August 10 -16

August 10, 2009

Got up at 730 and headed to the train station…missed the first one by about 5 minutes….so had to wait another 55 for the fast one to Brussels….I get off at Antwerp….First class and it usually has lots of extra seats……there is a plug for the computer but it is high up and my plug for the computer keeps falling out so I am down to 9% on my battery…..signing out and will continue at Antwerp
Was able to find my hostel with few hiccups…a really old bar with rooms above it…it had some atmosphere about it….checked in …spent about 1 hour on the computer and then headed out for a meal…
Found the best one I have had at a small place…you design your own salad and then I had some spaghetti as well…..was full when I couldn’t finish it all and it cost less than 10 Euros even with the drink!....walked around just looking
Got booked in at the hostel when I got back as my room wasn’t ready when I first got there….two beds ….one shower in the room above us that was communal and no locks on the door…but no one else there so had a long and hot shower….
Picked up my camera and a map and head out for the afternoon of seeing what they said to see…..the cathedral was good, then went to the river’s edge…there was a memorial plaque for the Canadian’s who liberated the port during WW2….they were in desperate need of food and water and supplies….Canadians took a heavy casualty toll in the war as we were given the dirty job of ousting the Germans where they had entrenched and fortified themselves ….I think something like 6500 casualties in the operation and 550 in just this small part… wandered around and then headed downtown to see if I could get into the Diamond museum…..got there just in time for it to be closed and it was open tomorrow at 1000 but is closed on Wednesdays….and it was going to be Wednesday that I would have some free time…maybe…started back on foot to the hostel as I thought I had my bearings down pretty good….well not so much but I was only out by about 3 streets….actually had to go get a coat as it was starting to rain and it was getting cooler at night…
Didn’t visit any pubs….I don’t drink beer so what is the point…unless they have my Seduction and then it is too expensive….
Decided to call it an early night as I didn’t have much of a sleep the night before and head back….answered all my emails, caught up on some CBC news and paid off my Visa bill…. my rash has started to go away…think it was my diet of too much sugar that was causing the problem…will try to stay on a vegetarian’s diet……well maybe not that extreme…..my own sheets and away we go….

August 11, 2009
A good day overall.
Got up and had a little breakfast….toasted jam, juice and coffee…Then headed to the railway station..
A very complicated trip to Vimy ridge that was helped with the aid of the attendants….
Needed to catch a train to Lille but get off at Kortjick and then go to Lens then transfer to a train to Vimy….….but needed to get back on at 621 in Vimy to catch the train back to Lille to get back to Antwerp…ok no problem
There were some waits in between but it was going to take a full day…which I had planned for
Train to Lille …good…train to Lens broke down and had to be replaced…I thought there was a major problem as the conductor was radioing and there were 3 police officers on board…who knows? Thank goodness for the 1 hour wait at Lens as I was able to still make the connection to Vimy…
Vimy is a small place about 3000 people…was told that you could get a taxi to the memorial…well not from Vimy…talked over his fence to a French fellow and he offered to take me there for free…..took him up on the offer…he only spoke French so I was able to practice mine….and it seemed to be ok…got to the memorial just in time for the last tour…..seems to be how things are going here…after the tour was chatting with the two lady tour guides and almost forgot to get to the memorial…that would have been a p.o…also asked if they could book me a taxi to get back to the Vimy station which was only like a bus shelter….off to the memorial and it is truly magnificent….a good tribute to the Canadians that is for sure….took several pictures and tried to picture the area about 100 years ago….when we fought at Vimy…..
During the tour .…some interesting facts..….the trenches were only about 25 metres apart…no wonder you could get picked off by a sniper…that is gopher hunting distance….the guide said that there was a gentleman’s agreement that there would be no grenade throwing as it could get nasty…at least in the lulls between attacks…lots of tunnels…..sandbagging….trenches…. interesting stuff…snipers could pick you off easily if you weren’t under cover….messenger’s life expectancy was not a good length…12-18 days I think she said…worthwhile…glad I came here
Ran back to the tourist centre which was just closing and asked the girl if the cab was coming …yes…..it was 605 and my train left at 621 from Vimy…it showed up at 611…we have 10 minutes to make it to the station….I don’t think so…but the driver if I understood him right said he would try to go fast….
He was taking a different route than the guy who brought me here…nowhere did I see Vimy on the signs..…. at 618 I asked in my not so good French if he was going to Vimy….. no, he thought I wanted to catch a train TO Vimy …not AT Vimy….oh my…ok, now what…besides paying him 23 Euros to go to the wrong station
We stopped at the station in Arras which is where he was taking me and we started having a conversation with the attendant there…she could speak very little English but I was able to use my total command of the French language to tell them I needed to get to Lille and somehow back to Antwerp …they were able to get me to Lille but could not find out about Antwerp…no problem just get me back….turns out I was on the faster train to Lille than I would have been if I would have caught it at Vimy….after all was said and done I arrived back in Antwerp at about 2200
Interesting thing happened on the train….a ratty looking young man…about 24 I am guessing gets on the train and is in the first class compartment….seems a little suspicious…the conductor takes my ticket …good….goes to him….from the conversation her hasn’t got one…right then and there he gets a fine of 40 Euros and has to pay it with his credit card….sounded a little pissed…and has to pay for the fare….after the conductor left he rips up the paper and fires it into the bin and on the floor….about 20 minutes later the conductor comes along and tells him to clean up the mess…..he is a little mad…but does it…..then just before the train stops he lights up a cigarette ( no smoking on the train ) I was hoping the guy would come along again and nab him one more time….seems like this guy didn’t like rules of any sort….
Got to bed at 2330…after checking in on the hostels computer as the owner had mine and was sleeping I thought….
Some thoughts on the rails and the farming…..
I believe that the countries need to rethink some of their railway business…all over the countries there are rails that I believe have not seen a train for 10s of years….what are they doing still there…they are eyesores…..and there are abandoned and unused cars another eyesore…Why not take these in and have the metal recycled….it begs the question what the heck are they there for….Could they not put people to work doing some of this…and it may not be skilled work but it would enhance their country and their economy…..at least in my thinking AND save the resources of the planet…and put people to work and perhaps have some beautification in the process…..maybe old world thinking prevents this….
2nd point on the rail system…..they seem to want to keep an outdated and I believe inefficient system going…on the train to Vimy, three cars and I believe there were 7 people on the train….and that included the conductor and the engineer….that has to be a money losing proposition…no question…and this happened over and over again…in the first class section most of the time about 5 to 10 per cent full…what is that all about….why not cut down the number of trains…or start hiring vans…or have pre-booking so that the numbers justify the trains…..but to hop on a train and go to another town 5 miles down the road and then hop on it to come back seems a little ridiculous…..they have unemployment now…….this has to be under employment….crazy…but they seem to accept this money losing situation…..I would like to see the books for the system to see how much money from the federal governments go to funding this….
3rd point….I don’t know how the majority of these stores and shops make a living….there was one restaurant that in the two days that I was there had no one in it….and the one next to it had maybe 7….do you employ a cook and a waiter and a manager for free……maybe they are fronts for drug smugglers…but there is no way that they could make any sort of living out of their enterprise…and it was all over Europe…not just the restaurants…clothes, shoes, jewelry, hats,, souvenirs, pots and pans, …….didn’t matter the country…I need to see the workings of some of these…the business plans…it seems like another “socialized” system as they have to get their money from somewhere…..but so many seem to have enough money to sit out at the pub and drink their beer and whatever it is that they eat…unless all these people are tourists???? I think not!!!
Don’t think the businesses would survive in Canada….
In China, at least we know that they are being paid by the state and the menial jobs are still being done….not that they are perfect because their pollution record is also leaving something to be desired….
How the heck do you get this cleaned up….I am not sure….but needs to start somewhere…..


