Europe 2011

Things seem to be going at a lickety split pace, so here’s the overview of Berlin:

– Arrive by Train on Saturday – take it easy.  Dinner out and about (CurryWurst isn’t that great, IMHO), visit KaDeWe (Kaufhaus des Westins – the largest department store on the continent), quick rides around town.  Sunday, take the 100 Bus and follow walking tour: Reichstag (German Parliament Building), Brandenburg Gate, Follow the Wall (where it used to be), Checkpoint Charlie, Pariser Platz (Square), Alexanderplatz, dinner and bed.  Monday: Grey Day – German History Museum, Lunch on top of the Reichstag, more East Berlin, back to hotel to pack, bed.  Tuesday morning 4am wakeup for 4:30 train to airport for 7:15 flight (could have caught the 5am with no problem, but wanted to make sure I wasn’t late…).

More details later! And coming soon – London and Paris!

Jim

Friday’s details…

After breakfast at the hotel, I headed back to my room to pack – checkout day here before heading to Berlin.  I packed everything then headed to the train station to drop my bags in a locker.  After leaving the bags, I headed downtown to the Marienplatz to see the Glockenspiel at noon. The Glockenspiel, when it plays has jousting knights and dancers – the little child next to me thought it was hilarious – he was laughing most of the time.

After seeing the Glockenspiel, I headed off to see the art museums – first up was the Alte Pinakothek – with art work from the 1450s to the 1650s.  There were lots of paintings of the life of Christ during this period, as well as other mythological topics – with a few “slice of life” paintings mixed in.  My favorite was one of a still life that was so detailed (including reflections), it looked like a photograph and it was from the 1400s!

Next up was Pinakothek die Moderne – the Munich version of the Museum of Modern Art.  Lots of interesting art pieces here – including a whole section on modern design.  My favorites were by an artist named Blinky Palermo – whose use of color in abstract, yet modern design was fascinating, as was his back story on the audio guide at the museum.  (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blinky_Palermo)

After museuming out, I headed to BMW Welt (BMW World) to look at the latest in high-tech automobiles and then visit Olympic Park, home to the 1972 Summer Olympics.  Lots of nice cars and modern architecture at BMW Welt – makes me want to think about buying a new BMW and picking it up overseas…  Time to start a new savings account…

Off to the Olympic Park – at this point it was nearing sundown, so I wasn’t able to see much, plus the park is undergoing renovations in hopes of winning the 2018 Winter Games – if they don’t win those, I can easily see them going for the 2022 games – with a “50th Anniverversary” appeal to the IOC…  I did see the Olympic Hall, but it was closed, and I stopped by the Olympic Pool, which was open.  At which point I decided to go for a swim…  Since my swimsuit was at the train station, I had to go back and get that and my towel and goggles, but I was able to drop off the bag I was carrying – plus I had 4 hours until my train left.

An hour later, I was heading back to the Olympic Pool and ready to swim.  I headed down to the changing area only to discover that there wasn’t a mens and a womens, but one communal area – you went into a little changing closet (like at a department store) to change, then put your stuff into a locker, got the key, then headed to the showers to rinse off before going in the water.  I had fun swimming laps in the same pool that Mark Spitz won 7 gold medals in! I wasn’t able to swim as much as I’d like, since I wasn’t a member of one of the local swim clubs (so I couldn’t use the lap lanes at that time) and I tired of dodging kids and other swimmers who wouldn’t let me stay in the far edge of the swim area (the pool is 50 meters long and probably 14 lanes wide – I tried to stay in my little edge…).

Being done, I headed back to the train station to grab a quick bite to eat and catch my train – I opted for Pizza, as it was quick, and right there in the main platform area.  I grabbed my bags from the locker, stopped for drinks and a snack, and headed for the platform to wait on my train.  Right on time at 22:09, we departed Hbf München for Hbf Berlin.

I settled in my room,  typed up Thursday’s status, and then headed to bed for a very fitful night’s sleep – it’s kind of hard to sleep well on a train when you seem to be moving side-to-side all night (your body is perpendicular to the direction of travel).

Soon all of the stories from Berlin.

