I'm Going Home! Eventually

Tuesday, June 14, 2016

The first leg of my trip has me flying from Hannover to Frankfurt.  My flight leaves at 6:40 a.m.  Ugh...  We left Barbara's at about 4:45.  It was an easy trip to the airport.  This airport is a piece of cake to navigate.  From the time it took me to check my bag, say goodbye to Barbara, get through security and find my gate it took me a whole 8 minutes.

The flight to Frankfurt was uneventful.  I had the entire row of 3 seats to myself.  Sweet!  I had almost 3 hours to kill in Frankfurt, so I got some tea and chocolate croissant and took my time.  I eventually made my way to the gate and waited.  And waited.  We finally boarded the flight to San Francisco, then we waited some more.  We took off 90 minutes late.  I was on the aisle of the center section of 4 seats.  The woman sitting next to me was traveling with a man who I assume was her husband.  They were speaking Italian.  I didn't talk to anyone the entire 11+ hour flight, except to answer questions from the flight attendants.  I did watch some movies, so it wasn't boring.  We made up about 30 minutes in the air, so the plane was only an hour late.  But being late meant there wasn't a gate available.  We had to wait another hour for that.  Finally I get into the airport, only to find a new system at passport control.  There were 2 lines, one for U.S. passport holders and one for everyone else.  So why did I see other countries passports in my line?  Right, to slow us down.  Great!  There were about 20 kiosks for everyone.  Finally I got to one.  It scanned my passport, took my picture, and I had to answer a bunch of questions.  It gave me a print out.  Then I had to stand in another line to have an immigration officer physically look at my passport and the printout I got at the kiosk with my photo.  After both of those were stamped I could make my way to the luggage carousel.  Perfect timing.  The bags were beginning come out.  It didn't take long for mine to appear.  Yay!  I got out to the arrivals hall and found Jim right away.  Let's get out of there!  My flight was supposed to land at 12:55 p.m.  We left the parking garage at 4:00.  And to top it off, parking cost $22!  Now we had to deal with commute traffic.  It took over an hour just to get to the Bay Bridge.  It was after 8:00 p.m. When we arrived home.  We only stopped once, for about 10 minutes.  We picked up some In-N-Out to eat in the car on the way.  I wanted to get home as soon as possible.

It was so nice to arrive home, and sleeping in my own bed was heavenly.  Well, I slept for about 2 1/2 hours.  Then I was wide awake the rest of the night.  Jet lag always kicks my ass after I arrive home.

Home Sweet Home!

This Is It - My Last Day

Monday, June 13, 2016

In the morning Barbara took Sascha to the train station, then a little later we started making the rounds.  We visited several friends of Barbara's.  The first two friends were very welcoming and showed us their beautiful gardens.  The last person was someone who had gone to Malta for 8 weeks to learn English.  Barbara thought it would be nice for him to practice it with me.  He was very nice, offering us coffee/tea and cookies.  He was hesitant to speak, expressing that he thought he wasn't very good.  On the contrary, he seemed to understand most of what I said and could reply appropriately.  I wish I was that proficient in another language.  We met so many people who could speak 2, 3, 4 and even more languages.  The U.S. certainly lags in that department.

After we were done visiting with people it was time to think about dinner.  We ended up going to a Spanish place.  They had tapas, so I had to have some.  Delicious!  It was a nice way to end a wonderful 10 days with the family.  I'm ready to go home now.

Cologne with Barbara and Sascha

Sunday, June 12, 2016

Barbara's neighbor was having a birthday party a noon.  She asked for some help, so we went downstairs.  After helping to cut veggies, put together platters of food, and set things up, it was time to go.  Just as the party was getting started.  Sascha was arriving from Berlin.  Barbara left to retrieve Sascha from the train station.   I stayed behind and took a little nap.  I needed that!

 After Sascha had some time to rest we went downtown and had a nice walk through a park area.

We then went to the Maschsee.

We took a boat trip around the lake.

Our boat was bigger!

It was a nice relaxing way to spend the day.

