wait, I gotta catch up! can't sit at the computer for longer than 5 minutes at a time. meant to read up on this thread today, but never did. it will be my priority for tomorrow, I promise!!!
Love it!
Love it!
Cork & Alli's Trip Report
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Cork On the Ocean
directionally challenged
Sorry guys, chemo week but catching up!
Gladly! It appears that our little Alli has hot blood or something cause she likes to sleep in the friggin cold! I needed a snowsuit to go to bed at night
. Poor Demetrius and I had to snuggle up :funn: (I wish) because the heat in the train compartment was very high when we first got in it so our little Alli shut the heat down (we didn't know it) as we are whisking through the Alps to Austria in 30 degree weather in a metal car (aka train). It was FREEZING all night. I learned real quick to wear layers to bed :rofl:
I have to interject that we are in a hotel in Jacksonville and it's about 100 degrees in the room because my dad gets real cold nowadays. I am suffocating, where are you Alli?
The wine could have had a smidge to do with it but who cares 
I have been to Salzburg several times before and I do have to say they got started late this year. In the past, the wine and beer started flowing about 11AM. It was about 2 or 3 PM it seemed this year.
I actually took a nap in this comfy hotel and while alli was downstairs I kept hearing these booms outside and being half asleep I was think WTF is that? After meeting up with alli and discussing, I remembered that we missed the big reenactment when the Austrians fought from the 3 mountains. It's a big deal and a bunch of short men (midget like) dress up in 3 different types of uniforms to represent the 3 armies and they go to the top of each of the mountains and shoot canyons at each other. Duh, can't believe we missed it.
After satisfying our shower needs and our computer craving we set out to explore Salzburg. What a beautiful and majestic setting! Mountains, cathedral domes, and an old castle dominate the skies. On the city level there are alleys and shops everywhere. During this time of the year every shop, restaurant and business has a live tree (Austrian pine) outside their door (and usually more than one!) These Christmas trees are all real and the most beautiful trees in the world. They are so delicate looking. Cork said Salzburg was like a fairy tale city and she was right! The best was yet to come, though, as it is even more lovely at night!![/quote]
In my book, I think that Salzburg is one of the most scenic cities that I've ever been to. Flood lit castles, cobblestone streets, mountain peaks - just my favorite.
I love austrian and german food mmmmmm! It's very easy to find authentic cuisine in both countries.
Ah, Glukswein! How many did we have that night, Alli No better drink when you're walking around that Alps in winter and at the bargain price of what 1.5 euros each? And I even learned something new about Austrian christmases. Ali told me that all the little trees with candles was the tradition. There were no ornaments, garland or anything. Just FRESH trees with candles hanging all over them. I couldn't figure why they didn't catch fire but Alli reminded me how fresh the trees were as opposed to what we get.
Ahem, is there where somebody lifted one of the Mugs?
Don't worry angel, my first Salzburg pig was really small like that too . I was like OK sure, this is the tradition - when in rome...... but they really do work so I was just hedging my bet with the bigger pig :rofl: . Somehow the dirty ones didn't seem like something that I'd want to display at christmas . Speaking of dirty pigs, where's 30gAy? I've got a special pig for him :funn:
I so loved that little restaurant that we found. Our table was down in a basement. the schnitzel was great! As was the Glukswein.
The photos of the city did not come out
It's our secret I guess Alli.
Our timing was a little off and we were apparently looking for everybody while they were home getting ready cause Alli kept saying "there's not that many people here for New Years" and I agreed. But our patience paid off as the night went on. The square filled up. People of all ages dancing to:
I will Survive
And
It's Raining Men :funn:
You kinda had to be there but every country we went to where there was bands or music we heard those 2 songs and the people love them. I think they love all disco. But the funny thing is standing listening to Dutch and German bands singing all these old songs in English. :rofl: JUST FOR US !!
