MY TRIP TO EUROPE DATING 24TH September TILL 13TH October 2006

Leaving Melbourne Australia
Me in London
Me in Beer Hall
Me when drink beer
Me in France
I arrived at the Melbourne airport with my folks to meet my carer Chris on our big voyage around the world to Europe without knowing there was to be some trouble ahead of us in the big wild world of Europe. We got ourselves checked in and they (Emirates) said that I can use my new wheelchair and take it up to the boarding lounge, so I thought, great, because it was about four hours before we took off on our voyage, and didn’t see any problem with it. Before we headed off into customs, we had tea with my folks. A Happy Meal at Maccas’. Jack, my nephew, has got 4 Lions to play with now. After tea Chris and I went into customs. Waving good bye to my folks I feel a little bit sad, but after a few seconds, I feel better and we fill out our departure forms. Along to our boarding lounge we went, stopping at duty free to buy our grog but decided against it because Chris already had too much to carry. While we were sitting in the departure lounge I was in my manual wheelchair and they asked us to go downstairs to go on the plane but we had to wait about 5 minutes longer before the crew came on board. They hadn’t changed me over to the chair that fits down the plane aisle till I was inside the corridor to the plane. Only then did they take my wheelchair away to cargo. We were finally in our seats.

The plane trip was very long but good. During the flying time I watched two movies, “The Davinci Code” **** and “Big Momma’s House 2” ***. When we got off in Dubai, Chris was told to go and take the luggage through security, while some weird Arab guy took me to a waiting area for people in wheelchairs. I didn’t know what was going on. I was a bit on edge when Chris appeared asking “what’s happening”?

About 6 hours into the first half of the flight I needed to have a stretch. Chris kindly rested my legs up on his lap. We forgot about the catheter bag and somehow the valve popped off and the next thing we know Chris and the floor around us was covered in “piss”, but I was fine. No piss on me whatever!!!

The Emirates staffs were very helpful by giving Chris his own pair of bright blue Emirates pajama pants. Chris looked very sexy but got back his jeans before we landed in London.

Got off at London, went to the baggage terminal, got our bags, but, when my wheelchair arrived it was missing my left footplate. They tried to find it but couldn’t, so they filed a report and we left the airport on the tube having to make do without the footplate.

We got to our hotel by tube, then a bus, showered and had a look around. We stayed at Earls Court/Fulham. Had tea at a cheap pub – Burger and a beer for $3.95 English Pounds. Then went to bed and had a good nights sleep.

Tuesday 26th September 2006,

Got up around 8:00, after a good night sleep – mum and dad called, just checking if all was ok. Got the tube to Tower Hill Station which was right next to the Tower of London but discovered there were no lifts... “Oh no” we said to each other. So we had to go up about four flights of stairs. Chris was so strong.

Went to tower of London and it was bumpy on all the cobblestones, but it was really worth it to see it all. But, I didn’t see it all as there were lots of stairs into buildings, but it didn’t matter much as I could get the feel of what it was like in the olden days at the Tower of London. We did get into the dungeons plus the armory and where Henry the Eighth chopped off his wives heads!!! Talked to some Beefeaters and got a photo. They were nice also friendly to me and told me how sorry they were about the Tower of London not being very accessible for wheelchairs. They want to keep it the way it was without building/adding new things for wheelchair users so I told them that I could understand where they were coming from and I understand they couldn’t change it because it would change the past.

We walked along to the Thems to TATE Modern Gallery; it took us about 3 or 4 hours to walk around with lots of stairs we had to avoid. There was a lift at the gallery plus it was free to get in (great). Then we walked to Westminster Station past Big Ben and the London Eye. Took lots of Photos along the way. We saw a little booth selling tickets for shows on the West End. The lady there told us to go to the theatres for Tickets as it will be cheaper. Caught a bus up the strand through Piccadilly Circus and went and saw the Producers. It was good but I was really tired after everything and struggled to stay awake but it was a terrific show. After the show, got a bus home and straight to bed but didn’t sleep very well.

