Family and other funny stuff

So, the first story I want to tell is from the pool. Most pools I've been in here in Germany have uni sex locker and changing cabin areas but separate sex showers. The showers are open areas with taps on the walls where you shower, nude, then walk over to another area to collect your towel again. So, Maja and I were at the pool and I had finished showering and was waiting by the door near where the towels are. I was half out the door when I realised Maja was close behind so I stood for a while, holding the door wide open waiting for her. It wasn't until she was walking up to me, just finishing wrapping her towel around herself that she gave me a look and said 'GERALDINE! Close the door!!'... hahahaha... I pissed myself laughing for about 5 minutes because I realised I'd been holding the door to a room full of naked ladies WIDE OPEN for everyone that walked past to have a nice big long look at.

So, from Oldenburg it went to to Celle to be with more family. I'm not sure how much people are interested in me and my family, but I'm going to put it in the blog anyway. There is nothing like not seeing people for 3 or 5 years to bring home the fact that people get old, including you, there is nothing you can do about it, and every day time is passing. Thankfully this time wasn't quite as much as a shock as last time when I had a 5 year gap between visits. That is not to say that getting old is bad. In some cases it's quite the opposite. My little cousins have grown up into a gorgeous 20 year old girl that has interesting options, plays the drums and isn't embarressed by family waving and shouting from the audience when she's performing, and a tall and still cute 22 year old guy with a very amusing sense of humour. It's just that when you leave, you always hope that there will still be another time in the future that you will see them again. Unfortunately, in the case of my god father, he died since my last visit to Germany.

So the photos are: Me, my aunt Christiane, my aunt Lek, my aunt Margitta (from Australia) and my cousin Maja, and on the other photo my uncle Carsten, my uncle Chris (Australia) and cousin Ralph (Australia). Women drinking champagne, men drinking beer :) and Christiane's husband Saleh is grilling the meat!

Onto happier things, my aunt's house was filled to the brink with relatives for nearly the whole time I was there. The lunch and dinner table went from 10 the first day, to 13 the next, and then just got more and more as everyone was arriving for the big 60th Birthday Party, until we had meals with 24 people spread over two houses. Maja and I spent lots of time trying to set tables, empty dishwashers and just generally help my aunt. Of course we still running around at 6pm on Saturday when the party was meant to start trying to sort out who was driving older relatives so no one got stranded at the hotel.

And then the party!!! So much fun!! It's very bizarre having people coming up to you saying 'Hello Geraldine! How are you?' or 'You must be Sigrun's daughter, you look just like her', and all you can do is look at them blankly and say 'err... hi'. I quickly got over the embarrassment of asking who they were and how they hung in the whole spiderweb of connections.

(photos: all the cousins and our aunt Lek, and Christiane & Saleh)

We danced lots, we laughed lots and some people dranks LOTS. It was funny to see some people that were previously exceptionally quiet suddenly start pulling people into photos and up on the dance floor. Oh, and we later heard one particular relative not only emptied the contents of their stomach around the corner of the venue but also managed to fall over as they were walking home and got massive grazes on both knees. And guess what??? IT WASN'T MEEEEE!!!!!

I could write a lot more about discovering we have relatives with mullets and going to the Inkognito, the discoteque of Celle, but this is getting a long blog. For now, hasta luego!

Oldenburg, Bakenhus and the Land of Becks -> Bremen

This is some what out of chronological order but who cares. The weather has cleared up HEAPS. Since I arrived in Oldenburg last Friday the sun has been out. I think I almost should have worn suncream when I went for a run yesterday - shock! horror! I wish I could see some more of summer before heading to cold Peru in 1.5 weeks.

Sorry Jane, I said I wouldn't post a photo, but I needed one with sun in it and besides, I think it looks good :) (Ok, so I know that now you'll hate me but I hope you'll still want to meet me in another random place some time in the future).
This is Jane and myself at breakfast (two days with buffet breakfast on each day - definitely good value), and the next photo is Maja and I when we went for a walk with Jane along the canal here in Oldenburg.

They certainly do some weird stuff with their beer here in German, or alcohol in general. Firstly there is the Berliner Weisse, which we had already had (appropriately) in Berlin 3 years ago - beer with a green or red shot. Then there is the Altbierbowle - dark bier with strawberries floating in it. There is beer with lemondade (Alsterwasser), apple cider with soda water, apple juice with soda water, white wine with soda water, red wine with lemonade... I will have to drink some more Berliner Weisse just so I can take a photo.

Did you know that Becks (beer) comes from Bremen? I didn't, but then, I'm no beer conniseur. The things you learn.

Jane and I went to Bremen for an afternoon and went to the Univärsum. A place, sort of like Questacon, where they have displays about the Universe, The Earth and Humans, and lots of buttons to push and things to play with. This is me making bubbles! weeeeeeee!!!!

