Dresden, Germany

[chillHayze]

My job has provided me an opportunity to travel to Germany for a month all expenses paid w/ per diem. I can't say that without smiling. ) I'll be working 4 days/off 4 days just doing the same thing I do here in NY except everything will be in German... I have never been off the continent before, let alone to Germany and I thought I'd ask what to do from those of you that have been there. I would like to take the drive down to Bavaria and visit Munich to see what makes their malt so good . How far's the drive? Looks like my first 4 day weekend off will begin Oct 28th - Is Oktoberfest still going on at that time? I can't wait for the beer to start flowin'!

Yes, that's 8 dancing bananas. I'm stoked.

 

[chillHayze]

Not allowed 8 dancing bananas in one post so they overflow to this post.

 

[chillHayze]

And this one...

 

[homebrewer_99]

..drive down to Bavaria and visit Munich...Oct 28th - Is Oktoberfest still going on...

Are you going to have a car?

It's about a 6-7 hour drive to Munich (2.5 from Nurnberg).

The Ofest ends the 1st Sat in Oct so you'll miss it.

Let me know what your interests are and I'll see what I can put together for you as far as sights, etc.

Definitely visit Munich, Bamberg, Berlin, Nurnberg, Coburg Castle...I have a friend who owns a Greek restaurant in Staffelstein (north of Bamberg). I can try to hook you up with other Americans if you like...of course, I don't know their schedules.

Depending on how much spending $$$ you'll have (or don't) I can hook you up with cheap housing (on a farm) 25 miles south of Munich. I use it as a base camp when visiting the castles and Garmisch.

 

[sudsmonkey]

Did he mention that he's been there? You can't lay your finger on a beer making part of the globe that HB99 hasn't hit. Official travel guide of the Homebrew Forum. Our Billy really gets around !

 

[homebrewer_99]

Did he mention that he's been there? You can't lay your finger on a beer making part of the globe that HB99 hasn't hit. Official travel guide of the Homebrew Forum. Our Billy really gets around !

HAHA!! I've been a lot of places, but there's still more of the globe I want to visit and make friends with before taking the dirt nap... (S. America/Africa - can't get my wife to go to Muslim countries for some reason and we've been to Turkey twice (97% Muslim) already...)

I traveled to over 30 States and did 2 weeks each in Germany and Korea last year...I would have been to the desert any number of times if I hadn't refused taking the Anthrax shots...

I just got back from my 5th trip to AL this year...I know, a BIG let down after last years travels.

 

[Walker]

Are you going to have a car?

Man, that's the last thing you need in Germany. Those trains will get you everywhere, and get you there fast.

-walker

 

[homebrewer_99]

Man, that's the last thing you need in Germany. Those trains will get you everywhere, and get you there fast. -walker

Quite true, but it was just a question to find out yes or no.

 

[Ize]

Man Hayze, congrats, you can do some SERIOUS beer drinking during those 4 day off stretches. And be drinking some seriously good beer!

As I told Bill in the freebies thread, my folks lived in Stuttgart for 4 years, and I was lucky enuf to get to go over for 10 days back in 90. It was great. Did some serious castle and cathedral hopping and enjoyed my fair share of beer as well. Try to see as much as possible! :rockin:


Ize

 

[Flyin' Lion]

.I would have been to the desert any number of times if I hadn't refused taking the Anthrax shots...


HB99, is this considered optional now? When I was in there was an Air Force Major that got in a lot of trouble for refusing his shot.

Just curious.

 

[chillHayze]

Yeah I'll have a hotel in Dresden as well as a rental car (though probably a crappy opel or something). Whatever the "intermediate" class is out there.
If the trains are faster - that is a good reason to use them I suppose. As far as interests I'll mostly be enjoying the beer and sightseeing, and I like the occasional good party or festival as well. I'm sure I'll be happy doing just about anything. I will have coworkers out there so perhaps they can help me with a bit of German, though I guess most civilized places speak English anyways. Speech is only 85% of communication so I'm not too worried about that. Someone else from my office here will also be going for at least a portion of the time I'll be out there, and my girlfriend will be out for one of my weekends and we will be visiting Austria during that time.
I would be interested in knowing the details to that farm south of Munich, Bill. That would be a good place to stay for a long weekend?

Passport application day is tommorrow!
Thanks again everyone!
BTW my email is [email protected] If you happen to have any maps or know an online guide to german language feel free to send them my way.

 

[homebrewer_99]

.I would have been to the desert any number of times if I hadn't refused taking the Anthrax shots...HB99, is this considered optional now? When I was in there was an Air Force Major that got in a lot of trouble for refusing his shot. Just curious.

Yes, is is NOT MANDATORY now because we won our court case in DC. I am one of the John Doe's who sued the Gov't over the legality of the shots.

Because of that, recent news indicates the order was illegal therefore ALL the people who refused will/may be suing the services for back pay and Honorable Discharges.

This is the main reason why I am no longer an Armament Logistics Assistance Representative (LAR). I had to find another job. As luck would have it when I returned to Rock Island IL I had 6 job offers. I am now the Equipment Specialist for the M109A6 Paladin Howitzer.

 

[homebrewer_99]

...I would be interested in knowing the details to that farm south of Munich, Bill. That would be a good place to stay for a long weekend? Passport application day is tommorrow!

You are just applying for you passport? Has anyone told you how long that process takes? I don't think you'll have enough time before you are scheduled to leave...I hope you do.

I checked the site below:

http://www.kochel.de/unterkunft/Gastgeber_Kochel_50__72.pdf


...and the place I used to stay is no longer listed...or I can't read...The name is "Seemuller" Elizabeth and Josef. They are real simple folk and friendly. I used to stay up and drink Josef's homebrewed schnapps with all the other guests after the wive's went to bed. We'd also bring our own beers from our part of the country. One big party.

After staying there 3 times and sending many Americans there I found out that Josef speaks broken English, their daughter also speaks English...I always spoke German to them.

Either way, you could stay in Garmisch. If you don't want to stay in a hotel and would like to experience staying in someone's house look for "Zimmer Frei" signs. It means "free rooms", not as in cost, but availability. "Besetz" means "occupied", but in this case, "full".