Out in Zurich!

I have been debating whether or not to go out tonight. Oops! Did I mention I'm in Zurich? For one, I need to catch up on blogging....I think I'm still in Berlin? For the other, I could save money! Here's how I know it was the right decision to come out and come to this particular restaurant...the tram I needed to take leaves from two blocks away and goes straight there...after getting lost all day, I can handle that! When I get off the tram, I wander-shocker! But there are the most beautiful sops. One antique jewelry store has a beautifully printed sign that says "Sorry We're Closed" I reply "I'm sorrier I don't have the millions I'd need to successfully shop here!" but I can afford to drool! I find the street I need! And just to cement it, I see a girl smoking outside-hooray its smoke free inside! And I pass a ballet store and see the cutest littlest tutus and think of my girls;)
Haven't had a bite and I love it! Here's why...I walk in and the maitre d doesn't make me feel odd for choosing a fondue restaurant to eat in alone (or make me feel odd for eating alone at all-which occasionally happens) instead he sweeps his arms between two tables finally settling on the nicer one, in the older part of the restaurant-perfect! Then comes my waiter. He is darling, twinkle in his eye the whole bit. Would I like to start with a drink? (he hadn't met me;)) I ask about red wine, he suggests Swiss. Thank God. Why would I want to have anything else. It's a very reasonable very yummy Swiss wine. I'm a happy girl! I ask if cheese fondue can be prepared for one...of course! He suggests I start with a mixed salad. Has he been following me? I've been craving greens all day! Not an ordinary green salad it has mixed greens with a really yummy vinaigrette-kinda reminds me of the champagne vinaigrette I made a couple months ago. Very light!

The friends who were holding hands two minutes ago are not practically yelling at each other across the table. Kinda glad they already got their check! Ooh now they're happy again! One has given the other a gift! The table across from them sighs when they leave.

The couple who takes their place is a man from New York and a woman he shrugs off as being European. She's French and very pretty. I'd say they're in their late 60s early 70s. He says Kansas City is a great place to leave. He's never been. Gotta love New York! It's only 8:45 and this KC girl is not yawning in her water glass:) nor does she have a comb over! He is very important and keeps letting his date know. He "deals with" the CEO of McDonalds, his friend is an attorney for Obama, another for Ruth Madoff. Have you ever wondered about that surname? Made off?

Oh I love my waiter! He's been over to double check my cheese and wine and me! In seeing this, The Combover messes with their fondue set. My waiter fixes it. After he walks away, C calls him an idiot. Clearly! How could a Swiss waiter in a Swiss restaurant known for fondue know more about it than him! Now he's pissed that his son is getting married. Why does he want to settle down? And why is he in Afghanistan (serving his country)? C hates war zones. I HAVE to stop listening. He's crazy and pompous. Bummer he's taken. Although, I don't know. I haven't heard the woman's voice since they sat down! She's so going on my prayer list tomorrow! They're both very nice when they leave (she recommends Eat, Pray, Love and Rome!). Yes, I'm still here. For one, I'm enjoying my wine, life, the fact it's not raining inside and the tall blonde has essentially challenged me to stay until midnight when they close! I won't. I'm going to pay the check right now and go home and behave;)
Ugh! This guy should run. He's figured out every reason no one else is good enough. Don't be silly! He tells her about one candidate. Then "I'm a dinner jacket" He's not saying that he's just playing... Ahmadinejad!
He also ends up telling her how expensive dinner will be tonight. Beyyyyyyoooond tacky! I always remember, Mom, that you said Russy never wanted anyone to feel guilty about an experience. Of course, we know, guilt is a wasted emotion!
Ooooooh what can be better than cheese and bread and wine!! It's a rhetorical question! My mother reads this blog, as does my grandmother! Honestly, I can think of nothing better! I'm a happy girl! Happier still that my waiter has no plans to rush! How do you rush fondue? And I haven't had it since 2003! Oh, please! I can tell you where it was and what I was wearing;) this is sooo much better, yum!
I should mention that my waiter is training a waitress. It's odd because he's probably 60-ish,salt-and-pepper hair and a smaller man, she's probably 40-ish and a very tall blonde, the table she's practicing on encourages her to share a drink with them,which she does. Lauren, I remember you doing that at Figlio's on the Plaza when I was dating Billy! Hilarious!

Ahhh, finally a diver down! You have to do that at least once when eating fondue, and when you're eating it on your own, it is your sole responsibility! I've done it, retrieved it, that probably means check please, which is a good thing...who couldn't sit and twirl cheese on bread all night? My waiter is singing;) it's not one of those cheesy (no pun intended) restaurants where waiters do that, he's just happy;) I love it!

As I'm leaving, the maitre d, my waiter and the waitress all wave goodbye, smiling. Love this place! Totally coming back:) outside, it almost feels warmer than earlier. As I step outside I'm immediately at Church. It's beautiful and there's a bridge leading over the river to another beautiful church. I'll take that walk! The chimes in the church I'm walking toward immediately start chiming. Of course they do! What a good sign. The church is locked, but it's 11:45 on a Monday, that's not surprising. Above the door is a depiction of Mary and Joseph and a few others looking at baby Jesus in his cradle. I think they're like any other group of people, admiring a beautiful baby, wondering what he'll do, what he'll become. Of course this makes me think...no candles tonight boys, but I'm holding my rosary sending prayers up for each of you.

I walk back minding the path of the train but enjoying/preferring the walk. This is another great walking town;) And a great shopping town! I decide midnight is the perfect time for me to shop! I can see everything and buy nothing;)

A lirttle more Vienna

Did I mention that it's ball season in Vienna? Well it is and the next best thing to going to a ball is getting to see everyone dressed up for it! Gorgeous dresses and women definitely sizing each other up. The woman with the backless green dress is getting the most sideways looks. That's envy. She looks great! Meanwhile the blond next to me also looks beautiful but she can't breathe! She keeps clutching her side;( thats no fun at all! She's seated with two men neither one of which is paying any attention to her:( one is eating some sort of sandwich and talking through it. I may be a little dressed den in comparison but i can chew with my mouth closed and not talk when I've got a mouthful. That's it! I should go to the ball in his place! Although his tux may be a little long for me! The men just look like they're in uniform. Do they get how cute we think tuxedos are? Doubtful! (I really prefer the white tie) Anyway I'm at the Sachar which is way out of my price range. I headed out tonight to find a little cafe mentioned in the book. I had a lovely ride in the tram (it really is fun! I like watching it snake out;)) then I took the tram back...I saw this place, remembered it from the book (the famous cake) my feet are sopping wet, as am I and it's very cold out in that slushy mess, so in I came! Do you know what doesn't go well with a ball gown! Chewing gum. Plus, won't it ruin your champagne, which I'm just assuming you'll have?! I'm in the Blaue Bar-that's how it's spelled! And I'm having the least expensive drink on the menu which just happens to be Pinot noir! My favorite! And now I can snuggle into my little blue velvet club chair and wait for the ball to start!
The table across the room is talking about America. I can't tell you how concerned people are about our economy. And they're just shocked. It seems plausible for a recession anywhere but the states. It's odd because they're calling for the fall of the euro within the year. Ok, I can see two of the three men face on. You may have to google one of them. One looks like Tom Tivol and the other like Chris Ivery....he's married to Ellen Pompeu-Meredith on Grey's- I haven't watched that show in years!

They get up to go to the ball (I'm assuming) and each woman is smoothing their dress, one even adjusts her Spanx! Not one guy pays attention to his ensemble. Isn't that weird? And Chris Ivery's vest is a mess! It's all turned up and wrinkly. Ugh!

I love this place, especially on a cold night like tonight! I will definitely be back;)

Vienna! I love a cafe!

I get to Vienna at 6am. I am so not a morning person, worse if I haven't slept:( so I'm feeling less than perfect. The only issue with arriving at 6am is that nothing is open. I decide to take this time to get organized (and do crosswords!). I would write to you, but even I don't like to talk to me in the morning, so why would I do that to you? There's a lounge just outside the station and I file in behind the crowd find a spot where I can rest in a chair with my feet on my backpack. It's a motley crew at 6am. There is the nerdiest foursome ever...I love them! The older two watch all the bags while the younger couple goes for a walk. I think they are going skiing. At least I hope so, they have a lot of skis. There are probably five or six or seven men who seem to have slept here overnight. Another downtrodden man comes in. A pair speak very sternly to him and point to a bag. He says nothing and sits down. The other two leave. A while later they come back in yell at him again. The one points his finger in his face which makes me feel badly because he has a lot of scars on his face-I hope they are not making fun of him. He leaves with his head down low. The finger pointer slides the bag out from under the chair and slides something into it. As he stands up two bottles of liquor fall out of his coat. Am I in a B-movie or what? He quickly shoves one bottle in the bag and the other in his coat and smiles to himself (not a lot of teeth) as he walks out. I decide I will leave here no later than 7:30, double check my "plan" in the main station and jump on the tram. That will give me plenty of time to walk around and then be at the tourist office by 9 when they open;) and it will allow time for the sun to brighten up the city a little bit! I get my 48 hour pass from the ticket machine-how economical am I? And I'm on my way to bus 62. Ah, Vienna! Ah, cement! I know it's cold, but dry. Somehow I miss a piece of black ice and I'm down. I don't know why I can't fall backwards? I've got padding, and this huge backpack to land one, but I go down on one knee. A man sees me but I think he is so shocked (and, I'm sure amazed by my grace) that he just stands mouth open arms midair. I'm up! No worries! Its totally the other leg than the one with my map of Ireland bruise so I'll be balanced! Perfect! Bus 62, I'm off! It takes me right to the Oper which is good because that's where I was headed. Vienna has so much musical history, obviously and it's amazing to see this old opera house with the beautiful park nearby. I wander some more just looking up at all the amazing architecture, not even necessarily caring what it is, but enjoying the moment. I'm always wondering if people who live in cities like this appreciate it or does it just start to look unspecial (new word) at some point? I think about St. Teresa's and the University of San Diego. Both of which I loved. I think I appreciated it. STA maybe more because of our family history there. But both schools are gorgeous. And what's so cool is they've both continued to add on/change but kept their heritage at the heart of it.
At the TI, I get directions to my hotel as well as direction to a laundromat. I'm getting nervous...can this town be that easy to navigate? Pension Vera has a huge sweeping staircase. I have visions of me descending it in a ball gown:) I'm early, of course, but they check me in anyway....I'm in #13....eerie! I didn't even know they made #13, you know how there's not a floor 13? My room is perfect. A nice little armoire and desk on one wall and the bed and bath on the other. Snug, but perfect. It's baby blue with a picture of a sunflower on the wall-hello Kansas! And a huge tall window with a lace curtain-hello, Ireland!

