When we had returned from our excursion into the German Alps, I had an appointment with Dr. P to have my cast removed. We planned to take the whole afternoon/evening to stay in the Pedestrian Zone downtown Heidelberg, and to have dinner at one of our favorite restaurants in Germany: Indian Palace. So, we all walked down through our tiny town to the train stop. We had a lovely train that came every half hour during the weekdays, and every hour on weekends. It took us on what is called a Rundfahrt. It went in a circle from Mannheim to Heidelberg, crossing both the Rhein and the Neckar. We paid for our group ticket and took the next train into Heidelberg. Our train stopped right in front of Atos Klinikum, if you recall which is directly across from the entrance to the Pedestrian Zone.
I remember I wasn't feeling good at all when we got to Atos, and we had to run around looking for a bathroom. All the bathrooms on Dr. P's floor were in use, so I finally found one on the floor below. It was literally a closet. I mean, the average sized human could barely turn around in it, and have space to wash and dry hands. When we ran back to the office, they had already called my name and shunted me into an exam room. One of the girls that had come to put on my cast came in with an electric saw.
Now, you can tell me how safe these saws are, and demonstrate it on your bare skin all you want.... but I blanched. With how close that saw was coming to my skin, I kept freaking out and repeated "Stop! Stop!" I don't know if the girl had massive amounts of patience, or was just entertaining me, but she would stop. The saw generated so much heat; it was burning my arm underneath the cast. We stopped and started many times before she could crack open the cast and let my arm out. Dr. P came in and told me to go over to the X-ray clinic and get some pictures taken. So, we left the office and walked across the hall to radiology. J&S were sitting outside in the hallway in some chairs waiting for us. We told them I had to get some pictures, and talk to the doctor and then we could leave.
I recall that this visit with radiology was none too pleasant. When a little blond lady took me into the room she tried manipulating my hand and arm in ways that made me want to scream and slap. I remember there was this pedestal in the middle of the room instead of a huge table like you'd normally see. She brought over this step ladder, and would angle me around the pedestal in awkward positions. The x-ray machine was mounted directly above the pedestal, and she'd pull it all the way down. If I had flinched, I probably would have whacked the machine good. After a good 10 minutes of grabbing my hand and angling it this way and that, she had me sit out in the hallway by J&S and wait for the prints. Surprisingly, the entire ordeal took less than 30 minutes from beginning to end, walking in to radiology, having my x-rays, and then receiving my prints.
We hustled back into Dr.P's office and back into the exam room. He came in shortly after and said that things were looking a little better, that the stress on my hand bones had been drastically reduced. He gave me a "prescription" to take downstairs to the Pharmacy for a new brace. He said that I was to wear this brace 24/7 for at least the first few months, but let my arm have some air time a little every day. He said I had to sleep with it on. Still no lifting, cleaning or driving. But, he said once my wound healed and the scabs fell off, I could fully immerse my arm in water again.
So, we left the office and we all went down to the museum-like first floor where we walked into the Pharmacy. The lady that took my note said in really quick German that we needed to go to the shop across the hall. Okay.... the shop across the hall was like a gift shop. My husband just shrugged and we went into it, and found that there was a bundle of people on the wall facing the street that were setting people up with bandages, braces, etc. So, we took my note to the first available person, and they told us to wait. It was quite a long wait. Turns out, they had to contact our military insurance to make sure that I could receive this special brace for my arm. There was a whole debacle over it that my husband tried to handle, but we mostly did not understand what they were saying to us ... but we got the brace after about 30 minutes so I guess no harm, no foul! The fitted it on me, and told me not to wrap it too tight. Then, they gave me this interesting receipt. By interesting, I mean this stupid brace cost 80 Euros! At that time, that was about $120 or so. I couldn't believe how expensive this stupid thing was!
My brace is blue blue, with green piping, and red interior. It is not in the least attractive, and goes with absolutely nothing I wear. Or anyone would wear. I still use this brace today. It has a large metal bar insert that is to shape my bone and hold it in place, and Velcro straps that keep my wrist from moving. It's fabulous to sleep it, but took a lot of getting used to. It's hot, sweaty, and not at all breathable so it can start to stink rather quickly which means you have to wash it regularly.
So, Castie, you are no more. Fortunately, I now do not have to worry about itches and showering. The clunker you were ... will not be much missed.
Showing posts with label Alps. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Alps. Show all posts
Saturday, September 14, 2013
Friday, August 23, 2013
Christmas Vacation - Part V
The last day we spend in GAP was an exciting one. The night before, we bought special passes to ride the cogwheel train up the tallest peak of the Alps, the Zugspitze. I call them special because you can use them for skiing, or for sightseeing. You stick them in your pocket because they have a special sensor in the m when you go through turnstiles. It's really convenient for people carrying around skiing gear or with heavy gloves on. In town, it was below freezing. We got as completely bundled up as possible. I had on 3 pairs of socks, two pairs of long underwear, jeans, a tank top, a long sleeved shirt, an authentic Austrian hand-knit sweater and a big bulky Columbia jacket with boots, gloves, and a hat. And I was worse off than a Popsicle.
