• Images
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    • Images that leave an Impression
    • The Birds We See
      • Djibouti
      • Ethiopia
      • Port Louis, Mauritius
      • Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
  • Page One
    • America (with a “C”)
    • one sided conversations with the damn cat
    • Serious Stuff
    • Something to Think About
    • Things to remember while traveling overseas
  • Page Three – What I Saw
    • Apparition Hill – called Podbrdo
    • I Walked Among Them
    • St. James … they just didn’t want to leave.
    • The Cross
  • Page Two
    • Roses
    • Harpo Speaks!
    • I’ve always hated book reports
    • initial Addis Updates
    • The Dichotomy
    • Written Words
    • My Most Unforgettable Characters

Nine Yards … and counting.

Nine Yards … and counting.

Monthly Archives: March 2014

Been Busy, but I’m Back

29 Saturday Mar 2014

Posted by dknolte in Uncategorized

≈ 3 Comments

Week before last, Terese and I went to Frankfurt for me to get a bit of training, so I will have some more smarts.  When we returned home, I had to make a quick trip down to Adana for a project that is about to conclude.  I’ll be making another trip in week or so, but this topic needs to be about Frankfurt, as there is much to tell and show.

Germany is the land of my ancestors.  It pretty much typifies Europe with one exception, among others – the Germans are larger in size.  Not large as in Wal-Mart large, but they are big boned.  It must be where I got my broad shoulders.  The natives also have the rough facial features that my brothers and I have.  I can’t complain as it keeps the riff-raff away.

The youth pretty much reflect the youth of Europe with their strange haircuts, leather clothing and men with facial makeup.  Many men carry something that resembles a purse, which most are not feminine looking.

On Saturday, we rode the tram up to a major rail station where there are booths set up selling food and drink.  It was about 11:30 in the morning, when we stopped at a crowded booth and ordered up two glasses of white wine, and stood under a canopy out of the light rain and watched the people.

IMG00151-20140322-1138IMG00150-20140322-1129DSC_0251IMG00154-20140322-1143We noticed that people would go to a booth for wine or German beer and take it over to another booth and order food, then sit on one of the picnic tables under the awnings to enjoy a perfect German lunch.  We continued along the walk paths between the booths and tents looking through some of the shops.  Terese purchased a scarf to wrap around her neck to keep out the cool wet breeze that was lightly blowing.  Then we stopped at a favorite restaurant of mine, which is an old building that reminds me of a small train station from a century ago.  Had sausages that were long thin hotdogs by our account, along with applevine (apple wine).  Applevine is a light wine from apples that does not seem to have the alcohol content of regular wine.  (Gary, is there such a thing as regular wine?)  My brother is the family expert on wine and perhaps other nefarious things … except box wine, which my brother Quenton is the expert.

IMG00157-20140322-1233 IMG00156-20140322-1233After eating, we strode down the side street to a Starbucks for coffee.  We had to sit outside due to all the people who go to Starbucks and park their butt for several hours watching movies on the free Wi-Fi, with an occasional drink.  Now, I realize that many of you feel that no one in their right mind would pay those prices for coffee, but there are many of us who do.  I never mind paying $2 for a fresh strong cup of coffee.  You get what you pay for.

We also took advantage of being in Frankfurt to meet with Josie, a good friend of Terese who worked in Addis with her, when we were there last year.  She has two vibrant young girls with an incredible potential in life.  Naomi and Emmanuela.

IMG00148-20140321-2042Naomi is 11, and when I pressed her on what she wanted to do in life, she replied a rock star but would settle for a fashion icon. IMG00147-20140321-2040Emmanuela is 8 and wants to be a ballerina.  If not that, then maybe a librarian.  Both of these girls love reading, which made me happy to hear.   I hope I also have them convinced to do some writing for me, telling me about the countries they visited and what they were like.  Hopefully, I’ll have some words from them I can post on my site.  Again, I used my 95 year old mother as an example for writing.