Auf Wiedersehen!

Full details…

As the arrives at sunrise in Potsdam in the former German Democratic Republic (East Germany), things just seem a little more grey compared to Bavaria and a lot more graffiti – but there is a Hooters here not too far from the train station…  Now back to Thursday and Friday.

I finally was able to have breakfast at the hotel – it was a buffet of a variety of items: cereal, toast, sliced meats and cheese, juice, boiled eggs and coffee.  I  wasn’t in a rush this morning, as I knew that there was a rail strike in Germany from 4am until 10am – and yes I could get around Munich by Subway or Bus, but I took my time, after all, I am on vacation!

I headed out to the Deutsches Museum – the Deutsches Museum is like the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry on steroids – on the level of the Smithsonian, but dedicated to the sciences, technology and engineering fields.  I walked through a variety of exhibits – ranging from newly remodeled exhibits on aerospace and airplanes to “straght from the 60s” exhibits on measurements – including measuring the weight of a Pfennig (which hasn’t been in circulation for a while).  The museum is updating their exhibits and the building, so not everything was on display – the section on computers and cryptology was only partially on display – new cases and items were being installed and moved around – though they did have an original EDVAC computer.  The communications exhibit was closed (boo!), but the space exhibit was very good.  The only thing I found interesting is that there appears to be a gap between 1930 and 1950 – it was if that period didn’t exist…

After the Deutsches Museum, I headed out to Dachau and the Concentration Camp Memorial.  I had been there 27 years ago, but wanted to go back to see it again.  All I can say (to quote the memorial) “Never Again” – the things that were done to the prisoners – who ranged from Jews to Gypsies to Spaniards to everyday Germans to the Clergy were housed here.  Definitely a memorial everyone should visit.

After leaving Dachau, I headed back to the hotel to drop off my backpack and head downtown for Dinner.  I knew I wanted Sauerbraten, so I headed back to the Hofbräuhaus – yes it’s a bit touristy, but I knew they had that on the menu, and I could eat and drink at my own pace.  I ordered a “halbes Weiße Bier” (half liter) and Sauerbraten.  Service was a little slower tonight – there weren’t as many waitstaff here as on Tuesday night, and my waitress was a little overwhelmed…  I finished the first beer and then ordered a second one – which after I started, I realized, I haven’t had anything to eat in about 6 hours, so I need to slow down and wait for dinner – and that it’s a good thing I wasn’t driving!  The food came and I savored the sauerbraten and bread-pudding (like stuffing at Thanksgiving). I enjoyed the rest of my beer and headed out back to the hotel for the night – after stopping for a small milkshake to “Cut the beer taste” in my mouth.  Off to bed for the last night at this hotel.

(Sorry for my punny headline)

Today is my day to head for the Alps.  My body clock is getting closer to time – woke up at 4:30am today – the bed is harder than I’m used to.

I decided to take the early train to Füssen (the correct spelling) today – leaving at 6:51am with a transfer in Buchloe (Alex to Buchloe, Deutsches Bahn to Füssen).  I caught the bus to the train station, then headed to the DB ticket machine.   The first one wouldn’t take cash, so I hit the main set of ticketing machines.  I walked up, punched in the information put in my €50 note, the machine printed my ticket, gave me my change.  Then it happened – other tourists saw me and asked for help.  First was a pair from Japan, who wanted to go to Cologne.  They couldn’t find Cologne on the list of stations to by tickets for, so I helped with using Köln for the station – showed them how to choose the train (the next train was an ICE – intercity express – but cost €256 vs. the slower train that left at the same time but got in one hour later and had changes and cost €198) – they chose the ICE train, paid, got their tickets and were happy.  Then the Italian gentleman needed help – he was going to Nuremburg – I helped him get his ticket to Nürnberg and then rushed out before anyone else asked, since I had to grab some food (Croissant & Fanta) and get to my train.

