SOA Memories Part 11

15 years ago - My European tour conclusion. The one morning Natalie woke up on her own (we blamed Krista's hair dryer). Having a Sabbath day with Jenny and Ciarra. My 5th and last lunch in Europe. Only getting to see Heidelburg castle from a distance. Experiences with The Gold Bus Song. An extremely emotional me that led to an extremely emotional last 24 hours as we said farewells, flew home, rode buses to destinations, and "slept off" the 1-2 hours of sleep we all got on the last night. My emotional causes were typical and a bit pathetic, especially at that age. But oh well. Even with all that, my European tour was one of the greatest experiences of my life.

 Our bus song. For all the world to see.... unsure emoticon smile emoticon

SOA Memories Part 10

15 years ago - My most difficult day on tour (one of many examples of how I was punished for so many years for being an introvert, and feeling guilty because I didn't understand what and how I was yet). But aside from that, experiences included seeing Reims cathedral (most reverent one I visited). Meeting LDS missionaries on the street! Concert in Luxembourg. The very somber morning of visiting Luxembourg Memorial Cemetery and singing at General Patton's grave. Sharing ice cream twice in an afternoon. Trying to play a bugle. Being cat-called at. Strasbourg--our last concert. frown emoticon



Luxembourg Cemetery at 11 minutes.

Second picture of us all together.

Natalie Spring Oh no! I hope I didn't make you feel bad. I was probably just trying to liven up the group. Heaven knows Krista wasn't the most talkative person.  I was maybe a little too Extra back then! Haha!

Heidi-Marie Tice Oh, Natalie--it wasn't you at all!! You were the perfect roommate and helped me get out of my shell more than I ever would have on my own. It was Gavin who started to accuse me of being in a bad mood and to drop it and then later proceeded to make fun of my standards and way of living.

Natalie Spring 😕 Well that's no good! Sorry about that. People can be dumb especially teenage boys!

SOA Memories Part 9

15 years ago - Disneyland Paris! Our concert was first (and the only time the choir sang Ol' Joe Clark correctly). Gavin & the Mormon Trio going on the rides together (Pirates of the Caribbean with the drunk people!!). Trying 3 times to buy The Perfect Beauty & The Beast music box, and failing. frown emoticonGetting my first Winnie-the-Pooh (oh the irony!). Seeing Chad jump over two guys--I wish my picture turned out better. Another hyper night because...I drank Fanta again...

Yes, I do save napkins from places. AND a receipt because it says Winnie Mini on it. smile emoticon

Now you can watch the last half! (Start at 6 minutes and see the correctly sung Ol Joe Clark.)

SOA Memories Part 8

15 years ago - one of the best days of the entire tour! Though not on the original itinerary, some of us got to go to VERSAILLES! (Another huge dream come true.) Downside was only one fountain was on, and it took us over an hour to find it. Sadly passing on going to the Louvre because of a misunderstanding. Lunch #4 (Salade Verte--because I could order it in French!). Our Mormon Trio + Mrs. Bean Led-by-Me adventure beginning on Le Metro. Experiencing the Paris ghetto (pure awesomeness) and actually getting to use my French. Finding the dress store meant for me, and not being able to afford any of the the dresses. Finding our destination: Le Sacre Coeur (ANOTHER huge dream come true); 319 steps and 75 footsteps on the ramp, in case you wanted to know how many. Le Metro back to Ile de la Cite where I bought my Paris beret and Paris scarf (may it rest in Lost & Found peace where ever it is). Paris Hard Rock Cafe. Going up la Tour Eiffel!!! Feeling sick on the 2nd "floor," not sick on the 3rd "floor," and being impatient with the elevators thus walking down all stairs from the 2nd floor to the 1st among the tower's sparkling lights. First and best sandal tan ever (which somehow created my fettish for sandal tans).

I love that my menu is signed by all of us who sat together!

First 1/2 shows ride on les Bateaux Mouches (because White Bus missed it when the rest of us went), our fun at Hard Rock Cafe, and ta Tour Eiffel. Don't watch the second half! That's for tomorrow's memories. smile emoticon

SOA Memories Part 7

15 years ago - The whole reason I wanted to go on this tour: Singing in Notre Dame Cathedrale!! (And also one of the few who used a bathroom inside--all the way down in the dungeony depths.) Repulsed by the breakfast of just bread (I think this was the morning I cut myself on a hard roll, too.) My 3rd lunch in Europe--items I'd hoped to try for many years (un crepe chocolat et un croque-monsieur). Sightseeing bus tour (more of Paris I'd been longing to see!). Concert at St Roch (where singing Battle Hymn of the Republic took on a new meaning for me).

Concert at St. Roch Cathedral:







Singing in Notre Dame!!!!! (And at 7:02 you can see me with "the gang" waiting for our bus to re-group--wearing the same green backpack that I use today on small trips!) (At 9:15 you can see my "Ever After' moment when I was relating some Heartbreak Hotel moments to the ladies--so glad she didn't capture that conversation on film!!!!)

SOA Memories Part 6

15 years ago - traveling to Paris!! My 2nd lunch in Europe (it was McDonald's....). Buying moutarde in Dijon pour ma Maman (Mom) only to find out later it had alcohol in it (oops--we still kept it for many years just to look at it). Stuck in Parisian traffic. Riding les Bateaux Mouches at night (and NONE of my pictures turning out). Hotel Mercure renamed Heartbreak Hotel (guy problems). Best of all--finally starting to see ALL the things I'd spent the last 4 years reading and studying about in French class (like la tour eiffel--sparkling!)

