The Bakers Grand European Vacation

We are headed toward the glockenspiel which has shows (is that even the correct term?) at 11am, noon and 5pm.

It’s not even 9am yet so we have lots of time to kill today. We will plan to catch the early show before seeing other sites in Munich.

The train ride was a pretty one…mainly because of the clear blue skies.

Greg and I didn’t exactly see eye to eye on where to exit the train. I wanted to hop off at Marienplatz but Greg wanted to go a stop farther and walk back. He won because I don’t have enough fight in me.

After getting off at Greg’s stop we came out on a street and was greeted by a ‘Coffee Fellows’ sign. Maybe it actually is a sign that I should re-caffeinate.

I decided to keep moving and resist the urge. We walked past some familiar sites from our previous trip here.

Now this area we know well. Just past the fountain on the right is the McDonald’ that I swear we stopped at multiple times for McToasty’s on our last trip. The building on the left has a Starbucks so basically everyone was happy.

We walked along the street where there are tons of shops and cafes. I feel like we have walked this street so many times it feels like familiar territory even though we have only been here a few days.

We have killed enough time to head over to the glockenspiel.

Longest day ever and it’s just getting started.

Greg didn’t want to buy train tickets in the airport because he wasn’t sure they were for the correct train. So we went to the train station to buy them.

Greg selected the English option and then confirmed ok. My suggestion of clicking the tickets for 2-5 people caused the machine to switch the language to German. We saved lots of money but don’t feel super great about what spit out. It appeared to be one ticket and a receipt with 3 barcodes. Guess we will find out. Hoping we don’t have another issue with train people like we did in Norway when we thought the trains were free. That’s before we adopted Norway as our second country and have come to realize everything costs money there and a lot of it. But I digress.

In other news, thankfully it’s not 77 degrees. It’s a cool 50 with blue skies. Looks like we are going to have a lovely day!

Once luggage was obtained we are officially headed to the Hilton at the airport. I had forgotten how much I enjoy the architecture and sights of this airport.

All 8 bags have been dropped off and we are headed back to the airport to grab coffee and train tickets.

I jokingly asked if anyone wanted to milk the cow for the blog. To my surprise Linda jumped right in! Kids…take notice. This is taking one for the team for the blog.

Also found an ATM that actually works. Or kind of. It didn’t give me the amount I wanted, either because we don’t have it, it doesn’t have it or we have some per day limit. Guess we will be in search of another one in hopes it’s not our account.

Finally we have arrived at Starbucks.

Time to head for the trains!

On our descent the pilot announced the temperature in Munich was 77 degrees. This is problematic based on the fact that I asked Greg if I needed shorts and he assured me I did not. I literally brought one short sleeve shirt that I’ve been in for close to 24 hours. It’s finnnnne.

We made our way down the jet bridge and headed towards customs.

While we are waiting on Carey and Linda’s bags I decided to head off for cash. It did not go well.

I probably need a snack since my meat was suspect. Food and caffeine. That’s all I need. Oh and maybe a giant pretzel as big as my head and a beer to pretend I’m drinking. Those are definitely on the menu for later.

I am fully aware this post is ridiculous but I’m really taking one for the team up here in business.

I’m the last seat in business. Greg is in the row directly behind me. First of all I have no window. Doesn’t everyone want access to a window?

Second, I’m the last person served in this class. My warm towel wasn’t warm. The warm nuts actually weren’t warm. That right there is just tragic.

I was almost convinced they had completely forgotten to give me my meal but no, it was just so freaking slow. Greg was done eating and the lights were off and I had yet to be served. People, I need to eat so I can sleep so I can survive Munich

I literally keep awkwardly staring through the small slit above my screen to try and make sure they see me back here in case they did actually forget about me.

I’m not exactly sure what this sliced watermelon radish salad is. Seems watermelon radish is a radish and not watermelon and radish. I need to get out more but honestly radishes aren’t my thing and the lemon ricotta isn’t worth the calories. Totally tasteless.

I forgot to take a pic of my entree but I have no clue what it was. I’d ordered chicken and they asked me for a back-up so I picked the pork. What I ate doesn’t fit the description of any entrees so it must be the mystery meat that is on the secret menu. Maybe I should feel special. I’m exclusive up here.

I do feel like I made the best choice for dessert. I mean who gets a cheese plate for dessert? Not this girl. Those are called apps, not dessert.

The apple tart looked tiny and cold so I went vanilla ice cream with chocolate sauce. I was not disappointed.

After dinner it was time to get some sleep. Despite taking melatonin and children’s Benadryl and using my super sexy provided eye patch in my amenity kit I basically slept none. Maybe an hour if I’m being really optimistic.

