Dear trenitalia,

I really liked you when we met; in fact it was love at first sight! We had great trips together, you were attractive, stylish, a perfect handsome italian gigolo who would be a little flimsy from time to time, but mostly reliable.

But today, I almost filed for divorce. How dare you! We had an agreement, a booking, that you’d take us from Rome to Civitavecchia, leaving at 8.15pm and arriving at 9.15pm, but you totally screwed it up!!! Our part of the commitment was to pay the fare, to show up on time, to be a good, well prepared customer. And we tried really hard! But you on the other hand, you showed up, pretending that everything works out, you even were on time, so we trusted you.

And it went downhill from there.

We made it almost to Civitavecchia, 3 more stops to go, when you decided to quit. You just stopped, no explanation, no reason, you plain stopped and left us at a station. It was late night, we were confused, but you didn’t care! We were hungry and tired and our Airbnb host was already waiting. But you just sat there, as if we never met before! What the hell?!? Trenitalia, I trusted you! You were my friend, we went through thick and thin, we had adventures together, and now that???

After a 1 hour wait, the full moon raising, we were hushed out of the carriage to switch to another platform to catch another train, your best friend so-to-speak. But how can we trust your best friend after what you did to us tonight? But our choices were limited, we hoped your friend would show up, and he did after another 15 min. But it was not the same. He tried hard, but those stops at stations without a name, those stops without opening the doors, he really tried, but how should I say, nada. Eventually he brought us to Civitavecchia and we were glad to arrive. We found our Airbnb, it is midnight, and we are starving…..

Photo by Pramod Tiwari on Pexels.com

Germany – soccer

Despite the embarrassment of the German team at this worldcup, it was great fun to watch those game! My all-time favorite team was Morocco; I just loved their courage and enthusiasm for the game, their unusual strategies and fearlessness! Ending up with a 4th place was totally unexpected. Bravo!

Yesterday was the grand finale with Argentina against France, high-class soccer, high level technique and a pleasure to watch! Especially when it’s a combo package with a 4th advent tea & coffee party at my sisters house!

Cheers!

Spending so much time with Timo is a very nice thing! We haven’t seen each other for… maybe 9 months; or was it 10? Whatever it was, it was too long!

We spend time walking…

Cooking…

And visiting relatives…

Jürgen, Timo and Roberto

Life is good!

Germany – soccer

Despite the embarrassment of the German team at this worldcup, it was great fun to watch those game! My alleine favorite team was Morocco; I just loved their courage and enthusiasm for the game, their unusual strategies and fearlessness!

Yesterday was the grand finale with Argentina against France, high-class soccer, high level technique and a pleasure to watch! Especially when it’s a combo package with a 4th advent tea & coffee party at my sisters house!

Spending so much time with Timo is a very nice thing! We haven’t seen each other for… around 9 months; or was it 10? Whatever it was, it was too long!

We spend time walking…

Cooking…

Visiting relatives…

Riding the train…

I guess, somebody needs a break!

From Sun to Snow, from 18C to -4C 😬

When it comes to the weather, I was born in the wrong country; a country that has four seasons, a winter, and snow. Where the days are short and the jackets are puffy, where the wind hurts in your face and the streets are icy.

Northern Italy, near Trento

But then there is Advent, Christmas decorations, Christmas music and delicious home made cookies (thank you Tamara!)! There are Christkindlmarkets in every village and – there is snow!!! ⛄️🌨️⛄️

When we sat in the train from Venice to Munich yesterday, the little powdery dust on the top of the mountains got denser and heavier the further north we travelled. Brennero, the highest stop on the way to Munich, at the border between Italy and Austria, was covered in 1 ft of snow, very fresh, very white! And even Munich had a nice layer of powdery dusting of snow. When we got off the train, a few very slow snowflakes tried to find the ground, not knowing exactly where to go. It looks like a dance! I love that snow, slow dance snow!

And it kept snowing throughout the night, it is beautiful! And every surface is white and looks bright and happy! Perfect Christmas mood, perfect December weather!

Did I ever mention that I love Germany in December?