Waffles and Chocolate

Antwerp, Belgium

After leaving Scandinavia and we were greeted with the sun shining and warmer temperatures, everything felt so much better.  We no longer needed our winter boots or jackets and we could even do away with scarves and gloves too.  It almost felt like summer compared to the single digit temperatures and negative wind chills that we just came from.  Oh!  I almost forgot to mention that we even have about three more hours of sunlight here! Now, we are really spoiled. 

If the weather wasn’t enough for you, then I am sure all the chocolate and waffle stands around every corner will brighten your mood. 

It was quite fitting that for Valentine’s Day and my birthday, we were in the sweetest place on earth; just because I love chocolate so much. 

Yes, you could say I treated myself.  I had so many sweets from pastries to gummy candies and of course the World Famous Belgium Chocolate.  But that wasn’t all, I had surprise flowers for my make-up spot at the arena, I was greeted with more flowers for the hotel room, and even more chocolates.  I was more than happy!  Not to mention, we had a few days off to take two side trips. 

We were off to Bruges, Belgium one day and Amsterdam, Netherlands the next.  Bruges was slightly closer and the train ride was absolutely beautiful.  Maybe it was just the weather and maybe it was just because I love seeing the countryside over here.  Not only, does it remind me of home, but it also puts my mind at peace with the open land.  It gives you a chance to breath and relax; no more hustle and bustle of the inner city.  And that was just what we needed; a chance to breathe and soak in the sun.

This city was so full of character.  There were horse and carriage rides, cobble stone streets, boat rides through the canals, and the old buildings and their architecture were stunning.  We made sure to hike up the 366 stairs to the top of the bell tower to overlook the city, we made it to the market square, witness the Blood Church, and even took a boat ride.  But this journey was not complete without a stop in the candy store and chocolates just in time for the bus ride home.     

It was a quick sleep and back out the door at sunrise.  We were off to Amsterdam this time with a slightly longer train ride.  However, there was a different feeling going here.  It wasn’t peaceful like yesterday, instead it was a rather large tourist attraction city.  From the “I AMsterdam” sign to the Van Gogh museum and the Ann Frank house to just walking along the canals, the crowds swarmed to each place.

And while we walked our legs off and saw as many sights as we could see, it was time for us to take a step back into reality. 

Along the way, we were greeted with amazing audiences.  It was such a pleasant surprise and some of the loudest cheering that we have heard in a very long time.  Hoping for the same results next week, we headed to the capital; Brussels, Belgium. 

Moi!

Helsinki, Finland

So, I can’t say this enough, but we were spoiled last year with all the warm weather on the West Coast and we are paying for it this year.  Some of the coldest places on Earth and we are right in the middle of them during their coldest months. 

This definitely explains how we ended up in Helsinki, Norway when it was actually in the 60s at home for a few days this week.  I mean here, we were lucky to just get to 20 degrees for a high.  We were definitely back to the bitter cold and even though the arena wasn’t too far of a walk, there were times that it felt like we were walking forever because of the cold. 

It was the kind of cold where you were so bundled up all you were able to see were your eyes and if you had any glimpse of skin showing was bound to be frost bitten when you got in some place warm to unthaw. 

So, it just made sense to stay inside, however, I did want to venture out for a little and see what there was to see.  And it just so happened to be that the Summer Olympics were held here back in 1952.  Back then, the Games were known as the Games of the XV Olympiad.  I didn’t make it to the official building, but I did manage to find what looked like to be the training facilities or practice fields nearby.  There was even what looked like to be soccer field turned into and outdoor ice rink during this time of year.  That’s something that always makes me happy to see and maybe that’s because of my love for the sport or maybe it’s because I have never really skated outside. 

But that’s ok because the arena that we were performing in appeared to be composed mainly of large rocks in some areas inside and out, but it also had another ice surface that was completely underground!  Not to mention, on the very ice that we were performing on, the World Championships will be taking place later this year.  So, not only have I performed on the same ice as National and Olympic competitors, but now even World competitors! 

Sometimes, I really can’t believe this is happening.  I think maybe I am going to wake up and it’s all just going to be a dream.    

But for now, I am going to keep dreaming and enjoy every minute of sitting in a real Finnish home with heated floors!  Special thanks to Vilma Lehtinen and her family for welcoming all of us.  It was a true treat and a nice little break from the routine of hotels.  We not only enjoyed special Finnish dishes like reindeer, but we also had some furry company from her little, friendly pup, Lilly.  If you really want to get the attention of skaters on tour, just bring a dog around and we will all literally be there in .2 seconds.  This is not a joke. 

Anyhow, it was time to get down to business this week with evaluations and it was also our first six-pack in a while so we all had to get back into that routine again.  However, we did have a little break in the action to see a previous cast member, Ronja Eskola!  It’s crazy how it felt just like yesterday when we were all together again.  Looking back at old pictures and telling stories from when we just started with the show, and now three years later here we are.    

Reminiscing was nice, but the plane wasn’t going to wait for us.  Moving forward and further south, we were hoping for some warmer weather as we headed to Belgium. 

*(Moi – Hi in Finnish)

  

Little Things

Stavanger, Norway

I have come to realize that even though for the past three and a half years and a few months that I have been on the road, I have been in and out cities on the regular and it still doesn’t amount to growing up a country girl.  Just like the Alabama song says, “You can take me out of the country, but you can’t take the country outta me.”

While most chose to venture into the city center, I decided to explore the open, free air and the path less traveled around a beautiful lake.  Here, I came across all types of people and even had some time on my own with not a sole around.  It was a great little escape.  A true breath of fresh air.  It was the little break that I was needing.  I could feel the sun on my skin, the chilly breeze on my face, and breathe in the crisp air that didn’t taste or smell of exhaust fumes or other odors.  Instead, there was the sound of running water, the wind blowing in the trees, and the crunch of small branches and leaves under my feet as I hit the ground.  I was in my happy place.  Nothing else mattered.  I live for moments like these.  My trip around the lake was just what I needed. 

I pushed myself to keep up with some of the other runners, I stopped to take pictures, I finished strong, I protected my neighborhood (Famous words of the Famous Coach Papa – anyone from Slippery Rock Cross-Country reading this knows all about this), and just thoroughly enjoyed it.  It was the best run that I have had in a long time and I did it just for me and let my mind be free. 

Thank you Stavanger, Norway and your beautiful lakes for making me realize again what it’s like to appreciate the little things and how something so small can mean the world.  You made me genuinely happy and at peace during a busy time of year and it was just what I needed feel rejuvenated and start again. 

And even though the audiences were small, there was perfectly good reason.  This area was known for its Oil Rigs and within the last year the industry has slowed causing a layoff of 60,000 people out of about 128,000 people.  This story is all too familiar to me with the same type things happening back home. 

But somehow, each crowd seemed to make it feel special.  From the audience Saturday night that applauded in finale until we all left the ice and the curtains closed, to the security personnel that sat in the upstage right corner who didn’t miss a chance to wave to each and every one of us and return a blown kiss in our direction or catch one of our kisses, you truly touched us.  You are what makes our job easy and for that matter, you are the one that kept us going. 

Here’s to a week of noticing the little things!

Next stop, a new country…Finland.