I was pretty buzzed, the music was blaring (we were on top of the stage) with contemporary music and I looked up into the sky to see these historic domed buildings lit up with blue, pink and yellow spotlights and I though "Magic!!!!!" then the fireworks lighting up the sky above it all just took my breath away Thank you Alli for sharing this wonderful moment with me
I didn't really notice him inching over to us. Did i mention we were a little buzzed. And those crazy kids in back of us had all my attention trying to figure out how to trip them or set them on fire with one of their cigarettes so they'd leave us alone. Naw, they were just kids but I was concerned about one of them falling or puking on us.
Then at midnight, I turned to hug a couple of people in the crowd and there was Ackhmed
I didn't make eye contact but the next thing I know he's stuckto Allifunn and wanting to buy us drinks. And yes, he's been working in Salzburg for 4 years and his wife is in "somewhere" but not with him. That's when the interrogation began and he had a different answer each time I asked him where he was from. But..... a free drink is a free drink. Once he bought the champagne is when I noticed him trying to slobber on Alli. An eagle claw to his throat and he changed his tactics from grabbing and slobbering to romancing her a little more asking to go to a bar or something. I think we told a few lies right back at him and yes, we made an effort to lose ourselves quickly in the crowd cause you can never be too careful and the last thing we needed was Ackhmed at our hotel in the morning. :shock:
Drunk dialing. Wish we could have gotten more of you.
DELISH! Great Light lunch in salzburg and then my 2 Mozart chocolates of course
I could have spent hrs in that egg shop. Have never seen that store before. You had to get the effect of the whole store really. THOUSANDS of eggs in egg crates STACKED all over the store. Each tray painted differently and some with themes like halloween, or pooh or whatever. Some just very jeweled and ornate. They were fascinating
Gladly! It appears that our little Alli has hot blood or something cause she likes to sleep in the friggin cold! I needed a snowsuit to go to bed at night
. Poor Demetrius and I had to snuggle up :funn: (I wish) because the heat in the train compartment was very high when we first got in it so our little Alli shut the heat down (we didn't know it) as we are whisking through the Alps to Austria in 30 degree weather in a metal car (aka train). It was FREEZING all night. I learned real quick to wear layers to bed :rofl: I have to interject that we are in a hotel in Jacksonville and it's about 100 degrees in the room because my dad gets real cold nowadays. I am suffocating, where are you Alli?
Baby you did fantastic and really surprised the heck out of me. Many people can't take the movement or the rattling of the trains and going through tunnels etc. You did GREAT!
The wine could have had a smidge to do with it but who cares I have been to Salzburg several times before and I do have to say they got started late this year. In the past, the wine and beer started flowing about 11AM. It was about 2 or 3 PM it seemed this year.
I actually took a nap in this comfy hotel and while alli was downstairs I kept hearing these booms outside and being half asleep I was think WTF is that? After meeting up with alli and discussing, I remembered that we missed the big reenactment when the Austrians fought from the 3 mountains. It's a big deal and a bunch of short men (midget like) dress up in 3 different types of uniforms to represent the 3 armies and they go to the top of each of the mountains and shoot canyons at each other. Duh, can't believe we missed it.
After satisfying our shower needs and our computer craving we set out to explore Salzburg. What a beautiful and majestic setting! Mountains, cathedral domes, and an old castle dominate the skies. On the city level there are alleys and shops everywhere. During this time of the year every shop, restaurant and business has a live tree (Austrian pine) outside their door (and usually more than one!) These Christmas trees are all real and the most beautiful trees in the world. They are so delicate looking. Cork said Salzburg was like a fairy tale city and she was right! The best was yet to come, though, as it is even more lovely at night!![/quote]
In my book, I think that Salzburg is one of the most scenic cities that I've ever been to. Flood lit castles, cobblestone streets, mountain peaks - just my favorite.
I love austrian and german food mmmmmm! It's very easy to find authentic cuisine in both countries.
Ah, Glukswein! How many did we have that night, Alli
No better drink when you're walking around that Alps in winter and at the bargain price of what 1.5 euros each? And I even learned something new about Austrian christmases. Ali told me that all the little trees with candles was the tradition. There were no ornaments, garland or anything. Just FRESH trees with candles hanging all over them. I couldn't figure why they didn't catch fire but Alli reminded me how fresh the trees were as opposed to what we get. Ahem, is there where somebody lifted one of the Mugs?