August 12, 2009
Got u at about 7:30 and got packed away ready to leave except for my computer…which the owner was protecting….
Headed to the train station to find out how to get to London….easy…go through the Chunnel and no problem…been there……too expensive….have time to travel and will take the ferry…if you go to Oostende….said the ticket seller in the terminal…good…trains leave on the 21…..821,921,1021….so I headed back and had breakfast at 9;30 the owner did not get up until then ….supposed to be from 9 until 11 but I couldn’t even wake him up by tapping on his door until 930 when he must have heard me….not sure….anyway…had breakfast, got my computer, booked the hostels for two nights ( should have only booked for one) and had 21 minutes to get to the station and go…made it by 3 minutes…. About 2 hours later we pull into Oostwende
“I would like to book a ticket on the ferry to England”, said Darryl.
“You can’t”, said the lady behind the counter. “Only cars are allowed on these ferries. You could check at their check outside and to the right!’
Now I KNOW these guys are stupid….no passengers on a ferry only people who are going on cars. I could try to piggyback with someone but I would have to go to the check in building about 1 km away and then plead my case to someone who has a car and who is going over. NO THANKS.
Back to the train terminal…..I want to go to Calais…ok you go back to Kortjik, then to Lille, then to Calais…you will get in about 1715….no problem he said…..and he calmly walked to the train ( cursing under his breath, telling himself that they can have Europe because all it has is its history and medieval thinking and until someone gets to experience all that is wrong…the politicians don’t because they use all the good things….people will be stuck in the rut that has been in place here and will need dynamite to change) that was leaving in about 10 minutes, boarded and sat down and laughed at the last day on Continental Europe….
hadn’t missed a train, hadn’t caught a wrong one, had followed the advice all along and then this Peckerhead in Antwerp puts an end to that…..geez…hope I make it to my hostels that I booked just this morning..
I told you a built in inefficiency and looks like an inability or desire to change the Old World thinking….
Well I made it and here I sit I in the corner of the bar area of the ferry…almost got on the wrong train in Lille but am getting too wise for their fooling me…..
Interesting point of 12….last night when I was returning from Vimy, at Lille, the train back to Antwerp was in platform #12…I meant to take a picture of it as it is more than a coincidence that this keeps happening, but I forgot…..there are 16 platforms what are the chances…but it seems like there is something with that number and when I came back here on my roundabout way to get to Calais…..my train to leave was from the very same platform….so this time, I took my camera out of my bag and did snap the picture….arrived in Calais….at 1712 and had to catch the bus over to the departure ferries……then had to buy the ticket for the ferry which was about $30…..my Eurail no longer is valid....England does not accept it so I will be paying full rates and not have “free” rail anymore….hope to be in London by about midnight…but not sure if I will be able to get into my hostel….we shall see….may phone from the ship to see how to get in and if I can….another long travel day and I haven’t taken many pictures or spent much money….maybe both good things….well I did spend some money…forgot to buy Belgian chocolates in Belgium so bought them on board here and also some Swiss Chocolate even though I only traveled through….hmmmmm
Also changed all my money back into sterling so that I am not lopsided with all the change….now only two moneys….dollars and pounds…pretty soon only one…going to get a train into London off the boat….should be about 1 ½ hours to get there…could be quite late even if I get all the things right…..
Caught the bus to the train station and then used the machine and not the actual person to get my ticket….what a progressive person….noticed the same young couple from the boat going to the train as well…talked with them ..they were from Germany…just finished their grade 13 and were heading into the university with Psychology and maybe economics….we had a good chat for the trip into London…which was going to be about two hours…..we had set our watches back so I wasn’t going to as late…German education is not free but seems to be subsidized….very pleasant chat…Simone and Alex….
Arrived at London’s bridge and had to catch a train to New Cross Gate…it was the last stop on the line…wouldn’t you know….about another hour and I was there….then out the exit and take a direction…they said left….the other left I guess as I was not going in the right direction even after I asked a local….finally arrived at about 2345 at the hostel…checked in and got my stuff put away…two others in the room and not here….actually got to talk to Vivian…it was afternoon there and she was at home…chatted for a several minutes and then headed to bed….after a long day…OF ONLY TRAVEL…


August 13, 2009

Got up and had a shower….It was welcomed and I left the hot water on a little longer as I needed the therapy….but missed my breakfast by 5 minutes…lady at the desk was very uncompromising…..
Needed to get my trip to Manchester figured out…actually could stay another time if I could get an n=overnight train to Manchester….also Wembley stadium….asked how to get to the station to book my ticket….Victoria….take bus 437….to there…ok…got a day pass as I thought it would be a good idea…she did too….
The bus ride seemed to take a long time but eventually got there…asked at the information counter…had to go to Euston station….which bus….can’t remember…..it seemed a little shorter and I was seeing a lot of London….Euston station…no overnight train and I was also trying to figure out how to get to Liverpool and Shrewsbury for the wedding…the reason I was going there in the first place…was told to go to Birmingham…. so I had to get three booklets to figure out where and when I would go….that took a good half hour…
Finally decided on my course of action and booked tickets for Manchester….leave at 820…if I missed this train, you had to buy another ticket…no refunds….no problem…77 pounds about 140 dollars…no Eurail here….can see why the pass is soooooooo good….high speed train though….will see how I can get to Liverpool once I get there….get checked in and then also see how to get to the wedding from there…
Off to the Wembley stadium for a tour…which bus…18….bad idea…took over 2 hours on the bus to get there…if I ever get on a bus in London during the summer (or even for that matter, any time) shoot me….the traffic was bad ..there were over 50 stops I am sure….and the driver drove by the place after I asked if he would drop me off close…
Impressive place from afar….got up close and took some pictures…looking for the tour place…no such luck ….asked a couple of blacked suited security guards about it….oh, no tours today or for two more days…next Wednesday…the U2 concert was on tomorrow and Saturday….hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm mini tours on Monday for 10 pounds…maybe I can catch that one…..now what….
Dinner…went to a fish and chip shop…..I was the only one….the 25ish cook and I had a good chat…told me he probably cpuld get the U2 tickets for me if I wanted and fairly cheaply….actually was considering it….but would make the days very hectic….one of the best meals again…and for 6 pounds….if you get away from the tourist traps the meals are good and they are cheap…rest of the day went down by the Buckingham Palace and the major tourist areas just wandering around….decided to take the London Eye….very impressive on the skyline….did a brief 4D video after standing in line for about ½ hour ……cueing up is almost a national pastime here I think…certainly detracts for the time in the day to do things!!!!!!...a very magnificent view ….about 1 hour of moving for 17.5 pounds….but a good tourist trap….one young French girl…grade 7ish…was feeling a little woozy being way up there…mom and dad smiled as did I…I took their picture at the top …she managed to smile…was actually again able to converse in my French…they commented on my Henri shirt as it was a French person…they took mine as well…getting a little late so I walked around and then head back….Oh yea, I had bought a metro pass as I though I would not want to take the bus again…got close to my home and then was forced to take it again …and guess what ….it was the last stop on the bus line…another 1 hour at least on the bus….I was a little tired of the tour…..back at the hostel…charged u[ my camera and my computer was on the charger…..and I set my watch and headed for bed…..knowing that I had a train to catch tomorrow