There were quite a few cool clothing shops and nice old apartment buildings in the areas we walked around. Bremen had a nice feel to it. We sat by the water and had some drinks (I had the connoction of red wine with lemonade. Some people might call it boring sangria) and listened to various bucks parties and hen's nights try to out-chant and out-drink each other.

On the day after our drive to Groningen, Maja and I hired a bike (for me) and rode to Bakenhus which is where our Oma and Opa used to live. The ride was about 30kms and took us about 3 hours because we kept stopping for photos of rivers, trees, goats, foals and to play with kittens.
(I'm happy to report there were no accidents even though, as you can see on the photo, I don't even have both hands on the handle bars)

Anyway, enough rambling on my behalf. Now it's off to Celle and the big party on Saturday night!!

Groningen and no pancakes in Holland

I was told, by my dear cousin Maja, that she had various activities planned for us, one of which included going to Holland for pancakes. hmmm... pancakes didn't happen so much, but we did make it to Groningen. A lovely little town with pretty looking dutch girls and boys and lots and lots of bikes (like anyone will know that has been to Holland). Oh, and with lots of cute little houses and canals and other stuff.

So, as I was saying, lots of cute houses... Speaking of cute houses, I was just getting out my camera to take a photo (again) of a lovely little street, if some what deserted, when Maja sort of nudged me from the side and mumbled something. Confused I turn away and in a low voice Maja said something of which I managed to make out a few words... something about big windows ... to the ground... girls... I looked again: Indeed, there was one girl, in underpants and bra leaning out of her doorway. I put away my camera then. I'm pretty sure they would have charged me for my photos of the red light district. I certainly know they don't like it in Amsterdam.

Speaking of red lights, in our wanderings we saw signs to the Strip Museum. We laughed at this having just had the encounter with my attempt to capture protitutes in action. We walked on, seeing that our map would lead us to some museum of comics. We walk and walk... what do you know... there is the Strip Museum:

Ok, so not everything is rude in Holland.

There was also 'a piece of art that you can pee on' as the guide book told us. Snail shaped, one opening led to the ladies (WC), the other to, well 'nothing' was what Maja said as she walked in. That was just before she was scared to death by lots of little fountains aimed at the wall -> the men's toilet, we decided. This was me posing next to that particular piece of art.

Some more funny things we saw in our wanderings:
Sandwiches for sale in vending machines. Delicious.

Words that we learnt:
Sla - lettuce
Komkommer - this one I learnt for you Dale, it's your favourite animal: cumcumber!!!

Oh, and the other thing is, that part of Germany we drive through just before we get over the border is SO FLAT! If there weren't trees in the way, you could look all the way to the horizon. Trees and dusty, foggy, cloudy, smoggy looking stuff that blocks your vision.

Frankfurt

Well, Frankfurt was.... drizzly, cold and grey (just for a change from the other two weeks I've been in Germany).

We spent the first afternoon replacing light globes in the old part of Frankfurt where my dad has a house/jazz bar/stuff. A whole family affair - father, son and daughter. Also in the rain.

Second day we were sent out of the house while my dad was audited. Most of the city is still the same. There are still building sites, dog poo, nice old buildings and beggers.

In the evening I went swing dancing again, yuuhuu! It was a very beginners class and I found the way it was taught a bit confusing but hey, all the ladies wanted to dance with me so I must have been doing something right. Look out boys, lock up your ladies, Joey's on the dance floor :)

Germany is the land for people that love they're bread, cheese and cold meats. Where in Australia we might have juice bars like Boost around every corner, or sushi stands, here you can buy bread. Bread bread everywhere... Bread with cheese, soft, hard, white, with green bits, with holes, meat from a cow, a pig, liver, blood, fat, chopped up finely, chopped up chunks. Bread with jam, bread with honey. My digestive system can't take much more grain.

For a country and people that are meant to be known for their order, correctness and precision, I have to say: EVERY time I've had to travel by train here there have been delays. The first time from the airport, I don't know why it was late, the second time, we were late (20 mins?) because we had to wait for 'staff' (ticket inspectors and refreshment sellers) from another train, which was (surprise surprise - running late). And most recently, my train from Frankfurt was stopped dead, no electricity, nothing. 'We apologise for the mechanical problem...'. The funny thing was when they advised passengers travelling to a particular destination to the train next to us, a bunch of people ran over and I think one made it on board. The others stood there as the doors remained shut and the train pulled away in front of them. How embarresment Deutsche Bahn.

Just so you know...

For anyone that's wondering, my travel plans are:
Currently in Frankfurt
Today - Train to Oldenburg
Some time next week - To Celle
31st May - Fly to London
5th May - Fly to Peru
Then... 2 months Peru, Ecuador, Chile (time to be confirmed for both) and New Zealand.

