On the Verge of Vacation
I spent all day Monday and Tuesday at an international trainee conference at company headquarters in Stuttgart. Long days, as I didn't get a hotel room there so was waking up extra early to arrive on time and getting home extra late. Although not a huge fan of such events (conferences are better suited to people who mingle well, which isn't me...well, at least not outside the realm of a bar), it was nice to see some friends and overall the event was well organized. I was one of the few who posed a question to the keynote speaker - a member of our Board of Management. And the first thing he said was "Good question!" I think I sat up a little taller in my chair after that. But I still think his response was a pile of two day old doggy doo-doo.
For the afternoon on Tuesday, we went to Tübingen for the day and rode the gondola-like boats for a couple hours. Turned out to be quite nice - had beer on board, appetizers, etc. Was quite a time with all of us climbing aboard as the things were rocking more than you'd expect. Funny moment during the trip when the "driver" asked me of all people to move to the opposite side to balance us out. I think it was the first time ever that I was the one whose weight was throwing things off. Some of the others tried their hand at pushing us along with the pole. We ended up along the banks a few times with branches in our faces, but it was fun anyway. I think it's definitely harder than it looks.
All thoughts now are on meeting up with my parents and oldest brother next Monday in Cologne. I'll have a week and a half out of the office, so that'll be nice. Just booked a room for Sunday night so will travel there on that day and bum around the city. My goal is to get a great night picture of the cathedral lit up from across the river. I've seen pictures and it's very pretty, so I'm not leaving until I get the money shot! We only have a general plan to see Cologne on Monday, spend the next two days on the Rhine River, and then head back to my apartment and maybe do some day trips from there. They'll be flying to Amsterdam on Friday.
So I'm still running around making sure the apartment is ready for 3 visitors - blankets, pillows, towels, food, etc. And I should clean it up a bit, although it's in fairly good shape already. Just one more workday before the craziness ensues...
For the afternoon on Tuesday, we went to Tübingen for the day and rode the gondola-like boats for a couple hours. Turned out to be quite nice - had beer on board, appetizers, etc. Was quite a time with all of us climbing aboard as the things were rocking more than you'd expect. Funny moment during the trip when the "driver" asked me of all people to move to the opposite side to balance us out. I think it was the first time ever that I was the one whose weight was throwing things off. Some of the others tried their hand at pushing us along with the pole. We ended up along the banks a few times with branches in our faces, but it was fun anyway. I think it's definitely harder than it looks.
All thoughts now are on meeting up with my parents and oldest brother next Monday in Cologne. I'll have a week and a half out of the office, so that'll be nice. Just booked a room for Sunday night so will travel there on that day and bum around the city. My goal is to get a great night picture of the cathedral lit up from across the river. I've seen pictures and it's very pretty, so I'm not leaving until I get the money shot! We only have a general plan to see Cologne on Monday, spend the next two days on the Rhine River, and then head back to my apartment and maybe do some day trips from there. They'll be flying to Amsterdam on Friday.
So I'm still running around making sure the apartment is ready for 3 visitors - blankets, pillows, towels, food, etc. And I should clean it up a bit, although it's in fairly good shape already. Just one more workday before the craziness ensues...
posted by jason at 2:26 PM
3 Comments:
if you need any contacts in cologne, give me a ring - i have a couple of good friends there (some of which will also be at the party next sunday) - for drinks, i prefer the marsil (laid back atmo) !
If you have time, check out Bingen which is west of Frankfurt, on the Rhine. In 1995 (when I last was there) you could get on the Rhine River Castle Tour in Bingen. It was cool.
Hmm, thanks. I just might give you a call. I'm supposed to meet up with a friend for drinks, but I have yet to receive confirmation... and time is running out. P.S. Are you sure there's room for me next weekend? Maybe I should just skip this year's party and attend next year instead. When you think about it, 31 is really just as important as 30 :-))
Thanks for the tip on Bingen, Jenny. That's exactly what I'm trying to figure out for us - What city to catch a tour, etc. I feel like the Germany part of their trip (which is most of it) is in my hands, so I should try to have a decent idea of what's the best plan of action for this and that. So much responsibility!!
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