Having read all about the weather, my husband and I planned to get on the very first train that morning because the only really clear view that you'll get on the mountain tops during the winter are only during the morning, after about 11 they get too cloudy to get a good view. So, we drove down to the train station that morning, got on the first train. It only makes a few stops before it heads up the mountain, and since we got on at the first stop, we had a good seat selection. Lucky for me and husband, we didn't get caught next to the chatty Aussie that J&S were stuck with. He literally could not shut up. Anything was fair game. I remember trying to look everywhere else except at this man who had no off switch. I would have hated for him to engage us in conversation. It was bad enough that he had engaged the in-laws. So when I said good seat selection, I meant that we actually got to sit. We were going up the tallest mountain in Germany holding on to any straps in the center of the train like many skiers and snowboarders were. It took quite a while to reach the exit platform. We stopped at a couple tiny villages and ski spots, before we reached the "summit." It wasn't a summit. We had to go get on a second lift up the mountain. We took a large gondola up to the tallest point of the mountain. There is a cross on the tip of the mountain that people can climb onto, but in the winter it wasn't feasible.
It was something crazy like 20 below zero up there. We were frozen the second we got out of the first train. Again, we all had to use the bathrooms - which the doors were wide open so of course they were absolutely freezing. So, once we exited at the final destination at the top, it was torture to be out on the viewing platform. But, we got in some awesome pictures that I am very proud of. So, I guess I can't complain too much.
We must have been out there for about 30 minutes before the infamous cloud cover rolled in. We went inside and to the restaurant. We sat in some traditional style wooden booths with a great view off the one side of the tip of the mountain, and the other, to the slopes below that were dotted with many people. The restaurant wasn't great. It was actually quite disappointing. I had a Bavarian meal of white sausage with dumplings called Knoedel. I don't really remember much of the meal other than it was a struggle to get the food down. But, I did have some nice hot tea that helped warm me up. And, we were warm enough to shed our outer layer of winter coats. But, unfortunately, I did not have good winterized boots. My boots were more functional for everyday wear during the fall and/or spring. My socks, all layers, and the bottoms of my jeans were soaking. This incidentally did not help my flu symptoms. I believe I had a runny nose another week after this. It was obnoxious.
Following lunch, we headed back to the gondola and decided to take it halfway down the mountain this time to a train stop outside a ski lodge where instructors worked - or something like that. I don't know exactly. We had to wait almost an hour for the gondola though so we took our time browsing in a gift shop that tried desperately to commit highway robbery. I remember buying my niece a snow globe and my nephew a keychain. I bought them one of these each place we went. Auntie and Uncle always sent home presents anytime we went someplace.
I didn't mention this before, but I have a massive fear of unsupported heights. I have always had the fear of falling. The falling feeling horrifies me, makes me feel like I'm going to die. It's not a good feeling and it's not any kind of rush like many people think. To me, it's like the penultimate moment of your life. Getting on the gondolas was none too pleasant. Luckily, this time my husband held me the entire time, away from the edges of the glass windows. We bounced most of the way down the mountain. I held it together rather well. I might attribute that mostly to the fact that I was frozen, and in pain.
When we get off the gondola, we have to walk about 2/10ths of a mile uphill to the train station. In the ice and snow, everyone was slipping and sliding. I remember charging up to the station. It was an open air station, so everything was snowy. I don't think we waited too long for the next train. When we got on though, I think it was pretty dead. Most people were sill up on the mountain playing. My family is sort of a snow family. My husband's family isn't. My family used to go tubing and sledding, and my parents skied when I was really little. But, my husband's family wasn't much like that. At least, I don't think they were. My husband said he tried snowboarding once. He remembers sort of liking it.
Once we got back to the main train station at the Olympic Stadium (yes, the main train station for the Zugspitzbahn is right outside the Olympic Stadium), we booked it to the hotel. We all went to our rooms to relax a little. I took a hot bath with the door open so my husband could watch me while he laid on the bed to watch TV. I remember that was our first experience watching Wipeout. It was hilarious to us. I think J&S took a nap or something.
A little later, we all went and had dinner again at the buffet, then returned to our room to watch movies. We had booked massages for all of us at the spa inside the hotel. So, one by one, we'd go down and have a relaxing hour-long massage. The woman who gave us our massages was not German. I think she may have been Swedish or something. But, telling her not to touch my right arm at all was a difficulty. I've had massages before, but this one wasn't great. I fell asleep for most of it and didn't feel very relaxed when I returned to my room. But, that's okay. Maybe it was great and I just had too much stress and pain to relax or something. I just remember that I really couldn't sleep that night. I stayed up with the TV on for hours after J&S left the room. I think it was 90210 or something really crappy.
