These are the emails I sent to various people throughout our trip to Europe. I have them in order of being sent and have made no changes to them.
Sent: 12/2/02
Subject: Germany (log 1, again)
The first time I tried to send this, I did a spell check and the email blew up. Now I have to start again, only I don´t think this will be as good (not as animated, nor is ARO here to give me the correct names).
It is a bit warmer here than anticipated, although when the wind blows, it
gets chilly, also when the "sun" goes down, it gets chilly pretty
quick. So far, we´ve seen the sun 2 times.
We are staying in Frankfurt where Azucena´s company is doing a trade show.
The first day, after freshening up, we went to the Christmas Market. Imagine
Lakeline Mall with booths set up in the parking lot all around the mall.
This is what it is like. Only it gets crowded because each aisle is about 10
- 15 feet wide. And rows upon rows of shopping pleasure. I´d divide the
booths into 3 categories. Wine - hot wine, food (nuts; chocolate anything; and
meat), and everything else (clothes; toys; ornaments; and lots of other stuff).
Anyway, it´s been a fun few days.
Another bright note, in Chicago no less, I got to see the last half of the Cowboys
game. Great interception. Hey, great weekend, Longhorns won big time, Nebraska
lost at home again, and Oklahoma lost. Too bad Longhorns had to loose. Also
Notre Dame. I guess Texas might make it into the top 8 again after all.
All taxi´s are beige and Mercedez. All. Got in a new one today that showed
the fare on the mirror.
There was some more from the original email, but I can´t recall so if
I think of it later, I´ll include it if necessary.
Another thing I have noticed. My Adult Content is turned on at work and I never
got anything. Now here, I´ve checked my email over the web and I´ve
gotten about 30 in that time. Soooo, I guess my checker at work is working
pretty good.
Gonna go now. Will start another one in a bit.
Randz
----------------------------------------
Sent: 12/2/02
Subject: Side bar
The above link is where Azucena is having her trade show. They are the EuroMold
conference. There are 10 Halls and each one is bigger than Austin´s. In
fact, to go from one end to the other is like walking from Cameron & 183
to Rundberg. You also can´t go from one hall to another, at least not
all of them. ARO is in halls 8 & 9 (9 has 2 or 3 floors and they will probably
use at least 2). Their booth use to be about 50 x 100, but they cut it in half
to about 50x50. Still room enough for their storage bin which includes a sink,
two refrigerators, hot plate, microwave and dishwasher, plus shelves for all
the cookies, soup, crackers, food, etc. We were there while they were getting
set up. Nothing like this at any of the TML conventions. There is stuff going
everywhere. Their floor (ARO´s booth) is not tile, like one of the booths,
or rug like most others, but hardwood floor. Or floor panel. She said something
about Chicago is one of the few convention places that is larger than here.
And I thought New Orleans was huge (aisles from 100 - 3400 or so and messengers
on bikes). After we walked for about 10 minutes to the convention center, we
had to walk an additional 10 minutes to get to the other side where 8 &
9 were. She really thought about catching a taxi. I now don´t blame her.
After taking in the Christmas Markets in Heidleburg, Nurmburg and Frankfurt,
plus other sites (castles, churches), we´ve done enough walking for the
rest of the week.
1600 exhibits and about 55,000 visitors
(217.7.92.74/english/index.php4).
I might walk around the show and see how many bags of stuff I can get. Well,
enough of that.
By the way, the above link, is apparently handled by a White Lion in Germany. Link was busted, but I thought I´d let you know.
Love and kisses
Randy and Azucena, aka, aro.
--------------------------------------------
Sent: 12/03/02
Subject: Where we are staying
My other email address is screwing up and I may have lost a couple of emails,
so I will probably send from this one from now on.
We are staying across from the main train station. Once you get inside, there
are at least 3 stores of McD´s. Pizza Hut. food places, grocery stores,
book stores, and a lot others. It´s a whole nuther world, the train station
is. The one in Nurmburg is very impressive. It was redone completely about 2
years ago. This place is sharp. The downside, it cost €1.10 for women to
use the restroom (€.60 for men). But, it is the cleanest restrooms in Germany.
