July 26th (sunny and cloudy)
It was a lovely morning and we were able to have breakfast outside. We drove into Magdeburg because George was interested in seeing the famous church which had its origins around 800 AD. The cathedral was immense in stature and lots of renovations underway including a couple of archeological digs around the alter base. We have also noticed in the city a definite eastern European architecture similar to what we saw in Bulgaria 35 years ago.
From Magdeburg, on our way to Uetersen to visit Georg’s cousin Irmgard and Rudolph, we made a couple of observations about the old “east” German region. First of all, it seems that the big corporations are taking advantage of the cheap land prices and are building enormous factories everywhere and also, the number of wind generators are more than we have seen anywhere. Furthermore, the land holdings here are not small parcels like in other parts of Europe – they are extensive tracks of land as a result of the communal philosophy of the communists.
About ten minutes outside of Magdeburg, we were stuck in a traffic jam on the autobahn that lasted two and a half hours. Georg also noticed that in the five hours that we were on the road today, we must have encountered over 2,000 large transport trucks. These are the only vehicles that we ever pass on the highway. Most cars are going passed us at more than 200 km/hr.
We arrived at Uetersen around 4 pm to see Rudolph at the front of their lovely home saying that he was expecting us the day before. We seem to have a habit of confusing people about our arrival times. We had a wonderful evening trying to catch up on almost thirty years. Their home is outstanding and very interesting in that it was a prefab home from Denmark which has technological elements in it, i.e. heating, ventilation and plumbing that were way ahead of its time. The house still remains in pristine condition with a beautiful garden which has a stream running through the property. We have our own living quarters, the run of the house and we are extremely comfortable here.
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
july 25
July 24th (sunny with rain)
Bubi had a lovely breakfast table set for us, including flowers and traditional music playing. It has been 35 years since we have seen Bubi and he seems genuinely excited to see us and talk about old times. Bubi is a batchelor living alone in the house and his main interest in life is travel. He has been around the world five times by ship and everywhere in the house are souvenirs of his travels.
After breakfast, we drove in our van around the perimeter of Nurnberg avoiding the traffic congestion. We visited the house, Geismann’s Hof, which the entire Nerreter rented for approx. nine years immediately after the war as their house was totally flattened by bombing. Then we drove into the old section of Nurnberg and Bubi took us on a “blitz” tour of the city. One interesting stop was Jakob’s Church in which both Bubi and Jurgen (Georg) were baptized. That was a bit of an emotional moment.
We returned to Bubi’s house where we tapped a keg of Austrian beer and ate a meat salad appetizer that Georg totally enjoyed anticipating Helmut’s visit. Helmut, Bubi and Lewis all travelled throughout North America and Mexico in 1963 for three months using, at that time, a Greyhound promotion – “$1.00 a day”. Bubi prepared a delicious potato dumpling, roast pork and salad dinner followed by some Oktoberfest beer which he had saved for us. After draining the keg of beer, plus the specialty beers and wines and cognacs, I was kaput by 9:30. Georg lasted another hour. He was not kaput from the alcohol, but from the food and thought he was going to explode.
Bubi had a lovely breakfast table set for us, including flowers and traditional music playing. It has been 35 years since we have seen Bubi and he seems genuinely excited to see us and talk about old times. Bubi is a batchelor living alone in the house and his main interest in life is travel. He has been around the world five times by ship and everywhere in the house are souvenirs of his travels.
After breakfast, we drove in our van around the perimeter of Nurnberg avoiding the traffic congestion. We visited the house, Geismann’s Hof, which the entire Nerreter rented for approx. nine years immediately after the war as their house was totally flattened by bombing. Then we drove into the old section of Nurnberg and Bubi took us on a “blitz” tour of the city. One interesting stop was Jakob’s Church in which both Bubi and Jurgen (Georg) were baptized. That was a bit of an emotional moment.
