Germany Week 14 –Thanksgiving with the soldiers and a couple of Christkindlmarkt ( street markets)

Germany Week 14 –Thanksgiving with the soldiers and a couple of Christkindlmarkt ( street markets)

Dear All,

This week we all went to Thanksgiving dinner with the soldiers.  It was unbelievable, the spread they had.  All you can eat turkey, ham, lobster, and every kind of salad and side dish you could dream up and a table full of desserts that were out of this world.  I loved it!!  We ate till our bellies were full. See pictures below.

After the dinner we went to Nuremburg with Amanda and her friend.  We saw the beginnings of the Christmas markets.  We got the boots to drink out of and bought some charms for their Pandora bracelets to represent where they had visited.  Me, I am collecting my thimbles from everywhere.

Friday they all left :( and because we had gotten our furniture finally about 4pm the day before they came, I spent most of Friday catching up on sleep and trying to actually organize our stuff instead of just throwing it in drawers.  Because we brought over the wrong size bed frame ( don’t ask -who knows why?) our bed is almost to the ceiling. See picture below it is quite humorous to try to climb up and down off the perch.  Just one more story.

Saturday, I sent the last of my Christmas packages to the house in Tallahassee.  I am ordering everything else for Christmas on line- first time I’ve ever done that and having it sent to the house. I'm ususally a Black Friday junkie. But online ordering is  pretty easy. I got up with a friend and we went to two Christmas markets yesterday afternoon and the mall ( a little retail therapy).  Loads of fun.  The Germans do love to party.  They just finished up with Oktoberfest so I guess they took a little break and now it’s time for Christmas which seems to be nonstop till January 6^th. And if you’ve ever been to my house during Christmas with my five trees and counting you know I kind of like Christmas too.  This year at home will be minimal and a real tree.  Thomas is looking forward to it.  Did not want to spend my couple of weeks home decorating and taking it down.

I am busy writing my Christmas cards to send from here.  With that I will close for this week.  Have a great week.

Hugs from Germany,

Susan

Germany Week 13- Daughter Visits and London

Germany Week 13- Daughter Visits and London

Hello all:

Sorry I am a bit late with the blog. We got in late last night and I had to get up at 4am to get the girls off to the train for Amsterdam and then to work early at 6am and worked until 6pm. Hoping to catch up with my sleep this weekend.

Amanda and her friend, Constance, flew in last Friday and came by school. It was Constance’s birthday on Sunday so my students baked her a birthday cake. She seemed to like it. We ate out at the local brewery place. Loads of fun. We really played tourist taking pictures of the beer and the food on the plate.

Saturday we got up at the crack of dawn and left for London. First, the train ride which is always a story within itself with the characters on the train. We had to endure a harrowing dense fog ride to the train and were thrilled that we could ride instead of drive to the airport. We once again flew Ryan Air. The cheap flight. We made it to London by traveling the train, then plane, then bus and then cab to the hotel. Our cab driver took a liking to us and we planned on seeing a play. Unfortunately or fortunately, Tony the cab driver called his wife and she checked and found out that there were no play tickets left so he ended up taking us on a four hour cab ride through all the sites of London. We loved it. He would stop where he wasn’t supposed to and say get out act like you are sick and take a pictures. We did this over and over again. I got about 800 pictures. He only charged us the amount he was going to charge us to go to the play. Of course I think having my two beautiful girls with me clenched the deal of a lifetime. lol

After that we came back and Gregg and Amanda watched the game online on the slingbox in the hotel and unfortunately we lost late in the fourth what a bummer. We got up the next morning and took a cab to the Greenwich area where were staying planning on getting on the ferry but the fog was too thick to ride so we took the tube then London subway station and went to central London and got the hop on hop off bus. We went to Big Ben, Buckingham palace, the bridge and all of the sights. Amanda and Constance rode the big Ferris wheel and we took a boat ride down the Thames. A great time was had by all. The girls went back out to a pub and unfortunately for them the subway and public transportation ended at 11:00pm making them have to go through a three hour try to make it back to the hotel but they did so all well that ends well.  All I can say for London besides you do have to go there. It is expensive. Like New York on steroids.

Anyway enjoy the pictures below and I will try to be better about writing on time this next week.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.

Hugs from Germany

Susan

Germany Week 12 (Part 3) Rome ( nuff said)

Germany Week 12 (Part 3)  Rome  ( nuff said)

Hello all,

Friday night we came back from Austria and our 100 dollar taxi ride and because we had to leave at 6am on the train I decided not to go to sleep. So on the train to the Munich west I dozed on and off.  We flew Ryan Air to Rome.  Fabulous airline—no frills, cheap, they loaded one group off and loaded us on-- all in about 10 minutes, unbelievable.

