Stellar Breakfast, 2-Headed Baby Doll, Dead Rabbit Sculpture, More Tasty Eats (Nuremberg, Germany)

Lunch on Tiergartnertorplatz

The breakfast at Hotel Victoria was stellar.  The breakfast room has high ceilings and huge picture windows, which make it light and inviting.  You can also choose to sit outside if you can find an empty table.  There were many delicious choices including eggs, bacon, many breads, vegetables, fruits, several flavors of yogurt and cereals, juices and as always many cold cuts and cheeses.  I stuck with a pot of coffee but mom opted for a cappuccino.  This is the kind of breakfast I need to have everyday. 

Two Headed Doll at Toy Museum

First stop is to the Toy Museum.  It is three floors of antique and modern toys.  It houses a large doll collection, which totally wigged me out.  I have always hated dolls as I did and still see them as tiny, demon transmitting vessels from hell.  My fear of dolls was only amplified by this place.  There was a two-headed doll and also one that was positioned to crawl like a crab with belly to the air.  That is only the two most terrorizing, believe me there were more. 

Off to the Castle we go.  There is lots of cool castly things in the museum…. medieval weapons, armor, and other knights in shinning armor stuff.  We also went to the top of the tower, which gave fantastic views of the city. 

Another crappy history lesson:

There is a record of a castle at this location as early as 1105 and King Conrad III had a second built on the site in 1140.  In the 13^th Century Nuremberg became an Imperial Free City thus becoming the care of the city.  During WWII the castle was sadly damaged and only the Roman Double Chapel and Sinwell Tower survived.  It was restored after the war.

Durer Hare

We now head off along the numerous cobble-stoned streets that line the old city in search of the Dead Rabbit sculpture.  The sculpture is actually called Durer Hare and has sat in Tiergartnertorplatz since 1984.  It is a bronze and done by sculpture Jurgen Goertz.  Durer Hare is an odd little dude but very much worth a must see in my book.

We finally stumbled upon the Rabbit accidentally.  We were hungry and stopped to eat on Tiergartnertoplatz but there was some roadwork or cobblestone work being done and didn’t see it until the work truck moved and Little Dead Dude was reveled.

Nuremberg Castle

For lunch I had boiled sausage again…. can’t get enough of it.  Mom had potato pancakes with delicious applesauce.  Seriously why is the food so good here?

Mustn’t forget that it is ridiculously hot here right now.  Back at the hotel we had drinks and let the girls place in the fountain to cool off.   The play lasted only a few minutes before all were back at the table as Meika had kept her flip-flops on and taken a mighty spill.  She didn’t even cry and the cut was a good one, on the verge of needing stitches.  Cortney, the good little nurse, took perfect care of the injury and brave little Meika was good to go.  Her knee will bother her a bit the next few days but healed up well.

There was a major music festival going on and it was almost impossible to find food in the evening.  Germans do know how to have a good time that is for sure.  In the end we went back to our Lederhosen wearing server for dinner. Cortney and I split that beautiful salad again and a pork wiener schnitzel.  Once again a brilliant meal. 

View from the Castle

 

Freak Flip Flop Fountain Injury

Trains, Family Reunion, Tasty Sausage, Lederhosen, and a Crappy History Lesson (Nuremberg, Germany)

Window Seat view, very sad!

The train ICE 27 to Nuremberg took 4 ½ hours and cost 86 Euro.  I do enjoy a good train ride but I reserved a window seat and got a wall (I will remember to double check the position of my window seat next time). 

I will meet The Family at the train station as the Frankfurt train arrives around the same time I do….well I assume anyway since we gave each other ISH times for our arrivals.  

 About two hours into the trip my train made a stop in Frankfurt and what to my wandering eyes did appear but two super cute Chinese girls heading towards the back of the train.  I sent mom a text and yes that was my beautiful little sisters I saw....we were on the same train.  Maybe because we have met up with each other so many times in the past we didn’t bother to find each other for the next two hours of the trip.  I mean, I did just see then four days ago in Colorado. 

