Saturday, January 17, 2009

Frankfurt to Munich to Paderno

We have been back in Paderno for five days now, and it feels good to be "home" again and not living out of a suitcase. The girls and I left Tim on Thursday morning and headed to Munich. The weather continued to be cold, cold enough in fact to dampen some of the planned walking tours we had discussed. Nonetheless, we visited Marianplatz to watch the 11:00 Glockenspiel performance and spent most of the day in the incredible Deutsches Museum, which has a science and technology focus. Amazing exhibits and information.

Saturday we went to Salzburg, Austria -- saw the "do-re-mi" steps of The Sound of Music and other sites where the film was shot or real places for the Von Trapp family. The castle was magnificent with views of the countryside, though the somewhat misty weather didn't help visibility in some directions. Perhaps most impressive is the cathedral, the Dom, which is quite different from the Duomos of Italy. Light, sandstone-like interior highlighted the artwork; while ornate in design, the whitish colors blended together, creating a soft, almost subdued ambience.

Sunday was Dachau, the prototype concentration camp for Nazi Germany. Although it wasn't technically an extermination camp as Auschwitz was, many people, mostly German political dissidents, were killed or died here. The museum and tour are well-done; the brutality of the Nazis are effectively, passionately documented without needless sensationalism -- of course, the acts themselves need no help in that area.

The bitterly cold nights kept us in our pleasant hotel room in the evenings or having dinner at cozy Italian restaurant a block from the hotel. Abbey and Emma agree with me that German food is not on the top of our food favorites, though the hotel's breakfasts were delicious with many choices of breads, cheese, meats, fruit, yogurt, etc.

Monday, we left Munich for Trento and then changed trains to Bassano, where a taxi picked us up to take us back to Paderno. Cold apartment. Brrrr. So we headed to the Tabacchi for some milk, bread, etc., while the apartment warmed up. Walking in, we saw the owner and said "Buona sera." She returned "Buona sera" and then looked up at us. Breaking out in a smile, she shook our hands, "BUONA SERA," she said again with emphasis, welcoming us back. Unfortunately, the apartment didn't warm up; the boiler was not working right. It kicked in on Tuesday night but died on Wednesday night. Thankfully Anna called someone in, and by Friday, we were warm and cozy.

I have met the new professors, two of whom have been here before. It should be a good group. We had a welcome dinner last night which was a lot of fun after a full day of seminars. Market in Crespano is tomorrow, and then the students arrive on Monday. I begin teaching on Wednesday!! Full classes this term! Abbey will be helping with some of the programs here, and Emma is ecstatic that she has another friend her age, actually two: Cassie (12) and Alex (10), brother and sister of one of the professors. Well, I'm off to go back home, get warm, and work on some Italian!!! Ciao!

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

From London to Frankfurt

Saturday, though continuing to be cold, was sunny with no wind. Tim and I explored a very different part of London -- Notting Hill, just on the other side of Kensington Gardens, just up Queen's Gate and our flat. The market on Portobello Road is like no other: antiques, junk, vegetables, pastries, mulled wine, teas, souvenirs, books, clothes of all sorts. And people. People from everywhere. We indulged in a cream-filled donut-type pastry that was coated with real chocolate (I don't want to even think about calories/mouthful!). On Notting Hill Gate Road, we stumbled across a hair salon and each had a much needed hair trim.

We sent Abbey and Katie to the market. After visiting the big cultural marvels, they needed to see this part of London as well. They returned hours later with good market buys, having had a great time, and then proceeded to get ready for an evening out at a dance club nearby. After enjoying an exciting soccer game between Southampton and Manchester United, Emma, Tim, and I returned to the local pub for a warming meal of chicken pot pie, mashed potatoes, steak, and I forget what all else. That night, we again splurged on British tv, catching some excellent mysteries.

