tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25096661142264503962024-03-21T19:59:14.631-04:00Jim & Loraine Go To LeipzigJim & Loraine Explore Europehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06025780721003328665noreply@blogger.comBlogger128125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2509666114226450396.post-40115091145678810112022-10-05T16:58:00.006-04:002022-10-15T16:41:40.479-04:00Hopefully, Customs Will Let Us Back In<p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">We just flew over the southern tip of Greenland, and I could not stop staring out the window at the wonder of it all.</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-056dba3a-7fff-cce6-ecaf-2f34c0d50dfe"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yes, I’m a geek. What's your point?</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Greetings from 33,000 feet above the North Atlantic, where we’re on the second leg of our journey home. Getting up in Berlin at 3 am this morning (or, as I mentioned yesterday, 9 pm last night Marquette time) was a joy, But we weren’t the only ones who were able to enjoy it. The 4:27 am train out to the Berlin airport was packed, the airport itself was packed, security was packed…</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Well, you get the idea.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As I mentioned on the first “Life in the 906” I did for 19 News this past Monday I really do get a window seat on the right hand side of the plane every time we fly back. Not only do I get to geek our over Greenland (at least on days like today when the cloud cover allows) but soon I’ll be able to see the first signs of North America, as we fly over the Labrador coast. Then an hour and a half later we enter US airspace right over Sault Ste, Marie, and an hour or so after that we’re back on land in Chicago.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I often think of my Irish or my German ancestors who had to spend days (if not weeks) on a ship to come to the US, and then more days or weeks of overland travel just to get to a place like Chicago. Now, I get to fly from Europe to that city in eight hours.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I wonder what THEY would think?</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Okay. I promised you two more stories from Leipzig, and here they are. As you may recall, the first day we were here I may have gone off in a small rant about how I couldn’t find a cow calendar anywhere. Well, Saturday, as we were off buying handschuhe for the soccer match, we came across a wall of stuffed animals-</span></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV4wZ3-9ZMN7HrN4PFFYgF6iX4zVczz7qTEo2SmcD2iw7iiqZ10KWqjusQkAg212uakP2yw3WAWWovaXscp2qhZDUykoPRdqKP7pMPd684S5QcGFF7o6Acd4pdVr3C6VbAOst8FKa86huMRvt09RUwdZsxQw1ecgkCnIQn1TQDX_dl-HBUp7PquDP_/s4160/20221001_103913.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV4wZ3-9ZMN7HrN4PFFYgF6iX4zVczz7qTEo2SmcD2iw7iiqZ10KWqjusQkAg212uakP2yw3WAWWovaXscp2qhZDUykoPRdqKP7pMPd684S5QcGFF7o6Acd4pdVr3C6VbAOst8FKa86huMRvt09RUwdZsxQw1ecgkCnIQn1TQDX_dl-HBUp7PquDP_/w640-h480/20221001_103913.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you look at it you’ll see everything from a stuffed dog to a stuffed horse to a stuffed penguin to a stuffed (and I’m not kidding here) meerkat. But you know what you don’t see?</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A stuffed cow.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’m not quite sure what Leipzig has against cows; for a city with otherwise impeccable tastes they sure do let you down that way. So if (and I’m thinking this isn't gonna happen, but you never know) Leipzig sends me one of those “please rate your experience with us” surveys that everyone wants you to fill out these days, I will give them a “10” in almost every single category.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They get a “0”, though, when they ask a question about cows.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I don’t know if you’ve ever heard the name Johann Wolfgang von Goethe; he was an 18th century German poet, philosopher, writer, and scientist, as well as the occasional butt of a Woody Allen joke. Now, despite everything that Goethe did in his long life, I really don’t think he had anything to do with chocolate, which makes the name of this chocolate bar rather interesting–</span></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT_vPtEfHFTl5c3U42tnV-NrmJl_5GidyTn0ryLfEgsDhq1WM4AODyjLDeTBcS04Jpcsrrz5E0sN6G7CMA4wU3C1hyfShPKFC1g6Yq8DCZVtAfMgz_0zqrS5VzgOD-oGNqzMTqKSr1JBwtQeVEWlfKq7Gj04d7KszFCtSIGO3ssOiITbo189I8_FLL/s4160/20220928_152905.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT_vPtEfHFTl5c3U42tnV-NrmJl_5GidyTn0ryLfEgsDhq1WM4AODyjLDeTBcS04Jpcsrrz5E0sN6G7CMA4wU3C1hyfShPKFC1g6Yq8DCZVtAfMgz_0zqrS5VzgOD-oGNqzMTqKSr1JBwtQeVEWlfKq7Gj04d7KszFCtSIGO3ssOiITbo189I8_FLL/w480-h640/20220928_152905.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And well as the name of this totally unrelated chocolate shop–</span></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSCsYbOLaTLlaBrI6BTwaILE-vPrHFcZvF8vvAq3FzYAViB2YGj7DyVJPl4rqxskVcsgU9iUlbirlMxWb1pYV1izhkrghXnDPWgu7oQ9E4p3bw2IZArZXZMPR_V4ytQVwmGc6sEED4TwKA_adCYHqtDYsRRLi-h7Au5coIWgJjT8_aFurJ4_8oJCyn/s4160/20221003_131304.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSCsYbOLaTLlaBrI6BTwaILE-vPrHFcZvF8vvAq3FzYAViB2YGj7DyVJPl4rqxskVcsgU9iUlbirlMxWb1pYV1izhkrghXnDPWgu7oQ9E4p3bw2IZArZXZMPR_V4ytQVwmGc6sEED4TwKA_adCYHqtDYsRRLi-h7Au5coIWgJjT8_aFurJ4_8oJCyn/w640-h480/20221003_131304.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kinda strange. The chocolate bar was dark, and many of the chocolates sold in the totally unrelated shop were of the darker variety, as well, so maybe the chocolateers were just using the Goethe name as a subtle commentary on the bleakness of human existence.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Or maybe they just thought it sounded cool. I think either way might be valid.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Oh, and Goethe Chocolateers also had some amazing gelato. Mine (the white one) is honey lavender, while Loraine’s (the other one) is chocolate chili.</span></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmo4griomXwRpMEsxRs0ILxSy39rY-bwPE_IxTQUbTeQL_xcdo5zIE3Gzbfr_UxXuX5uaqS3Ij8CXpRjU0QMdM_xIa0mkAeDBpczI0q9Sat6bC5jT-UeyLu1Gsx9nGcZWS1zI-kJ_INiwDhVs5bIc2d3ag00EuqYfdAcfsMG_gPbzTqGKPugAFALiX/s4160/20220930_175753.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmo4griomXwRpMEsxRs0ILxSy39rY-bwPE_IxTQUbTeQL_xcdo5zIE3Gzbfr_UxXuX5uaqS3Ij8CXpRjU0QMdM_xIa0mkAeDBpczI0q9Sat6bC5jT-UeyLu1Gsx9nGcZWS1zI-kJ_INiwDhVs5bIc2d3ag00EuqYfdAcfsMG_gPbzTqGKPugAFALiX/w640-h480/20220930_175753.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I guess with gelato like that things can't be too bleak, can they?</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Before we wrap this trip up I have a few more pictures to share, ones that haven’t made it in here yet. Pictures like…..</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How a lot of people seem to get from here to there in Berlin–</span></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUNCbyRRecKmNkIhLPVq-2pIClzm_95aqKELIqWy-h2n_VLirNW4rZhtng2XlK12buqSI6RgMAeMISfz6ewdDJIYCNyxu9_cB1OoYbwqECi_yqfRpx2rEqO7Pde3ulGUxv-FFqtpud55CaGpHLre9oI9bcvuuANlmLxyNsmwRSQDwe3agdnedH2U4m/s6000/DSC_0192.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUNCbyRRecKmNkIhLPVq-2pIClzm_95aqKELIqWy-h2n_VLirNW4rZhtng2XlK12buqSI6RgMAeMISfz6ewdDJIYCNyxu9_cB1OoYbwqECi_yqfRpx2rEqO7Pde3ulGUxv-FFqtpud55CaGpHLre9oI9bcvuuANlmLxyNsmwRSQDwe3agdnedH2U4m/w640-h426/DSC_0192.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">A random beer bottle left on the street in Leipzig–</span></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLr87dvUrxlJfgxXasedUOzttaR38KiaK5HYYV_R2xUb3ehkj5qUYy_os8gF6RaOHmjkk3AMyxm0R4l63sjbNYEbwNQrRFOVh5X3-1jR0V2oIR9vlz9kTbSW2k61Oc4ANhpVcqFveYJ4qqW9kIqGFAXZuXt-7wFoTqoqMCr-HEkxC7u7ek5FfWewlA/s6000/DSC_0286.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLr87dvUrxlJfgxXasedUOzttaR38KiaK5HYYV_R2xUb3ehkj5qUYy_os8gF6RaOHmjkk3AMyxm0R4l63sjbNYEbwNQrRFOVh5X3-1jR0V2oIR9vlz9kTbSW2k61Oc4ANhpVcqFveYJ4qqW9kIqGFAXZuXt-7wFoTqoqMCr-HEkxC7u7ek5FfWewlA/w640-h426/DSC_0286.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Garbage that you might see anywhere in the US, but is a rather bizarre sight when you come across it in Germany-</span></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4kipt7KSgwZW6COER0c6H1rVaa1KVDtrSM6Z6fBXh095hIvva9AsDwUZck7-K_9Bb7-lUaH3LXsA0V7UsV9jA-Sbpvi6WZgG6CK3ecMSDBu6KsETos2K-kUm5Fwkb-t1BQpCa_qzbSg6YLw9pm6ov1DjrZ0lGbLEVNG4BiPrb4dXQA61wxyQhvgtY/s4160/20221003_135555.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4kipt7KSgwZW6COER0c6H1rVaa1KVDtrSM6Z6fBXh095hIvva9AsDwUZck7-K_9Bb7-lUaH3LXsA0V7UsV9jA-Sbpvi6WZgG6CK3ecMSDBu6KsETos2K-kUm5Fwkb-t1BQpCa_qzbSg6YLw9pm6ov1DjrZ0lGbLEVNG4BiPrb4dXQA61wxyQhvgtY/w640-h480/20221003_135555.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What I probably SHOULD have bought Friday at the market instead of that 23,000,000 calorie Quarktorte–</span></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjOu1hF8sIcYHZnrXKJo0msBgpX3XEDUj5jejvj4E5aXz0ekgf6mIdNmo5o2OcOxausYwVlUCg9hLAEk5X2-qwgjp15rkQjNnqeT1OmzZs6GuDChHJDso8X40MJd2r41T5Y2dCSwpO9BAyTqFo2Cd9dY5I8isekEi5q0OIxwDLUhHGzElTlUy4qqL0/s6000/DSC_0247.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjOu1hF8sIcYHZnrXKJo0msBgpX3XEDUj5jejvj4E5aXz0ekgf6mIdNmo5o2OcOxausYwVlUCg9hLAEk5X2-qwgjp15rkQjNnqeT1OmzZs6GuDChHJDso8X40MJd2r41T5Y2dCSwpO9BAyTqFo2Cd9dY5I8isekEi5q0OIxwDLUhHGzElTlUy4qqL0/w640-h426/DSC_0247.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And maybe, just maybe, a sign that the person who wrote the copy for this refrigerator magnet didn’t have the best command of English. Either that, or they just have a highly refined sense of the absurd–</span></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihbEJxh7fCIyDC4kIu8rQdn1pvlqlJmQGoYN-3le7Mu2J5mvOg07_Gy_F94n5mkT5jfHqrZhzVLQjKEMDctDRwssGPJ0K_hHd559nuAwJkhOurTQ9UGIswpwY0TzIXu3kEoesZTQVpKntz1oCkpxlfmz84BNiU0KBOsHfa11bnbmH50R4v3aFwoTlT/s4160/20220928_170819.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihbEJxh7fCIyDC4kIu8rQdn1pvlqlJmQGoYN-3le7Mu2J5mvOg07_Gy_F94n5mkT5jfHqrZhzVLQjKEMDctDRwssGPJ0K_hHd559nuAwJkhOurTQ9UGIswpwY0TzIXu3kEoesZTQVpKntz1oCkpxlfmz84BNiU0KBOsHfa11bnbmH50R4v3aFwoTlT/w640-h480/20220928_170819.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Well, that’s it for this time around. I have no idea when we’ll be doing it again, but when we do, you can always come along. And I also have to once again mention how this all would not have been possible without the stellar work Loraine puts into sticking these voyages together. It’s not an easy job, despite how she makes it look, and you better believe that any credit at all for how it turned out is hers and her alone.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Loraine rocks!</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Have a great next few days, everyone. I’m on the radio tomorrow, I’m shooting the first episode of “High School Bowl” for the season Friday morning, and then I’m collapsing into a heap of goo for the few days after that.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Well, maybe collapsing after I unpack all the chocolate we picked up. Some things ARE more important than rest, after all.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">8-)</span></p><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(</span><a href="mailto:jim@wmqt.com" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">jim@wmqt.com</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">)</span></span>Jim & Loraine Explore Europehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06025780721003328665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2509666114226450396.post-56264594342429298862022-10-04T13:57:00.003-04:002022-10-15T16:38:14.574-04:00Berlin Boogie<p>Greetings from Germany's capital city, where if you look closely at this picture you'll see signs of planes, trains, and automobiles--</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix8KKEC9wqsWz3dZ0V5bVsnrNpRHHdlwW1QfpumTkt9zO9TMCV2J6VRRd_MAsGWxRx2uN8jjXYICPCpkNu2xHgNC3EgbJI8xHzCuPAPUikYTjsPJJAvawXXsc4EY3PTdpZpjLQJnLhlBCvCON3K6JXhI-rZT6SS4W5Iad4L6TPeZyS4Mw4cgEJZggj/s4160/20221004_183446.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix8KKEC9wqsWz3dZ0V5bVsnrNpRHHdlwW1QfpumTkt9zO9TMCV2J6VRRd_MAsGWxRx2uN8jjXYICPCpkNu2xHgNC3EgbJI8xHzCuPAPUikYTjsPJJAvawXXsc4EY3PTdpZpjLQJnLhlBCvCON3K6JXhI-rZT6SS4W5Iad4L6TPeZyS4Mw4cgEJZggj/w640-h480/20221004_183446.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>But seeing as how we're just a couple of hundred meters away from the train station, two floors above one of the busiest streets in the city, and under the flight path of the airport from which we'll be flying out in (gulp) just a couple of hours, maybe we should be surprised if there WASN'T all that stuff in the picture.</p><p>That's right. As I'm writing this it's 7:30 on Tuesday evening, or 1:30 in the afternoon back home. To do everything we need to do to be on our 7 am flight, we need to wake up at 3 am Wednesday morning, or 9 pm Tuesday night back in the States. So if we make it home as planned, we get to wake up 24 hours before our plane lands in Marquette.</p><p>Oh joy.</p><p>We did have a few final hours in Leipzig this morning, once again visiting the market</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1EZ6JgCmbfiFCGxcx3itbdw-dBmxhl02ROvZ1GwjmWSPFf0FWmIlxFPbdW4BfJT2yFB1hRE61ZiEcRtcbRzJQSRQ4IV2gHNcOr6TGZMfSjdDcNwiaIZF5Sh9qWFLz2STPaBH9sXJpjwuK1NG0b0jxnCqIRGZ1fsuEkJuhHRLXsnSQaJCRvWjRkxGT/s4160/20221004_092750.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1EZ6JgCmbfiFCGxcx3itbdw-dBmxhl02ROvZ1GwjmWSPFf0FWmIlxFPbdW4BfJT2yFB1hRE61ZiEcRtcbRzJQSRQ4IV2gHNcOr6TGZMfSjdDcNwiaIZF5Sh9qWFLz2STPaBH9sXJpjwuK1NG0b0jxnCqIRGZ1fsuEkJuhHRLXsnSQaJCRvWjRkxGT/w640-h480/20221004_092750.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Where this time I didn't buy a 23 million calorie Quarktorte, instead opting for the choice I usually make at least once when we're over here</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPrDurdFP0culgUaX86jFDAOE4NkcjOtMv2mmty3m0vKbVe-NKWtKR7jkAUn2C5-YaduF2B-wEXLxslXxRepw-zBTVLXX4o034IjhE7bvjR5WzYzDy5HkiA3vWvydIuymtTtP9NS523lsqWrnIgQ_2pHNG9GUqvC9AfB1aPYCYVXLOqYb_9-ivWN8O/s4160/20221004_095123.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPrDurdFP0culgUaX86jFDAOE4NkcjOtMv2mmty3m0vKbVe-NKWtKR7jkAUn2C5-YaduF2B-wEXLxslXxRepw-zBTVLXX4o034IjhE7bvjR5WzYzDy5HkiA3vWvydIuymtTtP9NS523lsqWrnIgQ_2pHNG9GUqvC9AfB1aPYCYVXLOqYb_9-ivWN8O/w640-h480/20221004_095123.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>We then had to hop aboard the train to Berlin, and just as we made it out to the platform look what showed up--blue sky!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimGQttCljWX1J10hJqRwYx5K_9wrO-kD0TsxKSgJ6bB8K2AA3fcng8MUvo3JrjwvnW_MSvguqseVAQGUQi5P52ZptACahdeoHDpjX-X2VdFpINz6rv7R14OG9Kbd5vKSf638a16epQZJORfvkHVsvNgWuuhsLfhsVlzngopld8rhaIK_-UT25jH8OY/s4160/20221004_131806.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimGQttCljWX1J10hJqRwYx5K_9wrO-kD0TsxKSgJ6bB8K2AA3fcng8MUvo3JrjwvnW_MSvguqseVAQGUQi5P52ZptACahdeoHDpjX-X2VdFpINz6rv7R14OG9Kbd5vKSf638a16epQZJORfvkHVsvNgWuuhsLfhsVlzngopld8rhaIK_-UT25jH8OY/w640-h480/20221004_131806.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>I know, I know. It IS the beginning of October, so what should I have expected--sunshine and 80 degrees every day?</p><p>8-)</p><p>After hopping aboard the train you saw in the last picture we made it to Berlin and took a little walk along history-</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSct9XP3D3Xw0YUEXKS8VxTSQkhiLh94XeMEAY1AO2lDk7k863pudq1BXbiM6058zkIcyPAF-IzdwQ2-_kxi1heRQ4azDg1HT9mySQoBGCvc3uanrAyT2mFZXt0CIwU2Ra0gyWMwBp3iEO9lu0roU7CYYBTRg7rFj0TQ1frpXBRRf96UqLDUfyLGYU/s4160/20221004_161902.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSct9XP3D3Xw0YUEXKS8VxTSQkhiLh94XeMEAY1AO2lDk7k863pudq1BXbiM6058zkIcyPAF-IzdwQ2-_kxi1heRQ4azDg1HT9mySQoBGCvc3uanrAyT2mFZXt0CIwU2Ra0gyWMwBp3iEO9lu0roU7CYYBTRg7rFj0TQ1frpXBRRf96UqLDUfyLGYU/w480-h640/20221004_161902.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>If you're wondering why we're following a brick line in the road, that's where the Berlin Wall stood, as plaques every so often will tell you--</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg20vA8sW9MCeWRHFE6lYKSZ3o9koTCZoOXQq91SHNkqi8CXuzDpiZLAN_tgnSvv6npp1qnVNDNmVy4Btj4gfMwR3-LhUDziA0MAC44zh0OpIeL8BOqEQw2QdQE7_0fAIStcsVL-zG5ZIu-YnPbCyHN6O_3zZeyumbi6oB7rFAyoibM5LeaUgqDOH7C/s4160/20221004_162009.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg20vA8sW9MCeWRHFE6lYKSZ3o9koTCZoOXQq91SHNkqi8CXuzDpiZLAN_tgnSvv6npp1qnVNDNmVy4Btj4gfMwR3-LhUDziA0MAC44zh0OpIeL8BOqEQw2QdQE7_0fAIStcsVL-zG5ZIu-YnPbCyHN6O_3zZeyumbi6oB7rFAyoibM5LeaUgqDOH7C/w640-h480/20221004_162009.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>In fact, the Wall cut right behind the Reichstag, Germany's version of Congress-</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3A6eEl4SzoMNIP8KwkDkdbVMg3WjC994e-puuJHIBCuhD4HR8fGyJSCGk3PnHtnUylu0Rw_3n57_Nke_8Bnh1-9tXhybBQn1qEXYdj9crZ_dejMI22U8I597hQxiX2lH7449akMOtj6tYpyfl2C-GuUxJAe3wNjwA4mO_7J_exMWZy1upaJtsXoHV/s4160/20221004_163140.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3A6eEl4SzoMNIP8KwkDkdbVMg3WjC994e-puuJHIBCuhD4HR8fGyJSCGk3PnHtnUylu0Rw_3n57_Nke_8Bnh1-9tXhybBQn1qEXYdj9crZ_dejMI22U8I597hQxiX2lH7449akMOtj6tYpyfl2C-GuUxJAe3wNjwA4mO_7J_exMWZy1upaJtsXoHV/w640-h480/20221004_163140.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>And right in front of the Brandenberg Gate, right around the corner from the Reichstag--</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi15S_vPX_-ZJUk5Y4DH8KQxBrc098N1M95qAHKjoN-S4bwCCBeErKrIipM5wlczorS6uZ7CfcGkxPRuOen1cSmSAJU1EQE0wcuS8Yb63yaijaoCo_lXKnm3s2Mx1Y25qO5MTBowvEz41ltaG_wPXrPXkiTbYJ0z5SW5XEYOO8_QXF5k_WjERD4vDZX/s4160/20221004_163656.