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

[that's nice]

HUMMMMMMMM

Getting a little crazy in here tonight! I should just shut the door and walk away!

 

[All7OfUs]

hang on guys, I'm talking to Camille right now!! Remember her??

 

[All7OfUs]

But seriously, how else do you hold them but in front of your own "set" or swinging them around above your head? Try the "hold them together turned toward the side pose" when you grab your maracas for the pic!

don't forget to point a toe......

or better yet forget the maracas and hold the sombrero "in front" ....

just tossing around ideas. My sister and i have so much fun and are so silly while there. especially alone, no kids no men. People around us look at us like "they are crazy" or like they wanna have fun too.

We also do take pics from the backside of people and tell people they are famous. that's fun.

Maybe I should just incite Mexican Hat Dancing?! We could snake all over the restaurant by telling them that Disney promises a free dessert to anyone who participates.

But you're right, it has to be done, no kids, no men. The kids would break something, and the men would roll their eyes.

HUMMMMMMMM

Getting a little crazy in here tonight! I should just shut the door and walk away!

It did get crazy tonight! You know you love it, Tim. You may shut the door, but I think you wouldn't be too far from the peephole.

Dear All,

Just got off the phone with Camille (Millie12....) She says hi to everyone, is still lurking, but is often too tired to do much posting. They have been busy with getting their son ready to move into the dorm at school, and lots of other stuff.

 

[yinyanggirls]

Ok, hats, fountains, food, I get it. A photo shoot of wieners? This I have to see.

 

[All7OfUs]

Ok, hats, fountains, food, I get it. A photo shoot of wieners? This I have to see.

Brook and I are brainstorming creative ways to pay due tribute to those nuggets during our "corny" Meet! Should be loads of fun!!

 

[Flossbolna]

I don't think ANYONE can get a good night shot on those little point and shoot gizmos. You need a very fancy camera with those million dollar lenses on a tripod to capture any sort of glory in a night shot. I've tried endlessly to fiddle with the settings on my camera to hope for a better night shot but it just never happens.

I figured out some tricks on how to get acceptable night (or at least low natural light) shots with a point and shoot:

1) switch off the flash!! (I guess you will have figured out that one already, but I am always amazed at how many people use their flash)

2) if your camera can change the ISO setting, fix it at something not too high. My camera can do ISO 1000, but the picture is then very grainy and has strange colors in it, I find putting it on ISO 200 makes much nicer pictures - but this might vary from camera to camera.

3) don't use the normal release, but the " delayed-action shutter release" or "self-timer" (these are the terms my dictionary comes up with I hope you understand what it is supposed to be). My camera has a setting where you can choose a 10 seconds or 2 seconds delay. While the 10 seconds are great for pictures you want to be on for yourself, for those night time shots I use the 2 seconds delay.

4) and this is the most important: try to put your camera on a non-moving object. If none is available, try to lean yourself against something while holding the camera or hold the camara against something. And always hold the camera with both hands and keep your arms really close to your body.

hang on guys, I'm talking to Camille right now!! Remember her??

Just got off the phone with Camille (Millie12....) She says hi to everyone, is still lurking, but is often too tired to do much posting. They have been busy with getting their son ready to move into the dorm at school, and lots of other stuff.

Of course I remember Camillie! When I posted for the very first time, she was so sweet to welcome me to your thread and made it so easy to just jump into the conversation! I miss her! I hope she is doing fine!!

 

[All7OfUs]

I figured out some tricks on how to get acceptable night (or at least low natural light) shots with a point and shoot:

1) switch off the flash!! (I guess you will have figured out that one already, but I am always amazed at how many people use their flash)

2) if your camera can change the ISO setting, fix it at something not too high. My camera can do ISO 1000, but the picture is then very grainy and has strange colors in it, I find putting it on ISO 200 makes much nicer pictures - but this might vary from camera to camera.

