Gloop won the Golden Ticket. Making the local news in German and not knowing what’s said – even my wife thought that was pretty special!
We visited Witten, his hometown. Saw his school, walked through his village, ate some Mongolian BBQ and chocolate mousse. We met his father. We had coffee and cake with his mother and brother.
We had dinner with his closest friends who encouraged him and supported his decision to be a bone marrow donor to a 40-something total stranger in America to save her life. And then write the letter of all letters that she received after the first donation in August 2014. All he knew is that she was a 41-year old woman in America.
Idiots Abroad…
So, I lost my iPod in Germany on this trip. It was in the car. Then it wasn’t in the car. Maybe I left the door unlocked? But I’m happy to say that Lenny Kravitz’s “American Woman” is the last song that I ever listened to on my constant companion that has been through all the wars, beaches, continents and journeys. It’s gone. In the middle of the night…vanished!
And then we lost the car keys somehow in Frankfurt. Hey, man…it’s the truth. And you wonder why I call them “adventures”?
The folks at the Frankfurt Airport National rental car counter were absolute rock stars. An Aussie there was a gem and my wife might even get her beloved travel pillow back.
Cross your fingers for her…
Vienna waits for me…
I saw Billy Joel on Saturday night in Frankfurt. It’s well-documented that I’m a large fan. He was always awesome to me and I’ve placed my two interviews with him over the years in our BuyAToyota Audio Vault at WNST.net.
I really should’ve videoed some of it for you because it was a unique, awesome experience even if the crowd was tame and the “spirit” of the place very domey and not homey.
I bought an $80 ticket for $40. I gave another ticket broker $25 for $160 ticket and next thing you know I’m in the front row on the side, drinking $5 foot-soaker pilsners with Billy Joel.
Joel played “Vienna,” which gets hearty attention as perhaps the finest song ever written and then proclaimed that his brother, who lives in Hamburg was attending the show. He said: “So we’ve got a Hamburger and a bunch of Frankfurters. It’s kinda like a giant picnic!”
Classic!
There’s no place like home.
Hold Nov. 12th and join us for a party. Swabbing will be involved. Bring your spit and your spirit!
I’m going to writing more about our travels and “more than sports” here on my blog. I appreciate you caring about us and checking out what Paul Harvey would call, “the rest of the story.”
But I’m going to be writing more in general. Follow along and help us save more lives…
See www.theregoesmyhero.org to learn more!
