It's Good to be Back!

I arrived in Munich without any trouble. The moment I got off the plane I said aloud, "Oh, it's good to be home". It wasn't until a few moments later that I caught myself and realized exactly what I had said. "Funny" I thought. I suppose I just glad to be out the UK and Ireland. Again, not that I didn't enjoy myself. On the mainland it is just very easy to travel from one place to another. Trains are more frequent, faster, and the efficiency is beyond belief. Plus they don't have the ICE trains in the UK and Ireland. In Munich I was able to grab the ICE train to Nurnberg. I sat in my comfortable seat and said, "It's great to be back!" Once the train got going a lady came around with pretzels. Later, a gentleman came around with treats called, "Knusper Kugeln" which are like chocolate covered Rice Krispy balls. Very good! I said, "It's good to be back!" The ICE trains spoil me and I love it!!! I arrived in Nurnberg in the afternoon and found the tourist office. I was able to find the hotel that Jeff had booked which was less than a 3-minute walk from the train station. When I arrived the lady at the counter said, "You must be Jeff's brother" and before I could say a word she handed me a room key. I then said, "Do I look that much like him?" and she said "No, you two are the only ones staying with us who speak English." I laughed. The room was very cozy with down pillows and down comforters. "It's good to be back!" I said. I laid down and took a nap. Jeff came by a while later and then went off again to do some work. I slept a little while longer. Jeff came back and we walked around Nurnberg for a while. Our hotel is conveniently located between a gambling venue and "The World of Sex" which is a retail store of some sort. On the street are several strip clubs and another gambling place. Believe it of not, it's a very quaint area. Hard to believe, but it's true. Very quiet and comfortable. Nurnberg is surrounded by a city wall with all the main platz (square) in the middle. Our here they call them "city centers". Jeff and I walked to his favorite restaurant. Sadly, it was packed and we couldn't get a seat for the night due to their booked reservations. We walked down the street and Jeff said, "I know of another place, but it's a little American". I said, "Let walk around for a while and get lost and then I'm sure we'll find something." Sure enough, not far away was a good dining spot. We got some sausage and some beer. I swear German beer is the best beer in the world. "It's good to be back" I thought. After our strudel we walked to another restaurant which was more like a large beer hall. Very cool little place. We talked some more and then went back to the hotel and I CRASHED!