Attendents all over the place.
So far, both stations go as far as you can see and stores lining both places,
on the main floor as well as underground.
The weather has been as expected. Lots of overcast, sun seen only twice and
rain on occasion, but briefly. The temp ranges from cool to cold. Once the sun
really goes down (around 5pm) then it starts getting colder and if there is
wind, whhhooooo watch out. Only the Gruhwein can keep you warm.
The place we are staying is not too bad. We had to get a double because I wasn´t
on the original and their beds are 1 meter by 60, which means, unless we are
pre-teens, we ain´t able to share the bed. They also apologized for the
confusion of the floor numbering. Their first floor (lobby) starts above the
ground floor (US ground = 1st floor). But the first floor is 200´s. Yeah,
I can see how that´s confusing. In France/England, you also have ground
floor (lobby), then first floor which is numbered 100´s. I guess
this hotel got it messed up. I`ll have to check the Mariott American hotel to
see if 1st floor starts on the Lobby floor or not.
So far, I have not found anyone that doesn´t speak english. I´ve
done some walking around today and have not had any problems. I guess my english
is pretty good after all. Good thing I practiced. ARO has done a good job of
using her German. Several have commented and one even suggested she had an Accent.
I said she ought to tell them it´s her Texas German accent. One of the
tour guides, who spoke german the whole time, at the end of the tour said good
bye to everyone and spoke to ARO in spanish. Speaking of German. You won´t
believe the Japanese population here. Not as tourists, but as German speaking
Japanese who live here.
Two things very noticable here is the lack of restrooms and the cleanliness.
France was very dirty. Germany on the other hand has lots of stations that have
room for Plastic, Waste, Wrapping, Paper. Wrapping would be cardboard, etc.
In the train station, you can see these about every 50 feet. Outside, maybe
every 100 feet. At least on every corner. At all centers (i.e. train stations),
there is a cost to use the restroom. Sometimes, they´ll have specialized
spots at places like the Christmas Market and charge about .30 or .60. Or you
can use the portable, but not many do that.
The Christmas Market in Nurmburg started over 100 years ago. And although it
is billed as the largest, it is definately the most crowded. Nurmburg is where
Hitler stayed off and on before and during the war. It was mostly levelled (about
90%) during the bombing. Instead of redoing the city, they tried to recreate
the city. Looks just like a German city that has been around for a long time.
Sharon, you mentioned for me to get some type of chocolate. I left that in the
office. Can you tell me again what it is I need to get?
If there is something that we have to get for anyone, let me know pretty soon.
We haven´t really found anything that stands out.
Mom, I need Jeff and Gary´s email since my other service may have lost
their emails.
ARO has taken lots of pictures. She is threatening to put a few together to
email to everyone. We´ll see.
Hope all is well. Food is good, people are great. Hope spelling is good. European
keyboards, but I think I caught all the y\z problems.
Randy
Date: 12/03/02
Subject: A little on where we are staying
Here are some photos from our stay so far. We'd send more, but we're modem limited.
Azucena
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Sent: 12/04/02
Subject: More on Germany
I haven´t done too much in the last two days except to travel around
Frankfurt on my own. Azucena has a conference so I won´t be seeing her
until after about 6 pm.
Yesterday, I walked the train line since I knew where it went and I wanted to
see some stores along the way. I made it around some, but nothing much. Came
back home and sat around for a few hours until it was time to go to dinner with
her and 5 coworkers. By the way, yesterday, the weather was pretty decent. I
could have gotten around in a sweater, even in the evening.
These long dinners I am not accustomed to. So far, every place we´ve been
two has had one (1) waiter or waitress. Only one. But then there are only about
15 - 20 or so settings (picnic tables and regular tables). The first night was
a bit larger and probably about 3 or 4 waitstaff. But, it does take a long time.
