Eva and Leudinghausen, Germany

Finally, we're back online.  We've either been too busy to write or we haven't had a wifi connection.  Now, from a Swedish computer (äääåååööö!!!), I'm recounting the first two of nine days in Germany.

On Friday, July 30, we flew from Venice to Dusseldorf for a visit with Eva, one of four German au pairs we visited.  We departed our Venice flat at 10am for a half hour water taxi ride to the Venice airport for a 1pm flight...plenty of time to spare.  The taxi ride was much like a ride in a NYC cab -- fast and wild.  Adam sat in the rear of the boat with his new Swiss hat on his head.  I recommended he remove it for fear the wind would take it.

Our water taxi driver in Venice (Mario Andretti) helps Adam into the boat.

Riding through the streets of Venice in a taxi was a truly magical experience.

Adam sits in the back of the boat with Venice behind him.

Once we hit open waters -- Venice's version of the Autobahn -- Adam held onto his cap!

The Venice airport was a mob scene, but the kids are seasoned travelers by now and kept their cool.

Boarding our Air Berlin flight in Venice enroute to Dusseldorf.

The Venice airport was absolute chaos.  Finding the Air Berlin counter was nearly impossible, and once we found it, we waited in a long line.  Then, the line to pass through airport security was non-existent.  Instead, it was a mass of pushing people who, like us, had no idea where to find the end of the line.  Finally, after a few aggressive moves, we managed to find our place and work our way to the gate.  After checking through security, we had 45 minutes to spare - at most - before our flight departed.  One curious note about airport security in Europe - no shoe removal as in the US.  I guess I was a bit surprised - I thought security would be tighter in Europe and removing footwear would be essential.  Not so.

The short hour-long flight to Dusseldorf was pleasant and smooth.  We were greated by Eva - so nice of her to meet us at the airport -- and found our way to the car rental desk where we began a nearly 2-hour experience!

Eva met us at the airport in Dusseldorf

Our car was pre-paid - a minivan to fit seven passengers and baggage.  When we arrived at our car (after a normal check in), we discovered a small SUV with seating for five.  Impossible for all of us to fit.  So, with Eva's help, we went to the garage rental car desk (rather than back to the main terminal) and asked for a car that would seat seven.  We found the new car, which looked quite small (but did, indeed, seat seven) and began to load our luggage.  After several tries, we came to the conclusion that the luggage would not fit and that the configuration (even if all the bags would have fit) was unsafe -- especially with a large heavy bag stuffed with three scooters. 

So, back to the car rental desk we went.  The man at the desk told us that he didn't have any larger cars, except for one.  Eva and I checked it out -- a Peugot.  It wasn't much bigger than the first car, but it was wider.  It seemed to me to be a better choice for us.  But, the keys were at the desk back in the terminal (rather than at the desk in the garage where we were), so we trudged back to the rental desk in the main terminal for the keys.  We all fit in the new car (all seven of us - with Eva), and our luggage mostly fit.  Terry ended up with a suitcase on her lap, but we all survived the hour-long trip from Dusseldorf to Leudinghausen.

When we arrived, we were greeted by Eva's parents and brother and a bottle of champagne!  We enjoyed a traditional German dinner of beef stew (sort of a goulash) with spatzle and dumplings (I can't recall the German name - maybe Eva will help me!).

Adam, Christine (Eva's mom), Hannah, Max (Eva's brother), and Eva enjoy a laugh.

The next day - Saturday the 31st of July - we visited Munster (a short car ride from Leudinghausen) where we took an informal self-guided tour through the cathedral and then walked the streets. It was market day, so we strolled through the stands of vegetables and fruits, cheeses, sausages and other meats, and many other goods including hand-made jewelry.  Our day also included a visit to a few stores for a German soccer shirt for Dan, chocolate for all the kids (Dan got a chocolate Smart Car and Hannah found a chocolate cell phone), a dress from H&M for Hannah, and a few souvenirs and postcards.

Christine and Eva with the kids at the market in Munster.

The cathedral in Munster.

Munster is known as a city of bicycles...and EVERYONE bikes!

Terry and my mom were sleeping at Eva's grandmothers, and that night we went to her home for a barbecue.  We were served grilled sausages and bratwurst, steak, and chicken in addition to several sides including Eva's grandmother's German potato salad.  Eva's Uncle Peter built a bonfire, and the kids had a great time poking it with sticks, jumping on a trampoline, and playing hide and seek with Eva and her brother Max.

The kids and me with Eva's mother, father, grandmother, and brother. 
We had a great barbecue at Eva's grandmother's home.

Peg with Eva's parents - Eva's Uncle Peter was our chef.

This isn't the sharpest photo, but it shows what a great time we had with Eva.  The balls were fountains, and Eva had just held her fingers on the spout at the top and sprayed the boys with water.

On Sunday, the day of our departure, we visited a local castle that, according to Eva and her family, is considered the Versaille of Westphalia.  It was huge with beautiful sculptured gardens.  The castle is not open for tours, but we enjoyed walking the grounds for an hour or so.

Breakfast was always a spread with cheese, meat, hard-boiled eggs, bread, yogurt,
muesli, homemade jams, and vegetables (sliced cucumbers and tomatoes).

Fresh berries from the market in Munster, liverwurst (on the plate - left side),
sliced meats, and homemade apricot and gooseberry jam.

Hannah and Dan's favorite - Nutella! (Adam has a hazlenut alergy, so he misses out).

We returned to Eva's for a cup of coffee and a piece of cheesecake before departing for Schloss Holte, Germany for an overnight visit with Monika.

The castle near Leudinghausen - Schloss Nordkirchen.  It was built by a German duke
as a hunting retreat.  I believe it was built in 1703.

A self-timed photo of all of us!

Our group at the castle!

Eva and the kids just prior to our departure.