Tag: Opera

Europe 2022 day #21. “The End is Approaching” Berlin, Germany 10/27/2022

by reissmd, posted in Berlin, Germany

Our trip has almost come to an end. Some of you might be disappointed to know that you won’t be receiving daily emails about my blog posts. Others are probably saying, “Finally I can go to my email without fear”. Last night after a busy day, we looked for a relaxing place to have dinner. We decided to go to PeterPaul (Torstraße 99, 10119 Berlin). Upon arrival, I said, “Rice, party of two” and we were immediately taken to a table. We soon became aware this would not be a quiet relaxing dinner. The place was packed with customers (on a Wednesday night?) and it was loud. Patrice and I enjoyed the art on the walls and inquired about them. The person we asked was the owner, David PeterPaul. He told us the artwork was all made by his grandfather. He then brought us a book with all of his grandfather’s paintings. David was 9 when his grandfather died and he told us they were very close. It made me feel a little sentimental because of my close feelings for my 4 grandsons. Dinner was spectacular.

They gave us corn soup “on the house”. It was a very small cup but very delicious. See below

I had the chicken, sorry I started to eat before I remembered to take a picture (see below).

Patrice ordered something that we were told had sausage. I didn’t like it very much. I later read it was pig stomach. I am glad I didn’t know that prior to eating it. See below.

We also shared Curry Wurst. This is typically a snack you can buy from small shops in various neighborhoods. We were told this was an upscale version. See below.

Of course, we couldn’t pass on dessert. Our server, Schteffie, recommended Schtocolate with Schterries (aka chocolate with cherries). See below.

This morning we got ready to see what else Berlin had to offer. Our travel agent, Gwen, and her local representative, Dana, gave us a free driver today for a couple of hours to make up for the last-minute tour change due to Daniel getting Covid. Gwen and Dana have been very responsive to our needs. It is a great feeling to know someone is watching over you when you are so far from home.

Our driver was again Marcus who has been great. He first drove us to the site of John F. Kennedy’s famous “Ich bin ein Berliner” speech. I looked around and stared at the balcony from which JFK spoke. The final words of the speech started to resonate in my brain and I began to tear up. Luckily I took a picture of the balcony and not of myself. See below.

If you are interested in listening to the historic 9-minute speech please go to this Wikipedia link. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ich_bin_ein_Berliner. The Wikipedia post also discusses the myth that instead of Kennedy proclaiming in German, “I am a Berliner” he supposedly said, “I am a jelly donut”. If he had said that I am sure JFK would have been the first to make fun of himself.

After this short stop, Marcus took us to the Jewish Museum. This was interesting but unfortunately, I don’t think we devoted enough time to it. Of course, there were some very heart-wrenching exhibits but there were some more upbeat ones as well. One of my favorites was the drawings of some famous Jews of the past.

They had Albert Einstein. See below.

The hilarious Marx brothers were Jewish. See below.

And of course this very popular Jew.

Marcus then took us back to the hotel so we could rest up for our afternoon tour with Jörg. The afternoon mostly consisted of visiting the Neues and Pergamon Museums which included seeing amazing antiquities. My pictures won’t do it justice. But I will try.

First, Babylon, which was brought to Germany in the 1930s.

Next Babylon with a King and Queen superimposed on the great city.

I can’t write any more now because Patrice bought us tickets to the opera and it is time to go. I need to get dressed and find my book.

Bis morgen

Europe 2022 day #10. “Where Is My Baby?” Madrid, Spain 10/16/2022

by reissmd, posted in Madrid, Venice, Italy

Last night we went to the opera and watched a performance of Giuseppe Verdi’s “La Traviata”.  The theater was formerly a palace and the work was performed by a very small ensemble.  There were three musicians and three singers.  The opera has three acts and each was performed in a different room with a 10-minute intermission allowing the audience to move to the next venue.  It was very enjoyable and I would consider going to another opera in the future.  Does anyone know when “Porgy and Bess” will be performed locally?

Upon entering we were greeted with this warning advice.
“Violetta” taking her bows. The room was very hot and unfortunately, we were in the back during every act.

We then had another great dinner, this time at Ristorante Acqua Pazza (S. Marco, 3808, 30124 Venezia VE).  We had an appetizer of Parma Prosciutto and Melon, followed by Pasta with Lobster for Patrice and Amberjack for me.  For those of you who never heard of Amberjack, join the club.  It is a very tasty fish and I was very pleased. 

Prosciutto and melon. Sorry, we were almost done eating it before I remembered to take a picture.

Today we left Venice and flew to Madrid. We went to the Venice airport (VCE) via water taxi followed by a standard taxi (if you consider a Mercedes standard). We were accompanied by our guide Anna Lisa who told us some facts about Venice that our previous guides either didn’t tell us or the information went in one ear and out the other.  It must have been the former since Patrice didn’t recall these tidbits.  If it had just been me I would assume it passed untouched threw my empty head.  

Traversing through the Venice airport went smoothly.  After making it through security we relaxed in the lounge waiting for our flight.  I got a bit of a fright because I dozed off prior to our 11:55 flight only to see this sign when I awoke

I initially thought it was 10 minutes after four but I soon realized it was the 16th of October. Phew!

Leaving the lounge I had a chance to see how far my Italian had progressed.   When we left I said “Grazie” (thank you) to the front desk clerk and she immediately replied in English.  I guess my Italian needs a little more work. 

The flight to Madrid went well, but the highlight of our trip was being greeted at the MAD airport by our favorite driver, our wonderful daughter Erica.  She brought us to our hotel and then lead us through a traditional Madrid activity.  We did laundry.  We still have 2 weeks left on our vacation so it was either do laundry or pay the tour company an additional fee for “hazard pay”. 

Patrice, Robert, and Erica at the laundromat.

After finishing the laundry, we got ready for dinner.  Erica and Patrice went to the hotel gym to work out and I took a nap.

I am looking forward to tomorrow when we do…….  Actually, I don’t know what we will be doing. 

Ciao.  

Oops, we are no longer in Italy. 

Hasta luego.