Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Flights missed

So I'm still in Germany. Long story (involving construction) short, i didn't make my flight home. check in for my flight home is at 0500hrs tomorrow morning, so there's no point in going back to my cousins'. The guy at the ticket office did me a (favor) by charging me 150 euro rebooking fee instead of making me buy a new ticket. not aI'll just sleep in the airport tonigh, won't be the first time. Till tomorrow when I'm in a better mood

Friday, June 25, 2010

Copenhagen

So I'm in Denmark... and I'm thinking I should have stayed in Ireland. Not that Copenhagen isn't cool, I just really, really, really like Ireland. It's a place one has to experience. I never ended up on the north part of the Island, I went to Killarney instead. It was fantastic.

I've been trying to get to Oslo Norway today, but even though I left Cork before the sun was up, I wasn't in time for the last train to Norway today. The first (and only) train to Oslo tomorrow is leaving around noon. So I have an over night in Denmark and another flag to find. I have to say that the World Soccer Championships has made collecting national flags much easier.... Thank you FIFA.

But I digress, I need to have a shower, find the laundry, and get some food.

Lisa Freitag
Silent River Kung Fu, Copenhagen, Denmark

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Have you kissed the Blarney Stone Goodbye?

I'm in Cork, Ireland, on the southern tip of the Island. I spent the day at Blarney Castle, and yes I kissed the stone.

London was, to me, a bit over rated. The sights were excellent but I found Vienna more to my taste. I walked from My cousin's flat on the east side of down town, to Buckingham Palace and then some. There was a garden party with the Queen of some sort going on and all types of muckymucks were dressed to the 9's and admitted into the grounds. We peasants stayed outside (not that I care) and I went about getting some good shots of the external grounds and the exterior of the Stable Grounds. Was alright, but again Vienna was much more to my taste and lets face it... it's very hard to compete with the Lipizzaner Stallions and the Spanish Riding School. (also built by and utilized by Royalty)

The highlight of my time in London was spending time with my cousin. He is 17 years older than I am, but there is no difference in generation when we are talking. He filled me in on things I hadn't known from the past, and I did the same for him. He had totally forgotten that he used to read to me, nor did he know that I have zero memories of his one brother at all until my grandmothers funeral when I was nearly 22. I have vivid memories of his other brother and himself, but there's nothing of Kev. (To this day I love to be read to.)

We taked about the farm, life, and all that good stuff. We discovered we have a lot in common even though we see each other Maybe once every 10 or so years. We made dinner in his flat and watched video's and listened to music. It was extremely nice. I left early this morning, but last night before we turned in, he pulled out a very well loved hard cover copy of "The Prince of Tides" his favorite book. He read several passages that were the work of a gifted writer. I can't wait to read it.

I got into my cab to the airport at 03:20 this morning, flew to Dublin Ireland, and promptly got on a train for Cork. I spent the remainder of the day walking the city and taking a trip to Blarney Castle. Again, I highly recommend Blarney Castle. It was quite unique, and Blarney house can rival the best mansions Europe has to offer. I am very impressed.

It's nearly midnight now, and I'm dog tired, but I wanted to get some of this down before turning in. I had 2 of my all time must do experiences today. Kissing the Blarney Stone and sitting in a small town Irish pub, having a meal and a traditional beverage. (For all of you that asked me to enjoy a beverage for you, I did, it was just the same one for all of you. I'ld still be there otherwise.) For me it was a reconnection to my Irish roots. My mother's family is a boisterous mix of French and Irish. The German side of my family has always been very close, and the Russian side almost non existent. It was important to me to experience rural Ireland. And I am. And I Love It!

The funny thing is, my mother has always told me I have a very European look to me. (what ever that means). I don't really look like either of my parents, though my one brother and I have some similar features. Other than him, I look nothing like the rest of my family. But I digress, apparently I look very Irish. People I have spoken with have automatically started speaking to me in Gaelic. I have also discovered the reason there are so few red heads in the world is because they are all here. It's like a convention. You can't swing a stick with out hitting a red head. Kinda makes you feel like you fade into the back ground.

But I have to get some sleep. I'm going to grab a train in the morning to the north side of the island. I'm trying to make Norway by Saturday, and Germany again by Monday. Long as I'm in Frankfurt Wednesday to catch my flight, everything else will get sorted.

Lisa Freitag
Silent River Kung Fu, Cork (both town and province) Southern Ireland.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010



I'm in London England with my cousin. We stayed up to 2 am chatting. The tunnel under the English Channel was very neat. It too about 20 mins on the high speed train, and thinking that you are traveling under the ocean is quite impressive. Paris was a bit frustrating as I lost my phone and no one saw it. I retraced my steps but that thing disappeared faster than a pizza at a weight watchers convention. oh well, worst thing they can do is burn up the $10 on the pay as you go card. The phone cost me $30 so all in all, I'm out 40 Euro. Not the worst thing that can happen by far.
Tomorrow morning I go to Dublin Ireland. I am still conversing with my friend in Norway as to what his plans are. He was going to go out of town this weekend, and the soonest I can get to his place (that I've found so far) is Saturday. I don't want to mess with his plans and I fly home Wednesday, so we'll see. I am still planning to go to Norway for a couple days, but I might just travel around the south instead of up to his area if he's busy. No worries.