Having read all about the weather, my husband and I planned to get on the very first train that morning because the only really clear view that you'll get on the mountain tops during the winter are only during the morning, after about 11 they get too cloudy to get a good view. So, we drove down to the train station that morning, got on the first train. It only makes a few stops before it heads up the mountain, and since we got on at the first stop, we had a good seat selection. Lucky for me and husband, we didn't get caught next to the chatty Aussie that J&S were stuck with. He literally could not shut up. Anything was fair game. I remember trying to look everywhere else except at this man who had no off switch. I would have hated for him to engage us in conversation. It was bad enough that he had engaged the in-laws. So when I said good seat selection, I meant that we actually got to sit. We were going up the tallest mountain in Germany holding on to any straps in the center of the train like many skiers and snowboarders were. It took quite a while to reach the exit platform. We stopped at a couple tiny villages and ski spots, before we reached the "summit." It wasn't a summit. We had to go get on a second lift up the mountain. We took a large gondola up to the tallest point of the mountain. There is a cross on the tip of the mountain that people can climb onto, but in the winter it wasn't feasible.
It was something crazy like 20 below zero up there. We were frozen the second we got out of the first train. Again, we all had to use the bathrooms - which the doors were wide open so of course they were absolutely freezing. So, once we exited at the final destination at the top, it was torture to be out on the viewing platform. But, we got in some awesome pictures that I am very proud of. So, I guess I can't complain too much.
We must have been out there for about 30 minutes before the infamous cloud cover rolled in. We went inside and to the restaurant. We sat in some traditional style wooden booths with a great view off the one side of the tip of the mountain, and the other, to the slopes below that were dotted with many people. The restaurant wasn't great. It was actually quite disappointing. I had a Bavarian meal of white sausage with dumplings called Knoedel. I don't really remember much of the meal other than it was a struggle to get the food down. But, I did have some nice hot tea that helped warm me up. And, we were warm enough to shed our outer layer of winter coats. But, unfortunately, I did not have good winterized boots. My boots were more functional for everyday wear during the fall and/or spring. My socks, all layers, and the bottoms of my jeans were soaking. This incidentally did not help my flu symptoms. I believe I had a runny nose another week after this. It was obnoxious.
Following lunch, we headed back to the gondola and decided to take it halfway down the mountain this time to a train stop outside a ski lodge where instructors worked - or something like that. I don't know exactly. We had to wait almost an hour for the gondola though so we took our time browsing in a gift shop that tried desperately to commit highway robbery. I remember buying my niece a snow globe and my nephew a keychain. I bought them one of these each place we went. Auntie and Uncle always sent home presents anytime we went someplace.
I didn't mention this before, but I have a massive fear of unsupported heights. I have always had the fear of falling. The falling feeling horrifies me, makes me feel like I'm going to die. It's not a good feeling and it's not any kind of rush like many people think. To me, it's like the penultimate moment of your life. Getting on the gondolas was none too pleasant. Luckily, this time my husband held me the entire time, away from the edges of the glass windows. We bounced most of the way down the mountain. I held it together rather well. I might attribute that mostly to the fact that I was frozen, and in pain.
When we get off the gondola, we have to walk about 2/10ths of a mile uphill to the train station. In the ice and snow, everyone was slipping and sliding. I remember charging up to the station. It was an open air station, so everything was snowy. I don't think we waited too long for the next train. When we got on though, I think it was pretty dead. Most people were sill up on the mountain playing. My family is sort of a snow family. My husband's family isn't. My family used to go tubing and sledding, and my parents skied when I was really little. But, my husband's family wasn't much like that. At least, I don't think they were. My husband said he tried snowboarding once. He remembers sort of liking it.
Once we got back to the main train station at the Olympic Stadium (yes, the main train station for the Zugspitzbahn is right outside the Olympic Stadium), we booked it to the hotel. We all went to our rooms to relax a little. I took a hot bath with the door open so my husband could watch me while he laid on the bed to watch TV. I remember that was our first experience watching Wipeout. It was hilarious to us. I think J&S took a nap or something.
A little later, we all went and had dinner again at the buffet, then returned to our room to watch movies. We had booked massages for all of us at the spa inside the hotel. So, one by one, we'd go down and have a relaxing hour-long massage. The woman who gave us our massages was not German. I think she may have been Swedish or something. But, telling her not to touch my right arm at all was a difficulty. I've had massages before, but this one wasn't great. I fell asleep for most of it and didn't feel very relaxed when I returned to my room. But, that's okay. Maybe it was great and I just had too much stress and pain to relax or something. I just remember that I really couldn't sleep that night. I stayed up with the TV on for hours after J&S left the room. I think it was 90210 or something really crappy.
Friday, February 17, 2012
Christmas Vacation Part IV
You thought my stories about Christmas would end? Not a chance!
The next day that we were in GAP, we drove to Austria. For anyone who has never traveled in Europe, it can be a great ordeal to drive from one country to another. While Austria may have some of the best and most well cared for roads in the world, you have to have a special pass for your vehicle to drive on the Autobahn and highways. In GAP, because it's right on the border of Germany and Austria, you can buy these special stickers at any gas station. If you're caught without one of these special sticker passes, you can be fined up the you know what.
That morning we stopped at the gas station to fill up and buy our pass. The resort is literally 5 minutes up the street and my mother in law has to get out to go to the bathroom. Then, everyone leaves me in the car alone. My husband goes inside to pay, J&S went inside so S could use the toilet (which you have to pay for), and then they all come back with food despite the snacks we had in the car ... again. I mean, I guess when in Rome ... at least my husband bought me an apple juice drink that I love called Granini. They make all sorts of flavors of juice drinks, but the apple one is the one I love the most.