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi15S_vPX_-ZJUk5Y4DH8KQxBrc098N1M95qAHKjoN-S4bwCCBeErKrIipM5wlczorS6uZ7CfcGkxPRuOen1cSmSAJU1EQE0wcuS8Yb63yaijaoCo_lXKnm3s2Mx1Y25qO5MTBowvEz41ltaG_wPXrPXkiTbYJ0z5SW5XEYOO8_QXF5k_WjERD4vDZX/w640-h480/20221004_163656.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>However, we decided not to join everyone on the tourist-beaten path, and instead brought our dinner over to the Tiergarten, Berlin's huge city park--</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilNqkPFZ0undvDY3F7PewtnmECdIiUMk4jsN9Zn0ROe8V93bIcA4Zwb4jzupjx52Of4OAqYxvJbtaG971-iHSvm7r1V4CuduYg-a8lB9E64-jHqRb9Im9FSEUYn9rLEwk40SNTA6-o_xoek18KVrkizyRsy9qeY-J9YSEmEHFa4KPDoquSHDoMGD_N/s4160/20221004_163838.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilNqkPFZ0undvDY3F7PewtnmECdIiUMk4jsN9Zn0ROe8V93bIcA4Zwb4jzupjx52Of4OAqYxvJbtaG971-iHSvm7r1V4CuduYg-a8lB9E64-jHqRb9Im9FSEUYn9rLEwk40SNTA6-o_xoek18KVrkizyRsy9qeY-J9YSEmEHFa4KPDoquSHDoMGD_N/w640-h480/20221004_163838.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>The Tiergarten was once a Prussian king's hunting ground, and also served as a source of firewood for Berlin residents at the end of World War II. Today, it's used by thousands of walkers, bikers, scooter-ers, and people using other various forms of transportation. It's also an amazing respite from the hustle and bustle of a city of four and a half million people, as evidenced by the view we had from our dining area--</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPQ1P5o4EEXIAU54anuq_HMFhvHjLS5IQ1DqLP4ertTHYYGSD9nDA_EoqUtJZV8bwBQ1NPPGlg06_nn8fhOwTSmP4D_vkbTyMd6NUxdr48KBXUKKZuZ0zpba3br74-29W4t8Rf_K6og2WP_o7Q7MKOefivkjde6mxE5WOatDm8_onWZPxqEMpenHNj/s4160/20221004_164718.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPQ1P5o4EEXIAU54anuq_HMFhvHjLS5IQ1DqLP4ertTHYYGSD9nDA_EoqUtJZV8bwBQ1NPPGlg06_nn8fhOwTSmP4D_vkbTyMd6NUxdr48KBXUKKZuZ0zpba3br74-29W4t8Rf_K6og2WP_o7Q7MKOefivkjde6mxE5WOatDm8_onWZPxqEMpenHNj/w640-h480/20221004_164718.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Well, 3 am is fast a-coming (and now I'll have that Matchbox 20 song stuck in my head for the next few days), so I'm going to have to cut this short. If I have the time tomorrow--and seeing as how I'll have 24 hours in airports and airplanes, I should have PLENTY of time--I'll write a wrap-up with more stories and pictures, everything from another failed search for something--anything--with a cow on it, to wondering just why in the heck German chocolate makers seem to love a certain 18th century poet and philosopher.</p><p>Who knew?</p><p>See you tomorrow. Or later today. Or whenever the heck it'll be.</p><p>(jim@wmqt.com)</p>Jim & Loraine Explore Europehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06025780721003328665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2509666114226450396.post-34591256236011861492022-10-03T13:56:00.003-04:002022-10-03T14:10:07.191-04:00Unity is Something We Could All Use<p>Is it really a holiday if no one celebrates it?</p><p>That thought crossed my mind a few times today as we spent our final full day in a Leipzig that was celebrating a national holiday. Today is Unity Day, the celebration of the day that the old West & East Germany came together once again to become just plain 'ol Germany on October 3rd, 1990. But unless you consider all the closed shops and a strangely strong (and unexplained) police presence around here, it didn't seem like a holiday. Of course, these aren't the greatest of days in Germany; after all, being just a couple of hundred kilometers away from a war started by a madman tends to mute a celebration. Because of the war, inflation in the country is running around 10%, and in an attempt to save energy for the winter many cities, Leipzig included, are trying to cut back on how much power they use.</p><p>Hence a strange picture like this--</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHPieXs50wj2Uom-N7a7zmau40tUdkCyg1lIsTSRUc1hlCAbTKFhwxMUX7VC0wzi2XIl_nxOCAHxPOACn4p1--q3tFMaWpRa4iGHZu6N9VfXDaXtytOIwDiay5Jg5T506PqrzepkBPQBt-oSfw73HXlacn7STlptQJBZys7jl5vMrMowtn1jVM_ib-/s4160/20221002_195250.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHPieXs50wj2Uom-N7a7zmau40tUdkCyg1lIsTSRUc1hlCAbTKFhwxMUX7VC0wzi2XIl_nxOCAHxPOACn4p1--q3tFMaWpRa4iGHZu6N9VfXDaXtytOIwDiay5Jg5T506PqrzepkBPQBt-oSfw73HXlacn7STlptQJBZys7jl5vMrMowtn1jVM_ib-/w640-h480/20221002_195250.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>If you're wondering why I would take a picture of a dark church, here's why. A couple of nights a week they turn off the lights they usually shine on public buildings, like the Nikolaikirche across the street from us. It's all part of an attempt across the country to cut power consumption by 10% until the new, non-Russian sources of energy Germany is putting in place are brought online. So I guess you can see why the celebration of Unity Day wasn't really a big deal.</p><p>Hopefully they're saving that for Sunday. But more on that in a bit.</p><p>Since it was a holiday, we did what many people do to wrap up a three-day weekend--we went to the lake today. On the south side of Leipzig there's a lake called Markkleeberg See, and seeing as how a tram line runs to it, we decided to take a holiday from our holiday and check it out--</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI6Y5aSsJL4c2x70tY8sReFf63sWXzgqF_Et9jEVwKOcdOc4Mlrl9KWrTBjINlxT1m5x6YpI5NwHB42DMouZoZvXarf922LRSCCsiKkREmgRaS_WAz7W_-77YcRA39hsVANYrjUrmhFk77TjAHu4DgoID4U-6lOg8WkT9lNFCVHbOTwugrzODkakdM/s6000/DSC_0505.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI6Y5aSsJL4c2x70tY8sReFf63sWXzgqF_Et9jEVwKOcdOc4Mlrl9KWrTBjINlxT1m5x6YpI5NwHB42DMouZoZvXarf922LRSCCsiKkREmgRaS_WAz7W_-77YcRA39hsVANYrjUrmhFk77TjAHu4DgoID4U-6lOg8WkT9lNFCVHbOTwugrzODkakdM/w640-h426/DSC_0505.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Looks like a regular old lake, right? Well, what would you say if I told you the lake is only 26 years old? Aside from you saying "no way" and me replying with "way", it's actually true. The lake was an open pit coal mine until the mid 1990s, started by the Nazis and fully exploited by the East Germans, something thoughtfully shown on one of the information panels on the path around it--</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-f0rjf-_-NGIASGafkCZgtUBI4DVqP0tGqnZ4dQkJ1zvXQ6z1P_dJfMB01I74WcbOnK5crM2a3Mw1X3OvOqQCdq0pkUm79ErXc0O2Nwlgrpq2Ldkq4ye6-S2RPaI63oVgb3kxG4dDdxQ8JrNpQoyqnhgChqFeHJpiZX4fNS4bNV-ywiL9gvCLdMGM/s6000/DSC_0502.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-f0rjf-_-NGIASGafkCZgtUBI4DVqP0tGqnZ4dQkJ1zvXQ6z1P_dJfMB01I74WcbOnK5crM2a3Mw1X3OvOqQCdq0pkUm79ErXc0O2Nwlgrpq2Ldkq4ye6-S2RPaI63oVgb3kxG4dDdxQ8JrNpQoyqnhgChqFeHJpiZX4fNS4bNV-ywiL9gvCLdMGM/w640-h426/DSC_0502.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Once Reunification occurred (you know, the thing Germany is celebrating today) the mine was shut down, it was allowed to fill in with water, and viola--</p><p>A lake was made.</p><p>It's a popular place for city residents during the summer when it's warm & sunny, and even today, a day that was ANYTHING but warm & sunny, saw people playing at one of the small beaches surrounding it--</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmCgDmfv1-qR__5pyxRHfVyVYveozkvc2BMNa39NDnEfquKWnRDfXS21v59JazqPFVZ1GL_--4EWwXG5X3zni-66G9-O3joRP9d6jF7RoQ_syPkdIt_mX6vf3kOLjgemZae7vY12AED4zqJHh_7PIG1z3TRsoj0ojuTOYxcowDEdUkR_hbE1iyF7y3/s6000/DSC_0509.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmCgDmfv1-qR__5pyxRHfVyVYveozkvc2BMNa39NDnEfquKWnRDfXS21v59JazqPFVZ1GL_--4EWwXG5X3zni-66G9-O3joRP9d6jF7RoQ_syPkdIt_mX6vf3kOLjgemZae7vY12AED4zqJHh_7PIG1z3TRsoj0ojuTOYxcowDEdUkR_hbE1iyF7y3/w640-h426/DSC_0509.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Loraine and I ended up hiking halfway around the lake, over 10 kilometers in total, and it was actually kind of nice to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, even though we were still (technically) in the city. In that respect, it was kind of like visiting Presque Isle, yet another way (see yesterday's blog) in which the two places are alike.</p><p>Oh, they're alike in this way, too--</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtSKkga46MC0cY6ylk_L183-7CyJcviHVcBzxjYb5tLep2rD552QEfitw1u1MrQ1D4sUmwkNdm3Mie3ruEGmGxkPoG7H9oB-Oegt-dT033uCzChWFZx4ANHESSnz8Hbmg914rBxYe4u8sn60nIXmiWv2cvVVLYfRqiacvuFg2usOtWkETfZSGNhrxu/s6000/DSC_0516.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtSKkga46MC0cY6ylk_L183-7CyJcviHVcBzxjYb5tLep2rD552QEfitw1u1MrQ1D4sUmwkNdm3Mie3ruEGmGxkPoG7H9oB-Oegt-dT033uCzChWFZx4ANHESSnz8Hbmg914rBxYe4u8sn60nIXmiWv2cvVVLYfRqiacvuFg2usOtWkETfZSGNhrxu/w640-h426/DSC_0516.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>That guy is roller-skiing on the very intricate multi-use path system that runs all through the city. If you want, you can bike or walk (or roller-ski) anywhere you want away from traffic thanks to the paths, which are unbelievably well marked--</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_VJzSIuv7JbRn4-iMDIJqWg0GxLbUl88wloyylf8j-hy7EICqGISHKPrwpBkEEHU6doSJaG2szG0f5VFTKcWCbhKtSMVJWFn8kj9ClvsONEojePvQAna1qx0VuEoAS3vxU8dq7myMaFURL3d-oVACCo35V04OwWpgnXuaOjQtwG-LD3x9nttAMSYQ/s4160/20221003_135712.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_VJzSIuv7JbRn4-iMDIJqWg0GxLbUl88wloyylf8j-hy7EICqGISHKPrwpBkEEHU6doSJaG2szG0f5VFTKcWCbhKtSMVJWFn8kj9ClvsONEojePvQAna1qx0VuEoAS3vxU8dq7myMaFURL3d-oVACCo35V04OwWpgnXuaOjQtwG-LD3x9nttAMSYQ/w640-h480/20221003_135712.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Even if you're in the middle of a wooded area with no landmarks around you you always know where you're going. So that's why we were able to hike (in all) almost 20 K today and always know where we were.</p><p>Oh--the trails and all the walking we did on them also helped us burn off a few more of those 23 million calories we consumed Friday when I accidentally bought a quarter of a Quarktorte instead of just a slice. So that was a nice bonus.</p><p>8-)</p><p>The tram ride there and back introduced us to another neighborhood in Leipzig we hadn't yet explored, Connewitz. Connewitz is the "edgy" section of the city (as opposed to Plagwitz, the "artsy" section we visited a few days ago), and you could see it from the graffiti on the buildings--</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi839xnisifImNAW4gKdgnFoHPdS_XyQ5gSiv10BoEM5ycnEbirYIc2jObaag9EHBXQF9H9WyJNGYVqnPJdImJjEUcqM4yT0yBwkRP5X149GPvxtF487zqli8z5Vv01BsgtYmxSVLmzh3u9euSOMv3fDdamoHKNq2OAwMZQDq4d4rU1HvICAt66WQ2Y/s6000/DSC_0523.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi839xnisifImNAW4gKdgnFoHPdS_XyQ5gSiv10BoEM5ycnEbirYIc2jObaag9EHBXQF9H9WyJNGYVqnPJdImJjEUcqM4yT0yBwkRP5X149GPvxtF487zqli8z5Vv01BsgtYmxSVLmzh3u9euSOMv3fDdamoHKNq2OAwMZQDq4d4rU1HvICAt66WQ2Y/w640-h426/DSC_0523.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>To the stickers plastered everywhere-</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3YcJDQcCgtcPxr3P67z65QlZ9a1pF-0E5Iq-4Gu4qGi03rEEmJkwDkkHSG9-dsjpl9zsvtQqrRqgdXXASxyKDlMlvS3eOQjk6sFCQZlzCMq1hssSImZr0FhrEzgspqAgT_zAvV6gfhnTrWGUgUVaz8BIpYplqJJt4J7uHefEcfRYjTCxhg3xExY0n/s6000/DSC_0348.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3YcJDQcCgtcPxr3P67z65QlZ9a1pF-0E5Iq-4Gu4qGi03rEEmJkwDkkHSG9-dsjpl9zsvtQqrRqgdXXASxyKDlMlvS3eOQjk6sFCQZlzCMq1hssSImZr0FhrEzgspqAgT_zAvV6gfhnTrWGUgUVaz8BIpYplqJJt4J7uHefEcfRYjTCxhg3xExY0n/w640-h426/DSC_0348.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>However, the neighborhood DID have one of the most interesting stores names we've seen so far-</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr6E4ceVFOoZDifXbs6AD2IZw1z_pdtddYh15BEeDx-YyzM9no9Dm6sCsBYfjvKRyN7LwaJbs2or-jhtmbT3NyUKLP2F_I9q2xgJ6X_uQb4Jhtack4LGonME6WkrO0mE0bkrymdW-j6Y_98_qwpQFRDspxwk0TISlSnGXPJXB_ZsHXEkKzVcB8c51b/s4160/mr%20thong.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr6E4ceVFOoZDifXbs6AD2IZw1z_pdtddYh15BEeDx-YyzM9no9Dm6sCsBYfjvKRyN7LwaJbs2or-jhtmbT3NyUKLP2F_I9q2xgJ6X_uQb4Jhtack4LGonME6WkrO0mE0bkrymdW-j6Y_98_qwpQFRDspxwk0TISlSnGXPJXB_ZsHXEkKzVcB8c51b/w640-h480/mr%20thong.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>That's right. The sign on the store I saw while riding on the tram says "Mr. Thong". I'm almost afraid to ask exactly what a "Mr Thong" store might be. So I'll let you mull that over for a bit.</p><p>As I had mentioned earlier, this is our last full day in Leipzig. We hop on a train back to Berlin tomorrow, get a few hours to wander around that city, and then have to figure out exactly how we're going to pack everything we've picked up into our luggage. THAT should be fun. But I kind of wish we could stay through Sunday, because Sunday is a huge day in Leipzig.</p><p>It's Lichtfest</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLjgyXfEXsgpm8PvPr-vsa246pVxI63ebgWIIlUpAMNb50z7el2aOej6-xcDxJT7uw--DUDybrKev9hb1rqQV_06QQqXtD5F2AjTBwX0vZjCaa2sEUmIkALNiqxW3w_F12XCRo1kpWpklQFfneIXmZK--UcG_WbCyyxUAQL_xMl_ZipITJxww5Y-Zw/s960/strohut.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="768" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLjgyXfEXsgpm8PvPr-vsa246pVxI63ebgWIIlUpAMNb50z7el2aOej6-xcDxJT7uw--DUDybrKev9hb1rqQV_06QQqXtD5F2AjTBwX0vZjCaa2sEUmIkALNiqxW3w_F12XCRo1kpWpklQFfneIXmZK--UcG_WbCyyxUAQL_xMl_ZipITJxww5Y-Zw/w512-h640/strohut.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo courtesy Strohhut Photography</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Lichtfest (or Light Fest) is when thousands of candle-bearing Leipzigers march around the area in which we've been staying in a celebration of the massive demonstrations that took place in 1989 right across the street from where I'm typing this. At first a couple of hundred Leipzig residents, and then a thousand, and then 5,000, and then 20,000, and then 100,000, and eventually 400,000 in October of 1989 protested the corruption and lack of personal freedom of the old DDR. In short order, the protests then spread all across the old East Germany, protests that culminated in the Berlin Wall falling a few days later.</p><p>You know--the event that led to German reunification and the holiday we're just wrapping up today.</p><p>That's it from Leipzig. Next stop--the aforementioned Berlin. So until then...</p><p>(jim@wmqt.com)</p><p>(ps--on a personal note, happy birthday to my sister Melanie!)</p><p>(pps--on another personal note, today marks the debut of "19 News" on Marquette's new CBS station, WZMQ. I'm actually a part of the newscast as a weekly contributor, and while I can't be there on opening night the first segment of "Life in the 906" airs (pre-taped, but dealing with travel) during the 6 pm newscast. So check it out if you can!)</p>Jim & Loraine Explore Europehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06025780721003328665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2509666114226450396.post-6463264910199841042022-10-02T14:11:00.005-04:002022-10-02T15:38:46.873-04:00Sunday in the Park (Without George)<p>When you think about it, the two places really do have a lot in common.</p><p>Greetings once again from Leipzig, where, despite a few occasional rain showers and one totally unexpected thunderstorm, Loraine and I did what we usually do on a Sunday--we walked. And while we were strolling around various parts of the city we came to the realization that Leipzig and Marquette are, in the end, rather similar, if you set aside a few degrees of size.</p><p>For instance, the backbone of both cities is education-</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrDyo3ux5mo3R2uMysDdYca2oE5JWTgaQ1rEPOfqyM7oy3FsuIj0-lilDSczJUJHMVI5BjEItCJThMOH0t5LgPDXx-F6jLBBZUY2QuiZZ5q2mQqunQphy1mKUAxLc8laAXAFW6Cg_AcaXgbzBPtzeVyCD4uzJZbt7IYySn-FrylYJALlgb8JkZr4BC/s6000/DSC_0467.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrDyo3ux5mo3R2uMysDdYca2oE5JWTgaQ1rEPOfqyM7oy3FsuIj0-lilDSczJUJHMVI5BjEItCJThMOH0t5LgPDXx-F6jLBBZUY2QuiZZ5q2mQqunQphy1mKUAxLc8laAXAFW6Cg_AcaXgbzBPtzeVyCD4uzJZbt7IYySn-FrylYJALlgb8JkZr4BC/w640-h426/DSC_0467.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Bikes (and parents riding with their kids) rule in both places--</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ2MLaQHYj8OatiYnfbvWCuHOLtREoq61kZXKW2pIpbHoGDJffaS_pryEBwMVCxWPyGahVGl9Iqpw0a3bSvwIJhDGNNz0V_CXcTEGnzWIPmSg3d_erEDShu41ZdnfKjEP3RGvzNcLuyNSq-LrHg9IBvBYlE9ooc0dRpXTSg6mDyCCQmURwade0bXc-/s6000/DSC_0382.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ2MLaQHYj8OatiYnfbvWCuHOLtREoq61kZXKW2pIpbHoGDJffaS_pryEBwMVCxWPyGahVGl9Iqpw0a3bSvwIJhDGNNz0V_CXcTEGnzWIPmSg3d_erEDShu41ZdnfKjEP3RGvzNcLuyNSq-LrHg9IBvBYlE9ooc0dRpXTSg6mDyCCQmURwade0bXc-/w640-h426/DSC_0382.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Both places love to have festivals--<div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqifTrVNaGBPacGbTIHN4BnVYrGdI_abHdd6gxav_GWGyFzc98GtO9ILkM_F5Z8BvANufoLXekrv2IvyBODKtCXwCDHlxRVjLPvR-dpPrAJbMfzrrJHc0a_r3JcxAJkItZhB2hldPKPp-pJVPq-7O5YMSWjirRH4-ReAQO1EB5ab_3KfWq2c4sEDUi/s6000/DSC_0307.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqifTrVNaGBPacGbTIHN4BnVYrGdI_abHdd6gxav_GWGyFzc98GtO9ILkM_F5Z8BvANufoLXekrv2IvyBODKtCXwCDHlxRVjLPvR-dpPrAJbMfzrrJHc0a_r3JcxAJkItZhB2hldPKPp-pJVPq-7O5YMSWjirRH4-ReAQO1EB5ab_3KfWq2c4sEDUi/w640-h426/DSC_0307.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>And, sadly, both places have issues with those less fortunate--</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnDKK-zxnIGN2EtAbfbCE2dSH6Hxm3YHyRbHAOF4cHynlxXQtVyfDvXeJdtpcbehoku32nSKtJWWFaPsW8IN8un1IQh0qdCjRihSXHEeSElCgyAA75EYWWmpKpSuoHfe2w8f-MslMfeEGby7t9NsiK7D0ZUni316rUQk_pD-lc4fFgk9_AArZQBnqN/s6000/DSC_0458.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnDKK-zxnIGN2EtAbfbCE2dSH6Hxm3YHyRbHAOF4cHynlxXQtVyfDvXeJdtpcbehoku32nSKtJWWFaPsW8IN8un1IQh0qdCjRihSXHEeSElCgyAA75EYWWmpKpSuoHfe2w8f-MslMfeEGby7t9NsiK7D0ZUni316rUQk_pD-lc4fFgk9_AArZQBnqN/w640-h426/DSC_0458.