Poland 2009 - Back to Tripoli, goodbye Warsaw

Got up at 3:30AM, took a shower and met Troy in the lobby at 4AM. The driver never showed up so we took a cab. Arrived at Amsterdam on time. Arrived at Tripoli on time. I was stuck between two families with kids/babies. I hate that! Made it back in one piece.

Poland 2009 - Brew with Andrzej

Troy and I met in the lobby with Andrzej around 10AM. We went back to the Old Town with Andrzej as our tour guide.  He grow up here and loved showing us his city.  We had lunch and many beers while talking about Poland. He had to take off for a doctor appointment so Troy and I went to the War museum but it was closed today. We walked around the outside and took photos of the aircraft and tanks. We hung out for a while then went back to the hotel. Had dinner at the Mexican place and I was able to get my free glass. Back at the hotel, we were to meet backup with Claudia. She arrived a bit late. We hung out until midnight or so.

Poland 2009 - Krakow day trip

We met the transportation person in the lobby around 7AM, he took us to the train station and we waiting for the train to Krakow. There were several other people on tour. Our first class cabin was good and no one else was in there with us. We arrived on time in Krakow three hours later. The travel guide met us on the platform, Anita. We went to the van and had two other travels with us who had their own guide. The couple had lived in Philly. We took off for the Salt Mines. Our guide picked up the tickets and waited for the gates to open. We went on the tour with a larger group. It took almost three hours and we walked underground for nearly three kilometers. After the tour our guide met us outside, we all hopped on the van had headed to the Jewish Quarter. The three of us sat at an outdoor café and had lunch. Then we proceeded on our tour of the city. I took many pictures but ran out of steam at the end and did not take any of the town square. I told our guide I wanted to do some shopping she was into that. That’s the advantage of having a private guide. After buying presents at the Amber shop, we found a small café to have coffee and a brewsky. We ventured on to the town square were the HRC café is located. This wrapped up our tour, our guide walked us to the train station to see us off. We got back to Warsaw a bit late and our driver was there to pick us up. Back at the hotel just had a brew then to bed.

Poland 2009 - Old Town Journey

Went down to make a haircut appointment for 10AM. Got the cut. Around 11AM I went to the lobby to meet Troy after about 15 minutes I went looking for him, he was on the other side talking to a Mexican girl. Her name was Claudia and from Dallas. Troy invited her along for our Old Town journey. We decided to take public transportation. It work out pretty well, had a few “where are we moments” but my since of direction paid off. We saw the changing of the guards at the soldier memorial. Traced our path to where the foot tour started and then headed in the other direction. We found an outdoor café and had lunch. We then started walking down to the Old Town Square taking many pictures. We went in to a few shops and found a Mexican restaurant but they did not let us in. Therefore, we found another outdoor café for a beer. It was time to head back we decided to take the tram. The one we hopped on was going the wrong way so we hopped on another. This one was going the wrong way and we ended up right where we started. Three times a charm. This one took us to the main road and back to the hotel. We ate at the Mexican restaurant by the hotel again.

Poland 2009 - My Bag Arrived!

Met Troy for breakfast, afterward we went up stairs but I noticed my bag at the front desk. With joy I grab the bag and headed up stairs to change and unpack. Met Troy at the lobby for the Warsaw tour. Ran into one other person that was signed up, he was from China and very friendly. We ended up with four from the hotel. The dude from China was a professor with a PHD in Engineering; the other was a Physicist from Spain. (Wow, the type of people I admire surrounds me!) We arrived at the entrance to a large park and met up with a couple for a total of six people. I was blown away from the absolute beauty of the landscape! I had always picture Poland and all other Eastern Block Countries as gray and dark. I guess that’s the US propaganda against the former Soviet Union. I must bring Tracy here! At this time of year, it is very awesome. Chopin's monument was in this park we then visited other historical sites such as the Ghetto Memorial, the Monument of Warsaw Uprising, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Grand Theatre,
the Belvedere Palace and ended in Old Town were we started a walking tour passing by the Castle Square, King Sigismund's Column, St. John's Cathedral, the Old Town Market Square and the Barbican.  So far, I have taken 350 photos.

