Two Sisters finally get to go to WDW together! - TR has started!

[Flossbolna]

YEAH!!! Single digit dance!!! I'm so excited for the two of you! It will be here before you know it. I'm glad the online check in went smoothly too - it puts a smile on your face the whole time you're doing it, doesn't it?

Funny mention about the Germany and Northern Italy! I think we should get a travel site going! I agree with everything you said and I always loved taking the train from Nuernberg to where I previously lived in Italy (Vicenza) which some might know is not too far from Venice. The train ride is absolutely stunning going through the Alps but it does take about 9 hours and a few changes. A great experience!

Heather

Actually I have only ever crossed the alps by coach, car or plane and it was either dark outside or cloudy... Never did the train trip, really should do that one day!

WOO HOO for ONE WEEK!!

Time is running sooo fast!!

for just a couple of days to go!! You both must be very excited now. And I'll say have so much fun and a wonderful trip right now just in case I don't make it back on before you leave!

Thanks for the wonderful pictures of Nuremberg, it really looks like a wonderful place...so very picturesque!!!

Nuremberg is really pretty! Thanks for the good wishes for our trip, it is soo close now!!

I was thinking I should email her those pictures! She would love them, I'm sure.

Good to know about the sauerkraut.

Your trip is almost here!!!! You are planning the "One week from today...." game!!!!

I can't believe it. Fortunately, one week from now we still have three and half a day at Disney ahead of us - and we are leaving the day after tomorrow!!

 

[tiggrbaby]

Safe and magical travels for both of you! Looking forward to seeing you pics and reading about your adventures!

 

[Flossbolna]

It's Monday evening here - and we are going to leave Wednesday early morning. We really are nearly there!!

And my ticker is one day off...

I had my last day at work on Friday, but Saturday Katharina and I were once again busy volunteering for "our" exchange organization. Unfortunately we won't get a Disney Day for the day we gave, but that's fine.

Sunday I was battling a horrible headache - I tend to get these when the stress I had is over. Pretty annoying. But Katharina, Remy and I still managed to get pizza and a movie. We finally saw another Disney movie! It was the only one which Remy would consent to see as well: Mickey, Donald and Goofy as musketeers. I thought it was quite sweet. But Remy hated it because they were singing in it and he hates musicals. Well, he was the one who picked the film!

The pizza was a special cow's milk and tomato free variety. broduced by ourself! We used vegan pesto (which consisted of nuts, basil and olive oil) from a jar, parma ham, black olives and feta cheese (which is only sheep with a bit of goat). The first batch was rather dry and it was all a bit salty from the feta and the ham... In order to practice for WDW I took some food porn:

Today I was busy running errands (including having breakfast at my favourite cafe, which actually is run by an American living here in Berlin, so I had a lovely bagel with peanut butter with my coffee!). I also had to drop off our birthday present for our mother at the post office, her birthday is on 2/2, so we will be in WDW then. I also finally hunted down some socks that can be worn in sneakers. We did not want the ones that are so short that they disappear into the shoe at the heel when you walk around a lot. Not easy finding summer socks in the middle of winter!! I had been checking all kind of department stores, even tried the flagship store, the KaDeWe (Kaufhaus des Westens - Department Store of the West). It was called that before there was an East and a West Berlin, but it ended up being in the West. It must be the most luxurious department store in Germany. Well, there they had some in strange colours like red, beige and black. All of these colours would not go with white sneakers (actually now, I realize that Katharina has red sneakers, she might have liked those red socks... ). So I was really disspointed, but since I was in Berlin's main shopping street, I ventured on. And just because I thought I should try even the faintest possibility, I went into the Puma store. Puma is a German sneaker brand (which when I was small nobody wanted to wear) which has become extremely trendy over the last years. Didn' t really expect to find practical socks there, but I did!! And because I wanted three pair for each of us, I got two packets and they had an offer: 20 % off if you buy two items! So we each got three pair of socks for 6.36 € (about 9 $). They even show the brand name, so now we have very trendy socks for not much money. Those beige socks at the KaDeWe would have been 7 € for the pair!

Here are those wonderful socks!

And because I am having so much phone taking pics with my Iphone, here is the display in the KaDeWe for their "theme" at the moment, it is called "The Beautiful South":

The KaDeWe is most famous for their food department, which also stocks a number of delicacies from the US:

And then I went to see a film tonight and passed by Checkpoint Charlie, a very famous crossing point between the Soviet and the American sector, i.e. between East and West Berlin, during the cold war. It is now just a copy of the original guard house there, but it is a huge tourist attraction. The picture was taken from the American side towards the Soviet sector. I think it shows very well what it meant to the city to be divided like that.

AS you might be able to see from the picture, there still is snow on the ground. We had freezing temperatures for nearly all of January so far and the last few days have been really cold again. We have around -10 °C here as our high temperatures, that's around 15 °F. We are making ourselves much too nervous about the Orlando weather, but so far it looks like the high for Wednesday there is supposed to be 20 °C and that's quite a big jump. 20 °C are about 68 °F. Not hot, but warm enough for us!! And it is supposed to warm up a bit more: 77 °F on Friday....

