Sunday, May 6th and I am headed home after a fantastic trip! The cab picked me up at the Kempinski "Dukes" hotel at 6:10 am in order to catch the 6:30 am train from Bruges to Brussels. I had to change trains once to get to the Brussels airport. By the time I got to the airport, through the check in and security line it was boarding time. We left at 10:00 am and I arrived into Newark at 12:00 pm.
I had a 5 hour lay over, originally I thought I might go into Manhattan, but I was so tired I decided to try and catch an earlier flight home. No luck, almost all of United's flights from Newark were delayed, they didn't seem to have enough planes. My 5:00 pm flight was delayed until 7:00 and so I caught an earlier flight leaving at 6:15 pm. By the time Super Shuttle got me home my door to door travel time was over 25 hours.......one of my longest travel days to date. I had a cold and was blowing my nose and coughing the entire trip which made the journey a bit more challenging.....but as is always the case, it is SO nice to be home!
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Brugge, Belgium
Saturday, May 5th
Brugge, Belgium is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is quite unique. All the streets in the city are cobbled stone; there are incredible medieval buildings and quite canals. Bruges (it is spelled different ways) I was told actual means Bridges.
Richard and I had a wonderful day visiting churches, musuems and walking around town.
First we visited Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk. Here we saw Michelangelo's Madonna and Child and The Last Supper by Pieter Pourbus
Below are the tombs of Charles the Bold, ruler from 1467-77, and his daughter Mary of Burgundy
We then walked right next door and visited Gruuthuse. In the 15th century, merchants who grew rich from the privilege of levying a tax on Gruit, a herbal mix used in brewing.
Brugge, Belgium is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is quite unique. All the streets in the city are cobbled stone; there are incredible medieval buildings and quite canals. Bruges (it is spelled different ways) I was told actual means Bridges.
Richard and I had a wonderful day visiting churches, musuems and walking around town.
First we visited Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk. Here we saw Michelangelo's Madonna and Child and The Last Supper by Pieter Pourbus
Below are the tombs of Charles the Bold, ruler from 1467-77, and his daughter Mary of Burgundy
We then walked right next door and visited Gruuthuse. In the 15th century, merchants who grew rich from the privilege of levying a tax on Gruit, a herbal mix used in brewing.
 |
Old piano and wind instruments
One of the many canals of Burgge with Sint-Salvatorskathedraal in the background
One of the smallest bridges with Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk in the background
  
Brugge video including some info on chocolate
|
Friday, May 4, 2012
Opened My Heart & Felt the Love
Friday, May 4th - Today is my niece Danielle's 16th Birthday, so first a shout out - HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU DANIELLE!
We arrived at the Kempinski Hotel Dukes Palace in Bruges, Belgium around 8 pm last night (5/3). As you can imagine any hotel that was a former Duke's Palace is pretty special. We had dinner at Breydel-De Conic, including Belgium's famous mussels and crashed.
Today I took the train (1 hour) to Brussels to meet another one of my niece's Kimberly. She is going to Hotel school in the Hague, Netherlands. She took the train, 2 hours and 15 minutes each way, to meet me for the day.
Anyone reading this blog knows me. You know that I am a passionate, emotional man, along with many other incredible traits should I say so myself. I feel so much in my heart and spending the day with Kim was simply lovely. I love all my niece's and nephews, however I rarely have had the opportunity to be with Kim. This is the 2nd time I've met her in Europe, last time I went to Koln to see her. To be able to spend the day together, just her and I, was special and I cherish our time together. The day was also filled with lots of emotions and tears, from open hearts and love!
Kim is beautiful young lady, she is loving, smart, mature, dedicated, driven, I could go on could and on and on. She longs for a connection to our California family. She plans to work in California once she finishes school in February. Since she previously worked in the Hyatt Koln, she is hopeful to work for Hyatt in California. As some of you many know my other niece Jackie, currently works for Hyatt in Miami. Very interesting Beth and I have no children yet 2 of my nieces work for Hyatt.
I was a little late in meeting Kim but we wandered around and here are some photo's:
We arrived at the Kempinski Hotel Dukes Palace in Bruges, Belgium around 8 pm last night (5/3). As you can imagine any hotel that was a former Duke's Palace is pretty special. We had dinner at Breydel-De Conic, including Belgium's famous mussels and crashed.
Today I took the train (1 hour) to Brussels to meet another one of my niece's Kimberly. She is going to Hotel school in the Hague, Netherlands. She took the train, 2 hours and 15 minutes each way, to meet me for the day.