And I'll be honest I've got to lay down. I am soooo not feeling well. Beyond the not sleeping thing I've got the nausea/starving thing going on. Usually I feel better if I lie down, since it's not always an option, I'm going to take advantage of the fact that today it is option, plus I've already been down my dramatic staircase twice to try to get laundry done and neither place could do it. Well, one would but not the jeans and couldn't have it done until late next week...not exactly convenient. I'm not sure where I'll be in a week.
So I'm on my belly watching CNN, because its one of two English speaking channels I have.the other is BBC Entertainment and it had on a show I felt
Ike you needed to know more about, especially to get their accents down! Anyway, CNN is still griping about (read pushing their program on) child labor in the cocoa industry. It's serious stuff, but over promoted . It does seem that they have the same stories are just recycled every few minutes with the same exacts words- i wonder if thats a good savings for them? But boring for me. Enough! Feel yucky at "home" or running around Vienna? Tough choice. This is another walking town, and I LOVE to walk. I'm always shocked that I don't fall (more) because I'm always looking up! The architecture is so gorgeous. I'm just constantly amazed that this work could be done so long ago, and shocked that it's not still being done today. There's a reason we're all still traveling to see these buildings. Not too many of us are arching our backs to get the perfect picture of the inside of the new building on our corner.

After a couple of hours, I end up at Cafe Pruckel. Its a fabulous Viennese cafe where you can sit all day with coffee and a cigarette. I'm having tea and a newspaper. It's the first time I've tried to read a newspaper on one of those fan things. Actually, not difficult! I think reading newspapers is inconvenient anyway-they're too long too wide for my lap! But this I'm doing with flair. I see me, literally! There are mirrors everywhere! There is the cutest dog at the table next to me. He's a little black lab:) oh my heart goes to Guinness (and Jake and Saoirse)! They are the best dogs ever! This one loves his guy...an older man who keeps looking and smiling at his little friend. Being curled up in between cafe tables is soooo old hat for this puppy (he could be 80. All dogs are puppies to me, some horses, too!) I go look at the dessert case. I could so work the dessert case. Customers go and then get to pick out the dessert they want. They get a number! And then their waiter will appear with it in moments. Even if I'd be afraid of dropping a tray, I could still encourage people on dessert and then portion it out! What a happy job!

Now I'm going to do the tour of the city that's described in the book. What's always funny to me is that on my own I find these places anyway. And I love that! So half of this I've seen and so after several hours I skip to Cafe Tirolerhof. It's packed is I don't find a table right away. A waiter notices and tries to find one for me but I want one where I can snuggle in against a bench. He finds one, but an older gentleman is standing guard. Instead I choose a snugly bench seat where I can see everyone coming and going and whatever in between! My favorite! We used to call it "tower of power" at USD.
A man leaves and then comes immediately back in to tell me something. I don't know what but its intense and he's very nose-to-nose with me. This is when I feel really guilty that I don't speak anything well besides English (well...). I apologize and explain the English thing, he shrugs his shoulders, repeats everything and more, smiles, winks and is out the door. I feel complimented even though I have no idea what he has said.
I love my waiter! He's kind of schlumpy but professional! He flips chairs around and back into their proper spot while walking through the cafe with his eyes up and focused on his customers but not in a creepy way, just observing and knowing exactly when to clear a plate or offer another drink. I want to be a waiter like that! Watching him get a dessert from the dessert case in the middle of the floor is like watching a ballet. He has it didn't to such a science and you can tell he genuinely cares about how the slice of whatever scrumptious thing looks like when it gets to his customer, and what they look like in the case.

I order hot chocolate with Irish whiskey....like and Irish coffee but no coffee;) he gets the biggest grin on his face. It's not on the menu, but he knows what I mean and it's yummy!
The paper I'm reading now is the Dec/Jan issue of Vienna Review. I'm drinking hot chocolate with whiskey and learning-what a concept! I read about a priest who is trying to involve his congregation instead f consolidating parishes; train laity in greater roles (giving sermons/communion) his Arch Bishop refers to it as heresy. I'm going to continue to follow this man in his quest. I'm a traditionalist, but a realist.
There are also now three books I want to pick up! I love this!
A man is holding the door on his way out...brrr...i don't see anyone coming in...ooh a woman is going to leave, but first she's got to grab her bright yellow razor! I love it! She scoots out the door on it. ;)
And I love that everything Is served on a silver tray!


The windows are slightly fogged, not in the yucky steam room muggy way but in a romantic way with strings of lights outside each window.
A cross between me and Sharon Osbourne, whom I love walks out the door. Sharon's haircut and look, but I know she's like me because she pauses before going out the door, rolls her eyes and says something in German. I can tell you what she said since we're so similar, something to the effect of "ugh! I'm going the wrong way! Out into the cold." because that's what I would say.
A couple across from me is eating sausages and I realize that if they're eating them properly, I was way off yesterday. I cut off a little piece of bread, added the spicy mustard to it, a little horseradish and put a slice of sausage on top! Like a little open-faced sausage treat! They each have a sausage in one hand and the roll in the other. Drag the sausage through the mustard (neither one of them is going for the horseradish) take a bite of sausage and then a bite of roll! Makes sense much less time consuming! Ooh! Now the man has tried the horseradish....big bite of roll;) I could stay here for ever!

On the next stretch of walking, I see a little doll doctor shop. I think I need that fir all my Madame Alexander dolls so the girks can play with them;) i also think about how I could have used them when my sister (!) gave all my dolls crew cuts in ber attempt to give them Dorothy Hammills. What a sad day;(
I pass a restaurant that has an upside down bouquet of light bulb-so cute! Back to St. Stephens its just so gorgeous!

Sometimes trying too hard doesn't get the best results. I thought I'd have a goodbye cocktail before leaving Vienna on my night train to Zurich. It's Sunday night, so it's a little hard on a Sunday night, I kind of get that. But I end up at the Sky Bar at Steffl. I am thinking of the Stiffles from Chicago, Jen. The nonsmoking section is closed so is half of the smoking section? They are crazy about taking my jacket...in general, I keep my jacket because I'm not tall (!) and I'll use it behind my back so that I can support my back and touch the ground with my feet;) "it's the law here" I know there's a translation issue, but really, "I must"? I feel badly to be tucked in between two couples each of who was kissing each other over their tables. But I feel worse when all four of them light up! Ugh! You're so young! Time to get over it! My Cosmo arrives, there's some slow jam 80s in the background and I'm overlooking my church. One of the cool things about the church is that although they're restoring part of the outside, they've put a canvas drape over it and have reproduced the original look of the building on it! So when you look at the building, it's almost like its whole and in its original condition. From here I can only see the top of it which is this fabulous spire and multicolored tile roof. Seriously, how did they do this stuff so long ago?
Okay this is the second time for Careless Whisper...and my allergies are going nuts. Goodbye Vienna! I will be back, and you just might be smoke free;(

Dresden....Prague...Vienna!

I could not tackle the washing machine! A-there are four hundred lines of directions and they are very serious, B-where's the dryer? Clean clothes are great...clean wet clothes, not so much! That's okay in a couple days I'll be in Vienna and there's a list of people who will do it cheap and fast, laundry! I could do that job. Any job where I get to meet a lot of people would be fun. But I had such a fun nite I don't care! Actually I get home and pop open the tiny bottle of wine the Marriott gave me and pour it in one of the glasses. I don't even finish it, it's just fun to toast this little apartment and of course, Dresden;) cheers! I fall into bed a happy girl!
In the morning my city looks every bit as I imagined it would, it's so pretty! And the thing of it is, it shouldn't be anything at all after all the bombs that were dropped on it! This city was disproportionally attacked. I can't imagine why. The people are wonderful and the city has recovered and rebuilt even better!
It's another great walking town. The castle and opera house are incredible and I love the walk over the bridge from one end of the city to the other. It's the river I really love. The Elbe. It's gorgeous. It makes me wonder why Kansas City isn't developed differently. All the towns I've fallen in love with so far have had a river running through them (great movie!) I fall in love with the Church of Our Lady. Here I decide to pray for Johnny and Cooper. I light candles and pray in one area of the church,but as I stand up I see there is a separate grotto built into the church. Mary is there and a girl is praying to her. There are flowers tucked into areas of the grotto. In an arch there are gifts to Mary. Since there are all sorts of different gifts of varying "value" I decide this is the best place to donate my boots. They are too big and as such have hurt my right ankle. I looked for someone to give them to, someone along the street and then someone inside the church who may be in charge of that sort of thing but I didn't find anyone. Mary will figure it out for sure!

Now to Prague! Never been, can't wait:)
The train ride is gorgeous...seriously, why don't I take the train more often? I have a whole car to myself...not a compartment, a car. And all the seat numbers are in the 70s! The cart guy comes by...I could be the car girl! I'd probably get discounts on train rides;) Just as I'm thinking what a bummer it would be to live so close to busy train track (or train tracks at all) I notice that most of the people who do have taken complete advantage of it. They've painted beautiful scenery on the side of their homes or named them "Villa Romantica" "Edelwiesse" love it!
We also pass a putt putt golf that looks pretty impressive. I figure SB is there with Jimmy, Bobby and Hank;) no race car track though. Or Hooters!
The German countryside looks just like you'd think it would, and just how you'd want it to. Except for one house...the part where it should be a beautiful creamy eggshell is instead a soft neon yellow...soft like someone has painted over the neon with the creamy eggshell but it keeps showing through.
All of a sudden I see this spire (finally I'm seated the right way-I can see what's coming) that almost reminds me of what you'd see in a Russian picture book (that's right, I said it) and just then they announce that we are in the Czech Republic and will be nearing Prague, or Praha,soon!
A new ticket taker comes by. This is only interesting to me as I hear myself say hello to her almost like my Ryry would. It's like I can't figure out my own accent!