Cologne to Hannover

Saturday, June 11, 2016

After a nice visit in Cologne it was time to return to Hannover.  I won't be seeing Danielle again on this trip.  Is was so nice to spend time with her.  I will be seeing Sascha again in Hannover.  Danielle went to the train station with me and hung out with me until the train arrived.  It was hard to say goodbye.  Barbara was waiting for me when the train arrived in Hannover.  We returned to her house and just relaxed and talked the rest of the day.  I told her about where we talked about for the next family trip.  To say she was excited is an understatement!

Cruising The Rhine

Friday, June 10, 2016

Today is my last day in Cologne.  Danielle and I discussed different possibilities for the day, and we decided on a boat trip on the Rhine.  We would have liked to go from Bonn to Koblenz, but it would take too long.  We settled for going from Bonn to Linz.  We got to the train station in Cologne and realized we had very little time to catch the train.  My left knee is still bothering me from the sprain.  I tried to walk briskly/jog after Danielle.  Immediately I felt pain in my right calf.  I'm assuming I pulled a muscle.  All I know is I could barely walk.  It hurt like hell!  We did make it on time to take the train to Bonn, then went took a taxi to the boat.  Or tried to.  I guess the driver was trying to take a round about route, and then we got stuck in traffic.  Great, out of the taxi to hobble further than I had hoped.  Getting older can be a challenge some days!

It was a beautiful sunny day.  Perfect weather.  This is a scenic stretch of river.  It's running very high right now, and there was some question about whether the boats would be running.  Luckily for us, there wasn't a problem with that.  We found a couple of chairs on the deck and settled in for the ride.  There were interesting things to see on both sides.  It was nice to have Danielle showing me points of interest and places where she has worked or has a personal connection to.  She made a nice little lunch for us.  Much better and healthier than the food available on board.

High river

Car ferry across the Rhine

I'm not sure why there was an American flag flying when we got off the boat.  Maybe they were expecting us!

Linz is a very old and a very charming town.  It's full of half timbered houses.  We walked around to see the area.  Apparently there is a year round Christmas market.  We skipped that, as well as the crime and punishment museum.

The teaser for the C&P museum

Danielle suggested we get a little bit of cake or something to snack on for the boat trip back to Bonn.  We went into this shop, where we encountered the friendliest and most helpful guy I've met on the trip. He literally ran up the stairs to retrieve a boat schedule to show us when the next boat leaves.  He showed us the cake choices.  None appealed to me.  Danielle chose what she wanted.  He ran back out and returned with a piece of ice cream pie.  He declared it was for marketing purposes and was on the house.  We had a bit of discussion about his future plans for iced tea, using fruit infused ice cubes. He was full of enthusiasm.  It was a pleasure to witness.

Cake shop

It was a thoroughly delightful town and wonderful way to spend some time.  I could see spending more time there.

For some reason the return boat was a different company.  And definitely a different attitude.  Danielle got on first and went to look for a good place for us to sit.  She could move much faster than I could.  I followed behind, carrying the containers with the cakes.  A very stern man informed me that there was no eating or drinking inside.  Okay then, I guess it was good we were going to sit outside.  Danielle found us some good seats.  We were enjoying the view.  Danielle took her water bottle out to take some medicine.  The previously mentioned man came up behind her and reprimanded her for drinking the water.  She told him she needed it to take her medicine.  He kept a very close eye on us after that. Oh, and people could eat and drink.  It just had to be their food and drink.  I much preferred the KD boat.  It was much more relaxed.

We took the train back to Cologne and I bought my train ticket for tomorrow.  I'm returning to Hannover.  When we got back to the apartment, dinner was ready.  But first, they had some ointment that might help my leg.  Raymund is a very good cook.  His sister was feeling well enough so we all ate together.  She is very sweet, and after we said our goodbyes (she and Raymund are leaving early tomorrow) she returned with a little pin on button with the cathedral towers to remind me of my time here.  Raymund has been very welcoming and kind since I arrived.  After dinner he gave me two very good quality small kitchen knives.  He said the tradition is that I have to pay him one cent for each one.  I didn't have any pennies, so he got five cents for each one.