Sunday was the coldest day yet. Emma, Tim, and I went back to the Museum of Natural History for a wonderful exhibit on dinosaurs and another one on sea life. He and Emma then did the Science Museum, also near the flat. I took Katie and Abbey to Windsor to see the quaint town and huge castle which is the Queen's favorite. Unfortunately, we arrived too late to tour the castle inside but were able to get some wonderful pictures outside. Many lovely shops, including one with Scottish wool products, tempted us, and yes, we succumbed.

Monday morning came too soon. We hauled our baggage to Gloucester Underground station, a few blocks away, to catch the tube for Heathrow. (We had decided to fly to Frankfurt to save time and money). Getting off for Heathrow Terminal 2, we said good bye to Katie who would go on to Terminal 5 for her British Air flight back to the States. Lufthansa had easy check in and kindly turned an eye away from our overweight bags. Our 11:45 flight was delayed about 3 hours because of heavy snow in Frankfurt, so we ended up arriving around 5:00 pm, a little after the time that the train would have come!!! So much for saving time -- though we did save money! A taxi brought us quickly to the Heissischer Hof where the UD Winter Session students are booked. A 5-star hotel with impeccable, warm service and gigantic rooms, this hotel is incredible, and we are thankful to be here at the greatly reduced rate UD arranged for the study abroad program (otherwise, we wouldn't be here!!!!).

The students arrived this morning; Tim and the other professor are with them on a brief tour of the city. The girls and I are going to explore a bit on our own and then indulge in some pampering at the spa here. It's very cold here (as in all of Europe) with about a foot of snow on the ground. After some walking to the Romer Cathedral and the restored timber-framed houses of Romerberg (destroyed during WWII), we will probably welcome the spa's sauna!

Friday, January 2, 2009

HAPPY NEW YEAR'S from LONDON

We rang in the New Year with fireworks over the Thames and a celebratory parade the next day. London is wonderful -- but soooo cold.

We met Katie at St. Pancras station and easily found our lovely Queen's Gate flat, so thankful that it's a first floor flat after 4th floor apartments in Siena and Paris and the 4-level in Cortona! (No complaints, save for knee aches, as all places have been fantastic!). After settling in and refusing to let jet-lagged Katie sleep, we enjoyed some fish and chips at a local pub.

On Tuesday, we finally got everyone rolling by late morning and walked to the Natural History Museum on Cromwell Road, a few blocks from our flat. Emma enjoyed all the rooms, especially the gemstones. The Star of South Africa, and 57 carat diamond, was awesome. Earthquake simulation room reminded us of why we don't want to live in California, and the volcano exhibit reinforced much of what we had learned from our visit to Pompeii. We didn't get to the sea area of the museum so will have to go back tomorrow. Most of the museums are free in London, so return trips are do-able. Abbey was determined to visit Harrod's -- as were London's 6 million inhabitants! I will never complain about King of Prussia crowds again!!! Whew! We had a wonderful dinner that night in a small restaurant on Bromley Road.

New Year's Eve day, we did the Hop on-Hop off bus tour with tickets good for 48 hours. Headed straight to the British Museum, rivaled only by the Louvre for size and collections. Incredible ancient world artifacts. Tim and Emma then did Ripley's Believe It or Not, while Abbey, Katie, and I shopped along Oxford Street. Window-shopped to be truthful!! Wonderful New Year's Eve celebration; we watched Elton John on the "telly" and the fireworks too. Abbey and Katie took advantage of the free tube to head toward Westminster for close-up views.

New Year's Day seemed appropriate for Westminster Abbey. Very informative and entertaining audio tour. Saw the Poets Corner!!!! Had some pub fare at Sherlock Holmes Pub after walking to the London Eye but declining to wait in the very long line. Emma was thrilled -- she hailed the taxi to take us back.

Today was the Tower of London after the bus tour of central London. The Yeoman Warder (Beefeater) who was our guide infused British humor with history. His delivery made me think he could also be a stand-up comedian. Late lunch at a pub in the City (old city of London); Abbey and Katie did the Globe and St. Paul's.