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The Mini-Meet-Up happened on Saturday, as planned. I arrived at the meeting point on time and found Rich waiting for me. We exchanged cordialities, looked at Starbucks, and decided to go to the pub next to it for beer instead.
Shortly afterwards, we were joined by Jen – who had left Sparky to mind the car (for the bags of the travellers) and also had no idea that Rich would be attending (that was arranged at the last minute). Rich offered her a beer and she took it! He managed to keep Starbucks Queen out of Starbucks!
The three of us chatted while drinking our beers and about 30 minutes later, Rich and Jen had a ‘lack of Starbucks’ attack and went off to get some. That was fine, because it left me as the first person to greet Carol, Daughter (now called E on here) and Vailian.
We set off from the train station to the car, where it was decided that the bags and women would be driven by Sparky to the restaurant (they probably got that buy using fake British accents) and the guys would walk. No problem as I know Frankfurt well.
So, we strolled.
The walk took about 25 minutes and we got to know each other. Actually, Rich and I got to know Vailian, as we already knew each other. Vailian fit the impression I had from his blog: a well spoken musician that had interesting experiences to share and also a proud dad.
Rich. How does one describe Rich? It wasn’t my first time meeting him, so I’ll give it a shot by saying he’s a loving father and dedicated husband that loves to flirt with beautiful women (but only flirt). He’s also the buddy you chill with in the pub on Friday nights to nullify the effects of a stressful week while talking about nothing and everything, and also laughing (with and at each other) and watching sports on the big screens while enjoying delicious refreshments.
If you want to know what Carol is like, read her blog. She’s just like that in person – a loving mom, a business woman with morals, fun, funny, deep, witty and clever and never lets the conversation die. She’s quite open to all topics and is quite eager to learn about whatever others want to share with her. E is exactly the same, if not moreso, and definitely has a bright future ahead of her.
I don’t need to say anything about Jen and Sparky. If you don’t already know that I think the world of them, read my archives.
I complain a lot about customer service in Germany, so I have to give credit to the waitress that took care of us (Anne). She spoke excellent English and was friendly, attentive, patient, efficient and tolerant – everything a waitress should be – and even a bit flirty with the guys. So happy were we with the service that we tipped her ‘American-style’ (waiters/waitresses don’t pool their tips here).
We spent five hours at the restaurant and the time flew by. Topics of discussion:
- blogging;
- post travel blues;
- football/soccer;
- bdsm;
- teaching;
- Germans;
- the differences between attitudes towards sex in the US and Germany;
- great commercials;
- swinging (not the kind that requires swings);
- bonking babies on the head with soccer balls;
- exhibitions of manliness.
We parted ways at the parking garage: Sparky and Jen ferrying Rich home, Carol, E and Vailian taking a taxi to their hotel near the airport and me walking back to my hotel. I was invited to join the Sparky Carpool, but didn’t want to. It wasn’t raining and not too cold, so I wanted to spend the walk savouring the evening and people I had spent my time with.
There are times when Germany definitely doesn’t suck and this was one of them.
StudentG: ‘When I was younger, I broke my arm and had to go to the hospital and have it x-rated.’
J: ‘What did you have done to it?’
SG: ‘They x-rated it. You know – took pictures and looked at the bone.’
J: ‘The verb is x-ray. X-rated is for adult movies.’
*class bursts out laughing and SG turns bright red*
Taken this morning in my town on a Bitburg (BIT) registered car.
Yes, the crazy Central Germany bloggers are at it again. In honour of Carol’s last night in Germany, we’re arranging a mini-meet-up. Come meet her and her daughter!
When: 29 September 2007
What time and where: Two options:
1. 16:00 at the Frankfurt HBF in front of Starbucks inside the station;
2. 18:30 or later at Yours Australian Bar – Rahmhofstr. 2-4 (Schillerpassage)
60313 Frankfurt. Phone: 069 282 100.
Who: Anybody is welcome to attend. So far it’s Carol and daughter, Jen and Sparky and me.
Come one, come all, Frankfurt area bloggers. Let’s give them a great send-off!
Probably the easiest Photo Friday ever for me. Taken on 11 May in Valencia, Spain.
how many more is it going to take for the US to realise it needs to do something about gun control?
2 students shot at Delaware State Univ.
By RANDALL CHASE, Associated Press Writer
Two students were shot and wounded, one seriously, at Delaware State University early Friday, and the campus was locked down as police searched for a gunman, officials said.
The students were apparently returning from a cafe when they were shot, according to a federal law enforcement official who spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation was ongoing.
Ironically enough, on the same day some Repub candidates addressed the NRA.
I get paid in Euros and not US$.
The U.S. currency also plummeted to a new low Thursday against the 13-nation euro, which traded above $1.40 for the first time since it was introduced in 1999. The euro rose as high as $1.4098 Thursday before falling back to $1.4076, up from $1.3964 late Wednesday.
It’s International Talk Like a Pirate Day again! You can even do it in German
Avast, ye landlubbers – you’ll have to walk the plank if ye don’t tell me your pirate name!
My pirate name is:
Dirty Tom Rackham
You’re the pirate everyone else wants to throw in the ocean — not to get rid of you, you understand; just to get rid of the smell. You have the good fortune of having a good name, since Rackham (pronounced RACKem, not rack-ham) is one of the coolest sounding surnames for a pirate. Arr!
Get your own pirate name from piratequiz.com.
part of the fidius.org network
I have no idea where to start after such a great holiday, so I won’t. I’ll just leave you with the final baseball standings.
They’re a bit deceptive, though if you look at the top six (click to enlarge). There is actually a three way tie for 2nd place, so there really isn’t a 3rd or 4th place.
last day of great weather;
last day of baseball (probably);
last day of speaking a language I love;
last day at the beach;
last day of eating outside;
last day of wear shorts;
etc.
I´m leaving Spain tomorrow at Too Early O´Clock and will be home in time to work tomorrow afternoon.
Sigh.
Anyway, off to the beach I go.