Wednesday 27th September 2006,

Got up late, about 9:30 and had breakfast at the hotel. Had a shower then waited for the bus outside but decided to walk because there was a lot of traffic and the bus passed us anyway. We took a bus from Fulham Broadway to Westminster Station; it took us a while in the traffic. We decided to go up in the London Eye, it was the best but the sky was overcast. Caught the bus back home and met some of Chris’s friends, who are living in London. We went to the pub and hit the beers and the strong bows (pints of course). After one or two pints, had dinner. I had fish and chips, it was good, then, I decided to head back for bed as Chris partied on with his friends and had a good night. He finally stumbled back with two girls under his arm. This may or may not be true, but, in his mind he was thinking about it.

Thursday 28th September 2006,

Arrived in Paris, had a long walk to our motel in getting lost by Chris because he was so heart broken of the fact that he had to leave them behind to do their own things in life. The staff didn’t know about the wheelchair because we had a room upstairs, but they swapped us, and another couple who were in the room we should be in. We decided to walk around and have lunch, then we went back to our hotel and the room was ready for us to move into. Chris had a sleep and I sat out on the balcony and looked at the view. A slit between two buildings. That night we walked around and found a restaurant for dinner. Chris fell in love with the waitress but I think she was eyeing me off. Very nice indeed, said me in thought, as she was smiling at me all night long when she was looking at our table.

Friday 29th September 2006,

Caught the bus to near the Louvre where we ordered breakfast and drinks. The drinks came so we drank them in waiting for our breakfast, but it didn’t come. Only as we were leaving, the food came out to us but we walked away because the coffee and the cholocate milk we bought cost 10 Euro. We went to a bread and cake shop instead around the corner from where we were sitting and we bought something cheaper there to eat.

We went to the Louvre, and, it was all amazing. Spent about 4 hours there but didn’t see it all but it was really an amazing day for me. Got lost again on the way back home. That night Chris went out to a bar and I woke up at 2:00 in the morning and he still wasn’t home. Then he stumbled in, smelling of French women’s perfume, and yelling on top of his voice, “Mmmm. I find love in Paris” and dances around the room with the music Rochit by Herbier Hancock. It was very funny. He would wake up with no idea that he had done that the night before. Just wish I can use my video camera by myself sometimes.

Saturday 30th September 2006,

We went to the Eifle Tower but it was hard get there because the buses weren’t accessible, for the wheelchair so we had to walk. There were a lot of people in the line and the queue was really long for tickets so we decided to miss it but it was good to look at. We walked along the left bank of the river, took lots of photos, struggled again to find an accessible bus, but walked a long way and in doing so we saw a lot of Paris and it was an amazing and a beautiful city to walk though. When we got back to our hotel, Chris decided, to go to find something for Christine, his woman back in Melbourne Australia, but in the meantime, I was sitting inside with the doors open looking out on to the balcony and saw a big thunderstorm coming and the sky overhead looked black as spades. Then the thunderstorm hit and I got drenched, Chris was stranded or he didn’t care, he decided to come back about an hour later to find me soaking. All our washing that was hanging out to dry got drenched as well. I decided to have a hot bath while Chris went to dry our clothes and my shoes at the local Laundromat. On the way back with the dry clothes Chris dropped one of my shoes in the mud. He wasn’t very happy… That night after a bad afternoon about 10:00pm I decided to have Lasagna, and hopped into bed. That afternoon we had decided to go out for dinner and a few drinks but I decided to stay in because I didn’t have shoes to wear, also, was too tired to go out. Chris abandoned me again in search of more trinity girls, and he got one, but he was just dreaming again.

Sunday 1st October 2006,

Got up and caught a taxi to Gard de Noval train station because the bus wasn’t running, had breakfast at the station while Mum, Dad and Uncle Les back in Queensland called and it was nice to hear from them but it was hard to hear them because of all the station noise. Got on the train and got served breakfast number two! Chris falls asleep while I watched the countryside going by. It was nice and relaxing for me. Arrived in Cologne about 3:00pm and got a taxi to the hotel. Got checked in and had a rest watching T.V. and Chris fell asleep again and me too on the couch. After a catnap we walked down the street to get dinner with a couple of drinks.

Monday 2nd October 2006,

Had a nice breakfast and a bath then went for a walk down to the park. After sitting for a little while we decided to walk around the lake but we decided to keep walking into town and had a look around. We went back on the train to our hotel and packed our bags for Munich then we went back into town on the tram and had pizza at Pizza Hut that we found that day when we were walking around town. Caught the wrong tram home at first but then worked it out.

