Ron has a business trip to Germany

The day has finally come - Ron is heading to Dresden, Germany for a 5 week business trip. After saying our good-byes, he hopped on the plane and landed many hours later. The flights were flawless and the baggage arrived with no problem and everything worked out just swell.

Ron's boss met him at the airport and helped him get situated in the hotel. The hotel is a Radisson and there are about 8 villas - each with about 20 rooms. There is a central garden area that has a nice statue. Notice the placement of the umbrella...

After getting settled in, a hike seemed to be in order. There was a set of steps leading up the hillside above the town I had heard about, so I set off to explore. From the top I could see my hotel (Radisson). It is the cluster of red-roofed buildings in the picture below:







From the top of the hill the Elbe River Valley stretches from left to right. The town below is a cornicopia of red-roofed dwellings, restaurants, and assorted shops. A train passes through every half hour or so and sounds a horn. Very pastoral and peaceful.

At the top of the hill was a neat little "shrine to wine" (amongst all those grape vines). I didn't take a picture, but on the inside it has carved sayings related to wine. There was also this tower - I assume it was a water tower. It was made of stone and very picturesque upon the hill.

The next photo is just a scene along the way back down the steps. I was probably needing a break...
























At the top of the hill was a restaurant where I had my first Dresden meal. The photo below is a picture of the restaurant taken from below. My meal was marvelous - spinach gnocci. Very low calorie, I'm sure.

















First day is done. Time for me to put on my jammies and hit the hay. Hopefully I'll sleep through the night and not wake up at 2 AM....