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>But there are two ways in which I think both places share the exact same vibe. One is in the richness of history, which I've tried to avoid this time around seeing as how I <a href="https://jimkoski.blogspot.com/2019/04/the-jerseys-were-hung-by-mirror-with.html" target="_blank">kinda went overboard writing about it</a> the last time we were here. The other is in the richness of their respective parks system. Marquette has the lake shore and the parks that go along with it, while Leipzig has a spine of green space running right up the center of it.</p><p>And that's what we explored today.</p><p>We started at the city's biggest park, the Clara Zetkin Park, which is a huge area of trees and paths and gazebos--</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxg2VPFz7cSE424lcgXtP9eI71zuWRrAMtbNOtPUqE1HgCu9Kd2SOtWxTDuoKYvgZlpBMNHajjCkdjYDf9DFUcQGyfAA1oRrs0wuv_bAsWAljpn0HtCcoeEzsoYzL6puHGNzCsybaBt6QSVz14r_pkOSfVhKlo-tUJZSLgMxbahxXXttKJD-Y3iMI3/s6000/DSC_0361.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxg2VPFz7cSE424lcgXtP9eI71zuWRrAMtbNOtPUqE1HgCu9Kd2SOtWxTDuoKYvgZlpBMNHajjCkdjYDf9DFUcQGyfAA1oRrs0wuv_bAsWAljpn0HtCcoeEzsoYzL6puHGNzCsybaBt6QSVz14r_pkOSfVhKlo-tUJZSLgMxbahxXXttKJD-Y3iMI3/w640-h426/DSC_0361.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>It's home to the annual World Goth Festival, where 20,000 individuals just stroll around the paths to see, be seen, and to share their lifestyle. And with the gloomy vibe the park can give off, especially on a rainy morning, I can see why the biggest Goth festival on the planet is held here. </p><p>One other interesting thing about the park? Bridges criss-cross the waterways, and on some, instead of the usual Love Locks, you'll see Friendship Locks, instead--</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRQcs51dwmPKo2uCuCbMk7KibEfVehoEeL9NP0OZX-53w0KH5_kXCHJ_3heqhEUjecfql8BqPgDMX44CptxOAuQgPDzOptvNNqCEcbx8pmebK1Cyf8MxW1FSHgzEhPzsVahFKqlr9A3qcvwaejrPuu4Nvgs4Rz2jGU5b2sFg5OvCiJ69ruUC-Vt7wz/s6000/DSC_0354.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRQcs51dwmPKo2uCuCbMk7KibEfVehoEeL9NP0OZX-53w0KH5_kXCHJ_3heqhEUjecfql8BqPgDMX44CptxOAuQgPDzOptvNNqCEcbx8pmebK1Cyf8MxW1FSHgzEhPzsVahFKqlr9A3qcvwaejrPuu4Nvgs4Rz2jGU5b2sFg5OvCiJ69ruUC-Vt7wz/w640-h426/DSC_0354.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Just north of Clara Zetkin is perhaps my favorite park in Leipzig, and that would be the Johannapark. It's much more open than Zetkin, and also allows you the opportunity to take some amazing pictures--</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg62bPWAgu9I68yl-uM03nZ0Be-cdIl_3-lrrziMrZkEzOKjDIzj2gmRUMVfZxF4XsR5ESTR1EOFv8h-iE4wZqydY1Sw8Mz_6FYhx6ZGDz-okiiOcIuUfrMmkURRfszFKv00zASzua9O0UFuNBzlfKaYLMzFsLZDqS7H8QuI9ayfaETHz1VR1DO1_g/s6000/DSC_0424.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg62bPWAgu9I68yl-uM03nZ0Be-cdIl_3-lrrziMrZkEzOKjDIzj2gmRUMVfZxF4XsR5ESTR1EOFv8h-iE4wZqydY1Sw8Mz_6FYhx6ZGDz-okiiOcIuUfrMmkURRfszFKv00zASzua9O0UFuNBzlfKaYLMzFsLZDqS7H8QuI9ayfaETHz1VR1DO1_g/w640-h426/DSC_0424.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Plus, it has some new friends for you to make--coots. No, not a "coot" like my dad (that would be an old coot), but instead, red (and white) billed birds that allow you to hang out with them for a bit--</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Olnc27LlVfQYK7B7WwdN33S_YY1JkQWo_d5l9r3jsUxLFUUomugevEDp1hnUHAusbSQHV1lw0k7hXpCxjiu2sl_yukLiAqwAv-WtcVGqzkhzMzZRxNTTx-0XXZxnUv7dR2N-iou6ltLR4fWuN9DRkO0qRbREzlALMm1YPXABdYKCY99AlhPObeXj/s6000/DSC_0418.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Olnc27LlVfQYK7B7WwdN33S_YY1JkQWo_d5l9r3jsUxLFUUomugevEDp1hnUHAusbSQHV1lw0k7hXpCxjiu2sl_yukLiAqwAv-WtcVGqzkhzMzZRxNTTx-0XXZxnUv7dR2N-iou6ltLR4fWuN9DRkO0qRbREzlALMm1YPXABdYKCY99AlhPObeXj/w640-h426/DSC_0418.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>And then there was the park we didn't even know existed. On the way back to our hotel we passed the Leipzig Opera House, and noticed there was a sign pointing toward a statue of the composer Richard Wagner (you may know his most famous work, "Kill the Wabbit" from the classic Looney Tune "What's Opera, Doc"). We followed the sign to check out the statue, and were amazed to find there was another park, not even on Loraine's map, right behind the Opera House--</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_KaBLAKp1JPbvMrSzuSrKnxQ3dixkUy11I_fKQvEDM88jKe6O1obQotFOptr8GmDPlxJyH0fLHiOiweLRi6CeNZSfSUenRlklGgWhOTVnKrJiw2zZf1v2rb9xrZEN7L6RLx7zubHb-ZntNBcTCKfFS1mk-qd2XHvQePER_TXfdjBDnzgga1aoBsyv/s6000/DSC_0488.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_KaBLAKp1JPbvMrSzuSrKnxQ3dixkUy11I_fKQvEDM88jKe6O1obQotFOptr8GmDPlxJyH0fLHiOiweLRi6CeNZSfSUenRlklGgWhOTVnKrJiw2zZf1v2rb9xrZEN7L6RLx7zubHb-ZntNBcTCKfFS1mk-qd2XHvQePER_TXfdjBDnzgga1aoBsyv/w640-h426/DSC_0488.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Looking on Google Maps I discovered it's called Oberer Park, and I'm thinking the Leipzig Tourism office might be dropping the ball by not promoting it more. In a city full of parks, it's one of the best.</p><p>So if the city of Marquette (hint hint) is interested in another Sister City, one that could actually be called a Big Sister, I have one that would fit the bill perfectly. In fact, I'm writing this from that very place tonight!</p><p>8-)</p><p>Now, a few odds & ends that we came across today. Remember a few days ago how I mentioned that Leipzig is often called "Hypezig" by the media? Well, I think this fits the bill a little better--</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEc4jAXqdN0Cgx7FYRaoogbu4MeXA1zDaSl-xDnDVg288ZgMQSuhPe5w0mN80v6vzUIWl96BIdskQUZNPOY-CKMgjL-reb1oiyyukzxDJjeEBLY0aaizO9SU7WaGw5v53g1P64utukjixoQO690QrJg1kkwwf-4cVqFhAaw5WNGGHRsCvgQMgMYPAB/s4160/20221002_162604.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEc4jAXqdN0Cgx7FYRaoogbu4MeXA1zDaSl-xDnDVg288ZgMQSuhPe5w0mN80v6vzUIWl96BIdskQUZNPOY-CKMgjL-reb1oiyyukzxDJjeEBLY0aaizO9SU7WaGw5v53g1P64utukjixoQO690QrJg1kkwwf-4cVqFhAaw5WNGGHRsCvgQMgMYPAB/w640-h480/20221002_162604.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p>Another way that Marquette and Leipzig may be similar is in their occasional use of this old Finnish tradition--</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWGa4V81lhgwLUbIcniUJ0yBGRZe66-aU7CARIuMhwTWpl8nZeZS7c2Oxp8R_fwAuvzvqmgYX_rscIDyeE4uERqKsRp5Sk9DqT1QYzIxkosdc50L1GgE_7TQGELoYyq2ZqCQqUFRVZWVIjgMM7oCGy3tax-E-OhOBDSOYu-DhwK8icw3q8eu5cOBUm/s4160/20221002_160115.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWGa4V81lhgwLUbIcniUJ0yBGRZe66-aU7CARIuMhwTWpl8nZeZS7c2Oxp8R_fwAuvzvqmgYX_rscIDyeE4uERqKsRp5Sk9DqT1QYzIxkosdc50L1GgE_7TQGELoYyq2ZqCQqUFRVZWVIjgMM7oCGy3tax-E-OhOBDSOYu-DhwK8icw3q8eu5cOBUm/w640-h480/20221002_160115.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>However, I didn't stick it in the main list because, as you notice in the sign, it's an FKK sauna. What's FKK, you ask? Well, I answer, FKK, or, in German, <b style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Freikörperkultur</b> , is the tradition in this part of the country of not worrying about wearing clothes if you don't feel like it. Around here it's perfectly acceptable to sunbathe in the nude or, in this case, sauna in the nude. So the next time you're in Germany remember the letters FKK.</p><p>It could save you a lot of trouble and/or embarrassment, depending upon your point of view.</p><p>I think every time we come over to Europe I have to rave about this, but one of the things we most look forward to is a swig of this-</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglxB8UNWWr0C1XCUKHx_JKvgnQXJym2sLeiCu--NYCUrzV4l3FBTwFW1_Ql9lVIO0jDM0bIkGehe-x0OWk09bG9aW7jDE5BKJMxFabjD8DO64XESa0rrcFztKHv-SURdTrbrEmnOH6yph87MzAhydeIJyS9BVi8b3eAth15ebQPPAGcuamsC3BENY8/s6000/DSC_0493.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglxB8UNWWr0C1XCUKHx_JKvgnQXJym2sLeiCu--NYCUrzV4l3FBTwFW1_Ql9lVIO0jDM0bIkGehe-x0OWk09bG9aW7jDE5BKJMxFabjD8DO64XESa0rrcFztKHv-SURdTrbrEmnOH6yph87MzAhydeIJyS9BVi8b3eAth15ebQPPAGcuamsC3BENY8/w640-h426/DSC_0493.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>If you don't remember why, it's Dr. Pepper the way it used to be, with its original formula and with real sugar, two of the ways in which it's different from the "Dr. Pepper" you get back home. Trust me--there really IS a difference!</p><p>And to wrap things up today, we did make one more stop at <strike>Oktoberfest</strike> Fall Fest going on in the Markt Platz. And for your listening pleasure, a real German Oompah band.</p><p>See you tomorrow!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="343" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AuvG6uQwUT4" width="608" youtube-src-id="AuvG6uQwUT4"></iframe></div><br /><p>(jim@wmqt.com)</p><p><br /></p><p>(ps--because of a problem with a link not everyone was able to see yesterday's blog.game report. So if you're interested, just click on the "older post" tab right below here to be taken right to it)</p></div>Jim & Loraine Explore Europehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06025780721003328665noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2509666114226450396.post-18406047397445015792022-10-02T01:58:00.003-04:002022-10-03T15:46:57.553-04:00If the Handschuhe Fits...<p>We came, we saw, we walked away happy. That's pretty much all you can ask for when attending a German sporting event.</p><p>Greetings once again from Leipzig, home today to gorgeous conditions--51 degrees, winds, and rain. Even though the gales of November came waaaay too early today, nothing could stop us from the one main reason we undertook this trip, to attend the Bundesliga Matchday 8 game between RB Leipzig and Vfl Bochum. Leipzig's been a team that's underperformed this year, while Bochum is off to the second worst start in Bundesliga history. Both teams recently fired their coaches, so in a situation like this you never know what might happen.</p><p>Thankfully the end result wasn't even close.</p><p>The match itself didn't start until 3:30 (9:30 Saturday morning back home) so we crossed a few more things off the list. The first was a visit to Leipzig's Holocaust memorial--</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqCCSoimcvgfqsPksE9OnaNK6wCRJEoxU_Jyt0sgh0PFmxHdW2QefU8iMUzKRes5gZhi8nziq9vFGD2y-Tvx2OGXsCUnYmjr13r0pG31eyvVEUKcxjCGar5aJCw2IKAp1AhctKcwfLDBiYQ23Z9HuCMrZWLNVWgjb7AgS52c0ocqBcRgq46mDC3VXp/s4160/20221001_100308.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqCCSoimcvgfqsPksE9OnaNK6wCRJEoxU_Jyt0sgh0PFmxHdW2QefU8iMUzKRes5gZhi8nziq9vFGD2y-Tvx2OGXsCUnYmjr13r0pG31eyvVEUKcxjCGar5aJCw2IKAp1AhctKcwfLDBiYQ23Z9HuCMrZWLNVWgjb7AgS52c0ocqBcRgq46mDC3VXp/w640-h480/20221001_100308.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>The memorial is a rather interesting piece of conceptual art--140 empty chairs laid out to represent the 14,000 Leipzig residents who died during the Nazi era. It's very sobering, even more so when viewed in the rain. And it's a reminder that, unlike some countries, Germany tries to make sure its people know what happened in its past, to learn from its mistakes in hopes that they're never repeated.</p><p>Because it was so unnaturally cold today we also decided that it might be prudent to see if we could find some gloves somewhere. And that leads me to our German lesson for today. One of the more interesting things about the language is that it has compound words--you stick two words, each with a different meaning, together to form a third word that ties into the meaning of the two original words. For instance, "ein" is the word for one, while "horn" is the word for, well, horn.</p><p>And that's why the German word for unicorn is "einhorn".</p><p>That same principle is used when talking about gloves, the object of our shopping trip this morning. The German word for glove is "handschuhe", another compound word. The "hand" part is self-explanatory, while "schuhe" is the German word for "shoe".<br /></p><p>That's right. The German word for "glove" literally translates as "hand shoe". German is a wacky, wacky language.</p><p>Once properly gloved up, we went back out into the wind and the rain and onto our preferred mode of transport around here-</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghfRsx-pQJ_TUeXWCViD4ad6tdnRs0nZAPOfj89Ga5t9JCNbn7zH8lznsSDjYAl06kKcdiftIFQliDe7MJlKt0szovQ5mfkgd8A5ZCunS6mCFKqBvqqI1pnfWw7SzddH4Logg_n168H-o7pMde0aw7OMZ5WuokA6d-WOgbEOEppzFtkp4407x1eQeR/s6000/DSC_0261.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghfRsx-pQJ_TUeXWCViD4ad6tdnRs0nZAPOfj89Ga5t9JCNbn7zH8lznsSDjYAl06kKcdiftIFQliDe7MJlKt0szovQ5mfkgd8A5ZCunS6mCFKqBvqqI1pnfWw7SzddH4Logg_n168H-o7pMde0aw7OMZ5WuokA6d-WOgbEOEppzFtkp4407x1eQeR/w640-h426/DSC_0261.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture taken yesterday when it wasn't raining<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Where we joined a growing queue outside the stadium waiting to get in-</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkqERo5GxYIwunlC9EueNwWri0HB1QUt2okQXlT-3dxoSRMqeTXfQ-e2N_IDcrv27wwfSpl1kgAor78PgKpybnR5VknJ4O4f_WSrT7aITq06q6hvbcgbUmO_b-6cPyMlzxTWCrTj-2wJ3scmQzm3EPazFsDBzlcKmbnHEQOHOaTcctyfU_Y0cUM2XU/s4160/20221001_132046.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkqERo5GxYIwunlC9EueNwWri0HB1QUt2okQXlT-3dxoSRMqeTXfQ-e2N_IDcrv27wwfSpl1kgAor78PgKpybnR5VknJ4O4f_WSrT7aITq06q6hvbcgbUmO_b-6cPyMlzxTWCrTj-2wJ3scmQzm3EPazFsDBzlcKmbnHEQOHOaTcctyfU_Y0cUM2XU/w640-h480/20221001_132046.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Once in through all the gates & concourses, we saw one of Loraine's holy places right before us-</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRVXI0J1eMoLKXHJ7PRZYcdyz6pJA9hkAAFMoqEuCODptvIlo1FEeGjUckUbfBk4p7gX3cdu9ldNwPtzkacoVYvHNoxCtIw5G4iLQiRfYxgAAvuNI26ndqbBY7BDlNgTfYeW5TBVG_zsh3Q7Gb77__afUHN-RKmq9O-WhyZK0uKLpXqgwOc-k4oJVz/s4160/20221001_134250.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRVXI0J1eMoLKXHJ7PRZYcdyz6pJA9hkAAFMoqEuCODptvIlo1FEeGjUckUbfBk4p7gX3cdu9ldNwPtzkacoVYvHNoxCtIw5G4iLQiRfYxgAAvuNI26ndqbBY7BDlNgTfYeW5TBVG_zsh3Q7Gb77__afUHN-RKmq9O-WhyZK0uKLpXqgwOc-k4oJVz/w640-h480/20221001_134250.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Because we wanted to soak in the whole experience, we were some of the first people inside, soon to be joined by around 30,000 of our closest friends (they sold 44,000 tickets, but because of the weather parts of the place were half empty). Right before the match they do this big thing to pump up the crowd--they play the club's theme song and everyone waves their scarves in the air-</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixxl09l65g03VmmIHBkSVZ3cQ6Be51a2oODsJPtdMnkp3Q7eoszuyh7J0--ADj5JohunxXw0R8KUSsjpLEnqj6hr_ERyHqbogsefyKsSiWz2HfFQPPgv55e_f2rG-HM-oNg8_De6rjzMlTXOiyhs_-LmkD3LPzkSTvwD6YgSjrk_PwzbPCaKHxsXQe/s4160/20221001_151954.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixxl09l65g03VmmIHBkSVZ3cQ6Be51a2oODsJPtdMnkp3Q7eoszuyh7J0--ADj5JohunxXw0R8KUSsjpLEnqj6hr_ERyHqbogsefyKsSiWz2HfFQPPgv55e_f2rG-HM-oNg8_De6rjzMlTXOiyhs_-LmkD3LPzkSTvwD6YgSjrk_PwzbPCaKHxsXQe/w640-h480/20221001_151954.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>I couldn't bring my big camera (with a nice zoom) into the stadium, so I don't have a lot of game pictures, save this one I took with my phone right at the start of the match-</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-L4fr-cyNa8ITuR6qn-n5UrqyLS7QHuk6FTbUKAjfoQS0mo-qH1bBy_ZAieLm7DzyydpBIBAuCDOufCBq0RzXjdTmJqcien9HbM6BSnlzQpSPslyzbwziAEZQxI1ZoG36uxXDzwu8KuUQmHnf6qOKPrKO_70ykMmAlSEXzy6oDbblztgBGOJeaOl1/s4160/20221001_153906.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-L4fr-cyNa8ITuR6qn-n5UrqyLS7QHuk6FTbUKAjfoQS0mo-qH1bBy_ZAieLm7DzyydpBIBAuCDOufCBq0RzXjdTmJqcien9HbM6BSnlzQpSPslyzbwziAEZQxI1ZoG36uxXDzwu8KuUQmHnf6qOKPrKO_70ykMmAlSEXzy6oDbblztgBGOJeaOl1/w640-h480/20221001_153906.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>As I mentioned earlier, the game itself wasn't even close. Timo Werner scored two goals for Leipzig, as did the player whose jersey I donned for the match, Christopher Nkunku. He could have--should have--had a hat trick, but he missed a penalty shot. And if you've ever wanted to feel the emotion of a game, from the excitement right before he gets set to shoot to the letdown when the crowd realizes he missed, here's first hand video-</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="299" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/evQEl_3gthc" width="458" youtube-src-id="evQEl_3gthc"></iframe></div><p><br /></p><p>So while the final score could have been a lot worse, at the whistle it was RB Leipzig 4, VFL Bochum 0. Happy to a person, the crowd streamed out-</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCRh7nqdrcwE_c0bLk7SUBlfvt2mx2VXbZBUU4cJL-T1QnHgSVoMC4Wx2-h-fLywvqGTuuqRXKWnPB31qiyOztPWy58-uzMovERnA_S1pDfXE1sIeEtTS9zVD0bLiGIECDqWLs0rn-twcslSHG1QNCOnXqdryBWzwTv9sFBvB0bLuELSYDl79grW-F/s4160/20221001_174107.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCRh7nqdrcwE_c0bLk7SUBlfvt2mx2VXbZBUU4cJL-T1QnHgSVoMC4Wx2-h-fLywvqGTuuqRXKWnPB31qiyOztPWy58-uzMovERnA_S1pDfXE1sIeEtTS9zVD0bLiGIECDqWLs0rn-twcslSHG1QNCOnXqdryBWzwTv9sFBvB0bLuELSYDl79grW-F/w640-h480/20221001_174107.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>And we joined a couple of thousand fellow fans who walked the two kilometers back to this part of Leipzig, happy with two things-- the final result.</p><p>And the fact that the rain finally stopped falling while we were at the stadium enjoying the victory.</p><p>(jim@wmqt.com)</p><p><br /></p>Jim & Loraine Explore Europehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06025780721003328665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2509666114226450396.post-68879957645626438672022-09-30T14:50:00.009-04:002022-10-03T15:52:07.357-04:00The One With All The Cheesecakes<p>I don't know if you've really lived until you've stood eating a bratwurst at a German Fall Fest while an enthusiastic cover band takes a shot at "Islands in the Stream".