Day Two (Tuesday December 20th)

Up at 7 a.m. and out the door before 8 a.m. Our first stop was at the local bakery. The one thing I noticed was the box of strawberry milk (EDRBEER) is the name for strawberry. I like the fact that it says beer.

From there we headed off to Hamburg, Germany. We are heading this way as a Christmas gift to me. I ran across "Miniatur Wunderland youtube and shared a year ago. Neat place and both Sara and Aaron knew I had an interest. So they bought us advance tickets, got us a hotel room and planned our 5 hour trip from their home to Hamburg. 

About half way we made our lunch stop at Cologne, Germany. After paying to use the restroom. 

As you can see this one cost .50 cents. Later at a quick shop we had to pay .70 cents. But that one gave you a receipt for .50 cents which could be used in the store. 

We decided to tour the Cologne Cathedral. After purchasing our tickets for 8 EURO’s a person we headed up a tower. After 154 steps Pam and I said “We Give” and headed back down. Aaron and Sara finished the walk for a total of 436 steps. Too tired to take pictures but just close your eyes and visualize walking in a circle about 4 feet wide going around and around as you go up.

We then went inside and the photos that follow are from inside. Unfortunately, we were not allowed to take photos of the treasures of the church. But WOW, the gold and artwork. 

Legs still hurting a bit so we were off to find a place to eat. After walking down a group of stairs and walking across the court yard we discovered that the Bristol that we had seen from afar was only opened during the A.M.

We found a small German restaurant. When ordering I remembered to say distilled water but Pam just said water. So I got one we would consider is normal water back home. Pam’s water was sparkling. See photos below.

Schweineschnitgzel Lederer

mit Tomate, Schafskäse und Rostzwiebeln überbacken dazu Pommes Drittes

Breaded Pork escalope baked with tomato, sheep cheese and roasted onions and French fries

Pam actual stepped out and got German for lunch

Tiroler art

mit Schmorzwtebeln, gebe, Speck und Stiegelet

Dazu Pommes Frites

bread pork with braised onions, fired bacon, fried egg and French fries

Notice the water bottle says natural - I gave Pam my distilled water and I drank her sprinkling water.

After our meal we toured another Christmas festival but didn’t take the time for photos.  After the festival we headed towards Hamburg. But we discovered that the drive was 4 hours even though we had already traveled 2 hours. Due to the time of day and traffic it was not a longer trip. 

After arriving in Hamburg we found our hotel which took a bit since the parking garage was hidden in the back. Before heading off to bed we hit the hotel grill and bar for supper and my first beer.

Frankziskaner kristallaar dunkel

Black-Angus Burger 

Focaccia bun, sweet peppers braised red onions and chili cream cheese

GOING TO CALL THIS SECTION FROM NOW ON - WHAT I LEARNED ABOUT GERMANY/ITALY

• ·    Stoplights – same three colors but what is different is how the yellow is used. Not only does it go green, yellow, red but it also goes red, yellow, green. It’s like saying get ready to go.
• I’ve learned there isn’t ice in the drinks here and you order distilled water if you want normal water (it still comes in a bottle).
•  Gas sells for 1.27 Euro. But wait, that’s for a liter. I believe it takes 3.79  liters to make a gallon. So, gas is 4.81 Euros a gallon.
• Villages are everywhere. Often found at the bottom of a group of hills.

• Windmills are everywhere. Seems like every village has them on top of the hills.
• Farming, I noticed how they farmed their hills. Didn’t see a whole lot of flat land to farm so it was not surprising to see how the hills were being used. You should be able to see this in some of the pictures I post.
• Trash pickup is almost daily. However, each day a different type of trash is picked up and even then, some recyclables are hauled off by the home owner.
• Semi-trucks cannot go as fast as they want even if the speed limit is unlimited. Based on the weight of the truck is how fast they can go.
• Saving Energy - been in many hotels during my life but first time I had to use my door key to turn on lights. So when you leave and take your key the lights go out.

