Guttentag, Schweinwunds !

Tom and I had a great day. We traveled by train from Brussels to Cologne, Germany to start. Right outside the Cologne Train Station is the Cathedral, which is beyond massive, it took 623 years to be completed, and was a major pilgrimage site during the middle ages. At least 2 saints (Felix and Christopher) are reputed to be buried here, and the bones of the Three Magi are here as well, in a suspended, solid gold box.

The train ride was about 2 hours, mostly farmland, with a few small towns. The landscape did change dramatically though. Initially it was flat and open, and then it became very hilly, and wooded.

Once we arrived in Cologne, Tom and I had lunch, there are alot of shops, bars, etc. near the train station. Cologne is the 4th largest city in Germany and is very industrialized. The city is divided by the Rhein River, and the oldest part of their Botanical Garden in known simply as Flora.

We managed to find very nice German Beer Steins, and a UPS Store which was officially closed, but the owner was inside working, so she let us in, turned on her computers, put our stuff together and was a superstar for us, especially in light of the service we received in Brussels.

We wandered past a wedding, at a church that would be considered unbelievable, if it wasn't 1/4 mile from the Cathedral. As we were watching the wedding, a group of people rode by on a bicycle/bar/keg, singing and chanting loudly. Tom thought this was great, and plans to have the beach crew build him one of these contraptions, with a Bear Bryant hat on top for homecoming games.

Tom didn't want to smile for pictures until I told him the only words I knew in German were "Guttentag" and "schweinhund" which would be the same as someone coming to New York and only knowing "Good Afternoon" and "S---Head". Tom loved this and from that point on, we greeted each other all day with that classic German phrase.

We were only in Cologne for a few hours, then we took another train to Amsterdam. It was a good walk from the station to our hotel. The city is built around outward rings of canals, we are 3 canals out from the central train station in a relatively nice area of town. The Heineken Brewery is just down the street, as is the Rijkmuseum, and the Van Gogh Museum. Anne Frank's house is also nearby.

We are doing well and are well adjusted to European life, but still we are tired and ready to come home. More about Amsterdam tomorrow.

Kevin and Tom

The Best Bed, Waffles, and TV

Belgium is Tom's favorite so far. We took a 2 hour train from Paris to Brussels and arrived just after noon. It was raining, so we took a taxi to the hotel instead of our usual subway or walking. We are staying at a Marriott, as soon as we got to the room Tom said, "These are the best beds, Ever!", as soon as he turned on the TV, he said, "YES, seven channels in English!". His next sentence was, "OK, where are we going to get waffles ?" (When we got to a waffle stand-there are several, he changed his mind). The hotel definitely caters to American guests and even has a New York Style Steakhouse. Tom still had a Club Sandwich.

Brussels is by far the most old-style European city we have visited. Tom said he likes it the most because it is the least like New York. It is relatively small, with lots of winding, cobblestone roads. There are cafes, markets, etc. all outside, and lots of chocolate shops. The Grand Place, town center, is amazing. We visited the Church of Saint Nicholas, and the Royal Palace- just as good, maybe better than Buckingham Palace.

We took a short detour to the Post Office, this was not the highlight of our day. The Brussels postal workers set new standards in slow/inept service. Not just as an American, everyone in line was upset at the workers. It was slow, by any Caribbean, European, 3rd World, or Linda at the Acme standard. Tom survived by eating his small stock of chocolate (shaped like the statue described below) which we had purchased.

Another highlight of Brussels is the Mannekin Pis, a statue of a little boy going to the bathroom. He has over 650 outfits, and his likeness is on every postcard, and souvenir in Town.

More than likely, we are in for the night now. We have an 8am train to Cologne, Germany where Tom is looking forward to buying a big, German Beer Stein with a flip up lid.

Tot Ziens (See You Soon in Dutch)

C'est notre dernière nuit à Paris

We've had perhaps our most fun day yet. We made it to the Louvre just as it was opening, and went in without any line. We went straight to the Mona Lisa, checked that off, and then went straight to the Venus da Milo. Tom really loved the museum and knew way more about certain art than I did, and way more than I would have expected. He is also a European Street Crossing Savant. I have yet to figure out when to cross the street safely anywhere, Tom has performed better than a local in every city within an hour.

We spent more than 3 hours in the Louvre, and could have easily spent 3 days. We went in at 9:30am (the opening) and by 11am it was packed, but it was not really crowded except at certain spots, because it is so huge. We wandered through along with the other million people, barely noticing the art, or the building itself because we are all looking at maps trying to figure out where we are in the Museum.

They have a DaVinci Code Audio Tour of the Museum, we used the regular audio tour, but Tom pointed out the significant DaVinci Code items to me as we went.