This day, I was actually in rather good spirits. On the drive down in to Innsbrueck (which was where we were headed) we saw all sorts of fabulous winter sights that we didn't see the last time we went as it was summer then. The Alps were beautifully covered with snow and surrounded by fluffy clouds, cross country ski tracks were everywhere, and we of course told them the following great story:
In Germany and Austria, it is very VERY popular for vacationers to come from the Netherlands at all times during the year. In fact, the Germans we knew made fun of the Dutch saying they never worked, they were always on holiday. During the winter though, there are HOARDS of Dutch people that flock to the Alps. Yeah, sure people from all over come to ski and stuff, but the Dutch are exceptional. If you know anything about Holland, you know that it's flat - there's no such thing as mountains. So, they like to come down to get their skiing on. The thing is, they are notorious for thinking they know how to ski, but being horrible. They are so horrible at skiing that there are hundreds, if not thousands, of accidents every year related to the Dutch in the Alps. Now, because this region of Austria and Germany is very mountainous, hospitals are few and far between. Also, below freezing temperatures make it difficult to find and rescue accident victims. So, rescue teams have come up with these massive orange helicopters that they fly into the mountains to rescue injured winter sportsmen and women alike. In German, the word for helicopter is the same as in English. The word for the Netherlands however, is very similar: die Niederlands (dee nee-dur-lahndz). The Germans and Austrians love to joke about the Dutch and their horrendous efforts at winter sports, and one thing that they've come up with is called the "Niedercopter." The big orange helicopters that rescue the Dutch ...
We also tell them about our experiences at the Swarovski crystal factory. It's the only factory in the world that they have, and they let the public come in to tour their "museum" and "gift shop." I'd warn you away from it for many reasons, but you'd have to see if for yourself to believe me. Trust me. It's an experience you'll never forget. No, they don't show you crystal mining or making since it's all top secret ... instead you get to see their "museum" and then troll around the huge shop looking at all the crystals and things you can't afford to buy, but can't stop looking at.
When we get in to Innsbrueck, we park in the parking garage not far from the town center - which is where we were headed. They had a mini Christmas market set up, and we all agreed to visit it when we came back that way. We walked around the town looking into shops, admiring shop windows, viewing the hotel where Mozart and his father once stayed, discussing the Goldenendachhaus (Golden roofed house which is really just gold leaf if I recall correctly), and made some small purchases. We went inside the Swarovski store there in the town, and my husband, being the loving and sweet man that he is, purchased these gorgeous earrings that were treble clefs (because I'm a musician) and a matching bracelet with music notes dangling from it. I was shocked - I couldn't believe it. To this day I save them for special occasions, and I still have the bag it came in ... and the free stud they gave him for making a purchase!
Around lunch time we were all starving. We found a cafe that was up a few floors overlooking the town center. We crowded into this corner booth and ordered coffee, hot chocolate, and lunch. S & I decided to be adventurous and order the goulash. By the way, Austrian goulash is delicious. I can't even remember what J or my husband ordered because mine was so good! So, we're sitting there having our lunch and chatting about everything, when S and I notice the people sitting behind J. The man has an arm in a cast and sling (those European ones I told you about). We start whispering to each other and giggling. We were, of course, referencing the Niedercopter story. Granted, we don't even know if this guy is Austrian or German let alone Dutch. My husband leans over and asks what we're giggling about. Our table was U shaped, so J was the only person sitting in front of this couple. Since he was a bit farther away, I started whispering to my husband about the Niedercopter. J gets all interested in what we've all be giggling over and asks what we're laughing about. Of course, we can't say it out loud - every European knows English. They'll know what we're talking about. I say in hushed tones that we'll tell him later. For some reason, he figures out that we're discussing the people behind him, so he turns and steals a peek. Then, turning back to us he says "What? Niedercopter?"
We DIE laughing.
After our delicious lunch, we shopped a little more than went back to the little Christmas market. We looked around at all the traditional items being sold. J's feet were freezing, so we bought him some Alpaca or Sherpa woolen socks that he proceeded to put on in the freezing weather ... quite funny. We saw some delicious local fare and stopped to try it out. They were serving sauerkraut in bread bowls. We all decided to get some and then ate more. I stopped by my favorite little bake shop and got some sweet rolls and goodies for us. Then, we visited the church where Mozart performed. The summer before that we had went there, we saw a wedding outside and took pictures. It's a gorgeous church that is very VERY Rococo. Your eyes might burn with cherubs and drippy, flamboyance but the architecture and marble are beautiful and not to be missed.
On the way back to the car, we stopped at another little street Christmas market. We ordered some Gluehwein which smells like hot whiskey and tastes like hot Nyquil. Odd? Yeah but the great thing is that Gluehwein is pretty much the same anywhere you get it. While we're standing there drinking our hot mulled wine, these 20 something year old guys are having a medieval sword fight behind the booths. It was cracking us up. They were so dramatic ... and in so much trouble. The people working the market kept asking them to stop, to move and to leave. We videotaped some of it. It was a riot watching the little Austrians get all huffy about these boys who weren't even bothering anyone.