The Family

Looks like a long trip for Cort so far!

When we got off I headed to the first class car and met up with My People.  Even though only a few days had passed since I left the States it was still cool to meet them there.  The hotel was just across from the train station in the old historic part of town.   I do love when you can walk to your hotel from the train.

Hotel Victoria is absolutely lovely but a bit too modern on the inside for my taste.  They do go a bit overboard with the orange color scheme but it rocks for comfort and amenities.  We have a family room, which has a double bed, two twins and they added a cot for little old late add-on me.  It is huge and there is  a massive balcony overlooking a square with a very active water fountain that kids can play in.  The bathtub is extra deep and right out in the open so if you want to take a bath all in the room will see you.  The shower is off set but no door so if someone in tub or at the sink they too would get a nice view of your bits and pieces. There is also a huge deck overlooking the square complete with tables and umbrella.  Can't wait to check out the included breakfast tomorrow.

It is insanely hot in Germany and most of Europe right now.  It would normally be in high 70-s-low or 80’s but it is in the high 90’s.  The fact that very few hotels in Europe have ac doesn’t help matters but luckily mom had requested extra fans.

After catching up and chilling for a bit we decided to wander the city a bit and grab a bite to eat.  Nuremberg is a beautiful, history city made famous throughout the world for the Nazi Occupation and the Nuremberg Trails. 

the deck at Hotel Victoria

Insanely quick Nuremberg history lesson skipping 80 % of it’s past:

Nuremberg is situated in the German State of Bavaria and lies on the Pengnitz and Rhine rivers.  Nuremberg played a major role during the Nazi Germany era.  Due to it’s relevance to the Holy Roman Empire and it’s central location the Nazi Party choose it as the site of the massive Nazi Part conventions also know as The Nuremberg Rallies.

It was also an important site for military production.  There was major devastation to the city during the war years. 

Nuremberg is probably best known for the Nuremberg Trails between 1945-1946 when German officials involved in the Holocaust and other war crimes were brought to trail before an international tribunal.  The Soviet Union wanted the trails to be held in Berlin but Nuremberg was chosen instead for several   Firstly, it’s location of the Nazi Party’s Nuremberg Rallies where laws that stripped Jews of their citizenship where passed.  Secondly because the Palace of Justice was very big and undamaged fro the war.  Lastly a compromised was made and Berlin would be the seat of International Military Tribunals. 

reasons.

Told ya, crazy quick history leaving out most of Nuremberg’s history.  Wikipedia is a good source for more basic information.

Anyway back to our first half-day.  As you know from my terrible history lesson most of the city was destroyed during the war but a massive effort was made to restore it to its former glory.  It is a beautiful city and we all enjoyed walking around even the touristy bits. 

Steak dinner

Found a cute cobblestone area with shops and restaurants geared to tourist but still wonderfully charming just around the corner from the hotel.  We sat at at a picnic like table at one of the traditional German eateries.  I had boiled Nuremberg Style Sausage with boiled onions and my sister Cortney got the grilled version with sauerkraut so we could share.  It was served with pretzel bread and mustard and a beautiful salad.  This was all served by a straight out of Sound of Music, lederhosen wearing server.  It was so crazy good that I would crave and eat it again before my departure.  From what I gather the Nuremberg style is small sausage the size of a Jimmy Dean at home.  You order then in 6 or 12’s.  My tummy is sooo happy right now especially since we washed it all down with a local beer.

Nuremberg Sagauge

What a great day.

Museums that Inspire, Hate Minimalist Art and Tasty Grub (Cologne, Germany)

Another long, yummy breakfast to get the day started right. 

The great thing about staying near the train station is that I was able to grab a ticket to Nuremburg while I passed through the station to start my day.