We returned to Bubi’s house where we tapped a keg of Austrian beer and ate a meat salad appetizer that Georg totally enjoyed anticipating Helmut’s visit. Helmut, Bubi and Lewis all travelled throughout North America and Mexico in 1963 for three months using, at that time, a Greyhound promotion – “$1.00 a day”. Bubi prepared a delicious potato dumpling, roast pork and salad dinner followed by some Oktoberfest beer which he had saved for us. After draining the keg of beer, plus the specialty beers and wines and cognacs, I was kaput by 9:30. Georg lasted another hour. He was not kaput from the alcohol, but from the food and thought he was going to explode.
july 24
July 24th (sunny with rain)
Bubi had a lovely breakfast table set for us, including flowers and traditional music playing. It has been 35 years since we have seen Bubi and he seems genuinely excited to see us and talk about old times. Bubi is a batchelor living alone in the house and his main interest in life is travel. He has been around the world five times by ship and everywhere in the house are souvenirs of his travels.
After breakfast, we drove in our van around the perimeter of Nurnberg avoiding the traffic congestion. We visited the house, Geismann’s Hof, which the entire Nerreter rented for approx. nine years immediately after the war as their house was totally flattened by bombing. Then we drove into the old section of Nurnberg and Bubi took us on a “blitz” tour of the city. One interesting stop was Jakob’s Church in which both Bubi and Jurgen (Georg) were baptized. That was a bit of an emotional moment.
We returned to Bubi’s house where we tapped a keg of Austrian beer and ate a meat salad appetizer that Georg totally enjoyed anticipating Helmut’s visit. Helmut, Bubi and Lewis all travelled throughout North America and Mexico in 1963 for three months using, at that time, a Greyhound promotion – “$1.00 a day”. Bubi prepared a delicious potato dumpling, roast pork and salad dinner followed by some Oktoberfest beer which he had saved for us. After draining the keg of beer, plus the specialty beers and wines and cognacs, I was kaput by 9:30. Georg lasted another hour. He was not kaput from the alcohol, but from the food and thought he was going to explode.
Bubi had a lovely breakfast table set for us, including flowers and traditional music playing. It has been 35 years since we have seen Bubi and he seems genuinely excited to see us and talk about old times. Bubi is a batchelor living alone in the house and his main interest in life is travel. He has been around the world five times by ship and everywhere in the house are souvenirs of his travels.
After breakfast, we drove in our van around the perimeter of Nurnberg avoiding the traffic congestion. We visited the house, Geismann’s Hof, which the entire Nerreter rented for approx. nine years immediately after the war as their house was totally flattened by bombing. Then we drove into the old section of Nurnberg and Bubi took us on a “blitz” tour of the city. One interesting stop was Jakob’s Church in which both Bubi and Jurgen (Georg) were baptized. That was a bit of an emotional moment.
We returned to Bubi’s house where we tapped a keg of Austrian beer and ate a meat salad appetizer that Georg totally enjoyed anticipating Helmut’s visit. Helmut, Bubi and Lewis all travelled throughout North America and Mexico in 1963 for three months using, at that time, a Greyhound promotion – “$1.00 a day”. Bubi prepared a delicious potato dumpling, roast pork and salad dinner followed by some Oktoberfest beer which he had saved for us. After draining the keg of beer, plus the specialty beers and wines and cognacs, I was kaput by 9:30. Georg lasted another hour. He was not kaput from the alcohol, but from the food and thought he was going to explode.
july 23
July 23 (sunny, bit of rain)
Left the very crowded campground towards Georg’s family home on Zuhfurestrasse in downtown Nurnberg. It was very important that Georg be able to walk around the places he remembers as a child. After wanting to take pictures, we drove into the city centre to find an internet café to check the “E18 error message” and to email Canon to inform them of the problem. It turns out that the E18 message is part of a current lawsuit underway and to fix it would cost approx. $300 US $’s and six-weeks waiting time. In order for the camera pictures to be downloaded to our computer, he had to purchase another Canon. I am sure that we will not have a problem getting our money back from Costco upon our return.
