P.s.

Read back and look at the "sussgirl" comments. Jana has had bit of fun
adding her perspective to the "oktoberfest 2008" narrative!

No wind

Sooooooo day one of kitesurfing was a bit of a false start. Showed up
at the appointed time, and julia, my teacher, gave me a complete
lesson in the gear.... But we were unable to get any kind of a kite to
fly. Boo. All excited to get wet, and be physical, and nothing. Julia
was very accompdating, and we went paddle boarding (standing on a
super Long surfboard, paddling) around the bay. Nice, but not
"exciting". Hung out and had a few beers at the cafe while the folks
that worked there shut the place down. They invited me to join their
BBQ, but after hanging a few minutes, I opted to return to the hotel.
The surf camp reminds me so much of the river camp in September.
Quiet, and an intimate space for the people living there.

I returned to the hotel for a lovely dinner, n some more time to relax
(with a liter of wine or so!).

It is my overly acitve nature that when presented with the perfect
opportuinty to relax, I don't know what to do with myself. Sigh.

Keep your fingers crossed for some wind tomorrow!

Reading and dozing...

Woke up this morning to the sound of rain, and figured that might be
an interesting twist to my first kitesurfing lesson this afternoon.
Humph. It has since cleared up a bit, and the sun is even peaking out.

Crawled back into bed after breakfast to read some more. The book I
brought with me (the little book, by selden edwards - i heard it
reviewed on NPR a few weeks ago) is thoroughly engaging, and a fun
vacation read! Quite a little journey. It let's you think you have
figured out where it us going... Then throws in another twist.

Couple more chapters, then I am off for some much needed physical
activity!

OMG! That has to be the funnest iPod ever!

(she says in her very best valley girl accent)

The "fruits" of our labor

After a healthy nap, and a few decadent hours reading, I couldn't help
myself... Had to see how the launch turned out.

Hello kanye legal line! Ha. At least the album art didn't change
again. Ok, I know, very much not funny for those involved. Apologies.
Hope y'all can take a nap day soon.

Note to self:
1/3 of the way around the world turns out to be a healthy distance
from the madness.

Time for a nap.

The little Peugot and I made it back to the hotel, I settled down with
a beer to send off emails from the day... And in am off for a little
nap. :)

Awh, nap. Shutting down... ZzzzzzzzzzzZ

Countryside

Driving through the countryside

Did a little loop north to a little town between two lakes, Plon. By
the time I got there, it was setting just how tired my brain was.
Reading signs and adjusting to village speed limits took their toll. I
kept pullung off to the side to let cars pass because i was being such
a grandma driver! I was sleepy, and need to shut off for a bit.

Summer has come and gone on the Baltic sea

First destination was a little beach town north of Lübeck called
Travemünde. Followed signs to parking for the "strand" (beach). Walked
about 5 min and ended up on the beach boardwalk. It was just shy of a
ghost town this time of year, but I could tell that it is quite the
happening place in the summer!

Walked for a bit, then sat down, and managed to get myself a beer and
some lunch (previous blog entry)... Then hit the road again.

Truly on my own for a bit, I have this compulsion to keep moving, but
my body and brain are quite exhausted. Compulsion won out... Turned
the car north, and took a little drive through the countryside.

Take me outta the city!

Girl wonder hits the road solo

Dropped Jana off at the train station around 1pm, set the GPS to get
me back to the highway, and I was off on my own. It was a little
hectic at first (seeing as I had driven on the wrong side of the road
in front of the train station, with polezi behind me right before
dropping Jana off. Oopse.).

I am so thankful that the Sussman's trusted me with the GPS, it is
comforting, but distracting at the same time. First 20 min driving
alone was a bit frazzling, paying attention to signs, traffic, n
trying to figure out where to go, speed limits, and if the GPS was
sending me in the right direction?! Ugh. Not relaxing at all.

I switched to map only mode, and relaxed into trusting that wherever I
ended up would be fine.

Yea! Managed to feed myself... In german

Eine Bier, pommes frittes und Bratwurst bitte. Danke.
Ummm... I don't understand what you just said in return. Ok, I'll just
pay you while we both nod and smile. Danke.

Next up, finding a bathroom?!

Bizarre marzipan treats...

Pigs feet and bratwurst in marzipan anyone??? Ha.

The home of marzipan!

Lübeck is known as being the home of the delicious treat marzipan....
So of course Jana and I did some shopping!!

Love the point of interest plaques all Over lubeck!

Me and the little devil outside st. Mary's church

There is a story bout this little guy being quite the party animal!

Lübeck

Day 5 - touristas hit the streets

Arriving in Lübeck... Parked the car, and we have a few hours to tour
around before Jana has to catch her train home.

Welcome to Lübeck!

Main gate to the City - Holstentor

Deutsch (amendment)

Ok. So Jana would also like me to fess up to the fact that the
remainder of my pocket list of german words consists mainly of the
various kinds of "fleisch" (or meats) I might find on a menu.
Important, no?!

Johnkim... I think you should reconsider coming. By time you get here,
I will be a pro at ordering. Ha.