Even though it is the middle of winter, and of course there would be snow and ice everywhere, we couldn't resist my brother's invitation to meet him in Iceland. It was so worth it. Here are a couple of intro-pictures Jason took at sunrise on our first morning in Reykjavik!
I personally like this picture as the ducks are walking on the ice of the pond!
We were lucky enough to be treated to a private bus tour by Chad's friends to some of the most beautiful sights outside of the city of Reykjavik. Away goes the city and it begins to feels as though civilization is fading away as well!
The snow begins to surround the car and we begin to feel as though we are entering another world!
I have included Jason's picture of the sign when we stopped at the lake. I did this because the lake looks so frozen and covered in ice in these pictures you might not know it was there!
See the lake? We are standing right in front of it and it goes for as far as you can see in either direction! 
In case you wanted to see it again!! Without us blocking your view!
The Icelandic people make annual pilgrimages to this historic ground. It is the site of the first Parliament after the Icelandic people settled the island. It remains a sacred ground to this day.
The Icelandic people have created a beautiful walkway through these grounds. Bridges over the rivers and streams and pathways through the snow. Jason is standing on one of the bridges, ready to begin his walk through history! 
This is Thingvellir (otherwise known as the site of the first Parliament in Iceland). It occupies a very special place in the hearts and minds of Icelanders. In 930 the Icelandic Parliament was founded there. Thus the medieval Icelandic commonwealth was established. Many important events in the history of the country have also taken place here, e.g. the official adoption of Christianity in the year 1000.
There is something else unique about the landscape behind me. Iceland actually belongs to two continents. It is split down the middle between Europe and North America.
You might think that water looks eerily still and incredibly black...its not. Iceland is a volcanic island, and all of the ground in these pictures is lava rock. The water in this picture is the clearest and cleanest water I have ever seen. When we got up close, you could see all the way to the bottom and then some! It was amazing!
You might have forgotten that we were with my brother Chad!!
Gullfoss (otherwise known as the Golden Waterfall) is a beautiful double-folding fall that many believe to be the most scenic in Iceland. It thunders 32 metres over a fault into a gorge, with water coming from the glacial river Hvitá, which has its source underneath the glacier Langjökull.
This beautiful waterfall was actually created when part of the glacier Langjökull broke free and tore a gigantic rift through the valley, creating a river that travels 133 kilometres to the Atlantic Ocean. 
These are just cute photos! You can see, however, that the as the day goes on we are getting colder and colder!
Jason is sweet enough to brave the cold and allow me to take his picture in front of this gorgeous waterfall!
So, you already know that I left our camera in America...our Christmas vacation was divided in two parts, the first half was with Jason's family in Indiana and the second half was with my family in Nevada. So my mom was sweet enough to send me some pictures she took with her camera! These are all taken right before we were heading to the airport to go back to London. Here, Chad's dog is doing something stupid and apparently very funny!!
Jason was sweet enough to take this "partial" family shot...only thing missing is my other brother Mark!
And look! A picture of Jason and I! How I love when we get pictures of the two of us together!!
Because my family is so sweet, they were willing to submit to my constant cravings for Mexican food. As you can imagine, being roughly 6,000 miles away, Mexican culture and food hasn't really caught on here. Sure, there are 1000's of yummy ethnic restaurants throughout London...what's missing? Mexican. I can say, however, that we are lucky enough to live near two Mexican restaurants...some would argue the only two in London actually! And they are good..but nothing beats Mexican food back home! Even better is my brother Chad and Jason smiling for the camera!
A multi-generational shot! My mom, grandma and me! 
Straight off the airplane, we headed to our next mode of transportation -- a train! As I am standing outside the train station, we realised we just missed one train by five minutes, so we had a couple of hours to wait around for the next one!
Isn't this a lovely way to relax and wait for a couple of hours? Our first introduction to Austrian food and beer! Jason had beef goulash, whilst I had cheese pizza! (I am clearly not the daring one!)
