In the UK we are proud to have the worst train system in Europe. If your train is supposed to leave at 10:27 am you will be lucky if it leaves at 11:27 am if it leaves at all. It will therefore come as no surprise that the German train system is the best in Europe. If a train is scheduled to leave at 10:27 am it will leave at 10:27 am and if you arrive at the platform at 10:27 will find the train has buggered off and you will be in the scheisse..
Guten Morgen once again. The facts about German trains were explained to us by Ian the owner of our brilliant tour operator this morning as we discussed the operation of moving 2500 guests from the vessel onto the trains that leave for our excursions to Berlin and I am happy with how this will be done. While in Warnemunde we were at the pier and saw the preparation for the naming ceremony of the beautifully named Aida Bella. There were young cadets from the German Coastguard going through their paces and the huge marquee that has been erected for the event. The ship will be christened by the Supermodel Eva Padberg from Germany. It is obvious how proud the people of Warnemunde are to have the Aida Bella home port in their town. This is especially evident with locals flying the German flags from their houses and on all the cars. The last time this happened was when Germany hosted the 2006 World Cup (soccer) and Germany reached the semi finals……they lost by the way. However, that World Cup which by the way was the most watched sporting event in the world was hailed as the best organized and friendly championship ever. This was due to the German people who embraced the world with their passion and joy. The fact that this is happening here for the arrival of a Cruise Vessel shows you the reputation and respect Aida Cruise Lines has in their home country.
Oh yes, something to look forward to, I have an interview to post with the Master of the Aida Bella so look out for that very soon.
Oh, by the way, no news on Carnival Splendor’s Godmother yet and at this point I am considering going to see Roberto Cavali and asking him to make me a dress and I will smash the bottle myself. Seriously, plans are nearly complete and PA 007 is hanging out by the photo copy machine and will let me know who it will be asap.
Well the day started early with breakfast at 7:00 am and today we have as I said seen the port and are now on our way to see an old steam train that will take guests through the countryside and then we are off to the old town of Rostock.
One thing I have noticed about the Germans these last two days……everyone……..I mean everyone…….is wearing those shoes called Crocs. Honestly, everywhere I look young and old are wearing them and I cannot understand this fashion craze. They are shoes with holes in them……….however there is one thing above all else that annoys me about this country and it is actually the only thing……but it is truly annoying…………and that’s the TV. Whereas in Estonia, Finland, Denmark and yes…….even Russia the imported programs are shown in English with local subtitles in Germany the imported programs are shown with dubbed voices in German. This of course looks ridiculous. While in Berlin I watched a re-run of The A Team with Mr. T dubbed by a German trying to imitate his voice and of course it wasn’t even close. It was BA’s body with a German Pee Wee Herman doing the voice.
However the worst example was this morning. As I was waiting for Heidi to get ready as usual I turned on the TV to Channel WDR which shows old American programs all day. There, on my TV was The Dukes Of Hazard and the beautiful Catherine Bach resplendent in her small denim shorts. She is supposed to have a sexy southern accent which the producer had tried their best to copy…….in German and it was absolutely hilarious. ……..Wo is das Moonshine ya ‘all………..and …….just when I thought my sides would burst along came a German Boss Hog complete with his cigar and white suit and hat yet for some strange reason his body had been taken over by Arnold Schwarzeneger………….Dummkopf Duke Boys……..wo ist mein Polizei Kommisar Roscoe P. Coltraneschmidt.
Oh by the way, the number one TV star in Germany is………David Hasselhof.
Ok, time to get off the bus. Again, sorry for the multiple short raspberry blogs but I will try to send photos tonight. I will write again this afternoon
Auf Wiedersehen
Johan und Heidelein
Look, friends — there are a few things you should remember before you comment. The space below is for you to post your comments about the post I've just written above. If it is something that's unrelated, please use the Ask John tab above. Now, while I may not be able to reply to your comment below, I do sit in my underpants almost every morning and read everything that is here. So feel free to comment on the comments and then if someone wants to comment on the comment to the comment then go ahead as well. Please be courteous unless the poster is French...........then you can say whatever you want.
Hi John,
I love it. I can just see Sheriff Roscoe and Boss Hogg now. Enjoy your tours.
I still think the Godmother will be Mrs. Cahill.
Later, gater,
Carol
Quit apologizing for the raspberry post – as long as we can read about your adventures we don’t care how long they are or what piece of technology you use to get them to us.
Have you notice just how well maintained the country side is? The Germans knocked my socks off by the way they (just ordinary folks) kept the roadsides clean of trash and woodland debris. They are amazing people even if they don’t have the TV language thingy quite right.
I hope you and Heidi enjoy your day and I look forward to reading about it.
I remember the Hoff in Knight Rider….. Wanted a black Chevy Camero in the worst way…..But William Daniels (KITT) really made the show…. more so than the Hoff.
Quite right…. voice over dubs are annoyingly funny.
Hi John
Don’t worry about the Raspberry blogs… as long as your thumbs can cope with the typing, we’ll carry on with the reading.
They’re just the right length to read with a nice cuppa……
“Oh, by the way, no news on Carnival Splendor’s Godmother yet and at this point I am considering going to see Roberto Cavali and asking him to make me a dress and I will smash the bottle myself.”
By the way…this quote of your’s almost made me spit my mouthful of tea all over my computer screen. I need to not be drinking while reading your blogs.
Thanks so much for the visuals you are giving us for the countries we will be visiting. Looking forward to more pictures.