Back at the hotel we decided to watch T.V. for a while before crashing for the night. Chris called home.

Tuesday 3rd October 2006,

Got up at 7:00, packed, went down too have our breakfast and then a taxi was waiting outside for us. At the station we had a coffee and an ice chocolate. It was good. We then hopped on the train. On the way to Munich we were in first class. I had to use the toilet, on the train, it was very squashy in size, and after I went it was good. We got into Munich and didn’t get lost on the way to the motel. There were stairs, so someone had to let us in through a side entrance to a lift that we had to catch for me to get inside. We checked ourselves in and then went to October fest as it was the final day. We walked around and I bought some pressies while our clothes were washing at the Laundromat. We went back to pick up our clothes (they took a long time to dry). We took our clothes back and it started to rain so we found a place for tea. I had a few Jack Daniels and Coke and Chris had a one liter of beer then we walked back to the October fest in the rain. Once there we found a seat in one of the tents and we both had giant one liter beers. There was music, lots of drunken people in Traditional Bavarian Lederhosen, it was a great night and we stumbled home in the rain.

Wednesday 4th October 2006,

We woke up late feeling a little worse for wear, got some things at the shop when Mum, Dad and everyone called from Queensland. It was good to talk to them. Then we had lunch/breakfast together then went to the station to organize our train tickets for Florence. We lined up for a long time, finally got the tickets but were told to phone a number about the wheelchair. That’s ok. We called and were put on hold for a long time, then, nobody could understand us, so it also took a long time but in the end we got there.

We then went to a place that runs tours of Dachau Concentration camp but the man said it wasn’t wheelchair friendly – he was bullshitting which we found out the next day. We got on a train to Nuremberg castle and had a look around then we walked into the forest which was cool but nice then decided to walk home. We walked into town looking for something to eat but couldn’t find anywhere good to eat. It was very cold so we decided that we would go back to where we had eaten the night before. We ate our dinner then went to bed. Good night.

Thursday 5th October 2006

We woke up and had breakfast at the hotel. We went into town and had a look around also it was raining again. In the afternoon we did a walking tour around Munich looking at the old war buildings. The tour guide was from Melbourne, also there was a couple from Queensland in our group too. It was really interesting to go around hearing the different stories about Hitler and the third Reich. We even saw Hitler’s Old office which is now a music school. At one point my front wheels fell through a drain crack and a few people helped to lift me out and my only remaining footplate looked like it might have been broken also but I told Chris how to fix it. We walked with the couple from Queensland to the Hofbrauhouse (Beer House) and had tea alone (except for the old man who was asleep at the table) as there was only room for two. Not four. He later staggered away. We walked home, had a bath, did the washing and then packed for the next days train trip to Florence.

Friday 6th October 2006

Woke up and got ready, finished packing, checked out then walked to the station and had breakfast. The train arrived and we waited for someone to help us on with a ramp. With about five minutes to go there was still no one there. We were told that someone was coming and they came eventually with about two minutes before the train left.

On the train we had our own cabin. It was very comfortable and the view of the mountains was nice, topped with snow. After a few stops, people got on and, invaded our cabin. It took us eight and an half hours to get to Florence. The scenery was nice al the way. On the way there I decided that I needed something to eat so Chris went to get some sandwich which was nice but very filling because the bread was dense. During the end of the journey the people at the motel phone us to check if we were still coming because it was getting late.

We walked to our motel to check in but when we saw the room it was too small for both of us with my wheelchair and our luggage all in together. That night we walked the streets of Florence in search for another motel to sleep as they were all pretty much full but finally we found a room about twenty meters away, at the same price for the next two nights. We ate pizza and pasta at a restaurant and sat outside, it was very good.

Saturday 7th October 2006

After a wash on the bed, we ate our complimentary breakfast at Hotel Montreal then dropped our bags off at our new hotel - Club Hotel. We went to the big cathedral Duonso and, it started raining. We went to the Galleria di Universita and got taken straight in for free while everyone else had to line up in the rain. It was a really long queue too. We saw the gallery and the statue of David. It was huge and we spent a long time going around him looking at the different angles and the way he was carved. Bought some presents on the way home then I had a bath before going out for dinner. We went to a really nice restaurant where I ordered prawns, they came – whole, drenched in a garlic brandy and tomato sauce with a drink of one giant Bourbon and Coke.