Here's Jason standing outside the lovely cafe we had lunch in!
The train ride from Salzburg to Bad Gastein takes about an hour and a half. It was by far one of the loveliest trains we have ever been on! Jason and I are sitting in our own compartment. 
As you can see, we are carrying a lot of luggage! (Hey, we needed all our ski gear!) After all, we are expecting to see the snow soon!
Here is Jason standing on the platform in Bad Gastein! We are so thrilled to see the snow!
Here is a picture of our hotel! Even though we had no idea, it was in the perfect location! Steps away from the gondola and right in the centre of the town! 
And finally! Skiing!
In Austria, the lunch spots are run by families and not the resorts! They all have large balconies with sun chairs on them! And of course, Austrian menus...lunch was a bit of a mystery, but overall, we ate very well! 
And now, its time to reveal some truths. Say what you want about global warming, its happening in Austria. The snow is only high up...in fact everything I was reading about Lake Tahoe at the time and their snow woes, was happening here. Very little snow at the lower elevations, and the resorts are having a very slow season to say the least. 
The lack of snow is more evident in this picture. Jason is actually standing in the fog line, but you can see the valley floor behind him, and guess what? Its totally brown. Hardly any snow in sight! (Doesn't Jason look happy anyway?)
Time to head back out to the slopes!
Jason is ready to go!
Look familiar? We are back at the train station, ready to head out for our next adventure! Salzburg! Home of Mozart and the Sacher Torte!
The Salzach river cuts through the heart of the city. We were totally surprised by Salzburg. Its known here in England for having gorgeous Christmas markets, but I must confess, its incredibly wonderful all year round.
Here, Jason is facing the opposite direction on the river from the picture of me. Our hotel was conveniently located on one side of the river, and all we had to do was a cross a bridge into the historic part of the city!
Two of Salzburg's main attractions. A Fortress on the hill and the Dom (on the right with the copper dome)...a gorgeous cathedral that Mozart used to perform in from time to time! Interesting to note, the Fortress is so well fortified that it has never been taken by force. Pretty incredible considering how many wars Austria has been involved. The Fortress was, however, surrendered to Napoleon!
We took a tram car to the top of the hill and entered the fortress. It was a bit of a fairy tale at the top! Sunny blue skies...standing on top of a castle...the most gorgeous views in all of Salzburg!
This is the view towards the river that cuts through the heart of Salzburg. In the area where the fortress is, the river divides the old city from the new. That large cathedral in foreground of the picture? That's the Dom, the largest cathedral in Salzburg.
What a gorgeous day!
Jason took this picture with his very artsy camera eye. He likes the contrasts between all the church spires. Even though we are using the silly disposable camera, he is quite proud of this picture! I happen to like it a lot as well! 
A note on blogging and picture taking in general: Try to keep to track of where you are taking the pictures, especially if you want to blog them. Take this picture for instance. I love it. Think Jason looks smashing. Its even good quality for being taken with a disposable camera. I do not, however, have a clue where it was taken, or why it was taken. So...dear readers. Enjoy the photo. Don't ask questions. :)
We happen to live near an incredible park! Hyde Park! Its a wonderful sprawling park that cuts through the center of London. Its home to the Serpentine and of course, Kensington Palace, the former home of Princess Diana. During the summer the park is filled to capacity with urban dwellers seeking some sun, grass and picnic snacks!
Jason was kind enough to let me take pictures of him in our little corner of the park! It is a natural park though, so you may notice that there isn't lush rolling green grass everywhere!
Here's why: "In 1536, King Henry VIII seized the manor from the monks. He sold some of the land but turned the rest into a vast hunting park that stretched from Kensington to Westminster." To this day, Hyde Park has retained these features As a hunting ground King Henry wanted the park to be very natural and not as manicured as the other parks in London. Because of this, it is very different looking from the other parks in central London!
But hey, who needs lawn when you have a trusty picnic blanket, the weekend newspapers and lunch!
(And shhhhh...maybe a beer or two as well!)
