Germany-again

Back to Germany we go...to do laundry.
We arrive Friday night and head out for Paris France on Sunday. Its only an hour Flight so we'll get there in time to do a little wandering around Paris, which is good because Kathy has to work on Monday-Tuesday- and Wednesday.
We of course got in to Germany later than we had planned- the strike used up some of our laundry time- bummer. We got one load done and hanging to dry before heading off to bed. We wanted to make sure we had time to wash and dry all my clothes since we do not come back to the apartment after this- so I need all my clothes to make it to Fridays trip home! I went out and bought a new drying rack so we could wash multiple loads and hang them all up to dry. This helped. We wanted to make sure we had time to get out on Saturday to go to the flea market again. We did- and had a great time. We shopped for hours before heading back- stopping in town for some groceries. I got very used to walking into town every day to pick up the days meal items. We could all use smaller fridges here so we have to trek out each day...the walk was invigorating- worked up an appetite and worked off some calories before we ate. It was a nice time to chat about the day too. Thats one of the things I miss the most when we're apart- the simple chats about the days events...its like a stress purge and then the rest of the night is relaxing.
One last load of clothes to do and then we need to pack up for our next journey- PARIS! ooh la la
I had to pack up ALL my stuff this time...and with all my souvenirs and flea market finds...it was looking like Kathy was going to have to bring a bigger suitcase than she had planned- which won't help me on the trip home...I see and extra suitcase in my future...good thing I didn't stock up on chocolates to bring back home!

Venice

We could have spent a week here and we still wouldn't have hit everything there was to see.
As it was...we only had 1 full day and 2 half days to explore so we did our best...and we walked!
We probably should have jumped on a boat just to say we rode one down a canal but then we would have missed some of the sites we did see.
We missed Carnival here (like Mardi Gras) which would have been amazing to see, one more reason to come back!
Venice was our favorite stop, and the shortest too. The whole trip was great- all the places were wonderful, but walking around all these canals, hand in hand...it was just the best time we had.
We spent the entire trip walking, shopping, snapping photos, and eating. We had a wonderful meal- spaghetti and a pizza- yum! There were bakeries everywhere so we consumed a few cookies too!
Our trip back to Germany was delayed by a transportion workers strike- but we got back so no biggie- it would take more than that to ruin this trip!

Germany

I could live here very easily. I have such a good time, feel so relaxed here...at a different time in our lives I would have had no problem closing up shop in Michigan and moving on...but the timing just wasn't right. Maybe another day huh?
I love the fact that you can catch a boat, bus, tram, or train to anywhere you want to go. The tight knit communities and the local businesses remind me of when I was growing up in Farmington township...before the big city life took over. You walk into town every day for supplies, hang up the laundry to dry, It just seems so easy.
We had a good time on the week end. On Saturday we went to the flea market and then went shopping for my karneval costume. It was fun to look at all of the costumes- its there version of Mardi Gras and they take it very seriously!
Sunday we dressed up and headed for the train to Koln. There were lots of other weirdos out and about so we fit right in-ha! We met some of Kathy's co-workers in Koln and headed for the parade. They had grand stands, street vendors everywhere, and the parade ran for about 4 hours. The parade on Sunday is for the schools and community services- like dance schools, childrens clubs, etc. The Parade on Monday- which was a holiday- was more of the business and professional organizations and is REALLY done up. We prefered to see the kids one so Monday we took a day off, did Laundry- ooh, the fun just never ends!

Duisburg

Duisburg, my favorite city...what happened to you?
So on my first day back in Germany, I chose to visit my fav place. I stopped and have some fries at the Mcdonalds- yum. I roamed up and down the shopping area and had a great time. So on my way back to the train I decided to stop at the casino...to see how my luck was holding...and so set the tone for my entire vacation....oooh no.
I walk in, with jacket and bags...these must be checked at the coat room, and then back to the counter to get in. I will need a drivers license or my passport...and I didn't have my passport so I used my license. The lady at the counter looked at my license...and then looked again...called someone over and talked for a minute...and then asked me what I had given her??? She needed my Drivers License...not this "operators License"... So I started to explain that an OPERATORS license IS a drivers license...look- State of Michigan...USA...
So after 3 phone calls and many minutes...a Manager finally shows up. Finally, someone that will know what I had handed over was really and truly a drivers license...finally! Nope- wrongo...no way Jose...nine nine nine...
WHAT DOES THIS "OPERATORS" LICENSE ALLOW YOU TO "OPERATE???
A car...auto...vehicle...ya know, like a drivers license...
Eyes glared- a frown formed...nine, this is not a drivers license...if it was it would say "DRIVERS LICENSE"
So if i didn't already know it was a waste of time to argue with a Geman...I was quickly reminded. So back to the coat room, my coat, my hat, and my purchases. My luck was no where to be found!
I managed to find my way back to Kaiserwerth and settled back for a peaceful night.

