D-Day Invasion- "Strange"-ly Imminent!! TRIP REPORT IS UP!!

[englishrose47]

Oh Liessa your poor hand !!! I am catching up on your trip!!

When exactly do you leave for the States and Disney?????

 

[KatMark]

Hi, Liesa. Sorry I didn't write earlier...Markie and I were at a high school/college graduation party and Mark umpped four games today (and Andy is in Michigan running a tournament). I'm hoping you are feeling a little better today.

 

[MKBekka]

Good to see you posting. You need to change your "location" in your profile.

Bekka!! It's good to hear from you!! How are you? Are you settling in? I forgot where you are....Glennbo's right, you need to change your location now.

Hey guys! I totally forgot to do that! lol...
I'm settling in nicely! We had Dad's two sister's and their families out and had a lot of fun! All 12 of us in one house with two and a half bathrooms and four teens. My time on here will be sketchy...sorry, not much internet time here.

 

[MKBekka]

Ok, so I'm feeling stupid, I can't figure it out. Help.

 

[JPFamilyMom]

hope you have a speedy recovery.

 

[TrayRene]

Ok, so I'm feeling stupid, I can't figure it out. Help.

Hi Bekka,

I'm new to all of this stuff but hopefully I am giving you the correct info:

when you login, click private messages.
Then click: Edit your details
under additional information you should see location.

Hope that helps!

 

[TrayRene]

Hi Liesa,

Sending flowers your way!!

 

[All7OfUs]

Continuing on with the saga…

All hopes for our vacation at Lake Issyk-Kul were dashed when my DH made the executive decision to postpone our trip across the border because of the disintegrating situation in Kyrgyzstan. We knew from past experience, that to expect a “vacation” at a Sanatoria in Central Asia was an exercise of the utmost folly. So, we lowered our expectations, a LOT, and trudged on. Up, up, up to the Alma Tay, or Apple Mountain we went. I think we arrived around 10:00 or so at night. Finding the “administrator” wasn’t too hard, he was busy checking in a “couple” of 17 year olds up there for a good time. Great! It’s also a brothel. But also it had a great view…

Ok, not really, but sure beats some I’ve seen from the worst rooms thread.

WDW vs. “Vacationing” in Central Asia: I doubt POP is a brothel, but if it is, they disguise it well…

They quickly gave us 2 rooms, both with 3 beds. The kids in one, us in the other. We quickly used the bathroom down the hall- WAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY down the hall. At least there was hot water to wash the cooties off. At sanatorias, you make your own beds, and that job consistently falls to me. Am I the only one who can shove a blanket into a sewn sheet? Yeah, guess so. 5 beds later, everyone pottied, and last drinks administered, we fell into somewhat restless sleep. Every so often a door would slam or someone would talk too loudly in the hall, or dogs would bark.

At 8:00, bright and early, we were up. Because that’s when breakfast was served. No choices here, you either show up or starve. Unless you want cookies from the snack box. Which actually may have been better than the oatmeal (which I detest almost as bananas) that was given. I swear Russians love oatmeal almost as much as vodka, sometimes even together I imagine.

WDW vs. “Vacationing” in Central Asia: I don’t have to eat oatmeal, and I CAN drink vodka if I want to.

I gagged down a couple bites. Really, I did give it my best effort, but there was no way that was going down. So I asked for some hot water to make my coffee. Luckily, having had years of experience, we knew to bring our own jam to sweeten up the bread. Together, the coffee, bread, jam and meager portion of cheese held me over for the next exciting event of our trip.

WDW vs. “Vacationing’ in Central Asia: I still have to make my own coffee!!! Because I just don’t do instant.

Tanked up on more carbs than should be legal, we set out to take a hike- for the hills were alive…with the sound of horseflies.

I don’t know about this whole hiking thing. I mean when one’s only goal is to get to the top, I become very suspicious. Seriously, I JUST DON’T get the “mountaineers” mentality. I like hiking, but I’ve gotta have a goal- like getting to a certain waterfall, or a particular outlook, or a certain number of miles. Just to start going up a mountain with no particular endpoint is just not something I personally enjoy. But what I do enjoy is taking pictures along the way. On our morning hike, this is what we saw.

Breathtaking might be an apt description. Oh wait, it was actually breathtaking in the fact that we were basically going almost straight up through knee high grasses, weeds, and flowers, interspersed with an occasional deep hole to add authenticity to our bushwhacking. I was bummed that it was more like climbing stairs than I wanted it to be, but glad that it easily subbed in for one of my runs. Of which I’d only taken a whopping 2 of the whole time we were gone. Sad, but true.

WDW vs. “Vacationing” in Central Asia: Stairs lead to properly themed, clean rooms.

Lunch was fine- not stellar, but fine. It filled our bellies, and that’s the point of eating. Having consumed enough cabbage to make GB proud, we hiked back to our rooms, waving our hands behind us.

