Germany - Sunday Morning - Dinkelsbuhl

Checked out of the Holiday Inn in Berlin Saturday Morning and spent all day travelling by train and bus. We had a first class compartment on the train and it was nice. We spent 1 and a half hours waiting for the bus to Dinkelsbuhl since they only run every 2 hours on the weekends. We arrived at 1820 and are staying in the "Old Town". A very nice Bavarian Village. They were filming something last night. Not sure what. But  the buildings were lit up with spotlights. They have a small Christmas Market here and we will explore more tonite. The dogs had lighted collars and we are going to try and find one for Q. Maybe one for the kids too.

Public transportation to Neuswanstein doesn't look promising, but we'll see what tomorrow brings. What is amusing, is how many hotels there are in this town and Rick Steves book listed one - that is 1 - Numero Uno. So we are left wondering why. Our room was great. though. 3rd Floor walk-up and all.

Other than that we are off to explore. It is 11am here and of course cold. Sharon bought me warm gloves and an Original Pashmina to keep warm which I wore last night. It is silk and cashmere and the gloves are cashmere lined. So I am warmer (and wearing 3 layers of clothing), though still have a cold. But doing better. Take care all. Talk to you soon.

Berlin Friday

Today was nice in Berlin. I had great difficulty at the Internet cafe. It kept changing the language to German (fancy that, me being in Germany). At the other one I kept saying Ja, Ja, (Yes, Yes), only the Germans and God knows what I agreed to, at this one, well, it didn't ask me for an agreement but after staring at the screen and keyboard in frustration, I just gave up. I now have more compassion for the frustrations of being in a strange land with a strange language. I didn't have my translators to help (Sharon and Alan). So I went for a nap and CNN and dreams of home as Sharon and Alan left me to wander, (I feeling still too unwell to wander in the outdoors.) However, we had great fun picking up medicines at the pharmacy that I can't read and the new ones seem to help. Went to the Block House Restaurant and had a great dinner. Had our picture taken with a "street cow". This one is for Aly. And, I of course, wondered how the Cow made it here from Chicago. Or did the Chicago Cows come from Germany. By the time we discussed it, I was so done with that conversation. LOL.

Sharon leaves at 0630 and we are heading for Dinkelsbuehl in the morning (Saturday), and are staying Hotel Garni Palmengarten... wanted to stay in Rottenburg, but they had nothing open for Saturday... that is what happens when you don't make advance reservations. However, Dinkelsbuhl sounds really fun - planning to try and find Dinah tomorrow. Dinkelsbuhl is called Rottenburg's little sister so I, who always wanted a little sister, should find it enchanting. I hear Chicago got really socked by a snowstorm. Hoping all is safe and warm. I really miss everyone. Take care all. BTW, the; Block House had 2 dogs inside eating with their owners - hmmm, wonder if Q will fit under the table and how can we get American restaurants to let us bring our dogs in... Thoughts for the nite.

 

L

Berlin

Arrived in Frankfurt yesterday at 1530 and actually made the train to the main station and then the 1613 train to Berlin. Everything worked with great German efficiency. We arrived at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, where we told "So Sorry, no reservations for Alan". So they were very helpful and we found we were at the Holiday Inn several miles away. They have the SMALLEST elevator I have ever been in. Seriously, I think the MRI machine is bigger. Sharon's plane was delayed and she arrived just before 1am.

Today was very active - we had a lovely breakfast at the Mercedes Dealership! So Alan has picked out his next car. We then got our bus pass and went to see several sights. I have a terrible cold still and the day is a blur, but I have pictures! I will post later - sorry to keep you all waiting. (Ok, one picture is of me and Sharon holding hands in the dealership. She has very warm hands, and I am very cold here.) Alan had to take a picture. What can I say he is very warped.

We visited 2 wonderful hotels. The Radisson in East Berlin, with a fish tank that takes up the entire 5 Stories of the Atrium of the Hotel (Richard, you would love this). It is very cool. Made me think of Mission Impossible. Then we visited the Adlon Hotel (that Sharon bought stuff at and then left on a bus, but at least she put the expensive ring in her purse). Then to the Brandonburg Gate, Petting the carriage horses, the Soviet Memorial, and several stops for rests.

Tonight we are off to East Berlin to "The Opera House" to see Swing, Swing, Swing. Talk to you later.

Lorene

Quiet Tuesday

It is 4:40 pm in Dublin and we have finally made it back to the city center. I tried this morning, truely tried, but this cold/flu bug got me down and we went back to the hotel where I spent the day in bed. We are not back in the city and I actually want to eat, so that is a good sign. Alan went to the pharmacy and got me some medicine with the word Flue in the title, and it has codeine in it. It amazes me again, that our FDA won't sell this stuff over the counter, and yet all over the world elsewhere, it is deemed safe. So I am feeling better.. aching is better... and we are off to see the sights. Tried IM'ing mom, but sheesh, she needs to update her AIM. Send me an email everyone and let me know how things are at home reference kids, dogs, and the state of things in general.

And for the emails that I got, no, we didn't go in, no we don't plan to go in, but it was just so blatant in the middle of the shopping, touristy area, and the only other one we saw was so .... subtle... it was quite funny. Well, take care all. Tomorrow we leave for Frankfurt. Once we arrive, we hop a train for Berlin and we meet up with Sharon. So this will be quite fun, and I hope I am feeling much better by then. You probably won't see a post then for 2 days! Love to all.

L

Dublin Monday Nite

Today was fairly eventful. Arrived in Dublin and we went to the Internet cafe to fix last nights blogs from the hotel room. After that we came out to rain and cold. We popped into a Starbucks for hot chocolate to wait it out. Met some 16 year old girls and talked about schooling differences from Ireland to the US. Definately interesting. Then off to Dublin Castle for a tour. I think Alan wants a Throne Room!