The traffic here is unlike that of Ankara or Addis Ababa.  Addis traffic was hindered by pedestrians, livestock and drivers who are always in a hurry and expect you to let them cut in front, even if there is no room for them.  Forget any lines on the road as they are just for decoration.  In Ankara, the traffic is a bit more defined, but the lines on the road are just a suggestion.  The drivers will weave in and out among the lanes, mostly straddling them.  As an aside note – one of the good people here in Turkey told me, he went to the US a number of years ago but was afraid to drive because of the strict rules.  He knew he would have to stay in the lines.  In Frankfurt, the traffic is not only well defined, but also enforced.  Traffic travels at the same speed, everyone stays in their lanes and if a pedestrian walks across the road that is not designated as a crosswalk, they are given a hefty fine.  Also, there are designated paths for bicycles, and you do not walk on those paths.  All in all, the traffic, though may have been crowded at times, was refreshing.

In Frankfurt, we see many of the Smart Cars® which look like a scrunched up Volkswagen.  The emergency vehicles have the familiar European, He-Haw sounds, as they rush around the corner of the hotel we stayed at.

IMG00126-20140319-1832Sunset from our hotel window.  The large building is the American Consulate.

Another favorite restaurant of the thousands in Frankfurt is Albert Wagner,  where I first discovered the wonderful pork knuckle.  I had been to Frankfurt a few years ago and ate one.  The inside is relaxing and most of the seating is just picnic tables.  Terese and I took her friend Josie. IMG00141-20140320-1811 IMG00144-20140320-1835

Before and after pics of the pork knuckle, with plenty of applevine.

Then there is the “tower” across from the hotel we stayed at.  It was where I had my first sampling of true German schnitzel during the previous visit.  It has a nice outdoor seating area in its small courtyard.  In the warmer weather, it is crowded but very enjoyable.  Many people from the hotel eat there.  Below is a picture of the castle and our hotel from the tram stop.

IMG00166-20140323-0807DSC_0291IMG00165-20140322-1942My schnitzel and Terese’s bowl of soup.  And again, applevine.

In Germany, I see a lot of family interactions.  It’s common to see families out  riding bikes together, and kids either riding their own bikes or sitting behind mom or dad. As I type this, I watched a father and very young son ride by the hotel windows, with the little one’s bike a fraction of the size of dad’s.  Many times we will see the little ones in a stroller pushed by one of the parents.  The family unit, if you want to call it that, gets out and mingles in public instead of planting their butts in front of the damn TV.

As I am typing this part I am setting in the hotel lobby, and there is an old German fellow who is watching TV.  Probably in his 70’s with thick spectacles and a fanny pack around his waist with a stack of newspapers sitting in his lap.  He’s watching the soccer game with the sound muted, but every now and then, will turn his head slightly to look at me.  Don’t let that fool you.

DSC_0288He could be a spy sent by Moscow to watch me.  Yeah, I know, but it’s a cool thought.  In reality, the two years we were in Moscow, we did have a few good men follow us when we first arrive.  Until they realized I was just a peon electrician working at the Embassy.

IMG00134-20140320-1725And last, and certainly not least, is a picture of my feet that was inadvertently taken.  I’ll post it now as a reminder to keep kicking butt.      Dwaine

Been busy lately

18 Tuesday Mar 2014

Posted by dknolte in Uncategorized

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Currently in Frankfurt, Germany for training.  This is the land of my forefathers.  Will visit next week when I get back.

Until then, keep kicking butt.    D.

Lots of boring pics … and some thoughts.

08 Saturday Mar 2014

Posted by dknolte in Uncategorized

≈ 2 Comments

I had to run down to Adana this past week and took some pictures on the way.  I call these type of pics, flying shots because they are taken out the window of a fast moving vehicle.  And Aydin, my good co-worker has a tendency to travel at rather quick velocities.

The trip to Adana is quite flat and passes alongside the second largest salt lake in the world.  Second only to Utah’s.  As you get closer to the Mediterranean coast, it becomes more mountainous.  Also, it is the rainy season now, which means Summer is coming to visit us soon.

20140303_134055 20140303_133656 20140303_135959 20140303_135759 20140303_135754 20140303_135745 20140303_135658 20140303_135538 20140303_134141 20140303_134020 20140303_134014 20140303_133936Once in Adana, we stay at the Hilton.  This time, my room was on the east-side, so below are pics of the sunrise.