After a refreshing afternoon nap (what else is there to do up there?) we watched a movie; Meet the Robinsons, which is perhaps Disney’s worst attempt at film making yet. That’s just my opinion. Sorry to those of you who disagree.

Wanna get a load of dinner?? Don’t get too excited… here it is:

Fish and wine breath fully entrenched, we crawled once again into cootie- laden beds and slept better than the first night. Which was good, because tomorrow would prove to be a VERY, VERY long day…

 

[Millie12591]

After a refreshing afternoon nap (what else is there to do up there?) we watched a movie; Meet the Robinsons, which is perhaps Pixar’s worst attempt at film making yet. That’s just my opinion. Sorry to those of you who disagree.

Are you kidding?!? This is one of my favs. I didn't think I was going to like it and didn't even take the kids to see it, but Mackie forced it on me one day and I fell in love with it. The story is so true to how God want's us to live our lives, just as he made us and to not veer from our hard wiring. Goob is so cute, especially when he says baseball isn't the lazy man's sport. Sorry you didn't like it, maybe give it another shot some time, the story really is a sweet story.
Oh, and I don't think Pixar did this one, Disney made it, not Pixar Disney.

Hope your hand is feeling better.

 

[eandesmom]

I'm honestly speechless.

Nice view.

And flowers.

 

[Flossbolna]

I hope the update means that your hand is feeling better! Great to see you posting again!

I love the pictures of the wildflowers, so pretty! And I agree with you on the hiking up mountains. While I sometimes enjoy the view from up there (and in the Alps the knowledge of there being a "maountain hut" near the top which will provide a delicious lunch) I really prefer hiking if I actually move from point A to point B instead of ending back at the same point where I started.

 

[All7OfUs]

Oh Liesa - I'm so sorry you had a horrible experience at the clinic! Thank goodness you got out of the Rabies shots!

I can't believe the police showed up!!

I hope you start feeling better. I wish you could click your red shoes and be at Disney right now!

The clinic is an ANCIENT building with decrepit crumbling hallways. I was happy though that they used a clean needle in my flesh!

The second I walked in the door, the lady tells me I HAVE to take the round of shots (in the belly) for rabies. No exceptions. Had it not been for my househelper, and the doctor in the Big City who we immediately called to talk to this buffoon, I would have walked right back out. Seriously, I was ready to risk tetanus to avoid the rabies deal. The proficient doctor got the local guy calmed down, and convinced him to let me sign a waiver saying I was refusing the regular protocol.

Please!! Send some red shoes, immediately!!

Hi Liesa, I don't have the time to do the whole how to take a train in Germany update now, but I think before you are off to bed, I should at least post a teaser. The type of train you will be on does not have an engine in the front, only a cabin for the engineer. You can walk all the way to the front (or the back) and enjoy the view along the tracks:

And this is where you can get your coffee (3.20 Euros, about 4 $ at the moment). They even sell latte and cappucino.

And this is what you can look forward to after your train ride:

Hope this cheers you up a bit!!

Thank you SO much for that update!!! I am so very, very much looking forward to my coffee on the train!! Should we still plan on picking up pastries in the airport??

Oh, Liesa... you poor thing. I hate needles enough but to think of getting one in the rump?! I hope you heal soon Thank goodness you didn't need rabies vaccines. Wouldn't it be fine as long as your dog's rabies vaccines are up to date? Here's so more hugs for ya

When you have time... or need something to get your mind off things, come on over to my new PTR For Every To, There Is a Fro Things are a bit quiet over there. I need someone like yourself to liven up the place a bit.

My butt doesn't hurt NEARLY as much as I thought it should. Now I'm hoping that they even gave me the right thing! You can't get dog vaccines here, as far as I know. Nor snip jobs- which we'd have done A LLLLLLLLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOONG time ago had they been available!!!

I HAD NO IDEA!!! I am SO THERE!!!! I"m so dense, if no one tells me- it takes me a long time!!

 

[All7OfUs]

I hope the update means that your hand is feeling better! Great to see you posting again!

I love the pictures of the wildflowers, so pretty! And I agree with you on the hiking up mountains. While I sometimes enjoy the view from up there (and in the Alps the knowledge of there being a "maountain hut" near the top which will provide a delicious lunch) I really prefer hiking if I actually move from point A to point B instead of ending back at the same point where I started.

My hand IS feeling slightly better today. I was going to call the doc. this AM if it wasn't any better when I woke up, as it is (still) quite swollen, and REALLY hurts to lift the pinky and ring fingers at all- Hitting the backspace kills me.

I can bend the fingers, but to flex them up (back) is really hard.

In Oregon, we have a lot of "loop" trails that are VERY nice. Lots of waterfalls to see along the way, and the best part is you don't have to see the same thing twice.