• One more item on paid toilets. The following photo take a hard look at. You should notice that the seat is not lined up correctly. After you stand up a bar comes out from the back and the seat starts to rotate. As it travels under the bar water comes out to clean it. 

• To save water you have a choice on which button you push.

Day One (Monday - Dec. 19th)

Sunday 18th

We started our trip by getting up at 3:30 a.m. in KCMO.  We then caught the shuttle from the Hotel to the Airport at 4:30 a.m. Arriving at the airport we discovered the world of crazy. Due to flights being canceled the day before, we found a line that was over block long! Our problem was our flight was leaving at 5:46 a.m. and had no time to wait that long. After some problems getting our boarding passes  from the machines(gave up) we stepped into a special line heading to Salt Lake because it was much shorter. They have formed the line because the flight was leaving at 5:30 a.m. When we reached the counter the lady told us she could not help us without our boarding passes. So she took our bags and instructed us to return to the machines. After a third attempt the boarding passes came out. We returned to the counter and got the bags checked in.

We had to stand in another long line for gate entry. A man came along and offered people to get in a shorter line if their flight was leaving soon. We stepped out and he checked our boarding passes. He instructed us to get back in the line because we were not boarding until 6:30. Looking at the boarding passes we learned that our flight had been moved back to 7:05 as originally scheduled. There was a flight to Atlanta at 5:46 but appeared they had moved us back to 7:05 due to the large crowd. We went ahead and checked in and sat. While we were suppose to board before 7 a.m. and fly out at 7:05 we instead sat until 9:05 due to no plane arriving at KCI. Finally the plane arrived and we boarded. The plane departed at 9:30 and arrived in Atlanta at 11:15 a.m. there time (lost an hour).

A little exploring of the airport we discovered a Buffalo Wild Wings and sat down to watch the Chiefs host Tennessee. Had lunch and for you Chiefs fans, saw a disasterous ending. From there we headed off to the International section of the Airport where we sat for about an hour.

We boarded the 767-400 jet. Pam had upgraded our tickets to business class and in doing so split us for the 8 hour flight. She got the front row seat with a lot of leg room and window seat. Myself, I was three rows back in the middle but at least on the outside. She slept most of the way over however, I tried and tried but with no luck. So I watched three movies (I.T., Suicide Squad and Ghostbusters). Got up twice to just walk up and down and stretch the legs. During the flight they had free drinks including wine and beer. But I had 7-up and water. We also were served a meal. I've flown often but never long enough to be served a meal. Wanted to take a photo but my phone was stuck down in the front seat and couldn't reach it. The meal comes in small little containers on a tray. Salad, chicken and rice, shrimp, cheese, a roll and fudge. We also were served breakfast an hour from Frankfurt. Which was a piece of cheese, yogurt  juice and a roll. 

Arriving at the airport we had to walk a bit to go through customs. Once through a long line we picked up our luggage and met Aaron and Sara near the entrance. After a few hugs we jumped into the van and were off to see Germany.

It didn't take long before the different world surfaced. Let me just listed a few items.

• The car we were in would shut off at lights or anytime the brake was pushed and held down for a moment. Once you depress the break it starts and off you go. I learned this was common in German cars to save fuel. 
• Had to learn the new signs. 

Means NO set speed - Go as fast as you want! I believe our top speed was 110 mph.

Means RECOMMENDED speed of 60 Km/hr. But you can go as fast as you like.

• Paid bathroom in public. Yes, if you want to go to bathroom in public you have to pay. (photo under day two)
• When you order water it's not normal water. It comes with "gas" or carbonated water.  It taste like flat water. 

We arrived at Aaron and Sara's home to drop off the luggage. After checking out the place we left to get passes to Air Force base at Ramstein, so Pam and I could get into the military bases in Germany. Photos below are of the village around their home.

Once on the base we did a little shopping and had our first German meal for lunch.

Your looking at Crispy Schweinebraten. Comes with mash potato balls and red cabbage.

After shopping at the base we left to a near by town called  Kaiserslautern where we went to a large mall. After shopping the mall we went outside to attended a Christmas Festival. Music, food and beer was seen everywhere. 