Jumped off the Hop On/Off at Rautenstrauch-Joest-Museum on Nuermarkt because they had an exhibit called ‘14 days in Benin’ by photographer Albert Watson.  It was a wonderful exhibit and glad I added it to my day.  It got me stocked for the Western Africa portion of this trip to be sure.

Turns out this is a pretty cool museum in general.  I spent quite a bit of time in the regular exhibit on World Culture.  It covered everything from culture, language and customs.  They also had an area on Burkina Faso dealing with the masks, costumes and dance rituals.  Like the Benin exhibit this bit got me pumped for Burkina too. 

Lunch at Ludwig Museum

Back on the bus and to the center of town to check out Museum Ludwig.  This museum covers Pop art, Modern and Minimalist arts.  I enjoyed all but the minimalist art.  Minimalist art sucks at least for me.  I have never liked it and just don’t get it…. I too can paint a canvas black. 

I grabbed a delicious quiche, salad and local wine while people watching at the Museum Ludwig Café. 

Just those few things on the itinerary lead to another wonderful, long day. 

Kick-Ass Hotel, Chocolate, Chocolate and More Chocolate! (Cologne, Germany)

The Cathedral

The Hotel Branderburger Hof is no more than five minutes from the train station, which in Cologne is a prime spot for sight seeing.  I booked into a single room with shared bathroom/shower for under $60US.  The room is tiny but more than adequate for my needs.  It has a comfy bed with super soft pillows, a closet, mirror and sink, as well as a flat screen TV, blow-dryer and baby soaps and the whatnot.  In my three days here I never had to wait for the shared toilet or shower.  

The Branderburger Hof is a family run joint.  Nice old building just like I prefer.  The breakfast (included) is outstanding.  It will be the best I have in Europe over my six weeks.  The buffet included eggs, bacon, 5 plus meat, 5 plus cheeses, 5 plus types of bread, several juices, milk, fruits, yogurts, vegetables and pots of fresh brewed coffee delivered to your table in silver pots.  The eating room was lovely as well or you could opt to eat outside and an equally charming spot.

Grabbed a map from the front desk and was off on my first day of touring around Europe.  After all the delays I was super stoked. 

I decided to do the Hop On Hop Off Bus (2 days plus cruise for 23 Euro).  I always love the hop on hop off deals.  It’s the best way to get familiar with a new city.  I typically do the full tour before starting to hop on and off.  The full tour is under two hours and gives great insight into the history of Cologne. 

As the next round began the driver told me it was going to rain later and very likely tomorrow so I decide to hop off at the third stop and do the river cruise first. 

Old Vending Machine

After the cruise I headed to the Chocolate Museum (8 Euro); included in the price in a lovely piece of Lindts chocolate to start you off right.  This museum is an absolute must if you visit Cologne.  It is very detailed and full of fun and interesting facts especially if you are into collocate…and by the way who isn’t.    It covers everything for the history, culture and impact of chocolate on this world. There is even a small Lindt factory inside the museum. 

There was a section of the museum dedicated to old chocolate vending machines.  One of them was a working model and I spent 1 Euro on a bar of Lindt White Chocolate. 

Interesting chocolate tidbit:  Mr. Lindt invented milky, creamy chocolate by accident.  He left the couching machine on over the long weekend.  A couching machine scrapes the surface and agitates chocolate while distributing cocoa butter into the chocolate.  When he came back two days later to see his mistake it was discovered that by agitating the chocolate much longer it gave it a creamy texture…and modern chocolate was born.

Chocolate Museum Store

The mini factory was super cool.  Watching the chocolate process all the way to completion.  There of course is a killer chocolate store attached to the museum.  I perused for quite sometime before deciding on a rose infused truffle.  I knew it was a mistake to buy it with the heat the way it was but…by they time I got back to the hotel hours later my chocolate bar and truffle were a soupy mess at the bottom of my bag…yes, I licked the bag clean…judge me, I dare you.

