Guten Tag Sweet Friends!

Yesterday, I got busted again for not posting anything. Like I told Tam Tam, all I’ve been doing since I returned from Vienna is trip planning, boring stuff in my opinion, and nothing to write home about.I have a trip to Munich this weekend with Doc, and then Ty comes next week and we leave for Athens where we spend two days and then board our ship. We cruise from Athens to Rome where we will stay for four days. I have been researching hotels, airport and cruise transfers, things to do, booking tours, etc. I think I could get a job as a travel agent by now!

But, on Sunday, my friend Maggie phoned and invited me to go with her and her husband Peter to the Botanic Garden and have coffee and cake at the new restaurant that just opened there. It was a fine day, and since I had been sitting in front of my computer for almost three days doing nothing but research, I said YES! Please get me out of this place and outside for some fresh air!!

Maggie nor I had not been to the botanic gardens so it was an adventure for both of us. The gardens were lovely. Not too big and nothing overwhelming, but they had a pretty English garden, an ornamental garden, a tropical greenhouse with many tropical flowers and cacti, and a gorgeous dahlia garden that was small but beautiful. We met at the new cafe, Dank Augusta, which means “thank Augusta,” and refers to the empress who built the first botanic gardens in Colonia and decreed them open to the general public. The restaurant offers a picnic style meal with food in glass jars and handed to you in a rubber basket with a bottle opener and everything you need to enjoy your food. You can eat at one of their tables or take your basket into the garden and eat. It’s a very nice concept and the food was great.

We walked around the gardens and when it looked like it might rain, we ducked inside the greenhouse. When we came out, the clouds had blown over and the sky was clear and blue. It was beautiful. Here in Koln, a storm can whip up out of nowhere! It’s crazy. Just when you are preparing your things to go outside and enjoy some sun, the next thing you know there are dark clouds everywhere and the wind starts howling. I rarely go outside without an umbrella. See, I can learn!

After the gardens, I returned home and decided to watch a movie. I watched a film from an Indian director called The Lunchbox. It was wonderful! I loved this enchanting love story. It’s a low-budget, independent movie that I rented online; but if you can find it, watch it. You won’t be disappointed.

I enjoyed my walk through the garden, but next morning, I was back at the computer doing research. I have been very productive and have most everything booked except for the shore excursions. I meet Doc in Munich Friday morning, so I still have a few days to continue doing research. While we are in Munich, we are making a trip to Dachau concentration camp. This will not be a pleasant walk through the garden, but it’s a walk everyone should take. I’m looking forward to making that walk and honoring those who died there.

I hope your day is a gorgeous walk as you continue your beautiful journey!!!