We arrived in Rome and I have to admit we were a little shocked.  Maybe it was coming from Austria and living in Germany where everything is ultra clean and neat but Rome was shockingly dirty and unkempt.  It reminded us of New York back in the days before Giuliani cleaned it up.

Well we took a bus to the center of town and caught a cab, only 10 blocks to our hotel.  Now this is the first time, I’ve strayed away from Best Western or Holiday Inns.  I can see there is a reason to stay with the name brands.  Lol  First of all the cab driver just dropped us in front of a huge wooden door.  The kind like the one on “Romancing the Stone”  where the drug dealer asked Joan Wilder to come in and hang out.  So I couldn’t get in it but noticed a small sign that read ‘Bed and Breakfast.’  I waited for a minute and then someone came out so I saw my opening and went in. It was like the movies of Italy the tall inside buildings with the windows looking out and clothes hanging on a line.  I found a young boy who directed me to another large locked door.  I knocked and a very friendly gentleman came out.  I went back down to get Gregg and we looked at the room.  It was named “The Colossal room” with a large king size bed and they had towels shaped like a heart- see picture.  I had my doubts but the price was right and I felt safe since we had to lock and unlock three huge doors to get in and out.  Of course we had to come in during the middle of the day to take a hot shower as in the morning time there was no hot water.  But as I always say if everything goes right then there wouldn’t be a good story to tell.

We took the hop on-- hop off bus and went to all the sights.  Unfortunately they are all so big that the best pictures are from the bus see below.  Getting too close distorts the picture.  I just can’t get it all in.

It was unbelievable seeing all of the ancient ruins and the Vatican City.  It is truly just like in the movies and postcards.  We ate at a few Italian restaurants and the food was great.  I bought my souvenirs and Gregg got to watch the FSU game on sling box since our bed and breakfast had internet connections.

The Colosseum of Rome, The Pantheon, the ruins and Vatican City--I don’t think I can do Rome justice by explaining it, the pictures will have to do my talking for me.  Enjoy.

Until next week.

Hugs from Germany

Susan

Germany week 12 Part 2--Toilets, bidets, who does it best?

Germany week 12 Part 2--Toilets, bidets, who does it best?

Dear all,

I'm in a writing mood, here in Rome, wore Gregg out sightseeing.  He is sleeping and since I have to wait till I get home to unload my pictures, I thought I'd add a post.  The Television is all Italian. I watched some poker players tonight—that translates in any language. My choice of topic may not fit everyone’s taste.  It’s about toilets.  I’ll try to be politically correct and not offend or gross anyone out.  I just noticed the differences.

Here is my blog on toilets.  I guess I’m used to the American toilet.  Sure you have a toilet brush but you don’t have to use it every time you go.  At least in my experience, you can scrub them once a week and you are good to go. Here in Europe it is part of the toilet regiment.  Go-- brush --flush.  I don’t know what the difference in the design of the bowl is but it is not the same.  Another difference is the flusher is on the wall.  In other words, you don’t use a lever you push a button. In Italy there is no toilet seat.  It is just the top and the bowl.  Guess that’s good for the guys, no way for them to leave the toilet seat up. Lol Today I had to foot pedal water to wash my hands in a restaurant.  Also, there are the bidets, cold water—well you know where.

I remember when I was in Taiwan teaching the first time I went to the bathroom.  My group got a big kick when I came out and informed them that the bathroom was in disrepair as there was no toilet just a hole in the floor.  Now that took some getting used to --squatting to pee.

Each country is a little different.  Amsterdam, Germany, Taiwan and now Italy.  Guess I’ll be figuring it out as I go.   I don’t know if I’m just used to the American toilets, but I like them best.

I will write about the Rome trip in the next couple of days.  Awesome!!!! As a matter of fact I ran my battery down taking pcitures.  It's the first time I've done that.  Will have to recharge at home. --at my German home :)

For now, Hugs from Germany—actually Rome right at the moment.

Susan

Germany Week 12 (part 1) Austria, the Hills are alive and a hundred dollar cab ride

Germany Week 12  (part 1)  Austria, the Hills are alive and a hundred dollar cab ride

Dear all:

I have to do this in two parts this week because I will not be in town Sunday when I usually write these.  But this is part one.

Last week I finally had to physically go to the transportation office and get them to call the movers to set a date for our furniture.  It is coming the day before our daughter, Amanda, and her friend get here.  Then we had to set the day before for the movers to move the furniture that is on loan to us.  The problem was ---hmmm---let me see---they had our email listed –yes you guessed it --needaneamail@yahoo.com    I wonder if anyone actually has that email—lol

Gregg sent one set of golf clubs back this week via postal service and as he is walking in the post office trying to lug the large box—the postmaster yelled,  “Hey we don’t ship bodies.”  To which Gregg stone faced replied, “It’s okay this one is dead.”  They all fell out laughing.