SOA Memories Part 5

15 years ago - Switzerland, from the German side to the French side, and feeling the full weight of homesickness as it was the longest I'd ever been away from my family. Trummelbach Falls. My 1st lunch in Europe, eaten at Interlaken (and it was Italian....). Bought 2 more music boxes (also now in possession of nieces). Ending in La-Chaux-de-Fonds with a short choir rehearsal before our concert (and we STILL didn't get Old Joe Clark right, grrr).

Our first Pic of all of us together

 See the beautiful falls? (Gotta thing for waterfalls....) And the song they picked for the background of this video was the perfect one for how I and many others were feeling as we loved our experiences but longed a bit for home.

SOA Memories Part 4

15 years ago - Grindelwald, Switzerland. Taking Dramamine to prevent car sickness during this 2nd pass through the Alps. Tasting REAL chocolate--heaven. Discovering SNOW after our gondola ride up Mount First. My feet and back side getting very wet going down a slide on the mountain. Becoming an absent-minded criminal. Finally getting to hear the band perform.

See the wrappers from the amazing chocolate?

Beth Hornbaker Absent minded criminal??? Did you steal something Heidi??

Heidi-Marie Tice I saw this poor little flower sticking up out of the snow.I thought, "Oh how sad" and picked it without thinking. Because picking it saved it, right? Yeah.... Then as soon as I picked it I remembered: it is illegal to pick flowers in Switzerland.

Natalie Spring I am enjoying these posts more than you know. Ahhh the memories!

Heidi-Marie Tice What I didn't say is WHO told me to go down the slide first.... smile emoticon

SOA Memories Part 3

15 years ago - Stresa, Italy, one of my very favorite places of the whole tour. The beautiful Isola Bella. Viewing mountains and palm trees with gorgeous Lake Maggiore in between. The best bed in all of Europe. The only time I was able to swim in Europe. Italian GELATO! Learning to skip a rock (in Lake Maggiore). My 2nd castle.

Natalie Spring That was my first time skipping rocks too! Thanks to Kyle for showing us how.

More Sound of America memories

15 years ago - Venice & Verona! Shopping 1st meant I got my first ever porcelain doll (with the gorgeous hair, whom I no longer own) but never got to have my dream of riding in a gondola. Watching the niftiest demo at a glass factory. Getting Italian silk ties for the men in the fam. Singing in mass at St Mark's Basilica. Avoiding high tide in Venice (rather gross). Sunset over Venice  (unforgettable). Impromptu performance in the 3rd largest Roman Coliseum. Seeing Juliet's balcony.

See the awesome postcard in the upper right? I ADORE this post card. View #1:

View #2: (P.S. - this includes a things from Stresa and Grindelwald....)

Mass in St. Mark's Basilica:

Sound of America memories

This month marks 15 years of one of the greatest experiences of my life: my European tour! I am overcome with nostalgia. I've started posting on Facebook my memories, but realized I should probably put it on my blog--one of my more "permanent" places of reminiscing.

So, to catch up. Yesterday's post:
15 years ago - my first taste of Europe. Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Eating sauerkraut, bratwurst, and mashed potatoes for dinner. Having meat, cheese, and chocolate corn flakes for breakfast. Seeing the biggest snail of my life. Figuring out German money. First concert--on the cobblestone square! Buying a cuckoo clock which now hangs in my own home. Hearing the cathedral bells ring out over the town. ‪#‎SoundOfAmerica‬ ‪#‎Memories‬

Natalie Spring This made my day! Wish I could go back and do it all again. Of course with my good friend Heidi of the Alps. "Grandfather! Grandfather!"

Heidi-Marie Tice Natalie - me, too! That was one of the best months ever. And you were the best travel buddy. I'm in major nostalgia for SOA, so be on the look out for more Remembrance posts! smile emoticon

Rothenburg concert:

Today's first post:
15 years ago - Salzburg! Taking a ride in the Salt Mines beforehand (from which I still have my mini salt shaker). Feeling very sick and helpless because I couldn't find a Priesthood holder for a blessing. Visiting and singing around the Sound of Music sites. Buying my 1st music box (which a niece now has). Tasting Fanta for the 1st time and getting REALLY hyper after (something in that stuff....). Visiting my 1st Castle and my 2nd cathedral. (Almost) Eating the most disgusting seafood salad with whole octopi and seahorses in it--and thus totally losing my appetite the rest of the evening, even when the Beer Hall (in Inzell) where we performed gave us a free meal. ‪#‎SoundOfAmerica‬‪#‎Memories‬

Concert at Inzell. (Go to 2:50 to see the totally irreverent song, and thus a favorite of our repertoire.)

(Go to 2:50 to see the totally irreverent song, and thus a favorite of our repertoire.)

Today's second post:
15 years ago - Driving through the Alps, Part 1! Going on my first (and so far only) Alpine Slide--and watching Nate go flying over 3 people. Trying to hike to a lookout point at Grossglockner Pass and not being able to make it because of lack of oxygen, but later receiving flower bouquets from Kyle and Jason for trying. Experiencing my car sickness for the first time, just after we crossed into Italy and started heading down in elevation. Having my first Italian meal with the largest plate of spaghetti I've ever seen--and it was the appetizer!‪#‎SoundOfAmerica‬ ‪#‎Memories‬