On the Road Again!
It has been another couple of days since I last wrote, so here’s an update:Monday’s highlight was a party in our honor at the Russian consulate in Bonn. First we met with the consul general (which was videotaped—very KGB). Next, we sat front row at a Russian folk music concert and then enjoyed a reception with former and current diplomats in Bonn. The specialty of the night was Salmonka (sp??), a Russian stew/soup with meat, pickles, green and black olives, dill, lemon and sour cream. I tried it (minus the meat) and it was quite good!
Tuesday’s program highlight was the cathedral in Cologne. One the priests took us beneath the cathedral to see the Roman ruins that lie under the main part of the cathedral. As an extra special treat, he took us to the top of the cathedral, where we could walk on a catwalk on the roof (I decided that watching the bats flying around inside was safer!) My cultural tour of Cologne continued afterwards when I met up with Torsten, with whom I had worked with at the Embassy. He explained the importance of Koelsch beer in Cologne and how drinking a liter after exercising is actually healthy because you replace nutrients lost while working out (yeah, OK!!;-))
Wednesday morning we all said goodbye to Bonn and headed for Berlin. The trip took about 8 hours by bus. The final stretch into Berlin was especially interesting because you could see the abandoned guard towers and military installations from the Cold War. As soon as I unpacked I headed for the falafel stand under the Friedrichstrasse train station, the place I remember having the best falafel last time I was in Berlin. As I munched on my sandwich while looking at the Brandenburg Gate, I decided that this will definitely be a great year! Afterwards I tried to explain the finer points of a chai tea frappachino to the guy who runs the Starbucks near the Gate. I think I got a mix of coffee and chai. It was actually pretty good, but I now have yet another mission while in Berlin—introduce the city to the chai crème frappachino!
Over and out!
-ET
posted by Erin @ 1:30 AM
3 Comments:
A friend of mine is working at Starbucks. We have to take a coffee together, then you can explain your special thai chi gong drink :-)
Hi Erin!
Your week sounds a little more intersting than mine. :) The highlight of my week was getting a plumbing problem fixed in my basement. You are definitely going to have a great year!
with love,
Steph
Hi Erin!
I'm so glad you decided to do a Blog! I've just read through your postings and it sounds like you are having such a great time...While I'm sad you've left DC so soon after we've reconnected, I'm so glad this is turning out to be such an awesome experience for you! Keep me posted on the spaetzle (and let me know if you know of anywhere in DC that has it...it so good!!!).
Emily
And 'Hi' to the Taylor family - I hope all is well!!!
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