We left yesterday afternoon for Salzburg.  We rode the train and got there around 8pm.  Salzburg is a neat little town full of culture and tradition.  We toured the Mozart area and bought a few souvenirs, but the highlight of our trip was “the Sound of Music” tour which I made Gregg go on after I made him watch the Sound of music again.  Anyway it was loads of fun.  You can see me and Gregg by  the Gazebo and there is also a picture of the church they got married in.  I really enjoyed it.  I have to admit Salzburg was a great trip—I will probably return sometime.

Now for the ride back we had to wait an hour in Salzburg train station and the train was late to Munich and we missed our connection so they set us up with the next train but that connection was only 4 minutes so we missed it.  We had to take a taxi back to the house—70 Euros-about 100 dollars.  As I sit here after taking a bath and relaxing I can honestly say it was the best hundred I ever spent.  Lol  Hey guys everything can’t always go like it supposed to—I mean, where is the story in that.  And with all of that I will leave you for a few days expect part 2 Monday or Tuesday.

But for now --Hugs from Germany

Susan

Week 11- Berlin, unaccompanied baggage, good bye to Explorer

Week 11-Berlin, unaccompanied baggage, goodbye to Explorer

Hello from Germany:

I am sitting here on Sunday afternoon looking out of the window at the most beautiful day, the sun is shining and all seems right with the world.  I just got off of Skype with my son who showed me my 19 year old dog; Maggie, who it seems has had quite an adventure for herself.  She fell at the beginning of the week and has since recovered from the mishap, but it scared my son.  She also got lost at the edge of our yard since she is deaf and blind. So she was picked up by an elderly neighbor and turned into the dog pound.  My son, ever diligent, put a notice out and found out that Maggie,  was at the pound so suffice to say I was glad to see her on the Skype today all safe and sound.  We saw the party held at our house last Friday night from a facebook posted picture and I commented on the picture--nice house. Hey- it's still standing or was last Friday.  lol  But really my son is doing a great job holding down the fort.  Anyway enough about the home front.

Our unaccompanied luggage did make it Monday.  As we are opening up box after box of stuff we finally look at each other and say “Why did we bring this?” We had to laugh.  I don’t know if we thought we were coming to a third world country where they would have nothing that we like but we have enough Bisquick to feed an army and deodorant and soap for a year and enough Tylenol and Nyquil to stock a small pharmacy.  Lol  But anyway we did get all of the baggage put away just in time for us to start all over again with the furniture and notices of its imminent delivery sent to the elusive      needanemail@yahoo.com.  Lol- But I am confident that we will get it before ---hmmm-- next summer…lol

We sent the Explorer back to the USA and we are depending on baby car to make it.  Family is coming soon to visit which makes me happy.  I’d be happier if I had my furniture but we have enough like beds and such on loan from the government.  I am so looking forward to seeing some familiar faces and family time.  I took off the two Mondays after Veteran's Day to spend time with the family.  I am allowed to take three days a year no questions asked.  That is pretty nice.

Saturday we went to Berlin.  It was loads of fun.  We boarded the post bus and spent 6 hours getting there.  We had a 2 hour city tour as soon as we arrived and the guide told us of all of the sites.  Below are pictures of one of the many museums(picture 6), a cathedral(picture 5), remnants of the wall ( picture 2), Checkpoint Charlie (picture 3)and my passport stamped with Checkpoint Charlie stamps(picture 4), the memorial for the European Jewish people killed in the war ( picture 1)and a gorgeous shot of Berlin at night( picture 7).  We bought remnants of the wall to bring home and went to a street market.  We also visited a museum that had a 360 degree view of Greek life.  Awesome!! There were statues of Greek gods and Gregg and I both commented as we toured the museum with its many containers of remnants of historical statues that it looked like Raiders of the Lost Ark and we fully expected to see Harrison Ford whip his whip at any moment. At one point,  I heard a commotion and turned to find Gregg walking away with his hands in his pockets trying to look innocent.  I said what happened and he said that he had accidentally tripped some guy and the guy fell into one of the 2500+ year old statues.  Fortunately, the statues are so enormous nothing happened.  Whew!!  I would have hated reading about us in the paper. The cathedral was fabulous and we walked the 191 steps up and 191 down (Gregg counted them ha-ha) to walk the dome.  We stopped at Checkpoint Charlie and took our picture and I got my passport stamped with about 12 stamps.  It was cool. There were only remnants of the wall left.  We spent most of our time in East Berlin.  The city has been rebuilt after the war and is modernized.  The guide was very poignant when talking of the holocaust and just as appalled when talking of Hitler.  It was a hard time for Germany.  Visiting this town was a great highlight on my time abroad.

Looking forward to family.  Maybe it is the holidays but I am really missing home.  With that, I will close for this week.  Till next time, have a great week.

Hugs from Germany.

Susan