Zigeuner

Because of the Mardi Gras holiday and the ensuing brouhaha it had caused with our winter tire rental, we needed to get up early in the morning to meet with Annette Wagner, a representative of ED Winter Tires. She and her husband would be taking our car to their tire facility so that the original all-season tires could be put back on the car when they re-opened for business on Wednesday. One of them would drive our car while the other took the four of us and all our luggage to the airport. In a way, this was almost better than trying to cram all our newly purchased stuff and extra bag into the tiny BMW trunk. Annette could take us right up to the entrance of the airport. We wouldn't need to allow extra time ... read more

It was another night of hacking and wheezing on my part. I'm fine all day but as soon as I lay down I start coughing. It must be the down or feathers in the comforters. I still got adequate rest but I'm not so sure my mother was getting much of a vacation out of this. I was up at the usual 7 am hour. In this room we were living a much more spartan existence. No TV, no clock, no phone, a tiny bathroom with just a shower and a toilet that stood less than a foot from the shower itself. The sink was in the main room. My mother had to deal with my shaving and tooth brushing before I headed into the shower. Changing in and out of clothes in that bathroom required ... read more

You would think that after going 36 hours without sleep, except for a half hour snooze during Shakespeare on the plane, that I would've had a long night's rest once I climbed into bed. Yet I was up most of the night coughing my brains out. I assume I was allergic to the feather bed or some alien German mould in our room. I kept my poor mother awake as well. But when breakfast time rolled around I actually felt pretty refreshed. The planned itinerary for today was the cause for some concern before we left home. We would be driving through the Alps and a couple of high mountain passes on our way to and from Innsbruck. Innsbruck is only 50 miles from Innsbruck but it is over roads prone to receiving some heavy snow ... read more

As I get older I seem to get more and more excited, no sick, when departure day rolls around. I have learned to take a happy pill the day we fly and not only does it keep me from needlessly worrying, but it also knocks me out on the plane. The only time I take my Alprazolam is when I fly. I need some stress to keep me going in the rest of my life. The worst part of every trip is having to take our four legged friends to their accomodations. They know the minute we bring down our suitcases that they are going to Doggie Camp. As they get older I feel worse each time about leaving them for days or even weeks while we're off having a great time. The one consolation is ... read more

Our last day in London and while one group had one idea of a good time involving spending money on frivolities, the more intellectual of the two decided to cultivate their minds by taking advantage of the city's free cultural institutions. After another somewhat uncomfortable continental breakfast in the capacious and somewhat stuffy breakfast room at the Mandarin, we decided to make a return visit to the MINI dealership right around the corner. We somehow went there by way of Harrods department store which just so happened to be in the opposite direction. I got suckered into that one. Cassie then spent the next hour trying on 100 different pairs of shoes with Gail lending support. Tyler was hoping to find some Formula One racing merchandise, ie clothing, but the stuff I saw on a previous ... read more