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Published: October 4th 2009
The first day 10/4/09 - This is the first installment of Larry and Gail’s travel bog.
The journey began by taking a flight on Delta operated by Northwest on a KLM plane. Jackie was kind enough to take us to the Marta - We started our “Celebration” of Gail’s Graduation (the Terminal Degree - Doctor (EDD)) going to Europe (Germany) for her Graduation Present (Mercedes - Benz) and “Celebration” of our 40 wonderful years of Marriage (Gail may see this a little differently) with a trip to Germany and France. John was nice enough to open up the Delta Crown Room for us and we met a member of the Old Geezers Band, Jack. We had a great conversation with him and we might try to get Heritage Sandy Springs to set them up for next year. Jack was working in Europe and gathering info for his Doctorate concerning Expats that remain in country even if they change jobs. Gail told him Tom and Jackie’s international story for him to use.
After a sleepless night on KLM for Gail (however, Larry slept like a baby), we landed in Amsterdam and were surprised to find that this is where
we cleared customs - in long lines with no clear direction or signs. We of course got in a line that was great, but going to EU passports only, but an official in the close connection line, which we had tried to sneak into earlier came and got us as she remembered we had a fairly close connection. We were glad she came and let us finally go through the close connection line. Customs stamp was easy and quick, but we had to go through security again. In Atlanta we had no problems, but in Amsterdam the screener saw our small umbrellas and asked to re-check our bags. The nice TSA Agent took our bag off line and set it down on the floor. He then managed to speak with everyone who came through security and about every third person the screener wanted to check their bag, too. Needless to say there were several bags on the floor and we were getting tight on connections to Stuttgart. We finally convinced the TSA Guy that if the busiest airport in the world thought we were good so should he.
Made it to KLM gate B32 per all KLM people and
asked the gate Agent if the flight was coming into that gate and was on time and she said “Oh Yea!” or something to that effect in broken English. Gail at this time with about 30 minutes before the plane was to take off and no plane at the gate wanted to freshen up. She had been gone about 5 minutes when I heard over the PA System “Vinson party please report to gate B36 you are delaying our flight to Stuttgart” No one ever mentioned a gate change.
After checking our bags at the hotel, we took to D Bahn (We purchased tickets for € 6.40 each way, but never turned them in, had them checked or even looked at. We still have them!) to Esslingen (see pix) it was great and I took a pix of my lunch, it was an orange egg on top of flat meat loaf. We had potato salad, and now I know why Paul hid his potatoes in the sofa as a child.
Stay tuned for more exciting adventures to see if the “Dude” goes 120 mph and if Gail doesn’t kill him for doing it or if Gail will try
Esslingen, Germany
Beautiful Nekar River.the local cuisine or if Larry gets lost (a highly likely possibility)...
P.S. We have ever eaten so much on an airplane…we had a least three meals plus snacks on two flights.
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Valerie Harrison
non-member comment
WOw
WOW! Rock on Gail and Larry, rock on!