And just like the France trip, they do not bring the check until you ask for
it. The only thing different last night was our Esteemed Leader (I´m not
saying who, but she was the only non-male in the group). Follow Me... left,
right, right, after the end of that block take a left, wait, next block, sorry.
Yes I know where I´m going, go right, then left. I got you here didn´t
I, what´s the complaint. So it took 1/2 an hour. Look, if you don´t
like this place, around the corner are several more.
Back at the ranch.... Today, I walked across the river to the museum we tried
to go to on Monday, but it was closed. I got there and found out Tuesday was
the free day. This museum is an Aaaarrrrtttt museum. Pictures and more pictures
and paintings and sculptures and I had to pay to see this. Don´t think
so. Not today. I`ll go to the zoo instead. But since it was pretty cold I opted
to go to the Xmas market instead and try more wein and food. Also to look around
and see what they had we didn´t see before. I headed back home after a
few hours and waited around. Got bored and here I am. Letting you know I lead
a boring life. At least for a few hours today.
Ever stay in one of those German speaking hotels and the TV is mostly in German?
I can get Europe CNN, but they have their German segment every 15 minutes. Sports?
Europe sports and football is with a round ball. MTV we can get. Saw a new release,
pretty cool. The singer starts from the end and goes backwards to the beginning.
Movies and shows? Ali McBeal in German? She broke up the wedding in English,
I don´t need to see it in German also. But at least I get the gist of
it. Fortunately we brought some mp3´s so I can survive when not out and
about.
It´s 18:53. She should be getting home soon and I have the only key. Wait,
I forgot, the key is at the front desk. I guess she don´t need me then.
Don´t know what we´ll be doing tonight, but it should be entertaining
like it always is. I´m pretty sure it means more walking. More waiting.
More good food.
Alas, the end is near. I shall depart now and treasure this moment I have with
you people. Don´t know when my next report will be. If I do more the same,
then it would be kind of boring for you to read more of the same. We´ll
see. Till then, tchoose ?????
Randy
------------------------------------------
Date: 12/05/02
Subject: Germany fun for today
Ok, some might consider this fun. I went to ARO´s Euromold conference.
Let me begin by saying, every person entering is treated the same. You have
to have a badge. If not, get in line and buy one for € ($ and € are
about the same). No pre registration except for exhibitors. But, if they don´t
have enough badges, they have to stand in line like everyone else, fill out
a form and pay the money. Plan on about 1/2 hour or more. Only the lines are
more like the lines that form at TML A/C lunch doors. Moooo. I thought about
getting a picture of the mad rush for badges and then having TML use it when
sending exhibitor and registration packets with a note, "Don´t let
this happen to you. Order early and get enough".
Alright, we walked the hall in Hall 8. From aisles are from A - P (as opposed
to aisle 100, 200, etc.) and just as deep. I haven´t figured out their
booth numbering system. Anyway, in Hall 8, about 1/3 of the booths are 40x60
or better (up to ~100x100). These had their own prototyping machines or cars.
They also had their own table/chairs, cheese, crackers, candy, chocolate, beer,
pretzles, german style sandwichs (one slice bread, meat, cheese, olive, toothpick),
snacks and some even had champagne. A few, about 1/3 of these had their own
bar. BAR, as in crescent table with a bartender and tap beer, along with washer,
fridge, etc. Do you know how many had pens and pads available for customers?
Probably 4. How many had beer? Out of 500, maybe 450. Beer on tap? about 300.
There were 4 or 6 dining spots (mini snac´s). Sandwiches, beer, water,
sodas. Deposit for any glass or plate. Don´t know why people stopped at
these since the larger booths had plenty of food to go around.
After walking up and down the aisles, about 2 hours worth, we went to Hall 9.0
(first floor to us American folks). This was more of the same (but aisles are
from A - G), but the more important people were in Hall 8. There was a restaraunt
on floor 9.0 and 9.1 along with Coat attendents at both Halls. Hall 9.0 also
had two mini snac places. (remember, hall 8 & 9 are a good 10 minutes walking
distance from the main Exhibit location - via outside. You can take a taxi,
or an underground train for 1.50.