20140305_062050 20140305_062337 20140305_062656I must add a few comments.  In places other than the US, the laws are much less enforced and the individual is expected to use common sense.  As you would guess, many people in the world have very little of that commodity.  Many pedestrians will cross a busy highway during heavy traffic, and I see more and more of it as we get closer to the cities.  Near Adana, I will see people dart out in front of traffic to cross, even dragging small children by the hand.

The major highways are well maintained, so it is not uncommon to see vehicles traveling at high rates of speed, especially on the inside lanes where the heavy, slow moving trucks are not allowed.  I have noticed those vehicles are usually, Mercedes, BMWs or Audis, and they travel well in excess of a 100 miles an hour.  We travel 75-80 and these vehicles pass us in a heartbeat.  Now add that thought with the previous paragraph.

On our way home last night, we happened across a scene where maybe 15 minutes before, a Mercedes struck a pedestrian.  The man was sprawled out on the highway, face up.  No one was around the body and it was left uncovered.  The black Mercedes was probably 150 – 200 yards further down the highway with the authorities questioning him.  It took the vehicle that distance to come to a stop, even after hitting the pedestrian.

As we continued passed the scene, I thought of the man on the ground.  He was wearing a suit which tells me he was a business man.  And most likely his family was not yet aware of his death.  They were probably going about their normal lives, totally unaware of the phone call that would be coming.  A call that will change their lives forever.

With the dangerous act of running across the roadway, and drivers driving excess speeds, I fear that is not an uncommon disaster.  We saw this type of horror in Africa, and have come to realize it was just a part of Life.  … and Death.

D.

Intelligence lacks no humor.

06 Thursday Mar 2014

Posted by dknolte in Uncategorized

≈ 1 Comment

I like to think of myself as an intelligent man at times, yet the Good Lord will always gently, sometimes humorously bring me down a step or two when I do. To give you a case of point, I enjoy reading quotes from others.  I used to save them, but they have become so numerous, that I quit that.

I am sitting in a quiet bar at the Hilton in Adana, Turkey, with my little computer enjoying some quotes from Albert Einstein, when I came across a letter he wrote to a close friend of his in 1905, Conrad Habicht.  His salutation was thus:

Dear Habicht, /Such a solemn air of silence has descended between us that I almost feel as if I am committing a sacrilege when I break it now with some inconsequential babble… / What are you up to, you frozen whale, you smoked, dried, canned piece of soul…?

Now, how can I compete with that?  If I was going to write a letter to my good friend Grant, I would have simply wrote: Hey Griz-butt, how are you doing, you old fart?

See? No comparison.  I have realized that intelligence lacks no humor.

Keep kicking butt.  D.

2nd Annual Wingfest (actually the third)

02 Sunday Mar 2014

Posted by dknolte in Uncategorized

≈ 2 Comments

Every year we try to have a Wingfest, which serves a great number of chicken wings with beer.  Those who come will bring something to add to it and it’s a feast.  We prepared 50lbs.

A couple of weeks ago, we sent out invitations to the 2nd Annual Wingfest, but forgot it was actually the 3rd.  The first was in Texas, 2004; the second was Moscow, 2008 and now the third was last night.

I took pictures of the people who were there; with the understanding they would be posted on a blog for my 900 year old mother.  Everyone obliged.  How could they not?

So, have a look at some of the food and the good people we work with and socialize with.  –  ironically, I forgot to take pictures of the wings.

IMG_2828IMG_2836 IMG_2838 IMG_2834 IMG_2833 IMG_2831 IMG_2830 IMG_2829 IMG_2823s IMG_2824 IMG_2826 IMG_2827 IMG_2843 IMG_2842 IMG_2839We are very fortunate to have good friends, good food and good times.

Keep kicking butt.  Dwaine

… busy

01 Saturday Mar 2014

Posted by dknolte in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a Comment

Been extremely busy this past week and will get back with you soon.  We are having a wingfest this evening and I think all is done and ready, except for the actual cooking of the dead chicken wings.  I’ll try to take some pictures tonight and post them tomorrow.  KB (kick butt)                 Dwaine

P.S.  March 1st.  Means warmer weather is coming.

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