</p><p>Especially once the mime in the crowd starts dancing.</p><p>Greetings again from seven floors above Leipzig, where much of our day once again involved food, and what didn't involve food once again involved riding on trams. It began with a visit to Leipzig's Market Day-</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeHLKlLGh8ZmU7g6W4AB7bRYinE06_JEjlP-l8MDvLjKEFuUaOjvimHomXXWuetLS-rCYSb-rY92PpB9vWDbcQaQNNn9vkFdOkEgelrF5VTovRR6WyOAsWWdkYPzQHwYyuDDSpeVT8Ilb2csp6QdlS-Twqoqs2JspAnsBARGoP7LCu1Y_Ars80OzhD/s6000/DSC_0245.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeHLKlLGh8ZmU7g6W4AB7bRYinE06_JEjlP-l8MDvLjKEFuUaOjvimHomXXWuetLS-rCYSb-rY92PpB9vWDbcQaQNNn9vkFdOkEgelrF5VTovRR6WyOAsWWdkYPzQHwYyuDDSpeVT8Ilb2csp6QdlS-Twqoqs2JspAnsBARGoP7LCu1Y_Ars80OzhD/w640-h426/DSC_0245.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p>Where a certain bakery stall caught Loraine's eye. If you know her at all, or just, you know, like to eat, you might understand why--</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqYa2z-b9NGi50FnTYL7lC4doWSHNMKQyq9e-dDAe_GDrUrvgdcNsCRpmLGrQO6w1MCkF4FO3vA0RffYNpYONp2BzT9ErQ4P-PXUDKeXveNEp7A_S3zN59feZ-CPM9w-bGTO3umdV9fNzxjrLh-nZ8HQbSpXxuA-7pYLCSfW9FkFRyOFARGJ66ppgm/s6000/DSC_0242.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqYa2z-b9NGi50FnTYL7lC4doWSHNMKQyq9e-dDAe_GDrUrvgdcNsCRpmLGrQO6w1MCkF4FO3vA0RffYNpYONp2BzT9ErQ4P-PXUDKeXveNEp7A_S3zN59feZ-CPM9w-bGTO3umdV9fNzxjrLh-nZ8HQbSpXxuA-7pYLCSfW9FkFRyOFARGJ66ppgm/w640-h426/DSC_0242.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>She bought a couple pieces of cake, while I bought what I thought was a slice of Quarktorte. However, as it turns out, I actually bought a quarter of an entire Quarktorte-</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_6PTtfTIN1-4rBH8e7JuWyHjscU3sxD7RCMEwA2-c2EdpHWLrRHts1VBOEkMCvbwvb3VO9_MkjGfrOY3SZL_ar8IxELk8rjcNQ-bZ_DMwWvWS5nO6ebVBL1FHNhaqNF7D5_TDXst3eC6dKVuLekUXj8Kq-fFEqOCeMroUTcH1t6brmQ4nFbVN7Xb2/s6000/DSC_0251.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_6PTtfTIN1-4rBH8e7JuWyHjscU3sxD7RCMEwA2-c2EdpHWLrRHts1VBOEkMCvbwvb3VO9_MkjGfrOY3SZL_ar8IxELk8rjcNQ-bZ_DMwWvWS5nO6ebVBL1FHNhaqNF7D5_TDXst3eC6dKVuLekUXj8Kq-fFEqOCeMroUTcH1t6brmQ4nFbVN7Xb2/w640-h426/DSC_0251.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>That's what I get for not really understanding German, I guess. Anyway, Loraine and I brought the (seriously) two pounds of Torte back to our hotel room, where we decided that, even though we had just eaten breakfast, we should really try to eat the Torte, if only because it should be refrigerated lest it go bad. So, much like Rachel and Chandler and the cheesecakes in one of my <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_One_with_All_the_Cheesecakes">favorite episodes of "Friends"</a>, we started eating the Torte. And kept eating. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivxBRCbw8WneOqzKkYnwIbTAFsM3RNorNr2pE8FCLyfAv4e3HAoZZbMCKr7zu2N8LtZd01b1ZaSfNcH2uUfMZcusxbmEEVlnQ0A8s6m5LSgQXoEWzMsQh0ime9MgS-qwXLf4SnI9JZpiu4KE-VHjyeZk53snyHvxKISSHDTKgD-gPLJAoelOPjz1Fw/s6000/DSC_0253.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivxBRCbw8WneOqzKkYnwIbTAFsM3RNorNr2pE8FCLyfAv4e3HAoZZbMCKr7zu2N8LtZd01b1ZaSfNcH2uUfMZcusxbmEEVlnQ0A8s6m5LSgQXoEWzMsQh0ime9MgS-qwXLf4SnI9JZpiu4KE-VHjyeZk53snyHvxKISSHDTKgD-gPLJAoelOPjz1Fw/w640-h426/DSC_0253.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>And kept eating, and kept eating until we finally reached this state-</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIDHMHwRLWrTF28TAYlSA61jT22IErDf5X_G1M6goZgsz1BCEQAvTwNJmBboqtyWrT1G0d17V-vVHNtKjENo3ifW8s6eZeHCFUZx4tA0gHJKNFXcfmk0GJWYbhrzPTsIYJ68fISNy5-p8YKxiRpUM9M0bKU9O8QmbvymNBKHUzQx2sVg4XDpmmmRYm/s6000/DSC_0254.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIDHMHwRLWrTF28TAYlSA61jT22IErDf5X_G1M6goZgsz1BCEQAvTwNJmBboqtyWrT1G0d17V-vVHNtKjENo3ifW8s6eZeHCFUZx4tA0gHJKNFXcfmk0GJWYbhrzPTsIYJ68fISNy5-p8YKxiRpUM9M0bKU9O8QmbvymNBKHUzQx2sVg4XDpmmmRYm/w640-h426/DSC_0254.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>At which point we looked at each other, too exhausted to even attempt a high-five. But we finished it. And we didn't even have to eat the last few crumbs of it off the floor.</p><p>(If you've ever watched that particular "Friends" episode that last line actually makes sense).</p><p>Following our consumption of 23 and a half million calories we decided a little exercise was warranted, so we hopped aboard a tram and headed over to the Fockeberg. The Fockeberg is an interesting place, a 153 meter (450 foot) high mountain stuck right in the middle of a residential neighborhood. What makes it interesting is that the Fockeberg is man-made. It's a mountain built out of all the rubble removed from the city after it was repeatedly bombed in World War II. In fact, everywhere you walk going up the mountain you see things like this--</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmI6lktsOaV9MuUOVfxymLCUXp0TKJfCSMu_qlFyorYpZNfdtRPM9yi4ruTJhmikUVvWr1t6vvvc4-_X2VP0xLf9cUo1aEx3P7YDfmVyXCGyfAclmAk_emp4cuojg0oV2vHLTVsaS2f4gDTcrh9hyhRBDlk-oJ5bSeoxz_LAzGQ_W5aUnclaxqaXmU/s6000/DSC_0298.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmI6lktsOaV9MuUOVfxymLCUXp0TKJfCSMu_qlFyorYpZNfdtRPM9yi4ruTJhmikUVvWr1t6vvvc4-_X2VP0xLf9cUo1aEx3P7YDfmVyXCGyfAclmAk_emp4cuojg0oV2vHLTVsaS2f4gDTcrh9hyhRBDlk-oJ5bSeoxz_LAzGQ_W5aUnclaxqaXmU/w640-h426/DSC_0298.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p>It is, however, an easy hike, much like Sugarloaf, and when you get to the top you're rewarded with views like these--</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSMlTYzDHYexd4x5jVxhDeiK_mokyyzIguW0xrsAfpsgNjmyYNLX0XiBozM6TwP7ebfXkAwWQYSiVS4bOmuYpXqjoudc9G8usf9ui9XkU40k1n164fAF4arEKJFIEpZ6Vri2h5dedXlWjApSvlmZMrCcqB6n04yIzhq3O-9rRwwdY6EGZi-6Sn7--X/s6000/DSC_0277.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSMlTYzDHYexd4x5jVxhDeiK_mokyyzIguW0xrsAfpsgNjmyYNLX0XiBozM6TwP7ebfXkAwWQYSiVS4bOmuYpXqjoudc9G8usf9ui9XkU40k1n164fAF4arEKJFIEpZ6Vri2h5dedXlWjApSvlmZMrCcqB6n04yIzhq3O-9rRwwdY6EGZi-6Sn7--X/w640-h426/DSC_0277.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p>So, 200 calories down, 23,499,800 to go.</p><p>Since we (obviously) didn't need to eat lunch we hopped back on a tram and headed to a couple of cemeteries around here. The Sudfriedhof is a rather woodsy place-</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWv2kGcM5yffuI2EsdKY5g45sBnjRIe_5BCSeVKt68LsgXKhWsYohwNVlrZLhYhMdn82GOLcHTGfNLlFDetzoWNsmYJei_73k-PQS3go3IY7Kkp1jJempurDaQKPlcFvrirQodV9wrvUMkD2M6UGySRWhH8fT0G-Sj3frwORp7jYVrcJ9D601xvcC2/s6000/DSC_0311.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWv2kGcM5yffuI2EsdKY5g45sBnjRIe_5BCSeVKt68LsgXKhWsYohwNVlrZLhYhMdn82GOLcHTGfNLlFDetzoWNsmYJei_73k-PQS3go3IY7Kkp1jJempurDaQKPlcFvrirQodV9wrvUMkD2M6UGySRWhH8fT0G-Sj3frwORp7jYVrcJ9D601xvcC2/w640-h426/DSC_0311.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p>While the Ostfriedhof is a little more conventional-</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjETS1aDFUusPhWdFhiQG5gcVhMeTfvKXCoGik7gRMyr6LmqHWjxL9_NF20OXDGal-3wZMZerZrgfQTaskOi2rW2laKx5AvkgYP3ZUmvfHCvsWbYMJ1AXhG3BUNDOdtigmLOGP4KNk2GgLc3B3van8df9JF-E8VBYnAclkEi4jR16INu1OQBUQIulPj/s6000/DSC_0335.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjETS1aDFUusPhWdFhiQG5gcVhMeTfvKXCoGik7gRMyr6LmqHWjxL9_NF20OXDGal-3wZMZerZrgfQTaskOi2rW2laKx5AvkgYP3ZUmvfHCvsWbYMJ1AXhG3BUNDOdtigmLOGP4KNk2GgLc3B3van8df9JF-E8VBYnAclkEi4jR16INu1OQBUQIulPj/w640-h426/DSC_0335.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p>We've visited a lot of cemeteries during our trips over here, but I saw something today that made me think in a way I've not quite thought before. In the Sudfriedhof we came across this marker-</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ncX5NPsmFDCwrG4miYcwmw3BVsPr4Bd1oIIxoABOwTIdpGjqPpGvn1vKcwbcpCd7y7vBhxrT1mh8vHAuChMzXFxntLtxjsmTIAD8d1qzq_-HllCMSAV8gQrMC69V68ccW-6rbxYco1Cccu_HNC4yadKSOfRub5lgvqCpxmGaGncjcW6K7ARcbkIs/s6000/DSC_0322.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ncX5NPsmFDCwrG4miYcwmw3BVsPr4Bd1oIIxoABOwTIdpGjqPpGvn1vKcwbcpCd7y7vBhxrT1mh8vHAuChMzXFxntLtxjsmTIAD8d1qzq_-HllCMSAV8gQrMC69V68ccW-6rbxYco1Cccu_HNC4yadKSOfRub5lgvqCpxmGaGncjcW6K7ARcbkIs/w640-h426/DSC_0322.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>Sure, it was nice that Irmgard Rodel lived to be almost 100. But that's not what made me think. What made me think is the history of this particular place, and how Irmgard was born during World War I, came of age during the rise of Hitler, survived World War II, lived through the entirety of Communism and the old East Germany, saw the Wall fall and reunification occur, and became a member of the democratic and multi-national European Union, all in one lifetime.</p><p>Many of us think we live interesting lives. Irmgard lived through history. Actual interesting, incredible, amazing history.</p><p>And that brings us to the dancing mime. When we got back from our tram journeys we ventured over to the Market Square (or Markt in German) where the Fall Fest is going on-</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaI9BTeLmzKfG2rLD1k5AyaongzrDvl_4mJOu9qODMt2qhVcECWMMqHT0J2EKmbJPo17qFAjPW65-rK3_dubuGH5lulyEkia8XyKcfQ8ksdG1-q0ZtZJVHnamZ3brTeT_Q4Y2fk96UPRVvM0CQWzkqYQhozhQDWYFPMAipFQxegpRE0XK-t7n1NZr-/s4160/20220930_171343.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaI9BTeLmzKfG2rLD1k5AyaongzrDvl_4mJOu9qODMt2qhVcECWMMqHT0J2EKmbJPo17qFAjPW65-rK3_dubuGH5lulyEkia8XyKcfQ8ksdG1-q0ZtZJVHnamZ3brTeT_Q4Y2fk96UPRVvM0CQWzkqYQhozhQDWYFPMAipFQxegpRE0XK-t7n1NZr-/w640-h480/20220930_171343.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>It's actually Oktoberfest without having to go to Munich, and we celebrated the fact that we had only had probably 23,499,200 calories left to burn off after the Quarktorte by eating again. Seeing as how we were at <strike>Oktoberfest</strike> Fall Fest Loraine grabbed a couple of these things--</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZCTu8G-E9qZ5riUFs8-CxZtgPe-Lxc9g8DiVVg5SmUD0Alig-yyOJ1d5qm4KIly1W8ZeOpI3YTgoHSXVJXtkrdnsgTwd8IUMtCS1kcKE3CJOmejOx85968w4R2irtD_O80JvXPhmINJ3d1sjwBlnDjlnKirbzQkCXWc37LrtAHGwHJa2EysFp0tEy/s4160/20220930_173532.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZCTu8G-E9qZ5riUFs8-CxZtgPe-Lxc9g8DiVVg5SmUD0Alig-yyOJ1d5qm4KIly1W8ZeOpI3YTgoHSXVJXtkrdnsgTwd8IUMtCS1kcKE3CJOmejOx85968w4R2irtD_O80JvXPhmINJ3d1sjwBlnDjlnKirbzQkCXWc37LrtAHGwHJa2EysFp0tEy/w640-h480/20220930_173532.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>And we checked out this band rocking <strike>Oktoberfest</strike> Fall Fest--</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2G1sZXa75lPDvbjgmMQSVNQnw5N6cOu5U2MgLYy0pjb-0ebEADIyRoQI4pijllyFKzHoSB3S_nhYHLz51GNuy5ZqRjKlMo-YrYdkQjZfLJBUjeYjPPizKfVhRhU3YSDF8Ec-GQ75JnibYJbUOT2eZz1-K2yqvDEwut7ToNFe5soLwPWfDJE5xtoTi/s4160/20220930_171448.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2G1sZXa75lPDvbjgmMQSVNQnw5N6cOu5U2MgLYy0pjb-0ebEADIyRoQI4pijllyFKzHoSB3S_nhYHLz51GNuy5ZqRjKlMo-YrYdkQjZfLJBUjeYjPPizKfVhRhU3YSDF8Ec-GQ75JnibYJbUOT2eZz1-K2yqvDEwut7ToNFe5soLwPWfDJE5xtoTi/w640-h480/20220930_171448.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>They did fairly commendable versions of Fleetwood Mac's "Don't Stop" and Gerry Rafferty's "Baker Street", but once they lit into "Islands in the Stream" the crowd got moving. And when I say moving I do mean moving, as revelers whistled their approval, couples got to their feet, and a mime (yes, a mime) that had been working the crowd stopped miming and started to wave his arms in the air like it was actually Dolly Parton singing up there, and not some 60-year old German guy who couldn't say the line "that is what we are" without letting the crowd know that he probably didn't speak a lick of English in real life.</p><p>But you know what? It really didn't matter. It was all part of a moment that'll never happen again because, and let's be real here, how often do you get the chance to see a German mime dancing to a Dolly Parton song?</p><p>You just enjoy it while it comes.</p><p>Tomorrow, the reason we came to Leipzig. It's Match Day!</p><p>(jim@wmqt.com)</p><p><br /></p>Jim & Loraine Explore Europehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06025780721003328665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2509666114226450396.post-40208129434931137422022-09-29T14:11:00.002-04:002022-09-29T14:11:26.337-04:00202 Steps<p>Today's adventures were mostly about music. And food. And riding on a train. And food.</p><p>Greetings once again from Leipzig, although from a different hotel than last night. As I <a href="https://jimsopinionwmqt.blogspot.com/2022/09/thursday-922.html">wrote for work</a> last week we always stay at a Motel One when we're in Germany. The one we usually stay at in Leipzig, the one from which I'm writing this tonight, was booked last night, so we had to stay at another Motel One and then make the transfer to our current one this morning. It was probably the easiest hotel transfer on record, too, as the Motel One we stayed at last night is right across a church courtyard from the one we're at tonight.</p><p>It's just 202 steps away, in fact. And no, I'm not quite sure why there are two Motel Ones within 202 steps of each other. I'm just glad, for the ease of the move this morning, that they are.</p><p>We had one big outing today, as well as a bunch of little ones. The little ones consisted mostly of going back to the grocery stores we scouted out yesterday to purchase the chocolate you all knew we were going to buy. And buy we did, while at the same time noticing something else--seasonal creep isn't just an American phenomena--</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzEB49OLgbMBIMe8wyfX2buyCXQJyIreeZrUbyZKIlylzLR2k1dwV5sL1D6huCVv_kR9HinrLe-LDLhUUMKsWOYueX3UPo3YvQj09hMNeMnm9z5WIy0q6b18IlKR_npNaaCzYr6dKNuG8wnh-V5jOXbPjZggq22j6ntqiyCeP4xOD0bLYv_m2hLMwm/s4160/20220929_085625.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzEB49OLgbMBIMe8wyfX2buyCXQJyIreeZrUbyZKIlylzLR2k1dwV5sL1D6huCVv_kR9HinrLe-LDLhUUMKsWOYueX3UPo3YvQj09hMNeMnm9z5WIy0q6b18IlKR_npNaaCzYr6dKNuG8wnh-V5jOXbPjZggq22j6ntqiyCeP4xOD0bLYv_m2hLMwm/w640-h480/20220929_085625.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>In fact, there are all kinds of holiday items already available in stores here. One of the weirdest might be (tangentally) related to something I wrote about yesterday. You know how I couldn't find a cow calendar? Well, there are plenty of a certain other kind of calendar available, and that being the advent calendar. They are quite big over here, so much so that you can get any kind of advent calendar that you want, except, alas, a cow advent calendar. Lest you think I'm bluffing, let me introduce you to the murder mystery advent calendar--</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiusCtOwchygSe4FFWKZYT5goqnHt7QEdLoy89aACGabcnQc8arOpGoj2tZc1juv6AABbpVZ3OV9wzaypIH82cYxwNJsdMPb_WITghx-hl-1tFQn0YSWiutJx4S3mryAd7Rh1ZtLW6Z0Zifk9QNuOd4ZaNxnHFuq_umZG3xJ89oeg8gDYQ2RSX6fic2/s4160/20220928_151029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiusCtOwchygSe4FFWKZYT5goqnHt7QEdLoy89aACGabcnQc8arOpGoj2tZc1juv6AABbpVZ3OV9wzaypIH82cYxwNJsdMPb_WITghx-hl-1tFQn0YSWiutJx4S3mryAd7Rh1ZtLW6Z0Zifk9QNuOd4ZaNxnHFuq_umZG3xJ89oeg8gDYQ2RSX6fic2/w640-h480/20220928_151029.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>I'm not 100% certain how an advent murder mystery calendar works, although I'm guessing you might receive a clue a day instead of eating a chocolate a day. At least I'm hoping that's how it works, as I shudder to think that getting a murder a day for 28 days might be a little too much.</p><p>After getting the chocolate we need (at least for today) we hopped on a tram (because they have a great tram system in Leipzig, and we bought a seven day pass) and visited the neighborhood of Plagwitz. If Leipzig is sometimes called "Hypezig", neighborhoods like Plagwitz may be the reason why. It's that one neighborhood every city seems to have, filled with art, even on the buildings--</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO7vGItuyiHHOT6W6gzJ7u4b_b2aUDzIbmwv7i9N-kZQhPLIeT_RQa8STHVQyExMiNpr75zkfeH_wMTsGC4BlC83EE_IwZYHApduKSkUUiAeytdLkWzkcczyXWt8bXa1staT4hsG0I21QkeIqbhG24GJibUoyRj9nDAfGPpAHJ6ZNVYo1MY_fwxzhm/s6000/DSC_0214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO7vGItuyiHHOT6W6gzJ7u4b_b2aUDzIbmwv7i9N-kZQhPLIeT_RQa8STHVQyExMiNpr75zkfeH_wMTsGC4BlC83EE_IwZYHApduKSkUUiAeytdLkWzkcczyXWt8bXa1staT4hsG0I21QkeIqbhG24GJibUoyRj9nDAfGPpAHJ6ZNVYo1MY_fwxzhm/w640-h426/DSC_0214.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Interesting stores-</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxHraSe1zA5_4fnSbCYR7O3esDq-nGAtkpwvGGE6JZhn_uQ8nRwipiAdaZqcVk665BXC23PIwL0LI0Fq31mOZs6gtuu0c5NyfyvJ6DBaAZVlwOVtKs78cJ9NY-7_dT-SW_RksR7suNfRfHIRPyNv_WsihX5fjJ6UJlmGIS5Lka7xzvMYC2enTwhonm/s6000/DSC_0220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxHraSe1zA5_4fnSbCYR7O3esDq-nGAtkpwvGGE6JZhn_uQ8nRwipiAdaZqcVk665BXC23PIwL0LI0Fq31mOZs6gtuu0c5NyfyvJ6DBaAZVlwOVtKs78cJ9NY-7_dT-SW_RksR7suNfRfHIRPyNv_WsihX5fjJ6UJlmGIS5Lka7xzvMYC2enTwhonm/w640-h426/DSC_0220.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p>Interesting places to eat-</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCx4SToa9SQOqNAR19TA_6XdSmaSb_-Wf10305U4aty2sbBtR-Oh5JLvHi4GmcEODbDnpTKVTXzP9swLufMAm60g3Bg52x7lQRsy7Zy05KN5TqFQ7laUc8DUEgCsekue76uANnKVRSkYDV5Q_AKV73ca6cIx9-BcukFslJCrPi44hKHEWuF1NNkKMd/s6000/DSC_0227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCx4SToa9SQOqNAR19TA_6XdSmaSb_-Wf10305U4aty2sbBtR-Oh5JLvHi4GmcEODbDnpTKVTXzP9swLufMAm60g3Bg52x7lQRsy7Zy05KN5TqFQ7laUc8DUEgCsekue76uANnKVRSkYDV5Q_AKV73ca6cIx9-BcukFslJCrPi44hKHEWuF1NNkKMd/w640-h426/DSC_0227.