We did not stay long in the city and about 3 pm arrived at Julius’ (Bubi) house on Tannenbergstrasse. During the 1972 Munich Olympic Games, my brother Billy, Georg’s sister, Gerlinde and Georg and I stayed with “Bubi” and his mother, Aunt Reta . Although Georg’s father, Stefan, was one of fifteen children, Lucas and Matthew are the only two men to carry on the “Nerreter” name.
When we arrived, Bubi had Canadian and German flags around the garden as well as a beautiful bouquet of red roses for me. After a delicious dinner of weisswurst, bratwurst and sauerkraut and many specialty beers, we fell into bed. Again, we had our own area including bathroom for privacy.
Left the very crowded campground towards Georg’s family home on Zuhfurestrasse in downtown Nurnberg. It was very important that Georg be able to walk around the places he remembers as a child. After wanting to take pictures, we drove into the city centre to find an internet café to check the “E18 error message” and to email Canon to inform them of the problem. It turns out that the E18 message is part of a current lawsuit underway and to fix it would cost approx. $300 US $’s and six-weeks waiting time. In order for the camera pictures to be downloaded to our computer, he had to purchase another Canon. I am sure that we will not have a problem getting our money back from Costco upon our return.
We did not stay long in the city and about 3 pm arrived at Julius’ (Bubi) house on Tannenbergstrasse. During the 1972 Munich Olympic Games, my brother Billy, Georg’s sister, Gerlinde and Georg and I stayed with “Bubi” and his mother, Aunt Reta . Although Georg’s father, Stefan, was one of fifteen children, Lucas and Matthew are the only two men to carry on the “Nerreter” name.
When we arrived, Bubi had Canadian and German flags around the garden as well as a beautiful bouquet of red roses for me. After a delicious dinner of weisswurst, bratwurst and sauerkraut and many specialty beers, we fell into bed. Again, we had our own area including bathroom for privacy.
july 22
July 22nd (sunny, but not as warm)]
Alfred and Anneliese, determined to keep us as long as possible, insisted that we not only have breakfast, but must stay for a roast beef, potato dumplings and blaukraut (red cabbage) lunch. It will be so nice to be able to leave a monetary gift in the mailbox for them to see tomorrow after we leave because they have been so very generous to us. As well as a box of alcohol and homemade jams, a variety of specialty canned foods, sausage and cheese, she made food for us to eat along the way including cake.
Immediately after breakfast, we followed up the invitation to the Storck’s home to see a traditional dress of the Hessen area worn by their 15-year-old daughter Katerina. They were very hospitable and we hope to see them again one day.
Finally, in the mid-afternoon, after pictures and emotional goodbyes, we hit the backroads towards Nurnberg. The drive was very pleasant and it was nice to be on our own again. Finally arrived in the only campground in Nurnberg. It was extremely crowded and we were lucky just to find a spot to park.
Georg was a little upset to discover his camera was not working anymore and would be looking to get it fixed tomorrow or purchase another.
Alfred and Anneliese, determined to keep us as long as possible, insisted that we not only have breakfast, but must stay for a roast beef, potato dumplings and blaukraut (red cabbage) lunch. It will be so nice to be able to leave a monetary gift in the mailbox for them to see tomorrow after we leave because they have been so very generous to us. As well as a box of alcohol and homemade jams, a variety of specialty canned foods, sausage and cheese, she made food for us to eat along the way including cake.
Immediately after breakfast, we followed up the invitation to the Storck’s home to see a traditional dress of the Hessen area worn by their 15-year-old daughter Katerina. They were very hospitable and we hope to see them again one day.
Finally, in the mid-afternoon, after pictures and emotional goodbyes, we hit the backroads towards Nurnberg. The drive was very pleasant and it was nice to be on our own again. Finally arrived in the only campground in Nurnberg. It was extremely crowded and we were lucky just to find a spot to park.
Georg was a little upset to discover his camera was not working anymore and would be looking to get it fixed tomorrow or purchase another.
july 21
July 21st (sunny and warm)
Georg and I drove into Hersfeld this morning, but Anneliese was insistent that we return by lunch as she was planning to make a special treat for us – Green Sauce over potatoes. I have been collecting a few recipes along the way and this was one for the books. As I have mentioned, I am growing by the day and this kind of food certainly does not help the waistline. George and I have both hit all-time highs – George at 216 and I am at 184.
