Time to bid a sad farewell to the Netherlands! We enjoyed our stay, but far more importantly, we had a chance to gain some weight back with great meals and to get some good sleep. Hostels are great, but it truly is a new bed each night. When you stay with family, you aren't listening for every noise or worrying about when to wake up (Margaret doesn't have a watch, so when we're staying in separate dorms, she has to ask whoever wakes up first what time it is).

We were a little worried that the kids wouldn't be happy after a couple of weeks of sustained travel, but they are already talking about backpacking with their cousins when they graduate from high school.

This morning, we packed our bags and headed to the train station. We got aboard the train to Berlin, Germany, and found great seats in a berth for four. Just when we'd settled in, another group of four arrived with reservations for that same berth. Just because we have first class Eurail passes, we do not have reserved seats unless we want to pay extra. At first, we were disappointed that we had to move, but things always have a way of working out. We ended up meeting a wonderful couple, Pat and Bertha Wells, from Dingo Beach, Australia. They have travelled more than we probably ever will, and had wonderful stories and great advice. They also invited us to visit them when we get to Australia! Australia might end up being our favourite country because of the wonderful people who have offered to give us a place to stay for a few days.

During the same train ride, we met two gentlemen from Groningen who were very interesting to talk to. Margaret's Dutch is not great, but like everyone else we met in the Netherlands, they were polite and didn't correct her too much, which gave her more confidence.

Upon arrival in a very hot Berlin, we quickly found our way to the nearest train station and, from there, to our hostel. We are staying in "The Generator", a very young, very wild, very drunk place. Its biggest draws are Happy Hour, pub crawls, cheap meals, and (advertised) "free hangovers". We have never felt so old! We hit happy hour at the bar - 1 Euro a drink - and after a few, no longer cared! Our room is very clean and we have our own shower and bathroom, and get free breakfast - all for 19 Euros each. Dinner is 5 Euros each, and we knew we were in Germany because the portions are huge. Connor and Tessa are already loving this place.