European Trains Rule!

I am in Koln, Germany!  I flew into Frankfurt this morning and was headed to Brussels by train.  I arrived earlier than expected but followed the plan of taking a train from Frankfurt Airport to the main Frankfurt Train Station, and then getting on the train to Koln.  However, because I caught an earlier train, I had to take a train back to the Airport and then connect in Koln, where I am waiting for 3.5 hours because the second portion of my trip was a special ticket that is not changeable.  Oh well.

"Life is GREAT" -GB

I will try to post a few updates on mz blog as time goes on.  Sunday into Monday is still not yet planned, but I have some ideas.

The trains here are all electric, have automatic doors, have electronic marquees telling you the next station, are very smooth, etc.  I could live on one of these trains.  I do of course love Amtrak, but a few upgrades could get Amtrak at least to be close to the European trains.  I have not been on Acela, but I would think that it compares to Europes moderate level trains.  It is truly a nice ride (today) on the Deutsche Bahn.

I do not like the idea of pay for peepee.  Some places are free, but why should you have to pay to exercise a normal and required action of the body?

Martin, I still cannot grasp this German computer keyboard.  Many of the keys are in the same place, but a few are different and the characters are all over the place.  I guess I could just learn German to make it easier, but then you would not be able to understand me.

Thanks, family, for my blue carry-on roller duffle bag.  Though I always have trouble (but manage) to fit 7-12 days of clothes and stuff into it, it makes traveling easier, less painful on the shoulders and neck, and much simpler.

Thanks, Kim, for the strict advice/warning before I left about being "on vacation" and living life to the fullest.

Thanks to all of you who have in some way made (and continue to make) a difference in my life.

Not One Love, but Many Loves (to all of you)