Unfortunately it looks like we won't be able to make use of those temperatures at the AKL pool. The refurb was supposedly extended until mid February. The good news is however that there is a nice shuttle at the moment going between Jambo and Kidani. So at least we will make sure that we check out the Kidani pool. And the spas at Jambo are open!

I will check in tomorrow. Perhaps I will even manage to get another DLP update going. This really fits much more into a PTR than a TR...

 

[mickeysmyboy]

Great update!!! Sounds like you've had a great few days, except for the headache!

Very cool pictures! That department store looks very nice! I love the display of American food!!

Wishing you a wonderful trip!! Can't wait to hear all about it!

 

[glennbo123]

Hey, your iPhone does a pretty good job at taking pictures. Thanks for including the Checkpoint Charlie one -- that's interesting.

Have a safe trip and say "hi" to AKL for me.

 

[kschafer]

I just discovered your PTR today and am here just in time to wish you safe travels and a magical trip I'll look forward to hearing all about it on your return

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

Ahh...I'm here to wish you and Nodnol a wonderful trip! I wish you safe travels and a ton of fun and good weather. Ich wunsche Ihnen viel SpaB! (Did I get that even half way close?) I don't have umlauts on my computer....

Love the KaDeWe - too funny and just like Karstadt with the "American section". I always crack up when I see it but I do agree the items are pretty authentic - especially the peanut butter!

We'll miss you while you're away but we'll be thinking about you and anxiously awaiting your report when you return!

Heather

 

[PNO4TE]

Magdalene - I hope you and Katarina have a WONDERFUL trip!!!

 

[Flossbolna]

Great update!!! Sounds like you've had a great few days, except for the headache!

Very cool pictures! That department store looks very nice! I love the display of American food!!

Wishing you a wonderful trip!! Can't wait to hear all about it!

Isn't the display nice? Thanks for the good wishes!

Safe and magical travels for both of you! Looking forward to seeing you pics and reading about your adventures!

Thanks! I did not see your post yesterday, you managed to jump in between my posts!

Hey, your iPhone does a pretty good job at taking pictures. Thanks for including the Checkpoint Charlie one -- that's interesting.

Have a safe trip and say "hi" to AKL for me.

I am rather impressed with the quality of the pictures myself. Even in the dark they come out quite ok. Checkpoint Charlie is a bit cheesy, during the days there all kind of stands selling "authentic" Soviet flags and hats and such...

Will say hi to AKL! I think there are a number of AKL fans around here on my PTR!

I just discovered your PTR today and am here just in time to wish you safe travels and a magical trip I'll look forward to hearing all about it on your return

Welcome!! And thank you for the good wishes, we are really getting very excited!

Ahh...I'm here to wish you and Nodnol a wonderful trip! I wish you safe travels and a ton of fun and good weather. Ich wunsche Ihnen viel SpaB! (Did I get that even half way close?) I don't have umlauts on my computer....

Love the KaDeWe - too funny and just like Karstadt with the "American section". I always crack up when I see it but I do agree the items are pretty authentic - especially the peanut butter!

We'll miss you while you're away but we'll be thinking about you and anxiously awaiting your report when you return!

Heather

Love the B instead of the ß!! Otherwise it was absolutely correct! And if you would ever need them, you can replace any umlaut by using ae, oe or ue (And you have done so in the past I thin? ) and for the ß you can always just use "ss". That's what the Swiss do anyway, they don't have an ß.

The American section is really funny, I am always intrigued by this product called "Fluff" which appears to me a marshmallow spread?

And thanks for the good wishes, we will try to have a great trip to write about afterwards!

Magdalene - I hope you and Katarina have a WONDERFUL trip!!!

Elin, thanks! We are really looking forward to it!

 

[All7OfUs]

I figured since we banter back and forth a lot on Glenn's PTRs, it would be good to get some of that going over here too. Looking forward to getting to know you more!

It's Monday evening here - and we are going to leave Wednesday early morning. We really are nearly there!!

And my ticker is one day off...

I had my last day at work on Friday, but Saturday Katharina and I were once again busy volunteering for "our" exchange organization. Unfortunately we won't get a Disney Day for the day we gave, but that's fine.

You have a great attitude about volunteerism!! Good for you doing something that helps others without any ulterior motive!

It must be a great feeling to know that you're done with work until after vacation!!

Sunday I was battling a horrible headache - I tend to get these when the stress I had is over. Pretty annoying. But Katharina, Remy and I still managed to get pizza and a movie. We finally saw another Disney movie! It was the only one which Remy would consent to see as well: Mickey, Donald and Goofy as musketeers. I thought it was quite sweet. But Remy hated it because they were singing in it and he hates musicals. Well, he was the one who picked the film!

Uh-oh!! NO headaches allowed!!

