Susan's Stories

The day began warm and continued warming to be the warmest day of the year for Germany.  We sat outside at our favorite breakfast place and drank iced lattes.  I had my final couscous salad and Karin her muesli and sweet pastry, today plum cake.  We sat and watched people and their dogs and children and the postal delivery person on a bike. His bike carried three covered vinyl pouches.  From one he picked up mail for one dwelling with several apartments.  He used one of his keys to open the outside door to reach the individual boxes inside. He repeated that delivery method at the building next door. Later, on the other side of the street, we saw another postal delivery person . He was riding a bicycle on the sidewalk also and had several yellow covered thick vinyl pouches.  Fascinating.  We returned to our room for the last time and checked in for our flights to Munich and LA tomorrow morning. Karin has been very gentle in her manner of encouraging me ...

We knew the temperature would be 10 degrees warmer, and tomorrow will be even 10 degrees warmer than today. We sat outside at our now favorite breakfast place. Along with coffee milk Karin had milch rice with berries and a delicious pastry with almond paste and I ate a pasta salad with veggies. Satisfied we began our journey to a local post office to mail our book of family photos to Manfred. We discovered a new part of Prenzlauerberg in the process, and walking back to the U Bahn we discovered a post office located closer to our hotel than we knew. We found these two post offices located in the back of small stores. They sell snacks and breakfast beverages in the front of the store. Nevertheless, the book is on its way to Manfred from a city much closer than Pasadena. We felt relieved that this disappointing chapter was behind us. We walked our usual walk to the nearby U Bahn. This trip was to the Zoo station. Across the street stands the remains of the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church....

Although it was cool the sun was out, and it was dry. We had breakfast in a neighborhood Cafe which we like. Along with coffee milk I had a lentil and couscous and vegetable salad, and Karin had a Spiegelei and muesli. This is a great way to begin the day. The food and environment, and company were perfect. We walked to the Senenfelder U Bahn station to Alexanderplatz, and we had difficulty locating the bus stop for bus #100 to bring us to the Dom for the 10 AM service.  Road work as well as construction continues in this city.  After asking directions and few times we found the correct stop and bus and made it to the Dom on time. We stated we were international visitors and were ushered a special seating area slightly above the congregation where we were given headphones and an audio device to receive live translation.  The choir was the Swiss chorus which we heard last evening. Throughout the service they sang the Bach Lutheran mass which we enjoyed last evening. It was...

Saturday began chilly, windy, and rainy.  I dressed for the weather.  It served me well at our usual breakfast place; we ate indoors. We both had coffee milk; Karin had muesli and an apple pastry and I had a Spiegelei, poached egg and veggies on bread, which was cold. We were both satisfied.  We walked ten minutes to our nearest U Bahn station, Senenfelder, and took it longer than usual, to Wittenberg Platz. When we came up the stairs we saw our day's destination, Ka De We, Kaufhof des Westens. This seven storey department store was at one time the largest in Europe.  What we discovered was an upscale store; the ground floor sold expensive watches jewelry, and perfumes.  Staff stood in front of the Rolex and Tiffany, Chanel, Swarovski, Bulgari, and other rooms to welcome serious buyers and discourage picture takes like us.  Up to 70% off still meant that a $130 blouse was still out of our price range. Nevertheless we visited every floor and found some good ...

Breakfast at our usual nearby location was coffee milk and couscous, yes again, and a zucchini quiche and muesli. It was cool and windy, and we ate indoors. We then made our way to the hotel where Manfred was staying, we believe. When we arrived at Alexanderplatz Karin turned on her Google maps for directions to Manfred's nearby hotel. Intersections were large, and trams and traffic heavy. At the hotel I requested to wrote a note to Manfred suggesting that we meet this afternoon at 3 PM by a large world clock. I requested that someone place the note under Manfred's hotel room door. The person at the desk agreed. I even offered money to have it delivered, but it was refused. We then left by tram, agreeing we had done what we could to meet Manfred.  Although this was the day we had planned to spend at the very large department store, Ka De We, we postponed our shopping plans in order to meet Manfred. Until that time we returned to the Museumsinsel U Bahn station and visited the G...