Poland 2009 - First day in Warsaw

Started the day at the breakfast buffet, Troy showed up 15 minutes later. After breakfast we headed out to scope out the neighborhood and walk up to the new city center. We finally found the HRC after completely walking around it. Disappointed though, they did not have any glassware. Moreover, they said the point system is not in place. I’ll need to check on that. We ended up sitting outside and drank a few brew, enjoyed the sunshine and the views. We took a tour of the huge mall then started walking back to the hotel, we stopped at a Tex-Mex place and had lunch. It was pretty good, had a few brews and a enchilada. Got back to the hotel and Troy’s luggage made it back but mine did not. I called KLM they said it did not make the 11AM plane but should be on the 5PM flight. Around 2PM we met up with Andrzej for a traditional Polish meal and drinks (I mean beer). That was great! However, very unhealthy. We went back to the hotel, I Skype Tracy and chatted for a while, then took a nap. At 8PM, I called KLM back and they said the bag did not make the flight. You have to be kidding! They said maybe tomorrow’s 11AM flight. Then met up with Troy at the hotel bar and had a light dinner then went for a walk about through the city. We ran into several groups of people that we have met during our stay. We then went to the other hotel bar for a nightcap.

Poland 2009 - Off to Warsaw!

The TIP airport was swamped but made it to the plane just fine. There was a van leaving the office every half hour from noon until 3PM. Our flight to Amsterdam had seven employees on it. The KLM business lounge was great, Troy is a gold member and was able to get me in as a guest. Getting to the lounge took forever. The airport in so big. The flight to Amsterdam was packed, the flight to Warsaw was only a quarter filled.   I wish I had my camera out for the beginning of the Warsaw flight, we had a beautify sunset, pink, orange and blue!  Made it to Warsaw in one piece. However, our baggage was lost somewhere in Amsterdam, which doesn’t make since. We had a 90-minute layover, if the bags were lost I would have thought it would have happened in Tripoli because of the mass departure out of the country for the Eid holiday.   Checked-in, no issues, had a few appetizers and drinks with Troy at the hotel bar before going to bed at 2AM.

Philly, September 2009 - Back in Libya via Roma

Arrived at Roma a bit early, which helped. I went through passport control, only took 15 minutes this time. It took awhile to find the check in counter, first time in the Roma airport. However, everything worked out. I was able to get to the gate with 45 minutes to spare. While waiting I decided to leave Tracy a voice mail, but she ended up answering the phone. It was 3:30AM her time, I apologized and told her I made it and was able to make my connection. The plane was only a quarter full. We landing at TIP on time got back to the GH with no issues.
I’m lost in time. All day today, I thought it was Friday. When I started to get caught up on my food diary and daily journal the days were not working out until I noticed my computer had Thursday on the status bar. Even going up for dinner I did not realize it was Thursday. In my daily email to Tracy, I mentioned that we need to sit down and come up with a plan to meet somewhere ever 60 days or so. I was thinking that since her business travels start in spring that I could met up with her during the Spring and Summer. That should work until I go home for good. It would work something like this. I would fly into Philly and stay for a day or two. Then fly to wherever she is working for the weekend, and then we both fly back to Philly together for so many days before I go back to Tripoli.

Philly, September 2009 - Going back to Africa, Sad but True

Tracy did not want to get out of bed, she hit the snooze button many times knowing that this was the last time she will see me until Vienna. She got ready for work, we said our goodbyes. I headed to the house for a final clean up. When I arrived, I realized that I did not bring the keys. Yes again, that’s the third time on this trip. I had too quickly come up with another plan. Therefore, I drove all the way back to Tracy’s picked up the key then headed to Joe’s. We went to the General Lafayette for lunch. After lunch we hung out for a hour or so. I went back to my house to mow the lawn and to lock up for who knows how long. Took a shower and headed back to Tracy’s to drop off the keys and pick up my bags. I left Tracy a nice note for her when she gets home. Off to the airport. I was able to get bumped to first class, yea! Tracy had called while I was checking in. I called her as soon as I got to the Envoy lounge. We had a nice little chat before I boarded the plane. Took off on time.

Philly, September 2009 - No House Sitter

Tracy’s first day at work this week. I got up with her we went to DD for my coffee before she left for work. I got ready to go out for the day, I couldn’t get Rygel to go to his cage so I called Tracy to make sure it was okay for me to leave him out. I had scheduled to meet Jodi today at 3PM. I went to lunch with Gret and Joe at Sqoogies and dropped off Cleo. Cleo took to the place very well. I headed back to my house, around 3:30PM Jodi called and bailed on me, she changed her mind about house sitting, boy that sucks. I went back to Tracy’s place. Her dad had been to the house and put Rygel into his cage. I took Rygel for a walk around the neighborhood. We ordered pizza and picked up a bottle of Champagne for our final night together. We dropped off Rygel at Tracy’s parent house. I met Tracy’s dad and showed them pictures of our week. He did remember me from 15 years ago.