August 15, 2009

The date for the wedding …the main reason I actually came to Europe in the first place…left at 820 so that I could get into Shrewsbury, (Acton Brunell)…didn’t even know where it was when I first read the invitation….and a 1 hour 20 minute train ride….went to the tourist bureau which I found but if I would have had find my way back would have been difficult because of all the winding and short and up and down roads…found out that I would need a taxi to get there…was able to flag down a cab after he dropped someone else off…we had a jolly chat on the way there…about a 10 minute drive….again, not a straight stretch all the way there…..
Was three hours early in a village of about 300 people …but they had a college there that housed about 300 students during the term….walked around for the time to pass…..they had a castle to look around…very small and not restored…just a ruin actually and a cemetery beside….with grave going back to the 1820s..
Got to the church fairly early and sat in the back pew trying to be non conspicuous…and unseen…the church filled up and Romain walked in but didn’t see me…but he was chatting up with people in the rows…was only hoping that he didn’t see me then….the service started and I was able to see Meghan and her dad come in she did not see me……
The service was about average length…and then they left the church and waited outside on a very sunny day…the visiting line…
I started taking pictures and was standing a little off to the side when they saw me…Meghan first, then Romain….big smiles and we had some good chats during the rest of the day….because I hadn’t let them know, there was no place set for me at the reception…but they quickly found a spot and the rest of the evening played out as I suspected…except that the dance was a Ceilidh…..Scottish dance…with lots of partners, dosey dohing, swing your partner, circle left, circle back….form an arch…well into the night….I had entertained the idea of going home after the reception….at about 2200 as the last train left at about 2230….when it got close to leaving time…I was told not to go and that there would be a place to sleep…I only needed a couch I said ….so I stayed on until about 200 ...Meghan’s dad found me the couch and I found some sleep….a policewoman said she would drive me back to Manchester if I wanted and I said I would consider that…


August 16, 2009

Decided to go home by train so got up at about 730 and no one was up….found the phone and made a call to the company which had driven me out…..they didn’t now where I was exactly so I had to carry the phone outside and give them some landmarks….no one was up before I left at 820 so I didn’t wake anyone to say goodbye….they may have thought I got lost or that I was kidnapped…..you know I am a celebrity…the train was about 1 hour wait….so I sat down and caught up on a little sleep…..
Made it back to Manchester arriving at platform 12… .Shrewbury only had 6 so there was not chance for 12…I am not paranoid about this nor do I have a fixation…it happens way more that normal…that is all….checked out to my hostel and notice that there had been a fire about 2 blocks from our place as there were fire engines all around the place…had to find out some information on the train and the times…needed to go to a ticket machine to get my ticket…..spent about 5 minutes there ( it was an off peak day so it only cost 67 pounds…looked up on the board and the train was leaving in 1 minute..….. missed it …from platform 7….so I went had had breakfast (it was 1030) ..…had the breakfast ( I seem to have lost my appetite…. almost couldn’t eat an egg, 2 slices of bacon and 2 pieces of toast….asked for milk and it was warm….must be the way they like it) and headed back to the station …..train leaves in 5 minutes from track 6….got on but couldn’t find an unreserved set of two seats…..my backpack does not fit about the seats so it usually has to be my seatmate…took two reserved ones and waited for some one to kick me out of theirs…..hasn’t happened so far and we are ½ way there….I have no hostel booked but I am going to go back to the one I had before I left…it was cheap, had internet and was fairly central to the places I still want to see…Wembley and Abbey Road….so will try to see them in the next day and ½ and then gone….

Got off guess what..track 12...there are 18 of them...keeps happening...got my travel pass for today and for tomorrow..will need to start at 930 tpo get the maximum out of it... Wimbledon will be the last I think as I want to get Wembley and Abbey Road for sure.....

Made it to the hostel and was able to secure the rooms for the next two days but up at the top...just what I need more exercise.....no matter...I am going to have a shower and then go out for a walk and to eat and then I will blog which I am doing now..just add some pics and I am done...


August 17,2009
Very productive day…up at about 730 and got my emails out of the way….and had breakfast…cheerios, and coffee….hmmmmm
Then off to mail something but needed to get to a post office….right up the road they said….well a mailbox but no post office….right…I will mail it from Canada….off to the train and metro and made it to Abbey Road….about 20 people all wanting to have their picture taken crossing the road….and the traffic starting and stopping and I am sure laughing at the tourists….me too…but I got mine as well

Then off to Wembley stadium…took about 45 minutes to get there….made it for the 1130 tour……the guide was excellent…. great sense of humour and was fun to be with…asked a lot of questions ….cost of the seats 17 pounds to 50, boxes for corporations 200-250 thousand pounds per year….seating capacity 90,000 seats….it is new….2007….won’t be part of the Olympics unless a final match of football….U2 had been there for a few days so they were taking down all the stuff and the grass was not visible….he apologized for that several times…..I think he really was sincere about it…proud of the job he had…Fantastic stadium….natural grass and open except for a part that opens form better air flow….they returf about 5 times a year…the sod goes to other fields….FA cup finals get played on it but no team plays out of it…no horse events in it…took a few interesting shots….
Off to Wimbledon……just got there for the 2nd last tour…a bit pricey I thought at 18 pounds….interesting facts….last match on centre court about 100 pounds….leave about 500 daily tickets that you can line up…and they are cheap…10 -17 pounds…forgot which……15,000 people watching the final…..850,000 pounds to the winner….10,000 pounds to the first round losers…an exclusive club….only 500 members…. merit or winning gets you into the club……lots of old farts, it looks like…so you die to get out…and there is a long waiting list….quite an interesting place….lots of courts…lots of history…famous quote by the first winner…”I don’t think this game is going to catch on”….able to take some photos from some interesting places but NOT of the members playing……. went into the shop after and bought a shirt and a pen…25.5 pounds…an expensive time at the most famous tennis club in the world…
Walked back to the metro and headed in to London to buy a few things for gifts for home and spent another 50 pounds…had a meal and headed home…..bought my ticket on the metro for Heathrow for tomorrow and came back to the hostel to clean up my mail do some checking on the cbc website, shave, shower and pack….will be ready to go for tomorrow…need to be at the airport by about 1100 so will have breakfast …and then head out …am getting anxious……. and ready to go HOME…if that is where home is…
Am in a room with 5 young German girls and one English girl…. so am really outnumbered….about 2220 so I will sign out for now and let the computer charge overnight so I can do the last day from the plane…but I think the planes all have power for these things so shouldn’t be a problem….need to download my last pictures and then we are done…final wrap and we are back home…