After the Louvre, we headed towards the Paris Opera House, and stopped for lunch along the way. No we did not have Italian, we went to a famous Hemingway/Fitzgerald hangout- Harry's American Bar. They serve the best, most expensive and perhaps only Hot Dogs in Paris. The bar is decorated in American College Pennants, Alabama and Providence are both represented prominently- Sorry, No Monmouth or Rutgers.

The Paris Opera House was closed today for a a special event, so that was a bummer, (for me, when I read closed for the day, Tom read "Early Nap"). So in addition to not seeing the Phantom, we also haven't seen the Hunchback, Tom says he is either too busy ringing the bell, or only meets people on the VIP tour. Instead of the early nap, we wandered through the city and went past the American Embassy (#41 Rue St. Honorie), the French President's House, and several art/antique houses. Tom's trick for finding directions is to remember three Tabacs (diners) by name in a row, and then try to follow them back. It works surprisingly well, and better than me being "munsoned" on every corner.

We tried to get reservations for our train tomorrow, but the line was longer than any airport line I've ever seen. So the plan for tomorrow is to go to the station, and take the best available option without waiting in a huge line. We think the best option will be going to Brussels in the morning, and then going to Germany the following day, on our way to Amsterdam.

We went to dinner (Italian) on the Champs Elysee and then went shopping for Ice Cream and Twix bars at the MetroPrix(K-Mart) across from our hotel. After tiring of Der Prince Von Bel Air, Tom is now becoming a financial wizard, because CNBC is the only English Channel in the Hotel, we spent much of the day discussing various business, finance and economic concepts.

Thanks for all your comments,

Bonsoir !

Gypsies and Bread

We have discoverd Tom's two most favorite things about the trip. He is fascinated by Gypsies, who are all around Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower, begging, doing tricks, selling stuff, whatever. They have homes in the subway, and under bridges along the Seine. He also loves the fact that people walk around eating huge loaves of bread for a snack. After this update I am instructed to go out to buy him several loaves.

We took the Subway to the Eiffel Tower first thing this morning, we got there 15 minutes before it opened and got in line right away. You can buy tickets to the first level, the second level or the Top. I would not recommend going to the top for anyone with claustrophobia or a fear of heights. We rode a small elevator, with A LOT of people, REALLY HIGH. The fun part was that the elevator is really a Wonkavator, it needs to go sideways and up along the legs. Oddly, there are very few souvenir shops in Paris, even in the tower they had one inside and one at the base of each leg, but they are the size of NY newstands, and don't have very appealing merchandise. It would be very different if Mr. Disney was in charge.

Gustav Eiffel actually had an apartment at the top of the tower, where he entertained prominent guests, including Thomas Edison.

After the tower, we walked the grounds of L'Ecole Militaire, the French Military Academy, and spent alot of time getting "Munsoned"- Tom's expression after watching the Movie "KingPin" last night. It means to be "up a creek without a paddle, to have everything in the palm of your hand, and losing it" Every time I open the Map, Tom says "Oh Great, we're Munsoned!" In addition to "KingPin", Tom has also discovered "Der Prince Von BelAir"- The Fresh Prince in German, even better than Irish Family Feud.

Cathedral of Notre Dame was spectacular. Tom particularly enjoyed the Gypsies (his word) outside doing various types of street performance. We walked back to the hotel past the Louvre, we plan to go there tomorrow as soon as it opens. Now we are on into our usual routine of Tom getting his afternoon nap, while I update our blog.

We will be heading back out in a bit for another delicious meal, and perhaps to see the Paris Opera House, which is only a few blocks away.

Bonsoir !

Walking Around Paris

Tom and I spent our afternoon walking around Paris, trying to see some sights, and get the layout of the City. it is very easy to get turned around, the streets are like a maze. Dublin and London were easy compared to this, but we've got the hang of it now.

Our hotel is in the Madeleine Neighborhood, so we walked to the Place de Madeleine, then on to the Place de Concord, through some parks along the Seine, to the Eiffel Tower, over to the Arc de Triumph, down the Champs Elysee and home.

We have decided that the best French food is Italian, we had pizza again for dinner at a sidewalk cafe. As is customary on vacation, we had an ice cream first, at the Eiffel Tower.

The line for the Eiffel Tower was immense, so we are going back tomorrow first thing. There is a lot of traffic, and there are a lot of people compared to London or Dublin.

Tom is taking a shower because he "feels French". He has also been using the only French phrase he knows, "Je suis une fille". The hotel didn't have any rooms with two beds for tonight, so for the first time on the trip (Not counting Tom sleeping on me on the bus) we must share a bed.

Bonsoir !