day(s) 3-4

St Albans...time to bum around and relax. Which is good because I twisted my leg and I feel a cold coming on- perfect timing!
So Monday I just chill in the room- a hot bath, a little breakfast, a walk or 2 to see the town. I think there was a nap in here somewhere too. A nice day off. Kathy and I walk up to the grocery store to get our fresh bread, cheese, and "pickle" which is some kind of vegetable spread- mmm mmm good!
Tuesday- We are heading back to germany this aftrenoon but thats still leaves me plenty of time to wander. I am hitting the Verelemium museum and eating at the Waffle house. The museum was amazing- The city was set up before the roman times! They unearthed coffins and relics from the olden days. they found these amazing mosaic floors and rebuilt them in the museum. WOW!
Lunch at the Waffle house was very good. I had a cheese and tomato waffle and a hot chocolate.
Then it was off to buy more souvenirs and pick up somemore Pickle to take back to Germany!

the misadventures of Ray

Ok, the plan was for me to take a trip to see the Cutty Sark and the Greenwich Observatory...right...now mind you, I had to change from train, to tube, to tram...asking at many points if I was on the right path...and at no time did anyone say- DUH, that boat burned back in 2007...and is currently being reconstructed- no one that is until I returned to St Albans that is!
so here is my wonderful misadventure:
I make my way to the trian depot, find my train and arrive at St Pancras-Kings Cross. Yay me.
Off to the tube and I'm on my way to the Tower gate again- easy peasy...I know this route.
so I ask directions to the tram- turn right follow the path- you can't miss it...
so after 15 minutes of obvious "missing it" I break out the Iphone. GPS, what a wonderful thing. I travel along the route as directed by my phone and find my way. It was a hop skip and a jump from my starting point...to the LEFT!
No worrys, I'm on vacation. onto the tram for one stop- switch to the other tram and off I go to Greenwich. I make my way out of the depot, follow the crowd and signs to the area for the Ship and Observatory...make my way around all the construction barriers...and I'm at the Royal naval college...now how di dI miss a ship and an Observatory I think to my self...tram, construction site...college??? it has to be here some where right??? wander...wander...nope...wander, wander...nope.
That could only mean one thing- the construction site. Yep, ther they were in the middle of the constuction site- a ships skeletal remains and a dome shaped building. One of the construction crew told me of the fire, the reconstruction...the delays. hopefully in 2012- in time for the olympics...yeah, I'll hurry back.
So it was off to the tram. Just the reverse trip...right...nope, it was wrong. The station where I needed to change trams at...wasn't one of the stops. Ok, not a problem, I recognize this stop...I can catch the tube and be back on track...nope, not gonna happen.
So when the train stopped at its last stop- due to construction for the upcoming olympics...I had to wait to catch yet another train back to St Pancras. Ok, no problem...i'm on vacation...no where I HAVE to be...
Whew, back at the train station, transfer from the tube to the regular trains and I'll be back in St Albans in no time. Kathy and i are meeting one of her workmates for dinner but I have hours yet...good thing too!
I arrive at the gates- check the arrival/departure sign and see my destination...is that the train to St Albans I ask the ticket booth attendant??? Yep, he says- platform 4, but you better hurry- they're loading now. So off I go, I get there in plenty of time and find a good seat. WOW, this is a nicer train than I was on before. Seats and tables- a refreshment cart...ah- life is good. Now just let me check the stops...ah...oh...RATS. The first stop on "the express train" is 2 stops past St Albans. Oh I should have stayed in bed.
No problem. i get off the train, check with the ticket booth again...platform 2 will take you back the 2 stops...no problem. So I get to platform 2, get situated in the waiting area when I hear " now leaving on platforming ONE...the train to St Pancras with stops at St Albans...blah blah blah.....oh here we go again.
Not to worry, there IS a train going back to St Albans on my platform too...in 20 minutes.
it arrives, I return to St Albans, walk back to the hotel and collapse. Day three is over, finally.
Dinner was wonderful. Kathy's workmate Di was a very, interesting person so we chatted well past the meal. The day ended on a good note and looking back on the days events I can now chuckle. It makes for an interesting tale anyway...

day 2- London

Sunday, February 27th, 2011
Off to London. A quick train ride into St Pancras-Kings cross- not 9 3/4- where we catch the tube to Tower gate. From there it was a quick walk over to the Tower of London. The original structure was the white tower. many additions have been added over the years.
We took the guided tour- which was great! The tour guide was very entertaining. After the guided tour we wandered around and saw the Crown jewels, the armory(which is the white tower), and some of the other outer buildings. We stopped and saw the tower bridge, but didn't cross. We left the Tower and jumped back on the tube to the stop for Big Ben. Very impressive. We walked to the Winchester cathedral and then on to Buckingham Palace. Lots of walking and many sites to see along the way. We strolled along the Royal garden back to the tube to head back to the train station. Back to St Alban we went. A full day and we just saw a small portion of the cities offerings...a reason to return- Hmmm.