All in All

Mac and I are just back from our honeymoon in Krakow, an absolutely fabulous time despite the constant rain, and an amazing experience of hero spotting. Why Krakow? Well it just so happened that Kraftwerk announced three dates as part of a music festival in the town, and were to play in an old disused steel works. We were not going to miss this. As a treat, we booked ourselves into the swankiest hotel going and packed our trunks to make sure we took advantage of the pool, spa and saunas.

We arrived in constant rain, so had something to eat and drink and went to bed. Waking too late for breakfast, we noticed that there were still people eating so tired our luck and were happily seated. But to our surprise, guess what? Kraftwerk were staying at out hotel and having breakfast at that time. It was almost too much for Mac. After this first spot, it became a regular thing to see them everywhere (except the former video operator who has taken over from Florian - I guess like Wolfgang and Karl before him, he was sent off to a less luxurious hotel). We walked into Fritz in the lift, shared a very hot sauna with Henning, walked out of a strange exhibition of statues of John Paul II straight into Ralf, the list was endless.

The concert was great, and we were about 6 rows from the front on the Saturday night. Just about here in fact


I recognise the hair of a person coming into shot a lot so for information, we are about one pace to the left of this man filming (and he spent the entire concert either with his eye through the viewfinder or watching out for the security folk who were trying to stop people doing exactly this. I doubt he actually watched them once. I mean, what is the point? We followed the rules and left the camera and cameraphones behind, and just enjoyed the show)

However, the crowning glory was to come on Sunday night after their last show. Have you ever seen 'Abba: The Movie'? The bit at the end where the journalist is about to give up and calls the elevator only for it to open and they are all in there and prepared to give him an interview? Well, we came back at about 12.30am, went up to our floor ready for bed and the doors opened and standing outside the elevator, right by our hotel room, Ralf (Mr Kraftwerk himself) was chatting to the tour photographer. It was too much for Mac, he went into our room, grabbed a ticket and very respectfully went out and asked for an autograph. Ralf (perhaps surprisingly considering his reputation) was happy to, was very charming and even chatted for a second ('Did you see the show?' Yes, on Saturday 'It was better tonight'). the autographed ticket is now Mac's prized possession.

A final breakfast with them all on Monday (well, we were on the next table and didn't intrude on them) and it was over, but unforgettable. For information, Ralf's breakfast of choice was just toast and coffee, Fritz had cereal and a latte whilst Henning had an ommlette. In civvies, Ralf looked like any other German gentleman of his age, I don't know why that surprised me.

A perfect honeymoon (although I could have done with a little less rain)

Labels: Kraftwerk