In my next life, I wanna be me! My room in Praha is so cute! It's #5, of course, so Tamra, you'd love it, too! It took me forever to find it...well 2:15 including the cab ride;( but once I'm there and hike up the stairs to U Zeleneho Vena..."Green Garland" (along a green runway, no less) the hostess is soooo sweet! Her biggest concern is how I will see all of Praha in one day. I'm a fast walker, I tell her;) up to the sitting area-darling and into my room. I have a little loft! A big bathroom with a towel warmer (these are addictive!) and down the little flight of stairs to the beds-I'm in a private, mind you, it's just that there are two beds. I plop down on the one that I will sleep in and sigh. Out my window I see two cute young guys working! It's almost 7! Go home! Or go out:) I freshen up and decide to grab a glass of wine. My hostess is so excited that I'm going out! Have fun, but mind your bag. I will. I'm not going too far, I promise. And I don't! Around the corner a couple times and I'm in a big square-well you know how I am...I find an outdoor cafe, tented with heat lamps....did I mention that it's pouring rain and very cold!? I grab a table overlooking the square, wait the waiter says not that one he's right, water is still coming in a little bit. He finds me a better one under a lamp and looking out on my square..wow! I am right in front of THE clock! In two minutes its going to chime! I order the flank steak appetizer thing-it's a steak house, and a glass of red wine-I'm me...I mean it's cold! The waiter comes back over with a warm red blanket and says, "please" not the you-idiot-it's-cold please but the I-don't-want/can't-imagine-you-being-cold kind of please. Really, he looks dramatic, he actually looks like Simanovsky, who I always had a little crush on. Too bad I'm not going to Russia! Well, I don't think I am. The clock chime is amazing! Something tells me I'll be here when it chimes the next hour;) i love my waiter! I'm at El Toro Negro. I know, not original, but great food and my waiter! Wine is served in a small carafe. He manages to find the exact moment when my glass is a little less than half-full and pour! But he's not hovering. I am so moving to Praha! Can't wait to see it in the daylight;) I've ordered the flank steak wrapped in a pancake (crepe). Marshan, you are soooo right about the food here-yum! And the presentation is ridiculous. Ok...so I have the perfect spot to stay, a darling waiter, yummy food, views to die for...
Ugh! Death just walked by. Honestly, a man dressed as death! Or a woman I guess, hard to tell with the hooded robe and mask and scythe. No worries. I can promise you he's not coming for me!
Here come the chimes! (for the second time!) I tell my friend I'm running out to see...remember the tent? I don't think I'd ever get tired of it! It's so fun that the trumpeters do each corner of the tower to announce the new hour! Ooh, I could be a trumpeter! (I need lessons!) I wonder if they get to use an elevator! It's a tall tower, and it looks like the same guy who stands guard on the ground. I've got to go up in it tomorrow! A guy a couple tables over volunteers that the trumpeter is different each night and last night's trumpeter was better-I can't imagine. He's from Boston a d here on business but flies home in the morning. He can't wait to see s.n.o.w. there's a reason he's leaving and I'm staying....ewwwww s.n.o.w.:( he's very nice and working hard to put four kids through college. Ummmm....thanks Dad!
Calm. That's what I'm feeling right now. Actually I've been feeling it all year. SO blessed to be on this journey, however long it lasts.
I decide to look up a church to light a candle and say a prayer for my boys. One that pops up is the Church of Our Lady of the Tyn. Can you believe I can see it from here?! Definitely going there in the morning!

This morning my hostess is humming away. But right now she's humming away to "killing me softly" I gotta say that one makes me sad. I hope she's not sad. She doesn't seem like it, she's had on the same long black sleeveless (?) dress since I got here. She kind of glides when she moves and twirls when she turns. She's long and lean and has to be a dancer! Dancers are happy.

I'm not a big breakfast person, but when it's included in your price, I feel like I should go (hello, Grandpa!) and meet new people. There isn't anyone else here! I know there are other people staying, perhaps they are still asleep. I have one day in Praha, granted its a full day. My tran pulls out at five minutes past midnight! Anyway, there is this roll thing like I had with Fran and Darleen last month (you didn't have it, Brad) except this one is not pumpkin. It's also not as good as your friend's, but it made me think of that fun night;)

Off to explore my new town! Last night I made a prediction that it would be sunny and warm today...70 degrees Fahrenheit as a matter of fact! And the large table of French folks laughed at the thought! I am thinking of you as I dig deep in my bag for my sunglasses;) not only is it sunny, but I can feel the warmth! Hooray! It's not a lot of warmth, though...definitely not 70. But I'll take it! I take off in a direction, what it is I have no clue. But I know I want to go to the old part of the city and I know I want to walk over the St. Charles Bridge. I do both, just not exactly in that order...I walked for about two hours and then decided I'd o a better job with something in my stomach. I stopped in the cutest cafe. My waiter is the nicest guy and suggests a great red wine. Truth of it is, I no longer need my sunglasses and it has turned very cold;( but I walk a half hour more and find the St. Christopher Bridge. It's gorgeous with amazing views of the sections of the city. All along the bridge are statues. The most famous is of St. John of Nepomuk. There are little brass handles that if you touch guarantee you'll return to Prague and your wish will be granted. I should have checked my bag before I ventured out, but I manage to reach them-worth a try, right? By the time I make it back across the bridge and into town, it's time to say goodbye to Prague!

I have checked in for my sleeper car from Prague to Wien. I thought the ticket was confusing-it was but now I've got it down, and a couple hours to kill.....well first of all, there was the cutest older man in the info station. His luggage rolls, but not by design. He has this huge baby blue bag-think retro samsonite...it's on a dolly (two-wheeler for the guys in the crowd) with a rainbow band around it and he's secured with orange straps-like they use when they're moving large furniture. Hanging off of it he has his hat and an umbrella. He is nothing if not prepared! And he's got that older man look about his clothes, like they grew and he shrunk and now the belt is pulling double duty. He's so cute! But I digress! I'm off to a little pub across the street. Its called Sherwood...a shout out to my cousin, Amy for sure! Much to my deeeeelight they have a vh-one kind of thing going on....videos and all! So Suzann Biersmith Jenkins! I have your playlist ready! I don't think my bartender speaks much English, but he is loving the music. I've caught him singing and dancing a couple times. I already have to like him because he made a point of lighting a tea light on my table and no one else's. Now I really like it because when I catch him, he smiles and keeps singing and dancing-signs of a happy person, I tell you!
Okay here's some of your playlist, Suzann, and remember I'll need a copy;) The Carpenters are the first one I hear/see. You cannot deny the talent! Or the groovy jeans! They're singing Only Yesterday. Then Grease! We Go Together! Everyone in this bar is moving and singing! Here's Abba with Thank You For the Music and I've got my Ryry right back by my side! Here's the thing that bugs, you can still smoke in Czech. Remember how they used to have a smoking and nonsmoking section? That's where they are now. I remember it just being a given that you'd go home stinky from a bar...and I'm going to be stinky ;( this is the only country so far where this had been the case. I wonder if they'll ever consider going smoke free? I ask my bartender-he does speak good english (which I'm grateful for later!) he says there are too many people in the department who smoke to change things (department=government) and smoke free restaurants didn't work. It's funny how we all go through the same process. I'm just worried about him and his second-hand smoke inhalation. I've decided he's a much better looking Cane from The Young and The Restless, which I miss (not Cane's story line, he and Lily are so ugh! And Genevieve is so contrived-yes I just claimed something on a soap was unrealistic) I decide to google it later for an update! I don't know what later I mean...there is no wireless in the train station and no charger in the train:( I've gotten spoiled! Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick is on....very cheesy video for a very cheesy song. I ask Cane if this is his favorite, it clearly is;) Madonna is universal! Everyone in the bar is loving Open Your Heart. Rach, the little dancing boy is reminding me of a younger Jack;)
I was just thinking that I could be a bartender! Bridget, you'd have to be my reference. The only problem is that I have no clue how to make any drinks, so it would have to be a wine bar-I know I'm good at pouring wine, I just might dig into the profits.
Ahhhh, the hair bands! Starship is on, are you kidding me!? Next up, Radio Gaga, which is odd after just having seen We Will Rock You. It does remind me, Brian (Reeves!) I saw my first Czech mullet and it was awesome! Lots of hair gel and practically to the butt! It always makes me happy! Well, it always makes me think of you, which makes me happy;)
I cannot hear this sing (Owner of a Lonely Heart) and not think of the movie The Break Up. Remember that guy (John Michael Higgins)who plays Jennifer Aniston's brother in the movie sings it to a homophobic Vince Vaughn? Hilarious! It's the best version of that song!
Some things besides songs are universal, like the f-word. Plenty of them being said here! And the sound a duck makes...there was the cutest little boy in Brugge. I don't know what language he was speaking...does it matter? He kept calling for his mom and dad to look and listen and I'm sure he only asks every other millisecond, so....anyway he sees a duck and when they won't pay attention, he starts quacking like a duck and waddling;) cutest!
Best last song (and also universal-everyone's singing!) Sweet Child O Mine! That concert was so awesome! Thank you, Mike Baker!
Only it's not the last song because Creepy Guy who is seated directly between me and the video screen has decided to buy me a glass of wine. He's initially creepy because I'm being Judgy McJudgealot. He has what looks like two black eyes but is actually two black bags that are tired of holding up all the other bags under his eyes. Sometimes looking creepy does not mean you are creepy. Sometimes, that's exactly what it means. He's the latter. I thank him for the drink I initially refused and off he goes....he's czech, that's what you do. Now he's from America, Florida to be exact.
(Walk Like an Egyptian is on and features, in addition to other things, khaddafi and Charles and Diana!)
Back to CG...he is NOT in the mafia-do you have to say that if you're not? But if one of his clients from Florida calls he's on a plane there right away, in fact he's going tomorrow. It's a lot of money! Is Florida big for the mafia? Have I missed something? He doesn't understand why I don't smoke...what does that mean about me? He was young when Europe came out with this song (sorry, Suzann, I couldn't even tell you what one it is, I'm planning my escape!). He's old but he's good, or so he thinks...big smile here. I look at Cane, he looks at me...Czech please! (Get it?) Bags wants to know why I don't drink beer (I wasn't aware that I didn't). Don't I want to have a beer!? No thank you (I'm doing the hand motion, no thank you and everything) Cane pulls my check. Bags wants to reiterate that the wine was on him. Yes. Thank you. Cane says, "This started out to be such a nice night. I'm sorry it turned bad." yeah, me too. You hang on to CG Bags, I'm outta here;)