.... and hopefully it will be warm again in Australia by the time I get back.

Things I learnt in Bonn:
For all those gummi bear eaters, the brand HARIBO is made in Bonn and stands for Hans Riegel Bonn. And I have it on good authority (brother) that you can smell what particular gummi thing they're making on the day :)

PS: The weather is STILL crap, grey, rainy and cold.

Being in Bonn

Well, on Friday I arrived in Bonn from Stuttgart. The train ride was pretty nice. There are so many very quaint villages with the old style houses along the Rhein. And I kept looking longingly at the bike path. *sniff*... next time I'll get to go biking riding along the Rhein, I'm sure.

So, Bonn with my brother. We did a couple of things here. Well, we went to Köln, which isn't really 'here' but was good anyway. We climbed up all 509 stairs to the top of the church. There was so many other tourist there. And bachelor parties. One dude in parlicular, lugging around a big block of wood attached to his leg called 'Jenny' filled the small spiral staircase with clouds of beer breath and sweat. The photo is of Martin and myself infront of the big bell. Didn't come out so good, but I don't think the girl taking the photo spoke German (and I forgot to try English).

Then we went shopping and I actually bought a jacket even though I promised myself I'd buy nothing. I can't POSSIBLY fit anything else into my bags!! Not unless I decide to eat a few containers of pills.

I walked past a lego store in which you can buy pieces of lego, like lollies at the movies, buy weight.

Oh, totally unrelated, but I saw a bank yesterday that had advertised 1.25% interest on home loans!! Crazy hey.

So, yesterday was Mother's Day and we spent it with Martin's mum. Actually, not true. First we went to see some monster trucks, motorcross bikes and cars doing tricks. The photos are firstly of me standing infront of the row of cars that the dude on the motorbike jumped, and secondly the big moster truck going for a casual sunday drive over 3 cars. They did other cool stuff like drive a car on two wheels, and then drive the car on two wheels at slower than walking pace around in a circle. I was a bit disappointed with the motorbike stuff though. I wanted less jumps and more tricks, Crusty Demons style.

Then we went and did the Mother's Day thing and picked up Martin's mum and took her out for a stroll along the Rhein. Most of the time it was a very lovely day but I'd really say the Germany has been like Melbourne so far, 4 seasons in a day.

Anyway, off to Frankfurt (or at least close by) to our dad's today.

Hasta luego.

PS: I do apologise for the boring blog. I definitely think Germany is going to be the subdued part of the trip. Come South America I'm sure something crazy is bound to happen. I just hope I survive it.

Joey Swings In(to) Stuttgart

This is me waiting for my plane at 1am after succesfully getting my ticket back.

Well I arrived safely in Germany on Tuesday and headed straight for my godmother's place in Stuttgart. Just after arrived I thought to myself, hey, people are much friendlier and politer in Germany than I remembered. I've since then decided that German people still aren't really THAT friendly. The only people I've had random conversations with have been Thai ladies playing in the Spielbank (like a casino) where my godmother (Angela) works and a dude from Morocco I met on the tram.

In Stuttgart I saw Mamma Mia, the musical. It was alright.. entertaining... but all the songs as been translated into German so I couldn't sing along. Then I headed to the Spielbank where I chatted to the two Thai women (both the same story - married German guys over there then moved here, except one was since divorced) who were lovely and bought me drinks and gave me a playing chip... which I prompty lost at roulette. There's a reason I don't play.

The next night I went swing dancing. It was heaps of fun. Had a class, learnt some new moves, then had social dancing down stairs where there is a bar and good lighting and a slippery floor and a stage too. I got to pull out my fan from Singapore and people were suitably impressed with it's cooling ability. If anyone is going to Stuttgart and wants to swing dance, http://www.swing-stuttgart.de/ is the place to visit.

Angela and I went to the Mercedes-Benz museum too. It was great, all those big shiny glamorous looking cars.

World's first motobike. (looks so comfortable)

Angela and I in front of some spaced aged looking car.

Joey Goes To Singapore (incl photos)

Well, here I am in Singapore now, and in a few hours I'll be flying to Germany.

First impressions:

• ...errr... my jeans are sticking to my legs already and it's 11pm at night.
  Wow, it's 11pm at night and the train is PACKED??? not with lots of young people going out on the town, but people of all ages, just... doing stuff. Maybe this town doesn't sleep either.
  oh, and the first thing I saw as I went through customs and was getting money out of the ATM was a girl from college. Small world.
• Anyway, after hearing that Singpore was all shopping malls and airconditioning, I think I must have made an unconcious decision to avoid all freezing icebox mazes. All day yesterday I walked around and at the end of the day my feet hurt. At about 2pm I was so hot, I caved and took the short cut through the Raffles Center (mall). Mind you, my shopping so far has consisted of a fan (hand held) yesterday and a watch today.. WOOOO! World's biggest shopper! (I DO have an alarm clock and my mp3 player to check the time against twice daily because I wont let a $10 watch let me miss a flight... again... Hardy :P )

Dale, you'll be please to know that the hostel is currently playing some experimental drum & bass.

