Berlin/Munich
May 8, 2011 

Distance Traveled today:  362

Distance So Far:  9964   10, 326

Red letter day:  Passed the 10, 000 mile mark‼

Speaking of my ease with the public transportation system in Berlin, I do have to say that I am good at this.  This traveling thing.  You can plop me down in a strange city and I figure out what I need to figure out with a minimum of hand-wringing or fretting.  I’m not intimidated by figuring out the subway maps, or using my non-existent prowess in the local language to find out what I need to find out, or anything.

When I got here Monday night, I was tired, and I stumbled about the gigantic and intimidating Alexanderplatz train station trying to figure out how to buy my week transport pass.  A few days go by, and you should have seen me this morning:  Hopped off my train, gathered my breakfast from three different vendors all on the way to the tour meeting place, nary a misstep, and I got there early.  I am good at this, if I do say so myself.  And I do.

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The train ride was pleasant, but could have been nicer.  I had splurged for a (not very expensive) first class ticket, and had even reserved a seat in the “Quiet Car.”  Nice.

I hauled my luggage into a cab and headed to the train station, had breakfast at McDonalds (real American breakfast, Egg McMuffin, just like God intended), and then made my way to the gleaming ICE Train.  Found my seat, got settled in . .  and then in came Mommy and her Loudmouthed German Daughter.  In the Quiet Car?!?  A young child and a Quiet Zone simply don’t go together.  What was she thinking?

Anyway, the kid wasn’t too bad and I thoroughly enjoyed the six hour ride.

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The Munich Palace Hotel is, despite its name, a small boutique “luxury” hotel just a short walk (yay!) from the Client’s office.  The only problem?  NO FREE INTERNET.  I am afraid I threw a bit of a fit.  “Really?   In 2011? Making me pay for internet is like charging me for towels and soap!”  It’s expensive, too, and not even that good a connection.

I considered doing without the internet in my room in the evenings.  I considered this plan for about as long as it would take you to list all the good Adam Sandler movies.  I realized that, particularly without a phone, it would just be too depressing.  This is a very long trip, and I’ve really grown to need the connection I feel through my laptop.  The manager of the hotel is working on getting me something of a deal for my 12 days here.  Fingers crossed.

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By the way, what is it with Germany and its gay kings?

Notable German Rules Who Were Or Who Probably Were Friends of Dorothy

• Frederich Wilhelm I of Prussia – obsessed with tall soldiers
• Frederich II (The Great) of Prussia – his dad (Frederich Wilhelm I, who you’d think would have been a bit more understanding, considering his thing for soldiers) had his first boyfriend executed
• Ludwig II of Bavaria – constructed Neuschwanstein Castle, probably the gayest castle in Europe