3) don't use the normal release, but the " delayed-action shutter release" or "self-timer" (these are the terms my dictionary comes up with I hope you understand what it is supposed to be). My camera has a setting where you can choose a 10 seconds or 2 seconds delay. While the 10 seconds are great for pictures you want to be on for yourself, for those night time shots I use the 2 seconds delay.

4) and this is the most important: try to put your camera on a non-moving object. If none is available, try to lean yourself against something while holding the camera or hold the camara against something. And always hold the camera with both hands and keep your arms really close to your body.

1) Yes, turning off the flash is very important! Especially as to not get flamed on dark rides. But then again, you have to anyway. Amazing how many people think that the flash can reach like 100 yards or something!

2) I've fiddled with the ISO setting some, but you're right that makes for VERY grainy photos. I think I may have a manual setting for other settings, so will play with that some more this week.

3) I do have a time delay, and it does help. Like yours I have a 2 and 10 second, and it really helps to get your hands steady. But good suggestion to keep arms close in. I'll practice with that too. (This is all going to help with our Germany shots too!)

4) I had heard a lot of folks try to stake a spot for parades near a trashcan to use a "tripod". I may try that too.

But in the end it will probably end up coming down to luck.

Of course I remember Camillie! When I posted for the very first time, she was so sweet to welcome me to your thread and made it so easy to just jump into the conversation! I miss her! I hope she is doing fine!!

I'm sure she is still reading and will appreciate your super kind words!! She's a real sweetie!!


I'm working on a post to preview our Nuremberg itinerary, but it's taking a lot longer than I thought; I want to add a few more pix than normal, and those take time to upload. Hopefully later today or tomorrow.

 

[Flossbolna]

I'm working on a post to preview our Nuremberg itinerary, but it's taking a lot longer than I thought; I want to add a few more pix than normal, and those take time to upload. Hopefully later today or tomorrow.

Ok, I see that you already are quite a pro in taking night time shots!

I am really looking forward to this post! I guess as an answer I should then finally get around to that photo guide on how to take a train in Germany!!

 

[All7OfUs]

Ok, I see that you already are quite a pro in taking night time shots!

I am really looking forward to this post! I guess as an answer I should then finally get around to that photo guide on how to take a train in Germany!!

NOT EVEN CLOSE!!! NOT EVEN. I guess I should have said that EVEN with trying all of the above, my night shots still REALLy stink!! Take a look...







See what I mean?? Totally unacceptable. Ah well...

Yes, I am eagerly awaiting the train post!! The more you know... the smoother you go.

 

[marvali]

My DH actually decided to go to the office today- first time in like a week. Now we're mostly focusing on stuff that we need to finish here at home- going through cupboards and drawers, selling the car, applying for a job in the US, getting house dox in order, etc... but when he's home, I don't DIS as much. I think you can guess why.

Okay, at the risk of being told I'm dragging this thread back into the gutter.......

I've become very interested in photography lately. There is so much beauty to capture in Disney that you just can't capture it all in one trip.

I know what you mean. That's exactly why I take so many pictures of the princesses every trip!

You were! But you have a good excuse! You actually work- the rest of us... Like to play.

I do feel like I want to answer every post. It's the right thing to do.

And here I thought it was because you LIKED us.....

I can be very silly- even without alcohol.

But boy when you throw THAT into the equation.......

It certainly CAN be. And I dare say, even more so, in World Showcase. Just think of the kinds of photos that COULD happen say with a certain set of sombreros and maracas, or worse yet, a troll and an axe.

Yes, I also try to get lots of pictures of the maracas each trip too.

HUMMMMMMMM

Getting a little crazy in here tonight! I should just shut the door and walk away!

It's like driving by a wreck........you don't WANT to look........

I figured out some tricks on how to get acceptable night (or at least low natural light) shots with a point and shoot:

1) switch off the flash!! (I guess you will have figured out that one already, but I am always amazed at how many people use their flash)

2) if your camera can change the ISO setting, fix it at something not too high. My camera can do ISO 1000, but the picture is then very grainy and has strange colors in it, I find putting it on ISO 200 makes much nicer pictures - but this might vary from camera to camera.

