Hoping To Fly to the US

It appears that our European adventures may be coming to an end. If so, then our US adventures will begin. We are currently sitting @ the passenger terminal at Ramstein Air Base waiting to see if we will get on a military flight back to the US today. Yesterday we saw the Alps from a distance. This was our 1 st glimpse of them. We also took the train through some mountains near the border of France and Luxembourg. They are beautiful. They looked like the mountains near Bozeman, MT. Our train went through many tunnels to traverse the mountains. We had a lovely hotel room on base last night. The food court and shopping area are attached to the hotl. We tried to buy some playing cards last night but unless one has a German customs card one cannot shop in a tax free shopping area. So that meant, no shopping. Thankfully, we really didn't need anything.

German Adventures Continued

On Sunday we went to an Army chapel @ Hohenfels, Germany. We met a high school senior who is coming to a jr.college near us and a chaplain and wife moving to Ft. Drum. Small world. Later that day we went to a castle/museum built in the 13th century. We climbed to the top of the fortress and had a great view of the whole area.
Yesterday we took the train to Regebsburg, Germany. This is an old town on a river with large passenger and freight boats. We saw the usual colorful stucco houses and buildings. Also, another cathedral from the thirteenth century. Last night we had dinner with friends in Weiden, Germany, near the Czech border. We jumped on the trapoline with their kids.
Today we plan to go to Bad Staffelstein to see another cathedral. Then back to friends for one night and hopefully a flight out of Ramstein AFB by Friday. Still having fun. ;)

The German Story

Yesterday we had 6 lovely different train rides to get to our friends in SW Germany.  We were somewhat worried that we might get on the wrong train but, thankfully we didn't experience that.  Today, we walked with our friends to a the marketplace of their town and saw many interesting stores and buildings. We also have been able to play with their children and get some pseudo grandparent-time.  That was true at our friends in Belgium too.  All of the children in these families were part of our Ft. Drum Chapel congregation.
Germany is lovely and spring is here with lots of flowers, new leaves and brilliant colors.  This part of Germany has low rolling hills and looks like NY or Wisconsin. Many of the homes have solar panels over the entire roofs.  Our friend told us that nuclear power is phasing out so renewable power is being phased in over a broad base. We have started our 4th week of this trip so soon it will be time to head home.

Belgium-It's a Rainy Country!!

Yesterday, Wed. May 2, we arrived in Brussels, Belgium 8:45 a.m. We were able to get the taxi to the airport in Barcelona right outside our apartment. In Brussels, we found a locker for our suitcases right away at the central train terminal.  We had prayed about both of these things.  We were thankful. 
It was a fun morning in Brussels.  We finished visiting the cathedral about noon.  It was still fairly nice.  Then we went to the Grand Market Place to have lunch.  It started to rain during lunch and we had left the umbrella in the locker at the train station.  So the rest of our tour was rainy and cold.  We visited a police station to get instructions for the quickest way back to the train station.  We also stopped at a chocolate shop to fortify ourselves for the trip in the rain.  It was amazing chocolate.  We had mojito flavored, praline flavored, and Earl Grey tea flavored chocolate.  Then we had a lovely train ride to see our friends.  Today, we have shopped for sweatshirts in order to be warmer.  We also visited the NATO base where our friend works and we, also, walked the neighborhood to see cool houses and flowers.  It supposedly rains more than in Seattle so plants, flowers, and moss grow well.

May Day in Barcelona

We have had a wonderful final day in Barcelona. However we were happy to get back to the apt. Where we are staying. Workers were off today for May Day and there were police and helicopters everywhere. We were able to see the sites we had wanted. We took an aerial tram over the harbor. Then in late afternoon we headed back on the metro. However, our stop was cancelled. We got off @ the next one and walked back. After we got home and sat in the sun on the balcony for awhile, a large parade of workers protesting government cuts, etc. passed by 2 blocks away. It seemed fairly calm. However, we will happily go on our early morning plane to Brussels, Belgium.

Via le Barcelona

Barcelona is amazing. The 3 days we have been here, it has rained at night and the sun has shone in the daytime. We have walked miles, taken taxis, and buses.  Today we plan to take the train to Monserrat, Spain where there is a monastery, boys choir school, museum and church. Barcelona has many parks with playgrounds. It is a great city for kids. The food, art, architecture are wonderful. I want to live in a highrise apt. With a balcony here. Dave likes looking at them but wants his space at home. There are shops, stores, and malls everywhere. It is good I am not a shopper.

Sailing Through the Straits of Gibraltar

Seeing both Gibraltar on the north and the mountains on the coast of Morocco (N. Africa) to the south was amazing.  The ship traffic picked up substantially because of ships from the Atlantic and Mediteranean are compressed into a nine mile strait. Also, last night's chocolate buffet was fun.  There were 6 or 7 large ice sculptures, chocolate sculptures and about 30 kinds of chocolate desserts.   There was even champagne in chocolate rimmed glasses.  Everything we tried was delicious.  Today involves packing, farewells, pictures and trying a few last foods and activities.  Tomorrow -- "Buenos Dias, Barcelona."