All in all, the day was great. We had fun, and I don't remember being grouchy. I think I might have been feeling better that day ... but that should have been a sign of warning of things to come.
The next day that we were in GAP, we drove to Austria. For anyone who has never traveled in Europe, it can be a great ordeal to drive from one country to another. While Austria may have some of the best and most well cared for roads in the world, you have to have a special pass for your vehicle to drive on the Autobahn and highways. In GAP, because it's right on the border of Germany and Austria, you can buy these special stickers at any gas station. If you're caught without one of these special sticker passes, you can be fined up the you know what.
That morning we stopped at the gas station to fill up and buy our pass. The resort is literally 5 minutes up the street and my mother in law has to get out to go to the bathroom. Then, everyone leaves me in the car alone. My husband goes inside to pay, J&S went inside so S could use the toilet (which you have to pay for), and then they all come back with food despite the snacks we had in the car ... again. I mean, I guess when in Rome ... at least my husband bought me an apple juice drink that I love called Granini. They make all sorts of flavors of juice drinks, but the apple one is the one I love the most.
This day, I was actually in rather good spirits. On the drive down in to Innsbrueck (which was where we were headed) we saw all sorts of fabulous winter sights that we didn't see the last time we went as it was summer then. The Alps were beautifully covered with snow and surrounded by fluffy clouds, cross country ski tracks were everywhere, and we of course told them the following great story:
In Germany and Austria, it is very VERY popular for vacationers to come from the Netherlands at all times during the year. In fact, the Germans we knew made fun of the Dutch saying they never worked, they were always on holiday. During the winter though, there are HOARDS of Dutch people that flock to the Alps. Yeah, sure people from all over come to ski and stuff, but the Dutch are exceptional. If you know anything about Holland, you know that it's flat - there's no such thing as mountains. So, they like to come down to get their skiing on. The thing is, they are notorious for thinking they know how to ski, but being horrible. They are so horrible at skiing that there are hundreds, if not thousands, of accidents every year related to the Dutch in the Alps. Now, because this region of Austria and Germany is very mountainous, hospitals are few and far between. Also, below freezing temperatures make it difficult to find and rescue accident victims. So, rescue teams have come up with these massive orange helicopters that they fly into the mountains to rescue injured winter sportsmen and women alike. In German, the word for helicopter is the same as in English. The word for the Netherlands however, is very similar: die Niederlands (dee nee-dur-lahndz). The Germans and Austrians love to joke about the Dutch and their horrendous efforts at winter sports, and one thing that they've come up with is called the "Niedercopter." The big orange helicopters that rescue the Dutch ...
We also tell them about our experiences at the Swarovski crystal factory. It's the only factory in the world that they have, and they let the public come in to tour their "museum" and "gift shop." I'd warn you away from it for many reasons, but you'd have to see if for yourself to believe me. Trust me. It's an experience you'll never forget. No, they don't show you crystal mining or making since it's all top secret ... instead you get to see their "museum" and then troll around the huge shop looking at all the crystals and things you can't afford to buy, but can't stop looking at.
When we get in to Innsbrueck, we park in the parking garage not far from the town center - which is where we were headed. They had a mini Christmas market set up, and we all agreed to visit it when we came back that way. We walked around the town looking into shops, admiring shop windows, viewing the hotel where Mozart and his father once stayed, discussing the Goldenendachhaus (Golden roofed house which is really just gold leaf if I recall correctly), and made some small purchases. We went inside the Swarovski store there in the town, and my husband, being the loving and sweet man that he is, purchased these gorgeous earrings that were treble clefs (because I'm a musician) and a matching bracelet with music notes dangling from it. I was shocked - I couldn't believe it. To this day I save them for special occasions, and I still have the bag it came in ... and the free stud they gave him for making a purchase!
Around lunch time we were all starving. We found a cafe that was up a few floors overlooking the town center. We crowded into this corner booth and ordered coffee, hot chocolate, and lunch. S & I decided to be adventurous and order the goulash. By the way, Austrian goulash is delicious. I can't even remember what J or my husband ordered because mine was so good! So, we're sitting there having our lunch and chatting about everything, when S and I notice the people sitting behind J. The man has an arm in a cast and sling (those European ones I told you about). We start whispering to each other and giggling. We were, of course, referencing the Niedercopter story. Granted, we don't even know if this guy is Austrian or German let alone Dutch. My husband leans over and asks what we're giggling about. Our table was U shaped, so J was the only person sitting in front of this couple. Since he was a bit farther away, I started whispering to my husband about the Niedercopter. J gets all interested in what we've all be giggling over and asks what we're laughing about. Of course, we can't say it out loud - every European knows English. They'll know what we're talking about. I say in hushed tones that we'll tell him later. For some reason, he figures out that we're discussing the people behind him, so he turns and steals a peek. Then, turning back to us he says "What? Niedercopter?"
We DIE laughing.