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Interesting ways to party the night away-</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8EtJ3SfKiVa-5XyxJvIyVRWveFa8xVPOpy6mzB0Sgi31glmLamdy7hdcMeAdTdiakr40DR4UuPnW6EE5YSyDc0qwHt11E3MCsSwQ-xjw4eY-xvPffgzLcoYQ3syPi7vQKBOgfhEe5pFk8GxrkbW93CzbTgFtqJow7S-X-1G_UojdiDys-uBqvMaTu/s6000/DSC_0223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8EtJ3SfKiVa-5XyxJvIyVRWveFa8xVPOpy6mzB0Sgi31glmLamdy7hdcMeAdTdiakr40DR4UuPnW6EE5YSyDc0qwHt11E3MCsSwQ-xjw4eY-xvPffgzLcoYQ3syPi7vQKBOgfhEe5pFk8GxrkbW93CzbTgFtqJow7S-X-1G_UojdiDys-uBqvMaTu/w640-h426/DSC_0223.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>And, well, ads at the tram stop for your local, uhm, S&M club-</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkcf9gqLngFAIqZuZdvgag7PDe_H19xq8SWTs1VyojfAHo_6UnRd5aA-XOmLtkGdZIU7GJiIhmZ_p6IMWgWZYBIl5h64VnexQzWILNqz6lp5n6d3JV9KI-Dfs7kfZ5HWxNtNJss1syFb1UWVUJOFgs4FROStE15R00hbvYYrgX5r610wnCJzThatm8/s6000/DSC_0234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkcf9gqLngFAIqZuZdvgag7PDe_H19xq8SWTs1VyojfAHo_6UnRd5aA-XOmLtkGdZIU7GJiIhmZ_p6IMWgWZYBIl5h64VnexQzWILNqz6lp5n6d3JV9KI-Dfs7kfZ5HWxNtNJss1syFb1UWVUJOFgs4FROStE15R00hbvYYrgX5r610wnCJzThatm8/w426-h640/DSC_0234.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br /><p>Remember, kids. Always practice safe tram stop ad viewing.</p><p>8-)</p><p>And now for something completely different. When we were here in 2019 we noticed a young Leipzig University student making a little money the way many students do around here, by busking on the street. However, what made this young man stand out out was that he was busking while playing the marimba-</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6VptxEPMicauuq3Pg1hHIRd_Je6WtSIkW0aW33TBXmbg309bNKLeBy0XYqvWnSvue6F768oniMP629aPM6RSRmSMTi20lXhqQW1hD7VYFRzx1Aya5UHNwAiXlGmWmDxTSfYcWZnZUBlsMsb4TMQ9zM2rvQswgm_IGdxCeYSxKdJyBYnTGm_zA2SFB/s2048/P4270319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6VptxEPMicauuq3Pg1hHIRd_Je6WtSIkW0aW33TBXmbg309bNKLeBy0XYqvWnSvue6F768oniMP629aPM6RSRmSMTi20lXhqQW1hD7VYFRzx1Aya5UHNwAiXlGmWmDxTSfYcWZnZUBlsMsb4TMQ9zM2rvQswgm_IGdxCeYSxKdJyBYnTGm_zA2SFB/w640-h480/P4270319.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>Flash forward three and a half years, and who did we happen to see still busking? Why, it would be Marimba Man-</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG2fycmeufmZBj_X12sF5ZqSJw_yEV965dL0R4IaNH7bCF6oQ4iPm7zTUSMy4Tsfra_5OYAXwFs33QXsPa2mjRe4vwxtOc7eNqyrcJUm6h5XzEnJG-j0aMTmd5aVly7gq60NT3VRdvllu08X5AsuVbkLAXtNZL4VcQCagXYnZ2wsyoLC5wne95reWX/s4160/20220928_151148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG2fycmeufmZBj_X12sF5ZqSJw_yEV965dL0R4IaNH7bCF6oQ4iPm7zTUSMy4Tsfra_5OYAXwFs33QXsPa2mjRe4vwxtOc7eNqyrcJUm6h5XzEnJG-j0aMTmd5aVly7gq60NT3VRdvllu08X5AsuVbkLAXtNZL4VcQCagXYnZ2wsyoLC5wne95reWX/w640-h480/20220928_151148.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>Actually, his name is Martin Rihards. How do I know? Well, because we bought his CD-</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjoHLGxU-59wy-diGQSzkotslGeZfWP9giWXR2cs3hC3r01HWxkq7q0C_msQXqfpgdQHgK1_aI0Q41iAVawaGzkoAd9LtTM4V1966ViJKcaembBFwKjkrwmjzNq28g7otyo9UjGIuUt8UUHMXccOLubuUduZuDMJzgFKhtidBKRloUWU43Sc-bWuKy/s4160/20220929_173916_a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjoHLGxU-59wy-diGQSzkotslGeZfWP9giWXR2cs3hC3r01HWxkq7q0C_msQXqfpgdQHgK1_aI0Q41iAVawaGzkoAd9LtTM4V1966ViJKcaembBFwKjkrwmjzNq28g7otyo9UjGIuUt8UUHMXccOLubuUduZuDMJzgFKhtidBKRloUWU43Sc-bWuKy/w640-h480/20220929_173916_a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>After all, how often do you have the chance to buy a CD from a marimba-playing street busker who you saw three and a half years after first seeing him? And while we haven't had the chance to listen to it yet, I'm sure I'll be quite intrigued by his marimba-filled take on Tones & I's "Dance Monkey".</p><p>In fact, I think it's safe to say that it might be the most unique piece of music I might hear all year.</p><p>Finally, Loraine and I had our annual Italian dinner date tonight. This is a tradition that we started the first time we came over here, and tonight saw Loraine drinking strawberry-rhubarb lemonade-</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfywzHPMoEhnKw1z316RU_7L2nDF7UdxBFJ4eKtYt7lHVzIRTJ6ShJO7a-QGF1ioOndcaD_PTmdHmy95h6ilyyUwqsNrfQ9Dn09E2ETV27s4HyJKu5in-zux0zEz7opE7iCRARuzy6_WiRjwdQSyFSfj7xRL7QhWlouV_10npdA223xRNJ8UxbOOlE/s4160/20220929_163147.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfywzHPMoEhnKw1z316RU_7L2nDF7UdxBFJ4eKtYt7lHVzIRTJ6ShJO7a-QGF1ioOndcaD_PTmdHmy95h6ilyyUwqsNrfQ9Dn09E2ETV27s4HyJKu5in-zux0zEz7opE7iCRARuzy6_WiRjwdQSyFSfj7xRL7QhWlouV_10npdA223xRNJ8UxbOOlE/w640-h480/20220929_163147.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>And me getting to sample gnocchi with zucchini and shrimp in a walnut cream sauce-</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpKI6rINhlbC-TACFv2CMp-yYPkOCe8OLkDKTf8b7wOB96QsIg_HypfV_VbQ88G_fKFl4TEts1eNov1Z-gnT1dbRvvYXTSL6yeY8_L8PRGNEqvLx0Ca9i4qofOTDHoNZV_flW0DTWP8KF0ruBMBfPl_TpW8iqAftlT6cgLSei8noO1qgTvAbZb_5Kh/s4160/20220929_163925.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpKI6rINhlbC-TACFv2CMp-yYPkOCe8OLkDKTf8b7wOB96QsIg_HypfV_VbQ88G_fKFl4TEts1eNov1Z-gnT1dbRvvYXTSL6yeY8_L8PRGNEqvLx0Ca9i4qofOTDHoNZV_flW0DTWP8KF0ruBMBfPl_TpW8iqAftlT6cgLSei8noO1qgTvAbZb_5Kh/w640-h480/20220929_163925.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>Tomorrow we're thinking of hopping aboard the tram again, this time to possibly visit the second highest point in Leipzig--a mountain built atop the trash & wreckage left by World War II.</p><p>That's something you don't get to see in too many places.</p><p>(jim@wmqt.com)</p><p><br /></p>Jim & Loraine Explore Europehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06025780721003328665noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2509666114226450396.post-84721920249370265852022-09-28T15:48:00.000-04:002022-09-28T15:48:02.412-04:00Ice Ice Baby<p> We made it. It wasn't the most perfect example of cross-Atlantic travel, but we made it.</p><p>Greetings from Leipzig where, after 48 hours in airplanes, airports, trains, subways, security screenings, and that special eighth circle of hell known as Heathrow Airport, we are finally in the city we'd visited three and a half years ago and had hoped to return to in April of 2020.</p><p>You know what happened in April of 2020, right?</p><p>Anyway, we finally got into Germany at 9 o'clock last night after spending nine hours stuck at Heathrow because our original flight to Berlin was one of over 10,000 British Airways canceled a few months ago because--and I'm not joking here--the airport was so overtaxed this summer and workers lost so much luggage that one American airline actually had to fly a plane back to the US with nothing BUT lost luggage in it.</p><p><a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/heathrow-airport-delta-plane-lost-luggage-to-us-summer-travel-europe/">Don't believe me?</a><br /></p><p>Thankfully, our luggage wasn't lost, and just a mere 90 minutes behind schedule we arrived in Berlin last night, slept a few hours, and then hopped on an ICE train, one of the wonders of Modern Germany-</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7myGftqGQJVVkmFaErkA_Nu_XBRT7Iat8yrM_1mTo692c0zWRCe2yw4YOf3ZUaO0YTiIJS_I7Pv0kW_1oOB056BJ_DaAE4DTrSAX1_abaXIZK-c_e449V41eQn-e6guzi1Vb0IALGIX5rzGSlbmGH28DnuKCb9D715Ksrjx-9NgzOPgU6pOVkNTJ8/s4160/20220928_112612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7myGftqGQJVVkmFaErkA_Nu_XBRT7Iat8yrM_1mTo692c0zWRCe2yw4YOf3ZUaO0YTiIJS_I7Pv0kW_1oOB056BJ_DaAE4DTrSAX1_abaXIZK-c_e449V41eQn-e6guzi1Vb0IALGIX5rzGSlbmGH28DnuKCb9D715Ksrjx-9NgzOPgU6pOVkNTJ8/w640-h480/20220928_112612.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>Where, just over an hour later, we ended up an 150 miles away in Leipzig, home to one of the most unique looking universities on the planet-</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfY8PVKtOxdi0LRCVYhvGCj5An6apTKUMpdBweOVKqZv2SU1fas-7XCSzCehwaO2noUjQfYokVm1wAW9MH8fM563v7RVW3W314XMfjdHCWLOrvYeXObUGXkXWS2PiQq-GYEukWqKaEl8K8R5AirYtg6_LBeopSrM2zfB4GJskT13BGImEeLGAzx_xw/s4160/20220928_141553.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfY8PVKtOxdi0LRCVYhvGCj5An6apTKUMpdBweOVKqZv2SU1fas-7XCSzCehwaO2noUjQfYokVm1wAW9MH8fM563v7RVW3W314XMfjdHCWLOrvYeXObUGXkXWS2PiQq-GYEukWqKaEl8K8R5AirYtg6_LBeopSrM2zfB4GJskT13BGImEeLGAzx_xw/w640-h480/20220928_141553.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>Leipzig is one of the coolest places in this country, offering Ukrainian refuges a place to stay</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiaCjqxO7T8wBck2TPlLAv9FAuP2s5WEmqAywyRQTLdzy6i_fAn0SSfZWqpBtt7gt7TDDRl0dADZF8uQ7kiehrUC2lf5ojtT3jbWhw-2NQJz_r6xH7iDMrfSoMCiaa5X4vieECQ3KCkaJw5zUfhiT-7YiZKVyPOdMq27mBxWlK9M7bJNODGMBikgXa/s4160/20220928_112515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiaCjqxO7T8wBck2TPlLAv9FAuP2s5WEmqAywyRQTLdzy6i_fAn0SSfZWqpBtt7gt7TDDRl0dADZF8uQ7kiehrUC2lf5ojtT3jbWhw-2NQJz_r6xH7iDMrfSoMCiaa5X4vieECQ3KCkaJw5zUfhiT-7YiZKVyPOdMq27mBxWlK9M7bJNODGMBikgXa/w640-h480/20220928_112515.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>And Loraine a visit to her holy place, the RB Leipzig fan shop--</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgTd1y8nE6QZlGc2hWC3_oZLNSSPEbd9Xjxz55yvVnVx1MmTY9uh7bXBsptZqihP349sEzW3xvf1ZEcYW8nFDStzHelwO7OSle2xVyRocHWTRierlTwD0CNswfOccmo7qM8nkjWTULYkpqru6GV0Et01zLiHTs0wLhWn_6uFQAoJtCiUFI-z4rp__O/s4160/20220928_125351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgTd1y8nE6QZlGc2hWC3_oZLNSSPEbd9Xjxz55yvVnVx1MmTY9uh7bXBsptZqihP349sEzW3xvf1ZEcYW8nFDStzHelwO7OSle2xVyRocHWTRierlTwD0CNswfOccmo7qM8nkjWTULYkpqru6GV0Et01zLiHTs0wLhWn_6uFQAoJtCiUFI-z4rp__O/w640-h480/20220928_125351.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>Believe it or not, we didn't buy too much there, although we did stock up on everything we may need for the match we're attending on Saturday. But more on that later.</p><p>While Leipzig is a great place, today wasn't the best weather day we've had here (I mean, it was 50 and occasionally raining) but we made do by visiting some of our favorite stores in search of chocolate, yummy goodies, and even more chocolate. However, I would like to speak with Leipzig's manager, because one of the things I had looked forward to purchasing here was a 2023 cow calendar. Every time we've come to Europe I've tried to find a calendar featuring those animals I (for some strange reason) so like, but you know what? We visited five bookstores (like I said, it's a university city, so there are a LOT of bookstores) but you know what I couldn't find?</p><p>A cow calendar</p><p>Oh, you could find cat calendars, dog calendars, horse calendars, squirrel calendars, wolf calendars, penguin calendars, koala calendars, kangaroo calendars, and even pig calendars. In fact, one bookstore had a shelf full of nothing but animal calendars--</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiLydZy9lo-V62W_NeKgvt0XZxQJ1YQP9w0kpVvAuK_su55lGs4qEnPnv1dehFQzFpNkQJs-MT7gXpR_0vQoRJiMTWxyiWmZT9wbGdoV8144TWNJrys3HjjKvA5zNC4jgCLa_14_PA50vE4q880ARgncE3wRPZ4GXofrSax82d7bpOAWJLRfjaQ6AB/s4160/20220928_154040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiLydZy9lo-V62W_NeKgvt0XZxQJ1YQP9w0kpVvAuK_su55lGs4qEnPnv1dehFQzFpNkQJs-MT7gXpR_0vQoRJiMTWxyiWmZT9wbGdoV8144TWNJrys3HjjKvA5zNC4jgCLa_14_PA50vE4q880ARgncE3wRPZ4GXofrSax82d7bpOAWJLRfjaQ6AB/w640-h480/20220928_154040.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>But a cow calendar? Nope. Zip. Zilch. Nada. There were plenty of castle calendars, lots of calendars with beauty shots of Leipzig, and even a couple of calendars with topless women and train cars (which, apparently, is a thing around here). But one single calendar with cows?</p><p>Leipzig. You disappointed me.</p><p>8-)</p><p>We did, however, find a beer that we had been searching for since the Before Times, a cherry flavored version of an adult beverage Loraine likes-</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVhEnTtfl_LGx7TWRt5US5thUL0ewAB17k6C2Wd9WP_UmiYOXmsSfQ5jhWLeRC1YhqDNB8Saze-8qfbPOjT4low5gUA13d5ZWFotcFtHxWAYu7--NV2UxtcJQi4i7xdOgSe03FSbSasWIM-n08juhwzQ1T5jJVg5H8a4osj1B1oDOsdg_GdPxYLaE4/s4160/20220928_181134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVhEnTtfl_LGx7TWRt5US5thUL0ewAB17k6C2Wd9WP_UmiYOXmsSfQ5jhWLeRC1YhqDNB8Saze-8qfbPOjT4low5gUA13d5ZWFotcFtHxWAYu7--NV2UxtcJQi4i7xdOgSe03FSbSasWIM-n08juhwzQ1T5jJVg5H8a4osj1B1oDOsdg_GdPxYLaE4/w640-h480/20220928_181134.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>And even I, an admittedly non-avid beer drinker, enjoyed it, especially with the Indian food we got from our favorite takeout place just down the street.</p><p>So in that respect, today was a good day.</p><p>A few random thoughts, observations, and pictures--</p><p>If you think gas prices are still a little high, take a look at this sign-</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiotOVbbJndF8TtvvQLYQ6spT4W-jzopzsTQyOacUZWK5hvxyryFDnLdZxpEB8uYP7artEUUD1M3A6m2Ru5LiYHGrjG8oXi5LxKBSAUj0Kc8xX9p_Roo7GjtTEnOyI1ie4LirocTcVL2dJ_K373dK4_VTzaE-evYyOw-V3xeWz2_gRW-T53yIpjDi6h/s6000/DSC_0185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiotOVbbJndF8TtvvQLYQ6spT4W-jzopzsTQyOacUZWK5hvxyryFDnLdZxpEB8uYP7artEUUD1M3A6m2Ru5LiYHGrjG8oXi5LxKBSAUj0Kc8xX9p_Roo7GjtTEnOyI1ie4LirocTcVL2dJ_K373dK4_VTzaE-evYyOw-V3xeWz2_gRW-T53yIpjDi6h/w426-h640/DSC_0185.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>Now please don't think to yourself "that's not too bad", because those are prices in liters. There are approximately four liters to a gallon. And with the dollar and the Euro about the same in value, that means that Germans pay about eight dollars a gallon for gas.</p><p>See? $3.84 doesn't seem so high in comparison, does it?</p><p>However, while gas prices are bad here, food prices (which have hit the US hard) really aren't too bad over here. Most things we picked up today were around the same price as they were in 2019; in fact, we got all this for seven Euro--</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6MghjGJIhp-zkt3IG-qdlxpH-m5v9kpKhynY-cFdYeMrgkHA5H-xu0m4rELP_fmQkYKT9TfJRCNmr9cfd8u7lzAHO759oue8IkxHtXkGH3cW7LW5PfY1uyQrvCrdkDk5Ti4y0VEFeQqJMBpFuocrwWkEXRe3kIuzXq3m9zavUbCmtGjUFqVuiHW2O/s4160/20220928_145510.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6MghjGJIhp-zkt3IG-qdlxpH-m5v9kpKhynY-cFdYeMrgkHA5H-xu0m4rELP_fmQkYKT9TfJRCNmr9cfd8u7lzAHO759oue8IkxHtXkGH3cW7LW5PfY1uyQrvCrdkDk5Ti4y0VEFeQqJMBpFuocrwWkEXRe3kIuzXq3m9zavUbCmtGjUFqVuiHW2O/w640-h480/20220928_145510.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>And just as a side comment (and a joke, mom) that's not a bad breakfast, is it?</p><p>Two more pictures, first of all a dork on a train-</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9-m8i_YpzrdoJ_FnVbf3llbtQ7aZ_SkfTIkji-7P9xOzHZa6ESi0_dd8-3bhu_dz5nVwFPnS2fi19lIdVTPK3s4iyRNrH0W4Vk-eqWkVKEag-LH917-r3A7KO3orx-Rs90_GS4rS85XGCzwOeayfph5W2N39iJMJvmTEFATFA5hxq96bGdKO4MVtU/s4160/20220928_101639.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9-m8i_YpzrdoJ_FnVbf3llbtQ7aZ_SkfTIkji-7P9xOzHZa6ESi0_dd8-3bhu_dz5nVwFPnS2fi19lIdVTPK3s4iyRNrH0W4Vk-eqWkVKEag-LH917-r3A7KO3orx-Rs90_GS4rS85XGCzwOeayfph5W2N39iJMJvmTEFATFA5hxq96bGdKO4MVtU/w640-h480/20220928_101639.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>And the other a totally gratuitous shot of the Spree River running near our hotel in Berlin.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjdH_F_qWDN7b05Zcyh6IG2fx-QezxEqukbQy4vqz-sNOo7v4a4UphEPvSc629lm6OBOA70-5is7002m7QEm9vY8S2OXA67IjZxqnljSyKDWw_KME8tcQBcwVFlplCE5j8TQRhZ9UqAv_gvHpMmpP9BtSmpA9v9voU5QvBy90YSWEE9f7iYWn0aiwo/s6000/DSC_0187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjdH_F_qWDN7b05Zcyh6IG2fx-QezxEqukbQy4vqz-sNOo7v4a4UphEPvSc629lm6OBOA70-5is7002m7QEm9vY8S2OXA67IjZxqnljSyKDWw_KME8tcQBcwVFlplCE5j8TQRhZ9UqAv_gvHpMmpP9BtSmpA9v9voU5QvBy90YSWEE9f7iYWn0aiwo/w640-h426/DSC_0187.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>That's all for today. Tomorrow I buy a phone and we hop aboard a tram for a while.</p><p>(jim@wmqt.com) (finishing this by listening to someone down on street level singing "Free Falling" and, actually, singing it quite well)</p><p><br /></p>Jim & Loraine Explore Europehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06025780721003328665noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2509666114226450396.post-77255969119776666612022-09-25T15:28:00.001-04:002022-09-25T16:00:31.953-04:00Back in the Saddle Again<p></p><p></p><p>To paraphrase a great British philosopher...here we go again.</p><p>For the first time since the Before Times (early 2019, to be exact) we're gonna try and take a trip. When Covid struck in 2020 we actually had two trips planned; one that May to Leipzig for a soccer match, and another that August so we could go and visit Normandy for the first time since 2016. Needless to say, both of those were kiboshed, and we've spent the past three and a half years wondering if we would ever be able to travel again.</p><p>So we'll see how it all turns out. <br /></p><p>We'll be trying a rerun this time around, going back to Leipzig, Germany on a (fairly) quick jaunt for a soccer match. That's what we did last time around, and that's what we were planning on doing again when Covid struck. That means no driving, no rental cars, and staying in (basically) one place the entire time we're gone. We're trying to make things as simple as possible and trying to avoid any unnecessary complications.<br /></p><p>Note, though, that I said "trying". The world in general and the world of travel in particular has changed quite a bit in the past three and a half years, and we're under no illusion that this will be a piece of cake. We've already had several of our flights canceled or changed, which has resulted in, among other things, the need for us to spent nine hours waiting at Heathrow in London just to get to Berlin. So if things go south (or west, or north, or even east) we won't be surprised.</p><p>We'll be disappointed, but we won't be surprised.</p><p>Whether or not we make it to Leipzig or whether or not we're stuck in some airport for nine days, we're gonna try this and see how it works out. We're cautiously optimistic but highly realistic. Either way, you're more than welcome to come along virtually and see what happens.</p><p>Just, if you could, keep your fingers crossed that things DO work out. We'd appreciate it.</p><p>8-)</p><p>(jim@wmqt.com)</p><p><br /></p>Jim & Loraine Explore Europehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06025780721003328665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2509666114226450396.post-51035659836866131602019-05-01T18:18:00.000-04:002019-06-04T20:19:10.056-04:00Does Anybody REALLY Like Airport Security?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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WEDNESDAY, 5/1:</div>