We've arrived in Paris

We awoke at 3:30am to get our plane to Paris. This flight we managed to get priority boarding and the plane was not nearly full, so we sat in the 2nd row with an empty seat between us.

Our flight was on RyanAir, a European discount airline. So because our tickets were so cheap, they fly not to the main Paris Airport, but to Beauvais, which is about a 1 hour bus ride from the city. We didn't mind because we got to see some of the countryside.

Once in Paris, we walked several blocks to our hotel. As soon as we got off the bus Tom and I both looked at each other, the smell of baked goods was overwhelming. The walk to the hotel was very fragrant, there were alot of flower markets, and fruit/vegetable markets on the street, alot of sidewalk cafes and alot of mopeds.

After checking in we went to our first meal of fine French Cuisine (Pizza). The first language test came at the restaurant where the waiters and staff only spoke Italian.

Tom is crashed right now, after we rest a bit we will head out to see some sights.

Guinness Tour and the Brazen Head

It was very cold today, most of the local people were wearing winter coats. Tom and I spent the morning doing some shopping and stopped at the General Post Office, where the rebels declared their independance from England at the start of the 1916 Easter Uprising.

We then walked over to the original City Gates, and stopped at the Brazen Head, which is the oldest pub in Dublin. They claim a pub has stood on the site since 1198, with the current building existing and being in operation since 1668.

After the Brazen Head, we went to the Guinness Brewery which is very much like Hershey Park. It is a HUGE factory and the tour is interactive, films of the making of beer, with simulated factory elements, Tom said if they made us ride in Pint Glasses it would be exactly like Hersey. The best part of it being like Hershey is that that they also give you a sample at the end of the tour, and it is not Hershey Sampler size.

The tour winds up 6 stories of the Guinness Storehouse, the 7th floor is Gravity Bar which serves Guinness (naturally) and has floor to ceiling windows for 360 degrees. You can see every part of Dublin, and beyond from this perch.

Tom was fascinated with the fact that Arthur Guinness started the brewery in 1759 with 100 pounds which was left to him in a will from his Godfather (Just Hope Connor, Just Hope). Arthur Guinness took the 100 pounds and used it to buy brewing equipment and to enter a 9,000 year lease, at 45 pounds per year, for the 60+ acres of Dublin Land alongside the River Liffey with water rights. Several years later the City of Dublin informed Arthur he was using too much water, to which he replied Tough Luck! (more or less).

After my sample of Guiness, (and Tom's)...we had lunch at O'Shea's. Tom had a Club Sandwich, there are Club Sandwiches at every restaurant and they are Tom's Go-To Meal. I tried the Sheppard's Pie, which was very good.

We didn't get a chance to train outside of Dublin, but there is always next time. England and Ireland were terrific and were a good warm up for the next stage of our trip. While they are European, at least they speak (sort of) English. Tomorrow my Tres Mal Francais gets put to the test. Tom says we are screwed. We'll see.

News Alert: Dublin Won and now plays in the tournament for the All-Ireland Championship.

Late Afternoon in Dublin

Tom relaxed for a little while this afternoon (watching Irish Family Feud), and I think he thought he was going to be able to go to sleep for the night at 3:30pm, but around 4:30pm we went back out.

Our first stop was the Pub right next to the Hotel to watch some of the Dublin City vs. Offley match, the pub had an unusual amount of John Wayne memorabilia.

We then walked to Jonathan Swift's Birhplace and the Guinness Brewery. The Brewery closes at 5pm so we are going back tomorrow. We also went to Phoenix Park, which is Dublin's version of Central Park, and after which the Boston Commons is modeled.

After the park we had ice cream and dinner and looked around the shops.

Tomorrow- Guinness Brewery, Kilmanhan Gaol (an old jail and mental hospital)and a train to somewhere outside the city, don't know where yet.

Good Night.

First Day in Dublin

Tom and I managed to see most of the major sites in 1/2 a day, Dublin is not that large. Being Sunday, we went to St. Kevin's Church, which dates from the 1200's, St. Patrick's Cathredral, and Christ Church, where Handel's Messiah was first performed in public. Dublin Castle was interesting, but certainly no Tower of London.

We had lunch at the Auld Dubliner, where there was a young woman, with her baby in a car seat, drinking Guinness, and playing the Violin. We also heard the following exchange between two gentlemen (wearing blue from head to toe and with flags and airhorns)

Man #1- "Get me a pint"
Man #2- "You already have a pint"
Man #1- "Never mind that, I'll have it gone in a minute, now get me a pint"

Very entertaining. Everyone is wearing blue today, the colors of the Dublin City Football Club, they have a big match this afternoon against Offley. Tom and I will be going over to The Hairy Lemon(bar next to our Hotel) to watch soon.