 

[All7OfUs]

Oh Liesa! I don't even know what to say. I am counting the days for you to come home. The police, your hand,

Here's the scoop on the police-

Apparently, whenever there is a dog bite, or fist fight, or any other problem, the hospital informs the police... and they make a "house call".

I'm so happy you aren't being held captive in the hospital!

When do you return home?

August 20th.

Hello my friends! I've been way too busy. hope you're all doing well...I'm not going to read all the pages I missed, there's just too much. I'm busy with math 070 and YARD WORK. there are no dogs to bite me here. There are too many street lights and seat belts here.

Hi Sweetie! Nice to see you back here! I know I talk to you almost everyday, but it's fun to have you here!

Keep those flowers pretty for us! And I DON"T trust that dog across the street

Street lights keep you safe, and the drivers sane. Seat belts, ditto.

Sending pixie dust your way - Hope you are feeling much better this morning!!

How are the pups?

Pups are doing fine. We have one runt, and they are all black, but one. He is brown, and must have a different father. I'll have pix up soon...

 

[All7OfUs]

Thanks, Mary!

Oh Liessa your poor hand !!! I am catching up on your trip!!

When exactly do you leave for the States and Disney?????

We leave for the US on Aug. 17th, stopping in Germany until the 19th. 20th-29- Bowling Green, KY; 29-2nd- Wash. D.C.; 2-13th- WDW; 13th- Arrive in Portland, OR.

Hi, Liesa. Sorry I didn't write earlier...Markie and I were at a high school/college graduation party and Mark umpped four games today (and Andy is in Michigan running a tournament). I'm hoping you are feeling a little better today.

Somewhat better- THANKS!!!

Ok, so I'm feeling stupid, I can't figure it out. Help.

I'll do it...

 

[All7OfUs]

hope you have a speedy recovery.

Thanks so much, Jessica! Great to see you!

Hi Bekka,

I'm new to all of this stuff but hopefully I am giving you the correct info:

when you login, click private messages.
Then click: Edit your details
under additional information you should see location.

Hope that helps!

Hi Liesa,

Sending flowers your way!!

Thanks for helping Bek out! I think she ran out of time to actually get it done, so I'm going to do it for her. (helps to have set the account up with her... )

Love my flowers!

 

[nodnol]

Hi Liesa, I'm glad you're feeling better!

Thank you SO much for that update!!! I am so very, very much looking forward to my coffee on the train!! Should we still plan on picking up pastries in the airport??

They sell a very delicious Butterkuchen (butter cake), but it's quite expensive and very often it is sold out. At the airport you will have a much wider variety of pastries and pieces of cakes, about 1.50-3 Euros each.

Magdalene, do you agree?

 

[Flossbolna]

They sell a very delicious Butterkuchen (butter cake), but it's quite expensive and very often it is sold out. At the airport you will have a much wider variety of pastries and pieces of cakes, about 1.50-3 Euros each.

Magdalene, do you agree?

Yes, I was about to post the same. The Butterkuchen is very nice, but otherwise the selection is not too great. If you have the time at the airport, get something there.

And I also wanted to mention that you can either get a coffee to go in a paper cup or if you walk past the counter you see there you will get to the dining car where the coffee would be served in a real mug (but no free refills, we don't do that in Germany) for the same price. However, there you would not be able to eat your own pastries.

 

[All7OfUs]

Hi Liesa, I'm glad you're feeling better!



They sell a very delicious Butterkuchen (butter cake), but it's quite expensive and very often it is sold out. At the airport you will have a much wider variety of pastries and pieces of cakes, about 1.50-3 Euros each.

Magdalene, do you agree?

Thanks, Katharina, for your well wishes.

Mmmmm.... anything that sounds buttery is GREAT in my book. Loading up on calories is what vacation is all about.

I was thinking the same thing.... the kiosks at the airport had VERY yummy pastries and such a nice variety. I guess it is all going to depend on how quickly they de-board the plane, find the luggage storage place, go potty, etc.... I am totally paranoid about missing our train!

Yes, I was about to post the same. The Butterkuchen is very nice, but otherwise the selection is not too great. If you have the time at the airport, get something there.

And I also wanted to mention that you can either get a coffee to go in a paper cup or if you walk past the counter you see there you will get to the dining car where the coffee would be served in a real mug (but no free refills, we don't do that in Germany) for the same price. However, there you would not be able to eat your own pastries.

Let me get this straight: the butterkuchen is ON the train; if I want coffee the REAL way in a REAL mug, I can't eat my kuchen with it; but I can take a to-go cup back to my seat with kuchen and nosh there. Right?

1 cup is usually plenty- esp. the strong European stuff, which can support a horseshoe if need be.

 

[burly]

How did i miss this? What is wrong with me? Ugh.
Anyway.....


I'm in!