San Fran continued

Here are a few more pics from our trip...

San Fran and Half Moon Bay

I decided to escape from a very busy and stressful month of work by heading to the California coast with Alexander on his business trip. We managed to pack in a weekend in San Francisco, exploring China town, little Italy and seeing the main sites such as the curviest street. The weather was perfect and we had a blast cruising around in a cherry red VW bug - so fun!!

Before checking in at the RC in Half Moon Bay where Alexander is attending a leadership conference, we headed to Muir Woods for a long hike (man my legs are sore - note to self: bring hiking boots next time) that was mainly climbing and winding through the beautiful red woods. It was truly amazing! (Photo courtesy: National Park Service)

After checking in, we had a fabulous meal of raw oysters, a very creative sushi roll (Hawaii 5-0) that was actually something to write home about (I am not usually a roll fan) and mussels and clams in a white wine sauce at Crab Landing. I was pleasantly surprised and would highly recommend it. Today and tomorrow I am working from the hotel room and hoping to get in a good workout and a massage before I head back to reality....

Tel Aviv Food

One of the best parts of our trip to Israel was the food - fresh veggies esp. eggplant, fish, lamb, hummus, yogurt...the list goes on. The Golgan Heights wine we drank was more than decent, and every bar we visited the bartenders greeted us warmly and by the end of the night, which does not end until the sun comes up in Tel Aviv, with one too many complementary shots.

Jerusalem

Here are a few pics from our day trip to Jerusalem, which was truly an amazing experience.

Valentine's in Israel

Faced with the fact that we would spend our first Valentine's Day alone as a married couple, Alexander saved his own you-know-what and flew me out to Tel Aviv where he was working. I received a first-class treatment not only from my husband but from the Israeli people. I fell in love with the people, scenery and food and can't wait to go back! Here are a few pics from our journey, where after work happy hour is on a beach and Americans are fed drinks well after 2 a.m. I am totally in love with you, Tel Aviv. Next posts are pics of food and Jerusalem from the rest of our trip.

New Year's Eve in NYC

Alexander and I were lucky enough to spend New Years with a couple friend in the great state of New York, which in fact meant more snow! We spent our first day eating a lunch of east coast oysters and sipping champagne before heading to 5th Avenue for some shopping. Not something people like us get to do everyday! We had a fantastic meal at an authentic Italian restaurant (also not something that happens in Austin, Texas) before calling it a day. On the 31st, we woke up to snow that we watched from the top of a very tall apartment building and then headed to our friend's parents house in Woodstock, New York. It was a beautiful place and the company was warm as we rang in the New Year. One more sushi meal and a bagel later, we headed home to some very neglected cats. Happy 2010!

Christmas in Brussels Top 10 List

Top 10 things about celebrating Christmas in Brussels:

1. Hanging with my new aunt-in-law and her awesome friends

2. Chocolate!

3. Frites

4. Drinking champagne at every meal

5. Hoegaarden and all the other awesome beers we tried

6. A day trip to the fairy tale-like Ghent

7. More Christmas markets

8. Seeking out the local dive and enjoying a bowl of potato leek soup after eating rich foods for a week & Paying 1,50 euros for the soup after spending all your money in Paris.

9. Seeing the manneken pis wear a Santa suit with my awesome new sister-in-law.

10. The fact that Belgium is very French in food and style but Belgians are a whole lot more friendly and relaxed. Cheers to that!