I got on the train and it headed out.  I spent the 40 or so minutes finishing yesterday’s post. In Buchloe, just as I got off the first train, the second one pulled in.  I hopped aboard and headed to Füssen – stopping at nearly every stop along the way.  At least this train was a Regional Express train – or else we would be stopping at every town along the way…

Once in Füssen, I caught the bus to the village of Hohenschwangau – home of two castles: Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein.  Hohenschwangau was was the older of the castles and was where King Ludwig II came up with the idea for Neuschwanstein (the inspiration for Cinderella’s Castle at DisneyLand and Walt Disney World).  The family is still apparently still involved in the operations, and thus you have 2 hours between castle visits (to try and spend more money…) – so I took the 9:50am tour of Hohenschwangau, then took pictures until the 11:50 appointed time for Neuschwanstein, including a bus ride to the Marienbrücke (bridge) that overlooks the castle (above a waterfall) and a walk down from there to the castle.

After touring Neuschwanstein, it was time to head down to try and catch the 1:05 train back to Munich – but although the trains run on a quitee tight schedule, the horse-drawn carriage back to the bottom does not – though even if it had left right when I got there, I would not have made the bus connection back to the train station. Stopped and had a Bratwurst mit Semmel (on a roll) and tried a “Lift” soda (Apple-based) – no added sugar (just what’s naturally in the apple juice) – which was kind of bland. Then it wass back to Füssen to wait for the train to get back to Munich.

The train ride was uneventful – change in Buchloe to Munich.  Upon arrival in Munich, I headed back to the hotel, where I fell asleep.  Waking up after the news was over (slept through it – but keeping an eye on it – the announcer’s voices helped me sleep, I guess…), then I went downstairs to go out for dinner.  While dropping my key off, I ran into a mother and daughter who were doing their own whirlwind trip – they were in Rothenburg and had just arrived by train, and were flying tomorrow to Florence.  They were trying to figure out how to get to the airport, and the receptionist was guiding them to the S-Bahn – but they seemed leery.  I told them that I had taken the S-Bahn here and it was a piece of cake (S-8 to München Flughaven) – on at the train station, off at the airport.  They were concerned with the train stopping, and I said that although the train stopped along the way, it didn’t have to deal with traffic like a bus would – I recommended that they be at the airport 2 hours early, meaning leave about 12:30pm for a 3:30pm flight.  They were going to Neuschwanstein in the morning, so I’m wondering about making a 3:30pm flight – it’s a two-hour trip there, two-hours back, plus visiting the castles – kinda close for me…  They were also looking for some food to eat, so I walked with them until they saw a pizza place and decided to eat there.

I kept going and on to the train station to catch the S-Bahn downtown to a restaurant highly recommended to me by eine Freundin who used to live here – Donisl.  I had a Wiener Schnitzel mit Kartoffelnsalat und ein halbes Radler (Breaded Veal Cutlet with Potato Salad and a 500ml Beer and soda water mix – lighter).  Mmmmm Good!

By the way – the Marienplatz downtown was spotless (other than the occasional cigarette butt) – no glass, no confetti, no trash.

I headed back to the hotel.  In the train station – I tried to inquire about the Locomotive Engineers strike that was voted on earlier in the week (why I’m watching the news).  The only strike announced so far is from 4:00am to 10:00am on Thursday – nothing specific on future activities – just hope it doesn’t impact my train to Berlin on Friday night/Saturday morning…  Keep tuned…  I’m not sure if this affects S-Bahn trains or not, but will not be rushing out in the morning…  Tomorrow and Friday’s plan is to do my Munich sightseeing.

Tschüß!

Good Morning (I’m too out of it to translate…)!

First of all, my body clock is all messed up. Right now it’s 4:13am in Munich and I’m wide awake.  I fell asleep just after 8:15pm and woke up at 2:30am… – will probably go back to sleep for a bit…

I spent yesterday afternoon wandering around downtown Munich – With it being Rosenmontag, it was a party atmosphere.  Later that evening, though, it was quiet on the Marienplatz (central square) – I think events had gone inside (based on what I saw on TV…)

Last night’s dinner was a Bratwurst from a street vendor – Mmmmmm! and a “Mezzo Mix” – half Coca-Cola/half Orange Drink (Fanta, I’m guessing) – it was OK – I’ll stick with my German Fanta, though…

Tschüß!