I had been planning this trip for about a year and a half. We actually had other vacation plans, but when the chance to go to Germany came up -- it was a no brainer. My wife and kids went on a Disney Cruise and I stayed home to save the vacation days at work that I needed for a three week trip. Needless to say it was worth not taking a vacation for over a year and a half.
It was May 10, 2002. I flew from Denver, Colorado, my mom from Phoenix, Arizona and met in Newark, New Jersey. We would fly into Frankfurt on an overcast morning. I had never seen so much green. The vegetation was so thick and all of a sudden the Autoban would appear out of nowhere. After getting off the eight hour flight it was nice to stretch my legs, crack my back, and not so nice to wrestle with the luggage. I got my passport stamped and it was time to head to the train station.
Next was the four hour train ride north to Minden. The train followed the Rhine River most of the way. I was tired and nodded off a few times. Although I knew Germany was somewhat "Americanized" I was hoping I wouldn't see the staples of American fast food, but it was not meant to be. There goes a Burger King, McDonalds and I think I even saw a Subway.
By the time we arrived in Minden we had been traveling for at least 24 hours. It seeemed to go by quicker then 24 hours should. That's a good thing. We met up with Emmi and Rudiger at the underground train staation. When we made our way above ground I finally saw what my mom had always talked about, Cobblestone streets. They are everywhere! We got into Rudiger's car and went 20 minutes east to Espelkamp.
We had afternoon tea and cake at about 4:00. There was no shortage of food to eat. Mom says that plentiful spreads are customary for all meals in Germany. Dinner came about 8:00PM and once again about 10 times the amount everyone at the table together could eat was in front of me.
I turned in early that night. I woke up, actually was woken up, about 8:30 Monday morning. I could have slept longer but the morning breakfast spread was getting cold. Eggs, bread, cold cuts, milk, tea, jams, jellys and more, it was all there.
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