The waiter laughed because Chris had to peel my prawns – he was not happy, his hands got drenched in the red sauce. The bourbon was very strong and I quickly turned into a laughing crazed maniac. I laughed all the way home and made loud strange noises. This didn’t stop until I went to sleep.

Sunday 8th October 2006

Woke up feeling fine. We had breakfast at the hotel, then went to the Fuzzi Gallery, where we jumped the giant que again and got in for free but my wheelchair didn’t fit in the lift and the bigger lift had broker down which was over the other side. We came back so they put me in another wheelchair which fitted in the lift. We looked at more art including some of Leonardo, De Vinci’s but didn’t see all of it because after a while it looked the same and my bum hurt from the other wheelchair that I was in at that time. We decided to walk back and in doing so we bought some presents. I bartered brilliantly for a genuine Italian leather handbag for Mum, said that I was going unless I got it for my price. I started to leave, only then did the lady give in, less, then half price. “Excellent” I thought to myself. We went back to the motel for a bit then we went out for something to eat for tea. Got lost again, then found something, a small restaurant and sat outside and ate pasta and pizza for dinner. While waiting for our food to come out, a little girl about eight years old came along to each table and held out her hand , she came to ours and stood looking at me for about 2 minutes then walked away, I felt sorry for her but didn’t give her any money. We didn’t have enough to spare. We stopped off for a gelatin Banana, Melon and Chocolate in a cup. Very good indeed.

Monday 9th October 2006

We parked and had our usual continental breakfast then went to the station. Had to organize the lift to get onto the train. The lady said we were meant to organize this a day in advance but no one had told us we needed to do this. But it was ok. Got onto the train and met some Americans who were nice but Chris didn’t think so. They were friendly but at first they were rude and obnoxious but after a while we started too chat with them. Got to Rome and they helped us off. We tried to get a taxi, but told by one drive it will be $60 in Euro dollars so we went back inside and found another taxi rank and he drove us all the way to our hotel for $20 in Euro dollars and we was happy that we made that decision. The wheelchair just made it into the tiny lift and once again the room was too small. Luckily we move downstairs to a bigger room with a bath. Chris falls asleep while I watched T.V. After about two hours or so Chris decided to wake up and we went in search of food. We had sandwiches also a coke then came back and sat outside. We spent the night drinking on the veranda then went to a restaurant and sat outside with a nice meal of pasta and pizza. On the way home we got gelatin and Chris carried it back home down a hill and in the meantime the both gelatins melted in his hand a little bit, but it was good when we finally ate them back at the motel.

Tuesday 10th October 2006

We decided to go to the Coliseum. On the way there, we caught the train all the way there but there was no lift so Chris pulled me up three flights of stairs. We did a tour of the Coliseum but we didn’t like the stupid headsets because we couldn’t hear much, unless we stood close to the tour guide. It was amazing and everytime you went up to another lever it looked different.

After about three hours of walking around we had a bit to eat before we tried to head through (Forza Roma). The veils of ancient Rome. It was tough with the wheelchair and my bum hurt and it was hot, we made it through though not all the way but it was good to see it all. Then we walked and found the Pantheon - the best preserved building of ancient Rome. It was beautiful and big. Then we walked to the Piazza Nurona. There were buckers and artists everywhere. We ate some pasta then walked to the train; again we had to go down some stairs! Than night I went to bed early and I had a good sleep and Chris stayed up for a bit.

Wednesday 11th October 2006

Woke up early to go to see the Pope but by the time we’d had breakfast outside under the patio2 hours had passed and we were running late. We jumped in a cab that a lady had actually called for but she said it was ok to share the cab with us. Went to St Peter Square. There were lots of people and we saw the Pope as he went through the crowd in the Pope Mobile. We listened to the Pope and the bishops speech, didn’t understand them, then we decided to go and see the Sistine Chapel. There was a huge line for about 400 meters but once again we got to go straight to the front also get in for free. We walked through the Vatican Museum to the Sistine Chapel, each hall was fully gold plaited and we had to go through against the traffic with the wheelchair. The Sistine Chapel was unbelievable. We decided to go back to St Peter Square and have a closer look. Then we had some lunch Chicken and Potatoes followed by gelato.