After our delicious lunch, we shopped a little more than went back to the little Christmas market. We looked around at all the traditional items being sold. J's feet were freezing, so we bought him some Alpaca or Sherpa woolen socks that he proceeded to put on in the freezing weather ... quite funny. We saw some delicious local fare and stopped to try it out. They were serving sauerkraut in bread bowls. We all decided to get some and then ate more. I stopped by my favorite little bake shop and got some sweet rolls and goodies for us. Then, we visited the church where Mozart performed. The summer before that we had went there, we saw a wedding outside and took pictures. It's a gorgeous church that is very VERY Rococo. Your eyes might burn with cherubs and drippy, flamboyance but the architecture and marble are beautiful and not to be missed.
On the way back to the car, we stopped at another little street Christmas market. We ordered some Gluehwein which smells like hot whiskey and tastes like hot Nyquil. Odd? Yeah but the great thing is that Gluehwein is pretty much the same anywhere you get it. While we're standing there drinking our hot mulled wine, these 20 something year old guys are having a medieval sword fight behind the booths. It was cracking us up. They were so dramatic ... and in so much trouble. The people working the market kept asking them to stop, to move and to leave. We videotaped some of it. It was a riot watching the little Austrians get all huffy about these boys who weren't even bothering anyone.
All in all, the day was great. We had fun, and I don't remember being grouchy. I think I might have been feeling better that day ... but that should have been a sign of warning of things to come.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Special Guests
I had just barely gotten over being incredibly sick and was left with a horrible cold that stayed in my nose when we went to pick up my husband's parents. The Christmas of 2009 was going to be an incredible holiday. My husband had taken 2 weeks off of work and gotten Christmas off, and we were going to spend it with relatives which is something we hadn't done since 2004. Additionally, I had this awesome travel outline where we were going to drive down to the Alps and stay for a few nights, visit Austria and some famous Christmas markets, and see some local sights and eat some delicious food.
The day they flew in, my husband drove us to the airport about an hour early. Frankfurt airport is one of the busiest airports in the world ... and one of the worst layouts with the worst parking. It's not Germany's fault really, it's just that Frankfurt is central to EVERYTHING in Europe, that it's just so convenient. They're working on the infrastructure though, so the DB trains will come through a special station just across from the main terminal. So, we're driving around this huge new structure (which will also include lots of businesses, places to eat, places to stay, etc.) and we successfully found a parking garage with vacancies. This is rare. Anyway, our "Rock star" parking luck was on our side ... right next to the elevator. Like literally, a step away.
It took us about 15-20 minutes to get through the whole airport to where we needed to pick the in-laws up. Frankfurt airport is humongous but there were only 2 international arrival gates where we waited. We waited through 2 plane loads of people while standing up before any space was left vacancy for people to sit. I saw a group of people leave this huge fountain, so I ran over and snagged a spot, took off my coat and laid it next to me. My husband dawdled over but insisted on standing. It was about a 40 minute drive to airport, and it would be 40 minutes back so he needed the standing time.
I don't know how many plane loads of people came out of customs, but I think it was something like 8, and we waited for about an hour and a half. When you arrive at Frankfurt, you have to walk like a mile to get to the international arrivals desk for them to check your passport. Then, you have to wait about 30 minutes for your luggage to even appear on the carriage, and then you have to brave the potentiality of customs ... but, we've never had problems with going through "No Declarations." (Knocking on wood.)
Anyway, by the time J & S (my father- and mother-in-law) came through the door, we'd been at the airport for more than a while. My arm was sore and still swollen. I sat cradling it while my husband kept an eye out for them. I didn't get up until I knew they were through the gate because I didn't want to get jostled. People it Europe are rather pushy and it's acceptable so I just tried to stay clear of the chaos. It worked out pretty good though because they were some of the last people out of the gate rolling some huge luggage, and when I got down off the fountain, I didn't have to worry about being pushed and shoved around.
I was still on a lot of medication for anti-nausea, muscle relaxers (That Dr. R. insisted I take when I went to get the anti-nausea medicine) and of course, about a thousand things for my stupid head cold. I had to blow my nose every 5 minutes so I was also carrying around a box of tissues in my purse. Then, every time I blew my nose, all the skin would get rubbed raw and I had to apply aloe vera lotion after every blow so I didn't look like a burn victim. I probably looked like the mess I felt like. But, at least I felt well enough to go with my husband to get them. We had plans to leave the next morning too. We were going to be headed to the Alps to Garmisch-Partenkirchen (GAP) where we had reserved some rooms in the Edelweiss Lodge - a military only destination on the NATO base in GAP.
It was still morning time when we picked up J & S, so afterwards, we drove to the base in Mannheim because we wanted to get them a special pass so we didn't have to go through the long verification process for guests on the military base every time we wanted to go do something or get something. So, we go to the office, and sit there for about 20 minutes before they tell us that because we don't live on the base, we're not eligible for these ... which are totally ridiculous. We're stationed there, and the base isn't one huge fenced in lot. It's 5 different tiny little fenced in lots around the city! And, I repeat: WE WERE STATIONED THERE! Of course we're going to need to go to the post office or the commissary or the PX or anywhere else! It was totally, insanely, absolutely dumb.
