England and Germany, The Grand Adventure

Waterford, and Cork; Day 2

2010-03-16T16:04:00.006Z

We were on our way! I must make a couple of notes here. Before we left the U.S. I called my sister for advise on whether or not we should rent a car. She said that if we did it should be an automatic because driving a stick with the gear on the wrong side and trying to remember what side of the road you are on is way to challenging. I would like to take this opportunity to thank her for the

Ireland, the dream and the reality.

2010-03-14T23:23:00.009Z

I have always wanted to travel to Ireland and this year, I finally made it! I brought my niece, Katie, for her dream adventure, St. Patrick's day in Ireland.Katie's trip began in Phoenix. She then flew to San Francisco to meet up with me. From there we flew to Frankfurt. When we arrived in Frankfurt we ran for the next flight to Dublin. Not going to happen! Our flight in was late and we

Walking Tour, Rain or Shine!

2010-01-05T21:14:00.006Z

---------------------------------------------------------- It was a blistery morning with a prediction of rain, but I didn't see any. So, Edna and I headed down to the train station to take a walking tour of Frankfurt. What a fabulous way to get a sense of the city, hopefully get your bearings and see some wonderful sights. I am a great believer in positive thinking, so I am thinking "I don't

A woman's place...is in the first space

2009-11-18T22:08:00.001Z

The German's know how to treat a woman. These are the first parking spaces in the underground parking garage in Mainz, Germany. How cool is that!

Foraging in Germany

2009-11-17T20:28:00.003Z

Tonight I went grocery shopping. Now I know you don't think that is very interesting or courageous, but trust me, it is a task for the undaunted. First I will tell you that you might think that the food, looks like the food and probably taste like the food but you have to know that the thing that looks like cauliflower is the thing called blumenkohl and it is going to cost 0,95 and that is not

New Resolution!

2009-11-17T13:59:00.003Z

I have been in Frankfurt since August 1st and I really don't know how I feel about it. I am trying to judge it on its own merit and find I am comparing it to London; much like having a new boyfriend and comparing him to a lost love. It is as difficult to make the changes - new bank accounts, now rules, new methods of travel, but the changes were in English in London and made it easier to cope.

Thank you Skype!!!

2009-10-25T20:07:00.003Z

What a modern day miracle... We have computers, recorders, cell phones, camcorders, and now we have You! You put me in touch with my family and friends, no matter how far away they are, or what time differences we may have. You give me visuals and sharing points. I have had coffee with my Mom, lunch with my sister, and wine with my friends. I don't feel so far away or so lonely when you are

German Smoking Lounge

2009-09-30T08:06:00.000+01:00

What a great idea! Paint yellow lines on the floor to make a square and keep all the smokers inside the area. That will make a great smoking lounge and protect the masses from secondary smoke.

Getting settled

2009-09-29T15:15:00.001+01:00

I have finally arrived and I am starting to get settled. I have found a place to live in Walldorf, a cute small town near the airport and close to Frankfurt. I have negotiated the train and can get to Frankfurt and back on my own and also to the airport and back. I am practicing my German, easier said than done, and have almost got all the banking and phone hiccups taken care of. So far, it

Culture Shock, who me?

2009-09-07T18:04:00.004+01:00

I have done a lot of traveling and living everywhere so I thought I couldn't possibly be hit by Culture Shock! As small as the world has become, the differences can still be huge; especially when you are Hungry, Angry (me? never), Lonely or Tired. Now that I think about it, that is probably what culture shock is mostly about. So, don't feel bad if it happens to you.... it is perfectly normal.

Bag Lady Cometh!!

2009-08-28T16:24:00.001+01:00

I suppose that you are thinking…. “what happened to her? Did she drop off the face of the earth?” No, I am still here and trying to get organized. The process of moving is more complicated than the move itself. Questions that need to be addressed are: “aaaaagh! What was I thinking? “ and “when was the last time I was thinking?” Imagine for a moment you are me…. Here is how your day goes.

STRESS doesn't just happen!

2009-08-11T06:12:00.002+01:00

I finally figured it out.... when someone says they are stressed, you can bet they have taken a stressful situation and piled something else on top of it. I think I have done that. In fact, I know I have.The airlines offered another chance for me to have more adventures. They offered me Frankfurt. I had one week to think about it. And I took it! Now I need to find living quarters in Germany

The Grand Adventure is changing!

