What happens in winter in Germany

Fun Story:
You head for the Amsterdam airport at about 4pm to catch your 7pm flight, even though it's a bit early. Oh well. Once at the airport, you wait. The plane leaves late for München, where you have the connecting flight to Nürnberg. You wonder if you'll make the connection but tell yourself worrying does no good. You booked your flight to Nürnberg because it's approx 40 minute drive to your house, or one hour, depending.

You're know you're going to be quite late, and you may have missed your connection, but the pilot announces that finally you've been cleared for landing in München. The planes starts its descent. You see lights. You are happy.

The lights disappear. You wonder what is happening. A while later, the pilot announces, "München has closed its two runways. They're too slippery. The air traffic controllers have found another airport to land in, one that is nearby and at least it is in Germany." Scheiß, you think. You know it's bad when the pilot thinks it's great that they managed to land the plane in the correct country. Only in Europe...

Three and a half hours after the flight left, you land in Stuttgart. The flight was supposed to be 70 minutes. The pilot announces, "No one wanted this and we are very sorry, but we have safely landed in Stuttgart."

Photo Documentation of the Fun Experience:
The line at the airport to reschedule. Approx 30 minutes per person and TWO Lufthansa employees assisting everyone. Fortunately you were at the front of the line and already knew a train was your best option.

Stuttgart. From the Movenpick hotel. Isn't it beautiful?

Your look of wonderment at your unplanned visit to Stuttgart Airport.

The happy welcome ducky. It makes you happy.

The Stuttgart Train station.

You got up at 4:45AM after going to bed at 1AM, but you are still happy. No one will stop this smile.


Finally you arrive at your car. You are so happy.

You fall before you even get to your car. Here is your look of shock. You are not smiling anymore. You think this winter shit which showed up while you were on holiday might not be as fun as it looks.

Damn snow.

Driving home. It takes 2 hours. You just focus on keeping your 4 pound car on the road. Telling yourself that you know how to drive in this white shit. And you will get to work. Safely.

Just outside of post, right where you live. Where the roads are smaller.

You finally get to work at 10AM. 18 hours after you left for the airport in Amsterdam. Two hours after you arrive at work, they close the post and you go home. What a journey. You think it is going to be a long winter. And it's only just begun.

Heute geht ich nach Nürnberg mit dem Zug

Es war gut für meine Deutsch üben. Ich wachte um acht Uhr und dachte daß soll ich gleich nach dem Hauptbahnhof gehen. Vielleicht Regensburg oder Nürnberg oder Rotenberg. Ich entschiede Nürnberg, meistens weil ist es nur eine Stunde weg.

In Nürnberg, hatte ich zwei Kaffees. Ich habe Papier gekauft, so daß kann ich zeichnen. Ich habe schwarze Hose gekauft. Und las eine Zeitung auf Deutsch, mit meinem Wörterbuch. Hoffentlich habe ich gelernt eine paar Worten mehr.

Am den Zug nach Hause, sah ich den Mann wem meinem Hooptie Auto gekauft. Er war mit seinen Tochtern. Vielen Menschen wurden in Nürnberg heute und am den Zug. Ich glaube, weil schien die Sonne, war alle sehr glücklich. Ich hatte viele Fahrrader auch gesehen.

Hoffentlich ist es Sommer jetzt.

(New goal is to study Deutsch at least 30 minutes a day.)

Translation:

Today I went to Nuremberg by train

It was good practice for my German. I woke up at eight clock and thought that I should immediately go to the main train station. Perhaps Nuremberg or Regensburg, or Rothenberg. I would decide Nuremberg, mostly because it is only an hour away.

In Nuremberg, I had two coffees. I bought paper, so that I can draw. I bought black pants. And read a newspaper in German, with my dictionary. Hopefully I have learned a few words more.

On the train home, I saw the man who purchased my Hooptie car. He was with his daughters. Many people were in Nuremberg today, and on the train. I think because The sun was shining, all were very happy. I had seen many bikes, too.

I hope it is summer now.

Photo happiness from Carrie and Mom's trip

Advanced internet connection in Germany. Attach wifi stick to head for better reception...

Carrie practicing to look German. But smiling a little too much. You can tell Mom is not German at all as she is totally smiling like a crazy Czech. Tee, hee, hee.

Me freezing ass off. I swear it's really January.

Flossenbürg with nearby concentration/work camp right in the city now-days... they have a good exhibit there.

Kathy walking the castle hill in Flossenbürg.

Castle at Flossenbürg where we almost got frost bite walking up the hill to the top...

Nuremberg (Kathy and Carrie's photos from Nuremberg, sadly, I was WORKING!)

Church in Nuremberg

Church in Nuremberg with my sister Carrie the fashion plate, carrying the EnviroSax bag that I was accused of stealing in Vienna.

Kathy and Carrie sick on the couch. Note Vicks rag on mom's neck, and yet she still remains deliriously happy looking.

Helga's Easter Tree.

Grandma and Lily (I stole this off my mom's camera.)

Christmas Markets -Nuremberg mostly

He was the cutest little Santa man. With an instrument that I'd steal! :) Just kidding. No really, I would steal it.

I remember I was deathly afraid of the ferris wheel when I was a kid. Maybe not this one.

Best way to eat corn.

Double decker.

So much junk for sale. But it was pretty. Didn't buy anything.

Pretty ornaments. Funny lady.

I was thinking about putting this tree on my Christmas cards, but I'm using glitter and whatnot instead.

Nuremberg.

In the coffeeshop, contemplating life. As usual.

Ordering Gluhwein solves all the world's problems. (There was a fire too.)

Amberg. Just a tad smaller. Do you have a magnifying glass?

Two days of train trips

Nuremberg

Just off the train with John, whose apartment I'm taking over.


Spinning the ring for good luck.

My mug for the mulled wine matches the building!

Rothenberg

From the tower on the city walls.

Ditto.

Ditto.

Ditto.

Ditto.

For Carrie. It's a framed tarantula I think from a second hand store. The framing was done in 1976. I sort of wanted to buy it but I held back. It was only 30 euros! Bargain!

Schneeballen. A Rothenberg tourist trap thing.

Some gardens. I think there was something about the four seasons here.

My feet and horses from the bridge.

Snack. Espresso and Schneeballen.

Six hours on trains and buses, modeling my new hat.