One of the booths in Hall 9 had a race car driver. Don´t know what
racing league, but she was dressed up and talking about something. Across from
her booth was another that was sort of a sponser of theirs and there were 6
cheerleaders. I thought it was humorous when they sat down and started smoking
(cheerleaders,events,smoking,uh,nevermind). By the way, there were about a dozen
cars exhibited and 1/2 of those were sports cars of some sort. Some were in
various stages of completion. One was molded out in clay and being whittled
down with a prototyping machine. They even had the SMART car on display
Hall 9.1 and 9.3 were a bit different. 9.3 was more College booths showing what
they were doing to improve the future. 9.1 was a bunch of 10x20 booths showing
more of the same from the bottom floor.
I have a suggestion for Karla and Mary. Double the rate for booth space, charge
delegates about $50 a day, plus their luncheon and extras like usual. This way,
we don´t have to distinguish between bosses and peons. Anyone can go and
we might even make more off it. Might get more one day people to show up on
Friday. Oh well, it was worth a shot.
Ok, dinner was another of these out of the way adventures, although we were
most of the way there anyway to get some dolls and other xmas stuff. It got
pretty cold tonight and the Gluhwein and Apletwein didn´t help
much. Anyway, this restaurant is one ARO has attended to in the past. Thus when
we walked in, the bartender remembered her from before. A YEAR AGO BEFORE.....
Go figure. She stops in once every year and the same bartender happens to be
on shift each time. Had to wait this time, but the food was very good. Sharon,
don´t recall if you drink beer, but when you order the german beer here,
it takes awhile. They pour it, then pour some more, then again, then again.
Basically it sits for awhile before you get it. About 5 - 10 minutes.
Oh well, day has come to an end, for us anyway. It´s about 11:25 pm. I
think it is about 12:25 Texas time. Tomorrow is last day for fun. One suggestion
is to take the train and just ride. Easy to say, not like I want to go get lost
or anything. Last time we took the train, they almost left me stranded. This
was in Chantee (sp) France. We got seperated, I had to find my way to the train
station, found them and they said tough. They would have left if the train came
before I did and I would have been on my own and no english speaking natives.
I think I´ll travel with ARO who can translate thankyouverymuch. But thanks
for the thought. Very tempting.
By the way, the SMART car can fit in the back of any pickup. Cut the VW Beetle
in half and it may still be longer than the SMART car. Imagine a two seater
with no luggage and no engine. That´s how small they are. How far your
feet go for the petals is how far the front of the car is. Yes, I´m exaggerating,
but it helps to get the idea.
Bye for now. If you don´t get no more, then it´s because I haven´t
sent it. Or it could be our mail server got blown up again, but I doubt it.
We should have one installed in house before next week is out so it won´t
happen again. And I can go back to using my real email.
Randy, yes and Azucena too.
Wait. A Siren. Can´t tell for what, but it´s probably the 4th I´ve
heard since I've been here. Not many.
------------------------------------------
Date: 12/06/02
Subject: Last day in Germany
I went a little venturous today by taking the underground to the zoo. I found
out the train passes are good for connections so that helped. I spent some time
trying to figure out where my drop off would be and once I figured that out,
got on the train for what I thought would be the end of the line. However, before
the first stop, I was staring at the map again and saw that the Zoo stop was
only two stops and not in the next county like I thought it would be and only
required a change of trains. So, as I got off the 2nd stop to change trains,
I followed the sign that said U6 upstairs. Once upstairs, U6 pointed downstairs.
Ooookay. Downstairs and looking around definately showed U6 as being upstairs.
I go upstairs again, cross the platform to a different U6 pointing downstairs.
Once down, I pause for enlightenment. I finally noticed that not only does U6
point upstairs, it also tells me the end point of the track. This is the end
point I wanted so I go back upstairs, cross the platform and go downstairs where
I was before all this started. I now had the end point and also the stops I
needed and all that.