The chocolate theme does not end here.  I completed this journey at the Chocolate Museum Café…. what do you think I had for lunch?  Dessert for lunch, you are correct.  The café overlooks the Rhine River and is a brilliant place to enjoy a lunch or chocolate lunch.  I partook of the Chocolate Noir (a chocolate mousse covered in a dark chocolate layer and garnished with a yellow, cherry tomato). 

Chocolate Noir at Chocolate Museum Cafe

I had to burn some of this sugar out of my system so I walked the city for a while in the crazy heat.  I eventually jump back on a Hop on Hop off to rest my body…it started to pour and I decided to just stay on board and enjoy the cool off.  I was at the back of the bus with a British couple who where wicked hot too and loved the rain.  It must have dropped 20 degrees. 

It was about seven when I got back to my area and I grabbed a baguette with Camembert, cucumber and tomato for dinner.  I was totally done by the time I got back…love days like that.

I got a txt from The Family that they had arrived in Frankfurt.  I will meet up with them in Nuremberg the day after tomorrow.

Waffle ASAP, Train Late, After 2 Days Finally Arrive in Cologne...Guten Tag Baby! (Brussels, Belgium)

Waffle at Brussels Midi Train Station

We arrived in Brussels at 9:30 instead of 6:30, which meant more fellow passengers to share the queue for passport control.   When the cute passport control guy asked how long I was in Belgium and I told him I was jumping on a train for Cologne…he seems genuinely sad that someone would pass through like that.  I reaffirmed my love for Belgium by telling him I would be back through as I had to have a beer and a waffle.

I think I am just meant to be delayed on this trip as the luggage took a good hour as well.  My pack on my back I grabbed a coffee and headed down to the train….I was able to book my ticket all the way to Cologne right from the airport…very cool.  Trains from Brussels to Cologne leave about every three hours so I would be stuck at Brussels Midi for a couple hours but I assumed that would be the case….time for a waffle and another coffee right?

Sad Face cuz train 43 minutes late

Waffle check, coffee check…. two hours later off to the platform…where I see that my train in running 43 minutes late…. sad face…. nowhere to sit so I grab a piece of floor, put some tunes on and wait. 

I figure I might be able to gab a nap on the train but there is a baby screaming behind me most of the trip (not crying…screaming).  Even the headphones were of little help.

Hop off the train in Cologne and thankfully went out the wrong door first.  The Cathedral is right outside the Dom exit of the station…. it is absolutely breathtaking.  Happy travel thoughts run through my head as I head out the other side to where I should find my hotel quickly as it is very close to the station.

Yep, the hotel’s directions are crisp and clear and I am there in 5 minutes.  It appears to be a sleepy little street so hopefully I can keep the window open, as it is super hot in Europe right now. 

I don’t really check anything out and it is now about 5pm and I am pretty well done in.  Some food and sleep are all that happen for the rest of the day.  After all those delays this girl is thrilled to finally be in Germany; a country I have passed through many times, done night layovers in but until now could not check it off my list.  Guten Tag Germany.

Delayed in Denver, Stuck in DC, Trapped on Tarmac, Forced to Watch Hansel and Gretel,Jeremy Renner Still Hot! (Washington DC, USA)

Off again off again giggisty gig.  I hate that I had to come back especially for the reason I did but good to see the family and now I will see them in Europe too.  It will cost a pretty penny to add a month in Europe but how often to you get to meet up with your family in a foreign land…well, I guess it does happen in this family quite a bit but still.

We were two hours late leaving Denver because of air traffic issues.  I arrived in DC assuming I had missed my flight to Brussels but maybe it too was delayed.  alas, it was not to be, I got a txt when I turned on my phone still of plane that my flight was taxiing and I had already been rebooked on tomorrow nights flight.  I saw it out my window…. goodbye Big Bird…Brussels will be waiting for me tomorrow.

So that sounded dramatic but not too fused about it.  I am gone quite a while and missing a day is not a big deal.  I feel bad for those who only have a week or two.  Poor bastards. 