I may not have access to wifi after I leave here, so there may be a stretch of days when I can't post.  I'll do my best.  I'm going home Tuesday.

Cologne With Cousins!

Thursday, June 9, 2016

Sascha and I had breakfast on the deck, taking in the great view.  It was a beautiful sunny morning.  Danielle joined us a little later and we sat around talking.  Today is the last for us to all be together.  Then it came time for Sascha to prepare for her journey to Berlin later in the day.  In the U.S. we have the show "The Voice."  In Germany, in addition to The Voice they have The Voice Kids.  The children range in age from 8 years old to 14 years old.  Sascha will be working this weekend helping to select the children who will have the opportunity to go the the blind auditions segment of the show.  She will come to Hannover from Berlin.

Danielle and I walked around some different parts of the city.  We discussed what we will do tomorrow,  then looked into how we can make it happen.

We returned to the apartment to help with preparations for the dinner Raymund was making.  Marc joined us after he got off of work.  I met Raymund's sister, who also lives in the apartment.  She didn't have dinner with us because she had a migraine.  Raymund prepared squid ink pasta and grilled octopus for the first course.  It was good.  The second course was sea bass and salad.  For dessert we had a choice of apple tart or chocolate cake.  Danielle and Raymund went for the healthier option of the tart.  Marc and I opted for the chocolate cake.  Everything was tasty.  We came up with a plan to go to Hawaii.  Maybe it will actually happen some day.

Bonn

Wednesday, June 8, 2016

Today Danielle and I met Sascha at the train station and we went to Bonn,  Bonn was the capital of Germany before it moved to Berlin.  There are still government buildings there, as well as United Nations buildings.  

We went to the Museum of Contemporary History of the Federal Republic of Germany.  It covered the history of Germany since 1945.   There wasn't a guided tour in English, so we got audio guides.  It was very interesting to see information about WWII from the German perspective.    After the war the German economy was devastated and families had been torn apart.  The following decades brought many challenges.

Section of the Berlin Wall

Later we had a very nice lunch, then walked around Bonn.  

These were the signs at the restaurant announcing what door to go for the bathroom.

Danielle took the train back to Cologne and I went to Sasha's choir rehearsal.  She directs a jazz choir that is getting ready to record their 2nd CD. I enjoyed listening to the beautiful voices and seeing Sascha at work.  I wish I had a small percentage of her musical talents.  A choir member drove us back to Cologne.  Since it was late it was decided that I would spend the night at Sascha's.  Otherwise I would go to Sascha's and then Marc would drive me to Danielle's.  We would arrive very late.  It was too far out of the way for the choir member to drop me off at Danielle's.  Sascha called Danielle and told her what the plan was.  When we got back to Cologne we coincidentally drove right by Danielle's.  Of course she wasn't expecting me and was probably in bed.  

Sascha and Marc live on the 5th floor (no elevator) and have a spectacular view of the cathedral.

This is the view in the daytime -

  

Cologne (Köln)

June 7, 2016

It was a sad morning as we drove Jim to the Hannover airport to begin his long journey home.  He flew from Hannover-Munich, Munich-Washington DC, then Washington DC-Sacramento.  We went back to Barbara's for breakfast, then Marc drove me and Danielle to Cologne.  His car goes FAST!  The fastest  I had ever dared to go in a rental car is 200 kph, or in my understandable terms, about 125 mph.  Marc drove safely, but when the opportunity allowed for it was able to go up to 260 kph, or about 162 mph. Oh yeah...that was fun!!

Marc dropped us off at Danielle's house, where I met her boyfriend, Raymund.  He was very nice and welcoming.  His sister also lives there, but I have not met her yet.  I was shown to my room, where I proceeded to settle in.  We had some lunch before resting for awhile.  We had plans to meet Sascha and Marc around 4:00 in the old city center.  Danielle and I went a little earlier and went into the very impressive cathedral.  It's located next to the main train station.  