The zoo was pretty good. Only cold. They had a mexican restaurant in the Zoo,
so I sat down and ordered Ribs and Wings. Definately different. They were breaded
which changed the flavor a lot.
On the way back, I followed the map, but after an hour or so of walking, I decided
to catch the train and after it kept going and I wasn´t seeing anything
familiar (like the Christmas Market), then I checked and found out I was walking
and training into the next county. (Don´t tell ARO that the Zoo got me
turned around 180.) Get off, cross the track, catch the next train and here
I am. An hour later. I did see a lot of car dealerships. Mercedez has two floors
of glass and their cars in a circle. SMART has their cars in a small clear tube
about 8 cars high.
Anyway, not much to talk about. The Zoo had amphibian section and that was interesting.
I`m not sure if I´ve ever been to a zoo before and saw tanks of Neon Tetras.
Guppies. Angle Fish. Gouramis. I saw something that looked like a rat, had 2
legs skinnier and longer than the body and tail and was standing up. Fast bugger
too. I think it was from the African region.
This be it. Had fun. Enjoyed it all. I may have to try this again. Our plane
leaves about 10:30 am and gets in around 4pm. May invite some friends over and
show them 2 hours of pictures, then again, maybe not. I can´t wait to
get to work Monday, then again....
Randy.
---------------------------------------------------------
Date: 12/07/02
Subject: Turn out the lights, we are home
I noticed that with Eudora, not all input from the european keyboard translated.
If you have questions, please let me know.
Speaking of translating... Our day began around 6 am for breakfast and then
an early cab ride to the airport. On the way, Azucena and the driver had the
usual conversation (ARO has a conversation with anyone at the drop of an eyebrow,
she don't wait for the hat). Anyway, I vaguely make out that he's from Belgium
or such and she asked how long he's been in the country. I'd say I understood
him when he said 32 years, but I'd be lying. She had some trouble with this,
so he finally asked if she was fluent in spanish. She said yes and off they
went. From German to Spanish like it was nothing. Now, I don't know about you,
but it takes me awhile to go from Normal US to Yankee, then to Valley Girl,
then to Texan, etc. I guess that's why it's always good to take your own personal
translator with you when you travel abroad. For one thing, it's fairly cheap.
Cost of travel, food, goods.
We had to wait for about 1 1/2 hours for the plane and surprisingly enough,
I was booked, but as a random passenger. This means, I had no seat assigned
to me. So, needless to say, we didn't get to play cards all the way home. BUT,
did get to watch 2 of 4 movies; Austin Powers 3 (a bit crude as usual), Serving
Sarah, watch it, pretty good, funny and Matthew Perry. Since we had our own
personal viewers, I could pick which movie to watch. I saw pieces of the other
two from other seats (my earphones kept cutting out so I had to play with them
to hear decently). By the way, it was a 777. Pretty nice. American Airlines
did good by adding more leg room.
Alas, we had to wait at the gate (in the plane) for about 1 hour before we took
off. This meant that we missed our connecting flight by about 30 minutes. When
we landed, the next flight was about 45 minutes away, but when you go through
customs, it gives you about 10 minutes to make it. An no, they didn't move us
to the new flight like we were told. So, again, we didn't sit next to each other.
Doesn't matter. ARO was asleep before we took off. You should have seen the
people running down the aisle saying, "In a rush, etc." only to miss
their connecting flights. To go through customs and pick up your bags was about
a 30 minute ordeal and these people had connecting flights about 10 - 15 minutes
after we got to the gate. I laughed in their face. HA!. Actually, it was a silent
laugh for I knew that as much as they ran and stood in place, they were not
going to connect.
It is now 11:18pm Austin. Some friends came over, fixed a great bowl of chili
and cornbread (can't remember last time I had either of these). Pulled out the
goodies, played a round of cards and now it is time for bed. (I think, it is
either 4 or 5am for me (looks like 6:30am if it's 7 hours). ARO fell asleep
on the couch about 1 1/2 hours ago).