Barb
I don’t get the whole German Hasselhoff thing. We just saw a taping of “America’s Got Talent” here in New York, for which he is a judge. He was wandering the audience like a lost (read: intoxicated) soul with security following right behind him. You would think they could come up with someone better–John, I think you should apply for the job!
Crocs are extremely popular with anyone who has to stand or walk a lot. they are supposed to be very,very comfortable. Yes, they are ugly as sin. And, to make their ugliness even more obvious, they are most often seen in garish , bright colors.
But, try them and you’ll love them. Honest.
John, I used one of your lines now I’m in your condo-doghouse. Pat was cracking eggs and I told her to throw them away because I wanted fried eggs not runny eggs.
BIG ED
PS I hope you don’t have fleas
Hi John and Heidi
It is wonderful to hear all of your experiences, though it seems to be a gruelling adventure for you. I am sure many of us would love to undertake that project. Just reading your experiences take me back to my Army days and travels around Europe. I am so looking forward to my cruise of Northern Europe in August 2009. Germany is one of my favorite places and the wall was still standing in Berlin the last time I was there. It will be interesting to see how different it is today.
Please enjoy your travels. Stay safe and we are anxiously awaiting your next blog.
Gloria aka Sue
I dunno John, your eagerness to put on dresses is starting to worry me.
So, the Germans like old American TV shows. I don’t suppose they watch Hogan’s Heroes, do they?
John:
I thought about you yesterday as one of the Entertainment Shows was showing Ivana Trump’s 4th wedding .
They had it at Mar-a-Lago … and I hate to tell “the Donald”, but he is getting “fluffy”!
Guess who was there….George Hamilton…looking as “tanned” as ever. At the rate he is going, they won’t have to waste embalming fluid on him when he dies….he will already be “mummified”.
when i lived in germany i saw the wizard of oz dubbed over.. omgosh!! i know just what you mean john. it was hilarious!!
Gutten Tag John & Heidi
I cannot believe that 25+yrs since I left Germany that they still are dubbing the TV shows, you would think with all the technology today they could do the scroll lines at the bottom in enligh or german in reverse.. Oh well.. Do they still lump the commercials at the beginning and the end of the programm? That was ONE thing I did like about the German TV system, no interrruptions you could plan your breaks…. I am enjoying you travels thru Germany as you can tell, being an Army brat and living there 6 years. It was almost a second home growing up. we could never go to Berlin, something about my Dad’s rank and the stuff he did in the military way back then, I want to go back there some day. perhaps to include Berlin. Keep up the good work. I know its grueling snd you will need a vacation from this “vacation?”
Take care
Elizabeth Tucker
AKA
Das BOOP
Raspberry posts are just as good as normal post.. as long as there are posts!!
haha… i can see the dukes of hazzard dubbed over now….. oi vey!
Please, Before you put a dress on, the perfect Godmother would be Heidi Heald!
love all the blogs even the little short raspberryblogets!
Best to you both
the one
and only 1
Heidi-Beth
Hi John/Heidi:
Maybe it is because of your comments today, but Crocs stock is down 40% today after disappointing earnings. I guess the Germans need to buy more.
Looking forward to seeing pictures of Aida Belle.
My wife told me how popular Hasselhoff is over there. What is wrong with people??
FYI, Dirk Nowitzki (of the Dallas Mavericks) is from Wurtzburg.
Hope all is well,
David
Hello, John!
Sorry for my absence as I’ve barely had a chance to breath since I returned from my cruise. That and I buggered up my back something fierce. Now that I’m firing on all eight cylinders I’m back with a vengeance!!
I wish I could have been there with you to watch the Dukes dubbed in German. That had to be the most hilarious event of all time! Despite the silliness of the dubbing watching Catherine Back bounce about in those Daisy Dukes can make a man forget, and forgive, a great deal!!!
Please send my howdies along to Heidi and my thanks to the wonderful MOB, The Amazing Stephanie!!
Ciao!!!
GregB
Hi John,
I’m from Germany and sorry about to tell you, that the times, when David Hasselhoff was the number one TV-Star is long ago. Very long
When I was young this was maybe true, but if you ask a 15 year old teen on the street about Hasselhoff you will get something like “WhoTF?” 
Seriously: I can’t tell you, who is the number one today, but I can tell you, that David Hasselhoff isn’t it for sure.
And to dissolve another illusion: The trains are perhaps more on time than in UK, but they are late too. Specially the longdistance-trains IC and EC are often a few minutes late, because the timetables are very narrow. The timetables for the drivers are, as far I know in 1/10 minutes.
Liabe Grias ausm Ländle (local dialect for: Greets from southern Germany)
Philipp
John I jumped ahead and looked at the pictures. I thank you and Heidi for taking time to take them just for us. Heck, it almost looked like you were smiling at your “friend”.
Missing lunch while in Germany shame on you – but thank you none the less. For those of us silly enough to visit there this time of the year nothing is better or warms the soul more than standing on the street eating a brat of somekind along with a cup of (whoops I’ve forgotten the German term) warmed wine. Brings back fond memories.
May you and Heidi have a good afternoon. Until next time, Barb
Hi John and Heidi,
I was in Italy in 1974 on a school trip during Spring Break and I put the TV on in our hotel room. I watched the cartoon characters “Heckle and Jeckle” (anyone remember them LOL) dubbed in Italian. I almost wet my pants laughing. I guess I should mention I was a teenager back then and thought everything was funny.
Still do………
Ciao,
Cindy
Commenting usually isnt my thing, but ive spent an hour on the site, so thanks for the info