April 12 2013

April 12 2013

LAT report

Went down to concierge to get our money back for tour...we argued with him for about 15 minutes...finally he agreed to call the tour company, so we said we would comeback after breakfast.  We did, and he offered 1/2 of the money back and so I continued to argue with him and finally we said we would take it and protest the charges on our Visa bill...he snarled at that but knew he couldn't do anything about it.  We then decided to walk to a shopping center about a half a mile away.  It was three stories and very modern inside...I took some pictures of the food court and bought some licorice in a candy store.  Dick was feeling a little puckie so he headed back to the hotel Linda, Candy and I decided to go to Meissen to the china/ porcelain factory.  So we took a cab to the train station, bought tickets, hopped on the train for about a 30 minute ride, we then got to a little one train platform stop in Meissen caught a city bus to the factory.  The tour was very well done and saw the whole process of making the slip, pouring the mold, cleaning the green ware, painting and firing...then of course you end the tour in the shop....could not afford anything at this place!  I saw a teapot for €47,000 which would be a good $60,000 for us...it was lovely.  We then headed back reversing the going to process and collected Dick at the hotel and went to dinner.  I had pork schnitzel  and bread dumplings...quite tasty...best meal so far.  Went to hotel bar where if we bought a drink we could get free WIFI, so I down loaded a couple blogs.  Went to room and packed for tomorrow's trip to Munich.

LMR report

Dat 2 in Dresden - made up for yesterday's tour. Met with concierge and got 1/2 our money back.  Looked at Lladro but did not cave in and purchase.  Went walking to big mall to look for Birkenstocks (made in Germany), I found some but was sure I had that exact pair at home.  Went to tourist information office found out about the trip to Meissen porcelain factory. The tour was amazing!  Very well organized.  Items were just way out of my budget. Cheapest was €55 or about $80.00.  Went way up from there.  People were very helpful guiding us to local buses and trains.  Returned to the hotel and went out or dinner.  Had been a long time since 8am breakfast.  I bought pastries and chips at mall, but didn't have time to eat them, so will go with us on train tomorrow to Nuremberg and Munich.  Till then