My German Family

My Dear Great Ones,

I have a wonderful family in Germany who are encouraging, generous, smart, and at times very funny.  It was great visiting them recently.  The fact I can call them family is amazing considering  I grew up in another country and continent with a different culture, language, and political system.  For a while Canada was an enemy of the old DDR, German Democratic Republic, where many of my German family were born and spent the majority of their lives in.  Yet despite all that, family bonds are stronger and my life is a lot better having a wonderful German family who welcome me, every time I visit them, with plenty of love, German buns, cake, great little trips, and the best beer in the World.  Thank you.  I love you all. 

Meine Lieben,

Ich habe eine wundervolles Familie in Deutschland.  Sie sind sehr ermutigend, grosszugig, schlau, und manchmal sehr witzig.  Es war toll mal sie Wiederzusehen.  Das ich sie Familie nennen kann ist erstaunlich weil ich in ein anderen Land und Kontinent mit ein ganz andere Kultur, Sprache, und Politische System aufgewachsen bin.  Fur eine zeit war auch Kanada einen Fiend mit der DDR wo die meisten von meiner Deutsche Familie geboren und aufgewachsen sind.  Trotzdem ist Familien Bindung starker und mein leben ist viel besser weil ich eine Deutsche Familie habe die mich begrussen, jedes mal das ich sie Besuche, mit viel liebe, Brotchen, Kuchen,  tolle kleine Ausfluge, und das beste Bier in die Welt.  Danke schon.  Ich liebe euch alle.

Love adios and ping on!

Dirk     

Love adios and ping on!

Dirk

A Taste of Switzweland (and Germany)

Hello My Dear Great Ones,

Last week Celia and I started our summer holidays with a few days in Kreuzlingen, Switzerland which is located on the south shore of Lake Constance.  It is also right by Konstanz, Germany so Celia and I wandered back and forth between the two countries every day.  Konstanz has a great Alt Stadt (old city) which was fun to explore.  We also biked along the lake, Switzerland side, and had a great time visiting quaint villages along our route.  All in all a great time. 

A view of the Konstanz Alt Stadt.  We enjoyed walking through it and looking at the old buildings...

This building used to house the fish market.

The churches in Konstanz are amazing.

We enjoyed a church service in this quaint old church in Kreuzlingen.

Hansel and Gretal house in Kreuzlingen.

On our bike tour we saw many quaint villages with great old buildings.

Lake Constance is huge with hundreds of sail boats being pushed along by steady winds from the mountains.

There are also vineyards near the lake.

Swiss girls in traditional garb from hundreds of years ago.

Celia enjoying the view.

Have a great week everyone.

Love adios and ping on!

Dirk

Lake Constance

Hello My Dear Great Ones,

Celia and I are at Lake Constance, staying at a great B and B in Kreuzlingen, Switzerland.  It is a town right on the border of Germany and we have walked across the border a few times to enjoy the Alt Stadt of Konstanz.  I love that most towns and cities in Germany have an Alt Stadt, a place where the old, original part of the city is lovingly maintained and has a pedestrian zone, no cars, and is full of shops, restaurants, museums and history.  There is always a happy vibe walking through the Alt Stadt.  The Alt Stadt of Konstanz is a beauty.  Celia and I also travelled to Mainau, an island with an amazing rose garden, via a boot.  It was a great way to start our European vacation.

 Alt Stadt Konstanz.  

 Bikes are a common way to travel in Europe.  Awesome.

 Some kids hanging around an interesting fountain.

 Many buildings have beautiful paintings on them.

Classic Europe.  Hanging out at an outdoor restaurant drinking coffee or a beer and savouring life.

 Lake Constance is huge and beautiful with lots of sail boats.

Our boat passed beautiful Meersburg.

Celia by the beautiful rose garden on the island of Mainau.

 There is a castle on Mainau that is still occupied.

 Beautiful Mainau.

Lake Constance is a wonderful and BEAUTIFUL place.  A great place to enjoy and savour life.

Have a great week.

Love adios and ping on!

Dirk