After a night in Frankfurt I am finally heading home. The last night was wonderful however as I was able to meet up with family! This is part of my father's Czech family but they had married German women and spoke German. Franz is 88 and still chops his own wood but does not speak Czech. He still has a brother Alois in Czech Republic but he does not spesk or write German! They barely speak but send xmas cards...that they cannot read. Now Franz would not meet with me as he does not have many friends and does not like,new people and such but I we walked by his house. His political views are very 1930s German and out of touch with almost all Germans today. But I had a marvelous time with his daughter Daniela or Dani and her husband Matthias. They picked me up at my hotel and Matthias recognized me ftom my ohoto on Facebook he said lol! He had not asked to be friends,but found me anyway.
We went to dinner at very German restaurant in one of the old medieval gates of the city and then went to see parts of city. We walked in a park on the highest ground in Frankfurt which gave a great view of the skyline. Understand that only Frankfurt has skyscrapers in German because it is the banking center. The 2nd largest behind only London but with Brexit soon maybe first! The park was originallyfarmland originally farmland part of it owned by Dani's mothers family. They owned much land and she still owns land all around Frankfurt that is rented out. We then went to their home and their beautiful neighborhood. It is very old dating to 1700s before becoming part of Frankfurt. Unlike the rest of Frankfurt which was completely flattened in WWII this area not as damaged tho church was destroyed. We walked thru the beautiful area and stopped to have Apple wine and juice at locally owned little place. They then drove me back to the hotel. They are both about my age and very sweet and so enjoyed showing me their Frankfurt. Dani does not spesk English as well and was shy at first but by the end she was talking much especially about her childhood and mother.
So I had seen the area in Czech Republic where grandfather grew up and ended with meeting new family that had not really been lost but had not known about in years past!
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Long trip here and I saw much and met so many interesting people...it was a grand adventure. I did work as well in the seminar and I visited CIEE Center in Amsterdam fir possible future TCCD student travel.
I have enjoyed my privileges of flying Business Class international as well! Today I was able to pass time in the lounge operated by Japan Airlines before my flight. It is just a different world lol. I will have to keep earning miles lol.
So now I soon board the plane for home.