Checking in for the train, the ticket taker (I definitely don't want that job, you might have to kick someone off) leads me to the sleeper car I've been assigned to. Its locked from the inside, so i know I've got roomies! He bangs on the door and says in a few different languages "Unlock this door!" Eventually the door is unlocked. He opens it and motions to the top bunk. Ugh! Not great for a short girl. How do I get up? He brings me a ladder. I climb up and instantly wonder how I'll ever get down:-/ the two women in the bunks below me instantly go back to sleep-I know this because the are each snoring their brains out. It makes me think about how much that must hurt! Wouldn't you wake up with a huge headache? I'm not worried about waking up cuz I'm not falling asleep. Ugh! Well it's only six hours. I've got my iPad and the new Marie Claire magazine. I don't think I've ever read it, but it's a good one! The fact that I've bought a bottle of water for this trip is cracking me up. There's no room to extend the bottle enough to drink it;) being on the top bunk is stressful. I can't exactly leave the snore fest to walk around without waking them (I know, where would I walk anyway) and I'm so nervous that I'm going to drop something on one or both of them. I'm concentrating on holding on to the water bottle with one hand and the magazine with the other (in case I do fall asleep, I don't want them to fall) that I miss my jacket which I hear sliding but it's too late! It's slid down on top of the woman in the middle bunk! She didn't wake up so now I'm just apologizing to no one. I reach down between my bunk and the wall and thanks to my amazing wingspan and the fact that we are sardined in here, I can just reach it. I slowly pull it back up! Thank God! I would have felt horrible if I woke her! I know me, I'm going to have to fess up and apologize to her in the morning anyway. Now I know I will not fall asleep. In addition to keeping part of my blanket, pillow, jacket, purse, iPad, scarf and water bottle in my hands I'm trying to keep my feet on top of my boots so they don't fall. And my feet smell;( I regret taking off my boots but putting them back on up here seems an impossibility. I am not tall...(groundbreaking news, I know) how do average sized or tall people deal in a top bunk? Bangbangbang! Nope not my head. It's the train guy. We are pulling into the station in @ 30 minutes and he has our morning drinks. Tea for two of us, coffee for the other. There's a little table against the window. He somehow comes in and sets everything on the tiny table. Middle Bunk looks up and says, I don't know how you'll do this, but she hands me my tea, warning me it's hot. It is! In a flimsy paper cup. And I was worried about a boot falling...how about scalding someone with tea. I move around so I'm half sitting half lying and manage to drink a couple sips so at least it's manageable to hang on to. Middle asks me about lemon. I'm fine thanks so much for being so nice....my coat fell on you! She's laughing. In addition to not knowing (or caring) about the coat, she's not offering lemon. She's laughing because the lemon that lower bunk and I had ordered with our teas is in her coffee! Now all three of us are laughing. It's 6am and we are cracking ourselves up:)

Actually...there were a few things I forgot to mention

Forgot to tell you one of the stories from the folks in Galway. It needs to be told by two people....one person talks, the other just needs to act out a part. Of an Ostrich! It's better in person, just ask me, I'll tell you;)

Crosswords are good for picking up lingo I've decided. Half the answers, or clues for that matter are things I've ever heard of, but I do now;)

They use the f word a lot in Ireland...Katie have you ever thought of visiting? They might make you queen;)

All trains, buses, ferries, planes...should have free wifi;)

Virgin now is in banking, too?!

The trailerythingy carrying the ambulances on the ferry had a website on it....www.cat.ie that's so close to my Caitiebug's name! She probably runs that company...so busy!

I think I've watched more soccer/football than you, K.O.! Do you know who the hair dryer is? Alex Ferguson! Hilarious;)

I'm often typing with my left hand, how about that, mom;)

I can't believe I was in Scotland and ever saw Sean Connery! One more reason to go back;)

Dad, they make a travel size wine aerator...;)

In addition to being (me and) a cannon, Roaring Meg is also a wine...pinot noir! Gotta put that on my list;)

Nones, I forgot to tell you about going to Nora Barnacle's house...we will have to read Joyce together when you're a little older, but I have no doubt that you'll be driving the boys crazy!

Pandora stores are everywhere here! But they don't have charms that relate to different cities. Don't even think about it! My friend in London and I are already doing it and we're going to make millions;) trademark mBw

Paigey and sarahbarah, in one pub in Ireland they had a hair straightener in the bathroom! Hilarious although really not worth wasting euros on considering its always misting in Ireland!

I saw an ad for the cutest little (seriously, like a mini) refrigerator in pink! Made by Smeg!

In the Champagne Room they had this huge chandelier that I would probably have to have in my mansion;) also, the younger guys? Had on really cute coats-they looked lie that one you got at Halls, Stephen. You'd love them;)

I feel so free when I don't have to walk with the backpack on;)

The Oscars are coming up?

Riding through the countryside in Scotland I saw all the beautiful homes we typically think of in Scotland;) and sheep are literally dotting the fields it's like riding through a postcard! For some reason Sr. Harriett pops in my head! That makes me smile even more. I think of how intimidated of her I was in high school and how grateful I am that I got to really know her before we lost her-amazing woman! And then, maybe because I am thinking of PJ, I think of Rosemary. Now I'm really smiling! I am that crazy person on the train sitting by herself jotting things in a tiny notebook and laughing out loud! And I love it;) what a blessing to know and love Rosemary, too!

How cute is a man in a kilt? Very! I love it;) makes me think about your wedding, Stacey. That was amazing!
There's a t-shirt that reads "it's a kilt. If I was wearing underwear, then it would be a skirt!" ;)

At the airport there's an "in and out" spa. Well these should be everywhere! You can get a makeover, have your brows done, mani/pedis (I really need one!) massages and there's this little hut thing you enter and then exit. It reminds me of The Jetsons-we are really behind on that stuff btw! I want to jump on the conveyor belt in the morning and end up fluffed and primped and ready to go when I come out the other end! Whoever gets that going first, that's where I'm moving ;)

There's also a store that carries my new favorite brand "Ness" they have the cutest stuff. Right now I'm floored because all the handbags are named....the one I originally saw and loved is called "Beth" and the one I tried to convince myself to buy just now is called "Peggy"! Just know that in my heart I bought them for you, Beth and Mom;) Beth's is a clutch with a little bow, Mom's is a little palm-sized bag with flowers. You can get various colors of plaids, but of course I'd go pink!

In duty free at Edinburgh airport there were video ads of paigey's husband everywhere! Paigey and Ryan Reynolds-so cute;)

Speaking of weddings...Megan I see dresses and all sorts of things everywhere;) I'm so excited!

What the heck is a stone vs. a pound?

The Scottish paper headline reads "1000 days to decide our future" it will be interesting to see what happens jubilee is coming up and Scotland and Jamaica don't appear to be interested in celebrating it :-/

When I booked my flight I had a window seat-15C. I changed it while I was checking my bag, when I get to my lovely aisle seat,there's a woman in my old window seat next to me (we've got the center open!) It's so interesting to me because i wanted the aisle, she was probably wanting that window that she's all curled up to. I love that things work out for us both;) plus air travel is easier here-free checked bags and free wine ;)
The captain making the typical announcements is cracking himself up! Not in a Southwest Airlines funny way. He's saying all the typical things like right out of the manual, but cannot stop laughing. You know I have to be in on the joke! The flight attendant says he doesn't know either, but that he's a really nice guy and they like to fly with him. Later he comes back, kneels done and nose-to-nose says the co-pilot was mimicking the pilot the whole time he was making the announcements and that's why he couldn't stop laughing:) I love it! Another one who loves his job! I could be a...no, not a pilot, but a flight attendant!
I am surprised when they do the safety announcement that they tell you that in case of an emergency landing to remove your high heels before exiting. Makes me think of you, Molly. I'm grateful you're ok;)

When I get to London, my bag is not there. I go to the bag claim office. Carl and Beverley are working. I can tell Carl is trouble immediately and I tell him so. Beverley could not agree more! But she's on it and two minutes later I've got my bag! Just as I was thinking I would HAVE TO buy new clothes. Bev feels my pain:) I ask for directions to the tube and of course Carl starts with "you can't miss it"

Had tea at Patisserie Valeri if for no reason other than you, Val ;)

Before Three Days in May starts I'm thinking where is Kelly when I need her? Just because she's brilliant (and beautiful and a hell of a lot of fun!) and she'd fill me in on everything Churchill! Remember when we saw Elizabeth? You were just back from Seattle and wondering about KC. Just before the movie started you double checked that I knew the details and gave my a two minute overview-made the movie ten times better;) then we went to have a glass of wine at the old Yahooz. The second they set our glasses down they told us they were closed. Seems like you moved after that. You have to be able to have (a glass of wine and) a discussion about a movie or play or whatever that you've just enjoyed! What were they thinking? I'm glad i haven't run into that!

Okay, this theatre only seats about 240. This guy is in the front row (this is at Three Days of May) and has binoculars! And not just the regular ones...they're like opera glasses attached to his regular glasses! Hysterical ;)

I didn't tell you about my friend Muriel. Not the one in Scotland, this one's in London, although she's not from there. Anyway she was one of the people I asked for directions to a theatre. She's a beautiful black woman working in the lobby of a bank. Banks are great places to ask for directions;) anyway, she had this huge smile and instead of saying "yeah?" or "what do you want?" she says "what can I do for you?" she's seated behind this really tall desk so I smile and say "well...I'd love to be five feet tall." "why?" I don't say a word. She goes on to say that she thinks I'm beautiful just as I am. She said if I grew to five feet, I wouldn't be me anymore-I wouldn't be perfect. Don't I know that the person looking for me won't recognize me at five feet and how sad would that be? Moral of the story? Be happy as you are and meet more people named Muriel ;)

One of the things I love about traveling on the tube is the people watching. There are crazy wacky people, but what really gets me is how many beautiful people there are. No airbrushing, sometimes no makeup at all, not necessarily owning their beauty, but just flat out beautiful people! Do they have any clue? I hope someone is telling them;)

Actually, on that note, there was an advert (don't make fun of me, that's what they're called here!) that claims the person of your dreams could have been standing right by you on the tube, but you're too busy to notice-match.com for the busy set! As much as I agree with the premise, I hope the tube doesn't turn into a dating platform. I want people to stay this kind of beautiful;)

Standing in queue at tkts, I was talking to the man behind me- I know, shocker! Anyway, he used to live right there! RIGHT there! In Leicester Square! His company had a flat there and so when he moved here (no one is from London!) he took that flat. I think (out loud, oops!) I could just wake up, come down, queue up and then see a show everyday! He says, you could have but my company sold the flat! Wouldn't you know it, he's really not that in to theatre;)

Kristin, I saw me (or what i imagine you think I'd look like at the l)at the tube station one day. Well, an exaggerated version of me- I think I'm probably taller and my suitcase wasn't as big. Also, I never twirl around with it in my hands. God love her, she hit a few people;( she was just turned around trying to figure out how to catch one train to another. Scary that I gave her directions;)

As I was waiting for a train one day (!) I started talking (!) to a guy named Robert. He said he's been traveling for two years! Well, not exactly. He's from Australia he now lives in Luxembourg and works as an interior designer for car companies. Totally different travel than I was thinking/am doing. But he's so nice. He says he had a much smaller backpack when he was traveling/traveling. But when I stand up to go he smiles. Actually his backpack was about the same size, mine just seems larger. That makes me laugh even now! He's a little taller than me;)

Ok! England has a self service beer bar! We need that! You just put coins/credit card in and it's draught beer!

Riding on a train one day, in Germany I saw the name "Wiese" in white spray paint on the side of a red building! If I hadn't been traveling so fast I would have taken a picture. Still, SB, are you sure you're not marrying a graffiti artist? Although the wedding decor will be unique;)

I'm in a wine bar in Prague...One whole wall is old empty wine bottles with their bottom side out-so you can sign them! With a special pen, of course! Trademark that! mBw!
I only wish the guy pouring had a personality:( that's a must at the mBw spots!