August 18, 2009
Avery restless night…I think in anticipation of the day….maybe 5 hours of sleep…was packed so no need to get up early…but was up at 710 and onto the computer to check out the emails and then have breakfast
Had breakfast and got out early and onto the trains…..a trip to London Bridge and asked one of the employees how to get there…Baker Street station was the first stop…then asked again and was told to go to Paddington and to catch the Express…..ok…..got to Paddington and asked my way to the Express…ok…..boarded and was on my way…wow that was easy….conductor came along and asked for my ticket…showed him the one I was given by the attendant at New Cross Gate and he said it doesn’t work here……oh, the underground only….well isn’t that just dandy…and how much does it cost to ride this one here….only 19 pounds…..!@#$%^&*()……another way to keep the tourists on the defensive…..paid it and am sending a letter to the corporation …..kind of pisses me off…..
Made it to the station in style….got off for terminals 1, 2 and 3…didn’t know as there was a terminal 4 as well…thought I had a 75% chance of being right…..walked for about 5 minutes…..still no indication of where the airlines were…. finally saw Air Canada at terminal 3…ok….good start….then off got my check in done and through customs no problem and then went looking for the Airline lounges….all lounges this way…..A lounges this way…Air Canada….starts with A…so off I go……nope……Air Canada is in the B-J lounges with several others…showed my guest pass and got in and then showed my card as well….didn’t need to use my guest pass as the card allowed me in….rookie…..rookie …rookie……
Had a 2nd better breakfast and am now blogging on the computer…will make a final summary on the plane

August 6 to 9...Sweden and Amsterdam

Some balloons out the day I arrived...I supposed to welcome me and wish a happy birthday....Ericson dome....used for hockey matches, etc...and the bridge as I was leaving..it is high.

How about a John Deere combine in the fields....some of the land looks like northern Sask. The Chinese restaurant in Amsterdam, in front of an old ship me in front of Van Gogh museum, the Ajax arena






August 6, 2009
Well, spent my first days of 60th birthday on a train to Malmo, Sweden on my way to Stockholm….young guy in the berth beside me was from Norway and studying to be a paramedic….free education there too….seems to be a great idea….smoothest train ride I have had….we spent a few hours on the ferry across the sea to Malmo….slept fairly well……another good bureaucratic incident…..our 6 berths were completely full….the next on had one person in it….nothing like being packed like sardines in one and no one to talk to in another…..go figure…..maybe they are afraid someone will mess up another bed or something…..
Arrived in Malmo right on time…had a two hour layover and am now on my way to Stockholm……just to say I have been there……apparently there is a ship there that is the most complete one from the early days so I may try to get to see it… …topography is similar to Sask…..flat but with trees as well …..have noticed a lot of wind turbines similar to southern Sask as well….a four hour train ride on the fast train…lots of open seats….another currency too the Swedish krona….1 dollar is equal to 6 Canadian dollars…a chocolate bar on the train is about 2 dollars….
Am going to stay only one night in Stockholm, and then head back to Copenhagen for the afternoon, if I can swing it, and then an overnight to Amsterdam….it will mean about 16 hours or more of train travel…..and I am sort of on my homeward leg of the vacation…
Minor hiccup on the train……the conductor stopped us about 1 hour from Stockholm and couldn’t tell us why the train wasn’t working…..we were passed by a couple of other trains….maybe just throw a chain around us and pull us in……some people are going to have troubles with their connecting trains…..we had to change trains …there was supposed to be a gangplank that could reach across the tracks and people could just walk across….wasn’t long enough….so everyone had to get off one train and into the other one….and when we did everyone was just standing around and not helping …….soooooooo typical Canadian? I got into the doorway and started hauling people and luggage in to speed up the process….still took 45 minutes…we had babies, grandmas, dogs, strollers…..anyway got it all done and made it to Stockholm about 1 ½ hours late……booked my trip back to Copenhagen and then to Amsterdam and then found my hostel…..DIDN’T GET LOST……FINALLY GOOD DIRECTIONS…..
Turned on my computer and was able to talk to Vivian who had had a bad day…headmaster wasn’t there so she had to put off here talk with him…she was a little upset….and the fact that I was late…..and my birthday…and it was raining……and not together……anyway not the best….
Had a talk with J and Kenzie and then went out and had Swedish meatballs for supper….something different anyway….will change my plans….I will stay here a little longer and overnight from Copenhagen to Amsterdam….it will break up so much traveling in one day….
Tried to wash my clothes here but all 3 washing machines are not working…..so I will get up in the morning……repack, put the stuff in the railway station locker and go on a hike around the city…..leave hopefully late…to get into Copenhagen in the morning and do the same thing there……and make it to Amsterdam one day later…..signing out for now and blogging in so to speak.

August 7, 2009
Ok..so August 6 didn’t have fireworks and earth movements…but I did survive for August 7th…..always a plus
Had made some changes but as they say in some of the magazines about travel around Europe by train…be prepared to make changes…..Plan B, C or even more.
Decided to stay in Sweden longer ……tried to change for an overnight .to Copenhagen…nope….ok how about a late one to Copenhagen and then overnight to Amsterdam….nope…ok how about changing to Amsterdam the next day not today….nope that was full….ok I would like to get to Amsterdam as soon as possible…..right here is the plan….let’s go to Malmo at 1321 and have a 4 hour layover there…then an overnight to Berlin and from Berlin try to get to Amsterdam……so here I am on my way to Malmo, then back to Berlin for an early morning arrival and then we will play it by ear then……my ear is getting a little calloused from all the playing…..but it is not boring that is for sure….
I did have about 2 extra hours in Stockholm so I went out to see the Ericson globe … the largest in the world…it is home to some serious hockey games…noticed that Detroit is playing St. Louis in October…interesting…and there is another big Dinosaur demonstration as well…..has a hotel attached to it….took the subway out and back…..60 kr….about 10 dollars…yes thing are expensive here….Big Mac…..40 kr about 6.50…..so maybe it is ok to leave here early……
And another bureaucratic society here at the station….I wanted to store my bag in a locker……they take only coins….10s, 5s etc ….well, both change makers are broken…so I try to get them from the vendors…..nope….and if you buy stuff, they give you a bill of 20kr and 5s and 2s and 1s so you would really have to do some figuring to get it done…asked a couple of people if they could just change it …nope….so my time here is wasting as I try to find change so I can store my bag….walk to the bus station which is at the end of the train station…..find another change machine……wooo hoooo it works…..put my bags in there…no I have about 1 ½ hours to see anything….well I chose the Globe….go to the information for the buses…nope you can’t buy tickets here……over to the store next to the bookstore…..and you buy 2 of them for a one way trip……so 4 for a back trip….both work fro subway or bus so why 2 …….instead of one ticket you need two……hmmm….then you get it stamped as you pass through the turnstiles….and off you go…..got there and was going back…..no one in the booth to stamp the ticket……so I just walked through……good system?????……and they are good for one hour after they are stamped…..
Made it back by 1245 but did not get off at the same part of the station so here we go again….need to find the bus station and then the locker 2761…..ok so that took about 15 minutes…..got to the station easily and waited the 15 minutes or so…..boarded the train…..it is like China too…..they try to get on first so that they get the choice places to store your stuff…..my big pack I try to leave at the front out the car so that I don’t have to throw it over the seats…..yeah there is a spot for the RED DEVIL….it seems to get heavier and heavier as I carry it….here I thought using all that toothpaste and shampoo and the Vitamin C pills (as well as some Ibuprofen every now and then) would lighten the load….I guess not…going to try to get some washing done soon…this is my last set of clothes that has not been worn in the last week or so….maybe Malmo will have a wash/dry place….