Anyone reading this blog knows me. You know that I am a passionate, emotional man, along with many other incredible traits should I say so myself. I feel so much in my heart and spending the day with Kim was simply lovely. I love all my niece's and nephews, however I rarely have had the opportunity to be with Kim. This is the 2nd time I've met her in Europe, last time I went to Koln to see her. To be able to spend the day together, just her and I, was special and I cherish our time together. The day was also filled with lots of emotions and tears, from open hearts and love!
Kim is beautiful young lady, she is loving, smart, mature, dedicated, driven, I could go on could and on and on. She longs for a connection to our California family. She plans to work in California once she finishes school in February. Since she previously worked in the Hyatt Koln, she is hopeful to work for Hyatt in California. As some of you many know my other niece Jackie, currently works for Hyatt in Miami. Very interesting Beth and I have no children yet 2 of my nieces work for Hyatt.
I was a little late in meeting Kim but we wandered around and here are some photo's:
 |
| Kim in the Galeries Royales St. Hubert |
 |
| Grand Palace Grote Markt
While we were walking around a Moroccan couple must have just gotten married on the Grand-Place. They came out on to the balcony to wave to everyone in the square.
|
Some more photo's of Kim and I 
 |
| Belgium Boy pissing |
 |
| Kim at lunch, with James Bond as her waiter |
We went into the Musee Magritte Museum. We saw some really cool stuff. We played the game Beth and I play in museums. We each get to pick one object (painting, sculpture, etc.) that we own and then we get to visit it.
This is Kim's I wish I could have blown it up. The title in French says "This is not a pipe"
 |
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Trust the Universe, it will support you!
Today was quite a long day of travel, yet it was really quite efficient and easy. We left Berlin at 10:48am. Our train was headed to Koln, where we had to change trains to then head towards Brussels. They kept stating that the train was going to spilt in two in Wuppertal. Cars 20 to 29 were going to Dusseldorf and 30 to 39 Koln. As it turned out a wonderful father with two young boys told us that an annoucement was made only in German that their was a problem with the train and we needed to get off at the next stop and transfer to a local train for the last hour trip to Koln. Had that man not been so kind and considerate to help us who knows how far we might have gone. This is yet one more example of how wonderful the German people have been on my trip.
We made it all the way with no wrong turns and with the support of everyone we asked questions of! Our total train travel time today was 7 hours and 20 minutes. I was able to finish Born to Run and started The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.
Oh I almost forgot to list my ongoing reminders of Beth. Our path, on the train, today took us through Minden!
DZ Bank below, this is what it says:
"Restrained by strict building regulations in this historically sensitive location on Pansier Platz between the hotel Adlon (our hotel) and the Brandenburg Gate, Frank Gehry's first building in Berlin, the former DG Bank, which was finished in 1999, saves it's deconstructivist surprises for the interior. The deceptively plain limestone facade gives way to a writhing fish-like form in glass, wood and metal that dominate the the central atrium. The shiny, curvaceous belly of the "whale" houses a function room and auditorium." I wish I could have been able to go inside and walk around to take different looks, but it was not allowed.
Lastly, I am on a mission to purchase a new can. I've been to the SF Car show, test drove many different cars. I think I found the car I want a Bugatti Veyron. It's top speed is 253 MPH and I looked at the 2011 pricing and it was around $2 million, $250 thousand dollars!
(Sorry I was not able to figure out where to find on this computer to find the photo's I downloaded from Richard's camera, but I attached a link so you see read about it and see it)
Photo's from our departure on DB Deutsches Bahn
We made it all the way with no wrong turns and with the support of everyone we asked questions of! Our total train travel time today was 7 hours and 20 minutes. I was able to finish Born to Run and started The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.
Oh I almost forgot to list my ongoing reminders of Beth. Our path, on the train, today took us through Minden!
DZ Bank below, this is what it says:
"Restrained by strict building regulations in this historically sensitive location on Pansier Platz between the hotel Adlon (our hotel) and the Brandenburg Gate, Frank Gehry's first building in Berlin, the former DG Bank, which was finished in 1999, saves it's deconstructivist surprises for the interior. The deceptively plain limestone facade gives way to a writhing fish-like form in glass, wood and metal that dominate the the central atrium. The shiny, curvaceous belly of the "whale" houses a function room and auditorium." I wish I could have been able to go inside and walk around to take different looks, but it was not allowed.
 |
| The Tulips are blooming |
(Sorry I was not able to figure out where to find on this computer to find the photo's I downloaded from Richard's camera, but I attached a link so you see read about it and see it)
Photo's from our departure on DB Deutsches Bahn
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp March 1934 to July 1936
Today, Wednesday, May 2nd was our last day in Berlin. Tomorrow we spend most of the day traveling from Berlin to Bruges, Belgium.