My apartment in Dresden

Let me tell you about my apartment in Dresden...yep, that's right. First of all, I love Dresden. Unlike the train station in Berlin, you have to walk five whole steps outside of the station to be bombarded with shops. Shops of every kind! There is a three story huge baby store, but I walk right on by. I've got to check in my apt., then I can wander! Wow, 12€! Here's the deal....I saw a deal of the day by Jill on Today. A $245 bag for 90% off. It came in pink, it was water resistant (I'm nothing if not sensible!) and it looked like it would fit my iPad perfectly as it was slung across my body! Well, all of those things were true! But it always seemed a little off. The clasp on one of the sides was broken but had been put back together in a different way. It worked, but every time I took a step it squeaked! It didn't seem to do this in KC, but as soon as I got to Dublin, squeak! Happy new year! Big deal, I thought. Until London. I had just been holding the clasp while I walked and that seemed to silence it. But then the adjustment thing went. So it would go from being the appropriate length for a girl of my stature to the appropriate length to a girl of perhaps eight feet in a matter of steps, or just standing still! Ugh! Right here is a pink (!) leather (still practical against the elements) bag, cross-body with a little flapover thing (very safe!) for 12€! I'll take it! Or I would if it wasn't locked up on the display. Here she comes! Three keys later and she's got my bag loose! I decide to ask her and the other woman for directions to my apartment. I pull out my iPad and it's all over. Shrieking! There's only so much I can show them without the Internet. Kelbel, remember when we took that creepy night vision photo of you at Sean's 8-hour birthday lunch? I show them that, then the photo booth app. Now they're kaleidescoping themselves and everything else! Shrieking! This is why I need to be wealthy...I SO wanted to leave the iPad there with them! They were having a ball! They wanted to find Internet service (me too! Baba buy the 4g!) they give me two maps, my new bag and set me on my way;( I can't leave the iPad. According to the maps they've drawn all over on, it's kind of a confusing walk, so I know I'm gonna need to show the address a couple more times. The iPad is best for that because people don't have to read my handwriting and I can make it larger for them, if needed. Now I have bulky backpack and TWO pink bags across my body. Looking gooooood! Ive got to get to my apartment and dump this stuff before anyone sees me! I'm totally moving to Dresden so I've got to build a reputation and then protect it! As I turn the corner I see a huge square (one of my friends has been motioning about something large-no English, so we were just motioning, it worked!) this must be it. And there's music playing! Fabulous classical music! I think it's coming from the Kulturpalast but it's not. It's a cello and violin and there are two men performing in the square;) LOVE Dresden! This backpack weighs nothing! I'm floating across the square! The policeman I ask for directions from (policemen have to know every street, too! Although he's nowhere near as cute as Tommy!) tells me that the street I'm looking for is to the right of the fountain in the next square over. First of all, I love that I will have to describe the street that I live on as "to the right of the fountain". Perfect! Ooh! Pretty church! That's where I'll go tomorrow for Johnny and Cooper! I take a picture, but really I must get to my apartment-I may need to throw a load of laundry in-seriously! I can do that at my apartment! Into the Hilton I go! The concierge decides to walk me to my apartment. Good idea! On the way I tell him that in addition to loving Dresden, I am also a Hilton Honors member. He just smiles. (actually, I am! I wonder how any points I have?) I'm here! Officially! There are cafes, but nice ones, no emmph emmph emmph like the discos in Antwerp. I ring the bell. Helllooooo? It's megan baker;) yes I can see you. Just push the door open and come in.

Seriously? My apartment is in Haus 8 number 5. Tamra! This is SO our apartment;) I wonder if I should have people over tonight because I could! I've got everything here! Well, I only have enough wine glasses for twenty. I have a little kitchen and darling table. Then move into my living room and plop into my random furniture and we can turn on the stereo. Down the hall is a large bathroom. It is a little warm, but feel the towels. I love a good towel warmer;) last stop my bedroom with a nice big closet!

I love it! It's especially perfect if this was the eighties ;) I decide to walk my square. I should say, the registrar said we were right by the church. So if you find the church or the fountain, you'll find me!

I decide to go have a glass of wine and overlook the square and think about what to do tomorrow before I leave for Prague. I find Caffe Piazza Novo. My favorite piazza in Rome has the same name! Fate! The waiter says I can sit anywhere but when I start toward a table he suggests another. He gets the crumb scraper out (sorry, Mandi-it wasn't as scraper-y, more like a brush) then he puts a new linen topper and straightens it until its p perfect. Now I can sit. He's so right! This is an amazing view... All of the square and the church. Now he brings a little pewter candle with a tall taper and lights it-not with that annoying clicker thing, with a real match and sets it beside the flowers on my table. He makes me feel like this about to be the most special night ever. I'll probably dine here all the time-it's so close to my apartment! I could work here. I can see someone still working late at the church-I could totally work at a church!

To the menu...they are known for their pizzas. But he thinks I should get a drink first, well twist my arm!

Bridget, they have a Kir Royal-remember when you fell in love with those at Tavern on the Green with Mom and me? Can you believe that place is gone? My girls would have loved it! We'll find a new spot!
Linda, I see caipirinhas on the drink list, too. Not happening! I did the Champagne Room for you, remember? You probably can't have another turn until Paris:) for me it's a little chianti. A d the Parma pizza. It is so good, so fresh. The chef comes to check on me (of course my darling waiter already has) and I tell him I can see no reason to go to Italy- this pizza is perfect. He just puffs up! He's so proud;)

Across the square is Wempe jewelry. Judy? Could you get me a job there? Its so close to my apartment and you know I love bling;)

Another twirl around my square, look at all the shops! And the church! I'll be there at noon. For now back to the apartment to see if I can tackle the washing machine.

Berlin!

Aaaaah, Berlin! Trese, I promise not to say unt even once! Just that once while I was typing it, and it was a little one;) I get to the international info station right as they turn off their light. They couldn't resist this smile, could they? Thank God, no! Especially since they aren't supposed to close for another eight minutes, and I have no clue where I'm going;) they direct me to the bus and I'm off whew! Phewww! Two degrees is cold, celsius or Fahrenheit! I catch my breath and then take a deep breath of Berlin air ahhhh! Argh! There's my bus! Sprint! Oh the visual! I jump over a couple things and there I am! Perfect! I'm not leavin' for another eight minutes! Whaddami in New York? Could have done without that info! I show him the address of where I'm headed and he just laughs and then says a lot of german words-maybe he knows my friend in St. Goar? I smile and plop down. The guy across the aisle from me tells me to stick my bus ticket in the little yellow box and get it stamped. Oh! I can do that! He's from Hamburg but spent a year in Australia and is so darling. We don't get to talk too long before a woman pushes a green button and motions to me. The bus stops, there's my hotel. I probably should have walked. But it's dark, and I'm glad to have spent time talking with this man. The woman looks like she's ok with me jumping out, though;) I don't see a bus stop, I think he just dropped me off. My friend reads my mind and agrees. Have fun and be safe! "St. Christopher and a rosary won't do it all!" , he says. I thank everyone and jump out. The street light have huge spheres all lit up in blue;) easy-peasy check in. I throw my bag in the room and head down to the lobby. The other thing he told me was to get a drink! He said he sensed I had some Irish in me and couldn't believe I hadn't had a drink today! There are two business groups of people in the lobby bar drinking. You can just tell! They have pained expressions on their faces and are gulping their (presumably free) cocktails. You can totally spot the boss of the group nearest to me. Especially since the brown-noser is practically sitting on his lap. In front of brownie is a beer that sweating. I'm sure he'll drink it right after he finishes the presentation he's giving...on his laptop! The woman next to him rolls her eyes and takes a huge gulp. I do not miss those days! Although they got me to where I am today! Literally! I'm at the Marriott! Points! I know, but I figured it was dark and a big city, so safety first and all that. My new friend agreed with you, btw and said to save the points and look at my sofa. Not his sofa, it's a website. I can't find it, but I'll keep looking! He said it was great in Australia. Now the sad part, everyone from the first business group is up and leaving. After brownie leaves, several of them come back and order another round. That one woman is still rolling her eyes. I bet brownie is very successful and saves his money, too! But I don't want to hear his presentation! The second group is in it for the long haul. I see questionable decision making in their collective future!