Saw an interesting thing on the train after a stop and a couple of women got on…the lady held up her cell phone and the conductor looked at it….I think it had the ticket on it and he accepted it….man this may soon be a paperless society…..you almost get everything via the internet now….
Another thing I find a little disconcerting….when you are on these trains, you don’t know if the person next to you is Portugese, Swedish, German, French or American and lots of times I never initiate a conversation….and maybe I look like a terrorist with my shaved head, but many won’t start to talk with me either……sooooooo you will sit in silence for as long as the trip…in this case 4 hours…..and I would like to know something about the person beside me……oh well, that is just the way it is…..in Canada, it is much easier I think….and these damn headphones make it so easy just to ignore the person next to you as you don’t even have to listen to them breathe…you can be in your own world…..not my style…..
So just when I was making generalizations, the next guy on the train with me is a Swede named Oscar and we carried on a conversation for a good 2 ½ hours. Hockey player, outdoorsy kind of person, more my style and we had a great time…I even bought him a beer which we “Skol’d” to…..he was in political science and wasn’t sure what he would be doing….some military training….university…..great time….and the time flew by….
Got into Malmo and had a 4 hour wait for the train….decided to book my hostel in Amsterdam so went on the internet for about ½ an hour searching….found one and booked it as I thought that it would be easy to get to Amsterdam to Berlin and I was right with lots of connecting trains….
About 1 hour before the train left I checked my hotel for the directions and to my dismay( why I am not sure) I had booked it for tonight and tomorrow….silly guy….no problem…just phone and change the dates….no cell phone……
Don’t even ask…..right now I am so darn mad I could spit…..hadn’t used it for several days as I was only using it for videos and phone calls…neither of which I had done for a couple of days….had put it in my backpack….IAM GETTING TIRED OF SUPPLYING THE THIEFS OF THIS WORLD WITH THEIR JOLLIES….won’t be buying an expensive one again…enough
Now to phone Amsterdam using a pay phone …..had a hell of a time trying to get on the phone…first ate my Euro and got nothing out of it…..found I needed two zeroes on the phone to Amsterdam…used my credit card…took about 3 attempts to get it done…can you sense my frustration by now…..then I heard that my train was leaving in 5 minutes…off I go with no call and getting more pissed by the minute…..got on board and then a call that the train will be held for another 20 minutes because of (you guessed it) another late train….
Off I go back to the phone and finally connect…..the lady on the phone puts me on HOLD…..now I am really pissed …about 7 dollars later she gets on…I thank her for that and tell her my story…cancel tonight’s reservation and add it on for the 9th …….needs to have that said two more times to get it right….the train is waiting…..make it on with about 4 minutes to spare….
Make friends with another Swedish guy and we have a good conversation as the train gets onto the boat that we cross to Poland with…..we head up to the lounge and have a beer before going to bed….he goes early and I stay up until midnight before finding my way below deck to the train …not much sleep...still pissed about the phone…..and there was a light on that I couldn’t find the switch to turn off…..such ends another expensive day!

August 8th, 2009
Not much of a sleep as I said before…they wake you up about ½ hour before you arrive at the station….there were six in our couchette and I had the top bunk which was the hot one of course….
Went to the information desk and found the next train to Amsterdam left in about 30 minutes…bought a drink and then got on an earlier one…I will have to change once before Amsterdam…..hope I don’t screw up…just grab another train if I do….
I am in first class with my Eurail pass and have 6 seats all to myself….am typing up my blog entries here….will arrive in Amsterdam at about 1330 I think…will need a shower and to do laundry there for sure!!!!!
I thought these guys were metric….and they are but what is this date 05 08 09…..now if it were this year we have two choices….August 5 2009 or May 8 2009….however if it is a date in history we are really searching…..Canada has it right and I thought all countries did it this way…largest unit of time to smallest …..so year …month…day…hour….and so on
2009 08 05 1325…then again that is too logical and people might not be too confusing so let’s have all different kinds of the metric system…at least distances are the same, etc
Philosophy 101
I think that the New World has a lot more going for it than the Old World…yeah, they may have all their culture and history but they have screwed up a few things with wars, feuds, religions, boundaries, assassinations, strategic marriages, not so strategic marriages, politics, policies, dictators, kings, queens……etc
I think Canada, and to a lesser extent the US, have a lot more going for it than the rest of the world gives us credit for….we have our poets, our philosophers, writers, artists, sports personalities, politics and the like and have done it with far less aggression and in a much more peaceful manner, and maybe even more quickly……We have a lot to be proud of………….
Am I looking through the window with rosy coloured spectacles???? Maybe!
Got into the station on time had to make a connection to get to a local train and then made it to the Central station….asked for some directions from the tourist information…you could also buy a map for 2 Euros….not today….found out which metro to take to the Ajax stadium….took off for the Hostel with the directions that were given…..and after a few small stops and ponderings, ended up at the hostel…..it is part bar and part hostel….English style…..and it is run by Chinese….hmmmmm
Room was ok but dark and dingy….and there were two guys staying in it when I got there…maybe they had late nights….anyway, I got settled away by about 1600, did all the washing that had been accumulating for a week or so and had a chat with Vivian via skype….then went out for supper…actually a street type vendor that had been voted the best chips in Amsterdam…..a long line up and yes they were very good and not too expensive……while out, I wandered around just gazing into the windows and checking out prices…was looking for the Red Light district as I wanted to revisit it again….I had been there with Lyn about 20 years ago on the bus tour with her parents…..surprise, surprise, it was one block over from the hostel…..I walked up and down the street a couple of times….

Coffee houses are actually where you smoke marijuana….when you pass these houses, you can smell the stuff…they actually sell it there…and you can also buy it a see places….so you can either go in for a smoke or light up your own…..and I saw many sitting on the benches or near the canals having a good smoke…..didn’t seem to be any ill affects…..ie fights or vandalism or stuff associated with it….both sexes…..still lots of drinking as well and probably more problems with it…..still lots of smokers….and of course older people are there smoking as well….not just the young people….buskers on the street…saw an interesting one…..one guy played two recorders (a flutophone type instrumen)t with his nose…..and was doing a fairly decent job playing….saw an interesting license you could buy at a souvenir shop……12 –LO – VE…almost bought it
I headed back to the hostel to get a coat as it was getting quite cool…stayed there for a while, checked all the emails, then decided to head out again…….it was a little later and darker…..
In the Red Light district not much has changed…the ladies still sit and stand in the windows showing their wares….. prostitution is legal here so there were about 40 shops to choose from …..and people were just wandering up and down looking into the shops…..also some “shows” that you could go into …..a few stag parties were going on and lots of testosterone men walking the streets…but no rowdiness……it was interesting to say the least…headed to bed at about 2330…it had been a long day with travel and I also had managed to get washing of my clothes done as well…so a lot accomplished…..