The lights came back on with about 90 mins left in flight. Decided to use the restroom before the seatbelt sign comes back on and Greg is back there living his best life with breakfast.

Thankfully as I was typing this they came for my breakfast order which consisted of “quiche and all the coffee currently available.” My only hope for surviving Munich at this point is straight caffeine. Can I get an IV?

We have officially arrived 40 minutes early. I should be so happy but yet I feel cheated out of 40 potential minutes of sleep.

We will grab Carey and Linda’s checked bag and some cash for our tour guide tomorrow and hopefully a tall cup of caffeine and head to the Hilton or somewhere close to drop our bags.

Then it’s off to make the most of our day here.

Greg’s parents landed in Newark an hour or so after Greg and I. We met up at a table near our gate and visited while we waited the two-ish hours until we board our flight to Munich.

Greg’s call to the 1K desk resulted in us being split up into individual reservations which somehow resulted into all of us being at least in premium eco. We have two seats together in premium eco, one in business (lay flat seat) and one single seat next to a stranger in premium eco.

I’ve said I will take whatever seat anyone doesn’t want.

Greg’s parents decided to take the two seats next to each other which means Greg and I will sit separately. I told Greg he should take business and I would do premium eco but he insisted since he’s conditioned himself to sleep on planes I should take the lay flat seat.

I mean…if I must I will. I’m willing to take one for the team.

United began the pre board process for all the important people which obviously includes Mr. Baker. This is Carey and Linda’s first experience traveling with Mr. Baker. You just follow behind and act like you own the place and everything typically works out.

We breezed through the boarding process with no issues and found our seats. It didn’t take long for Greg to regret his decisions.

In my defense just because I feel a little guilty, Greg and his parents get the same food and drink options. I just get the bed.

And for anyone curious, Brooks is still making his way to Atlanta. I’m sure he’s hoping this is the only hurricane he has to evacuate from after as many hours as he’s driven today. What should have been about 7 hours is looking more like 15 give or take.

I breezed through the airport without a pat down or a “random” drug screen. Must not have looked suspect. Had plenty of time to visit with one of my besties who happened to be on the same flight. Oddly enough there was another person on our flight who we used to work with. Small world Louisville is.

Greg and I got situated on the plane and I decided to officially get the blog up and going. My family is so supportive of me I just feel so loved.

Meanwhile, Brooks is fleeing hurricane Milton driving from Fort Myers to Atlanta. He left at 3:50am and made good time for the first hour or so. After that it’s been very slow going despite allowing traffic to drive in the emergency lane. His Life360 drive looks painful but he assures me it hasn’t been bad.

Time to grab some food while we wait for Greg’s parents.

Oh and guess I should go ahead and out myself. We were one and two on the business upgrade list but while we were flying the person that was behind us got the only seat in business.

Greg called the United 1K to ask about an upgrade and they said it’s likely because our reservations were 2 and 2 and there was one seat in business and one in premium eco. I’ve said a lot that doesn’t even matter because there is no chance that this blog won’t be to blame.

Meanwhile back at home Ozzy might not make it without us. Based on the picture Logan sent he looks extremely stressed out.

Who’s ready for another Baker adventure?! Maybe no one. That might be the answer.

While some things about this trip are like every other (Backpacks, United flights, etc) it’s also not a trip like we have ever done before in many ways.

Greg and I are testing out our empty nest-wishing we were already retired lifestyle by heading out on a Viking River cruise with his parents. After hosting a work dinner at our house last night for 35 people and starting our packing this morning by shoving random clothes in backpacks we are “ready” to go.

We have never left the without the kids this long before which will definitely be weird. I’m not sure what I will talk about in the blog since I won’t have kid antics but I’m guessing there will be plenty of material with the cruise. If not this will be short and sweet. 😬

I’m at the age and mental instability to have taken the time to prepacked my vitamins and meds into individual bags marked by day and “am” or “pm” which I was made completely fun of by certain members of my loving family. I also measured out protein powder to mix in yogurt or coffee to which Brooks says I will definitely be stopped by TSA. Guess we shall see. It’s worth a pat down for me to have my stuff. I’m not scared.

Logan is nice enough to take us to the airport so we don’t have to leave a car.

High level overview of our trip…fly to Munich where we will be for approximately 24 hours. Hop a flight to Budapest where we will meet the boat. Cruise down the Rhine ultimately ending in Amsterdam where we will spend a few nights before flying to Paris for a short stay before coming back home. Total time gone three weeks!

We have a nice mix of organized plans for some days and absolutely nothing planned for others.