SAVANNAH GEORGIA

It started with a PODCAST. And then I ate a lot of oysters ... and then I drank too much. Savannah has a way of doing that to a person. If you want to know about Savannah you might want to rent Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. There was a lot of drinking in that movie, just like on my visit. Only we didn't run into any transvestites. Just a lot of other drunk tourists. That said ... it was a very stumblable city. Smaller then NOLA but less "In Your Face" party.

Europe is still alive

Lucky me... I get to hang on to my European adventure a little longer. And the best part is that I don't have to pay for it -- which is a good thing in the rising cost of air travel. The biggest thing I miss is being able to hop on the train and go to Paris or Zurich or Munich for the weekend. To go any where in the US you need a plane ticket -- which means security, parking, and rude people who have been delayed - and not wearing perfume because it only comes in 6oz bottles. Travel in the US has become so complicated that staying at home seems to be the best option.

THE CORNICHE, DOHA QATAR

DOHA, QATAR

The Corniche, January 2008

The Corniche is a beautiful 7Km paved walk way along the Arabian Gulf. Unspoiled by western t-shirt vendors, fried food stands and the crowds you find so often on American and European shorelines.

Something you don't see very often in Qatar is grass. The Corniche has gorgeous grass. The rumor is that it's imported from Australia and has to be watered 4 times a day in the summer. The potential for mad tourism is there. For now, it's peaceful. In 1989 Qatar issued the first tourist Visa. It wasn't until recently (past 15 years) that Qatar has even been drawn onto western published maps. And, I'm not sure my mother even knows exactly where I'm living. A perfect get away, few visitors, not on the map, and your mom can't track you down. The original name of Doha was Al-Bida (Big Tree). The legend is that a prominent tree stood in the village that was to become Doha.

If you must know....

The hotel in Stuttgart "Der Zauberlehrling" translates into "The Sorcerer's Apprentice". The poem by Goethe is what the hotel is named for -- and I should have took note of the poem before I pinned hopes on Valentines Day: Good! The sorcerer, my old master left me here alone today! Now his spirits, for a change, my own wishes shall obey! Having memorized what to say and do, with my powers of will I can do some witching, too! Goethe goes on to tell a tale of how power must be used carefully and what you ask for needs to be done with thought and regard to consequences. As the Sorcerers Apprentice goes on to tell -- the broom rebels as do all other objects he summons and when the Sorcerer finally arrives back at home the Apprentice is happy for his return. I have, yet once again, believed I was no longer the Apprentice. And once again I find myself back to where I started. Which should have been the Chalet Suite -- in all its antlered heaven.

Update on Sunday, March 9, 2008 at 15:58 by LIFETRASH

The hotel magic was all there was. So absolutely lovely that it make no difference who you were there with... even the biggest bore becomes the prince. Then agian, for one night and a fabulous dinner with drinks you will pay about a thousand dollars for that magic. (At the current exchange rate). And no man is probably worth that.

The Sorcerer's Apprentice - Stuttgart

For anyone who knows me, they will say I love to plan trips and I fail to keep secrets. This is not entirely true, on either account.
Wine Tasting in TuscanyI love to plan trips for those that will appreciate the amount of time and creativity that goes into the planning. However, the reality is that almost everyone will cause disappointment. People who don't embrace the journey have no idea how difficult it is to secure front row seats for Blue Man Group (Berlin) or to arrange a wine safari through Tuscany or a private city tour of Venice via private teak decked water taxi. All of which I paid for and were enjoyed by OCD man and Butters, respectively. I guess they were just thinly veiled excuses not to go to romantic or fun places alone. Since they have both departed from my life with little to no drama that tells me they were just that...a diversion. The next trip I'm planning will consist of a weekend at Garmisch -- one of my favorites
Garmisch in Summer any time of year. Followed by some extensive body restructuring (LIPOSUCTION) that is guaranteed to make me not feel well for about 1 month (according to everything on the web and the two people I know that have had this procedure done). Less then a week after the surgery I return to Germany. This year, barring any catastrophic break up, I will actually be seeing Someone on Valentines day. THE SECRET:

I won't feel well, and I probably won't look great but I made plans. A huge step for me not to call it the "Holiday from Hell" and actually make semi-romantic plans. (ok, really, actually, very, romantic plans). I just hope he doesn't get mad if I'm not myself and may not want to get naked -- showing off my brand new black and blue ass.

THE NOT SECRET:

He knows about the museum -- and he knows there is a hotel with a nice room. I made him a ridiculous power point presentation that was a 39 year olds version of Junior High:

Check this box if you like me Check this box if you want to go out on Valentines Day Check this box if you think I'm a moron for planning all this two months ahead ANOTHER SECRET:

I'm still trying to line up a back up plan in case I get stood up (AGAIN - reference State Department Guy). I'm not sure how many more times my heart can break -- I need to take measures to protect myself.

The big PLAN:

Stuttgart Boutique Hotel I am trying to arrange a tour at the Sinsheim Technik Museum - something that has been taxing my German language skills. I have called 4 times and still have not phrased my need correctly ... I have decided to give up after 10. Maybe I should see if they speak Italian -- I learned the museum tour reservation dialog for the tour in Florence.

He knows about the museum -- and he knows there is a hotel with a nice room. I'm not sure he knows how nice. The reservation required me to use all the German words I know -- and I know a fair amount. But I have learned the German "LET'S MAKE A HOTEL RESERVATION" dialog. Sie Haben ein romantik zimmer order suiten fur zwei? It's when you get into asking about amenities that gets you in trouble. Some how "Geschlechtschwingen" does not mean "The Garbage Can Has a Lid That Swings". You don't want to know, and I'm not going to tell you. LAST SECRET:

Now that I've made these plans I am terrified of the catastrophic break up. Just once it would be nice to be sure.

Update on Sunday, January 6, 2008 at 23:26 by LIFETRASH

I have successfully secured a tour of the Museum. Since I am automotivaly challenged it's better this way. I'm a great tour guide of the Louvre or the Uffizi but I know my limits.

Update on Monday, January 14, 2008 at 12:04 by LIFETRASH

I am now finding myself in the pracarious postion of having to figure out a back up plan and I only have 17 day to do it. Of all the fabulous plans -- you would think I would learn.

Update on Sunday, March 9, 2008 at 16:03 by LIFETRASH

I have to laugh at myself. After all the drama 'someone' was able to make it, never letting me forget what a sacrifice it was for him. Now ... someone is history, by my choosing. I should have know from the first time he stuck me with his bar tab. Live and learn ... and as the OS says: "NEXT!"