Horseback riding - Five Brooks Ranch - October 2007

Last week-end we met with a group of approximately 30 other Danes on a "ranch" with horses in West Marin - close to Point Reyes. One of our Danish friends owns the ranch and she had organzied a day for all the Danish children in the Bay Area, where they could ride on horses.

Each child got a trip around a small lake - with a parent close by...

Caroline on her horse.

Even the youngest ones got a BIG horse..."Ikke bange", "Ikke bange", "Ikke bange"....

Caroline and her Danish friend Smilla who lives here in Novato as well found a new little friend. The poor little guy had to put up with his two new "sisters" dragging him around all afternoon. The day ended with a picnic - a great day for the kids - we hope it's going to be an annual tradition from now on.

Gettting ready for Halloween - October 2007

Halloween is closing in on us - and Ulla and Caroline spent most of the morning today Sunday October 14th decorating the house inside and out.

We also went out and got a costume for Caroline to wear. This year she is going to be a vampire countess. Sounds really scary....

Caroline's big Lego-day - October 2007

Caroline spent an entire Saturday outside building a Lego house, playground etc.

She was absolutely sure that the Lego dolls would look like real people if I photographed them up real close... Every little piece of detail was taken care of in the living rooms, bedrooms etc.

Trip to Manila, Philippines - October 2007

In early October I went on a short business trip to Manila to visit the Accenture facilities in the Philippines. It was a very short trip and I probably only spent 36 hours in Manila - but I managed to get some work done, do some shopping and a little bit of sightseeing. First stop on my sightseeing tour was a cemetery that paid tribute to the fallen American soldiers in World War II.

I also saw "Intramuros", located along the southern bank of the Pasig River that divides Manila. Intramuros was built by the Spaniards in the 16th century and is the oldest district of the city. Its name, taken from the Latin, intra muros, literally "Within the walls", meaning within the wall enclosure of the city/fortress, also describes its structure as it is surrounded by thick, high walls and moats. Inside the walls there is an old defense fortress "Fort Santiago" - also built by the Spaniards.Fort Santiago is famous because Dr. Jose Rizal - the national hero of the Philippines - was held prisoner here the last days leading up to his execution in 1896. Dr. Rizal was the most prominent advocate for reforms in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial era. All the way from Fort Santiago - i.e. his prison - up to the place where he was executed, a series of footsteps made of Copper shows the route he walked.

"Hoestfest" in the Danish Club - September 2007

In the last week-end of September we participated with a lot of other "local" Danes in the yearly "Hoestfest" to celebrate this year's harvest (of grapes) in old Danish traditional fashion. The Danish Club consists of several hundred Danes in the San Francisco and Bay Area.

"Hoestfesten" was held at a Winery in Napa Valley called "Monticello Winery" and the weather was really nice for our outdoor BBQ - served buffet style.

It is always really interesting to talk to fellow country-men and -women that have similar experience with moving abroad, missing Denmark and living in a different country.