Happy Saturday morning. And actually, this week’s title; ‘canapé lit deux places’ is a bit of a lie. These past weeks crisscrossing Europe I slept well and did so comfortably. In fact, these past weeks have been beyond expectations and memorable to the extreme.

Even down to remembering that back at home we were getting close to running out of coffee. So, in downtown Berlin, I popped into a nearby Aldi’s (a ‘Nord’ branch one) and picked up a 1,000g bag. Schlepped it around for a week, and yes, entering the USA it was given a quick test for nasty drugs, but this morning I am sitting here drinking a wonderful mug of Barissimo’s ‘Caffé Gustoso’. Good stuff.

The most difficult ‘bit’ is catching up on the time and sleep deprivation – but I’m managing both. The other is shifting from temperatures hovering in the high 70s to being subjected to a week-long onslaught of high humidity coupled with real-feel temperatures between 101 and 105F. My body isn’t yet willing to accommodate.

Marcia keeps extending her arms – palms out, hands wiggling, and tossing out the words; “So Sorry”. That’s our current favorite way of saying; “No More”. Seems she has heard the many, ongoing stream, of my travel tales one too many times.

In all honesty it’s been difficult to not get caught up with the retelling of one happening after another.

Hence, I will just relate one bit (and possibly add to this a little on subsequent weeks). Let me know if that satisfies.

The Polynesian – community in SW Ohio is having a festival this evening in Beavercreek, OH. Tevita, our master roaster, is doing a pig. Vaioleti and Viliami are involved in dances (complete with Polynesian dress), Vili in the Polynesian intimidation Haka dance, and both in the working of Hawaiian Poi balls. This proves that there is absolutely no slow-down with our life here in the ‘hood’.

The trek home – As you might guess, detailing my crossing the pond on the way home tells my tale in reverse order – so be it. Subsequent weeks will have details of a different single stand-out event. So, stay tuned as my tale unfolds.

These days all of Europe is wrapped up in the UEFA EURO 2024 soccer tournament. One of the many cities hosting is Munich. We, Kirstin, Derek and Kellen, and Moi, were there for the German-Scottish match. The ‘Tartan Army’ ruled the city. Whole city squares were wrapped in song; “No Scotland No Party”.

A day later I was on a train heading for Amsterdam and my flight home (Kirstin and the boys flew out of Munich). Boarding I had a table seat and except for a few Germans the wagon was filled with partying Scottish lads heading for their team’s next venue.

When I say “partying” it’s serious stuff. They were awaiting my arrival with a cold brew on the table. And a never-ending stream of ‘brewskies’ kept on coming. Singing in the aisles and hugs all around. What a time!!!

Oh, oh, a problem. First, a broken train ahead of us had us stuck in a tunnel for 40 minutes. An hour later the train again stopped. This time for Police up the track time to clear drunks of the same track (this is a bullet train mind you). Traveling and massive delays are not conducive to efficiency and deadlines.

In this case I missed my connection to Amsterdam from Dusseldorf – and that was the LAST train of the night. Horrid for catching my early morning flight.

With some help from my compatriot partygoing Scotts and a German lady who came from a village a few kilometers from where I was born, I was parked in front of the Station’s, Deutsche Bahn railroad manager. 20-minutes later I was on a pre-paid (courtesy of Deutsche Bahn), new Mercedes taxi van which dropped me off at Terminal 3 – Schiphol airport Amsterdam at 3AM.

Life is AMAZING!

I won’t bore you with the details of delays and other hiccups and lack of Customer Service concerns by United Airlines. Let it be said that my scheduled 3:00PM return to the ‘Nati’ was magically moved to 9:00PM.

Now – Welcome back to my readers. Thanks for hanging in

May Peace prevail! Shalom.

Dirk

BONUS POINTS:
Question, answer in subsequent weeks. French Huguenots favored:

1) John Calvin
2) City of Berlin
3) Dutch Poffertjes
4) Soccer
5) Gouda Cheese
6) EV Bicycles
7) Rocky Road ice cream