Thanksgiving in Prague

This Thanksgiving we didn't have the normal Thanksgiving dinner with Turkey and stuffing but we went to Prague, Czech Republic.  This was Sam and I's second time to Prague this year.  We were joined by our friends Rich and Svetlana, this was Svetlana's first time to Prague.

St Charles Bridge

Our first trip I believe is on our Blog way back in the beginning if I remember correctly.  We only spent a day in the city and the next day in Karlov Vary.  This trip we arrived in the evening following the 5 hour drive, on Thursday through till Sunday around Lunch time.  We were able to really enjoy the city at leisure and take in more sites and activities.

This trip we took a Boat cruise down the river which separates the city, in addition we took two tours.  One was a more historical tour taking you to three underground sites in Prague and the second was a Beer Tasting/ Brewery Tour through the city.  We stopped at three different places and had a variety of Beers.

City Center

Meet new people from all over the world and shared dinner at Hard Rock Cafe, where our server was an American who lived when he was younger here at Ramstein.

I have linked my Picasa web Album here:  Prague Pics to view the rest of our pictures from the weekend.

Having Fun

Armed Forces Classic

This fall the Armed Forces Classic was held on Ramstein AB in one of its massive hangers.  The court and bleachers were all set-up by volunteers as well as the Sports Center stage that was set-up a 1/4 mile away in a second hanger on Ramstein.


The game was played at midnight local time with UCONN vs. Michigan State.  I'm not much of a basketball follower but being at the game was Awesome.  I spent a few hours at Sports Center, and if people were watching they would be able to see us in the crowd behind the sports casters.  I have a few pictures below I took of the stage from where I sat and the front of the stage.

Front

From my Seat, both Sports Casters.

The game started promptly at midnight, this game was pretty interesting as UCONN had a brand new coach and the UCONN team had three native German's playing on the team.  One team member had individuals he knew form his home in Germany at the game!!  Had the choice of pretty much any seat we wanted.

Taken During Warm-ups

In the picture above, it is really hard to tell but it is an Airplane hanger on Ramstein.

Despite my interest in Basketball, having the opportunity to see this game here on Ramstein was Awesome!!

To read more about the Armed forces classic check out: Armed Forces Classic.

Never Forgotten Honor Flight

So been a bit behind keeping up with the blog, I know there are not a lot of people that read this but in my hope that someday I can go back and look at everything and be amazed of what I've gotten to do or see.  I am pretty lucky to have so many opportunities and have to snatch them when they are presented.

This posting doesn't have much to do with me here in Germany but with my Grandfather.  Back in October he was able to participate in the Never Forgotten Honor Flight.  This organization is sponsored by many local businesses and brings veterans from Midwestern Wisconsin to Washington DC where they are given a tour of many memorials in the city.

My Grandfather and Aunt, as the guardian, when along for the trip.  As I scrolled through the photos that were taken, it was great to see so many happy faces, and the faces of those remembering about there time serving in our U.S. Military.  What a great opportunity this was for so many, and a great organization this is to provide this trip to so many veterans.

To learn more about the Never Forgotten Honor Flight organization please check out there website.

Never Forgotten

My Grandfather was on Flight 10.  I've posted two photos of him below.

 

If I had the opportunity I would have loved to be there.  Such a great organization supporting so many Veterans!!

Transylvania Romania

 This year for Halloween we decided to do something a bit different then the usual Halloween Party.  We joined Ramstein Trips and Tours (RTT) on there annual trip to Transylvania.  Transylvania is one of the three regions of Romania.  This was a 3 overnight tour that took us through a number of cities in Romania.

After landing in Bucharest we took our bus to the city of Brasov about three hours from the countries capital. 


 Our first hotel stay and dinner was in a beautiful hotel in this city.  All our hotels were very modern with great accommodations.

We were in the city very early so there were very few people in the area and it was probably the coldest part of our trip.

 This photo show the city center of Brasov.  This city is known for the Black Cathedral.  We were unfortunately not able to go in to see the church but did see a Greek Orthodox church and part of a service. 

 

I snapped a picture of this at a bank in the city center of Brasov.  

 Following our stop in Brasov we jumped on our bus for a ride to Bran Castle.  The two photos above are of the castle.  This castle is famous because it is known as Dracula's Castle.  Queen Maria of Romania was given the castle as a gift. Today the Castle is owned by the descendants of Queen Maria and is open for tours. 

The Carpathian Mountains seen above with the snow caps are the only mountain range in Romania and we spent much of our driving time going through these mountain ranges. 

Taken in Sighisoara, where we spent our second night in Romania and Halloween.  We had dinner in the house that Dracula lived in as a young boy.  