I should note that getting up at 3:30 a.m. Sunday I did not get to sleep until Monday night German time 7 p.m. or noon Monday back home. So trust me I was a little tired. After sleeping 12 hours we are up and ready to go for day two. Our plan is to take a 5 hour drive to Hamburg, Germany and spend the night. So more to come!

Addition to Day One

After visiting the festival, we decided to stop at McDonalds. Yes, you heard right McDonalds. I was told there wouldn’t be a Big Mac. Who ever told me was wrong. However, besides the beef tasting more like soy bean, there is no drink that comes with the meal deals. I ordered the 10 on the meal and took a bit before the lady who did not speak English figured out what I wanted. Then I asked for a sweet tea. That didn’t turn out very well. First, they don’t have sweet tea. Second, what they give you is a cup of hot water and a bag of tea.

From there we returned back home where Pam and I crashed.

Departure for KCI. 

Had to change our plans due to the cold and poor weather. Instead of having our daughter (Jessica) drop us off at the hotel. We choose to drive the truck into Kansas City. To avoid parking and give our daughter a chance to get the truck back, we asked a friend of ours Brian Shore (lives in KC)  to ride along with us to the Hotel. He then took the truck back to his house where our daughter could pick it up later this week.

Temperature outside is 11 degrees with a forecast of -20 wind chill when we depart Sunday. Since we had some time today before arriving at the hotel, we decided on lunch at Famous Davies.

My meal was a two meat combo

Pam's was burnt ends

While traveling into KC our daughter in-law (Sara) texted Pam to let us know she noticed a change in our flight plans.  Instead of flying out at 7 a.m Sunday ,we are now leaving at 5:45 a.m. Which means leaving the Hotel by 4:30 a.m. Already pushing the sleep. 

We a course arrive earlier in Atlanta and it adds to our lay over. But we also learned that our flight from Atlanta to Germany has a later departure time. Instead of 5:30 we now leave at 5:56 and arrive 25 minutes later on Monday. Now arriving at 8:30 a.m. Frankfurt, Germany.  Pam called to confirm all of this only to hear on the phone that there was a two hour wait. I guess we should just be happy that our flights are still on time. 

While walking to the elevator in the Hotel we ran into a friend (Mary Ann Riederer) from Holton, Ks. They had come in earlier to beat the weather because they are catching a flight to Miami. There son pays college football and has a bowl game this week. Small world!

I'm updating this blog while sitting in the hotel room. It's 4 pm so within 12 hours we will be up and heading east. 

Last post before leaving for the airport. In the closing week before our departure we have purchased an additional suit case. Contacted a lawyer to create a living will, will and power of attorney. We've also contacted our business advisor and outlined what happens with the investments should something happen. We printed off all of our flight information. I know all exciting stuff. 

Few additional items that have occurred during the week:

• We learned that while in Europe you can't use normal debt cards. You can only use cards with the special chip.

• Did some research on the plane we will travel on crossing the Atlantic.  It will be a Delta 767. Our seats are located on the right hand side over the wing while flying over to Europe and on the left side over the wing coming back. 

• We did look at upgrading our seats but ran into a few challenges. The cost is about 100.00 a seat. Why upgrade? Our daughter upgraded when she traveled to England and said the leg room was well worth it. But the challenge is there are no 2 seats together. So we decided to wait until check in to see what might be available. 
• While at a meeting at Washburn University this week I met a lady who shared that while she was in Rome a year ago. That she was robbed four times. She shared how to go about hiding ones money while walking around and strongly encouraged me to lock any valuables in the hotel safe before leaving the hotel. 
• One of my U.S. History students is a foreign exchange student from Germany. When I told her I was going to Germany and where I would be staying she lite up. You could tell she's missing home. 

I'll take some photos of the suitcase and clothes when I finish packing on Saturday. I do this to show my World Geography students that need to plan what to take when you take a trip. Hopefully, this will help them on their future project "Around the World".