Good morning, Berlin! It is sunny and warm and wow I can see straight in their offices! Hilarious! It's cute to watch everyone get settled at their desk. I totally know which one is me...she's all organized looks around and is up! Who can she talk to? Buzzing around...ooh, I should go to breakfast and see if I see any of the people from last night....just one and he appears to be with his wife this morning. There are models in the executive lounge this morning. Girls about fourteen with long legs, long faces and long hair...seriously their legs are about as thick as Ryry's! The middle aged men seem distracted. I'm off to explore the city! I think about giving the bus a second try (after Edinburgh) but decide against it, especially since its 23€! I think I will be the tour guide today;) my first stop (eventually) is the Topography of Terror. The exhibit is free (go!) and really well organized. You go at your own pace, read what you want, listen to recordings if you want...there are plenty of people here, but it's still fairly quiet. Everyone is taking the information in in their own way. I feel like its not an exhibit of information that Germany is necessarily proud of, it's more like a necessity, it's real and the word that keeps coming back in my head is respectful. It's just done very well. It's still overwhelming! I look at some of these letters and pictures and think in another month from then, my mom is being born. How could this happen in her lifetime? Rockhurst gridiron star and his wife are welcoming their we daughter (we all know that article by heart;)) that same month, women are being marched through Berlin with signs of shame around their neck proclaiming they've disgraced their country by consorting with prisoners. In the middle of town they are seated and their heads shaved. It just seems so bizarre. Of course it gets worse as I wind my way in. It has to get worse, it's a horrible part of history. Like the museum, it's so organized...systematic. I can't believe the memos that are signed and dated and it happened! I turn to read a poster from 1941 and see modern Hush Puppies (if there's such a thing!) on the feet of someone on the other side....Uncle Bob? Nope! The poster essentially asks "what has the fuhrer given you?" then it goes through all the improvements since he's been in power...more education, more houses being built, people are making more money....it's scary. It would be hard to argue if you were one of the chosen ones...the Volk Community. About this point there's a weird machinery kind of noise. Not a good noise to hear when your reading about gassing people. The windows are opening. I don't know why. It's freezing outside! I look down, I've been in this exhibit for almost two hours and I'm only on 1941! I don't care because its so well done and I want to show it the respect it deserves. 1941. That's the year my dad was born. Now I'm really disliking the pictures of soldiers marching down the street. Around the corner is going to be my Grandpa! And back in the states, my Grandma is having to deal with him being so far away...and Little Docky! I want to turn the corner in this exhibit and have the Americans march in and save the day! Not yet! Some of the people who were examples of getting protective custody for going against the country and it's values? Cabaret (essentially, they mean homosexuals, which is eventually identified as its own class of miscreants) Socialists (this picture looks exactly like a beautiful girl one row ahead of me on my last train), democrats, communists, priests and deacons who have the gall to pray for Jews, lawyer....sorry Sean and Wiese, but it added an odd moment of levity.
There's a picture of a group of soldiers celebrating...they're at a retreat with girlfriends, champagne, the whole thing. 30 km away is a camp! It's so foreign to me. How can they celebrate? It makes me wonder where I would have been in all if this if I had been alive and in Germany. I think we'd all like to believe we'd revolt. I don't know, the whole thing is surreal and scary. Here are racial evaluation cards. They are literally measuring parts of someone's face to judge! There are pictures at Dachau. This makes me think if when Julie and I went to Dachau. We were physically sick. It's the one place I can honestly say I felt evil all around me. Then we got back on the bus that took us there and there were a couple of guys our age from Jersey who wanted to know if we wanted to go party? Soooo not what we were feeling, but thanks. And this Himmler? He's scarier to me than Hitler because I haven't heard as much about him. He seems to take great joy in announcing the lengths he'll go to to ensure germanifcation. How does this happen? Ugh! Now I'm just walking through how they took over countries. I'm taken back to Three Days in May". Where are the Americans?" Oh thank God! Around the next corner are pictures of American soldiers as well as fall of Hitler. Finally! And just when you think it can't get any more gut-wrenching....there's a special section dedicated to children if the era. I had never heard of "Child K". Evidently parents of a severely disabled child wrote to Hitler to ask his permission to euthanize him. This evidently lead to the euthanasia of more children, sterilization of deaf people and the argument that it was morally the best decision to make as they were sparing these children and their parents a horrible life. There are individual pictures with stories. One child "died" upon transfer from one home to another...I'm not putting the quotes in, they do. He was murdered. And they quote the mother as saying "he was capable and showed emotion every day". 4200 children (70,000 people total) murdered in less than one year! Its bad enough to do these horrible things to a fellow adult, but I cannot imagine children! To be fair, they did TB testing on these people to find a vaccine and over half the physicians initially licensed lost their licenses because they had some sort of genetic flaw somewhere. Ugh! Bridget, you are never allowed in this exhibit. I feel about like I did after leaving Dachau, except for better educated. It's mentally and emotionally exhausting.
I'm going to head toward Tiergarten. First past Checkpoint Charlie from the Cold War. I stop to take a picture for a girl traveling alone. Next I travel along Wilhelmstraub on my way to Unter den Linden. I pass "Curry at the Wall" no thank you. I walk down Unter den Linden into Pariser Platz. Here I have the rare chance to put on a German military hat and pose with an American flag and Darth Vader. Sorry, Sean. Instead I opt for a warm table inside Theodore Tucher where I've decided to have my first German beer! And pumpkin stew with sage and duck. Yum! Now through Brandenburg Gate into Tiergarten. Well, Mom, I have news for you. It's currently the site of Mercedes Benz Fashion Week! Is it possible that I "had breakfast" with some of the models? It is when I tell the story! On to The Soviet War Memorial. It's a beautiful dedication framed by two tanks which tell the story. Whoa! I've got to get to the train station to head to Dresden! Fromm Dresden I'll head to Prague. Ever been! Now I've just got to get to the station on time. Darn you, Berlin! If you could just be boring and have no history I'd be there by now! Plus, Haubtbaunhof has tons of shopping, not that I'm buying. But it's known as the shopping center where trains come! Now I've got the Brady Bunch singing "Keep On" in my head. Seriously? You've got to keep on keep on keep on dancing all through the night....actually a great song when you're walking quickly, now running! Of course I get to the station with plenty of time, book my sleeper car for my next journey (to Prague) and grab a diet coke, I mean coke light and head to the platform! I actually get a seat heading forward (!) and there's an outlet! I can charge my iPad! Oh happy day! Now, what will I do in Dresden?

St. Goar to Berlin in six little hours;)

Darn you Jimmy Fallon! I have woken up with Tebowie in my head! Soooo,it's breakfast time! I wake up early and rejuvenated! Maybe it's good to have a plan after all;) the shower is clean with hot water (you didn't think I was gonna shower at the palace, did you?) actually this shower reminds me of killarney, except I didn't fall into it therefore I will have no Germany shaped bruise! At least not yet;) I'm gonna miss this place! I love the antique gilded mirror and the old brass coat rack! Ooh! I'm hanging my coat on it! Just real quick;) Breakfast is fit for ( a small army and) a queen, princess in my case. Slices of cheeses and meats, what I think is a poached egg (I think of you, Grandpa, although I should think of you, Grandma-you made em!) but is actually hard boiled, three kinds of breads, nutella-like spread (which I've never had-yum!), jams and tea with honey on the table just like G's in Cork! Except these two women are not like the cute Hungarian guys. They're sturdier. If we could speak the same language we'd be here for years! Cuz she's a chatterbox ;) she asks my plans, or at least I think she does and gets so excited when tell her I'm going to float down the Rhine! As soon as I'm finished she rushes back in the room with a huge grin, grabs my arm and whisks me out the back door (to the right this time, set designers!) and points me to the tourist office. She keeps clasping her hands smiling and saying "rdikhggfjy!" she's so excited! She grabs my hands to say goodbye. We've only known each other 10 hours, most of it I was asleep and we don't really know what the other is saying. How cute is she! I go toward the office and notice that a man is trying to come out. He has braces on both legs and already has the door open, I'm obviously stepping aside with my bulky backpack so he can come down the stairs without fear of me knocking him down. Oh, God she's back! She comes racing toward me with her hand waving toward the office door! She can't see the man. Yes, yes I'm saying and nodding. Finally he's down the steps, she sees it and acknowledges it. I go in. She goes in. She wants to assure me that the woman will be off the phone soon. She is so excited! I start to think she's coming with me! The woman gets off the phone and again we grasp hands as if never to see each other again. I think we will because St. Goar is just the type of place i'd like to retire (from what?)! Imagine that you'd work your butt off during "the season" and then travel and enjoy your own beautiful town the rest of the year! I could do that;)
The woman in the office is so nice and speaks better English than I do! She's from Koblenz....it's about a 20 minute train ride away...but she's moved here now. Good for her! Avoid the commute! Actually, Koblenz is very different from St. Goar, and I'd pick the latter, too. Except she's pretty young. Anyway, she says I can take a ride down the Rhine to Rudesheim-that's what my best friend had been yelling about;) but I can only take it one way and it doesn't leave for two and a half hours-even in the summer I'm thinking 2 1/2 hours is a lot of time in St. Goar:) but I think it's perfect! Walk off my breakfast, see the sites, look forward to my sail;) I am a happy girl. She gives me a map of the city and says I can do a walking tour on my own. I promise her that I will enjoy every second and get lost/turned around at least twice! She doesn't see how I could, but she hasn't met me. Half, well more than half the fun is getting turned around! Off I go! Boy it's cold. I have lost exactly two gloves so far this trip. Not a pair, just two. One is definitely a left-handed glove, black and the other is one of those stretchy any hand gloves, ivory. Both pair were cheap, the black ones were too big (I admit it, Baba!) so I tied them to the outside of my backpack to donate them to someone who might need a pair and then figured I had lost them both. In my mind, they went to a good person. I now know where the other ivory one went. I was asking directions in London and the man behind the security desk was so serious-I guess a good attribute for a security guard, now that I think about it. Anyway, I took off the glove to shake his hand and thank him and he broke into this huge grin. I must have, too because he laughed and said "aaah, that made you happy! I'm glad!" that's where my glove must be! I hope he finds it and someone else gets to see that huge grin;) where was I? Oh, it's cold. But it's like walking through a postcard. The house are so cute. At the end of this block, like stated in the guidebook, is the world's largest hanging cuckoo clock! And a million more of them inside for sale. I love clocks, but I don't know if I could take cuckooing all day long and with so many of them! Probably not the job for me. But on the next block...the school! The children are so cute! Running around and eventually in to the school ;) I swear I distinctly hear a girl's voice call out "Ryan!" not like where are you, more like get here. Ahhhh, there must be a little German Caitiebug calling out to her sister;) I bet the German Nona is curled up with her German Mamo! Good! Stay warm;)
walking along the river it's so gorgeous, I can't wait to float down it! I can see me! Why do I have a martini in my hand? It'll be noon! And in Germany wouldn't it be a beer? Anyway, it's very glamorous. Now I'm that girl laughing out loud to herself again-not because of the visual, I'm serious about that! Because I saw these old steps that go straight down into the river. It just amazes me because it's freezing and because I can just imagine someone ascending them wondering where they've arrived. No, much less Phoebe Cates, much more Esther Williams, you know, she had the pool company? Glamorous! But I can't get to the stairs to take a picture because of this bar thingy. It won't move. Well now I've found another set of them-not gonna fool me! I step over the bar, backpack and all and don't even fall down! I feel good and get the shot! Instinctively, I open the little gate. Please tell me someone else saw that! Hilarious! I want there to be a bridge that I can walk over to the town on the other side-it's sunnier over there (cue Jack Nicholson...always look on the bright side of life...) I'm sure around the next bend there will be one...or the next bend...oops! It's been an hour I should walk the other way, toward my pier! It's not really a pier...I think they just slow down and you jump on. Besides, the castle is closed. Actually there are a few castles nearby, but they're all closed. I'm better down with the commoners anyway. As I head back the way I came, I decide that for the next hour I'm going to pretend that instead of this heavy backpack (I could have checked it, I need the exercise) I have my Ryry on my back! She doesn't weigh a thing! Ooh, but she does roar louder than a lion! Speaking of lion, I didn't mention that my hotel is called "Zum Goldnen Lowen" for all of you who don't speak german ( and can't see the lion's head) that means the golden lion. How perfect is that for a leo? Perfect! And just so you're not feeling left out, Tamra, there are two huge lounging gold lions by the back door, one for each of us! Now we should put a "Fifth" there;) we have to have one everywhere we go!
Past my hotel, then on to see if the church is open yet....nope! Well I'm going to say prayers anyway. I've got two good looking guys I'm praying for, both with beautiful blue eyes-Johnny and Cooper!
Its been two hours, not much left to go. Do you know there's not a bridge! There are ferries at various areas down the Rhine (yep, that's fun to say) that go back and forth, cars and all! I'm thinking it would be a tough job (and cold!) to make sure you line everything up just right (otherwise the cars are going to sink!) when boom! It misses! Everyone on land is yelling "halt!" but no one on board is listening! A tiny woman on a bicycle jumps off and runs to help-I hope she is freakishly strong like my sister ( and nieces) cuz she's tiny! Finally they stop, reverse and get it right. Ugh! Scary!
Up ahead is a cute little shack that sells all sorts of food (hello! Not for me I'll be stuffed for days!) and drink. What I think is cute about it is that they have little chair cushions in a basket. I get a hot chocolate (I'm not kidding it is cold, in fact the woman at the shack inquired about about my gloves-if she only knew the fashion statement I'm about to unleash) take a cushion and head down to the picnic table by the Rhine. It's beautiful and I'm ready to float down it! I don't know what they feed the ducks here, but they are fat and have the most vivid color-maybe their colors just really come out in this cold? I should get over the cold-its 3! It will only be 2 in Berlin! (its in the mid 30s! I just looked it up!) The one duck looks like his beak is carved from wood. A nice one comes and curls up on the crunchy ground next to me. He's not begging, I think he's just proud of his good looks. I would be, too! He is gorgeous. Now we have an invasion of black birds. They get such a bad name, but they're not bothering me or my duck. (black bird, fly...seriously this song is beautiful) A big barge goes by named Amalia. Makes me think of Amelia who has big blue eyes;) across the river is a town called Lorleystadt. When I look quickly it looks like it says lonely :( that would be a sad name for a town-and not do much for tourism, or would it? (we're sgt. Peppers lonely hearts club band!) also across the river is a sign saying "Altstadt" I think of Ali and how blessed the girls are to have her :)
I say goodbye to my duck and start walking to my pier- I know it's not a pier! It's kind of a pier. My ship comes at 12:10. I'm so excited, it's like my own jubilee! Down the Rhine! I want to be a little early to get a ticket and be appropriately seated. I see a ship! My ship is coming! That is not my ship or a ship or moving. Ok, but this is a ship! Yep it's 12:11, nope it's gliding by! 12:25...my ship is not coming! This is dramatic in all the wrong ways! I have let myself onto the "pier" and walked all the way out to the edge and nothing. Just for fun I throw the back of my hand over my forehead and sigh! Now I'll go ask the woman at the tourist office what's up. Look! Here she comes! Did she see my dramatic demonstration? I doubt it. She meets me in the street to say that the woman from K-D had called back to say she had made a mistake and there was no boat today:(
She's been looking for me all morning. She assures me that I can see some beautiful places by train, too. I'm sure I will. I didn't want a martini anyway! Plus the train is free, well paid for anyway. I'm on my way to Frankfurt by train and on to Berlin! I'm still pretty much on schedule. I'll do my jubilee when it's warmer. I wouldn't want to wear jeans to it anyway. Now there's time to have a gown done-Karen Avery, you're on that, right? You'd pick exactly the right thing;) Ramin? You can get this hair under control? It'll be blowing in the wind. (nope! Not that song, it's more of an instrumental) I have to wait all of six minutes for the train, big deal! I get off one stop early...there are a couple Frankfurt stops, but I ask for directions which gives me 20 minutes to jump online! Thank you, Starbucks! I don't drink coffee, but I do do wifi! One more train;) and now we are caught up! Hooray! I just need internet service and I'll be posted! Yep, just two more hours, no one! It's a four hour journey. I've plotted out a couple overnights coming up-hooray saved time and money! In the meantime, I should read about Berlin! And what I'll be doing there:)