3) don't use the normal release, but the " delayed-action shutter release" or "self-timer" (these are the terms my dictionary comes up with I hope you understand what it is supposed to be). My camera has a setting where you can choose a 10 seconds or 2 seconds delay. While the 10 seconds are great for pictures you want to be on for yourself, for those night time shots I use the 2 seconds delay.

4) and this is the most important: try to put your camera on a non-moving object. If none is available, try to lean yourself against something while holding the camera or hold the camara against something. And always hold the camera with both hands and keep your arms really close to your body.

Wow, German lessons and photography lessons!!! There're just no end to the benefits of subscribing to this thread........

 

[All7OfUs]

I think it’s safe to say that most of you know that our family will FINALLY get to make that stop in Germany we’ve always wanted to, on our way back to the States!! For years we’ve flown through Germany, and only once have we left the airport to take in the sights. That time we stayed in the city of Frankfurt, the connection city out of Blankistan, and even then only had about 4 hours to tour the old city. It was fabulous!!

But not enough: not enough to see a castle, not enough to eat good German food, and not enough to experience the culture.

And certainly not enough time for a DISMeet!! (More on that tomorrow!)

But, let’s slow down, and do this the proper way- in order. Here’s what we thought would be a good tour of the main sites; given that we only have 2 days + a few hours, we think we’ll have enough time to hit the major sites and be happy with that.

Our flight leaves at 3:30 AM from The Big City, and arrives in Frankfurt am Main at 6:30 AM. I’m sure we’ll get one of those highly tasty meals on Lufthansa and be pretty well set, except that I know I won’t be able to resist getting one of the fabulous pastries in the airport to tide us over until lunch. I hear tell that the “butterkuchen” is the thing to hunt down. Rationed up, we’ll head over to the luggage storage department and check in our boxes, whittling down our excursion bags to only 2 or 3 carry-ons for the 5 of us. It can be done! Only a change of clothes, toiletries, camera and wallets are coming with us.

My only concern for this part is finding that luggage storage place quickly and that the line won’t be long!! Because….

We have to be ON the train at 8:37. Only 2 hours to figure it all out. I can smell stress a mile away-and this is a recipe for stress! Can the Clan do it??

After our ICE Train joy ride, (2 hours and 22 minutes) on one of the most immaculate looking trains I’ve ever seen, coffee’d up, and in a pastry coma, we’ll arrive in Nuremberg. The train station is within walking distance to everywhere we want to go, so we hope to hop off, in high spirits, well rested, and ready to explore!

First off, is the “Craft Yard”- but only for a brief stop. Websites say that a reasonably priced lunch of traditional sausages can be found, and my daughter is a collector of boxes. Her mission on this trip is to find a carved wooden box to add to her menagerie. If we don’t find one here, we’ve got other options for souvie shopping, but this will be a good place to start, and we can always swing back through on our way back to the station at the end of the trip.

St. Lorenze Church is next on our walk, of which the ultimate goal is to get to our hotel that is basically in the opposite corner of the old city. The pictures we’ve seen make this church out to be VERY beautiful, and I can’t wait to get some photos of the detailing in and on it!

The name of the game here is dawdling. We will be in absolutely NO hurry to get from Point A to Point B. If we see a shop, fountain, site, building façade, we’ll be stopping. As long as no one has to pee. Because unlike here, I imagine it is rather rude to let your kids pee on the sidewalk. That was my entertainment on my last run, where a 5 year old made his own fountain right on the track where I was running.

I think we’ll eventually make it to the Hotel Elch (which means moose in English- you’d think it’d be “elk”, but the pictures of it definitely show a moose.) Their website describes it like this.