Two things I like when travelling with Azucena. She is a great translator and
travel agent. She knows the ins and outs of travel as well as how to negotiate
the airports. There's other things she's good at when travelling, but dare I
go into those and suffer the wrath of a bloated ego.
Sounds like I'm coming to an end, which I am. I had (we had) a great time. I
enjoyed the travel, except for Friday, when my home was west and I went east
forever. Probably would have gone into another country, if I let it go long
enough. We adapt to the country pretty well, which makes for easy travel. The
natives spoke a good english which made it easy for people like me. Currency
exchange with the Euro is about 1 to 1 which also makes it easy. Food settles
pretty good and was very delicious. Scenery is always good. I love castles and
she loves cathedrals. What more can you ask for.
Ciao, tchoose, sianara, adios, good bye, mahalo, so long, hasta luego, aloha
(who cares about spelling, when you can sound it out!!!!).
Randy (and Azucena, partner in travel)
----------------------------------------------
Date: 12/09/02
Subject: Germany logs 1 & 2 that never made it the first time
The first time I tried to send this, I did a spell check and the email blew up. Now I have to start again, only I don´t think this will be as good (not as animated, nor is ARO here to give me the correct names).
It is a bit warmer here than anticipated, although when the wind blows, it
gets chilly, also when the "sun" goes down, it gets chilly pretty
quick. So far, we´ve seen the sun 2 times.
We are staying in Frankfurt where Azucena´s company is doing a trade show.
The first day, after freshening up, we went to the Christmas Market. Imagine
Lakeline Mall with booths set up in the parking lot all around the mall. This
is what it is like. Only it gets crowded because each aisle is about 10 - 15
feet wide. And rows upon rows of shopping pleasure. I´d divide the booths
into 3 categories. Wine - hot wine, food (nuts; chocolate anything; and meat),
and everything else (clothes; toys; ornaments; and lots of other stuff). Anyway,
it´s been a fun few days.
All taxi´s are beige and Mercedez. All. Got in a new one today that showed
the fare on the mirror.
There was some more from the original email, but I can´t recall so if
I think of it later, I´ll include it if necessary.
Log 2
Ok, now back to Germany. By the way, the Euro is roughly about 1-1 to the US
dollar.
We went downtown in Frankfurt the first day to the Christmas Market here. We
didn´t buy anything, but just looked around to see what all there was
and drink the wine. When we had enough, we started heading back and came to
a section that we missed and it was more booths. So we followed and followed
and kept going until we finally said enough. It´s cold and damp and the
Market may never come to an end. Besides, once you´ve seen about 10 booths,
they all are about the same, just different people.
We traveled to Heidleburg and visited a castle there. I wasn´t too thrilled
by it because we couldn´t get to a lot of places and a lot of the rooms
had panelling covering the original. After the castle, we walked down to the
town (over 300 steps, I know because they had numbers painted on the steps).
In town, we went to the Christmas Market to meet some of ARO´s coworkers.
They were at one end of the Market and we were at the other so it took about
15 minutes to meet up with them.
Another thing about these markets is the Hot wine "gluhwein". You
buy the wine in a small mug, which they charge a deposit for. You can take the
mug to any other booth and get a refill for regular price. In Frankfurt, each
booth had a different mug. I may like to collect things, but I´m not going
to collect all the different wine mugs. That´s a lot of drinking. This
stuff is actually pretty good. A red wine with something added to it and they
keep them in crock pots.
Each market has it´s own Christmas Tree(s) and a stage for Carolers. They've
got lots of decorations. On top of the booths, some will have figurines and
so of those are animated. There is at least one merry-go-round at each market.
They all shut down at 9 pm also. By 9:10, the place is deserted.
As you can see, we got our email problems resolved, but recreating what remains of the original emails is not easy. You've already gotten everything else and some of the above may be duplicated. Sorry about that.
We really had a great time. Really. Azucena said so.
Signing off (again...)
Till next trip
Randy and Azucena