We also visited Trinity College and saw the Book of Kells, Gospel manuscripts written by Irish Clergy more than 1,000 years ago. Trinity College has a nice Quad, but as Tom pointed out- They don't have Joe Namath's Hand Prints!

At Trinity College, we also walked through the Long Hall, where more than 200,000 of the Universities oldest books are kept. Along each side of the Hall there are marble busts of famous Irishmen, Benefactors of the University, Philosphers, etc. and there with Milton, Plato, and Socrates was...Brett you better sit down...Dr. Robert Clayton.

We walked along the River Liffey and looked at the Shops on Grafton Street. After the soccer match we may go over to Phoenix Park, and tomorrow we will visit the Guinness Brewery.

London to Dublin

Tom and I have just arrived in Dublin, we had several travel issues througout the day.

Most of the main subway lines were closed with mechanical problems, so we took the bus, until the bus was stopped for a LONG time to let the St. Paul's Ambulance Parade go by (see photos). We left the bus and walked, a long way back to the hotel to get the train to the airport.

We did spent most of our morning in the Tower of London, we learned about the "Little Princes", Edward the V age 12 and his younger brother Richard who were killed by their Uncle so he could assume the throne in 1483. Their bodies were discovered buried under a stairwell in the Royal Castle in 1674 and the King at that time had them reburied at Westminster Abbey were they rest today.

We also saw the Crown Jewels, yes the real, actual Crown Jewels. They are actually in one of the buildings at the Tower of London in a huge vault, you walk in one bank vault type door, look at the sceptors, plates, crowns, goblets, etc. then you ride an easy walk (like at the airport) past 5 or 6 really good crowns, then you leave through another bank vault door.

Our flight to Dublin was delayed about an hour and a half, and the plane had no seat assignments, just every person for themselves. Thankfully it was a short flight. Our Taxi driver in Dublin gave us some good ideas for what we should do in Amsterdam, most of which I do not think are good ideas. He also pointed out where the Prime Minister drinks, and every other bar from the airport to the hotel.

As soon as we checked in the concierge showed us a map of Dublin and pointed out the bar areas, the pub areas, as well as the places to go drinking.

Tomorrow we see Trinity College, Dublin Castle, Phoenix Park and more.

SPECIAL ALERT FOR MEMA: Dublin Bench Photo to Be Added Tomorrow !

2nd Day in London

Today we went on the London Eye, and went to Westminster Abbey, the Imperial War Museum and the Tower of London. Westminster Abbey was incredible, definitely not a "Bush League" Parish, as Tom's friends from St. Catherines refer to St. Denis. Inside we saw the burial sites of Chaucer, Charles Darwin, T.S. Eliot, Dylan Thomas, Mary Queen of Scots, and a thousand others including...No Kidding... Sir Thomas of Monmouth !!!

Imperial War Museum was amazing, Smithsonian level and free. We spent most of our time in the World War 1 Trenches exhibit and the World War 2 exhibit, we also visited "The Children's War" which detailed the experience of children evacuated from Germany into Britain, and the 1 million children who were evacuated from London during the Blitzkrieg. We spent 2+ hours in the Museum, Poppa and I could have spent 2 days- it was really amazing.

We went to the Tower of London, but did not go in because it was closing within an hour, but we may go back in the morning. To get there we walked over London Bridge, where Tom finally told me "No More Pictures", I told him "Tough Luck, they are for your Mother !" Tomorrow at 6pm we leave for Dublin.

London

We arrived about 7am London time and took a :30 minute train from the airport. We made a right turn out of the train station and walked about 3-4 miles before we realized that our hotel was several hundred feet from the station- On the Left.

We have already seen Buckingham Palace and the changing of the guards, you cannot get nearly close enough to see if they will blink. We have also seen Westminster Abbey, Parliament, Big Ben, the London Eye, and more.
Tom followed without complaint as I walked into the Cabinet War Rooms and Churchill Museum. It was very cool- all of the underground bunkers where Churchill operated during the War.

We tried to stay awake to get on a normal schedule and made it until about 5pm London time. Now it is close to 9pm and I suspect Tom will wake up soon and want to go to dinner.

We have already had our first taste of european cuisine- McDonalds.

I am working on getting pictures published.

Day One

Hey everyone!!

Tom and I just got to Newark Airport, Tom is eating Frito's and I am setting up this Blog so anyone and everyone can keep track of our adventures.

We leave tonight at 6:50pm and should arrive in London at 6:55 am - London time. By the time we get out of the airport and get downtown to our hotel, it should almost be time for Agenda Item # 1- Changing of the Guards at Buckingham Palace, Tom thinks he can make them blink, we'll see.