Berlin Day 3 2017

     Staying at the Eurostars Hotel is a pleasure and this is my third time.  I did not do too much yesterday or today.  I did go to the Gemalde Gallerie and spend just over 2 hours there.  I have been to the Standige Vertretung 2 times, the Gemalde Gallerie outdoor bar, and the garten outside the Reichstag.  All great places to stop for a beer.

     On Monday night as I said, I ate at Block House.  Last night I went to my favorite - Dolcini.  I must have written about this place before?  Years ago, I was walking down Friedrich Strasse and saw an a-frame sign that said "Big Mo's"  with an arrow.  Of course, I went.  It was a restaurant that I went back to that night.  I have been going every time I am in Berlin since.  Last night, I was the only customer at first and of course I went inside and sat under that great picture of "la Baker".  When the man took my order he said to me," You know that i recognize you"  and I said yes that I had been coming for many years.  It was very nice.  I had the fish soup and a special paste - penne with corizio sausage.  I drank some water and 2 montopulchianos and he gave me a grappa.  So nice to be remembered.
    I went to Weihstephan for 2 dunkles biere and 2 obstler.  Then back to the Standige Vertreterung for 2 more Kolsch.  A nice evening at familiar places.
   Tonight I at at the Grand Bar on Orenianberg Strasse.  I ate there last summer for the first time.  It was good.  I had a big salad and the pork medalions in green pepper sauce with rosemary potatos and rice and broccoli.  I drank 2 hefeweisse beers and a glass of gray brugundian wine.  I gave 40e.  Well worth it.  So I have to say my stay in Berlin so far has been uneventful and familiar and at this point I will take that.

Berlin 2017 Arrival

     Everything today went off without a hitch.  I went down about 10 minutes before the car was due to arrive because of the whole elevator situation.  I wasn't there 5 minutes when the car arrived.  The driver was pleasant, as always, and the trip to Newark Airport was only 25 minutes.  I was able to check in immediately.  I had checked-in on line so I only had to print the boarding pass and give in my luggage.  The line to be checked moved quickly but I had to keep going back and then they finally scanned me.
     As promised, I found the first class lounge and went in there.  Nothing so special in appearance, but the food and the wine and beer and soft drinks are free!!   I had 3 Bud drafts.  I shared a table with a Greek woman who lives in Brighton, England and was visiting her sister in NJ.  Very nice and agreeing with me about the state of affairs in both Europe and the US.  The flight was scheduled to leave at 5:50 pm and I left the bar at 5:10.  It took seconds to walk to the gate and they had already boarded!  So I walked on to the plane and took my seat.  I moved to the single seat in the middle so some guy could sit next to his son.  I had one Heineken and I do not know how many Rieslings.  They just kept filling my glass.  I also had 2 port wines with the cheese course.  First class over to Europe - always the way to go.
    We arrived in Berlin early!  The flight was only scheduled to be 8 hours and we were early.  I got my luggage and took a cab to the hotel - 25 euro.  It was pouring rain and he let me out on Friedrichstrasse instead of coming around the block and up to the front of the hotel.  I did not care except I got soaked.  Fortunately they gave me my room immediately!  So I went to bed.  I had trouble at first but when I did wake up it was 2 in the afternoon.  So after a shave and a shower I went down the street to Block House and had dinner there.  I had a house salad, steak and grilled vegetables, 2 Weisse beers and a Perigrino.  All for, including a tip, 35 euro.  After I walked up to Unter den Linden and then down to the river.  I walked past the museums and back to the hotel and now I am having a few in the bar.  It is only 6:15 pm but I am tired and when I go up I will watch something on the computer before I go to sleep.

Start Summer 2017

     Well I have been retired for 4 days now.  I leave for Germany today.  The car comes at 3:15 and the plane is scheduled to leave at 5:50.  Lets hope it is on time.  I, of course, am flying over first class so I really don't care how long it takes!
    When I get to the airport I am going to the United first class lounge.  I have never gone before but I want to try it this time.  I am packed and ready to go.  All I need to do is shower and dress and go.  It should be an 8 hour flight.  I should get there about 9:00 am Germany time.  Hopefully my hotel room will be ready and I can check-in and take a nice nap.
     I saw everyone Friday night at the Retirement/Going away party.  Zachary was sick so he wasn't there but he called today.  Stacey F., Joe H., and Chris D. all called during the week.  Good to hear from all of them.
     I am going to finish getting ready and should be able to write again Monday evening from the hotel.