Thursday, October 23, 2014

Alstadt

We had dinner in Alstadt "old town" last night.  Another traditional German dinner and plenty of Alt beer.  My dinner was meatloaf, which I found out is really ham steak here.

We also took time to research some bakeries and sample their products.

Good pretzels, cougan, and bread
One beer served - Alt
Rhine river at Dusseldorf Alstadt

Glasstec

We have been at the glass show two days and this is our last day.  Both FeneTech and RoviSys are exhibiting.  The show attendance seems good, but not great.  We had a jazz band at the end of the day yesterday and it attracted a crowd.

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Autobahn

We're cruising the Autobahn at 175 kph between Berlin and Dusseldorf.  Driving this fast requires concentration and absolutely no texting....

Our VW SUV rides good at 110 mph

Monday, October 20, 2014

Bye Bye Berlin

This was our final day in Berlin, which is a nice city.  We romped about the neighborhoods, both east and west, and saw how the locals live.

A Berlin Wall memorial was located about an hour walk north and it was very interesting.  We also went to the top of the Berlin TV tower which had a great view.

Berlin Wall Memorial
Pretty Tall
German Grub and Suds

Sunday, October 19, 2014

Nazi Murders

It seems like every time we come to Europe we get to experience a travel interruption.  This time the rail is on strike, so we had to get a driver to get us out to the Sachsenhausen concentration camp.

We left early on this quiet sunny Sunday morning to visit the camp.  After three hours touring the site, our stomachs  were in knots.  This was a very eye opening experience that should be viewed by all who can.  It should affirm that being a political isolationist can allow unlimited terror and death.  It was amazing how much planning the Nazis undertook, as early as 1933, to murder 7 million people... and their implementation was deplorable.

Our driver  was a talker and offered to take us to a German outdoor military museum located on an airbase.  This airfield supported one third of the Berlin airlift flights to keep West Berlin from falling to the Soviets.

Sachsenhaus Concentration Camp
Prisoners couldn't escape camp or death
100s of aircraft in hangers and on field
Another 10 miles on foot required nutrition

Saturday, October 18, 2014

Gates, Walls, and Checkpoints

We left early to see many of the iconic Berlin sights; Brandenburgen Gate, Jewish Hollocost Memorial, Checkpoint Charlie, Gestapo headquarters, and the Victory Column.  We also saw many other sights since we put over 13 miles on our boots.

Brandenburgen Gate in early morning fog
Memorial for Murdered Jews
Checkpoint Charlie
Last pieces of Berlin Wall

Friday, October 17, 2014

Hello Berlin!

Today we took a 5 hour train from Prague to Berlin.... which was a pleasant ride.  After settling in at our hotel it was off to eat weinersnichel and potatoes and more beer.  The black lager was really good.

We walked to the Brandenburg gate and we were treated to a laser light show.

Thursday, October 16, 2014

More Prague Prancing

When the day is done we will be over 10 miles traveled upon foot.  Today we explored the east bank of the city and found nice and not so nice neighborhoods.   Unfortunately a major attraction, the Jewish Quarter, was closed for a Jewish holiday....

It seems Prague has become too touristy with an abundance  of cheap gift shops and an insane number of umbrella led tour groups.

East Bank of Prague
A Convent without Nuns
Pleasant outdoor lunch with Ron and Tammy

Family in Prague

Last night we met up with Rich (brother-in-law) who was in town for Honeywell.  We had a welcomed non-Czeck dinner at a seafood establishment.  We then continued our dialog at a Nouvou beer hall over more fine pilsner. 

We are still struggling to get a decent night's rest.... between our traveling and the noisy streets of Prague, it has been difficult.

Three Cheers for Great Beer

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Ascending Prague

It is time to cool off our feet before heading back out to dinner.  So far we have walked 12 miles with two major ascents; the South Tower of St. Vidus (273 steps) and the Petrin Tower "Prague's Eiffle Tower" (300 steps). The Prague Castle was full of interesting architecture and our early morning arrival beat the crowds.

Rubbing good luck statues on Charles bridge
View from St. Vitus South Tower (Prague Castle)
High up on Petrin Tower
Goooood hot chocolate!

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Shake Down

Notice anything odd about these bills?  I didn't  either..... A  guy at the ATM right next to us ( within 2 feet) was withdrawing cash and asked us to exchange a 2000 for 4 500s.... He was convincing, dressed nicely, and well spoken... but, it turns out a scam and his 500s were Russian and virtually worthless.  The Czech underground economy is $100 richer.... and we are smarter (I think).

U Fkeku est. 1499

We just had dinner at the oldest beer hall (1499) in Prague.  We had potatoes pancakes, roast duck, roast pork, sausage, cabbage (red and sour), dumplings, and bread.  Not many veggies or salads here.... U Flecku is famous for their dark lager.  It is their only beer and it is very tasty.  They just keep slamming them down on the table.... making leaving very difficult!

Leaving Motor City

Linda and I are on our way to Prague, Berlin, and Dusseldorf.  Our first leg of the journey is from Detroit to Frankfurt.

Saturday, October 11, 2014

Final Apple Harvest

It was a rough year for our apples.  The extreme cold temperatures this winter resulted in many trees without blossoms.  We lost all of our peaches, apricots, and plums.  Spencer is busy making an apple pie from our late pickings.