2009-06-22T22:32:00.002+01:00

Wow, now a new life is presenting itself. I have an opportunity to fly out of Frankfurt, Germany. Spreken ze deutch anyone? I have decided to leap into the ocean of change and ride the wave! I intend to have wine on the Rhine and walk in the Black Forest. I am going to learn the language and enjoy the culture. So, stay tuned and journey with me to parts unknown to me......

Terminal 5 is sinking!!!

2009-06-09T02:35:00.002+01:00

Heathrow's terminal 5 was built on top of a former sewage works on clay. Now the foundations are rising, and floor tiles are requiring repair along the terminal’s south side. The owners claim that it is normal to have a settling problem with clay, and there is no need for concern. However, Greenpeace wants to see additional reports on the problem before any work commences on the new terminal

Canterbury, the Tales, the Ghosts and the Cathedral

2009-04-15T19:42:00.005+01:00

Canterbury is a wonderful city and a must see on your London tour. Especially since it is about 2 hours on the train and you can come and go in the same day.My first view of the inside of the Cathedral was amazing. I have never seen a cathedral that was as impressive. It was formerly a Roman Catholic Church, built in 560 AD, and founded by St. Augustine in 602. It is one of the oldest

A New Adventure

2009-03-28T22:47:00.004Z

I have company these next two weeks, all the way from Arizona and wouldn't you know, the weather is very cold and damp. But we will persevere! Nothing will deter us from seeing everything there is to see and doing everything there is to do. Not lack of sleep, achy cold to the bone chilling weather, early mornings, nor sleet (yes, we had sleet today). When Nancy arrived at the very early hour

It's harder than you think.....

2009-03-27T06:56:00.001Z

blogging, that is. The intention is there and the desire, but the time is so limited and the creativity is sooo not there. I will try to be better.

HM Queen Elizabeth and the World Wide Web!

2009-02-12T11:28:00.008Z

It has happened! Your mother's and grandmother's are emailing, playing games online, facebooking and surfing the web. Now, Her Majesty the Queen has a website! http://www.royal.gov.uk Want to apply for a job at Buckingham Palace, find out where the Queen is, overview of the Palace, events, maps, info on the Corgi's and what the family is doing? Be sure to check this site out for a good view

US Air and Rex Babin's best interpretation of 'Miracle on the Hudson '

2009-01-30T01:33:00.000Z

I Believe that this says it all and no words are needed. Have a good year!

Heathrow's 3rd Runway approved

2009-01-17T07:00:00.004Z

It has happened! Despite the infighting and the attempts to block it, Heathrow has the official go-ahead to build a third runway. I believe that in spite of the go-ahead, there will be lawsuits, more fighting and protest. Politicians are still arguing the value and Greenpeace is promising "a battle the likes of which the country has never seen". They have even purchased a field where the runway

Happy New Year!

2009-01-17T06:53:00.002Z

This is a little late, but I wish everyone a very happy new year. It is 6 AM and the rain is coming down in huge noisy drops that hit the attic window. The wind is blowing, and thunder is making itself heard. It is still dark outside and I am awake; not because of the noise, but because I set my alarm in the wrong time zone and forgot to turn it off. And so the day begins.New Year Resolution:

Travel Advisory for the Holidays

2008-11-26T04:01:00.004Z

We took a trip to see our son in Pensacola, Florida this last weekend and our daughter in Phoenix. Just taking that trip made me realize that there may be some things that the traveling public should be aware of to make their holiday travel a bit easier and calmer. 1st and foremost: Make sure you have a photocopy of your passport in your suitcase, in an email, or somewhere that you can access

Planes, Trains and Rain... The Sequel

2008-11-11T00:07:00.001Z

Everything must have a sequel. Mine started with leaving the Cafe Freddo to walk, or should I say, stumble home. The rain has stopped and I have a very good chance of arriving home dry, tired and a bit late. I am half way there, when I come to the main street and step off the curb to cross. Suddenly, a 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder whips by me and drives through the small lake lying

Planes, Trains and Rain!

2008-11-10T13:27:00.006Z

I came into London today, on time, but really tired. It seemed that everyone was out of sorts and we had a small medical emergency as well as a passenger who was bound and determined to have a miserable flight. She succeeded!We landed in very wet, gusty weather and I had a Heathrow Connect ticket to Ealing Broadway, so I wasn't going to have to wait long till I was home, have a hot bath and go to

Republican caught in Democrats territory

2008-11-05T23:59:00.003Z

I really wasn't going to write about this, but I went to an election party last night and even though I was the minority, it was the first time in the last year that anyone really listened to my view. Yes, the "party" was made up of democrats for Obama and I do feel like I am in the minority. The English have an unusual amount of liking for Barack Obama and the ones that want to talk about it