 During the communist time in eastern Europe, Romania was greatly affected by this rule.  Our tour guide gave us a lot of information of how times were during the communist time in Romania.  Everything from the housing to the shopping.  The way of life has changed dramatically for so many in this country and continually changing.  To the right is a picture of one of the building that was built during this time.  Additional buildings such as factories and a number of block housing buildings were seen on our trip through Romania. This was a very interesting part of the trip to learn about this time period.  During my trip to Ukraine, we heard very little of this part of the countries history, so a very big difference in information that is given.

Additional info on Communism in Romania: Before Collapse - Global Museum

We spent the our last morning in Romania in the capital city of Bucharest.  We were able to see a Orthodox church a number of sites around the city and the Parliament Palace pictured above. 

The Parliament Palace was built by Communist ruler Ceausescu and is the second largest building behind the Pentagon.  This building was built where a city community use to stand.  With 12 floors its original intent was to be a building for the dictator to work as well as live.  It took 5 years to build and was never lived in.  The building was completed in 1989 after the collapse.

Today it used for a number of conferences held in the numerous halls throughout the Palace.  We were given a tour and saw eight of these enormous halls.  One today may also be used for weddings with the price of 10000-15000 euro. 

Overall it was a pretty good trip, we both were not the most excited about the long hours that we spent on the bus traveling, but did see quite a bit.  This was defiantly a trip that we would have never done on our own, knowing very little about the area and what actually to see.  It was also very convenient to not have to worry about hotels and meals included.

To view more of our pictures from the trip Check out the Picasa link below.

Picasa

Baden Baden

 October 23 we went on a day trip to Baden Baden.  Approximately hour and 45 mins from our area it was a beautiful day to enjoy a new city. 

It was at bowling the previous Wednesday that Svetlana and I decided we would like to see Baden Baden.  Our trip there took us through a small part of France and then back into Germany.

 Baden Baden is known for its thermal spas that are throughout the area.  This area lies at the foothills of the Black Forest.  Our trip though did not take us to any of the spas but, enjoyed the beautiful sun and city












 Many street performers were throughout the old city.  We spent most of the time in the old part of the city where there were many shops and restaurants and was filled with people everywhere. 

Brooklyn was also able to join us on our Journey to Baden Baden, she slept most of the way there and the way back was curious about everything while we were there.  

 We stopped at two different places, one to have a glass of wine and the second to have our lunch.  Our lunch mhh was not the best food out there but tolerable.  All the joys and experiences of living in Germany. 

Oh the Shopping, we didn't leave with anything at all but there was a lot to see, these hats were one.

Thanks Rich for the Photos. 

Chestnut Festival

As mentioned in my previous post, this fall I attended a Chestnut Festival in the City of Annweiler.  Approximately 45 mins to an hour from where we live.  It was a beautiful day to enjoy outside and a wonderful atmosphere.

Enjoying A good Bubblie!!

This was Columbus Day weekend so a three day weekend, so Sunday we were out at the festival all day knowing we had Monday to prepare for the week. The previous day I was in Stuttgart for the Volksfest.  Today Sam was able to join us, and was willing to be our driver so the rest of us could enjoy Neuer wine, as well as the chestnut beer, and likor.  All was very delicious.







Brooklyn joined us for our trip.  This is her getting a good view of the festival!!
 

Accidentally Photo, turned out pretty artsy!! Nice Job Sam




Another great weekend in Germany!!  Doing our best getting in a lot of traveling an festivals before the cold weather is here. 

Volksfest

The end of September and beginning of October bring many new things to Germany.  Colder temperatures, pumpkin festivals, chestnut festivals, changing leaves, and best of all Beer and Wine.

So far this year I have been to a pumpkin festival, chestnut festival, beer festival, and enjoyed a number of drives seeing the beautiful changing leaves.  This post I have a number of pictures I would like to share during our time at this years Volksfest. 

The Volksfest took place in Stuggart Germany about 2 1/2 hours from our area.  This I would say is very compariable to the October Fest in Munich, and maybe even better.  Last year Sam and I took the party train to Munich for October Fest, It wasn't wuite what I expected but what ever is. 

Rich, Svetlana, and I outside the Festival

 Svetlana and I both decided to wear our Dirndl's to the Volksfest, good thing we did (I would normally not link to Wiki, but did a good job of describing the Dirndl's).  For the most part we fit in.  No one else had worn the stockings, but I'm happy I did as it did get a bit chilly later into the evening.

New Facebook Profile Pic, Don't worry about that guy in the Background, No idea where he came from

At the Volksfest there were a number of food stands as well as carnival rides.  There was just about anything you wanted to eat.  All sorts of food and sweets!!

