The end of day 2 here and already time is just slipping away. It’s been a chilly, blustery first couple of days in Germany and the Benelux, but that was to be expected. The big surprise of Wednesday was actually seeing our bags arrive in Dusseldorf. Our connection at DFW wound up being really tight—like 25 minutes—and we pretty much figured there was no way the bags would make it. Having clean UPs this morning was a treat. DUS is a sprawling airport and the rental car ops there are a total C.F.
Last night we went out for the traditional first beer, caught the underground into Dusseldorf’s centrum and then grabbed a bit of dinner at Himmel & ÄHD, just down the street from our hotel. H&A features hearty German food and lots of beer all served around groups of long tables. It reminded me of U zlatého tygra in Prague only with a bit more emphasis on food and no pictures of Bill Clinton and Vaclav Havel on the wall. The rule in both places is when you arrive, beer is served and it keeps on coming until you say stop—tally kept with marks on a coaster.
Circadian rhythm adjustment is coming along. 11 hours of Zzzz’s last night was a plus.
Below are the Cliff Notes for days one through three.
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Date: |
Tuesday, April 24, 2012 |
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Begin/end the day in: |
Phoenix, AZ, US / in flight |
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Transportation: |
PHX-DFW-CDG on American Airlines |
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Main events: |
Fly, fly, fly… |
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Culinary highlights: |
Breakfast this morning was at Dick Clark’s AB in Terminal 3 at PHX. I jokingly asked our server if they were having a memorial service for Dick. Her surprising response was that yes, they’d considered it, but they were a Host International franchise, and Host wouldn’t allow it. |
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What we learned today: |
You actually can make a 25 minute connection at DFW for a CDG flight and still have your luggage the connection. |
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Lodging: |
In Flight |
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Date: |
Wednesday, April 25, 2012 |
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Begin/end the day in: |
Paris, FR / Dusseldorf, DE |
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Transportation: |
CDG-DUS on Lufthansa |
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Main events: |
Arrival in Dusseldorf |
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Culinary highlights: |
The Mixte from the Brioche Doree on the lower level of CDG Terminal 1 was pretty good—may have had something to do with being rather tired and a bit hungry. The real food find was Himmel & ÄHD in Dusseldorf. Laurel’s Schnitzel was wonderful and my Sauerbraten was fantastic. |
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What we learned today: |
The Dollar RAC operation at DUS is a bit of a pain in the okole. |
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Lodging: |
Tiptop Hotel National. Located in a charming neighborhood, it was a nice place for a wonderful night’s sleep after 30-somehting hours on the go. |
| Date: | Thursday, April, 26, 2012 |
| Begin/end the day in: | Dusseldorf, DE / Maastricht, NL |
| Transportation: | Peugeot something-or-other |
| Main events: | We told Randy, the GPS, to take us to Maastricht without using highways. It was a nice 3+ hour drive, but there must be 1,000 stop lights between the two burbs. |
| Culinary highlights: | Buffet breakfast at the National was as diverse as any we’ve seen and I ate, per spec, way too much. The prix fixe dinner at the restaurant in the Hotel Kasteel Vaeshartelt was delightful. My kaas (cheese) for dessert was so rich—dried fruits, figs and berries all paired with creamy, rich traditional Dutch cheeses. |
| Calabash: | It’s been two days now, and other than setting off two alarms at DUS, I don’t think a major international incident has been created. Amazing! |
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Lodging: |
Hotel Kasteel Vaeshartelt just outside of Maastricht. |