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I will never understand people who ask
for and/or buy a window seat on an airplane, and then just shut the
blind down and never look out of it the entire flight.</div>
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What's wrong with them???</div>
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Greetings from 35 or so thousand feet
above the Atlantic, where we're on our way back home after this quick
journey. I'm ensconced in my usual window seat, where I could—and
have—spend the entire 7 and a half hours from London to Chicago
staring out the window. You start by seeing England and Ireland,
then you see water for a couple of hours, followed by a quick glance
of Greenland if you're lucky. Then you see nothing but barren rock,
which means you're over Labrador in Canada. Soon you start to notice
roads and signs of human habitation, followed by a gradual greening
of the environment, and before you know it you're glancing at the
Mackinaw Bridge, Lake Michigan, and the skyscrapers of downtown
Chicago.</div>
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That is, you'd see them if it wasn't
cloudy out, like it is today. Or if the flight attendants didn't
electronically darken the windows, like they can on this 787, for a
few hours.</div>
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Oh well...what's a boy to do, right?</div>
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Our layover in London wasn't too bad
this time. I think we only had an hour and a half before we could
board the Chicago flight, which is nothing compared to a four or five
hour wait that we've had to endure in the past. I don't know if
you've ever had the pleasure of spending time at Heathrow, which
I've lovingly referred to in the past as a “seething pit of
humanity”. There are people everywhere, all crammed into small
spaces and all talking on their phones or dealing with their
screaming kids at the same time. Over the past few trips Loraine and
I have developed a plan—we stop at a H.W. Smith shop, pick up one
of their sandwich specials (including Dr. Pepper with real sugar!)
and a few pieces of chocolate, then find the corner that's farthest
away from people. Depending upon which building you're in it
actually can work quite well; this time, we were in Terminal 3, so it
wasn't as peaceful as it could've been, but like I said, it was
relatively short this time around.</div>
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And that's always a good thing.</div>
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The sandwich deal you get at the Smith
shops also includes a drink (the aforementioned Dr. Pepper) and a bag
of chips, or crisps, as they're called in England. I don't know why,
but over the past few trips I've developed a bizarre fascination with
this flavor--</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdD8aunrpstC_c-0bDeb0SFsTViWtQQvD3ufI09DVcPebv0-uDN0dB8Vx-CacKcyJ-AvCoT1bgiJQHjzNwQH1C40bQz1Yz4LuaRQdRSIagIBeywF9DQl800ZOnUlBb_hYZnweN3QvJrnk/s1600/20190424_020259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdD8aunrpstC_c-0bDeb0SFsTViWtQQvD3ufI09DVcPebv0-uDN0dB8Vx-CacKcyJ-AvCoT1bgiJQHjzNwQH1C40bQz1Yz4LuaRQdRSIagIBeywF9DQl800ZOnUlBb_hYZnweN3QvJrnk/s640/20190424_020259.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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What. You haven't had shrimp-flavored
potato chips before? Then don't judge. Besides, they almost
(almost) taste like shrimp.</div>
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Honest.</div>
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8-)</div>
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It's election season yet again in
Germany, this time for seats in the European Parliament, and this
means you can see election signs on almost every lamp post.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqV1CuAkMZPga7J_XTFIsVpTDWdSN_Fe88zudWeYgmevqZxeu7yJhxMtGCMG1tmewOuRtpqFo92b7MINAmYHXNZAhKClMj8eiyA6X7FPQHsOdUZvUoXU-Qg2lXQZlMQVwCn_3eEpnSRnA/s1600/P4260230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqV1CuAkMZPga7J_XTFIsVpTDWdSN_Fe88zudWeYgmevqZxeu7yJhxMtGCMG1tmewOuRtpqFo92b7MINAmYHXNZAhKClMj8eiyA6X7FPQHsOdUZvUoXU-Qg2lXQZlMQVwCn_3eEpnSRnA/s640/P4260230.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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These are for the Green Party and Die
Linke, which translates into “The Left”, two of the up and coming
parties of the country. When they held national elections last year
and the AfD, the “Make Germany German Again” party, won 12% of
the vote, the news media went ape over it. What they didn't mention
is that both the Green and Die Linke parties combined for almost 30%
of the vote, which was almost as much (if not more) than the two
“traditional” parties (the equivalent of our Democratic and
Republican parties) For the rise in nationalist parties (like the
AfD) around Europe, in some countries like Germany left-wing parties
have had even more success.</div>
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It just doesn't get reported in the
media as much as a party that wants to kick out anyone in Germany who
doesn't look like a German. And we all know happened the last time
someone wanted to do that. But the groups that are being targeted by
prejudice are fighting back, with information tables set up.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHOeEIURyTLgaAzyZXqeRLW-NgV29F74vzsKHAUH4GRlclPlgqkAnVyTXqzws2rR0fejRELqUFmHJ7T16IBSZsNzXrESZTboSsMWTbJmcEWWnvlZcbjYDBduXyQNUEBNvC9ct9EiIpyi8/s1600/P4270322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHOeEIURyTLgaAzyZXqeRLW-NgV29F74vzsKHAUH4GRlclPlgqkAnVyTXqzws2rR0fejRELqUFmHJ7T16IBSZsNzXrESZTboSsMWTbJmcEWWnvlZcbjYDBduXyQNUEBNvC9ct9EiIpyi8/s640/P4270322.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The thought behind it is this—you
speak with someone in a targeted ethnic group—in this case,
Muslims—and you (hopefully) go away with an understanding that
people are just people, and that the hate spewed by certain political
groups is unjustified and, in many cases, completely fabricated. It
seems to be working, as parties supporting a diverse Germany are far
outpacing those who want a white Germany.</div>
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Except, perhaps, in media coverage.</div>
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Speaking of things that could be
considered uniquely German, how about this sight, repeated each and
every morning we were in Leipzig?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOEaBLMEjh29XG9ldy0404F2AE1QoeUFUmZJMB3K7hyGJaSNpx2kQYwDREEd67uIihCbgiugmzNMiG2WgExYxgmFqF9U3mKJZyfFdZPB-4KLgU3t7GTUjDBvByHAe5VHjhKM_sXNraQcc/s1600/P4280009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOEaBLMEjh29XG9ldy0404F2AE1QoeUFUmZJMB3K7hyGJaSNpx2kQYwDREEd67uIihCbgiugmzNMiG2WgExYxgmFqF9U3mKJZyfFdZPB-4KLgU3t7GTUjDBvByHAe5VHjhKM_sXNraQcc/s640/P4280009.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Germans are big on recycling, and even
when walking drunk down the street will remember to put their empties
to the side so they can be picked up and reused.</div>
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Although it's not our scene Leipzig is
big on both Goth and Punk culture. In fact, you can even see a punk
rock mom on occasion--</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN13woDW1iXzXBv29XUwVfGuo-LchOrQZImHjyLgqDjmSCKiGkKQK2ZbvtLo0eyZck2pdQbFxnfN4jw35QJwp-YmZ3mYe49Q-b-9F4fhX8S_Byms5L7I9Zpea4gtB1rtNlaXyrDYbKYQQ/s1600/P4250168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN13woDW1iXzXBv29XUwVfGuo-LchOrQZImHjyLgqDjmSCKiGkKQK2ZbvtLo0eyZck2pdQbFxnfN4jw35QJwp-YmZ3mYe49Q-b-9F4fhX8S_Byms5L7I9Zpea4gtB1rtNlaXyrDYbKYQQ/s640/P4250168.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The city also hold the world's largest
Goth festival each June, as thousands of black-clad young people
descend upon the city in celebration of their lifestyle. It probably
accounts for the large amounts of tattoo and piercing parlors
throughout the city as well. Those are just a few of the things that
make Leipzig a unique and fascinating place.</div>
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I can't wait to go back again.</div>
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Okay...a few totally random pictures I
took and haven't had a reason to post--</div>
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I actually don't think you can take a
bad picture in either Leipzig or Berlin. I really don't. Even if
you're just looking for a totally gratuitous shot of lilacs--</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO8utZRj41cjoZKLgmgwc4yFkeL-IoGFZ267YXVmkITIYLDRDtv5TYecQTasUMxO_SjpMuRRlbXcVFogjSyhO9gHx_WlkdTsDNYyGxnEbPvyhLkgDyMgkty5flvNSfdq6wZhb92gL97k4/s1600/P4280016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO8utZRj41cjoZKLgmgwc4yFkeL-IoGFZ267YXVmkITIYLDRDtv5TYecQTasUMxO_SjpMuRRlbXcVFogjSyhO9gHx_WlkdTsDNYyGxnEbPvyhLkgDyMgkty5flvNSfdq6wZhb92gL97k4/s640/P4280016.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The lilacs that have been bursting
forth while we were here were an unexpected bonus. And really,
appreciated, too. I can't wait for ours to come out in a month at
home!</div>
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And, of course, because this was an
urban trip we didn't get the chance to see any cows, which was a big
bummer. Well, I shouldn't say we didn't get to see ANY, as I saw a
herd out of the window of the train on the way to Berlin yesterday
(and no, they didn't stop the train so I could get out and take
pictures). And then we did see one other cow--</div>
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That counts...right?</div>
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It's a pity we didn't have more time
and, perhaps, a rental car in Berlin. Readers of my daily blog for
work will recall that I took an Ancestry DNA test last summer, and
found out that the Schwemin side of my family was Prussian, After a
little research on my part I discovered that they lived in a small
village only 60 or 70 kilometers north of Berlin. Back then it was
part of Prussia/Germany; after World War II the area was given to
Poland. It's a small place; if you look at it on Google Earth it now
appears to have five or six houses in it. Still, it would've been
neat to at least drive through, and see where my great-great
grandfather lived before moving to the U.S.</div>
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Oh well. Yet another reason to come
back, right?</div>
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Speaking of family, here's Mallory's
picture for this year--</div>
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I think by now you all know the story
behind this, so I won't explain it yet again. This year, she has the
historic St. Nicholas church courtyard, where all those protests in
Leipzig took place, as the background.</div>
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Hope you enjoy it, Mallory!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
With the exception of not being able to
see RB Leipzig practice this past Sunday the trip has met (or
exceeded) all of our expectations, and the credit for that has to go
to trip planner extraordinaire, the Most Amazing Woman in the World,
Loraine. She puts in countless hours of studying, planning, and
worry to make sure we get the most out of every jaunt we take, and
she did her usual amazing job this time.
</div>
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So thanks, The Most Amazing Woman in
the World. I don't know anyone else I'd like to travel down back
alleys, on trams, and into soccer stadiums with but you!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
That's about it for this time. Unlike
previous expeditions we don't have a “next trip” planned yet,
although there are several ideas percolating around our heads (the
train travel we so enjoyed the past week has really made us think).
So until next trip—whenever and wherever that may be—thanks for
following along. We ope you enjoyed traveling along virtually as
much as we did in person!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
(<span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><u><a href="mailto:jim@wmqt.com">jim@wmqt.com</a></u></span></span>)</div>
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Jim & Loraine Explore Europehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06025780721003328665noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2509666114226450396.post-3550992331797031802019-04-30T11:59:00.000-04:002019-04-30T11:59:33.963-04:00Timetables & Tetris<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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TUESDAY, 4/30:</div>
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And now the game of Tetris begins.</div>
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Greetings from a hotel right outside of
Tegel Airport in Berlin, where we're camped out awaiting a (gulp) 4am
wake up call to begin our journey back to the U.S tomorrow. Or, to
put this in perspective, if it's still Tuesday when you're reading
this, we'll be getting up at 10 pm tonight Eastern time. And,
assuming rain, thunder, snow, fog, ice, lava, a meteor strike, or a
plague of locusts doesn't delay any of our flights, we'll make it
back to Marquette just before 9 pm Wednesday night.</div>
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Yup. It'll be a fun day.</div>
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The Tetris game to which I referred has
to do with packing all the crap we bought here into the suitcases with everything else.
Because this was a shorter trip than usual and because the DB trains
we were on have certain size requirements we had to bring slightly
smaller suitcases than we usually do. However, it seems like we
bought just as much in the way of chocolate, soccer jerseys,
chocolate, boxes of cereal, and chocolate, so the game's afoot as to
where everything goes and how it'll all fit in. I have confidence
we'll each be able to do it. It'll just be interesting to see what
ends up where.</div>
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Our train didn't leave Leipzig until
just after 11 this morning, so we were able to walk around a little
more and take a few last loving looks at the views--</div>
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It was also one of their two market
days for the week, so you know we had to swoop through there--</div>
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We were able to see a few things we
hadn't yet, one serious and one not. The serious one? A few
<a href="http://www.stolpersteine.eu/en/" target="_blank">Solpersteine</a>,
or Stumbling Stones.
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These are placed in cities throughout
Germany in front of buildings where Jewish people were stripped of
their rights and their property during the Nazi regime. The stones
also tell the ultimate fate of whoever lived in that building; in the
picture above Abraham and Golda Landsberg died at Auschwitz, while
their son was killed at Cosel. These stones, laid in city sidewalks
throughout the country, are a vivid reminder of what happens when
evil people enact evil policies. You know the old saying that those
who don't know history are condemned to repeat it? Well, I'm glad to
know that Germans are making sure that people know their history, at
least in this regard.</div>
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It's probably something more countries
around the world should think about.</div>
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The non-serious thing we saw? A store
dedicated to kitschy stuff from the days of the old East Germany!</div>
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“Ost-stalgia” is actually a thing
in parts of the old DDR. But, then, I guess if you lived under a
certain system for 40 years the people who were around then may have some
memories of it, and the people born after reunification may wonder
what their parents and grandparents went through. However, something
I saw in the store made me laugh at the irony of the whole thing. I
don't know if this was done on purpose, or if it was something
someone didn't fully think through, but there was a Monopoly game
based on the old East Germany for sale there. Think about it for a
moment—Monopoly, perhaps the purest form of capitalism you can find
in a board game, with a version set in a communist country.</div>
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Ironic, right? Or maybe that's just
me. That often seems to be the case.</div>
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We then hopped aboard a train, a bus,
and a hotel shuttle, and only two or so hours later ended up at our
hotel in Berlin. And for an airport hotel, it's not too bad.
