Happy Birthday Joan

Happy Birthday Joan

Today is Joans Birthday. We have had a wonderful weekend (so far).

The picture is from the Keukenhof. We went to see it yesterday



Happy Birthday my dear. I love you.

Temples

Egyptian Temples

We stopped at 5 Temples while in Egypt. The Temples were built by the Pharos while they were living. These were massive complexes. The sheer scale of the Temples was awesome and at times overwhelming. The sizes of the rocks were enormous....and how they were hoisted in the air hundreds of feet is still a mystery.

Here are some pictures.

EGYPT 2008

Our Spring Break Trip To Eqypt

We landed in Cairo on Good Friday. We stayed in Giza near the pyramids and spent 2 days exploring the city then headed south to Aswan where we boarded the "Nile Style" for a cruise. We made a number of stops on our way to Luxor. After 4 days on the boat we flew back to Cairo for our last 2 days.

Egypt is a complicated tiring yet unbelievably satisfying trip. It appeared to be a very safe place but you don't go anywhere without an Egyptian guide. People are selling junk trinkets everywhere and looking for tips for helping you....but never begging. You are advised not to drink the water or eat salads or things washed in water, but the food is unbelievable. And so is the local beer.

The guides won't let you do anything, check in to hotels, buy from hawkers, handle any check in at the airport. The Egyptians are a very helpful people, but it can get over done at times.

Our accommodations in Hotels and or on the Boat were billed as 5 star all around. We joked later that it was 5 Star in a 12 Star world. You learn quickly to accept and go with the flow.....because the sights and sites are just so fantastic.....it's well worth it.

Cairo and Giza

The Sphinx and Pyramids.

The Three Pyramids in Giza. There are over 300 Pyramids in Egypt. These are the most famous.

Chris at the Pyramids

The Sphinx.

Andrew at the Sphinx

The Family at the Pyramids

The Citadel

The Citadel is a massive complex built to fortify ancient Egypt. Here are a few pictures.

The entrance walk up to the Citadel.

Upclose tot he Citadel fortress.

There is a giant Mosque inside the Citadel.

Another view of the Mosque.

A burial sarcophagus in the Citadel Mosque.

Khan el-Khalili Market in Cairo

This is a majopr tourist market in the middle of Cairo. We saw other markets driving around that looked like all locals. This market catered to us. Shop keepers would yell at us "I don't know what you need but I know that I have it." "Here, this is free for you, free, come on in." (It would be a 100 Egyptian Pound item....about $12 US.) "How can I steal your money?" "Welcome to Alaska." All they wanted to do is get your attention and your eye to try to hook you.

We were good.....we didn't buy anything here.

Spring Pictures

Not Going To Say Too Much.

Spring Is Arriving Here In Holland.

Happy Birthday Dad

February 28th.

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Its Dads Birthday

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Hope you have a great day!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FROM ALL OF US OVER HERE.

LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU.

February 22nd...Andrew's Birthday

Today Is Andrew's Birthday!

Andrew turned 15 years old today! We went up to Amsterdam with Andrew and some of his friends. Basically the band went to dinner at the Hard Rock....below left to right, Pari, Andrew, Wilson the Roadie/Manager, and George.

Happy Birthday Andrew.

Rock On!

More Pictures

The Band

Outside HRC
Amsterdam

The Band .... Relaxed

Neil Young 20 Feb 2008

A Rock Legend - Neil Young

Many of you know my musical taste is a bit esoteric. Well last night I was treated to a Living Rock Legend. Neil Young played his last of 3 shows in Amsterdam. It was amazing. His Chrome Dreams II tour started in the States last year and he kicked off his European Tour in Antwerp a couple of weeks ago.


He is only playing small venues like the Orpheum in Boston, the Tower in Philadelphia and the United Palace in NYC. In Amsterdam he played the RAI Theater. The place seated about 3000. I took Christopher to the show and I can only hope he liked it as much as I did. He was by far one of the youngest in the auidence.

Neil came out and did an acoustic set first all by himself, really mellow really communing with the crowd. He talked in between songs and you could really see the Man. The acoustic set was great. After a 25 minute break he came back with his band and did an electric set.........he was a different person. The electric set blew me away. The power of his playing was awsome......spinning around, making faces as he made his guitar cry.

We had 3rd row seats dead center so we were in pretty good shape. We were probably less than 15 feet from him.

Here is his set list from last night.

Set 1: From Hank To Hendrix / Ambulance Blues / Sad Movies / A Man Needs A Maid / Try / Harvest / Love In Mind / Old King / Love Art Blues / Don't Let It Bring You Down / Campaigner / Old Man //

Set 2: Dirty Old Man / Spirit Road / Down By The River / Hey Hey, My My / Too Far Gone / Oh, Lonesome Me / The Believer / Powderfinger / No Hidden Path //

Encore 1: Cinnamon Girl / Rockin' In The Free World //

Encore 2: The Sultan

Awsome Show. May have to go to London to see him in March.

I took some pictures and video and I'll be uploading and adding to this post as bandwidth alllows.

Videos of Neil Young 20 Feb 2008 Amsterdam RAI Theater

Old Man.

A man Needs a Maid




Powder Finger

Hey Hey My My