36 hours to departure
 

Hi everybody, <BR>We are 36 hours from departure and I wanted to thank everyone who has responded to my questions, and for the information I have gleaned from all the postings on this site. The information has been extremely helpful in planning this trip. <BR>We leave Thursday for Frankfurt, Germany where we spend one night with my sister-in-law, Brunhilde (I kid you not, that's her name). She's not like any "Wagner" Brunhilde, but is a gorgeous, svelte German blonde. <BR>We then go to Krefeld, Germany, my wife Maggie's (and Brunhide's) hometown, where we have planned five days of parties with friends and family, and lots of "Gleumes," a rich, dark, locally-brewed beer. <BR>After Krefeld, we go to Munich for two days where we will take in a performance of "Lustige Witwe" (Merry Widow) at the Gaertnerplatz Theater, a stage where I sang for 10 years. <BR>We then take an overnight train to Rome for the main highlight of our trip. We will spend five days in Rome, Maggie has never been there before, and our plans include all the tourist sights and more. We will visit the Vatican, though I have seen it and would prefer not to battle the crowds and dress restrictions, but Maggie wants to see it. So we go. <BR>After five days, we take the overnight, once again, all the way to Frankfurt where we will spend four days with Brunhilde. We will also travel to the Oldenwald, south of Frankfurt, where we once lived, and visit the many friends who still live there, in Michelstadt, Erbach and Heidelberg. <BR>After that, we will hop over the pond, once again, and return to our home in Florida. <BR>We have not lived in Europe for 15 years. Maggie goes and visits her parents every year, and I travel often to Paris, but this is the first time we have managed to coordinate our vacations and schedules to go to Germany together. <BR>It's a very exciting trip for us and I will give a detailed report upon on our return. <BR>Once again, thanks to all of you who have been so helpful, and to all of you traveling across the pond this summer: Buon Viaggio, gute Reise and have a great trip. <BR>John <BR>

Hi John, that sounds like a fabulous trip! Have a great time. <BR>Judy :-)

Hi John, sounds like a great trip. I also knew a Brunhilda in Frankfurt when I lived there many years ago. She also was very gorgeous and svelte but was a brunette. In fact we were engaged for 3 years. Enjoy both Germany and Italy. Remembering my stay in Germany, when you go to someones home, whether they are relatives or not, it is a party hardy time. If you have not ever had an erdbowle, and they have one, be careful. It goes down like koolaid but has the kick of a mule. <BR>Regards <BR>Art <BR>

John, I think you're getting a little too excited about your sister-in-law. And you mean to say that your German sister-in-law is actually German? Wow.

John, <BR>Have a great time! <BR>Golly , Art! you do seem to get around, and I don't mean visiting different countries! :-)

I found this on the web (bar.leo.org/idx/coc/2142.html) and added the translation. Sounds tasty! <BR> <BR>Erdbeerbowle [Strawberry Punch] <BR> <BR>Zutaten [Ingredients]: <BR> <BR>750 g Erdbeeren [strawberries], geviertelt [quartered] <BR>10 cl Erdbeerlikör [strawberry liqueur] <BR>2 Flaschen [bottles] Weißwein [white wine] <BR>2 Flaschen [bottles] Sekt [Champagne] <BR> <BR>Zubereitung [Preparation]: <BR> <BR>Die Erdbeerviertel im Bowlengefäß mit dem Erdbeerlikör überbegießen und für 1/2 Stunde kalt stellen. Dann den Wein hinzugießen, umrühren und das Gefäß mit Sekt auffüllen. <BR> <BR>[Pour the strawberry liqueur over the quartered strawberries in the punchbowl and chill for 1/2 hour. Then pour in the wine, stir and fill the bowl with Champagne.] <BR>

I am ready to go. Bring on the erdbowle. <BR>Thanks everybody, <BR>John

Thanks so much jahoulih. I'd lost the recipes for bowla. You can actually make a bowla from several different kinds of fruit, but the strawberry was my favorite. You can also soak the strawberries in Cognac. My friends used to soak the fruit for 24 hours before adding the wine and Champagne. It does have a heck of a kick and really sneaks up on you, but is soooo good.