offend any ladies!!  Also, since the beginning of this post we cut into our tart and guess who found the féve….

The QUEEN still reigns!  Love to you all.