Rapid Travel Chai

Last week I had family matters in Shanghai, heading there Monday and a quick turn back Friday for Chicago Seminars. Delta Diamond Medallion Global Upgrade Certificates did not clear so I was in the back on packed flights.

The weekend was fantastic, seem radio host Ramblin Randy’s effusive review that I am almost blushing too much to link to myself. 3 days on stage leaves me needing my introvert recovery time. Instead, I pushed to Germany for a quick trip linking up Chicago and my conference next weekend in Colorado Springs.

The flight over was trademark United, skimpy food and half-size utensils, with no reading lights working. I was next to halitosis guy, one of the hardest seatmates to have – just when you get a respite, it wafts back over.

I have never been to Berlin. I hit the ground running, picking up my rental car and spending the morning out at Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp.

By 11:30 I was bound back to the city for a packed plan of WWII and Cold War sites. I was driving through a golden-leaf forest, pulled off the road at a hiking trail parking spot, and promptly slept under the sun for four hours.

I woke up, still planning to at least make my 8:30 pm Reichstag ticket. Instead, I got to the guest house, found the neighborhood döner kebab shop, had the Big Döner, checked in and went to sleep.

Sorry, Berlin, I’ll be back. In my research I realized Berlin, more than any other European city, on paper is one I want to spend a solid chunk of time.

Today it is off to Lutherland for the Reformation 500th. I am a week ahead of the big day. I am expecting a great time, starting with Wittenburg this morning.