Philly, September 2009 - The Broad Axe

Never heard from Jodi (Karen’s friend) so I will try again tomorrow. She is the one that offered to house sit for me.  Tracy and I went to Ikea to purchase a small dresser for the second bedroom. After the Ikea run, we headed to the house. Tracy put the dresser together while I worked on the back yard. We had Tracy’s homemade chili and cornbread for lunch. That was very good. And I had a Dogfish Head Pumpkin Ale.  One of my favorite beers.  We cleaned up and went back over to Joe and Gret’s house. We made plans to go to The Broad Axe for dinner. We had a great time, Joe and I took advantage of the great beer selection. And yes, all of you beer connoisseurs, the bottle between Joe and I is a Blithering Idiot by Weyerbacher Brewing Co. The question is, which is the real blithering idiot? Went back to their place to hang out a bit. They agreed to keep Cleo (my 15 year old cat) for me. What a relief. Karina (Joe & Grets daughter) gave Tracy the third degree about me and her going out.

Philly, September 2009 - Longwood Gardens Fireworks

Tracy and I decided to have brunch at Brodeur’s on State Street in Media. We went shopping then back to my house to pick up the camera stuff I left there. We got half way up on I-476 before I realized that I left my keys back at Tracy’s, not again! We headed to the airport so could pick up my rental car for the week. Then we headed to Longwood Gardens for fireworks. Stopped by a restaurant called Gable’s in Kenneth Square, had wine, and cheese, calamari appetizers, and the bread. The place was packed but managed to get good seats at the back middle section. LWG was packed. We totted our lawn chairs and my camera into the gardens. We were looking for a decent spot but all of the areas were full. An attendant spotted us and found a good spot right in the middle of everything. We setup shop and waited for the show to begin. The fireworks were wonderful. Had a long walk back to the car, and then had to wait to leave the property, lot of cars. They diverted our traffic a few miles out of the way in the wrong direction. Got home and had a few mimosas. We had another romantic night

Philly, September 2009 - Slappers

Got up and decided to make crab cake Omelet’s for the two of us, um! We headed back to my house for more cleaning. We went back to Tracy’s house and took a much deserved nap. We skipped lunch, and went over to the Slapper’s in the late afternoon. We had dinner and spent the evening over there hanging out in the back yard. We had a very nice night together. Moreover, she  was very happy that she was able to find me available after all these years.

Philly, September 2009 - Friday Night Flights

We headed up to my neck of woods, I want to see what the house looked like after kicking my previous house watcher out. First breakfast, we swung by the Dining Car Diner that Tracy saw on the food network. It was very good. I forgot the house keys so we had to head back to her house to pick them up. That was a bonehead move. We went to Lowes for cleaning supplies. Then we went to my house to start the clean up.  After a few hours of house cleaning we headed back to her place and got ready for dinner in old city. We took the train to Center City and the El to old city. We arrived at the “The Penn’s Hotel”. We went to the restaurant called “Il Bar” “Ristorante Panorama”. We were going to do the Friday night Flights but showed up an hour late so we sat at the bar and had three flights of wine. We also ordered a cheese flight and a pasta dish. Very romantic. We decided to skip the El and walked back to Center City. On the way back, Tracy took me up to the 33rd floor of the Lowes Hotel. A very nice view. We made it back to her place and settled in for a romantic night.

Philly, September 2009 - Heading back home for a week

Got up a 4AM, heading to the airport. No layover straight to FCO (Roma) via Alitalia, had 60 minutes to find the USAir counter then off to Philly. Business class, the only way to flight overseas. I do spoil myself. I arrived on time, picked up my bags made it through customs and to the Meet & Greet but no Tracy. I called her to see where she was at, she was on her way. She arrived 5 minutes later. She jumped out of car and gave me a big hung. Got home unpacked and relaxed a bit. We decided to have dinner at home, she made crab cakes and a veggie dish. Then we retire to upstairs to get reacquainted.