August 9, 2009
Woke up today and had discovered someone else in my bed or maybe I should say a few in my bed…..they were bed bugs….first poor experience at a Hostel. Decided to leave early anyway as I wanted to get out to Ajax stadium…..
I asked the front desk for a refund…we do not give refunds…can I speak to the manager…he worked the night shift and might be in at one….ok…
Took my stuff over to the station and tried to figure out a couple of options for the day…put the luggage in storage and went for breakfast…English breakfast…two eggs, toast, bacon, sausage, beans, fries…all for 5.50 Euros…sounds good….whaat was missing..oh yeah something to drink…I will have a medium milk….2.70 Euros….more than 4 bucks…almost half as much as for the whole breakfast….live and learn.
Headed for the stadium…got a day pass for the bus and away I went. Stadium is big with a hotel and bar and sports store around it….they make multi purpose places… it is built above ground and has two levels of parking underground…..didn’t take the tour of the arena……it looks like people park their cars when the head into Amsterdam to shop or visit….Amsterdam is not a car friendly city…too many canals and small streets ….missed my return metro by about 10 seconds….was going to catch the train then decided to wait for 13 minutes for the metro again.
Back at the hostel, new employee…no manager…ok …off to the Van Gogh museum…… not as many works as I had expected and forgot how soon he had died…37 years old and he shot himself….died two days later…wa s good to see but they also didn’t have his Starry Starry Night as I think it was purchased by the New York museum….no Self Portrait with a Bandaged Ear…..I was going to buy a copy but didn’t like the ones they had……
Stopped on the way back from the musem to the “museum “ area…they have museum here for almost everything.… Rembrandt was one I thought of going into but decided I had enough culture for the day!!!....then found something I had been looking for for about 20 years……A Creedence Clearwater Revival dvd!!!!...snapped it up for almost the price of breakfast…9 Euros….don’t even care how it sounds…..found out that Creedence Clearwater Revisited is no longer allowed….legal wranglings with Fogarty so they call themselves….Cosmos Factory……that done headed back to the Hostel
Manager still not there but someone who can do something is….explained my situation and he gave me another room…done…..went up…checked the bed….great view of the canal….fresh air…..excellent…probably pay more for it but I don’t and I have my own key…don’t need to wait for anyone to open the door….so I finished moving my stuff and am now typing up my blog looking out on the canal…cool…not sure what I will do tonight…I am a little itchy from some of the bites I think…will put some Ozonol or Tinactin on the bites and go from there…..will shower and eat and decide later…
Out on the town again just wandering around….just hopped on a tram and went out of the centre of the city ….stopped at a place to eat….bought some fruit….thought this also might be the cause of the itchiness…maybe not enough fruits and vegetables in the diet….or it could be the water…or it could be the disturbed sleep patterns or lack of some time….or the air who knows…..also have a sort throat…still taking my vitamin C tablets too….got back to the hostel at around 2300 and hit the bed……there were two young guy from Italy, a student from Lithuania and apparently, because I didn’t see her, another student from Mexico….one empty bed….will catch the intercity to Antwerp tomorrow and try to get to Vimy Ridge, see a field of white crosses in Flanders ( I think that it is just an area in Belgium) and maybe get to the Hague and Brussels before going to London again …

Frankfurt then Berlin

I spent a few days there after Frankfurt....am getting into the groove about the train travel and getting lost... also looking forward to Meghan and Roman's wedding and getting back to Canada and to Beijing...couple of pictures of the Frankfurt stadium where the Dali Lama was presiding...a picture of the Berlin zoo ....also the flat rectangular prisms is the memorial to the murdered Jews in the war......a controversial display...it cost 27 million to build...kind of quiet memorial.....also the gate entry to the Sachsenhausen concentration camp...work will set you free...how ironic...it was on the backs of these forced labour camps that the third Reich depended for cheap labour...when will we ever learn

Frankfurt final days

Aug 2nd. 2009
Got up fairly early and took a long walk out to the football field in Frankfurt….lots of greenery. Walked by a tennis and hockey (I presumed that it was field hockey) park
When I got there, sure enough the Dali Lama was there…not at that time but his entourage and all the trappings……something like an exhibition of all things Buddha. All I wanted was some shots of the stadium…they had confiscated my big camera so I had to use my Nokia to get the ones I wanted…not a particularly awe inspiring stadium…..but apparently it was used for the World Cup…stayed there too long…..got back and thought of going to Heidlberg and then to Hockenheim but couldn’t get any answers from anyone at the hostel…so spent the rest of the day just wandering …which is ok …but not as productive as I wanted….probably should have done some wash…didn’t and was not going to do internet stuff at the hostel as I had some troubles…to the point that I had to change my password….
Went out again with Duo En’s parents…very nice people and I know fairly well off…he is interested in starting a chain of restaurants in Germany….top quality ones…..we were at a prototype and it was good…we got there fairly fast….I think he was doing about 160 km on the highway…..and had a gps so didn’t need any directions….
Left at about 2230 and waited for my train at the station…caught it at 0055 and said goodbye to Frankfurt





August 3rd, 2009
Pulled into the Berlin station right on time…..and found my bus and bought a day pass and made it to the right stop and then….shit….lost again….but all I needed was about 4 people to tell me where to go and I was all right…..now it is so damn easy to find…I can’t imagine getting lost…..and the U2 underground is right out the front door …it will be useful.

Took the 1030 free tour of Berlin with a tour guide named Stephanie from New Zealand…..it was a good 3 hours and was very informative and sort of got my bearings…took my picture near the Brandenburg gates......does everyone have to have an Arch or a Gate so that they can triumphantly return from victories.....saw some of the Berlin Wall……it is said so many pieces of the wall have been sold that it could be rebuilt 3 times…..so tell me how many pieces were fake….????...18-20% unemployment in Germany.....gave a tip of 5 Euros for the tour....

Took a picture of one of the bombed churches...they kept it as bombed and titled it the "futility of War" and have turned it inot a money making proposition....also a picture of the zoo....
Came back, recharged some batteries and was able to finally talk to Vivian for about ½ hour….she is going to play badminton today….and is going to have a serious talk with her headmaster….about her future…..wanted to talk again that evening but got caught up in some traffic so didn’t make it back in time……
Took a bus ride out the end of the line and back so that I saw a lot of Berlin on the subway pass that I had purchased in the morning…got that tip from the internet and Hostelworld.com
Did get to chat for about 1 hour with Jennifer…..all is well in the Martel household…..JJ is growing, and Kenzie is recovering from a cut……
Went out for supper and was going to go on a pub crawl but felt that I was too tired to put the right frame of mind into it so I will try it tomorrow night if all goes well…
Blogged today for the last 4 days so will send those out today and get the photos all up to date..


