Another rainy morning, grey German day. Seems we've had mostly those since I arrived over a month ago. I like the Mueller Hotel. It's very well located, quiet, clean and comfortable. We arose to explore the City before driving on in the afternoon. Unfortunately, Annette was not feeling well, so she rested while Eva and I strode the streets of Munich. In a couple of minutes we were smack in the middle of the historic center. The architecture is extraordinary. We walked the long pedestrian shopping street (it was fun to shop; Annette hates shopping, so we don't do much when we're together.) Eva was this close to buying a pair of rhinestone-covered sneakers, which were on sale for 59Euro -- but she chickened out. We found a lovely cafe (Brot und Butter) where we enjoyed a coffee and biscuit.
It was blustery and very cold so after a couple of hours we headed back to the Hotel for our departure from Munich. The ride to Ansbach was supposed to be 2 hours, according to Penny, our Ford chariot. She was exactly right. I had just enough time to get ready to speak to a couple of my clients via Skype (which I am feeling is the greatest invention, since the computer...)
We didn't have a show this night, so we enjoyed a leisurely meal at The Windmill (same place we stayed the last time we were in Ansbach a couple of weeks ago.) The grandmother who had always served us, was not there that night. We got worried about her. We learned that she had been in hospital, but was now released and doing fine. I was able to order the Apfel Streudel that I loved so much the last time I was here. It didn't disappoint!
Next morning I was able to get over to the Base at Ansbach to work out at the Fitness Center. It had been a few days and I needed it! Each base has a fitness center, but they are all different. I especially like the one in Heidelberg, which has the best equipment. And it's huge. Ansbach was pretty good. Dinner was again at our wonderful hotel restaurant. But this time, when it came time for the streudel we had to rush out to get to the theatre, so I had to forgo it.
The play, High School Musical (a condensed, thank God, one-act version) was being done in the base high school. Lots of kids were involved in the production. For the two people who have never seen or heard about it, the play is an excuse for singing some annoyingly memorable tunes. The "plot" such as it is, concerns two high school students who fall in love and want to audition for the school's musical show. But, alas, he is a jock and has to practice for the basketball championships and she, alas, has to participate in the Science Club competition. Somehow, they win both and still get to star in the musical. It's Disney, what do you want?
After the play, we retired to Eva's room for drinks. This is becoming a routine. It's a chance to discuss the productions, and other things and kick back a bit. We are developing our "in" jokes and it's fun to share a laugh at the end of the day.
Next morning, we had a different car. Instead of "Penny" we now have "Pru." She's a Mercedes and rides like a dream. I got a chance to drive since Pru is an automatic shift car and that's the only kind I can drive. It was fun zipping down the autobahn at 180 (that's km/hr) with no effort. We arrived in Wiesbaden, our next stop, just in time for a quick bite before an afternoon of client phone calls.
Our play in Wiesbaden was Fools, by Neil Simon. This was directed by Charlie Fontana, the Entertainment Director on the Wiesbaden base. (He is brother to TV writer Tom Fontana, who gave us Oz on HBO, one of my favorite series.) They perform in the Amelia Earhart Theater, a former hotel restaurant that was renovated into a theater and bar. It's small but effective as a playing space.
Next, we are on to Bamberg for Once on This Island. But I'll be back in Wiesbaden on Tuesday to do a workshop with the theater folks here.
No comments:
Post a Comment