Going Home

Textile Museum in Neumünster

I had suggested to do nothing today, but Helma had found information about a weaving exhibition in Neumünster. It was OK.

Schleswig Castle

Helma suggested that we drive north to Schleswig to check out the globe located in the castle garden.

We took a guided tour. We got to sit inside the globe and watch the constellations pass by.

Pics later.

Back To School

Helma dropped Maren and I off back were we used to live in Kronshagen. We walked to school and just went inside. At first we just looked around until our teacher, Herr Martensen, showed up. Not sure he immediately recognized us. But after a few minutes we were talking about "back then". He didn't have much time since he was on his way home.

Dörte met us at the school and along with her daughters we headed out to Friedrichsort and had lunch right by the light house. Not sure what the girls were thinking about us reminiscing about 30 years so and giggling like teenagers lol.

St. Nikolai Church

Class Reunion

Maren is on the way, I'll pick her up at 11:30 and then we'll head over to our school.

Tonight we'll hook up with some other former class mates.

Molfsee Open Air Museum

Helma and I visited the open air museum at Molfsee today. We had a great time.

My coffee companion

Waiting for Helma to pick me up I stopped at the coffee shop near the hotel. This pigeon thought I would give some breakfast.

At The Mall

There really isn't much difference between US malls and German malls. Too many US store along with a hand full of German wares ...

For lunch we were invited to Brigitte's & Dieter's  ... she insisted to cook for me. Her first suggestion was a berry soup ... I was glad that the alternative was cabbage rolls.

Again lots of pictures to look at and I got to take home a picture of Mama taken at her school desk.

I also got to meet Maike, whom I had merry through a Kiel Facebook page. Too bad that we live so far apart.

10/8

Much nicer looking outside than what we had all day yesterday.

First to the mall, Sophienhof. Then lunch at Brigitte's and meeting Maike for coffee.

Family Visit

Had a good time visiting Harri and Marianne today.

After a short drive to Malente Helma and I were window shopping in that little town before having a hearty lunch.

Harri had dug up a few pictures from way back when along with some of the stone mason pieces he had worked on. I must say ... Pretty impressive, I'm write proud to call someone that talented my uncle.

Pictures later.

Good Morning Kiel

Quick outing to buy some postcards before Helma is picking me up. Of course it's typical Kiel weather: rain ....

The statue is Asmus Bremer, one of Kiel's mayors in the 1700s.

A View From My Window

My room is really not much to call home about but from the window I can see Kiel's City Hall tower.

10/6 .... Going Home

Not sure why but I was exhausted last night ... To tired to update the blog.

I was dropped off at the ZOB in Berlin to catch my post bus to Kiel via Hamburg. With a slight delay we were off and had a smooth ride. A short ready are stop due to a broken down toilet on the bus caused another sheet delay.

We had plenty of time in Hamburg and arrived on Kiel about 0.5 hours late.

Helma was waiting and after a quick stop at the hotel we headed to her place.

As much apple cake as this week I haven't had in a long time. After coffee and cake we drove out to the cemetery to visit my mom. It's a pretty area where she is living now and I even found a few other people that I recognized.

Will add pictures later.

On To Kiel

Horst and Helga are taking me to the bus terminal in Berlin in the morning. Sure hope I'll have internet at the hotel I'll be staying at. Otherwise I'll have to go to McDonald's every day ...

Great side effect of the visit so far: I lost 3 pounds.

A Day With The Cousin

Heike took me to the museum village Düppel in the north of Berlin today. We got to watch them threshing cereals and potter. For lunch we had a delicious brat from Thüringen.

More pics to follow.

Bobbin Lace

I might have just (finally) figured out how to do it and what frustrated me so much last time I tried. All it really took was for someone, Helga, to show me the correct way of doing it.

Sanssouci

Potsdam

Isger

Playing with Heike's dog, a Hovawart.

Museum Village Baruth

Some nice glass ware but I think they could have done more with the place ... More pictures later.

World War One cemetery

This cemetery is being taken care of by the British. The Queen came over for the opening of it. Many Indian and other British colonials are buried here that feel during WWI.

Train Station Rehagen

This is where my great grand father was stationed and my grandma Gerda was born... In the station.

Evening On The Lake

Not a bad place to live ...

Sunrise over Lake Mellensee

More Of Berlin, Wednesday

After the church we headed toward Unter den Linden, one of Berlin's famous avenues. We crossed the Spree River, stopped at memorial (note: look up name), saw where the cattle of Berlin is being reconstructed (the East Germans didn't find it fitting in with there world view so it was torn down). The original plan was to walk all the way down to Brandenburg Gate but that was quite a hike still and the traffic and construction in the area was quite a mess.

I will add pictures later.

On To Berlin @ 2 pm

After being told that we might not leave till three there was quite the kerfuffle just as I was getting me some cheese cake. A passenger I had been talking with came and told me that we were boarding NOW. So, my cake was "to go" which meant I had to borrow the restaurant's fork ... lol

St. Marienkirche

First stop was the Sankt Marienkirche, St. Mary's Church. I did pick up a booklet about do that I wrote a little bit more about it when I get home.

Alexanderplatz

Our sight seeing tour began by driving into "East Germany". At one point we crossed a fine line of pavers on the road marking the former location of the wall.

Good Morning Berlin

Eight hours of sleep do make a world of difference. I do feel the jet lag a little bit but it's nothing a pot of coffee can't fix.

Today we'll be doing some sightseeing and this afternoon I am going to head over to Helga's.

Damn

The so far perfect trip just turned sour.

The flight to Berlin for canceled because of fog in Düsseldorf and something about a bomb in Berlin for which they are closing the airport.

Not sure when and how I'm getting to Berlin now.

Well, I am rebooked to get out of here at 1 .... Hopefully that bomb thing will be done in time.

9:24 pm or 3:30

= snack time. Might as well since I can't sleep anyways. Guess I have to crash for a bit while I'm waiting for the next flight ... Got enough time - about four hours.

Four in the morning ... On the super bright screen right in front of me they show us where we currently are, guess we will be over Ireland pretty soon ... Only 2 hours left and it had been a super smooth flight do far with only a hand full of tiny bumps in the air.

As to be expected from a German company ... We arrived on time at 6:05 am.

Düsseldorf

Quite the zoo already here this early in the morning.

Über den Wolken ... Above The Clouds

.... Not quite yet. We are sitting on the runway killing time because we would be in Düsseldorf too soon if we left on time ... Guess that beats being late.

To Newark

The flight was as smooth as can be, also had a couple nice ladies to talk to. Saw the Freedom Tower right before landing. Unfortunately it is overcast, so it's hard to see.

I took a video at take off and some pictures during the flight. Might have to upload them later.

Sitting here, watching people ... Germans look so German LOL

Departure Day

Figures ... The day I leave it finally turns nice out after a solid week of clouds and rain.

Got to the airport just fine with plenty of time to go through security. Hopefully my flights won't be (too much) effected by the FAA mess in Chicago last Friday. Good thing I have plenty of layover between the flights.

Getting ready

The suitcase is packed ... Even came in under the allowed weight and half are souvenirs. That leaves lots of room to bring home some goodies.