Up early this morning, not by choice but because of the excesses of last night. We shook it off, had our showers and got ready to go, but didn't have breakfast. After last night, and the possibility of a large German lunch today, we didn't dare. So we hung around the hotel, did some stuff (not internet related, the hotel doesn't have it available to guests), and left finally at 10:45am to see Edith and Franz, Sonja's mom and dad. We had beer for Franz, some wine and flowers for Edith, and two sets of chewey treats for Schnoofie (aka Mischa, her real name) the Rottweiler. We met Franz and Mischa just returning from their morning hike as we walked down the street, just outside the flag-draped house. Greetings all around, and we entered their home. Franz showed us around the lower floor, under Mischa's watchful gaze, and we finally went upstairs. There we met Edith and Sabina, Sonja's sister, and were shown their large and lovely home.
Sonja's mom doesn't think that she speaks English very well, nor does Sabina, but they are wrong. There wasn't a moment of silence or discomfort in the next two hours, just non-stop chatter. Liberal use was made of a translating dictionary, for the tough words, but the rest was easy. We spoke what little German that Jan and I had practiced, and Edith and Sabina communicated very well in English. A fine time was had by us all, with lunch and looking at their and our photo albums. The common thread was Sonja, who was in their pictures and ours. Lunch was excellent, Pork tenderloin and Saurkraut and dumplings, with beer of course. Later, about 1:30pm, Sabina had to leave for work, and soon after that Jan and I left. Meanwhile, the resourceful Franz had fixed my jacket (busted zipper) and also arranged for servicing the Mercedes at the local shop. Those were great gifts to us, together with a unique bottle opener from Munich. As we left we arranged to meet with Christian, Sonja's uncle, later in the evening.
Eight O'clock rolled around, and found Jan and I at a pub a short walk from our hotel. There we found Franz and Edith and Christian, and some of Christian's friends. A long conversation ensued, fueled by much Bavarian beer and good fellowship, and lots of laughter. Christian and a lady friend are off to Canada on Friday to ski at Banff, then by car to Chilliwack where they will visit with Shane and Sonja and ski at Sun Peaks, then perhaps a visit to Whistler, then home again. We wished them well for their stay at the farm, too bad we won't get to see them there at the same time until the day, soon we hope, that S & S tie the knot. You hear that? Soon. Its not our business, I know.
Christian, and his friend Bernard, introduced me to a new German word. Schneit. I think that's what it is, and how it is spelled. It means, essentially, 'no I don't want another half liter of beer, because I'm drunk now and don't think I can walk home anyway. So just give me a half of the glass'. That's what its supposed to mean, but if you have enough 'Schneit' you wind up in trouble anyway. I did have more than enough schneits, and had the predictable trouble trying to walk home. Luckily Jan, who doesn't drink beer, was sober and could guide me.
Trouble struck when we got 'home' to the hotel, as the front door was locked. That was not good, and I wasn't impressed. It wasn't that late, midnight or so, and nobody told us there was a curfew. We found a side door, but the key didn't work there. I got mad and banged on the door but nobody came. I banged more, still nobody. Louder yet; nobody. Nearing desperation, and not wanting to smash the glass with my banging, I phoned Christian to ask what to do - maybe he knows the phone number of the hotel. He, being a real gentleman, jumped in his car and drove to the hotel to help us. But I, pacing around the hotel by then, found another side door that the key fit into and turned the lock. That happened just as Christian arrived, and I felt a bit silly at that point for disturbing him with my problems. So, Christian, if you read this, many thanks for coming to the rescue of Jan and I even though I managed to find the correct side entrance at the last minute. Off to bed for Jan and I soon after reaching the room.
Another uneasy night's sleep for me. Once again, too much beer although all I had for dinner was a big bowl of onion/noodle soup. It didn't sit well however, and rumbly-tummy prevailed through the night. Whose fault? Mine again. I'm old enough, I should be smart by now, but no. I think I'm destined to repeat my mistakes forever. But it always seems like such a great thing to do at the time. Someone will probably put that on my headstone.