On the way back home the food went through me and I was trying to hold it in but about two minutes before home I couldn’t hold on to it anymore and I exploded so I needed a bath and my clothes and cushion cover washed. Afterwards I sat outside while Chris slept and he was gone for about an hour. It was dark when he emerged but it was good to watch the sun going down. We went for dinner then came back and had some drinks on the patio while I decided to sms Mum. We got into bed separately I might add, about midnight.

Thursday 12th October 2006

Had a sleep in to about 9:00 then I had a bath while Chris had breakfast and got mine. I ate mine while packing our things then caught a taxi to the airport. We found our way to the check in lounge at the airport and there was a long line when I bumped into a teacher friend of mine from Wantirna Tafe. I though to myself I’m on the other side of the world while seeing another person who I know back in Australia, that is just my luck. Finally got checked in at the airport after about one and a half hours in the line. Then the woman said to wait here and someone will take you to your boarding lounge, so we wait for a while for someone to come but in the meanwhile we decide that we won’t really go through customs yet because Chris wanted to go back outside for his final smoko before he gave up smoking for good????? We went through customs and had a bite to eat at a restaurant called “Good Bye Rome” then looked in the shops to kill time before we had to board the plane. No one called us forward- they said someone was on their way to help us??? But no one came. It was time to board, still no one came??? They said someone was on their way to help us but still on one came. We insisted we must go on now because people were already boarding the plane and they didn’t know about the wheelchair. Finally got on board and took off for Dubai and then Singapore then Melbourne. Chris got off the plane in Singapore but didn’t have his passport with him. Uh oh!! After explaining he didn’t know he needed it etc etc he got back in the boarding lineup again and he got back on the plane. In Dubai they have a room you can wait for the plane to take off again but we could go and look around the airport for 2 hours and then go back there to get on the plane so we did. No more accidents on the plane trip home. BUT when we landed in Australia. We got through customs and I checked my sms and a message from Mum said we will pick you up the airport. Couldn’t see them any where. So we ring... Where are you? Are you joking was Dads reply. No said Chris. Dad said you come in tomorrow??? No we are her now 1.30am on Saturday morning. We are in Inverloch. 2and half hours away. OK, I’ll ring Gregg. Get a taxi to Gregg’s house and we will meet you there. Ok says Chris. We got a taxi and dropped Chris of at his home, and then I went on to Gregg’s and waited for Mum and Dad. Mum had the wrong day….

A few days later dated Wednesday October 18th, I got an E/Mail from Chris with this;

“Well well well Mr Reynolds... How are you mate? I've been dead tired this week how about you. Slept well some nights and can't sleep others - still finding my feet I suppose. I've been meaning to write for the last few days just to tell you that I had such a great time in Europe with you. It's still all sinking in I think but I just thought I'd let you know it was so good to travel with you and get to know you so much more. I know it was pretty hard traveling at times but I think we did really well and it is a time that I will never forget, even though it all seems like a dream, just now. Hope all is well with you mate and look forward to catching up again soon. Thank you for such a great time. Take care mate, Chris... Oh yessss... Mr Reynolds, the poison works quickly.”

And I replied with this Friday October 20th,

“Well, well, well. This week has been very slow for me… Getting back into things now. Yesterday was the first day was I had to go out and it wakes me up. Now I'm starting to get back into things. Thanks for all your work but it was great for someone like you to know me better. I am hoping to start working today on my story about the trip. Ah... yessss... Mr Ryan the poison didn't work quickly. Ha! Ha! Ha!” (Just between us).

It is all a memory now. How quickly it comes and goes. But it was worth it.
I now know how it is in the other countries and Australia is still the best especially for someone in a wheelchair... I think the best part of my trip except for London’s underground (stairs) I enjoyed traveling by train and the countryside view everywhere. In all countries people were friendly and helpful. They wanted to learn more about me and Australia.

In London I enjoyed most going up in the eye seeing all of London. In France it was the Musse Dorsey In Cologne the town was nice and not busy. In Munich, naturally the experience of the last day of the October Fest. In Florence, the Galleries, statue of David etc. Rome, the Coliseum, Pope and the Vatican were really interesting……

I wonder what my next trip will be….

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