| I also enjoyed
my weekend trips up the Rhein and Mosel Rivers, down the
Romantic Road in Bavaria, and over to Holland to Amsterdam.
The Rhein River and Mosel River trip was an amazing collection
of vineyards, ancient villages, and castles. The Romantic
Road was a wonderful experience, especially in Dinkelsbühl
where we stumbled upon their annual Kinderzeche, or Children’s
Festival. We met a wonderful group of townies involved
in the festivities that welcomed us to their community
and their festivities. |
|
My favorite weekend
was the trip to Amsterdam. After a five hour drive on the Autobahn,
we partied like rock stars until
5 in the morning, visited the Van Gogh Museum the next day, and
then started all over again after a city-wide canal tour. We
missed the whole coffee shop experience, but did visit the infamous
Red Light District. Such a beautiful city, it’s first on
my places to revisit on my next visit to Europe.
Amstel River in Amersterdam
My experience with
the Germans was interesting, and their Socialistic ideals are
very different from our Capitalistic ones. They definitely
have a better perspective on work and relaxing and vacation time.
But we make a lot more money. Where’s the trade off? Doesn’t
really matter I guess, just something to think about. Overall
the Germans were very hospitable, and while a little standoffish
at first, I thoroughly enjoyed my interactions at work and when
I traveled around.
But I am especially
grateful for the friends that I made during this time. My colleague
Ann, who showed me around Oberursel and
took me on the Rhein River trip. My new friend Kim, who was my
girlfriend when I needed someone to listen, and my sister when
I needed comfort and support. Irish John who allowed us to stay
at his place in Amsterdam and showed us around that beautiful
city. Kim’s boyfriend Martin, Martina as we nicknamed him
on our Romantic Road trip, who was always witty and fun. And
of course the German guys in the office, Nickel, Stefan, and
Konstantin, who supplied us with wine and beer in the afternoons,
and plenty of laughter.
August 27, 2003
After I returned to
the States, I had the lovely experience of dealing with Federal
Express and Customs on items I shipped
back to myself. I learned to NEVER ship yourself wine via Fedex,
not only do they not normally ship wine, but they will make it
a pain in your ass to get it delivered. After over three weeks
of struggle, paying a customs broker, and utilizing every friend
I know with any connection to wine brokering, I finally received
my case of German Rieslings, and all the other goods I sent back
for my friends and family. The best part of that fiasco was the
FREE JANET’S WINE campaign that spread like wildfire through
my friends, family, and co-workers. Needless to say, the wine
is tasty and doesn’t seem to have sustained any damage.
Janet in
Germany:
Amsterdam, click
here
Part
II, click here
Part
I, click here
|