There's even a little green space nearby--</div>
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So Loraine and I were able to get out
and enjoy some sun. And in that regard we've been really luck this
trip—with the exception of the cold rain yesterday the weather this
past week has been great. In fact, in some cases it's been downright
amazing, especially considering it's still April. Maybe, just maybe,
Mother Nature was trying to make up for our trip last year, when it
rained for six straight days.</div>
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<br />
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If that's the case, we really
appreciate it.</div>
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Like I said, we're getting ready to fly
out of Berlin tomorrow--</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1SNeFcL_JhzA7jf4WjIzLO6_xLj-t_sF7CCn_vI12te0NZgkIA5z_xDo8BsI5Q739iw5XfKy4ZaQRWHaNJ20Ia8Cc0zazWYs5o_x9HeUUfMZ1IYjdFpdckFC2hfG2jxMWj6i0d1yLhyI/s1600/P4300190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1SNeFcL_JhzA7jf4WjIzLO6_xLj-t_sF7CCn_vI12te0NZgkIA5z_xDo8BsI5Q739iw5XfKy4ZaQRWHaNJ20Ia8Cc0zazWYs5o_x9HeUUfMZ1IYjdFpdckFC2hfG2jxMWj6i0d1yLhyI/s640/P4300190.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
From Tegel Airport, which is not even
supposed to be an airport any more. Let me explain--</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Almost ten years ago construction
started on a huge new, state-of-the-art airport 20 or so kilometers
outside of the city called Brandenburg. Brandenburg was supposed to replace
three old, small Cold War-era facilities right in the middle of
Berlin, Tegel being one of them. It was supposed to open in 2013 to
great fanfare. In fact, they even shut one of the three old airports
down and turned it into a park. However, in a series of great
embarrassments for vaunted German industry, a series of engineering
and construction problems didn't allow it to open on time in 2013.
In fact, the problems kept popping up and popping up, and six years
later—SIX YEARS LATER—there's still no opening date for
Brandenburg Airport. It's almost like it became a monument to major
incompetence, sitting out on the Autobahn. So Tegel—an airport
that's small, cramped, and lacking any major sort of luxury
whatsoever—is still in use, and will be for the foreseeable future.
In fact, there's now an outcry among Berlin residents just to scrap
the boondoggle and to upgrade Tegel.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I'll be curious to see how that turns
out.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Well, since we have to wake up just as
you're sitting down to watch “NCIS: New Orleans” or the 10
o'clock news, I suppose I should wrap this up. I'll leave you with
today's totally gratuitous lilac picture, this time with a
road work sign that has a KFC sticker attached--</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3-rnSv6kAmkofEEW4XPaMT3-rIIgO_-UgJjQdpYmM2mZQMx2LQyPcki3IAn2bbNXOQ-JTv1Pq-XDVne2dMewUAM_ryQZjUesbM1KSJs1aWEAnhvpmyfTI_dAfINRXsDbml-o6q7kHCDM/s1600/P4280035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3-rnSv6kAmkofEEW4XPaMT3-rIIgO_-UgJjQdpYmM2mZQMx2LQyPcki3IAn2bbNXOQ-JTv1Pq-XDVne2dMewUAM_ryQZjUesbM1KSJs1aWEAnhvpmyfTI_dAfINRXsDbml-o6q7kHCDM/s640/P4280035.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
A totally non-gratuitous shot of Loraine and her new German national soccer team jersey--</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnYfvhbwBnJDZRVtXokUaLCkWQmF0n38BHjTmPUGdQbFAQiWvhE_hiGap9qXCzZwHbav6YNyrrqfkJItGKQkrn896qlWwdR7gSfHUpcwxrKCDCDhUtHh6tuQs6dhNBxdP90IivovQvdIA/s1600/P4300191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnYfvhbwBnJDZRVtXokUaLCkWQmF0n38BHjTmPUGdQbFAQiWvhE_hiGap9qXCzZwHbav6YNyrrqfkJItGKQkrn896qlWwdR7gSfHUpcwxrKCDCDhUtHh6tuQs6dhNBxdP90IivovQvdIA/s640/P4300191.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
As well as a sign warning you of the
consequences should you walk under a parking lot gate--</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkMlSDQGkCLmIvHJxMGWZKzH1th8DX798V01PPWYtIGce8u7HXaExIk20g0BHkakkcIZPVFzB8QqOh69ziEod_Tt4iUr9CHTgU-zbQAkSo_svluvxNswiiJMk7iaY4LdwqxO9FA_6c5gs/s1600/P4300187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkMlSDQGkCLmIvHJxMGWZKzH1th8DX798V01PPWYtIGce8u7HXaExIk20g0BHkakkcIZPVFzB8QqOh69ziEod_Tt4iUr9CHTgU-zbQAkSo_svluvxNswiiJMk7iaY4LdwqxO9FA_6c5gs/s640/P4300187.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Even though we're flying home tomorrow
that doesn't mean these are finished. After all, we have a four hour
layover in London and a seven hour flight back to Chicago, and I have
lots more pictures and all kinds of stuff I'd still like to discuss, including (but not
limited to) punk rockers, how orderly the Germans are, even when
drunk, a store that made us squeal in delight, upcoming German
elections, how I actually have roots in this part of Germany, my
niece Mallory's annual picture, and the weird flavor of potato chips
I always eat when stuck in a London airport.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Oh. And don't be surprised if lilacs
and a little more 1989 protest history shows up, as well.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
So until then...</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
(<a href="mailto:jim@wmqt.com">jim@wmqt.com</a>)</div>
Jim & Loraine Explore Europehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06025780721003328665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2509666114226450396.post-77474358636071977352019-04-29T14:27:00.002-04:002019-04-29T14:37:12.119-04:00The Day of Living Internationally<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
MONDAY, 4/29:</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Since Loraine handled her German press
conference like a pro, we celebrated by eating Indian takeout food.
But this wasn't before we had lunch with a Greek guy who kept wanting
us to do shots of Ouzo with him.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Yup. It was that kind of international
day.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
It's our last night in Leipzig (he says
with a heavy heart), although the vast majority of the day was spent
in the town of Weissenfels, about 30 kilometers southwest of here.
Weissenfels is the town where the subject of Loraine's first book,
Sgt. Elwood Norr of Marquette, was shot down during a bombing raid on
a nearby chemical factory in November of 1944. The first time we
were here Loraine presented a copy of her book to the town's mayor;
today, she did the same with her second book, which documents (among
many other things) our first visit. And just like the first time,
the press was invited to the presentation, which the author nailed--</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM47mkiU-vMMdA1eqVzpxM_h1uaV95apfs47-nneH2F_c6KI6XdRCYb60dzLRWiLZAVRDd3kD9FMk5XJxZCW87c4CR_TAV4XiEDWxg_TuYevBvzvhieNKhbhmT5gzEIKdMcW4NMrAkTeY/s1600/P4290117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM47mkiU-vMMdA1eqVzpxM_h1uaV95apfs47-nneH2F_c6KI6XdRCYb60dzLRWiLZAVRDd3kD9FMk5XJxZCW87c4CR_TAV4XiEDWxg_TuYevBvzvhieNKhbhmT5gzEIKdMcW4NMrAkTeY/s640/P4290117.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I say this kind of in jest but actually
not really in jest, because it's probably true—I'm married to
someone who may be the most famous American ever to visit
Weissenfels. At least that's what it seemed like. We were met by
our friends Anja, who works for the city's department of cultural
affairs, and Gudrun (or “Gudi”, as she insists on being called),
who's on the town's council and is an all-around force of nature.
They greeted Loraine with flowers--</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWSW2YxfmR1FAZLpIKlQCCxrMeX4VtS39efRJqHbcZGHInRsCjrT0Xf0f4vuO8iaKI4aIYYEOQirS4l06PAmimuR2qbPc0yr3GLEFI1CaW1RXimDMsd-EHk3jOa54ifB1w1ftiafSd8tA/s1600/P4290122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWSW2YxfmR1FAZLpIKlQCCxrMeX4VtS39efRJqHbcZGHInRsCjrT0Xf0f4vuO8iaKI4aIYYEOQirS4l06PAmimuR2qbPc0yr3GLEFI1CaW1RXimDMsd-EHk3jOa54ifB1w1ftiafSd8tA/s640/P4290122.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
And squired us over to this
restaurant--</div>
<br />
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<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Which opened early just for Loraine.
When the owner arrived during lunch he insisted we all do shots of
Ouzo with him; then after we finished eating he brought another round
over. You know, to help with our digestion--</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We then made our way over to the town
hall, where we must have followed a dozen signs like this that led to
the room with the press--</div>
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<br /></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
While it wasn't a big press gaggle, it
was a gaggle nonetheless, with several reporters asking Loraine
questions about her books, her research, and why we made our way back
to Weissenfels after six years. They also seemed fascinated by the
fact that we would come all the way from the U.S just to see a soccer
game, and ended up asking Loraine a few questions about that, as
well. Following the questions, Loraine presented the book to Gudi,
as a representative of the city, with press photographers snapping away--</div>
<br />
<br />
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<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
And we were then taken off for a VIP
tour of a museum dedicated to one of the town's most famous
residents, a 17<sup>th</sup> century composer named <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heinrich_Sch%C3%BCtz" target="_blank">Heinrich Schütz</a>, who's considered Germany's most important composer prior to Bach and who was apparently quite the innovative writer of choir
music. Just how VIP was the tour? Well, the museum is usually
closed on Monday, and the director of the center spent the day before his vacation just to show
us around.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
THAT'S why I say Loraine's the most
famous American to visit Weissenfels.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Weissenfels is a very interesting
place--</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
It's about the same size as Marquette,
has a lot of hills in it, and has a history of mining, to boot. But
I also found it interesting in that it's like a lot of towns of the
old East Germany. In the 30 years since the Wall came down large
chunks of the city are fresh & new, witnessed by a new bus station and by the renovated
market square that opens to the public next week--</div>
<br />
<br />
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<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
But also with a lot of buildings that
have just sat unused for three or more decades, like this old textile
factory.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Much like Marquette, they're trying not
to tear down those old buildings, but to find some reuse for them.
However, you need money to rehabilitate structures like that, and the
funding isn't always available. They're hopeful, though, and with
any luck that factory will soon be home to any number of uses.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
After all, the great people of
Weissenfels deserve that. And they also deserve many thanks for the
way they treated Loraine (and the dork she brought with her) today!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Other than the visit to Weissenfels and
the train ride there and back we really didn't have much time to do
anything else today so, sad to say, no pictures or videos of street
musicians. Of course, the fact that it was cold & rainy today probably kept many of them indoors. I will, however, give you a totally gratuitous of shot of
lilacs, with the French flag in the background--</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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And today's musings on the 1989
revolution. When we checked in the people at Motel One somehow knew
we were here celebrating our anniversary, so they gave us tickets to
use for free drinks at their bar. In honor of Loraine's amazing day
we took them up on their offer, used the tickets, and sat in the
lounge, which is plastered with murals celebrating the massive public protests that were Leipzig's part
in bringing down the DDR--</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbcKAn928X6ZC5WW5EtKLrW2Ix9UQooJbDYnB5t7sSdzSQQqkVnVrXjgceHvL_h_6t0i-6t4k8WhaCjoF99WnZYy_DxD__iim66o7h5-gOZbhJgeSMiPAb623eCGcRX-CKcOu5F3A4HNg/s1600/P4290151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbcKAn928X6ZC5WW5EtKLrW2Ix9UQooJbDYnB5t7sSdzSQQqkVnVrXjgceHvL_h_6t0i-6t4k8WhaCjoF99WnZYy_DxD__iim66o7h5-gOZbhJgeSMiPAb623eCGcRX-CKcOu5F3A4HNg/s640/P4290151.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I've probably said it before, and I may
end up saying it again, but this is such a cool place. The history,
the music, the food, the people. A sticker
Loraine pointed out plastered to an electrical box Saturday probably says it best--</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLWOLSd4YtBQ7WggsD6pJkqAhrwk6aR0ViU8K0Cn8SHa7sLMa39UJ0MMxlvP9tYhbARjD0dChSRdyvehLzcOs3NVAStTtd-QxXp0wnf337RVroaZ5SPC4eLwmJcvS2MIVqWH2R34a_Wgs/s1600/P4270290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLWOLSd4YtBQ7WggsD6pJkqAhrwk6aR0ViU8K0Cn8SHa7sLMa39UJ0MMxlvP9tYhbARjD0dChSRdyvehLzcOs3NVAStTtd-QxXp0wnf337RVroaZ5SPC4eLwmJcvS2MIVqWH2R34a_Wgs/s640/P4270290.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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But, alas, we can't. Tomorrow morning
we hop back on the high-speed train to Berlin, where we spend a few
last hours before heading home on Wednesday. So until then, with the
thought that parting is such sweet sorrow...</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
(<a href="mailto:jim@wmqt.com">jim@wmqt.com</a>)</div>
Jim & Loraine Explore Europehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06025780721003328665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2509666114226450396.post-62992814101751347762019-04-28T14:49:00.000-04:002019-04-28T15:53:54.376-04:00Shattered Rules & Shattered Dreams<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
SUNDAY, 4/28:</div>
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I don't know that you've really lived
until you've stood on a German street corner listening to a pianist
and a flugelhorn player doing “Bohemian Rhapsody” with the crowd
singing along.</div>
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So I guess I lived a little today.</div>
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Greetings again from Leipzig, where
this was the day we didn't have much on the schedule, it being the
day after the soccer match and the day before Loraine may be the
subject of a German press conference. About the only thing we really
wanted to do was to attend an open practice for RB Leipzig, to see
some of the players up close & personal, but because this was
such a momentous week for the team (not only did they qualify for the
Champions League, but they also made the finals of the DFB Pokal, the
German national club championship) they were given the day off and
the practice was canceled.</div>
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Or so we found out after standing
outside the practice field for an hour and a half. But what are you
gonna do, right? Then, after we got back to our hotel Loraine found a Facebook message the team sent her yesterday morning, hoping that we would have a good time at the game. We were stunned. I mean, how many pro sports teams would send a personal message to a fan, even one coming to watch a game from a different country? </div>
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It was a very cool thing for them to do.</div>
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Since we couldn't visit the practice today, after we took care of a few things
Loraine got caught up on a bunch of stuff while I took my camera out
and went exploring, which was where I heard the Leipzig street
karaoke version of “Bohemian Rhapsody”. As I mentioned
yesterday, the city has a long & storied history of street
musicians, and they also played a huge part in the protests that
started here and eventually brought down the East German government
and the Berlin Wall. In 1989 it was actually illegal for anyone to
perform music in public places without a permit, which was almost
impossible to get, so in protest one June day a bunch of musicians
started to play in this little park--</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEihgYfWAGMnhMuBdwNkb6K4kodVisSN_dknJ-iZv2-EwDsu2A-TSEpGQ7-BhIIMsEVTVEyQ385ej4kjxE6UXOs8wR6xDDlhmk8tJpDjyPGmoXZay4R_rqEq-6_-5cek1w-dShAXcZFUc/s1600/P4280028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEihgYfWAGMnhMuBdwNkb6K4kodVisSN_dknJ-iZv2-EwDsu2A-TSEpGQ7-BhIIMsEVTVEyQ385ej4kjxE6UXOs8wR6xDDlhmk8tJpDjyPGmoXZay4R_rqEq-6_-5cek1w-dShAXcZFUc/s640/P4280028.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Where the public then gathered to
experience the rather rare treat. The Stasi (the East German secret
police) got wind of the fact that people were actually enjoying
themselves and started to violently break up the crowd, chasing the
musicians away and arresting them in this nearby church courtyard--</div>
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Ironically, by the way, handcuffing the
musicians right underneath the statue of Johann Sebastian Bach. Word of the
brutal arrests spread throughout the area, and in combination with
other factors, including rigged elections a few months earlier and a
token effort by the authorities of allowing people to leave the
county, led to the weekly Monday night protests in the courtyard of
the church across the street from where I'm typing this.</div>
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Not only do they have boards and
self-guided walking tours throughout the city that tell the whole
story of the protests-</div>
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But I also downloaded an amazing app
that has all kinds of pictures and video to go along with it, called
“Leipzig 89” (available in English in the iTunes store and Google
Play, should you be so curious as to download it yourself). I know
I'm a history geek (in case you haven't figured it out yet), but that
particular moment in the city's history seems to fascinate me to no
end. I'm not quite sure why, but it has, so if I babble a little too
much about it feel free to mentally zone out and return when you see
a weird picture. You know, like a picture of a statue of a woman
riding a ram using what appears to be a snake as a bridle. Not that
you would ever see a picture like that, though.</div>
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Oh....wait.</div>
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My journey exploring the intertwining
of music & protests led me to the nearby Johannapark, which is
one of the main parks in a city that, admittedly, has a lot of them--</div>
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This is one of those places where
people go to walk, run, ride bikes, and do all the other stuff one
does in a nice park, including playing a guitar--</div>
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Looking at duck-type creatures with red
bills (an homage, perhaps, to the local Bundesliga team?--</div>
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And falling in love under lilac trees--</div>
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The park also has a rather famous
footbridge that spans the little lake in the middle of it--</div>
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And it seems the bridge is the one
place where everyone stands to take pictures, to gaze at the city
skyline, or to just gaze in each other's eyes. Loraine and I both
follow a couple of local photographers on Facebook, and they often
use the bridge as the center of their beauty shots. It just seems to
attract people that way, I guess.</div>
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Now I realize over the past few days
I've made Leipzig sound like a perfect place, what with all the
history and all the street music and all the winning by the local
soccer team. But like all bigger places (Leipzig's home to about
400,000 people) it has its problems. Parts of it have still not been
totally reconstructed in the nearly three decades since German
reunification, and it does seem to have a large homeless population,
especially around the train station, which is not far from our hotel
and a focal point of our travels. You wouldn't think in a country
with a good social safety net like Germany that homelessness even
exists, but it does. I know a small chunk are Syrian refugees who haven't
yet been fully integrated into the country's system following the
2015 mass migration into Europe. But it seems like the vast majority of the
homeless are like this guy--</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglM9agyyl1l6xCbH3LUHoiEQhZ6F_5HApoA-2OtCXKuxN0pJ-c5yVkwdvgdHhdTNzhsnT3FxIXFkm7VpSOuYCodNkTryCtNbeMjRDlvk8H6yVSGMiL8YjFJ-nnkqQ76J9IwDeNT2AtaeQ/s1600/P4280048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglM9agyyl1l6xCbH3LUHoiEQhZ6F_5HApoA-2OtCXKuxN0pJ-c5yVkwdvgdHhdTNzhsnT3FxIXFkm7VpSOuYCodNkTryCtNbeMjRDlvk8H6yVSGMiL8YjFJ-nnkqQ76J9IwDeNT2AtaeQ/s640/P4280048.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Germans who have either just given up
or who just never tried. Some just sit on a bench drinking all day;
others stand outside of the train station or on a corner with a cup
at their feet asking for money. I should say, though, as someone
visiting the city you don't feel threatened by them; instead, you
feel sad that in a place that's so filled with wondrous people and
wondrous music there are people out there who are just left out.</div>
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<br /></div>
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It's just a bummer.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Okay. Enough depressing stuff for now.
How about this for a palette cleanser, courtesy of three of those
street musicians I has mentioned earlier? Then may I present to you
Mr Clarinet, Bassoon Dude, and Flute Woman with their version of the
Cantina Band theme from “Star Wars”!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/oQepigBhjnA/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oQepigBhjnA?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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<br /></div>
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Yes, I know I'm a geek. What's your
point? If I wasn't a geek, do you think I'd give you a totally
gratuitous shot featuring both lilacs AND an Ampelmann?</div>
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<br /></div>
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Or a totally gratuitous shot of wisdom
posted in a local storefront?</div>
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<br /></div>
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Or a totally gratuitous shot of, uhm,
whatever the heck this piece of art is trying to get across?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQzl_5cRIqXGbNPq3PvciSQB-GKfFi2WcDXewnlB13eELvKWW51xi60KW5th441Dc31pnvOOpoUACIS0-53lyUzmcCLEXVo42uJc_VyU6ZlD0pWz9QV8n7NoxDX9vSDK8If5ILiU7W6Kc/s1600/P4280043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQzl_5cRIqXGbNPq3PvciSQB-GKfFi2WcDXewnlB13eELvKWW51xi60KW5th441Dc31pnvOOpoUACIS0-53lyUzmcCLEXVo42uJc_VyU6ZlD0pWz9QV8n7NoxDX9vSDK8If5ILiU7W6Kc/s640/P4280043.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Ah, Leipzig. You never know what
you'll see or hear.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Tomorrow, we take a short train ride so
Loraine can answer questions from German newspaper reporters.