Don't worry angel, my first Salzburg pig was really small like that too
. I was like OK sure, this is the tradition - when in rome...... but they really do work so I was just hedging my bet with the bigger pig :rofl: . Somehow the dirty ones didn't seem like something that I'd want to display at christmas . Speaking of dirty pigs, where's 30gAy? I've got a special pig for him :funn: I so loved that little restaurant that we found. Our table was down in a basement. the schnitzel was great! As was the Glukswein.
The photos of the city did not come out
It's our secret I guess Alli.Our timing was a little off and we were apparently looking for everybody while they were home getting ready cause Alli kept saying "there's not that many people here for New Years" and I agreed. But our patience paid off as the night went on. The square filled up. People of all ages dancing to:
I will Survive
And
It's Raining Men :funn:
You kinda had to be there but every country we went to where there was bands or music we heard those 2 songs and the people love them. I think they love all disco. But the funny thing is standing listening to Dutch and German bands singing all these old songs in English. :rofl: JUST FOR US !!
I was pretty buzzed, the music was blaring (we were on top of the stage) with contemporary music and I looked up into the sky to see these historic domed buildings lit up with blue, pink and yellow spotlights and I though "Magic!!!!!" then the fireworks lighting up the sky above it all just took my breath away
Thank you Alli for sharing this wonderful moment with me I didn't really notice him inching over to us. Did i mention we were a little buzzed. And those crazy kids in back of us had all my attention trying to figure out how to trip them or set them on fire with one of their cigarettes so they'd leave us alone. Naw, they were just kids but I was concerned about one of them falling or puking on us.
Then at midnight, I turned to hug a couple of people in the crowd and there was Ackhmed
I didn't make eye contact but the next thing I know he's stuckto Allifunn and wanting to buy us drinks. And yes, he's been working in Salzburg for 4 years and his wife is in "somewhere" but not with him. That's when the interrogation began and he had a different answer each time I asked him where he was from. But..... a free drink is a free drink. Once he bought the champagne is when I noticed him trying to slobber on Alli. An eagle claw to his throat and he changed his tactics from grabbing and slobbering to romancing her a little more asking to go to a bar or something. I think we told a few lies right back at him and yes, we made an effort to lose ourselves quickly in the crowd cause you can never be too careful and the last thing we needed was Ackhmed at our hotel in the morning. :shock: Drunk dialing. Wish we could have gotten more of you.
DELISH! Great Light lunch in salzburg and then my 2 Mozart chocolates of course
I could have spent hrs in that egg shop. Have never seen that store before. You had to get the effect of the whole store really. THOUSANDS of eggs in egg crates STACKED all over the store. Each tray painted differently and some with themes like halloween, or pooh or whatever. Some just very jeweled and ornate. They were fascinating
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MORE! MORE!:clap_1: :clap_1: :clap_1:
I would not have missed my drunk dial for anything! I am sure...no matter how long i live...i will never have another dd like that!!!
Just wish I could have been there with you both! I will be next time!!!
I would not have missed my drunk dial for anything!
I am sure...no matter how long i live...i will never have another dd like that!!! Just wish I could have been there with you both! I will be next time!!!
Cork On the Ocean
directionally challenged
Munich station is a great station to run through because of the candy lady. She's been there for years and just off the train platforms is this lady with barrels of candy that you fill into bags and she weighs. All kinds of candies. Alli even broke down and bought some :shock:
I wasn't going to dare let my German buddy go over there and not get the full Bavarian experience. Bavarians are the mug clanging, singing happy drunks. Northern Germans are much more stoic it seems.
The lady that gave us the info was at the Western Union office Alli, where we were getting change. This was the first time I got a hint that my passport could be a problem.
Yes I do have a great pic of the skating rink. That was really cool. Even I could have tried skating. Adults, children, everybody that couldn't skate had these big things to push around and hold them up. How cool. Photos next.
And I did DRINK my mug full!!! I felt good!