Brussels Brugge Antwerp oh my! Hello St. Goar;)

I'm a traveling girl...made a lot a friends all over this world! Today is going to be Brussels, Brugge and Antwerp! Wooooohoooo! Should be fun! Still think I'd be better in heels...seriously, I have a blister! Think of all the heels I love to wear....never! Even the first day I got those cute 5 1/2 inch nude peep toes? I left the house around 6:45 drove and walked all over the glorious state of Kansas, got home about 8pm and nothing. You know me I probably wore them around the house more just cuz they're so cute! Natalie, you have the same ones;)

The bummer about being in Brussels today is that it's Sunday and so many things are closed. I wanted to be a complete tourist and go to the mini-Europe display over by the Atomorium. But it's closed until next week-I guess they're cleaning Europe. The display is cool because it's mini replications of all the big sights around Europe....Eiffel Tower, Big Ben...oh well, do you know what is open on Sundays? Hello heathens! Church! I go to the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula (gonna have to look that second one up!) and I'm just in time for mass! It's in French, but the rhythm of the mass is the same, so I get where we are in the mass:) its gorgeous! At the sign of the peace (it's not as long as at St. Therese Dad:)) you can see the regulars find each other. The organ is ginormous, and what you can't see is the man who climbs all the way up there to play it;) in the pews is a girl who looks a lot like Ashley Meisinger! But she has a little blonde girl instead of a little John. The little girl has, I think, dressed herself, but she looks great! She has every imaginable color of pink on and there's some bling and ruffle in there, too! I light a candle for you, Johnny. It's in front of a statue of St. Michael so you might have to share a prayer with Mikey;) what a blessing to find this beautiful church and then to actually get to attend mass!
On my way to the station I see a little girl going for the Sister of the Year award (never entered myself, but I know a few;)) she's got her hand on the side of the stroller as her dad pushes her baby brother down the sidewalk. You should see how hard and far her eyes roll when he gets one of the wheels stuck! (i want to hear my girls say "stuck") Ooh the disappointment in her face! He finally fixes it. She reassures the baby (who seems to have been oblivious to any of it) takes a deep breath and on they walk. You can see she's still not totally confident in him....her grip on the side of the stroller is like steel! I find the cutest kids everywhere!
Off to Brugge! Going down the escalator into the station, there's a little boy ahead of me with a Payton-like laugh;) he thinks the escalator is hilarious! It kind of is, if you thnk about it. The ticket taker person comes to check tickets and comments on this man's picture on his train pass...he turns purple! I love it, so does she! Love on the train;) It's a quick train trip and it's so nice to get out of the city (soooo much graffiti) and see the hills start to roll by. I see a woman walking around a little lake with a pram and it makes me think of Ggpa walking Caitiebug and Ryry when they were so little. What was he showing off more, his two beautiful great granddaughters or his long legs? ;) When we pass St. Peters there at the station are literally thousands of bicycles! Not to rent...individual's bicycles! Bill Poindexter, you should live in Belgium everyone bikes everywhere! I consistently sit the "wrong way" I'm always watching it go by instead of seeing it come toward me! It can make you a little dizzy;-/ Oh well, sometimes it's nice to say goodbye. Hello! Brugge is here, and Sheila you're right, it's just so beautiful! It's exactly how I remember it! I'm just missing my friend, Julie who was here with me last time. I'm laughing going over a little bridge thinking that last time we were here, we went on to Luxembourg where the bridges were supposed to be the most beautiful and we nearly lost our lives taking pictures of those bridges-those cars came fast! Anyway, Brugge! I love the canals and the bikes bouncing down the cobblestone, the horse-driven carriages....love it! I've picked a little house for me;) it's freezing so I find a tea room that's open. I drop the backpack and settle in by the fire-perfect! As he sets the menu down in front of me, I see the big "M" written in a beautiful script...obviously I'm where I'm supposed to be! I order tea and a waffle with chocolate-hey, when in Brugge! In my view I can see the beautiful green square...two geese playing peacefully...and a little girl feeding one of the horses. It's not her job, in fact the horse doesn't look like he wants to eat, but her little mittened hand is out flat and she's adamant. Thank God the horse eats, because she reminds me of my Caitiebug and "no" won't (and shouldn't) be an acceptable answer! They just played "ain't no sunshine when she's gone" now it's "Danny boy" love them both! Danny boy is being sung by a woman, but it should be Jim Fitz! I send a thought Danny's way;) There's a baby at the table across the room;) oooh she is so cute! She has Stella cheeks;) a Payton and a Stella in one day? Life is good! This baby is very happy. The four women just pass her around and she just smiles at everyone....love!
First of all the waffle is amazing! Now to walk it off! As i step outside, i see why there was an "M" on the menu and why i lived that tea room-its called Maximillian! Perfect!now I've had my Max here, too! And right outside is a little bridge with a statue of St. Elizabeth;) another one of my favorite people;) Most of the nicer shops are closed, just the souvenir-y ones are open. Perfect! I'm a window shopper anyway! In one window I see those darling little wooden scenes where you light the candles on it and it spins around-we had one growing up, so cute! And Bridget they have darling nativity sets;)