Too bad Remy didn't like the movie HE picked out! Next time, he should let you pick

The pizza was a special cow's milk and tomato free variety. broduced by ourself! We used vegan pesto (which consisted of nuts, basil and olive oil) from a jar, parma ham, black olives and feta cheese (which is only sheep with a bit of goat). The first batch was rather dry and it was all a bit salty from the feta and the ham... In order to practice for WDW I took some food porn:

I'll have to say that pizza looks fabulous!! I love pesto!! It's so easy to make too. We often make a bunch of it in that late summer and freeze it for winter use.

I think you're going to do just fine in your pursuits of food art.

Today I was busy running errands (including having breakfast at my favourite cafe, which actually is run by an American living here in Berlin, so I had a lovely bagel with peanut butter with my coffee!). I also had to drop off our birthday present for our mother at the post office, her birthday is on 2/2, so we will be in WDW then. Here are those wonderful socks!

last minute errands. I'd say breakfast at your fav. cafe is a tolerable enough errand. How sweet to think of you mom before you leave!!

And then I went to see a film tonight and passed by Checkpoint Charlie, a very famous crossing point between the Soviet and the American sector, i.e. between East and West Berlin, during the cold war. It is now just a copy of the original guard house there, but it is a huge tourist attraction. The picture was taken from the American side towards the Soviet sector. I think it shows very well what it meant to the city to be divided like that.

Great picture of a piece of important history!! May we never forget!

AS you might be able to see from the picture, there still is snow on the ground. We had freezing temperatures for nearly all of January so far and the last few days have been really cold again. We have around -10 °C here as our high temperatures, that's around 15 °F. We are making ourselves much too nervous about the Orlando weather, but so far it looks like the high for Wednesday there is supposed to be 20 °C and that's quite a big jump. 20 °C are about 68 °F. Not hot, but warm enough for us!! And it is supposed to warm up a bit more: 77 °F on Friday....

YOo're warmer than us, and we are notorious for being super cold. Not

I agreee, not warm enough!! When you come from a place like here in the winter you want hot, hot, hot!!

Unfortunately it looks like we won't be able to make use of those temperatures at the AKL pool. The refurb was supposedly extended until mid February. The good news is however that there is a nice shuttle at the moment going between Jambo and Kidani. So at least we will make sure that we check out the Kidani pool. And the spas at Jambo are open!

Kidani looks amazing!! If pool hopping were allowed... I know you'll enjoy it!

I will check in tomorrow. Perhaps I will even manage to get another DLP update going. This really fits much more into a PTR than a TR...

Fun to be here!

 

[Lady Lallie]

Have a wonderful trip!!

 

[glennbo123]

The American section is really funny, I am always intrigued by this product called "Fluff" which appears to me a marshmallow spread?

Fluffernutter! Yes, you got it exactly right. Either my mom or my mother-in-law introduced my kids to fluffernutter sandwiches (peanut butter and fluff). Something neither my mom or MIL would have let their kids eat when we were growing up, but it's their job to spoil the grandchildren, right?

 

[jenjolt]

Have a great trip!!! I wish you both an amazing time!!!

 

[If U Had Wings]

Hope you have a wonderful trip!! Can't wait to hear all about it when you get back.

 

[John's Mom]

Magdalene, I hope you and Katharina have a safe and magical trip! Here's some for great weather.

Kathy

 

[manntra]

Hope you both have a very magical trip!

Tracy

 

[Flossbolna]

I figured since we banter back and forth a lot on Glenn's PTRs, it would be good to get some of that going over here too. Looking forward to getting to know you more!
Fun to be here!

Welcome, great to have you here! I have lurked in your blog a bit now and then and was rather intrigued! Sorry, don't have the time for a proper reply now!!

Fluffernutter! Yes, you got it exactly right. Either my mom or my mother-in-law introduced my kids to fluffernutter sandwiches (peanut butter and fluff). Something neither my mom or MIL would have let their kids eat when we were growing up, but it's their job to spoil the grandchildren, right?

Interesting, I think I might have to buy a jar of Fluff one day to try the fluffernutter sandwich!

Have a wonderful trip!!

Have a great trip!!! I wish you both an amazing time!!!

Hope you have a wonderful trip!! Can't wait to hear all about it when you get back.

Magdalene, I hope you and Katharina have a safe and magical trip! Here's some for great weather.

Kathy

Hope you both have a very magical trip!

Tracy

Thanks to all of you for your good wishes!

My suitcase is packed:

It is 16 kg, we are allowed one piece of 23 kg, so I can buy 7 kg of souvenirs, that's 15 lbs!

Now I only need to pack my hand luggage, do the dishes and then it is off to bed for an early start tomorrow morning at 5:45 am!!

I might check in briefly tomorrow morning, but if I don't, see you all on 2/6! We will hopefully be back with many great stories to tell, we already discussed how to do the TR today!!

 

[klacey1]

I'm too late, but I hope you have a wonderful time!!

 

[Flossbolna]

I'm too late, but I hope you have a wonderful time!!

You are not too late, I could not resist, to spend a last relaxing 15 minutes with the DIS before I am off to bed! Thanks for the good wishes!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Your light is still on, I think I caught you before you left! HAVE A GREAT TRIP! I look forward to reading all about it!!!