In Stuttgart, we were able to enjoy a good German beer anywhere in the fest area, unlike in Munich, beer could only be enjoyed in the large tents. Here I have myself a drink

 

Hope everyone is enjoying there October, more photos and fun to be posted on the blog, the next day after the Volksfest we went to a Chestnut Festival.  Post coming soon.

Rambilings

Sam's Birthday last weekend we had a great time going out with friends!!  Happy 27th Birthday to Sam!!!

Saturday we spent most the day at home, and Sunday I went out to the Pumpkin Festival.  Enjoyed once again some delicious food, didn't get a chance to try the pumpkin soup this year, but all was very good.  I was able to purchase some pumpkins to decorate our place and now have them throughout the house. 

This weekend we went to Neustadt Weinstrasse and enjoyed a great wine festival only about 40 mins from home.  Right now the wine of choice is the years Federweisser or new wine. This wine has about a 4% alcohol per volume.  A delicious wine all over in this area this time of the year.  Yesterday in Rüdesheim am Rhein we also had Federweisser. 

Back in May Sam and I went to Rüdesheim and enjoyed the Rhein River Cruise and the view.  I unfortunately forgot my camera so only took a few pictures on my phone, two below you can see the view and a picture of Brooklyn and I.  

Stopped at the Torture Museum a unique history.

Brooklyn and I using Instagram.

Rodenbach Wine Walk

Rodenbach, small village about 10 mins from our home had a culinary wine walk a few weekends ago.  This is the second time I have attened the wine walk.  Had a great time enjoying some very good wine and food along the walk through fields and trails and viewing the countryside.

I honestly can say I don't recall any of the wine's that I tried, all sweet wines.  We had all sorts of few such as fish sandwich and BBQ beef.  All was so good, never is there anything missed on the food here.  Above is a variety of photos of us all walking.  Sam unfortunately couldn't make it out with us, but we had a great time!!

Bad Dürkheim Wurstmarkt

 The Bad Dürkheim Wurstmarkt and wine festival begins every year in Mid-September.  Sam, Rich, Svetlana, and I went on September 8th to enjoy the festival.  This was my second year visiting the festival.  The city is approximately 45 mins from our house and in the middle of Germany's Wine street.  Every year around this time a number of wine festivals take place both in the Wine street area as well as along the Mosel (Bernkastel) and Rhine Rivers. 

This first photo show a picture of the entire area, from on top of the Ferris Wheel, the only ride I went on.  You can see on the left all the similar shaped tents.  These were all filled with wine sellers and seats filled.  It is always difficult to find a place to sit, and when you do no one wants to get up in case of losing there seat.  The larger tents had live bands, and more drinking.  We spent most of our time here dancing and having a good time.  There was all sorts of food to include 1/2 chickens, ham sandwiches, crepes and much more.

Sam and Rich with there Liter Beers.

Here at the festival all wine is served in half liter glasses.  We all got wine that was half mixed with sparkling water.  This is the only way to survive the wine fest!!

Svetlana and I

We had a great time dancing to a lot of German songs, having no idea what is being said.  It was Great!!

Sam and I on the Ferris Wheel

To check out more about the  Bad Dürkheim Festival click this link= Wine Festival. 

Greece

 I made it to Greece!!!  A place that I never thought in my life I would have the oppertunity to go until moving to Europe.  When many think of Greece, there first thought is Athens, and the Greek Islands.  I went to neither.   We spent four days in Halkidiki.  To see where this is check out the Map here.  Halkidiki is a part of Greece more eastern of Athens.  We stayed in the city near Koipingi, but traveled to many near by cities to see.  Most of our time was spent out on the beautiful beach enjoying the beautiful sun and water.  Our hotel we stayed at was along the beach a 40 second walk from our room we were on the beach!!

 A view from our room!!

Dinner one night, shrimp, potatoes,  Fried Zucchini (Kolokythakia), and feta!!

 Svetlana on the beach enjoying a Frappe, a common coffee for the area!!

  The beach, Beautiful!! Wonderful weather the entire time we were there!!

We spent the weekend with Svetlana's good Friend Angelina.

 Staple of very meal!! Greek Salad with Feta cheese and Tzatziki.

Me out at dinner enjoying our shrimp dinner and Ouzo!!!


We all had a great weekend!!  While Svetlana and I were in Greece Sam and Svetlana's husband Rich spent the weekend in Austria rafting and canoeing.  I think we choose the better trip as the water in Austria was very cold and not as enjoyable as our time on the beach, food, and party!!