Friday, October 26

Train travel is civilized, especially here on the ICE train from Basel to Frankfurt airport.  All the seats have fold down trays or, like where I am sitting, tables facing the seats opposite.  I elected not to reserve a set on this train, and therefore I have had to move to accommodate those who did.  No problem, there was a very nice young man who volunteered to put my 23 kg suitcase up on the storage shelf and then bring it down when we reach the airport.

There was nice young steward who came by with a trolley with coffee and snacks -- reminds me of Harry Potter, but the selection was not nearly as interesting.  Wifi is complimentary on the ICE (inter city express) and most people are talking to their phones or computers.  In addition, you can connect to the ICE site and select from a number of books that they will read to you as you sit back and relax.  Nice!

The next part of this adventure involves flying to Sweden this afternoon and meeting up with Rich, Jenn and the 2 sweeties tonight for supper.  We have a hotel for tonight and then are on a flight early tomorrow to Gran Canaria where we will be in a two bedroom apartment on the beach.  We booked all inclusive so that everyone gets a vacation.  Sounds grand.

Standing at the Lufthansa counter reminded me that the one and only time either of my parents made a trip back to Germany, it was my father, in 1963 (just after the Cuban missile crisis), who flew Lufthansa to Frankfurt where one of his brothers picked him up.  Dad didn't recognize him after 10 years. For us kids, the highlight was all the Lufthansa freebees that were brought back.  What a long time ago.