Aug 4th, 2009
Got up at about 8 and had breakfast…they serve a good one here….eggs (hardboiled), toast, coffee, cereal, juice…enough to get you started…..
Talked with Vivian but for some strange reason my camera wasn’t working so I was only able to see her….Kuan Kuan is going to Beijing to take a course so that he can do better in his English testing…he is looking for scholarships and hopes that the extra will help him. Vivian is going to talk to the headmaster on the 6th.
I headed out to the downtown location to take the Sachsenhauser concentration camp tour. It was supposed to start at 1100 but about 1145 we finally headed out on a 50 minute train ride and then a 15 minute walk to get to the gates of the tour. The walk would have been the same one that the prisoners would have taken back in the 30s and 40s when it was being used to hold political prisoners and Jewish people in the later years….some amazing facts and stories about the people and what they faced….hard to believe that people can still sink to these kind of lows when dealing with others….it is still happening today in places like Rwanda and Somolia….the conditions were very difficult, the leaders were brutal beyond belief and it would be hare to imagine people surviving at all there….am glad I went even though it took a lot more time than I thought….took a few photos but not many….didn’t feel right about doing that there

Then went to the Reichstag (Parliament) to see where it was located…and then over to the train station to get my ticket to Copenhagen (which) I have since modified and will carry right on up to Stockholm for the night….then come back to Copenhagen on my way to Amsterdam….we will see how that works out…anyway should be in Stockholm for part of my birthday….will go out for a beer to celebrate…maybe…I get small headaches when I drink beer….and it doesn’t seem to matter which kind….even Chinese beer has done that….
Had supper at the hostel…Chili and a Sprite and then had an early evening….still haven’t made it out on one of those pub crawls….should do that before I run out of places to do it in….

August 5, 2009
Got up early…730 and was able to email and talk and have early breakfast and a shower and get out of here before 10…significant…as I was supposed to be out by 900..
Got to the Reichstag at a little after 1000 and there was a line up about 100 metres long……it took 1hour 45 minutes to get in….the wait…..not sure it was worth it but it is a panoramic view of the city…..the building has many innovations and some neat features… mirrors that reflect light into the building and cuts down on power……heat capture techniques…..use of biofuel……shade on the dome inside when needed……and a very good view of the city….
Then went out to the Olympic stadium….it is at the end of a long subway ride…..and then a little walk…only to find no tours……the 12th..(note how that comes in again…..and I didn’t plan to be here on their 12th) IAAF athletics championships are being held so they closed the stadium for visitors to prepare for it…..oh well…looks good from the outside……
Went back to the train station and got a ticket for Stockholm, Sweden……so that is where I will be turning 60…who’d a thunk it….anyway…..will stay there a day and then head for the Netherlands and Belgium and those areas for a few days…
Leave here tonight on an overnight to Malmo Sweden and then a high speed train to Stockholm in the morning…about a 4 hour trip…..should be interesting…
Getting my blog cleaned up and some emailing done…..spent a few hours at the hostel as I had some time …went out for a walk around…heck I was way closer to downtown than I thought….
Got the train at 2303…the Berlin train station is the only one so far that was clean….if I were in charge of some tourist promotion, the one thing I would do is hire about 1000 students to clean up the train stations…..get rid of all the bottles, plastic and paper…man that is a poor introduction to you city…..and it is grunt work and you could really create a lot better image for your city….lots of construction going on…I guess it is like this all over the world….summer time gets the work that needs to be done….while the tourists are all around…..hmmmmmmm

July 29-Aug 3

Okay so here goes

July 29, 2009

Prague, the Czech Republic





Got up at 730 and had a shower…all the rest of the guys are in….I didn’t even hear them…must have been tired…..that is usually how I sleep…dead to the world…that is why Jennifer could have gotten away with coming in late if not for Lyn…..she could hear her come in late…….me ….not so much…..
They have a good system here….put money on a charge card and then just pay as you go…they give you whatever is left on the card when you leave…no need for a lot of cash…hope to see the hockey arena today….as well as the major sites…..
Didn’t…but I did go on the free walking tour……we met at the hostel and then took the tram to the centre…..get this……the tram to and from our hostel is tram 12…..at 1100 we met in the square…..there were about 120 of us so they broke us into 3 groups and off we went….the tour leader was an Irish woman about 25 and she did a fine job….told a few stories about the Czechs…..they have a very storied past….mainly being over run and occupied but seemingly able to survive until today they are their own Czech Republic……more history and historical buildings……things are a little less expensive here…it also reminds me of North America about 40 years ago….same music and an attitude of hope and good feelings…..felt like this would be an ok place to live…..the tour lasted until about 1400 and then we were on our own….I just walked around the centre and took pictures and people gazed…still lots of smokers….similar to Germany they drink right out on the streets…but you don’t see a lot of drunks as I would have imagined….they give tours in vintage cars for 1200 kronuns…75 dollars….decided to go to a black light show of CATS…not sure why…just something to do for an hour or so…it was 500 so about $30….waited for 2 more hours downtown and then went to the show…..not really my liking I actually dozed off one….no really I did….my head bobbed me back to the world of the living
Got out at about 2030 and wandered around a little more before I decided to catch the trolley back…silly me….went over to where we should catch it and you need a ticket before you get on …I knew that but thought there would be a place on the way to buy one…..not …….so I walked all the way back down town and bought a ticket for the Metro so that I could get home quicker….same cost…..
Here at the hostel I had a supper on my card and then checked emails….need to phone Beata tomorrow mow I guess….also should see about booking a few more nights of hostels and my train outta here…..
A shower and here I finish the day in my bed typing out for my next blog?

July 30th, 2009




I am writing this now as I have done something very interesting…I am going sky diving tomorrow at 1100…so you will either get the story below or this will be a final goodbye from my blog…..
Not sure why I did it but seemed like a good idea at the time…..in hundred years, I would never have thought I would do this but then again who knows…….I never thought I would do a lot of things but I have…..and I look at all the friends and relatives that have lived before and maybe didn’t have the opportunity or the lunacy to do some of these things……
Anyway. Tomorrow will be a highlight day I am sure….you are supposed to freefall for 1 minute….I am going to ask if they supply a new set of underwear after the jump as I think I might need a new pair…..It will be a different highlight….Bruce Springsteen wasn’t an adrenalin rush …..just a damn good concert……..this will be something else…

If I don’t make it back, this will be the last you will hear from me…if I do make it back I will talk about it….
Well I did make it back and no they do not supply the extra pair of shorts…I decided not to have breakfast in case I “woofed my cookies”…and spent the morning cleaning up some emails and talking to Vivian…a surprise because she was on during the day….had a stupid thing happen that caused some unneeded worry…when in Barcelona I had a fellow take a picture with me at one of those Gaudi houses…..well he also took a picture of a Chinese lady just before he snapped mine…I had forgotten all about it an when I sent one to Vivian, I sent that one and not mine…..she was rightfully a little upset and I couldn’t understand why because I thought I had sent mine…..got that straightened out I hope….then we had a few laughs……I did not tell her that I was jumping…..didn’t tell anyone as they might have convinced me not to go….
Was about 5 minutes getting to the rendezvous point for the Skydiving….I couldn’t find the damn place…… it was well hidden….but I wasn’t the last one ..thank goodness….
About a 1 hour or more ride to the private airport …had a chance to talk to the driver…Andrew …a young Czech who is taking economics…we laughed about that…
One thing I think they got right is that state college is free…they do have private ones (which Andrew says many employers do not trust as they are in the business to make money so some standards may go by the board)…so no matter how much money you have or don’t have you can go to university……I said that students coming our to our colleges are usually burdened with debt to which he responded what are they doing with their lives…when do they get a chance to have a family, raise kids, with all this money hanging over their head…he said he will have no debt and he has a job in the summer that gives him spending money and not just for college next year……we talked about politics, education, travel, hockey ( he is a Wing’s fan)….it was a real bonus to the flight experience
Got there at about 1300 and had a 2 minute instruction on the safety and what to do when you jump out of the airplane…and that was it….we were divided into two groups….mine went second and there were 5 in it….

