21 September 2024

Well, the same thing that happens to me every year happened again this year. I don't record what I did during my time in Europe. So to recap: I left Weimar after 6 weeks there in my apartment. I went to Munich for 8 nights and stayed at the the Hilton Munich City, a great hotel. After 8 nights, I went to Strassburg, France and stayed at the Hotel Cour de Courbeau. After 5 nights I went to Paris and stayed at the Hotel Maison Astor for 8 nights. Munich was as wonderful as always! I went to the Alte Pinathotek, the Egyptian Museum, the Lenbach Haus Museum, the Schwabing neighborhood, the Residenz Museum and plenty of time just roaming around. I ate at the same places I always eat at and they were as good as ever. I was in Munich longer than before and I enjoyed it. I wasn't concerned about getting anywhere and I relaxed and enjoyed the city and the hotel in a quieter way than usual. I took the train to Strassburg. There was no direct route so I had to go to Mannheim and then Strassburg. It was no problem. In Strassburg I stayed at a great hotel.. I belong to the Accor group of hotels and found this hotel on that website. The Hotel Cour de Courbeau was very wonderful! It is over the river from the main/old part of the city but it is only seconds. Really, I walked out of the hotel and across the street and there was the bridge to cross to the City Center. I loved Strassburg and this hotel! I had booked a prestige room and was upgraded to a suite. 2 rooms on the courtyard with a door out to the walkway that circled the courtyard. I had breakfast included which was served in the bar room that seemed to be always open. It was a beautiful building and the people there were absolutely great! Since I did not know the city they helped with suggestions for restaurants and made me reservations. It was a relaxing and enjoyable stay. If circumstances arose to be there again I would have no problem staying there again and would definitely stay at the same hotel. Finally, I went to Paris for 8 nights. I have been there several times before but it has been at least 10 years. This hotel is in the 8th arrondissemant. It is very near St. Augustin, St. Madeleine and the Arc de Triomph. I walked from here to the Louvre and to the Orsay Museum. In addition to these 2, I also went to the Concierge, the Carnavalet Museum and the Luxembourg Gartens. The people at the hotel helped me with restaurants and made reservations and everything was wonderful! I think the best days were when I was just roaming around. It is easy to buy a subway ticket either from the machine or from the ticket booth. The next time I am there, I will buy the card they offer and put 10 rides on it and then add more as needed. All the restaurants I ate at were French, except for 1 Italian. The food was great and the prices were consistant throughout. I enjoyed walking around and stopping for a wine or coffee somewhere. Be warned, you cannot get a dinner reservation before 7:00 pm.

Weimar 18 August 2024

I have not done anything new. But, I have been having a good time! Today was a dark, rainy day. I was up early but did not do anything other than listen to podcasts. About 5:00 pm I got dressed and went to Pomodoro. I had dinner there last night and discovered thqt my diary was missing. I knew th last place I had it was there. They had it. I then walked down to Frauentor and had 2 rose wines. The waitress I know ordered for me. I intended to go to Bim Bim for Chineses food but instead went to Versilia for dinner. I had a Negroni and then to eat mozarella and tomato salad and then hausgemacht past with gambas and zucchini. I also drank 2 red. It was great! Then I went to Altestuebe and had 2 Ehringsdoters and 2 raimozza(?). Now I am home.

Weimar 2024 II

Today, 16 August, is my 21st day in Weimar. Everything has been as expected. I did go to the Stadtmuseum to see the special exhibit on the Grossherzogin Sophie. It was small but for someone like me who knows about these people and is interested in it, it was great. I mostly enjoy the old photos of Weimar because it is fun to look at them and see the places I know. I have been running/walking in the park every day, which I enjoy. But at my age that means I need to come home, cool down, shower and take a nap! From here, on 29 August, I travel to Munchen for 8 nights. I have been there many, many times but it is still exciting. I look forward to eating in familiar places and finding new ones. It is the same here in Weimar. There really are no new places, but is very nice to return to the regular places and be welcomed back with a big smile and a "we haven't seen you in a while and are glad you are back". I don't think I am going to make any "small" trips this year. There is no where new to go and for some reason I just don't feel like getting on a train and going off for 3 nights. Maybe it is age. Anyway, I am feeling at home and happy to be here. It is always satisfying to function in German without trying.

Weimar 2024

I arrived in Berlin on July 19. I had an 8 night stay and it was great. I took it easy and did not need to rush anywhere. Of course I went to the Gemalde Gallerie and there was a special exhibit on Franz Hals that was great. I also got over to see the Egyptian Museum. I ate at the same places I always do and 2 new places. I ate at Amrit restaurant in the Orenianburg Strasse. It serves Indian food and was good. It was pretty crowded and the service and food were fine. I have had better Indian food, meaning more tasty, but if you want basic Indian it is nice. I also ate at a new Italian restaurant it is called Amon and is in the Charlottenburg Strasse. Phenominal! A little pricey, but worth it. It is small and I made a reservation, online, for the same day. The service was great and the food was incredible. On 27 July I arrived at my apartment in Weimar. Always nice to get back here. After 15 years, it feels like home. There is really nothing new going on here, and for the last 3 days I have just been taking it easy. I did buy some underwear and went today to Akbar's to get a haircut. I am only staying here for 5 weeks so I have no plans, yet, to take a week-end trip. But we will see.

Europe 2024

Well, I just completed my travel plans for 2024. Everything is booked and ready to go. I leave on July 18 and fly to Berlin arriving on the 19th. I will be at the Hilton for 8 nights. Then I am down to my apartment in Weimar. I am only staying there 5 weeks this year. Then, of course, it is down to Munchen where I will be for 8 nights. Then I go to Strassbourg, France for 5 nights. In Munchen I will be at the Hilton and in Strassbourg I will be at the Cour du Corbeau. It is a new hotel but from the Sofital chain. Then I go to Paris for 8 nights at the Maison Astor. I was in Strassbourg once in 2019 and I have not been to Paris in many years. I am excited for both. I made the stays in each city longer and cut back on the number of cities I visit on purpose. I no longer need the constant travel from place to place. I want the longer stays and to be able to settle in and relax more.