Motoring across Europe

Sunny Perino

Since I had spent very little time in a motor home, my friends were

very dubious about my spending almost five weeks in one. When my

brother and sister approached me about a trip through Europe in a

motor home, I was very excited because I had never been to Europe.

Both my siblings had been to Europe. My brother, Joe Hollerbach,

was in the service, stationed at Oberammergau in Germany, and had not

been back there in 57 years. He also showed us the bridge in

Heidelberg that he and his fellow soldiers had rebuilt after the

Germans bombed it.

We flew Lufthansa (the best airline ever) to Frankfurt, Germany,

where we picked up our 22-foot motor home. Except for the ride, we

had no previous reservations, but we knew approximately which

countries we would visit. As far as how long we would stay in each

country, we did not know.

I have to say, Europe has such wonderful accommodations in their

numerous RV camps. So clean and in such spectacular settings, but you

must provide your own toilet paper. It was interesting that so many

countries charge to use their toilets. You do learn about gray water

and black water when you camp. Don’t ask.

Food is very expensive everywhere we visited. The people in all

the places were helpful and friendly. We would have breakfast almost

totally in the motor home. My brother, an early riser (6 a.m.), would

go out and get fresh rolls, and we would be finished with breakfast

and showers by 8 a.m. each day.

It is great to have a person coordinate places of interest and all

the campgrounds. Joe had ordered the motor home, had a calendar for

the days we would be gone and knew the approximate mileage from one

country to another. Maybe that rubbed off when he flew his own

airplane.

We visited six countries: Germany, Austria, Croatia, Switzerland,

Italy and France. I would certainly recommend a motor home when

traveling in Europe. It is less expensive. The best part is that you

do not have to pack and repack your bags every day. You can have a

leisurely breakfast, lunch or dinner looking over some of the most

spectacular scenery in the world. We traveled by boat, taxi, horse

and buggy, bus and metro rail. Of course, we also walked a lot.

Another interesting thing I found in Europe was that they do not

give you bags when you grocery shop. Nor do they give you carts to

push your groceries around in the markets. You pay $1 outside and

when you leave, you turn in your cart and get you $1 back. We should

do this in the United States. They would not lose so many carts that

way.

Everyone said I should take clothes for cool weather because May

can be nippy. We hit a heat wave, and it was very warm and humid. I

bought a new umbrella and warm jacket before we left. I never used

the jacket, either.

It also seems I got bad advice about money -- I took cash, mostly

travelers checks and two credit cards. When I had to have money, the

exchange was drastic. Even American dollars were not especially

wanted. Then you have to find a bank in most places.

I found that with postcards, the merchants will only sell you

stamps for the postcards they sell you. Then again, that stamp may

not be good in the next country you visit.

The only thing for sure -- if you buy breakables, be sure to have

them mailed to you in the States or carry them with you personally on

board. All the lovely crystal and Della Robia porcelain were in

hundreds of pieces. You can be sure that will not happen again.

It was so special to be able to be with my brother, Joe, his wife,

Josie, and my sister, Eadie Amos. We have memories we will never

forget; we had laughs all the way; there were moments of remembrance;

and there were tears in some places for them. I will cherish the time

forever and now I know we can get along fine, even in a small

confine, for 35 days. Already my brother is talking about another

trip to Canada and back East. Should be wonderful.

So, let me finally say that if you ever have a chance to share

with your loved ones, go and buy a motor home. You will have a ball

and so many memories.

For my sister, Eadie, the memories were of sweet and nostalgic

moments in Florence spent with her late husband, Ed. My brother Joe

remembered his time in the service. For me, most important was just

being able to be with those I love and share this beautiful world.

Life is good, be thankful!

In Germany, we visited Heidelberg, Rothenberg, Munich, Weisbadden,

the Black Forest, the Rhine River, Frankfurt, Ludwig’s Castle and the

town of Hollerbach.

In Austria, the Alps, Vienna, the Danube, the Mozart Museum and

St. Stephens.

* SUNNY PERINO is a Newport Beach resident.

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