I've been to Munich before of course but this time was special for some reason. I don't think I ever went through the arches into that street before which was very cool. We actually had a straight shot from the station (luckily) I did get a photo but not as good as the daytime photos that you found but will post. The Marienplatz was special that night. Didn't it have a moon sliver behind it or something, alli? And then after meandering around the Marienplatz, we maneuvered a couple of streets and lo and behold - the Hofbrau Haus. There were some silly tourists outside seemingly afraid to go in - but not us. I knew the mega mugs waiting for us :rofl:
The band played 10 minutes and drank beer for 10 minutes :rofl:
I can't believe what I ate!!! Cork is a pretty picky eater and I usually stay with the safe stuff but the waitresses were serving this big beef or pork thing with a big bone sticking out of it and I just had to have it. It was pig knees :shock: which I would have never ordered if I wasn't already buzzed but I went for it and it was delish!!!! Pigs Knees? Is that what it was Alli?
We enjoyed the HH a while longer and headed back to the station. Our reservations were made and we had about a 40 minute wait until our train left. Cork found the waiting lounge, we walked in & I immediately walked out!
Well one of the things that I love about traveling close to the ground is watching the people and this one was something else. Alli was so funny. We walked into the heated waiting lounge and halfway across the room, a waft of urine hit us in the face. I sat down (train stations aren't all like Brussels and Berlin) and Alli didn't miss a step as she turned around and walked out.
As it turns out, it was the rather unkept man 2 seats from me that smelled like pigpen. He was a very unfortunate soul for sure. In a few minutes, the police came in and made him leave the lounge but he apparently convinced them to stay in the station. The officer had deoderant spray and he cleaned the air as the lady officer stayed outside the lounge with the man. Finally the cops left and he inched his way back into the lounge. Luckily he sat closer to the door this time where there were a bunch of teens, one of which promptly got up and got the cops again. I was watching the people in the lounge. Some were laughing at the poor man, a couple of young men were not real demonstrative but you could see compassion in their faces. I particularly remember 3 young asian girls that were clearly quite sad for the man and then there was me who had to hold back the tears. But it's things like this that just make me so thankful for my life .
I didn't realize that I nodded out so quick but it makes sense with that jug of dark beer
"Older couple" - I need to elaborate on that one. They would have hated us no matter what. They were from northern Italy apparently. Your typical subservient Italian woman with a spaghetti butt. He appeared to be the typical dominant Italian husband, full of bravado and self importance. He opened the damn window (30 degrees!!!!!!) and was gonna leave it open going 100 mph through freezing weather. The wife apparently said something to him and he closed it and would only open it when we were stopped at stations. It was true that he had some deal with his throat, maybe a tracheotomy and he seemed to need the air but there were other people in the compartment besides him. Anyway, they seemed more afraid of us than anything and then something happened which probably really freaked them out.
A couple days before we left, I had to drive to Miami because my passport was expired. I didn't have time to go get a photo done so my dad who's really a photographer tells me that he can print out a photo for me. Well I had one with a background and the background needed to be white so he took the photo and cut out the background . No problem, except he made these lumps all around my hairline. I don't know what he thought he was doing but it looked funky and I told him that you could tell it was manipulated on a computer. In any event, thats what I used on my passport.
Back to Germany. When we crossed the Swiss/German border and Customs guys asked for our passports, I thought I was gonna get drug off the train for that damn passport photo. The 2 guys were acting like it was stolen. They got out a magnifying glass and the two were pointing out pieces of my passport. As you can imagine Mr and Mrs Macaronio were probably hoping they were gonna take us away. But they didn't, I gave them more identification, they looked at everything like I was a terrorist and then finally gave it all back and walked away. Thanks for the help dad :rofl:
On this trip we went around our elbow. We went through France and Switzerland to get to Italy. Through out the night we stopped at every border to have our passports checked. This night...very little sleep...but thank goodness for my trusty sleep mask and ear plugs!
