Amsterdam to Stuttgart

Well we finally got up early. Last day for the next ten, to enjoy Amsterdam. Make it count.  Jumped on the bicycles to find laundry. Wet clothes do not pack well. We may have been the only bikers yesterday, today we are in rush hour.  Bike commuters all around, a bit intimidating for sure. I thought we were in trouble but we handled it well. For breakfast, savory pancakes at Sarah's. An interesting fact discussed with Michael and Bryan is the height  of the Dutch. They are so damn tall. Although average height in US,  I have stand on tip toes to use urinal.

Back to the apt, to pack up our bags. The last day of the city and I am totally dialed in with directions and fell for the city. Just as we are leaving. Off to ride the canals one last time, and find a bier. We found a quaint, warm, cozy, bar to get internet, checking for flight and update blog. The bar keep was a darling young girl that welcomed us. We enjoyed a cubby by the window, to watch the Dutch getting rained on with no care. It is fascinating the lack of rain gear.  In the USA it is a excuse to have more gear, and hunter rain boots, not here.  And it rains a lot here.  The waitress recommends a walnut, Brie and honey pannini and more bier. The first Kriek of the trip for Trish.

 Ahh vacation. Our room and flight dialed in, and we are back on bikes. Drop bikes, walk to Svens, he invites us to come again, and tells us about this other apts, and that he prefers to rent his places through air bnb. We are big fans. We will add a link to his places for future reference. Grab a tram through city center, Goodbye Amsterdam.

It is an interesting thing to travel outside of US. The security at Schipol was a breeze, they barely check our passport. We love the properness of the Dutch, they say things like, "mind your step" and
"Kindly request to stay seated". Just makes you want to abide!

We will arrive late in Germany ,so a bier and some food. For me some traditional food, toasted ham and cheese with fried egg. For Trish onion rings, with a salad. Only in Europe do you see onion rings served with a salad. Get to Stuttgart and our hotel could not be more convenient. Above train station. Great draft beer to take to our room.  Stuttgart is also rainy, but great. Koffies and croissants for the walk to the Weihnachtsmarkt. We have a borrowed umbrella from hotel, that should keep the rain away.  We are down two umbrellas after our Amsterdam rain and wind adventure.

Annette the owner of the apt in Munich has given us many recommendations, as this is the city of her birth. Really good Swabian food can be found at Lausterer at the Rarthausplatz. Expect a wait, it is tiny and delicious. Restaurant vetter at bopserstrasse 18, is said to also be very very good. Those will be for a future visit.

We stroll to the Kunstmuseum, a large glass cube, which looks out of place yet unique in the old town. We stroll the first of many markets.  The gifts, food, ornaments, greenery, are all beautiful.

We begin the list of gifts. And now here we are on a train to Muchen.

We get final correspondence with Annette, apparently we have missed our check in time, for her to personally show us teh place, and give us any more tips.  She will just leave the keys at the Hacker -Pschorr downstairs.

The train winds through the wine region, hill covered with grape vines, into forests. This place must be really spectacular in the fall. Quaint villages, little homes with gardens, great scenery for our two hour train. A baguette, cheese and bier to kill the time. Prost!