Update

I'm moving my posts back over here.

Home Sweet Home!

Well after an exhausting 10 hour plane ride and 2 hour drive home I made it. I arrived in Houston around 8:30pm and headed back home close to 10pm. I was tempted to sleep at Bob's house but I was just ready to get back home. And I was glad I did. It felt wonderful waking up in my bed for the first time in a couple of weeks. Plus I woke up to a wonderful surprise, Robert's phone call. It was great hearing his voice! This week I plan to take it easy and visit family.

Naomi's Last Day

Today we took the shuttle bus from our crappy hotel to the airport where I dropped Naomi off for her flight home. The hotel was crappy because we ended up in a smoking room on the chain smoking floor -- it was pretty nasty! We used the Internet, and it cost us ten euros which is about what we pay for a month of it at home. On top of that, the shuttle was supposed to cost us five euros a piece, but by some stroke of luck we weren't charged for it.

I'm on the train back down to Innsbruck and it is pretty lonely. I have, however, had the fortune of private compartments -- let's hope that part keeps up. Traveling is much more fun in company than it is solo. I'm sure Naomi will be happy to get back home (where we do pretty much everything so much better!). It was sad dropping her off -- it's too bad security has to be the way it is. I'd like to have sat with her for a while before her flight left. I'm guessing she takes her dramamine and sleeps most of the 3851 miles to EWR.

Reflection

This trip has been awesome!  We have seen so much in such little time.  We took advantage of every moment here, even when I wanted to sleep in.  On average, we got about 5-6 hours a night of sleep.  But I wouldn't trade what I've seen and experienced for an extra hour of sleep.

The people have been very helpful and patient as Robert attempts to communicate in German. They appreciate the effort we were making.  The food was really good and that's coming from someone who's really picky.  There is probably one thing that I care never to eat again, Currywurst.  I mean, yuck!  

I look forward to our next trip, wherever that might be?  

Mailbag (Reply to Comments)

TP/Restroom:
While TP is not Mr. Whipple approved Charmin, it is alright and is not quite as wide as a standard US roll is is about the quality you'd expect to find in your standard public restroom.

The restroom attendant is actually waiting outside the restroom door -- you don't get in until you pay up!

I'd say Europe does toilets just a little better than Asia, but American toilets are second to none.

Food:
We have eaten a lot of street food (mostly because of my influence). It has all been very good. In Berlin my favorite was the Currywurst from Curry 36. In Innsbruck we both agree Magic Pizza is our favorite, where a slice of pizza is 1/4 the size of a large pizza. They also serve a tasty döner kebab sandwich.

Next year:
I think we're going to Buenos Aries.

Comments

Thank you all for you comments, I'll have a response up here in a bit to the questions.