mom, angel investor of our trip, decides we have roughed it long
enough. We take a taxi from the train station, no more trains,
trolleys or busses with our luggage today! We have spent enough nights
in un-airconditioned rooms where the curtains do not keep out the 3 am
dawn nor the mosquitoes of northern Europe in the summer. We stay, at
my suggestion, at an American hotel chain in Berlin for her last night
in Germany. We revel in our shower and the fact that we can dine a
mere elevator ride from our cool, dark hotel room. Sheer indulgence!
Mom is anxious, so we awake too early and arrive at the airport, again
taking a taxi, an hour before she can actually check in. We enjoy a
surprisingly good breakfast with scrambled eggs then check her into
her flight. She is relieved to be homeward bound and I am happy she
has enjoyed her trip.
My six year old and I find our bus immediately and stand a short time
later at the train station. Here too, we find that the next train
leaves in a few minutes and easily make the connection. I call ahead
to alert the next relatives of our imminent arrival and they meet us
on the platform an hour later on their end.
the next three days are spent laughing with cousins, telling tales of
our adventures, playing cards and eating chocolate. we enjoy a blessed
lack of public transportation. the only planning we do is for a small
birthday celebration in honor of my son's grandfather, who will turn
73. The children plan the dramatic presentation of a fairy tale in his
honor. Eight kids, consisting of seven cousins aged 3 through 20 years
old and one boyfriend, will participate.
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