We did not do too much else today except go for a few walks, read and catch up on the computer. Later in the evening we were invited to another birthday in Mechbah, 2 kms from Mecklar, with unbelievable food and a never-ending flow of beer, wine and snaps. Beer tents were set up in the backyard in preparation for the torrential rains, lightning and thunder that came throughout the evening. It was a great time with good conversation, lots of laughs and occasional singing. It was also a pleasure to meet and speak English with Joachim and Edithe Storck and be invited to their home tomorrow.
Georg and I drove into Hersfeld this morning, but Anneliese was insistent that we return by lunch as she was planning to make a special treat for us – Green Sauce over potatoes. I have been collecting a few recipes along the way and this was one for the books. As I have mentioned, I am growing by the day and this kind of food certainly does not help the waistline. George and I have both hit all-time highs – George at 216 and I am at 184.
We did not do too much else today except go for a few walks, read and catch up on the computer. Later in the evening we were invited to another birthday in Mechbah, 2 kms from Mecklar, with unbelievable food and a never-ending flow of beer, wine and snaps. Beer tents were set up in the backyard in preparation for the torrential rains, lightning and thunder that came throughout the evening. It was a great time with good conversation, lots of laughs and occasional singing. It was also a pleasure to meet and speak English with Joachim and Edithe Storck and be invited to their home tomorrow.
Sunday, July 22, 2007
July 20
July 20th (sunny with thunder showers)
The four of us and the French exchange student, Romain , had a lovely drive today in and around the Ludwidsau district comprising thirteen small villages. Alfred took us on a tour of Point Alpha which used to be an American observation station overlooking the previous east German border barrier. At its zenith, the border ran the length of Germany approx. 1,400 kms with walls of steel, barbed wire and one of solid concrete 10 feet high. The “no man’s land” was heavily mined and patrolled by guard dogs and machine gun stations. As we were touring the museum at Point Alpha, one of the biggest thunder storms we have ever witnessed came upon us. The earth shook and the rain was beyond torrential.
When we were in the parking lot ready to leave, a shepherd was bringing his very large flock across the meadows and allowing his sheepdog to perform its duties. From there we drove to a Gasthaus well-known in the area for the huge, delicious cakes and coffee. Overall, we have not found Germany overly expensive, but by far, the food and beer is the best.
After stopping here and there and enjoying the drive, we stopped again at a very old Guest House and restaurant where we had authentic German essen (food) and delicious beer. The day was fantastic and we are very appreciative of the time and attention extended to us. Alfred and Anneliese would like us to stay longer, but we are on our way Sunday to Nurnberg. It is time to move on.
The four of us and the French exchange student, Romain , had a lovely drive today in and around the Ludwidsau district comprising thirteen small villages. Alfred took us on a tour of Point Alpha which used to be an American observation station overlooking the previous east German border barrier. At its zenith, the border ran the length of Germany approx. 1,400 kms with walls of steel, barbed wire and one of solid concrete 10 feet high. The “no man’s land” was heavily mined and patrolled by guard dogs and machine gun stations. As we were touring the museum at Point Alpha, one of the biggest thunder storms we have ever witnessed came upon us. The earth shook and the rain was beyond torrential.
When we were in the parking lot ready to leave, a shepherd was bringing his very large flock across the meadows and allowing his sheepdog to perform its duties. From there we drove to a Gasthaus well-known in the area for the huge, delicious cakes and coffee. Overall, we have not found Germany overly expensive, but by far, the food and beer is the best.
After stopping here and there and enjoying the drive, we stopped again at a very old Guest House and restaurant where we had authentic German essen (food) and delicious beer. The day was fantastic and we are very appreciative of the time and attention extended to us. Alfred and Anneliese would like us to stay longer, but we are on our way Sunday to Nurnberg. It is time to move on.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)