Jumped in line to deal with getting me to Brussels.  I could have done a flight at 11pm (5 hours from now) to London then change and get in tomorrow at 4:30 (would have been in at 7am if left all had gone well)…. but I didn’t feel like it…all that waiting and laying over.  I opted for the flight that United emailed me.  They had already booked me on tomorrow nights flight…. just 24 hours later…that’s cool.

Unfortunate since it was an air traffic issue they can't get me a comped hotel.  They did give me a voucher for a discount.  In the end it turned out that just walking in and booking myself was 10 bucks cheaper.  Stayed at the Hilton House Hotel.  Pretty fing nice.  Had a couple Amstel Lights and a wicked good club sandwich at the bar…. oh, and brie/mushroom soup…sounds odd but super delicious…. my tummy is well satisfied.

While I was sitting enjoying my grub and bevi my phone buzzed in that my flight to London was delayed by 2 hours.  Obviously they forgot to remove my notice from this flight but I was now feeling I made the right decision to just chilling in DC.  I would get several more delay messages.  Looks like I would have had a very long day if I had routed through London.

July 21

Slept like a baby last night and enjoyed a long breakfast and more chill time since I got a late checkout.

My flight to Brussels boarded on time but that is were it ends.  We spent a half hour at the gate because of air traffic issues again.  I have a feeling our Captain is super wonderful for getting us away from the gate.  We spent a long time taxi-ing to the point where our Captain turned off one engine to save fuel.  We taxied so long I watched the entire movie Hansel and Gretel…. Really Jeremy Renner…. why would you put me through that…. I am kinda embarrassed that I watched the whole thing (PS you are still a lovely little man). 

It was almost 3 hours in taxi mode but we had use of toilets and they brought us water.   This is one time it would have been super nice to be up in Business…. granted I probably would have been drunk especially since I had to watch Hansel and Gretel.  (I add journal entries to Word weeks after I scribe them in my notebook and what I actually wrote in journal about Hansel and Gretel was ‘What the F#*!k Jeremy!?)

Being back in Economy wasn’t that bad actually.  The food sucked but the seats where comfortable and I really have no complaints.  Brussels is mere hours away.

 

Visa Check, Ticket to Ouagadougou Check....I Am Outta Here! (Southern Illinois)

Pre Leaving Stuff

So while I was at the Lake House I finally got around to booking my ticket back to Africa.  Decided to fly into Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (pronounced Wagadoogoo).  I want my frequent flyer points and I need a month layover in Europe so me thinks it is best to call United and pay the extra 25 bucks to work this one out with a real human.  Every time I go online and try to do this one myself I end up with wicked high prices…I’m talking over 3,000 bucks at best.

So finally get in touch with a United rep and off we go.  I have yet to have anyone; even in the travel business know how to say Ouagadougou so I just gave her the airport code.   I had to look up the pronunciation the first time too don’t get me wrong it’s a wonderful little mouthful and has to be the best capital name ever.

United earned their extra 25 bucks on this one.  My rep worked hard to find me a reasonable deal.  Luckily I was flexible by more than a few days of when my flights were and even what airports I came and went from.  I was cool to enter or leave from Frankfurt, Paris or Brussels.  I assume it will be Brussels, which has two flights a week to Waga.  I was right.  Managed to get the ticket for about $1900.  Sounds like a lot but a great deal on this especially in the summer.    Most of the tickets I looked at in the region without the long stopover where like 2400.  The change fee is $300; which is pretty standard anymore.  Oh how sad to not be using frequent flyer points on this one and I have to fly economy….yikes!

A Couple weeks later

Checking in online and given the option to buy double or triple miles for my flight for a mere $230 US.  Hell yes I am.  I use my flyer point and I use them well so on a long haul like this triple miles for 230 is huge man.  I should be able to do a one way business class on my next international just by doing this and with the points I still have.  So basically I just spent 230 and will be able to fly in style next time.  I will be buying on the way back too.