After meeting Sascha and Marc we had a nice walk around the old area of the city.

Marc treated us to a lovely dinner at a restaurant located high above the city.  The views were amazing.

The wind was blowing like crazy.  We got some really funny pictures, but I won't embarrass anyone (mostly myself) by putting them on here.

Jim's Last Day

June 6, 2016

Our day in Hamburg yesterday was busy and we got back to Hannover late.  It was decided that today would be a bit more relaxed.  Sascha had to leave early, and Danielle and Marc had work to do.  Jim, Barbara and I went to a nearby park.  This park is enormous and beautiful, full of large trees, flowers, water gardens and open grassy spaces.  There is a Japanese Tea Garden, and we were able to see a small part of it.  After exploring the park we sat under a large tree, relaxing and talking.  It was a very pleasant way to spend some time.  

Later, when Danielle and Marc were finished with their projects, it was decided that we would go to the zoo.  We walked there, only to discover that what we were to see or do there was no longer possible.  

No big deal, we will go to a biergarten and decide what will happen next.  There is a forest in the center of Hannover, very close to where Barbara lives.  It has nice walking and bike paths, and a biergarten somewhere inside.  We got our drinks, found a table and started talking.  

Talking about food.  Then Chinese food.  Then dim sum.  Okay, now everyone is hungry.  Danielle and I discussed the possibility of me making Chinese food in Cologne.  Then we discussed whether it's possible to get dim sum in Cologne.  Which made us wonder if it was available in Hannover.  Yes it is!  Many restaurants are closed on Mondays, but not the Chinese place.  We had walked to the biergarten and we were drinking, so we took a taxi to the restaurant.  We had Sui Mai, Har Gow, steamed bows, potstickers and a couple of other dishes.  Not too bad.

It was close to 10:00 p.m. when we walked back to Dagmar's.  It's still very light here at that time of night.  Barbara, Danielle and Marc continued on to Barbara's.  We are being picked up at 6:30 a.m. to take Jim to the airport.  It seems like he just got here.  I wish he didn't have to go.  We packed up our things and hung out with Dagmar and Cookie for awhile.  We had some wine and nice conversation.  Okay, it's after midnight.  Time for bed.  We said our goodbyes to Dagmar.  She is not an early riser, so we won't see her in the morning.

Sometime after Jim fell asleep, Cookie came into the room and climbed onto Jim's bed.  Dagmar came in to get her, but Cookie didn't want to leave.  Jim has a new girlfriend.

Hamburg

Sunday, June 5, 2016

Today we went to Hamburg.  There were seven of us - me, Jim, Barbara, Sascha, Marc, Danielle and Dagmar.  We had to change trains in Uelzen.  The train station there is very unique and artistic, both inside and out.

We finally reached Hamburg and we went on a harbor tour.  The city is very attractive and we had a lot of fun.

We walked through the old town area to the Rathaus, aka the town hall.  

It was quite hot outside so we ended up taking a cool break at Starbucks.  Barbara and Dagmar decided to go their own way after that.  The rest of us completed the harbor tour.  By this time the weather had cooled a bit and it was really nice to be out on the water.  After we got off the boat and were making our way to the Ubahn station we started to feel occasional rain drops.  By the time we got to the stop where we were to go find Barbara and Dagmar, it was pouring.  This morning the weather report said there was 0% chance of rain.  We were not prepared for this!  Barbara and Dagmar had taken cover at a café, and they were nice and dry, drinking wine and an Aperol Spritzer.  As we tried to add chairs for the rest of us, an employee said we couldn't do that.  We found another cafe where we could stay semi-dry, but no one came to take our orders.  Plan B was to find a place nearby for dinner, then get on the train for the long ride back to Hannover.  We found a steak house and I think everyone was happy with their meal.  They had a salad dressing called "American Dressing."  It was creamy with tarragon.  Since I had never heard of American dressing, and had to try it.  It was pretty good.  I even used some to dip pieces of my steak in it.  It tasted a little like bernaise sauce.  

Hamburg is an interesting city with a nice mixture of old and new architecture.