The GPS told us we had arrived at the Fritz hotel, but we didn't see it. Turns out it is on the second floor above some shops and all that was visible was a small sign on the door. Chuck finally spied it on our third time past it while we were also looking for a parking spot. It was a crowded area and we finally saw a convenient parking spot and that's where the car stayed until we left for Berlin as public transportation was excellent. We looked doubtfully at the Fritz, but found it was wonderful! The hotel was very convenient to the S and U bahn stations and all the sites we wanted, had clean rooms with comfortable beds, the price was right and it was a good place to walk, but we had to remember to stay out of the bike lane.
Hannah met us and after an early dinner (more Weinerschniztle for Chuck) and with much conversation, we headed off to the Rauthaus area with all the upscale shops and Chuck looked up and there were 2 hot air balloons ... right over the city! We have NO idea where they take off from or land. (Chuck had his own balloon and still does some crewing) I even bought a piece of quilt fabric at a department store. Balloons for Chuck ... fabric for me. What could be better?
Well, our next stop, of course. Yup! You guessed it ... the Reeperbahn! You know I was looking forward to seeing where the ropes for the shipping industry were made because that's why Opa and Dad's business was so successful. And here you thought it was for the sex shops. Alas, we were all disappointed ... you who thought I was so sexy and me because I found no rope making. I could imagine the rope making as the street is long enough to make ropes long enough that would tie up ships. Captain Schmidt, from the Ships Museum in Brake, told us that story and we thought that when Opa would send for the ropes (I'm SURE he didn't go) there would have been bars and women nearby to entertain the men as they waited for the order to be filled.
And the red light district? Yes, it had sex shops, but mostly what we saw were tourists like us looking at each other. Perhaps we didn't go far enough or late enough, but we had walked plenty and seen as much as we wanted so it was off for some hot chocolate, coffee or ice cream and then bed.
Sunday started with a huge breakfast at "Oma's Apotheke" and we had dessert there at the end of the day. We like German eating places because they all expect you to linger over food or drink and the check is not presented until you are ready and ask for it. America thrives on turnover and getting the next group in your spot.
Our next stop was the Emigration Museum. At the start there were iMacs where you could access files ... it took us a while to find the English and then discovered it was Ancestor.com which we had at home. Nothing new. But the museum was informative. The narrations said over and over again that those who left at the time of WWII would NEVER return. I was made aware yet again how rare my visit was. But the other part was that everyone said they left Germany with only the belongings they could carry which was not true for us.
I know Dad was angry because he claimed that nobody seemed to be supporting our family before we left, but I have to think that somewhere along the way someone signed some papers that allowed us to ship all our belongings or perhaps some shipping connections saw to it that we received our things. I'm sure some money was passed to someone, but from all we have been able to research, our family was unusual to be able to send our belongings. I know the Weinberg's were well respected business men so that must have helped, even if the help was done covertly. We will probably never know.
The harbor was next and it is extremely big and still an active business and pleasure facility.
After exploring there we came back to the hotel and Hannah called Liesel. I didn't know if Liesel spoke English so Hannah talked with her and explained who she was and after a while Hannah handed the phone to me and said Liesel wanted to speak to me. Liesel spoke English! I was at a loss for words and so very delighted to hear her. She said she always wondered what became of our family and was glad to read the story. I have her email and hope to hear from her. Perhaps someday we will even have the opportunity to meet.
This HAS been an amazing trip with so many perks, but this was the icing! All these things that have happened! Hurray for the internet! It is very overwhelming.
No comments:
Post a Comment