We sat outside in the crisp air drinking iced lattes. Karin had cherry cake and muesli, and I ate couscous.  We were ready to take the tram to the U Bahn to the museums island, Museumsinsel. Herbert had helped us purchase a one-day ticket - to vist any or all five museums. The most popular and heavily visited museum, the Pergamon requires one sign up for a specific time to visit. The other museums suggest signing up for a specific  time. Here is where Karin's computer skills and persistence come in. Not only did she find the museum website and arranged a time for us to enter the Pergamon Museum but also she was able to find the appointment time in an email attachment to me when we arrived at the museum. After I got onto the museum's free wifi she said she located the attachment quite easily.  Additionally, her positive attitude played a critical role in her persistence with my Handy. Karin and I knew we did not have specific entrance times for two other museums we hoped t...

The day began at an outdoor Cafe. Karin had two eggs on bread with muesli and Brötchen and fruit with ice mocca. I had two eggs Turkish style with onions, peppers, olives,and feta with an ice latte. That was a lot. We finished Rick Steves Prenzlauerberg walk at the wall park where we saw a wall erected in 1951 by a sport stadium. It's purpose was to prevent the residents of East Berlin from seeing the West. Additionally, in order to impress the residents of East Berlin, the Soviets installed very, very tall lights to light the stadium. We watched a woman and a group of men paint over what was already painted on this stadium wall and we saw another person pull off what looked like a small block of paint several layers thick. We understand that wall painting continues also at the large section of the wall. I wonder how thick the layers of paint must be.  We followed Rick Steves suggestion and took the tram to the wall visitors center and watched several films with footage of events l...

We took about a full hour looking for the breakfast place we had located yesterday when we went on our initial walk around the neighborhood of our hotel. We couldn't find it and resolved to make better mental notes.  Nevertheless we found a good place which had people sitting outside as well as inside. While we waited we had the opportunity to see the food others ordered, and when we sat down at a large table we received a friendly greeting from two other persons.  As we studied the menu their food arrived, and we inquired what they had ordered. They were happy to share the information, and that began our breakfast/lunch conversation with them. They appear to be a couple. She is Saudi who is a consultant for Price Waterhouse, and he is a PHD student from Ecuador in climate science. They were en route to Prague for a few days after a few days in Berlin. Ahh - the joy of travel to Europe for a week of vacation! At 1100 we began our Rick Steves walking tour of Prenzlauerberg, the...

It began quietly, cool and under clouds. We learned that the milk used last evening to make yogurt was going bad and that the batch needed to be discarded. Anja stated that Herbert had gone to the store to buy milk. Three muesli breakfasts were ready. Anja had picked a few leaves of lettuce and a small cucumber yesterday for Karin and me to put into our sandwiches to be eaten on the train. We added tomato and cheese slices to the leftover rump steak from Saturday. Herbert returned with milk and took Naila outside for her early morning walk. We spent some time petting and hugging and saying goodbye to her. It seems that the time flew and we needed to leave for the Wuppertal Hauptbahnhof, i. e. main train station. It was misting outside. The train station appears new with wide and bright open areas with several stores and a Deutsche Bahn service station where I purchased a nine Euro transportation ticket for Karin and myself.  We may use any public transportation in the country excep...

 The day began with a soft boiled egg in its own special china container accompanying the Brötchen and meat and cheeses and jams and laytees. Again the breakfast was memorable. It was cloudy and cool and Herbert wondered if he could drive his Oldtimer Karman Ghia with Katin. Light rain began. Anja brought out family historical records in their special books.  We teviewed family names and relationships. She also brought family photos in an album and in a box. We looked at them talked about the stories brought in by the the photos. A perfect activity hir a rainy weekend day. Karin went to nap and Anja wanted to take Naila for her daily walk. Wearing rain jackets we walked locally up hill through neighborhoods and woods, a former rail line now a bicycle and pedestrian walking path which is very long and leads to nearby cities. We returned  we and happy for having walked by a farm jouse which was offering Johannisberry jrlly and which Anja said she loves and wanted to return ...