Then the rain cleared, and more walking, walking, walking. I had trouble making the sales people understand me. I found it is more like the US here than not. I bet when you dial 411 the phones probably say "press 1 for English, press 2 for Russian" or something like that. There is definately the same issues everywhere.


I took this great picture of Alan outside St. Patrick's church.













Then we were off to find our favorite restaurant Wagamama for dinner (picture of Alan at Wagamama our favorite noodle restaurant), then shopping at the mall.















Then we were off to find the Hagen-daz - (which I had failed to notice earlier that all seating was OUTSIDE, on METAL chairs.) The picture of me is with my delicately perched behind being held off the metal as Alan didn't want to eat his ice cream with me standing. So here are today's pictures.









Finally, the last picture is the adult store - we didn't go in, but Alan found the name amusing. So, this picture is for you mom. Missing everyone. Love to all!

First Walk About town

So Far, I am writimg my blogs the had way - funky keyboard, and connection, but ok, it is getting done.Took a nap and off to "see the sights". A biting wind it was too. Lots of walkng, but we came across the lighting of the Christmas Tree in Dublin (we didn't actually see it light up, as the ceremony was long and I was cold, but later it was quite pretty. Then in Temple Bar, a mini-parade, not sure what it meant - One tall guy in costume and stilts, followed by children with "fairy lights" It was short and cute. We
walked for forever and never found the place we were looking for (though we found 2 adult themed stores and a Hagen-daz). The Hagen-daz is on our list for a later visit. We have a 3 day bus pass. Yipee. I hate waiting at bus stops so here is hoping we time the next ones better. Alan is a good navigator. Walking back to the hotel a truck blew a tire right next to us, and it scared me prety bad. ALan found it funny. I am taking my stuffy/runny/achy head to bed. Tomorrow looks to be a busy one! Miss everyone. We are worring about puppy, piggie, kids and mom. (Ok, I am worrying about kids and mom, Alan about puppy and piggie - piggie and puppy gets weighed when we get home). Hope all goes well everywhere.

Arrived In Ireland

We arrived in Dublin this morning. Alan thought it would be great fun to take a bus to Jury's where we are staying. We had to stand around and wait for the
bus driver to show up and me with my head cold, well, that was not pleasant. In London, The driver's annuonce the stop, but here, we just had to take our chances. We got off a stop too early, but with kind help from the locals, walked the 10 blocks to Jury's.(Only 3 blocks more than if we had stayed on the bus. Alan took a picture of me walkng here and when I find a place will upload it to the site. For now it is
time to take a nap in our executive suite room. Will write later. The plane ride was smooth til the end, then not so good. (The pilot assured us the people flying South over the Atlantic had it MUCH worse). But all is well. Missing everyone!

Thanksgiving Week

It is almost Thanksgiving and again I have much to be thankful for. All year, we are so busy in our lives, in work, that we forget to take the time to say hello, or take a moment for a visit our friends or just to say "I appreciate you" to someone in our lives. I am so thankful for my family, my friends, and all the blessings in my life. Sometimes we have to look for the blessings, but everyday they are there and the biggest blessing I have is my family. They give me strength, support, and courage. My family means the world to me. Today, I want them to know, again, just how much they mean to me.

Soldier's Homecoming

Spent Veteran's Day (11/11/06) in Colorado Springs, Colorado where Alan and I got to welcome AJ home from Iraq. It was a wonderful ceremony. See video below: (Sorry for any bad quality - we did it with a digital camera, and to get it on Youtube, had to compress it quite a bit). We are all proud of him and Saturday was about him coming home. We waited in the gymnasium for what seemed forever, and then there they came. And the emotion, well, it can't be described. Happiness for those who came home and sorrow for those who did not. Pride in our Country, and in our young men and women. While waiting they played Lee Greenwood's song, God Bless The USA and the refrain runs through my head.

From Lee Greenwood's God Bless the USA:
And I'm proud to be an American where as least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.
And I'd gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today.
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land God bless the USA.

Trip Planning

Woke up this morning and realized it has already been a week since our wonderful weekend at the Kalahari Resort Waterpark in Wisconsin Dells. I wish I had the means to spend every weekend there. It was so nice. Indoor Waterparks in the cold months - what could be better. The sound of rushing water was very soothing.

Today was spent beginning our hotel reservations throughout Europe and trying to pick a place to stay in Key West for May 2, 2007 - May 6, 2007 for the Singer Songwriter Festival. Our top choices are now Eden House, The Mermaid and the Alligator, and for lower cost Jasmine House. Eden House looks nice, about $140 for a small room, $160 for a slightly bigger room a night. Jasmine House seems cheaper, and waiting to see what the Mermaid and the Alligator has to say. The Mermaid house is the farthest off Duval Street, but they have a dog - and that, well that may just be the icing on the cake. (Ended up picking Marrero's Guest House, supposedly haunted and looking forward to being close to all the areas where the singers and songwriters are!)

Alan is finally making our reservations throughout Europe. Our first Hotel, Jurys in Dublin, Ireland. He decided to book us there all 3 days. From Ireland to Germany, the heart of the trip and Christmas markets!

Alan lived in Germany for 3 years and yearns to go back. He will honor our World War II dead at the museums and war memorials. After paying our respects in Berlin we are off to the Christmas markets!. Of course I want to see fairies and castles. So after Ireland and a wee bit of magic, we will be off to my other favorite time - Christmas and my other most favorite place, Neuschwanstein Castle.