We've covered our local neighborhoods and Richard had nothing he wanted to do today. I saw this Concentration Camp in the guide book and stated that I would like to go out there. It was going to take some time and logistic's as it is a 45 minute train ride out of Berlin. I give credit to Richard, he went along with my wish, with just a small bit of trepidation.
On the train ride out there I was feeling nervous and sweating slightly (although being on a "local" train and it being 80 degrees AGAIN may have something to do with my sweat). In any case I just didn't know how I was going to feel about being in the presence of a Concentration Camp and or how I would feel or react.
WHAT AN IMPACT!
I really do not know how to express what it felt like, but I was totally blown away by it. So many emotions kept coming up, anger, disgust, fear, sadness, pain, internal disbelief that it is possible for human beings to treat "others" not just Jews, but Gypsy's, Mormon's and other as though they were not even human.
I kept thinking, and I do not have any evidence or facts to back up my thinking, but I had a sense that the German's must have been SO AFRAID of the Jews. Their FEAR is what created the environment for such cruelty
So here are some photo's:
After a much shorter ride back to Berlin 25 minutes vs 45. we arrived at the Central train station. We were going to take the U Bahn (underground) #55. We had already purchased a round trip ticket for 6.80 Euros to visit Sachsennhausen. Richard wanted to take a cab to get back to our hotel (about a 5 minute ride). Just for comparison our cab ride to the hotel cost 6 Euros
We had dinner with Myra's niece Becca who is going to school at Darthmonth and this is her semester abroad. She came with two girlfriends (Sara from Turkey and Siri from Abdereebjan Russia and one boy from Bangladesh. We had drinks at the Adlon first then headed over to AIGNER for dinner
We had wonderful conversations over dinner and then each went our separate ways, as I they went out to have fun and I went to bed!
We've covered our local neighborhoods and Richard had nothing he wanted to do today. I saw this Concentration Camp in the guide book and stated that I would like to go out there. It was going to take some time and logistic's as it is a 45 minute train ride out of Berlin. I give credit to Richard, he went along with my wish, with just a small bit of trepidation.
On the train ride out there I was feeling nervous and sweating slightly (although being on a "local" train and it being 80 degrees AGAIN may have something to do with my sweat). In any case I just didn't know how I was going to feel about being in the presence of a Concentration Camp and or how I would feel or react.
WHAT AN IMPACT!
I really do not know how to express what it felt like, but I was totally blown away by it. So many emotions kept coming up, anger, disgust, fear, sadness, pain, internal disbelief that it is possible for human beings to treat "others" not just Jews, but Gypsy's, Mormon's and other as though they were not even human.
I kept thinking, and I do not have any evidence or facts to back up my thinking, but I had a sense that the German's must have been SO AFRAID of the Jews. Their FEAR is what created the environment for such cruelty
So here are some photo's:
 |
| Some 100,000 people died her during WW!! |
 |
| Main entrance gate of the camp, it says "Work Makes You Free" A chilling reminder of the deception and evil once perpetrated, over 100, 000 people died here. |
 |
| Roll call field |
 |
| Execution trench |
After a much shorter ride back to Berlin 25 minutes vs 45. we arrived at the Central train station. We were going to take the U Bahn (underground) #55. We had already purchased a round trip ticket for 6.80 Euros to visit Sachsennhausen. Richard wanted to take a cab to get back to our hotel (about a 5 minute ride). Just for comparison our cab ride to the hotel cost 6 Euros
We had dinner with Myra's niece Becca who is going to school at Darthmonth and this is her semester abroad. She came with two girlfriends (Sara from Turkey and Siri from Abdereebjan Russia and one boy from Bangladesh. We had drinks at the Adlon first then headed over to AIGNER for dinner
We had wonderful conversations over dinner and then each went our separate ways, as I they went out to have fun and I went to bed!
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Maifeiertag (Labour Day) May 1st
May Day Madness?
The Lonely Plants Guide books warns guest in some districts, especially Kruezberg, "May Day has become the venue of large scale anti-capitalist, anti-globalization, anti whatever demonstrations. Traditionally, right-wing groups schedule their marches for the same day, the police turn out in force and within a couple of hours their is chaos. That means violence, vandalism and burning vehicles." Nice warning from Lonely Planet, yet we saw none of this with one major exception. There were 5 to 6 Police on both sides of the block on every block. I guess they too have had a lot of past experience noted above.