Saturday began with a trip into Wermelskirchen to purchase Brötchen for breakfast Saturday and Sunday as well as meat for the breakfasts and for grilling Sunday. We returned with a shopping bag full of wonderful food.  Breakfast with Brötchen, jams, cheeses, and meat and lattes was memorable.  Now it was time to launder our clothing. Anja and Herbert have a chute from their bedroom into a basket in the laundry room. While the laundry was washing Anja and I took on a walk into Wermelskirchen to the garden store for me to purchase an orchid plant to bring to Irma for supper. We made it back without incident.  The laundry was ready to be hung outside on the flexible and foldable rack. Clothing dried in the sun and breeze while we took a brief walk to the cemetery with Naila, for she needed an extra walk before the evening driving and hour in the car to Irma's home and staying quietly by us in the restaurant.  Karin viewed Eva and her family graveside as well as the area...

It was muesli for me and a long- awaited Brötchen for Karin, watching Naila eat her breakfast very fast and enjoying coffee together, all a very happy beginning to Karin's first full day here. To get from our bedroom to our bathroom we needed to step over sleeping Naila.  Karin told me she awakened at 3 AM, came downstairs and wrote on her blog until she became sleepy again, around 530 AM. Jet lag is expected. Herbert left for a PT apointment in Remscheid and we went to the Wermelskirchen outdoor market and purchased some fresh vegetables for the supper Auflsuf, veggies and sauce on top of macaroni noodles, covered with grated cheese and baked. Our errands complete, Herbert came home and we left with Anja and Naila for downtown Remscheid. Anja had a PT appointment and Karin and I walked the major pedestrian street, Alleestrasse, and bought some fresh red peppers and strawberries from the street market. We saw a group gathered around the city hall, Rathaus, most likely celebrating a...

Anja's homemade muesli began the day happily along with strong coffee. It was raining off and on and it had rained overnight. Herbert showed me the website where we watched Karin's flight progress. The plane is now scheduled to land about an hour after scheduled. The website, Flightradar, shows the movement of almost eleven thousand planes worldwide now in flight.  Herbert left to pick up a form from his physician referring him to the hospital for some kind of test. Anja vacuumed per her every other day routine, and she dusted.  I might pick up the habit if my machine were as quickly and easily as is theirs.  Anja and I went grocery shopping at a couple of super markets. One she shopped the sales and the other she picked up the rest of the items on her list. During that time Karin WhatsApped us that she had landed. Hurrah. After Anja and I were home we communicated frequently with Karin regarding getting herself to the long distance train station with Herbert viewing poss...

The homemade muesli breakfast involves chewing which I thoroughly enjoy. Today fresh strawberries and blueberries graced the muesli. It was cool and off and on clouds and sun. Anja worked to complete a multi-page form application for unemployment. She had told me a few days ago that her income from her health coverage had ended as she had been covered and paid for 18 months.  When the forms had been completed and copied she put them two a large blue envelope. We then left for the local offices to leave the forms in person and receive a printed receipt, proof that the the office had received her application. She stated that if she had gone to the office in Remscheid she would have had to wait in a long line - one more reason she likes Wermelskirchen better than Remscheid. I am happy that she is happy with her new hometown. We then did go to Remscheid to a garden shop which she likes and has visited often. We purchased a bouquet of mainly yellow flowers to place in a vase which is at...

It is Wednesday morning, for there was insufficient battery power at 1130 last night, Tuesday, to write a bog. I was also tired after returning from visiting the old family home in Remscheid, talking about it and many other things, including politics, over wine. The day began with sun and a fresh air and clouds and Anja's fresh and homemade muesli with coffee. I enjoyed lingering over the breakfast and coffee.  Both had appointments in the morning, and Naila and I remained home. I had time to research 2023 Rick Steves tours in Eastern Europe. I found three which interest me. At home, Herbert fixed his usual Brötchen with cheese and meat. He also gave Naila a few pieces of blood sausage having trained her you wait before taking it from his hand. Herbert then did what he enjoys: baking.  He made a chocolate and vanilla cake with layers of chocolate powder. He followed a recipe on his tablet, and he was precise with each step.  I went with Anja to their above ground vegetabl...