The small family-run Hotel Elch is situated in the idyllic castle district in Nuremberg, between Weinmarkt and Neutor, next to St. Sebald church.
In this 14th century timber-framed building - first recorded as an inn in 1342 - the rooms have been furnished in a style from days gone by. If you appreciate the combination of an original rustic setting and a friendly atmosphere, then the Hotel Elch is the ideal place for you.
Hotel Rooms: 12.
The fact that there are only 12 rooms really gets my motor cranked.

After we get checked-in, shower and drop off our bags, we’ll head right back out, because we need to make the most of these 2+ days.

Next destination: Something for the kiddos, old and young alike.

The Toy Museum- which is described like this:

Appealing to all ages, the Nuremberg Toy Museum, otherwise known as the Spielzeugmuseum, is bursting with toys spanning the past 70 years. Ranging from Lego models and tin cars, to Barbie dolls and modern computer toys, there is something for everyone here. You are able to play with some of the museum's toys and games, which is often the main highlight for children.

I imagine we’ll be there until they close at 5:00. I see clocks on just about every photo of every building I see, so I think Germans KNOW when it is 5:00, and will lock the doors then.

According to my sources, everything is VERY close within the radius around our hotel, including the Toy Museum, the castle (coming up tomorrow), and the “most picturesque street in the city”- which we’ll head for after they kick us out of the Toy Museum. Leisurely, since that is the name of the game, we’ll stroll around enjoying sights we NEVER get to see in the US. Half timbered facades, cobblestone streets, flowers in window boxes, and old- old everything. America just doesn’t know old. Some of the places in Europe are twice as old as the States themselves!

Dinner is yet to be determined…. I know a special someone who is thinking about a place to recommend. I think it goes without saying that we’ll be sampling some of Bavaria’s finer wares- such as bier and wine, with our schnitzels, sausages, spaetzels and such. I’m drooling, hang on....









Ok, I’m back…. After our long, hopefully happy day, we’ll fall into bed and dream about tomorrow’s fun- unless the red cabbage (I do SO hope I can find some red cabbage!) comes back to haunt us!

 

[Lady Lallie]

I'm so excited for your trip to Germany. So much fun. I love all the pictures, so beautiful.

 

[marvali]

Wow, great pictures (you sure that first one isn't from the World Showcase? ) and sounds like a wonderful tour! Can't wait to read all about it! (and see the paintings ) I need to put this on my long-term list of must-do's! That little inn sounds like a fantastic place to stay!

 

[Lady Lallie]

Our employee website does a quote of the day and today's made me think of you and your history pictures.

"History is a gallery of pictures in which there are few originals and many copies." - Alexis de Tocqueville

 

[that's nice]

Brook and I are brainstorming creative ways to pay due tribute to those nuggets during our "corny" Meet! Should be loads of fun!!

Here is an idea... bring toothpicks! I can see the artistry now!

St. Lorenze Church is next on our walk, of which the ultimate goal is to get to our hotel that is basically in the opposite corner of the old city. The pictures we’ve seen make this church out to be VERY beautiful, and I can’t wait to get some photos of the detailing in and on it!

My parents have a huge picture of St. Lorenze Church hanging in their living room. I think it is 24 X 30... or something like that. It is a beautiful church.

Man, your Germany touring sounds crazier than your WDW touring!

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Oh my gosh, those pictures are gorgeous! Liesa, you are going on one of my dream trips - hope you'll have time for lots of pics and, oh, please, some of the inside of the hotel!! Charming would be a gross understatement. Like you, my only visit to Germany thus far has been connections in Frankfurt and I long to see more (hoping for a visit to Germany & Austria in 2012, but we'll see).

I am so excited for you guys!!!!!

 

[englishrose47]

Liessa that plan sounds wonderful!!! I hope everything works out exactly as you have planned it !!!

 

[JPFamilyMom]

Your trip to Germany sounds like a lot of fun. Can't wait to see your pictures.

 

[Flossbolna]

NOT EVEN CLOSE!!! NOT EVEN. I guess I should have said that EVEN with trying all of the above, my night shots still REALLy stink!! Take a look...