After breakfast the May Day march was still going on. We followed along with then under the Brandenburg Gate. I took photo's of people, signs, etc:
From here we walked through Tiergarten to the Reichstag (Parliament Building). We were not able to get in as you need to make a reservation on line only at least three days in advance.
On the way back to our hotel, by now we've walked about a mile, we see the area set aside for the kids to play games, ride tricycles and create art. It was nice to see that they have areas where the kids can play for free while they March, drink beer, eat sausages.
So then we went the opposite way from Tiergarten up Under De Linden towards Alenanderplatz and the Spree River. While it may have been another mile of walking by now around noon it was getting HOT. The high was 27 degrees which I figure has to be around 81 or 82. I knew I brought my shorts and sandals for a reason.
We came upon the spot of the Nazi book burning
We then sat down in the shade for a break and these young Russian gals where taking photo's of each other in front of this billboard. I again asked if she would be OK if I took her photo and so:
We walked past the Deutsches Historisches museum as it was just TOO beautiful of a day to spend anytime inside.
This is the first time in my relationship with Beth, other then business, that I have traveled this long without her. I miss her and love her There are things I see that remind me of her. Like the photo below. We "locked" our love on a Paris bridge and threw the key into the Seine on our last vacation together! These locks on the bridge over the Spree River
By now we are tired and very thirsty (Beer time) and as we walk back to the square of the Nazi Book Burning we see the Hotel de Rome. One of the very few rooftop locations in Berlin. I wanted to take a photo of the decor as it was all Veuve Clicquot champagne......more thoughts of Beth as this is her favorite champagne.
Two beers later it's time to wander back to our hotel. Since we were SO close we visited Fassbender & Rausch Chocolatiers. We just looked and did not make any purchases.
We returned to our room just in time for cocktail hour. We finished the Johnny Walker Double Black and are now drinking Chivas Regal.
Gute Nacht!
The Lonely Plants Guide books warns guest in some districts, especially Kruezberg, "May Day has become the venue of large scale anti-capitalist, anti-globalization, anti whatever demonstrations. Traditionally, right-wing groups schedule their marches for the same day, the police turn out in force and within a couple of hours their is chaos. That means violence, vandalism and burning vehicles." Nice warning from Lonely Planet, yet we saw none of this with one major exception. There were 5 to 6 Police on both sides of the block on every block. I guess they too have had a lot of past experience noted above.
After breakfast the May Day march was still going on. We followed along with then under the Brandenburg Gate. I took photo's of people, signs, etc:
 |
| I presume this is a representation of Germany's 6.5% unemployment rate |
 |
| I asked this man if it was ok to take his photo and as you can see he was happy to allow me! |
 |
| Another reference to 6.5% |
From here we walked through Tiergarten to the Reichstag (Parliament Building). We were not able to get in as you need to make a reservation on line only at least three days in advance.
On the way back to our hotel, by now we've walked about a mile, we see the area set aside for the kids to play games, ride tricycles and create art. It was nice to see that they have areas where the kids can play for free while they March, drink beer, eat sausages.
So then we went the opposite way from Tiergarten up Under De Linden towards Alenanderplatz and the Spree River. While it may have been another mile of walking by now around noon it was getting HOT. The high was 27 degrees which I figure has to be around 81 or 82. I knew I brought my shorts and sandals for a reason.
We came upon the spot of the Nazi book burning
We then sat down in the shade for a break and these young Russian gals where taking photo's of each other in front of this billboard. I again asked if she would be OK if I took her photo and so:
This is the first time in my relationship with Beth, other then business, that I have traveled this long without her. I miss her and love her There are things I see that remind me of her. Like the photo below. We "locked" our love on a Paris bridge and threw the key into the Seine on our last vacation together! These locks on the bridge over the Spree River
By now we are tired and very thirsty (Beer time) and as we walk back to the square of the Nazi Book Burning we see the Hotel de Rome. One of the very few rooftop locations in Berlin. I wanted to take a photo of the decor as it was all Veuve Clicquot champagne......more thoughts of Beth as this is her favorite champagne.
Two beers later it's time to wander back to our hotel. Since we were SO close we visited Fassbender & Rausch Chocolatiers. We just looked and did not make any purchases.
We returned to our room just in time for cocktail hour. We finished the Johnny Walker Double Black and are now drinking Chivas Regal.
Dinner tonight was at Mutter Hoppe I had the Pork Knuckle it was awesome. Our waited Frank had a Bart Simpson tie on the said "The Last Perfect Man" it sounded familiar as I am SURE Beth had told me this!
Gute Nacht!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)