Lisa Freitag
Silent River Kung Fu, London, England

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Biel

I am in Biel, Switzerland, staying with my friend I met in Australia. We are having a great time and the country here is amazing. There are wild swans with their young swimming in the rivers and the valley is sorrounded by forested peaks and wide green waters. It is very quiet an relaxing.



I attended her sons graduation from post secondary this morning, took their dog for a walk along the river this afternoon, and tonight Christine and I are going out to a friend of hers. Last night we went to a movie (the Young Victoria) which was excellent. We both really enjoyed the film.



Tomorrow is going to be a hard day for me, personal history and all that, so I think I will go for a walk up the mountains. Monday I head for Ireland, and most likely Thursday to Norway. Then back to Germany Sunday and spend the last few days with my cousin in Heilbronn. Then home.



I have been collecting flags in each country I have visited. I am a little dissappointed that the railway does not stamp your passport everytime you cross the border, but the flags will do. Its all good.



Lisa Freitag

Silent River Kung Fu, Biel, Switzerland

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Wien


I am in Wien, better known as Vienna, in the province Lower Austria. I spent the morning watching the Lipizzaner Stallions being put through their morning training. After that I took a tour of the facility. They are truly Magnificent! I have always wanted to visit the Spanish Riding School, and sadly I will no longer be in Austria this weekend. I would love to have seen a performance in the foundation of this cultural icon. They only hold performances on the weekends so I'll just have to come back I guess.

I have purchased a new train pass, and am still trying to get the disaster of the last one sorted. I had better get a refund, or there will be one very unhappy camper on their hands. Grrrrrrr!

I highly recommend visiting Vienna. I have seen some amazing churches and buildings. They can't be described. I only hope the pictures do them justice. It is a very friendly city, and I am enjoying it very much. I might stay one day longer. But I am trying to get to Ireland by Sunday. So I need to looking at hitting the trail again sooner rather than later.

Most likely tomorrow I will head to Switzerland. I have a friend there and am going to spend a day or two with her while down here. I'm looking forward to that.

I am finding it very difficult to write blogs this last month as I have been with my family in Germany, and here in Austria, is also a German speaking country. I find myself translating things into German only to translate them back into English. It's silly, but when you are using a language and then switching back, it's hard to use the original language. I don't know if that makes sense but it's difficult. I find myself using broken English as much as broken German. Very frustrating.

But that's it. I will try to post something from Switzerland, Ireland, Norway, and of course Germany should the opportunities present themselves. My trip to Ireland will most likely take me through France and the Netherlands, but I probably won't be stopping there. Depending on the route to Norway, I will most likely travel through England, Denmark, and Sweden. Other wise I will go back down through the Netherlands and across Denmark from there. Meh, what ever.

Lisa Freitag
Silent River Kung Fu, Wien, Lower Austria, Austria

Monday, June 14, 2010

One winter night

I was at a castle ruin yesterday that was built in 200 AD. It survived being attacked, plundered and invaded for almost 2000 years. It was rebuilt a total of 3 times. One invasion (1563 ish) had the attackers allowing the women to leave with only what they could carry, the men were remain inside to be slaughtered. So the women holding the invaders to their word, carried out the men on their shoulders. Girl Power!

The Castle and surrounding city, again dating back to 200 AD in some places, went from being 100% intact to being 70% levelled in December of 1945. One night took out 2000 years of history. 600 homes were destroyed in the air raid and 1200 people were on the streets. Many others were killed.

War sucks.

Lisa Freitag
Silent River Kung Fu, Heilbronn, Baden-Wurttemburg, Germany

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Every Town Has It's Castle

I'm in South Central Germany, Heilbronn to be exact. My cousins live about 5 minutes from here in a small town called Talheim. I've been here almost a week. I left Canada last Wednesday and arrived here Thursday morning. Once again a long flight.

Every town has it's castle. Perhaps not 100% true, but close enough. I've been to 3 already and that doesn't count the ones we drove past. The buildings in rural Germany are a mixture of old and new. When I say old, I mean dating back to 1388 and then some. Pretty cool.

My cousins are wonderful people that I get along with very well. Their 3 year old is reasonably cute but small humans and I don't mix. Limited time is all good, but 24/7 with no end in site is a bit much. There's a reason I'm not a parent. The temper tantrums are starting to get to me. They are good parents and deal with her moods like any parent, the best they can... but I'm unused to living with a child that age and am pretty much stuck with out a vehicle. (Looking into that as we speak.)

I don't mean to sound ungrateful for anything, just being honest. I came here to see them, but also to see a good chunk of Europe. I am ticked off that my train pass got all messed up, and I'm with out one. Not impressed about that. I just need to make alternate arrangements. I'm nothing if not resourceful.

I just don't do well with children. It's the same at my sister's place in Toronto. A couple of days with their kids and I'm done, and looking for an alternative. When a couple of my sisters kids come out to our area, I have a break. I go to work, I go home... ect, it's much easier to deal with.

Back to Germany. It's a beautiful country and full of history and heritage. I visited the town and house my grandfather was born in. The house was in our family for @ 500 years (give or take). My dad's cousin sold it not long ago. Not impressed, but that's the way it goes sometimes. Against the wishes of the entire family (both here in Germany and back home) she decided to sell it. (she was "handling the estate"). So we drove past the house, but I was unable to go in. I'm very disappointed about that, but that's life.

Anyway, I have to figure out my transport situation and internet cafes are not cheap.

Lisa Freitag
Silent River Kung Fu, Heilbronn, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany.