Düsseldorf is like an old friend. To me it’s incomprehensible to think that it’s been a year since I have been here. Except for getting lost twice already,
It feels as if I were here just last month.
It’s already the final day of June 2016. It may be time for me to do something drastic…
Last night I ate at Zum Schiffen, a restaurant at which I ate twice last year, and followed that up with a trip to the Irish bar at which I also made two appearances last year. To add newness to this affair I drank five Alt Biers, fear not they are low alcohol and served in small sizes, at a bar across the road from my hotel.
Those Who Fail To Learn From Their Mistakes Are Destined To Repeat Them
Guess who booked a hotel without air conditioning during a German heatwave.
It’s like I am back in the ITP Estate, but without my fans. At one time I thought about packing my camping fan, but failed to put it on the packing list so it never made it into the backpack.
Fortunately it appears that the heatwave will break today, but there may also be rain associated with the cold front that will do so.
Uh Oh, I Think I Have Put On Fat
I have overpacked for this trip, with exception of the things I failed to bring. Fortunately at the last minute I remembered that I owned the shorts that I wore on last year’s bike ride along the Rhine. These shorts are (were) too big for me, and because they are not cotton are lightweight and will dry much quicker if/when they get wet.
It’s important to have the larger shorts since the pair I wore two weeks ago, and laundered on Monday, are a bit snug. My body no longer humors me, it out and out anger me.
It’s a great thing that I will be walking my ass, which along with my burgeoning waistline also angers me, because I plan to eat like a fiend while I am here.
When I return from vacation I will start making a concerted effort to rid myself of my “dad bod”.
ITP Flickr Pic
“If I Had Only Known” (Düsseldorf, Germany)
Well, well, well, look what exists at the corner of my hotel’s street. Perhaps I should do a load or two and show the Germans just how laundry should be done. #TheMoreYouKnow
My Ability To Speak German Has Been Greatly Exaggerated
I didn’t have the greatest day experimenting with my German. I failed fast, hard, and often at every turn. I will keep trying…
A Chip Without A PIN
For some reason when I tried to purchase a ticket for the train using my credit card it wouldn’t let me continue without a PIN.
My card doesn’t have a PIN.
So, I did the next best thing and went into the Deutsch Bahn ticketing office at the train station and bought a ticket from a person. Their credit card machine was okay with only forcing me to sign the receipt.
Crazy.
I also stumbled trying to pay for the hotel room using my AmEx because the small family-owned hotel doesn’t take AmEx.
Paying my Visa bill is going to hurt next month. Until then I am going to try to enjoy life and encourage you to do the same.
Cheers,
Paulie [düsseldorf/de]
I suppose it was inevitable that I would sleep late this morning. In spectacular up-Paulie style I stayed in bed until 10am.
Sadly my hotel does not offer breakfast either. I love European breakfasts of rolls, hard-boiled eggs, and sliced meats and cheeses…
It’s now nearly 11:30am, I am showered and heading out for lunch soon. The weather gods may be smiling upon Düsseldorf today, but as of now there is a 100% chance for rain tomorrow.
I think the weather forecast was a bit optimistic; it’s a lot cloudier and a little colder than stated. Also, it really looks as if it will rain. I am wearing shorts and a t-shirt, and left all rain gear at the hotel.
You aren’t the only one getting rain. It was raining on the drive home last night and as I fed the horses. Decided to leave them in for a bit while I went to dinner and the Lowes. Upon arriving back home they were happy to be let out into their pasture.
Today looks like a total washout as the rain is a couple hours out yet. I plan on some painting and possibly a trip to East Point.
The report from the cantaloupe taste test is mixed. Depending on what is served first in the taste test of the two cantaloupe determines the preference. I’m sure those of you that study statistics in college will know that there’s a term for that but I’ll be damned if I know what it is.
Have a great weekend everyone.
-FP
I just experienced authentic Schadenfreude. There is an unfortunate man standing on a street corner in an animal costume, he holds long balloons in hand. Finally two mothers approach with small children in the attempt to create an animal he burst two balloons, scaring the children.
I laughed aloud. I am clearly a monster.
Good luck using your Amex there, my corporate card is Amex and learned that very few places take it. My expense report was tricky when I got home.
Keep trying the German, if you are at least trying to speak German (even if it is poorly) people there are friendly and will help out.
Why are you returning to the same restaurants and bars instead of trying new places? You goofball. Love the Wash Salon pic. 🙂
That’s what I wondered as well. I was going to remind you to try and find the host hotel for the tour teams and go find Kevin Grove at BMC. Make it a challenge.
you will be looking a long time for Kevin Grove & have no luck – as he is in Mallorca on vacation.
I am a creature of habit, and since I will get to Düsseldorf less than I would Dunwoody I have not problem repeating my past. That is not to say that I haven’t sought out new experiences…
The food at Zum Schiffen is outstanding, okay it is authentic German food so I like it a lot. I had thought about the meal I ate there quite often since last year.
Hey back off!
Pro tip:
The experienced international traveler understands returning to familiar, known restaurants or surroundings allows greater flexibility (and saves precious time) to explore other aspects of the host country and its culture.
Why I have often grabbed a quick bite at Zum Schiffen while traveling in Dusseldorf. 🙂
Busy holiday weekend. Elizabeth arrives tonight into ZATL (along with 90,000+ of her fellow travelers). Family dinner stuff Saturday, recovery (and probably OK Cafe) Sunday, open Monday and the Peachtree Tuesday (Elizabeth, running and covering the event for Active Networks). Elizabeth departs Wednesday, hopefully, post rush.
I hope everybody has a fun weekend.
73 de JG/HamWithCam
https://www.flickr.com/photos/hamwithcam/
Are you telling ME to back off? Hey, everyone’s entitled to their own point of view and Paulie’s always been fine with me expressing mine here.
This is a no judgement zone. Well, not really but you know I don’t mind people expressing opinions. 🙂
Seeing all of the Tour de France paraphernalia makes me wish that I owned a “Liverstrong” from back in the day.
Currently using up my data plan at an outdoor cafe drinking a coffee. I needed something other than more food to combat the Alt beers I have consumed already.
Weather “iffy” but I am having a splendid time thus far.
And one more thing… if anyone is bored this weekend, there may be special editions of ITP published. 😀
If you are not bored then there may be more things to help you waste time at work on Monday morning.
I don’t have to be bored to read ITP! Especially if you’re planning to share more gorgeous photos. 🙂
…I’m guessing, and this is just a guess, somebody didn’t get my joke.
My bad. I sincerely apologize if I offended anybody’s sensibilities.
No really.
So just to clarify:
Paulie, only a loser would travel all that way to Germany and eat in the same places…more than “einmal”. <– John threw in some German.
There, better?
Note: If I every call anybody out on this here ITP blog, nobody will have to ask.
73 de JG/HamWithCam
love ya John!!!! If only we could get that sarcasm font.
I actually had a sarcasm font. But it stopped working when I moved from Windows 3.1 to Window 95…last week.
It does work under Windows ME…
🙂
JG/HamWithCam
Y’all are cracking me up.
I went & played trivia last night at Dry County Brewery with Allan & Aron – its $12 for the tour & tasting now, 6 tickets. Seems a little pricy. But – I like their beers ok.
We tied for 2nd – I screwed up a The Office question – who was the HR person on the show? I immediately said Toby, but then couldn’t remember if it was that Jan from corporate? Always s go with the first answer that comes to mind………. we got that wrong. We won 2 Crawlers for our efforts. (big ass cans of beer, no more glass growlers). We just took the gift certificate, since we have a month & didn’t really need 2 big ass cans of beer right now.
ðŸ‘ðŸ»
Standing outside another of Düsseldorf famous breweries; this on is called Brauerei Kürzer. I am standing instead of sitting to burn calories. 😂😂😂
A little after 6pm here in Germany. I have returned to my room to freshen up, and rally myself to go out to dinner and have some Friday night fun in a few hours.
Saturday blog FAIL! 😜
Dangen! FAIL indeed as it was supposed to auto-post at 5:45 EDT.
Imagine my disappointment… 😉
JG/HamWithCam