Ok, fireworks are an absolutely different class of pictures: I think you only can get good pictures if you have a camera where you can set the shutter speed. If the shutter is open for too long, the pics have to be blurry.

Wow, German lessons and photography lessons!!! There're just no end to the benefits of subscribing to this thread........

While I feel like I have at least some qualifications for German (considering it is my mother tongue), these are merely amateurish tips - not to be confused with lessons! (Just a legal disclaimer!)

I think it’s safe to say that most of you know that our family will FINALLY get to make that stop in Germany we’ve always wanted to, on our way back to the States!! For years we’ve flown through Germany, and only once have we left the airport to take in the sights. That time we stayed in the city of Frankfurt, the connection city out of Blankistan, and even then only had about 4 hours to tour the old city. It was fabulous!!

But not enough: not enough to see a castle, not enough to eat good German food, and not enough to experience the culture.

And certainly not enough time for a DISMeet!! (More on that tomorrow!)

A DISMeet!! How exciting! I wonder whom you will meet there!

But, let’s slow down, and do this the proper way- in order. Here’s what we thought would be a good tour of the main sites; given that we only have 2 days + a few hours, we think we’ll have enough time to hit the major sites and be happy with that.

While there is more to do, I think you have enough time to get a really good overview of the sights!

Our flight leaves at 3:30 AM from The Big City, and arrives in Frankfurt am Main at 6:30 AM. I’m sure we’ll get one of those highly tasty meals on Lufthansa and be pretty well set, except that I know I won’t be able to resist getting one of the fabulous pastries in the airport to tide us over until lunch. I hear tell that the “butterkuchen” is the thing to hunt down. Rationed up, we’ll head over to the luggage storage department and check in our boxes, whittling down our excursion bags to only 2 or 3 carry-ons for the 5 of us. It can be done! Only a change of clothes, toiletries, camera and wallets are coming with us.

My only concern for this part is finding that luggage storage place quickly and that the line won’t be long!! Because….

We have to be ON the train at 8:37. Only 2 hours to figure it all out. I can smell stress a mile away-and this is a recipe for stress! Can the Clan do it??

I am sure you will find that everything works out fine! Just remember the "Butterkuchen" is mainly sold on the ICE train, the bakeries at the airport might not have it. And it is pronounced as this: an "u" in German is always a sound like "oo" in English. And the "ch" is a strange sound which English speakers but you might have encountered it in Blankistani. The international phonetic alphabet sign for it is "x" (not to be confused with "x" in German or English, were it both sounds like "ks"...). Actually German pronounciation is really easy since "we write it like we say it" - no silent Ks, Ws or Ps and not nearly as many homonyms.

After our ICE Train joy ride, (2 hours and 22 minutes) on one of the most immaculate looking trains I’ve ever seen, coffee’d up, and in a pastry coma, we’ll arrive in Nuremberg. The train station is within walking distance to everywhere we want to go, so we hope to hop off, in high spirits, well rested, and ready to explore!

I just hope that the train will meet your expectations. Over the last days there were some horror stories about trains where the A/C did not work....

First off, is the “Craft Yard”- but only for a brief stop. Websites say that a reasonably priced lunch of traditional sausages can be found

This is the menu of the "sister restaurant" to give you an idea of the offerings: http://die-nuernberger-bratwurst.de/uploads/media/English_2008.pdf However, be aware that you will have to pay for whatever you take from the bread on the table (per bread roll/pretzel about 0,50 €).

St. Lorenze Church is next on our walk, of which the ultimate goal is to get to our hotel that is basically in the opposite corner of the old city. The pictures we’ve seen make this church out to be VERY beautiful, and I can’t wait to get some photos of the detailing in and on it!

It is an impressive building!

The name of the game here is dawdling. We will be in absolutely NO hurry to get from Point A to Point B. If we see a shop, fountain, site, building façade, we’ll be stopping. As long as no one has to pee. Because unlike here, I imagine it is rather rude to let your kids pee on the sidewalk. That was my entertainment on my last run, where a 5 year old made his own fountain right on the track where I was running.

There are public toilets in Germany!! And you are right, is generally frowned upon when kids pee on the sidewalk. Why would people have their kid on the track for that??? At least send them off to the dust next to the track...

But you might not even find many sidewalks - most of the walk through the city will be in the car-free pedestrian city center!

I think we’ll eventually make it to the Hotel Elch
The fact that there are only 12 rooms really gets my motor cranked.

I did not know that it was that small! This sounds really great.

Ok, this view is from the city wall not from your hotel! But you ought to consider to explore the city wall, you can walk along quite a bit on the top of the wall (in a covered gallery, so you don't have to be afraid of kids falling down).

The Toy Museum

Nuremberg has been known for his toy industry since the medieval times. Do you know Playmobil in the US? This is produced in the Nuremberg area. And there is the world largest toy fair every year in February.

I imagine we’ll be there until they close at 5:00. I see clocks on just about every photo of every building I see, so I think Germans KNOW when it is 5:00, and will lock the doors then.

Germans tent to be proud of their punctuality... So your guess ought to be head on!

According to my sources, everything is VERY close within the radius around our hotel, including the Toy Museum, the castle (coming up tomorrow), and the “most picturesque street in the city”- which we’ll head for after they kick us out of the Toy Museum. Leisurely, since that is the name of the game, we’ll stroll around enjoying sights we NEVER get to see in the US. Half timbered facades, cobblestone streets, flowers in window boxes, and old- old everything. America just doesn’t know old. Some of the places in Europe are twice as old as the States themselves!

If you think of the States as being 234 years old now (since the declaration of independence in 1776, I know that there were buildings built before that), you will find buildings three times as old. The other big church, St Sebald, was built in the 13th century. And other buildings in Germany are even older - Nuremberg is a rather "young" city.

Dinner is yet to be determined…. I know a special someone who is thinking about a place to recommend. I think it goes without saying that we’ll be sampling some of Bavaria’s finer wares- such as bier and wine, with our schnitzels, sausages, spaetzels and such. I’m drooling, hang on....

Ok, I’m back…. After our long, hopefully happy day, we’ll fall into bed and dream about tomorrow’s fun- unless the red cabbage (I do SO hope I can find some red cabbage!) comes back to haunt us!

I'll do my best to come up with recommendations! Red cabbage is called either "Rotkohl" (in Northern Germany) or "Blaukraut" (in Bavaria).

Wow, great pictures (you sure that first one isn't from the World Showcase? )

Wow, you really spotted something there! Those buildings are just a bit older than the WS! The Craft Yard was built for a big celebration and while the yard itself is historic, those houses were built in the 70's - so they are fake. But still it is a very quaint little place and has some unique shops.

 

[TarzansKat]

Me? A DISCelebrity?! Noooo...now LL, you, Wigd, TK, MeMom and many, many others, YES! I'm just a geeky gal with a passion for.....oh gosh, that sounds horrid....CORN DOG NUGGETS!

ME????

Other than an unnatural obsession with Captain Jack Sparrow, I'm not sure what qualifies me for this status, but I thank you most highly!

Best line ever

You know, it's possible that in a few short days I could be uttering those words for an entirely different reason!

There seems to be no sign of intelligent life anywhere...

Well, with my pregnancy brain and your admitted loss of function after the birth of each of your kids, that's for dang sure!

Mmmm... mine too!! Something about his commanding leadership, well, and his handsomeness.

Do you remember when he was named on of People Magazine's 50 most beautiful people? He was on the cover wearing this pristine white robe, and it was a this gorgeous photo of him.





I've never been to Germany, but I know my sister adores it, and I can actually recognize some of the places you'll be going because of her telling me, and some of her photographs.

I hope you have a great time!