Now on to Antwerp. I've never been! They have these lovely glassed in rooms on the platforms. They remind me of the boxes in the airports for smokers. This is just the opposite. It's warmer in here and nooooo smoking;) a group of Americans come in. After a who's on first kind of conversation, we get to why they are here-a global insurance conference! They work for Cigna. I remember how wonderful Cigna was to work with when I worked for March of Dimes-I loved that job;) uh oh another guy in the box/room is from a different insurance company! Ohno! We're all laughing about the possibility of a full on insurance brawl:) We all end up sitting in around the same spot. Just as my stomach is turning from hearing terms like "soup to nuts" and "database capability" the ticket taker comes by. This is first class. Bummer! I get up to move like everyone else, but the ticket taker tells me to stay put....bye;)
I'm in Antwerp! When did I think I'd be saying that? It's pretty nice out, perfect for a short walk from the station to my hotel! But that's not exactly what I'm in for:-/ actually, I don't mind it. It's nice to stretch my (very long) legs. I also get to walk through a very large Hasidic Jewish community. Very large. Not a lot of smiling,but they just may wonder why the heck I'm smiling and where I'm going. I'm starting to wonder, too! I stop and ask for directions and I'm back on my way. At the convenience store Abba was playing. Now I've got it stuck in my head. I'm ready to burst out singing! So I say thank you for the music! I think of my Ryry when she was just home from the hospital. Did she weigh about four pounds then? She grunted constantly-I wanted it for a ring tone. We couldn't believe all that noise came from her tiny little body! And the legs....always moving, still are! Yep, Ryry you definitely learned how to dance long before you could walk. My little Radio City Rockette! Where was I? Actually there's a huge square and my hotel is right on it! Sometimes people do a great job with their description, but fail to deliver. May I introduce Hotel Antwerp Billard Palace (that's right! Palace!) the man slides open the partition to register me and smoke billows out. Ugh! I am a self-admitted complete baby/brat about smoke. Always have been, always will be. I ask if my room will be smoke free. He's not sure, he's trying to think of who stayed in it last night and what he was up to. Riiiiight! I'd like to say it gets better, but...he gives me the "key" it's like a jump drive one ring and also on the ring is this circular puffy kind of thing. Dad, it reminds e of he keychain you had in the seventies that you pull the circular part out to put the keys on? Anyway, for this you wave it in front of the dial in the elevator and then pick your floor. The jump drive is to get in the room. Very important! Very important! When I get inside the room put the jump drive thing in the wall to turn on the electricity. Very important! No kidding! It's a small room and unlike I was promised it does not have it's own toilet. And I can tell you what the guy who was in here last night was doing...he invited 84 of his friends and they smoked all night;( bleeech! I'll open a window, oh no I won't. Ok, plug the iPad in and get online to figure out more fun things to do...not getting a connection. Well I'll check out the ladies room. Here's the think, that little jump drive? Once you unplug it, the world goes dark. And the hallways? Motion activated. This will be fun! Open the door, wiggle around, lights on, grab jump drive thing, off to the bathroom! Overall decision? Spend the least amount of time possible in this room! So I charge up the iPad a little and head out! I'm not sure this is my scene....I love the Christmas trees still lit in the square but I'm not feeling the creepy discos. Aha! Rising from the distance, it's Kelly's Irish Pub;) but just beyond it? A movie theatre! It is golden globe time and theaters are smoke free! Wow, I'm old! Nothing's starting for awhile, that's okay, I've got awhile! Out the other door I go and find Brasserie Gustav! Now I've just got to be careful not to spend the money I saved on the palace here at the restaurant! The woman who seats me is very pretty but does not smile :( I always wonder what's going on:( I try not to smile as much, but when my waitress comes, she's all smiles! She's very pretty to, but when she talks to other people in the restaurant, employees or patrons it's all smile (reminds me of Karin!) she teases me about speaking English, gives me the pass code for wireless and says "google translate" I love a great sense of humor! Now we're google translating all sorts of things! I have a lovely meal and now I'm headed back-noooooo! To the movies! Unfortunately, not much is playing. The girl behind the counter says if I let my mind go to zero, there's one just starting. Paigey, this is not your husband's best work. It's called The Changeup and has nothing to do with baseball. On the plus side, I think Ryan is adorable and Jason Bateman is too! And it's smoke free;) now its after midnight. Back to the palace! When I get to my room I can't find the remote control for the television;-/ do I dare go down and ask for it? SB the registration guy looks like Krebbs, isn't that his name? From Simpsons? I dare. And I arm myself with the flashlight app on my iPhone just in case the lights go out in the hallway (which they tend to do-if you need to go somewhere, go! Quick like a fox! Hello Jeff and Jody! Sorry about your packers! You too Dan!) the thing is the cleaning lady took the key that had the Internet password on it and the remote control is 10£. Seriously? You'll be shocked to know that I got the code and the remote, no charge. Back in the room, it's CNN, the only channel in English. The cruise ship is still being searched:( horrible story and I have a feeling it's going to go on awhile. I'm grateful for a smoky room vs a watery grave. Nonetheless, I will not be touching this bed. I sleep in my clothes with a towel over the pillow, oh wait, I've got sweater that can go over the pillow! Perfect! Goodnight! Are you shocked that I'm not spending more time in Antwerp? Do you know me? I'm headed to St. Goar. I know it's supposed to be for summertime, but beautiful is beautiful right? It's only four trains away;) and I love the trains! They are so easy! On one of my trains I'm getting a little concerned. There's one male ticket taker. He goes into the little ticket taker compartment in one fell swoop, removing his hat at the same time. It's a tiny compartment, I can see it all from here. A place to hang his ticket taker machine a hat a coat, that's it! I know, not very fascinating, although he's very dramatic about the whole thing, like he's on stage-this is my musical! The next thing I know, here he comes again! I never saw him leave the compartment, never really even saw the door close! Ok! I've got my eye on you now! Is he a magician? Ooh! Is this the orient express? I never do figure it out, but I swear he winks at me while I'm trying! Next train, I think. No. Yes. Well? Here's the scoop three Russian men and an American woman (where we're you, Trese:)) we will figure out if this is the right train! I love it! The three of them are jumping in then out, I'm jumping in then out, none of us can figure out if this is the right train. We walk to each other with the universal arms out shoulders shrugged only to find out we don't speak the same language. We figure it out anyway and all four of us collapse into seats inside. It's the right train! I bet we could have done away with the whole Cold War thing given a chance! Aaaahhhh, St. Goar! You are beautiful! And dark! And freezing! Out of nowhere comes the cutest puppy with a pink leash (that seems to be working overtime). Attached to the puppy is Michaela. She introduces Emma. Emma is a very happy, friendly little dog. Michaela does dog rescue. Emma needed a lot of love and medical attention so she thought she'd take care of her until she found a better home for her, but she's never found a better home for her (hello Kris! Hello Britt!) anyway Emma is taking Michaela for a walk (yep! That's how I meant to say it!) along the way Michaela mentions that her boyfriend is in love with Emma. I say how fortunate you could bring them together! She said she often thins she may be the third person in the couple;) She also mentions that he woman I'm checking in with, around the corner, talks a lot! (that's a compliment, right?) and doesn't speak much English, but that wont stop her from speaking a lot. I like her already. She knocks on the door and does the introductions ( well, Emma didn't need to be introduced-she's a popular girl!) this place is darling! I'm instantly grateful that there's another woman here, too! They run the place together. That way someone she is chattering to understands her. Even without understanding German I can tell they're wondering which room for me. I can understand the numbers. They settle on number two which is my favorite number (love the even thing!) and off we go up the staircase! Well, not quite. I seem to have forgotten how much cash I had and they don't do cards except in the summer. (What is it with this summer thing?) Out into the cold;( to the bank! The funny thing is that in order to get to the ATM, you have to insert your credit card into the door. No charge, it just opens it. I guess to keep random people out. But my card does not open it. This is where my musical set is especially cool! I went in the front door to check in. We went out the back door to the ATM. She's a I down the steps to the back door to get her credit card to open the bank door. We're in, we've got the money (yep, we're in the money!) back into the back door to get key number two and up through a separate door to the rooms. Bridget, you know someone who can build this set, right? You're too busy to do it! With all my nieces and nephews;) actually, Izzy, you may know someone! Izzy used to produce online and other home improvement shows in Canada! Yep, Oh, Canada! (someone needs to edit the musical numbers!) room 2 is darling and I look out over the Rhine! What more could I ask for? No they don't have wifi. Their answer is accompanied by this look like smelling bad milk+ being mugged+huh? No worries! I'm going completely old style getting out the maps and the rural timetable and, wow! I have an itinerary! I know! I can't believe it either! I'm sure it will change but it looks like a float down the Rhine tomorrow followed by a train to frankfurt on my way to Berlin. Berlin-Dresden-Prague overnight to Wien overnight to Zurich-Interlaken-Geneva-Rome-Florence-Venice-Milan! I've worn my tiny little swollen brain out! Makes me wonder which one will fall apart first? Oh well, I never mind a reroute! You meet the most interesting people that way;) Im feeling pretty smart and am off to brush my teeth. Ow! I guess the cover to my disposable razor has come loose and I've just shaved a little bit off my fingertip! Ow! Not feeling quite as smart now, thank you! goodnight!

I will I will rock the Chunnel :)

Good morning, London! I am so moving here! Although I'm well aware it's the least affordable spot I've been! So to tkts I go! I'm just going to see a matinee before I leave. What will it be? I decide on We Will Rock You. I was going to do Rock of Ages, but from what I've heard (I ask in queue, at dinner, wherever) this is better. When I get to the theatre (and chuck my bag in the cloak room!) I'm seated ext to a woman who is seeing it for the fifth time! She saw it opening week almost 11 years ago! She goes on about it! Her son has not seen it yet so he and I are getting pretty excited too! I had been warned that it's long, but it moves quickly and is really fun. You get the premise? It's based on songs from Queen. Scarramoush (I don't know how to spell these things!) steals the show. She's got a great voice and is this cute little tiny thing. But nobody sings We Will Rock You like my Hankapank! It's just a fact;) now I've got to run to the train...it's
Chunnel time! I know you can't read it, but here's the gist...the Chunnel is 50.45 km in length and takes just 20 minutes to travel through-that's cool, you can't deny it. Of course I thought they'd make some sort of grand announcement (like "hold your breath!") but it's old and standard. I still think its pretty cool! We are 100 m down! And our top speed (although not tonight) is 208 mph!

There is a little boy who must need to walk around and his parents are taking turns with him (they are not in my coach, but walk through it). Wiese, this little boy is so doughy and has shiny brown hair in a bowl cut-he's a little French SB! So cute! I can't wait until you have one too! Although I don't think he'll be French. Actually, my guide in Derry was named Garvin which he said meant "little terror"....that might have to be your son's name, Megan;)

Just before I left, I checked my email so I'd know how to get to my hotel in Brugge....they've cancelled because I get in after 14:00? Eek! New plan! Stay the night in Brussels do Brussels and Brugge tomorrow and then stay the night in Antwerp. I've heard great things about Antwerp and its the diamond capital? Hello! Seriously, Belgium is all about beer, chocolate and diamonds...should I even bother going? I should just move there!

The guys across from me immediately get up when we pull from the station, the two men across from me instantly jumped up and announced "drinks!" I knew I was in the right coach! Unfortunately, there was a leak in my red wine...seems to happen to me;) fixed! It's an easy trip and I wonder why I'm not taking trains all the time! Maybe when I figure out where to "live"? I always think I can find my way automatically t where I'm going. Why? So I run in to Ibis and ask directions. The bartender (I wasn't drinking, he just looked nice) writes out a map, shows me out the window and them suggests I take a cab. What, you don't have faith I'll find it? No. He's concerned about a beautiful girl walking around alone at night. I cannot argue with that! So sweet!

Here's the thing...I'm usually that guest that you don't hear from....I check in...I try to make everything neat and orderly before I leave...I check out...I always say thank you...I don't know what the deal is tonight! I go to check in and he says I have t do it online? Then he apologizes and checks me in. I come done because there's no remote control in my room (I know I'm in Belgium and I won't be able to understand them, I just need background noise). He says he'll bring it up. I instantly feel guilty. I don't know why, I didn't lose the remote. Uh oh! When I go back up my key doesn't work! I go back down and tell him that I'm obviously looking to make trouble every ten minutes! He laughs. It gets worse....I go back up and put the kettle on (always like saying that, and there is a relaxing decaf-perfect!). Poof the lights go out! Tv is still on??? I call the front desk. Now he thinks I am really funny because it's been about ten minutes (this part of the musical needs some good music!). He will have to fix the fuse, he'll be right up and bring another teapot, would I like him to make me some tea? Seriously, why do I feel guilty? I didn't intentionally blow the fuse, plus I tried to fix it before I called:-/ he doesn't care. He just feels badly. Eventually, the lights come back on. For a second. Pretty soon I get a call. He was knocking on my door but I didn't answer. Ooops! I thought he was banging on electrical things to make lights come on...sounded nearby. He's just going to get me some more hot water for my tea and he'll be back up with it. I'll have my ear glued to the door this time! He's up immediately, so apologetic, with tea and a new tea pot and the lights are on! I am not going to touch another thing! I would hate e by now, but he smiles and says "see you in ten minutes!" another person who clearly enjoys their job, even if they have to deal with crazy people at midnight!