Pissed off, we headed home. My husband and I had gone the day before and gotten the Christmas tree from a little tree farm on the highway to our village. After J & S got somewhat settled with their luggage upstairs in our guest bedroom, we planned what to do for the evening. We wanted to decorate the tree, but we also needed to get supplies for the road tomorrow. It was a 4 hour drive to GAP, and it could be slower due to the snow and ice. Also, we wanted the tree done before we left so it wouldn't blow away in the gusty wind. Living on the mountainside, we'd seen this happen to our neighbors' Christmas trees and it was funny until it happened to you. We didn't want to leave it outside the 5 days we'd be gone. So, we packed up the car and went to get some groceries at the commissary. When we came home, we spent the evening hours listening to Christmas music, rearranging the living room, putting up the tree and decorating it.
With my arm in the condition it was in, I was limited to what I could do to help out with the whole decoration situation. So, I sat on the couch carefully unwrapping ornaments with my left hand and three moveable fingers on the right hand. I tried to carefully put the hooks on the ornaments while my husband, J & S decorated the tree but some of their impatience with my inability to keep up with hooking the ornaments led them to doing it themselves and hastily putting them on the tree. It didn't really annoy me at the time, but as I look back it was something I realize that would happen to me a lot with this disease, and it doesn't make me the happiest person.
After we got the tree decorated and the living room back to order, I had a pain episode. I would get these a lot, but I think that the excitement of the day really got to me. I remember I was sitting on the couch and the next thing I knew I was screaming and crying sprawled across it. Imagine the worst pain in your entire life, and it probably still wouldn't compare. I was used to pain, but the next few months - these episodes would pop up out of the blue and I'd be in so much pain I couldn't breathe or speak. Nothing helped either. It was completely rotten, and I was incapacitated every time this happened.
Thinking back now, it must have been extremely frightening for my in-laws who had almost no idea what was going on. My husband would often turn sheet white and helplessly ask what he could do. I remember my in-laws tried to ignore it at first. They were quiet, but they would talk amongst themselves and continue doing what they were doing. It must have scared them that badly ... and since nothing helped and they knew it, the best thing to do was to not stop and drop everything but to continue with whatever was going on.
Personally, looking back at these episodes, I had no choice but to revert to the most primitive state of humanity when it came to the pain. I couldn't control it, and it would happen often at night when I was most vulnerable and exhausted. I had gotten used to taking naps, and I didn't get one that day and that possibly could have made it worse because I had no strength.
By the time it had subsided it was time for bed. My husband had to finally start sleeping the same bed because we only had one guest bed and our air mattress made his back hurt. I remember being so angry with the whole pain thing that when my husband brought up a load of clean laundry that we had to fold before bed, I started screaming at him over the way he was doing laundry. Basically what had happened is that since the surgery, he was doing most of the housework. He had put in a delicate (yet machine washable) lace tablecloth that was handmade in Italy, in with regular clothes. Some of the hooks on my bras had gotten tangled in the lace. I was pissed off that he wasn't careful with the tablecloth and also that he didn't ask me how to wash it. I know I was mean and harsh.
Every now and then, I'll have moments like these. I can't control everything anymore, and it makes it hard to let go of. Especially when it comes to things I could change the outcome of if people would recognize that even though I can't do something physically, they can still talk to me about it.
I apologized to him the next day, but he told me there was nothing to forgive. He understood my anger and my frustration and I loved him for it.
Having special guests was going to be hard. I hadn't dealt with my inability to use my arm, or the possibility of permanent nerve damage or physical disability. Anger would get the better of me more often than I liked.
The day they flew in, my husband drove us to the airport about an hour early. Frankfurt airport is one of the busiest airports in the world ... and one of the worst layouts with the worst parking. It's not Germany's fault really, it's just that Frankfurt is central to EVERYTHING in Europe, that it's just so convenient. They're working on the infrastructure though, so the DB trains will come through a special station just across from the main terminal. So, we're driving around this huge new structure (which will also include lots of businesses, places to eat, places to stay, etc.) and we successfully found a parking garage with vacancies. This is rare. Anyway, our "Rock star" parking luck was on our side ... right next to the elevator. Like literally, a step away.
It took us about 15-20 minutes to get through the whole airport to where we needed to pick the in-laws up. Frankfurt airport is humongous but there were only 2 international arrival gates where we waited. We waited through 2 plane loads of people while standing up before any space was left vacancy for people to sit. I saw a group of people leave this huge fountain, so I ran over and snagged a spot, took off my coat and laid it next to me. My husband dawdled over but insisted on standing. It was about a 40 minute drive to airport, and it would be 40 minutes back so he needed the standing time.
I don't know how many plane loads of people came out of customs, but I think it was something like 8, and we waited for about an hour and a half. When you arrive at Frankfurt, you have to walk like a mile to get to the international arrivals desk for them to check your passport. Then, you have to wait about 30 minutes for your luggage to even appear on the carriage, and then you have to brave the potentiality of customs ... but, we've never had problems with going through "No Declarations." (Knocking on wood.)
