We needed to get up early today because Erica had a 7:00 AM flight to Madrid and we were scheduled to leave at 9:15 AM for Berlin. The hotel staff offered to prepare some food for Erica to take with her since she was leaving the hotel at 5:00 AM. Patrice opted to sleep and she asked me to bring her something from the buffet. Luckily the buffet started at 6:30 AM (not 7 AM as I had previously been told). When I entered at 6:33 AM the entire dining room was empty. I ordered some eggs and grabbed some fruit from the buffet and of course, a Sacher Torte. Twenty minutes later (and after being asked no fewer than 5 times if there was anything else I would like) I headed back to the room with some nourishment for my bride (and the dining room was still empty).
At 7:00 AM we reluctantly left the hotel (we loved the Sacher Hotel and its staff) and headed for the airport. Harry was our driver and he had returned from the airport after taking Erica at 5 AM. Harry apparently agrees with our guide Peter that red lights are just a suggestion (just kidding he was a great driver) and got us safely to the Vienna airport.
Checking in for the flight and airport security went well and we then relaxed until told to board. Interestingly the Austrians/Germans are worse than the Spaniards when it comes to lining up before a flight. Look at this line long before any boarding announcements were made.
Take off was smooth and I got one last view of the Danube.
Shortly into the flight, there was a fair amount of turbulence. I was sweating, shaking, and my heart was racing, but I knew my job was to comfort my wife. So I looked over and saw Patrice and the female passenger next to her.
Okay, okay, I’m a big baby. I admit it.
The flight smoothed out and I started to read my book when suddenly a cup of water was shoved into my hand. What happened to “Would you like something to drink sir?” No in Dueschtland it’s “Here, drink!” Next, they came around with chocolates and I got two because Patrice was still sleeping (please don’t tell her). I was starting to wash down the chocolate with some water when the flight attendant came by and said “Cup!” I didn’t dare say I wasn’t finished (see above about me being a baby).
I thought I saw an old friend shortly before we landed in Berlin. I thought I was seeing the Danube but only one minor problem, the Danube doesn’t flow anywhere near Berlin. I was looking at the Spree River.
We were met at the airport by Marcus (“I spell Marcus with a C most Germans spell it with a K, my son is Oscar with a C, not a K like most Germans”). Marcus will be our driver while we are in Berlin. He is very knowledgeable, speaks excellent English, and had a spot for both of us to charge our phones. Marcus pointed out all sorts of interesting sights on our way from the airport to the hotel. He even looked at the road occasionally. Just kidding, he is an excellent driver.
By the way, I have given up. For years I have been correcting people about the pronunciation of my surname. People frequently say “Rice”, but we pronounce it Reiss which rhymes with Peace. When people protested about my pronunciation I tell them to go argue with my grandfather. They try to explain to me that in German it’s pronounced RICE similar to Weiss. I tell them if the Germans won the war we would pronounce it as Rice but they didn’t. In reality, if the Germans had won the war I wouldn’t be here so end of story. Well, they have finally won. I’ve given up. For the remainder of this trip, I will pronounce it as Rice. You ask why, well the reason is simple. Every time we enter a hotel or restaurant and tell them we have a reservation for Reiss (as in Peace) they say “So sorry I don’t see a reservation under that name”. Then I say Rice and immediately they say “Ah yes, here we are”. Last night at dinner in Vienna I didn’t hesitate and said, “We have a reservation for Rice” and the hostess smiled and immediately said, “Come with me please”. Erica asked, “How would the you of 2 weeks ago reacted to seeing a video of that interaction?” She is right, but for now, I have given up. Next week I can return to my family’s pronunciation.
Enough for now. We are off to meet our Berlin guide, Daniel for a 4-hour walking tour. Then we will have dinner: “Rice party of 2”
Bis morgen (Until tomorrow)
Robert Reiss Travel Blog and Other Ramblings 