"Up In Smoke" In Amsterdam...and Beyond

Since our last post we have zig-zagged around southern Germany, taking in the sights while bombing around in our newly acquired BMW 1 series (ok, it's a rental but it's ok, I can bag it all I want!). We've been to Munich and took in the sights, including the Hofbrauhaus Beer Hall (Craig, this is where Hitler held his alcohol-soaked NSP meetings in the 30s) and then down to Neuschwantstein (see pictures) castle which is one of the most dramatic places I've been to. The castle was apparently used by Walt Disney to create the one which stands in the Magic Kingdom now. It was so cool! From there we drove through the "Romantic Road" (a series of well-preserved Medieval walled towns in southern Germany) and on to the Mosel and Rhine river valleys. Now we are in Amsterdam taking a bit of a blow (ha ha ha) before heading back to England for Christmas at my brother and sister-in-law's place where my parents will join us. We have still yet to secure employment for 2006 however we remain optimistic. Hey, I can always realize my dream of becoming a cage dancer. Somehow, I don't think this would enable me enough money to live, so perhaps I will stick to the teaching!
On another note, I'd like to wish everyone who faithfully reads this blog a very Merry Christmas and an exciting New Year! We will be thinking of you! Grandma and Gramps, Jan and Rene, Jim, Delee, Jeff, Keith and Melissa, the memory of last Christmas always makes me smile. It was so good to spend time with family that I see so little of. I treasure those memories. To my Dad's family, I'm thinking of you all too and hope the holidays are great for you! Reggie, Marg, Wendell...keep the flashlights hidden the next time I'm over, for God's sake!! Blair and Claire - well, you know that Christmas just wouldn't be the same without a few rum and eggnogs at your place. I will have one on Christmas eve for you! To my friends, have a drink for me this year and think of me 'cause I'm thinking of all of you!
Well, that's enough for now I suppose....now I'll hand it over to Isabelle...Peace!
Few words of French for my family: Je veux juste souhaiter Joyeux Noel et Bonne Annee a toute ma famille et amis (es): maman, papa, Martin et Michele et Maxime, Claude, Annie, Sophie, Fred (biomed) et Fred (grandfrere), Marc et Gi, Kim, Louise et Paul et tous les mononc et matantes et cousin cousines qui seraient trop long a nommer. Bonheur et prosperite. Penny and Ryan, Aaron and Sarah, have a Merry Xmas, Happy New Year and good luck in all your future projects. Hope to see you all sometime again. Love,
Isabelle.