Anyway, by the time J & S (my father- and mother-in-law) came through the door, we'd been at the airport for more than a while. My arm was sore and still swollen. I sat cradling it while my husband kept an eye out for them. I didn't get up until I knew they were through the gate because I didn't want to get jostled. People it Europe are rather pushy and it's acceptable so I just tried to stay clear of the chaos. It worked out pretty good though because they were some of the last people out of the gate rolling some huge luggage, and when I got down off the fountain, I didn't have to worry about being pushed and shoved around.
I was still on a lot of medication for anti-nausea, muscle relaxers (That Dr. R. insisted I take when I went to get the anti-nausea medicine) and of course, about a thousand things for my stupid head cold. I had to blow my nose every 5 minutes so I was also carrying around a box of tissues in my purse. Then, every time I blew my nose, all the skin would get rubbed raw and I had to apply aloe vera lotion after every blow so I didn't look like a burn victim. I probably looked like the mess I felt like. But, at least I felt well enough to go with my husband to get them. We had plans to leave the next morning too. We were going to be headed to the Alps to Garmisch-Partenkirchen (GAP) where we had reserved some rooms in the Edelweiss Lodge - a military only destination on the NATO base in GAP.
It was still morning time when we picked up J & S, so afterwards, we drove to the base in Mannheim because we wanted to get them a special pass so we didn't have to go through the long verification process for guests on the military base every time we wanted to go do something or get something. So, we go to the office, and sit there for about 20 minutes before they tell us that because we don't live on the base, we're not eligible for these ... which are totally ridiculous. We're stationed there, and the base isn't one huge fenced in lot. It's 5 different tiny little fenced in lots around the city! And, I repeat: WE WERE STATIONED THERE! Of course we're going to need to go to the post office or the commissary or the PX or anywhere else! It was totally, insanely, absolutely dumb.
Pissed off, we headed home. My husband and I had gone the day before and gotten the Christmas tree from a little tree farm on the highway to our village. After J & S got somewhat settled with their luggage upstairs in our guest bedroom, we planned what to do for the evening. We wanted to decorate the tree, but we also needed to get supplies for the road tomorrow. It was a 4 hour drive to GAP, and it could be slower due to the snow and ice. Also, we wanted the tree done before we left so it wouldn't blow away in the gusty wind. Living on the mountainside, we'd seen this happen to our neighbors' Christmas trees and it was funny until it happened to you. We didn't want to leave it outside the 5 days we'd be gone. So, we packed up the car and went to get some groceries at the commissary. When we came home, we spent the evening hours listening to Christmas music, rearranging the living room, putting up the tree and decorating it.
With my arm in the condition it was in, I was limited to what I could do to help out with the whole decoration situation. So, I sat on the couch carefully unwrapping ornaments with my left hand and three moveable fingers on the right hand. I tried to carefully put the hooks on the ornaments while my husband, J & S decorated the tree but some of their impatience with my inability to keep up with hooking the ornaments led them to doing it themselves and hastily putting them on the tree. It didn't really annoy me at the time, but as I look back it was something I realize that would happen to me a lot with this disease, and it doesn't make me the happiest person.
After we got the tree decorated and the living room back to order, I had a pain episode. I would get these a lot, but I think that the excitement of the day really got to me. I remember I was sitting on the couch and the next thing I knew I was screaming and crying sprawled across it. Imagine the worst pain in your entire life, and it probably still wouldn't compare. I was used to pain, but the next few months - these episodes would pop up out of the blue and I'd be in so much pain I couldn't breathe or speak. Nothing helped either. It was completely rotten, and I was incapacitated every time this happened.
Thinking back now, it must have been extremely frightening for my in-laws who had almost no idea what was going on. My husband would often turn sheet white and helplessly ask what he could do. I remember my in-laws tried to ignore it at first. They were quiet, but they would talk amongst themselves and continue doing what they were doing. It must have scared them that badly ... and since nothing helped and they knew it, the best thing to do was to not stop and drop everything but to continue with whatever was going on.
Personally, looking back at these episodes, I had no choice but to revert to the most primitive state of humanity when it came to the pain. I couldn't control it, and it would happen often at night when I was most vulnerable and exhausted. I had gotten used to taking naps, and I didn't get one that day and that possibly could have made it worse because I had no strength.
By the time it had subsided it was time for bed. My husband had to finally start sleeping the same bed because we only had one guest bed and our air mattress made his back hurt. I remember being so angry with the whole pain thing that when my husband brought up a load of clean laundry that we had to fold before bed, I started screaming at him over the way he was doing laundry. Basically what had happened is that since the surgery, he was doing most of the housework. He had put in a delicate (yet machine washable) lace tablecloth that was handmade in Italy, in with regular clothes. Some of the hooks on my bras had gotten tangled in the lace. I was pissed off that he wasn't careful with the tablecloth and also that he didn't ask me how to wash it. I know I was mean and harsh.
Every now and then, I'll have moments like these. I can't control everything anymore, and it makes it hard to let go of. Especially when it comes to things I could change the outcome of if people would recognize that even though I can't do something physically, they can still talk to me about it.
I apologized to him the next day, but he told me there was nothing to forgive. He understood my anger and my frustration and I loved him for it.
Having special guests was going to be hard. I hadn't dealt with my inability to use my arm, or the possibility of permanent nerve damage or physical disability. Anger would get the better of me more often than I liked.
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