The others left and we wished them good luck…I took a picture of the plane in the sky…it was a long way up…..4000 m or 4 km…from Chaplin to almost Val Jean…..whew…..saw little dots jump out of the plane and then the chutes open up…and it was over in about 10 minutes….

The guys came in and repacked their parachutes and off we went into an older biplane that just held us all…..a couple of empty seats…my partner was Roman and he informed me that we were going to be the first to jump…oh thanks….on our way up to the 4000 m level he opened the door and just looked out…I was sitting on the opposite side and had no chute on …..he didn’t seem at all worried about that….i just hung on to the bar above my head a little bit harder….he had a chute…I didn’t…..this was a tandem jump….a couple of the other instructors were snoozing on the way up…..must be old hat to them……
OK….we got ready …..I got strapped in….or is it on….anyway Roman and I were going out first…..positions…the cameraman went out first…standing in the doorway looking down…..holy hell………and then out we went……I thought I was dead…..the first 3 or 4 seconds we were going like the dickens…..the adrenalin rush for me was intensive…I hope the dvd didn’t catch the words I was saying as I don’t think they were pretty……..and then it slowed down….guess we were at maximum speed…but the wind was speeding by us….we did a few movements for the camera man but I don’t think I got that “scared out of my pants look off my face” until about 10 seconds after the parachute opened….and then it was a more leisurely flight down to earth…..we were even talking and carrying on a conversation…..we made it down…..no problem….landed on my arse as I was supposed to keep my feet in the air while he landed us…..but that was ok with me…..I felt a little nauseous as I think the going round and round coming down was a little reminiscent of the Tea cups in Disneyland and I did have a problem there….remember that Jay…the rest of the crew landed and it was all over…..took off my suit and waited for the pictures and the dvd….we go a t shirt and I bought a turtle neck protection for cold weather jumps…but that is not why I bought it…..it can also be used as a hat……got back home and had another good talk on the way home…
Took the subway home and got off at the wrong side of the tracks and couldn’t figure how to get out….anyway finally made it home and phoned Vivian…..we had a long conversation …about that and our future plans…she is planning to leave the school there but is a little unsure how to tell her headmaster…so we chatted about that and some other details about getting her into Canada…I have started by contacting the mp for my area and the secretary is going to get back to me….
Then I had some supper/lunch and decided to go out on a private tour…found the ice hockey arena……Sparta team again I guess…at the Tesla arena….man they have some huge buildings…..saw a couple others…I think one was the Natural History museum…a place for a water show with music….a park area and it looked like a sort of permanent amusement part=k that was run down pretty bad….then a couple of pics of normal housing and it was back to the dorm
I have not been able to get in touch with Beata so I am off to Frankfurt tomorrow I think…I will try to book the train for the overnight and then book a hotel for one night in Frankfurt and sort of get ready for Berlin…..I need to contact one of the kids from CISB as he is here for the summer…so it may extend to a longer period I don’t know….
Tomorrow I go to the train and then book a hostel and then spend the rest of the day at the castle and cathedral and any sights I want until I leave…you can leave your luggage here so that is cool
I tried out the pool and the sauna…was going to try to wash clothes but all the washers and dryers were being used and I didn’t want to stand around to book one….
Went up to the room…tidied my area up a little….the 5 other boys are quite messy…stuffed left all over the room, don’t clean up after showering….very messy…from a slovak country I think…
Another observation…..it looks like many of the hostelers are from Germany, or Australia or England…..and in my mind most of them are fairly well to do…rich kids so to speak….most seem to have good clothes, enough to go on the tours, and yet some of them are cheap sob’s……I guess that is what makes them rich…..they really are skin flints when it comes to spending money…except on things like pub crawls, some foods, and some of their clothes…spoiled, rich kids for the main part I have seen……wish hardworking, poorer kids could have the same opportunity to expand their mind and see the different parts of the world…. Not sure exactly what they are looking for because they seem disinterested in many of the things…not the pubs or the restaurants or the ice cream shops…many are overweight ( I think from assuming a North American food and lifestyle)…especially the girls…although in fairness I haven’t been keeping track…..but quite a lot of them all over Europe…

August 1, 2009
Ok……where did I leave off…I arrived in Frankfurt 400 in the morning…dozed off at the station for a couple of hours and then headed for the main train station….found the hostel as I said…..
Got there and the front desk man told me to help myself to the breakfast (I hadn’t even signed in yet)……which I did I put my luggage in storage and helped myself to some breakfast and it was a buffet so you could stuff yourself…….well I didn’t quite but I had a good meal……then squared away some stuff, got my camera and headed out for several hours of Frankfurt…..
First stop a 54 storey high building that overlooked all of Frankfurt…..and I saw where I had to go…..and take pictures…. and I also had one taken of me…but now the height of a building seems rather low compared to 4 km high in the sky…still impressive though…..several other buildings and a few museums and then I headed for the newer areas of the city….a couple of photos there and it was time to return to check in……a fairly routine procedure and I as ready for another adventure…the internet…..FOR ME IT DID NOT WORK…BUT FOR OTHERS IT DID…..just my electric personality I guess…..even had to change my password it got so complicated…..and I couldn’t get on the Wifi….Had to go to another internet place….and they were going to charge 5 Euros an hour…….didn’t take that and went looking….found another and got to talk with a 14 year old student called Atilla…he wanted to practise his English and I was sending all the stuff out over the normal system…we chatted a long time…time enough for the computer to lose most of its charge…but I got all that I needed accomplished…..1 Euro and his mother was a generous person on the hour…..the area is not a high society type……a lot of sex trade goes on here I guess…..in the evening, but I did not see it…..
At 1900 I went over to get my ticket to Berlin and it took 58 inutes to do it…..I was supposed to meet Duo En and his mother there too…was about 1 minute late……but I did get my couchette and my train and my hostel booked for tomorrow.
Went with Duo En and his mother on the tram to the Italian restaurant near their apartment…..we ordered and had started to eat before the father arrived……I was presented with a tie that was designed by the guy who designs ties for Bill Clinton and George Bush……wow…..we had a very good chat over dinner and then Duo En and his dad showed me where the football stadium was…I will go and visit it tomorrow….as well as go to Heidlberg where the formula 1 is run apparently….I must remember to give the parents a gift from Sask……maybe some wheat weaving….
Got back about 2230….and they invited me out to a Chinese buffet tomorrow night…..his dad, (and I will get his name as he is heavily involved in media…films, theatre} even offered to take me out golfing tomorrow…..he shoots in the low 80s, and perhaps in the high 70s
Duo En has had to work all summer…riding….he has a coach who is competing at a high level….whose dad was in the Olympics…..he puts hours of time in and he says it can be boring at times …Duo En is also going to contact Fabian in Berlin if he can and maybe I can see him play or practise soccer there…..we shall see……anyway I think from some poor and frustrating time on the computer, I salvaged a good day all around….
Got back to my room….it was hot…the fellow from Seattle asked how the meal was…I asked how was the free pasta…..the Dali Lama is in town for a couple of days…not sure how that plays out here…..will shut it down for tonight….