With the homemade muesli breakfast the week began happily. Fresh oatmeal flakes, sunflower seeds, another teaspoon of seeds, one banana, dried prune and apricot pieces, walnuts, almonds, and other nuts, homemade yogurt, and a little milk, Anja let the mixture sit for ten minutes before we began eating.  It was delicious. We then went outside. Anja cut back dead flowers from bushes in the front.  I picked up the material and placed it into a large plastic container.  When the battery hand shears needed recharging we left for Remscheid to do a little shopping. Herbert did his daily physical therapy exercises. He then went grocery shopping which he enjoys and Anja doesn't enjoy. She wrote the list on her cell phone, i.e. Handy, he saw the list on his Handy because the two devices are linked somehow. When he had completed the shopping he wrote on that list page that he had purchased everything. Slick.  Shopping at the Allee Center Anja point out the number of mall shops ...

Anja awakened to join her and Herbert in face time with their grandson Henry and his parents.  He is a new two year old and spoke German than I.  I am glad to have participated in the family event. Breakfast was outside on the terrace with a soft boiled egg in its own container and eaten with the top removed.  Brötchen and jams and meats and cheeses and tomatoes and cucumbers made the meal complete. Anja then dressed to ride her electric bike around the hills in the area, and Herbert and I kept in his 1961 Karman Ghia for an Oldtimer car and motorcycle meet. This weekly event is held for a couple of hours each Sunday. People drive in and out, find a place to park their vehicle and then wander around and talk with other people about their vehicles.  Herbert's vehicle was the only Karman Ghia we saw. There were several US and UK makes as well as vehicles, large snd small from other European countries. My favorite was a VW camper with pop top. I enjoyed the experience. ...

To begin is to remember two things from yesterday. Anja generously offered to do my laundry.  We hung our wash outside on a flexible multiple bar drying rack in the sun. At the end of the day the clothes were dry and smelled so fresh. The second item is about Anja and Naila and training. Anja states it must continue daily. Yesterday, for example, on our walk in Remscheid Naila did not respond as expected to her one word commands. Nevertheless Anja kept repeating the commands until Naila responded. One thing Anja does is stand still and turn her back to Naila until she comes to her as trained. That took time.  Today, however, Naila was most responsive and she was rewarded with a treat. At this moment she is sitting still being combed. We slept in. That felt good. Anja and I went to a local bakery and selected Brötchen for breakfast today and tomorrow. There was a variety of types and flavors which we enjoyed with homemade jams and a variety of thinly sliced meat including tongu...

It was windy and then began to rain last evening, and this morning I learned it rained all night. The morning was cool and cloudy, and from the guest bedroom I saw green, a wonderful sight to one who lives in a drought-stricken area. Breakfast was Anja's daily homemade muesli with fruit, nuts, her homemade yogurt and milk.  It was delicious. I also had coffee from their espresso machine.  Herbert walked Naila, and Anja and I left for an REI-like store which was having a sale.  She tried on tops, and we both tried on pants, and we both made purchases. We also visited a 99 cents-like store, and we visited the Friday street market where she purchased some slices of salmon and some olives stuffed with almonds. After a coffee with Herbert, Anja and I went on a three mile walk with Naila, in Remscheid, around her former home which she calls the old house.  I think we will get to visit it next week. This is an area with hills and woods, and it felt so good to be outside. We...

Premilla and I began our day together in a very lovely and large garden dining room of the hotel. The selection of food was wide. We sat and enjoyed our quiet time together before the expected crowd at Schopol airport. A shuttle brought us to the airport, and the crowd was there. We walked a distance to find the long line for her to check in and give in her suitcase. An employee stated we needed to say goodbye there, for the security line was also long. We parted sadly and waved. I went down to inquire about the platform for the train to Arnhem, Netherlands where I would change trains. Premilla and I texted.  I learned that indeed the line was long. I had planned to wait until I knew that she was through security, and I also thought about the possibility of train delays and check with Premilla if she was OK if I took the train an hour earlier than planned.  She replied that she was OK with that, and we texted our fond farewells.  The train rides to Arnhem and Düsseldorf w...