Let me explain. Munich to Milan is not very far. I'm gonna say 4-5 hours. So what sometimes do to make an overnighter for a busy route is go out of their way to stretch the train time to 8-12 hrs so it's an overnighter. In this case, we left Munich, went over to Paris, went back to southern germany and then down to Milan. So yes, roundabout way but they had a reason - to make the route and overnighter
We were a couple of the lucky ones to find a spot on the COLD MARBLE SEATS in the UNHEATED station. brrrrrr. I was not going to go down and stand in those darn lines for a reservation so I decided, let's just take a milk run train which was as crowded as ever but we made it.
You caught on quick and learned real quick to bully your way onto those trains. Only way to do it on any transportation in Italy so my hat's off to you Alli :clap_1:
We were able to find a compartment and sit down! (thank goodness for first class tickets!) This train was extremely crowded too! People had to stand in the aisles. Since Italy has made all trains reservation only, it is much more difficult to get around. You can get on the train, but you must pay a supplement. Most trains have to go through Milan in order to get anywhere in Italy.
I don't think that one needed a supplement though, did it? I don't recall paying on the train but maybe we did
I didn't trust him so he wasn't gonna get a dime from me but he never asked for money just gave us a sheet of paper and a map to the hotel and we were off. Great thing he found us cause he didn't tip us wrong.
Yes Venezia was fabulous and between our wonderful experiences and the 1 billion photos we took, I think a break was in order baby
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:clap_1: :clap_1: :clap_1:
These reports are wonderful!!
These reports are wonderful!!
...I am in love with Cork & Alli!!!!
Cork On the Ocean
directionally challenged
Had to adjust the one Salburg nightscape but got it alli - Full moon and everything!
love it all! I'm ready to hear about your venetian experience!!!
I can not write any more today...but I will try to do a report on Venice tonight or tomorrow. It was the best and deserves my full attention....now I must get ready and go to work...Munich station is a great station to run through because of the candy lady. She's been there for years and just off the train platforms is this lady with barrels of candy that you fill into bags and she weighs. All kinds of candies. Alli even broke down and bought some :shock: YUM!!!!!
I wasn't going to dare let my German buddy go over there and not get the full Bavarian experience. Bavarians are the mug clanging, singing happy drunks. Northern Germans are much more stoic it seems. My grandmother was German!
The lady that gave us the info was at the Western Union office Alli, where we were getting change. This was the first time I got a hint that my passport could be a problem.
I can't believe what I ate!!! Cork is a pretty picky eater and I usually stay with the safe stuff but the waitresses were serving this big beef or pork thing with a big bone sticking out of it and I just had to have it. It was pig knees which I would have never ordered if I wasn't already buzzed but I went for it and it was delish!!!! Pigs Knees? Is that what it was Alli? Pig Knuckles, It was wonderful...I forgot that they didn't have your white saussages....
Well one of the things that I love about traveling close to the ground is watching the people and this one was something else. Alli was so funny. We walked into the heated waiting lounge and halfway across the room, a waft of urine hit us in the face. I sat down (train stations aren't all like Brussels and Berlin) and Alli didn't miss a step as she turned around and walked out. I couldn't help it, the HEAT and the overwhelming stench was too much for me.
Back to Germany. When we crossed the Swiss/German border and Customs guys asked for our passports, I thought I was gonna get drug off the train for that damn passport photo. The 2 guys were acting like it was stolen. They got out a magnifying glass and the two were pointing out pieces of my passport. As you can imagine Mr and Mrs Macaronio were probably hoping they were gonna take us away. But they didn't, I gave them more identification, they looked at everything like I was a terrorist and then finally gave it all back and walked away. You look like such a terrorist:roll:
You caught on quick and learned real quick to bully your way onto those trains. Only way to do it on any transportation in Italy so my hat's off to you Alli :clap_1: Thanks Baby!!
I don't think that one needed a supplement though, did it? I don't recall paying on the train but maybe we did
No, I don't think we even showed our tickets, did we? It was so crowded!
Great thing he found us cause he didn't tip us wrong. GREAT hotel!
Yes Venezia was fabulous and between our wonderful experiences and the 1 billion photos we took, I think a break was in order babyWe really did take a TON of pictures!
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