Leaving Thoughts:

• Singapore is an easy city. Good public transport, felt safe pretty much everywhere, cars don't try to run you over and isn't as repressed/everything outlawed as they make it out to be. I saw a person spitting in the street and I definitely saw rubbish lying around, especially cigarrette butts and even some old gum on a pavement (haven't seen anyone dealing drugs though). It's very much like Malaysia except less muslims and more of everything else. Even though my hostel was right next to a mosque I never heard the prayers ringing out, at all hours, even though I was quite looking forward to it. Where a block has a hindu temple there'll also be a christian church and muslim mosque.
• People are nice, but not overly friendly. They hardly hassle you to buy stuff. I think Fiji is still on the top of my list of friendliest people with no other motive. The only extra friendly people I spoke to here were two old men, on separate occasions. Both with only 1 or 2 teeth :)
• Wear Sunscreen! I got burnt yesterday because I couldn't be bothered digging it out from the bottom of my bag. Today as a result of digging for it, I can't make everything fit back in the bag. Not sure if the trade off was worth it :D NAAAAH... sunburn sucks.

Biggest regret:
Not eating before I went on the Night Safari because it meant I had the option of, oh THREE overpriced restaurants. I paid $6 for a basket of chips. 1 - who goes to a different country and eats chips and 2 - that's TWICE as much as I paid for my breakfast which was twice the size, 10 times spicier, 100 times more exotic and 1000 times more delicious. (note to self: eat before getting on plane)

Lost so far:

• Key to dorm/hostel, and hence, my $10 deposit.
• The train ticket. Not so much 'lost' as 'threw out'. I chucked it and then realised I'm meant to put it back in the machine for my $1 deposit refund.
  
  *STOP PRESS*
  *UPDATE*
  Did I mention I LOST MY TICKET!!!!!!! Yes, that's right people Joey lost her ticket some where going from one terminal to the next, right at the point where I'm wanting to check in. "Maam, do you have your ticket", "Sure, it's right... NO!! No I don't have it"
  Then Joey races madly back to the shuttle, gets everyone to search the ALL the shuttles, goes back to the other terminal, meanwhile lugging 20kgs in 100% humidity, sweating like crazy. Back to other terminal, no one's seen anything. Go to information counter to tell them. They say they'll make an annoucement if it's found. Back to check-in terminal, race to counter, sent to ticketing... They tell me to come back in an hour. Right, so off I go to scam free internet from a cafe where all I need to do is buy something to use the internet, but the problem is that I only have $2.50 left and nothing is in my price range. While I'm online to Hardy telling him of my stupid (but expected) problem I hear something over the speakers about "would... please.... informaton counter" but it's disorted by the jazz playing in the cafe. I go back to the ticketing counter to be told 'Sorry, we have no details of your ticket so your agent will need to fax it in the morning'. Great, it's 8:30pm at night! What do I do now? Go to the information counter, that's what. Just in case it was my name they called before. So I go to the counter and look!!! A blue oasis! Also known as a blue STA plastic ticket holder folder thingy!!! HUUUUURRRRAYYYY!!! The world has been good to me once again! It was found right next to where I realised I'd lost it.
  Oh, and my flight is delayed 2 hours (leaving 1am now.. bah!) because of a medical emergency on board. Flight was diverted to Darwin. I hope the person is ok!
  
  Adios amigos
  
  ok, photos below, from left to right:
  
  1 - These flowers were for sale outside a temple. Apparently normal petals aren't good enough, folding makes them soooo much more exceptable as an offering
  
  2 - Joey eating an icecream sandwich. I was so hot the icecream sandwich was my saviour... right until I remember that icecream makes me thirsty. Of course the cheesy photo with the merlion was required.
  
  3 - I had to allow myself at least one juvile joke.
  
  4 - A street near where I was staying in Kampong Glam. Very cute little houses.
  
  5 - Egg tarts, I looooove egg tarts!
  
  6 - This is for you Roger. I don't know if you can read what it says at the top, but it's 'Beaujolais Bar'. Roger! A whole place full of nanna wine just for you! (also, everything on my screen at the moment is in German so it's too hard to figure out how to make it the right way up.
  
  7 -A cemetry in Kampong Glam. All higgldy-piggldy with no names or anything.
  
  8 - Clothes drying out of the windows.