May 7

~ THE LAST DAY

It’s over!  It’s done!  This is it!  It only took 6 months to blog a 3-week trip.  I guess I’m just slowing down my old age.  Hope you enjoyed the show?

[We left the hotel with Pam and Tom early in the morning just to say good-bye.  They were staying a bit longer, and at this time taking the train out to see tulips.  A bit later the Super and I would be taking a taxi to the airport.]

[Good-bye!]

[The long Minnesota good-bye!]

[There’s their metro stop.]

[Yeah, good-bye already!]

[The metro map from our station.]

[I have no idea where they were going . . . but I think they did, and that’s what’s important.]

[Pam’s parting shot.  Good-bye!]

[The Super and I went for a little neighborhood walk and saw a duck.  He didn’t speak English.]

[We walked the canal path to the first crossover and then came back.  Pretty exciting!]

[Back to the station just in time to see Tom and Pam board.  Good-bye!]

[And before you know it, we were airborne.]

[I’m not sure where we’re over here . . . but I can tell it’s land.]

[We seem to be getting higher . . . and no, we did not buy any marijuana.]

[Ahhh, the mighty Mississippi and Home Sweet Home.]

Parting Shots

[And thanks be again to our travel agent!]

[We will feature here Pam’s overall trip photos, because on several of the occasions . . . I’m on the subject side of the camera!  Ha!  This will be a quick synopsis (OK, maybe not so quick) beginning with Budapest, our first dinner on the town.]

[Then the day trip to Szentendre.]

[We never met a wine cave that we didn’t like.]

[When lost, follow the tracks!]

[Then heading back to Budapest – with a sunburn!]

[And a couple of days just roaming around “B” town.  May the art by with you.]

[My lost watch was left right there, to my left, on the bench . . . ]

[And just to the right of the Super.]

[OMG, Kim Kardashian!!]

[We’ve been framed!]

[Stairway to heavenly.]

[Eye on the prize . . . ]

[Creeping down the alleyway.]

[General milling around.]

[“Budapest” . . . so our pursuit was successful!]

[Came disguised as American tourists.]

[On the boat, down the river . . . ]

[Here’s lookin’ at you, kids!]

[The professor and I share in the Medicare health plan doctrine that an older person should never pass up an opportunity to be goofy.]

[Feed me!]

[Appears to be Vienna but don’t hold me to it.  It was a long time ago.]

[Always remove your camera over the top of your head . . . although occasionally I come close to losing an ear.]

[Outside was too cold . . . we moved in.]

[Oh, you silly boys!]

[Oh, you silly girls!]

[Vienna was the coldest day.]

[This is all just so much fun!]

[Little were aware that this gave me x-ray vision . . . ]

[Time once again for brats, potato salad, sauerkraut und beer.  I love it!]

[Leaving the bus for a walking tour of . . . well, I remember the place if not the name at the moment.]

[Finally, an outdoor place to eat and drink . . .]

[In Bamberg.]

[Meanwhile back on the boat, no doubt discussing the relevance string theory in a world of cupcakes.]

[We’re in a lock.  But they promised to release us when we got to the top.]

[Synchronize your watches and be back here at the same time a week from Tuesday.]

[Does your dog bark German?]

[A tree hugger’s tree hugger.]

[Little did we know it was a crime to hug a tree.]

[Why yes, a burger and fries for lunch sounds great!]

[In the absence of escalators . . . ]

[Our destination induced bouts of acrophobia and claustrophobia.]

[Brats, potato salad, sauerkraut, und beer . . . ]

[The longer than we thought hike back to the boat.]

[So, three Minnesota Democrats walk in to a bar . . . well, a wine bar . . . ]

[Tom’s place of employment 46 years ago as a freshly-minted lieutenant.]

[Front rows seats on a river cruise . . . hard to beat!]

[ . . . and then the Hapsburg Empire collapsed.]

[Mustard, please.]

[All managed to escape the continent before Interpol intervened.]

[Just me and my Mae West!]

[Happy Birthday, Tom!  The Big Six Nine!]

[All hail the Master Lock!]

[Pretzels and beer!  Woo-woo!]

[Brat and kraut!  Woo-woo!]

[Until we meet again . . . ]

[Watch out for the deer in the river!]

[Amsterdam]

[So, good-bye . . . from Budapest again?]

When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money. Then take half the clothes and twice the money.  ~  Susan Heller

And always remember . . .

Up Next:  Winter sports season or . . .