Because that's what everyone does with part of their vacation, right?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
(<span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><u><a href="mailto:jim@wmqt.com">jim@wmqt.com</a></u></span></span>)</div>
Jim & Loraine Explore Europehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06025780721003328665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2509666114226450396.post-46998870456718218622019-04-27T15:55:00.003-04:002019-04-27T16:36:55.022-04:00Once Upon a Very Beastie Boys Afternoon<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
SATURDAY, 4/27:</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
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It was a bit of a chippy game, with a
very controversial goal, but in the end it was the final score that
mattered--</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
RB Leipzig 2, SC Freiburg 1.</div>
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Greetings once again from Leipzig,
where my ears are still ringing following the Bundesliga match at Red
Bull Arena. This game was, of course, the reason we took this
particular trip, and so our entire day was built around it. We made
sure we got to the stadium as early as we could, just to soak in the
atmosphere, and then we stayed a bit afterwards, both to let the
crowd thin out and to wonder just why the drunk guy fell out of the
stands & plopped 10 feet onto the concrete below.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Oh wait, he was a drunk guy. Never
mind.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Now, I know that a), the game wasn't
shown in the US and 2). you probably don't care anyway, but it was an
exciting match, so I'll be posting a video link to the highlights of
the game at the end of this. When we arrived Thursday and went to
the fan shop I bought two player jerseys, and both of those players
each scored a goal today so, you know, they owe me. And the two
players Loraine bought jerseys for played spectacular games
themselves, which made her happy, so it was a win-win situation all
around, for both us and the team.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Would you like a quick photographic
trip through the game? We hopped on a tram, and had to make the
short walk through a bunch of parking lots, where we had our first
sighting of the stadium--</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs9M_vejDp2xO86zQzJGa7b7UzEDu6Y69yj4UZcM-_2xJQQEpt_0LxU2PDCMsvk0T2CnO8W9rQRqd8g0ovBpSvuI2eBOyu4yobpoxLWI40JPW8tkXnNZvT6ET5kwEsXX828DahJDYn8Go/s1600/P4270337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs9M_vejDp2xO86zQzJGa7b7UzEDu6Y69yj4UZcM-_2xJQQEpt_0LxU2PDCMsvk0T2CnO8W9rQRqd8g0ovBpSvuI2eBOyu4yobpoxLWI40JPW8tkXnNZvT6ET5kwEsXX828DahJDYn8Go/s640/P4270337.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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In a grass field, they have all kinds
of games and activities set up for kids--</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx0gIinpPAM_xgTIG-29EVOhqAV35L73yctQfSSAb2hZPq1TaRxVIyYcLG9qZrqSjJnIWMPS3lj49QbTgN1x8lcym29brf-8IAxog1bNfPp6kV6vC8qll86ChGr7LeI5PMaroqyUIcXCY/s1600/P4270344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx0gIinpPAM_xgTIG-29EVOhqAV35L73yctQfSSAb2hZPq1TaRxVIyYcLG9qZrqSjJnIWMPS3lj49QbTgN1x8lcym29brf-8IAxog1bNfPp6kV6vC8qll86ChGr7LeI5PMaroqyUIcXCY/s640/P4270344.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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You then wait until exactly two pm, and not
one second before because, after all, this is Germany and precision
matters. The gates open and the fans started flocking up the
stairs--</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ur5g3Kv9Ax23z7MYinpCcmCgss0YnerD80o59FJaTpTEge7FRrXbf65wv23IgrdzL300pivV99nllcHtmHgPfQbQPxBNPOqJ0NruytjADftHGyo_h45MrLmIyxq23Kvulj5wGomxu6I/s1600/P4270352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ur5g3Kv9Ax23z7MYinpCcmCgss0YnerD80o59FJaTpTEge7FRrXbf65wv23IgrdzL300pivV99nllcHtmHgPfQbQPxBNPOqJ0NruytjADftHGyo_h45MrLmIyxq23Kvulj5wGomxu6I/s640/P4270352.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Where the holy grail of eastern Germany
soccer awaits--</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg71x-h6QN47Jh82gaAV7K5I3KiQD-7uZYzB-gZLRSHiCVnWEV7f9MmKW6Cnh04az4-fLuA8tEQOZPxWoZ1YmzbvGBNQPYAskvBveVFPX6x7kMM836d7I45RoVPCpx-99IiK92Z5LLWyKI/s1600/P4270359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg71x-h6QN47Jh82gaAV7K5I3KiQD-7uZYzB-gZLRSHiCVnWEV7f9MmKW6Cnh04az4-fLuA8tEQOZPxWoZ1YmzbvGBNQPYAskvBveVFPX6x7kMM836d7I45RoVPCpx-99IiK92Z5LLWyKI/s640/P4270359.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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If you want, you can buy a beer.
Admittedly, we bought it for the cup it came in, but we didn't think
they'd sell us just the cup, so we bought the entire package, and
managed to slurp it down by the time the game ended--</div>
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<br /></div>
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Soon, the players came out for their
warm-ups--</div>
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And the crowd cheered wildly. That was
nothing, though, to the roar that arose when the actual player
introductions were made--</div>
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<br /></div>
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Especially in the section near us, the
official fan section--</div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We actually chose the seats we did so
we'd be near the fan section, just so we could experience it. And it
was pretty much what we expected. The entire game the section was
singing, beating drums, cheering, chanting, and, I assume, watching
the game. That section alone is the reason my ears are still ringing
and, truth be told, the reason the drunk guy fell 10 feet onto the
concrete.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Because, you know, he fell over the
railing in the fan section.</div>
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The game got underway--</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
And 17 minutes into it Timo Werner
scored his 15<sup>th</sup> goal of the season to put the home team
ahead. Fans were happy, as were the beer vendors--</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
They actually have a cool way of
delivering the beer here. Instead of hauling around a rack of
sloshing cups filled with foaming liquid that spills everywhere, the
beer vendor carried what is basically a backpack full of beer around,
and pumps it out like he would from a keg into your waiting cup.
It's a device Homer Simpson would love.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
But more on that later.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The action continued--</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVhJBxu89cvy3HDwiXwAU1q7Wg4YvPhWRbqjndaemNQRjVEPhaYYbgvYFL7gA3qB3_ouvialYSWYeWvEm9aSIJZLgwxR6P8GZ_TAEUdzFJCgwguHOILwNL7rdO9E9tj9Efdd3mOaJaXO4/s1600/P4270441.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVhJBxu89cvy3HDwiXwAU1q7Wg4YvPhWRbqjndaemNQRjVEPhaYYbgvYFL7gA3qB3_ouvialYSWYeWvEm9aSIJZLgwxR6P8GZ_TAEUdzFJCgwguHOILwNL7rdO9E9tj9Efdd3mOaJaXO4/s640/P4270441.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
And a few minutes into the second half
Freiburg scored on a goal that probably still has people talking. It
was a free kick in front of the Leipzig goal, and the Leipzig players
were not yet set up and ready to go when Freiburg kicked the ball.
I'm not a soccer expert, but I was surrounded by 40,000 of them, and
while they may not have been the most impartial of judges, based on
their reaction something was not right. And seeing as how Leipzig
players were arguing with the referee for a few minutes afterwards,
I'm guessing they weren't much in agreement, either.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Oh, there were actually slightly more
than 40,000 of us there--</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuUZY9nfwTyGkdl9z8LReZ2IiLq9GB3Wu6fwREhAHp8AukGecNHED1OC6Pi8eTi9cz4cKfrHN5ZTIi7RHY5YW19pRsVZWMyXPrqdOwzlnQnVMKj65QeaYkRDBy9iLTu7Um6QgbyJsfv9Y/s1600/P4270464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuUZY9nfwTyGkdl9z8LReZ2IiLq9GB3Wu6fwREhAHp8AukGecNHED1OC6Pi8eTi9cz4cKfrHN5ZTIi7RHY5YW19pRsVZWMyXPrqdOwzlnQnVMKj65QeaYkRDBy9iLTu7Um6QgbyJsfv9Y/s640/P4270464.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Loraine and I were two of those!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Not knowing how the game would turn out
the mood in the crowd turned tense, until a call for a hand ball in the
penalty area against Freiburg sent the Leipzig Viking, Emil Forsberg,
up for a penalty kick--</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJlpjrtU9PJttHRBD16kkjQgPGiMfQrfCt5m_n-yZKZh3vwa8Bmn6_1NTOubxo4gG5rf8yS7-yKeXgKMg9sWrI05cA2T_fAOPU0b9535VicHASIl-L_CZ6hIw4sSI6fqabZ_pJUeb7Y1U/s1600/P4270473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJlpjrtU9PJttHRBD16kkjQgPGiMfQrfCt5m_n-yZKZh3vwa8Bmn6_1NTOubxo4gG5rf8yS7-yKeXgKMg9sWrI05cA2T_fAOPU0b9535VicHASIl-L_CZ6hIw4sSI6fqabZ_pJUeb7Y1U/s640/P4270473.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Which he scored a few second later,
sending Leipzig up 2-1, and within a few minutes the game ended and
The Beastie Boys “(You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party)”
burst forth from the speakers, officially sending RB Leipzig into the
Champions League next year--</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi80lRd7pzNtEua-FvyTVmEah2SVX6Y82ShUth5laPGddqRl_S2pB-60-PzMJijJShz_yxpjpOyKKe5Y_Axa1mk5-v_JI0tK6ilC-lMveXVtlw7lGRY0hWSFDcmViF6-ctqo7Cqo6dZZtk/s1600/P4270492.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi80lRd7pzNtEua-FvyTVmEah2SVX6Y82ShUth5laPGddqRl_S2pB-60-PzMJijJShz_yxpjpOyKKe5Y_Axa1mk5-v_JI0tK6ilC-lMveXVtlw7lGRY0hWSFDcmViF6-ctqo7Cqo6dZZtk/s640/P4270492.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Champions League is basically the
be all and end all of European soccer. In addition to their regular
league play, the top teams in each league play each other throughout
the season to crown the European champion. Some teams (cough cough
Bayern Munich) actually consider the Champions League more important
than their home league, will spent zillions of Euros to bring in the
best players, and then consider the season a loss if they <b>only</b>
win their home league and not the Champions League.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
And after winning today, Leipzig gets
to experience it again next year. After the victory, the players
came over to salute the fans--</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv8r5V8-kbobtsCvEm99sA24x3OPPBJjAWV6xstP4qoDMkDVX_bQcQIXkhNS6vbgNJ_FI_Lop7GYhwN0s9FbN9ZURCCZ86rPpxfUampgNO0clgrp3MwlqkhH4BJ3WHUuTWYAVj9qnHEa0/s1600/P4270499.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv8r5V8-kbobtsCvEm99sA24x3OPPBJjAWV6xstP4qoDMkDVX_bQcQIXkhNS6vbgNJ_FI_Lop7GYhwN0s9FbN9ZURCCZ86rPpxfUampgNO0clgrp3MwlqkhH4BJ3WHUuTWYAVj9qnHEa0/s640/P4270499.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
And with smiles on our faces, all
40,000+ of us went home--</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv2GP7m1cJU-FnSNHhGhNQ5-jEKyTG_Wxst1ikaWSDf9kE61qZeOBAb7o3A0ihUVLfVAdu_7PQuWpMtmW1et9tlyveGpgImAwX2UHfmvmzPI-kBPxGDxfiCwmBKQanbPbCBmZuf-U_Ouo/s1600/P4270509.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv2GP7m1cJU-FnSNHhGhNQ5-jEKyTG_Wxst1ikaWSDf9kE61qZeOBAb7o3A0ihUVLfVAdu_7PQuWpMtmW1et9tlyveGpgImAwX2UHfmvmzPI-kBPxGDxfiCwmBKQanbPbCBmZuf-U_Ouo/s640/P4270509.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Loraine and I walked the 3 kilometers
back to the hotel, barely beating the rain that started to fall,
although we could've been packed into trams like human sardines, if
we had wished--</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3sAajyCsHQtfbubFbBaFbQfJFeA4zhsUmUHiMzmhjfEJxI_r1TPc06DdZ4dutDvrMJfPL_cp5wS0Ms2h_8Blg8RINOhXCZPGOcOpMWrTpKg7va3MFsMsMSFQKJTa-GJAwAoej2yu6a4/s1600/P4270518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3sAajyCsHQtfbubFbBaFbQfJFeA4zhsUmUHiMzmhjfEJxI_r1TPc06DdZ4dutDvrMJfPL_cp5wS0Ms2h_8Blg8RINOhXCZPGOcOpMWrTpKg7va3MFsMsMSFQKJTa-GJAwAoej2yu6a4/s640/P4270518.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
All in all, it was an amazing
experience, and one that I'm so happy Loraine was able to scratch off
her bucket list. I'm guessing the smile won't be leaving her face
for a few days!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
8-)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Okay...just to prove that we did a few
things other than soccer today, here's today's totally gratuitous
shot of lilacs, this time next to a street wagon that sells beer--</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVsgyq7UMCuGh8Vxz1eI8hd9jbH7eLlvDNw05iRGOiZTyTGmsWctLqObJy1GJUrnGS2gWgdKCsO8HvvXzmRCpex33g__W7X3BVhjd5kqniD7GRANXaHsj9yeHoDt7GU657QwYL8MjU_VI/s1600/P4270307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVsgyq7UMCuGh8Vxz1eI8hd9jbH7eLlvDNw05iRGOiZTyTGmsWctLqObJy1GJUrnGS2gWgdKCsO8HvvXzmRCpex33g__W7X3BVhjd5kqniD7GRANXaHsj9yeHoDt7GU657QwYL8MjU_VI/s640/P4270307.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Today's totally gratuitous Leipzig
street musician shot--</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmDDte-W9s6WOCY4EPuLOqf9D4O3kmWyhZTLOGmBPAI0avC3X0vIu5KqRSutOYUDiDdxJ3Gb-wwyZuodR1voXkX07x59bE1xJ97REqF_Zi6olGJMMIJ30SQDFCYSSPpkQEtbPt_SJc-wE/s1600/P4270319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmDDte-W9s6WOCY4EPuLOqf9D4O3kmWyhZTLOGmBPAI0avC3X0vIu5KqRSutOYUDiDdxJ3Gb-wwyZuodR1voXkX07x59bE1xJ97REqF_Zi6olGJMMIJ30SQDFCYSSPpkQEtbPt_SJc-wE/s640/P4270319.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
That young man, like many other street
musicians around here, was playing Ed Sheeran's Shape of You” on
his vibraphone. I don't know for sure, but based on the number of
times we've heard it play the past few days I'm guessing it was one
of Germany's biggest hits the past few years. And I learned
something today about the tradition of street musicians in Leipzig,
and how they may have been a catalyst in those protests that brought
down the old East German government 30 years ago.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I'll share that story tomorrow.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
And finally, you know how I mentioned
how Homer Simpson might like the beer backpack the vendors carry
around on their backs in Red Bull Arena? Well, that thought must have occurred because Homer was stuck in my mind, both from the doughnut package we
saw in a store this morning--</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBLod8EZB3qppQINNqO-V3xPAnf8k69Ku6ee6fiPgdH4OsvLLFRuPbUu0aStKjQkCKyuFf5rJY98AzqcNZotDpWcP1CKClojk5cT5R2oSCa5BBZZBrFzsO4qRR46P-tvRz_UGGUrE6zS4/s1600/P4270320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBLod8EZB3qppQINNqO-V3xPAnf8k69Ku6ee6fiPgdH4OsvLLFRuPbUu0aStKjQkCKyuFf5rJY98AzqcNZotDpWcP1CKClojk5cT5R2oSCa5BBZZBrFzsO4qRR46P-tvRz_UGGUrE6zS4/s640/P4270320.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
And from what popped up on the TV when we
turned it on looking for the soccer pre-game show.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Mfif_Hq05st6Ll-QWU51Hf48JMblUaNn8F8hEI0k_aFPyKA5sV5_xIvt6clR4IxRpDdzVhzQARb9aYMXOC6hT9Vpac2xIkeioLhnVSsdECf2xdokcO0W_y4p3kjy_d2e1_EkIzxy5e8/s1600/P4270323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Mfif_Hq05st6Ll-QWU51Hf48JMblUaNn8F8hEI0k_aFPyKA5sV5_xIvt6clR4IxRpDdzVhzQARb9aYMXOC6hT9Vpac2xIkeioLhnVSsdECf2xdokcO0W_y4p3kjy_d2e1_EkIzxy5e8/s640/P4270323.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
D'oh!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
(<a href="mailto:jim@wmqt.com">jim@wmqt.com</a>)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
(ps—because I'm not currently in the U.S. You Tube won't allow me access to the English-language version of the game highlights, so if you're REALLY curious as to what went on today just <a href="https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=leipzig+freiburg+fox+sports+2019" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a> and, assuming they've been posted, they should be the first thing that pops up after the search. If, of course, you're curious, and don't have anything better to do, like grouting your sink or re-creating the Taj Mahal out of your belly button lint).</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
Jim & Loraine Explore Europehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06025780721003328665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2509666114226450396.post-82796546394810695262019-04-26T15:14:00.002-04:002019-04-26T15:14:26.445-04:00The Jerseys Were Hung By The Mirror With Care...
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
FRIDAY, 4/26:</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
There's another accordion player plying
his trade right underneath our hotel window tonight. And it's a
different one than last night, which means that the Leipzig Accordion
Players Guild has at least both a president AND a vice president!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Greetings again from our sixth floor
room in Leipzig, where the accordion player has just launched into
his version of the theme from “The Godfather", if you're curious.
We spent a full day exploring this wondrous city. I promised you a
history lesson yesterday and you will receive it—in three parts, no
less, because, well, you know me & history—but first, it was
market day today.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjSaoI8ZnuqDk8pzK1wGCgFTYZPB8d1y3BakGRfvFikSwf4nWjnnxW9svLg4Dp_nJsvpU0qvhSzbjSt4XfslxfXNV3BG1xGJ7S3aZpw_rKRypRyS0YYnKh-AdaCI-eHbXS6A3C4QKv9C0/s1600/P4260194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjSaoI8ZnuqDk8pzK1wGCgFTYZPB8d1y3BakGRfvFikSwf4nWjnnxW9svLg4Dp_nJsvpU0qvhSzbjSt4XfslxfXNV3BG1xGJ7S3aZpw_rKRypRyS0YYnKh-AdaCI-eHbXS6A3C4QKv9C0/s640/P4260194.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Market day is always an amazing thing
in Europe. This is the first spring-time one we've ever been to,
which means that while there was not the ginormous selection of fresh
fruits & vegetables you usually associate with a farmer's
market, there was plenty of this German delicacy--</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDVfJTrWAaqvQFMeFmWHX9reIvRK6AuX-xarFRsb52uSgogZqJ1QzYl773eNai7cYeTlbL7R8cs3WajWhovEsZaGXhmTOH5O1mEgVP4-d02z9OfhjDgyVgG6e2JSDzvAP5266bpfTqa7Q/s1600/P4260193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDVfJTrWAaqvQFMeFmWHX9reIvRK6AuX-xarFRsb52uSgogZqJ1QzYl773eNai7cYeTlbL7R8cs3WajWhovEsZaGXhmTOH5O1mEgVP4-d02z9OfhjDgyVgG6e2JSDzvAP5266bpfTqa7Q/s640/P4260193.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
White asparagus is a springtime treat
here. It's among the first plants to burst forth after winter ends,
and asparagus “season” is prized by cooks & consumers
throughout the country. For a couple of weeks dishes featuring the
vegetable are offered at restaurants everywhere, and people eat as
much of it as they can before it's gone for another year.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
It's so German and so revered, in fact,
that our old friend Tony the Tour Guide, who grew up in Germany, said
he didn't even know asparagus could be green until he moved back to
the U.S.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Since we didn't rent a car this time
around, and since we're in a place with an amazing mass transit
system, we picked up a couple of multi-day passes and spent most of
the day riding around in one of these--</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPxs89DbM85-RdpYf1XKeN_k9T1b1vxq9MSvfagbBYjtEyT0OEzNLeJepoQ3BZ61UjB_QjqgTmKUHrjch4qwSsNA9K5EMsAQ-yr0aTMjsFxG-UCQ6op0cSM15H3WHR_TXK1NNXlhGILVw/s1600/P4260199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPxs89DbM85-RdpYf1XKeN_k9T1b1vxq9MSvfagbBYjtEyT0OEzNLeJepoQ3BZ61UjB_QjqgTmKUHrjch4qwSsNA9K5EMsAQ-yr0aTMjsFxG-UCQ6op0cSM15H3WHR_TXK1NNXlhGILVw/s640/P4260199.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Trams can take you just about anywhere
in the area, including just a short ten minute ride to this, the
largest monument in all of Europe--</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1mG6-4I1w8mYBdIY9SfVLG11Jt-pKFDKcQnkbkCDtmfYqFjsyukmE9ERKE5XLSGwtavO6VPxzhl5TgNV02G7HU2bx1BmFr4M_5pNmmamx51uL-gAxNrHdEtgFhZNBsOYbLjtQwanynn4/s1600/P4260203_rotated.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1mG6-4I1w8mYBdIY9SfVLG11Jt-pKFDKcQnkbkCDtmfYqFjsyukmE9ERKE5XLSGwtavO6VPxzhl5TgNV02G7HU2bx1BmFr4M_5pNmmamx51uL-gAxNrHdEtgFhZNBsOYbLjtQwanynn4/s640/P4260203_rotated.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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This is the Volkerschlachtdekmal, or
the Monument to the Battle of the Nations. It commemorates the spot
where Napoleon was finally defeated by a coalition of different
nations, including Saxony, which was home to Leipzig at the time.
It's HUGE—almost 200 feet tall—and it's guarded by one mean
looking dude standing over the entranceway--</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ru4Xa5byP-kHLyHVTJZVCZIIRp0p7V_Mh-zwk22JSisSXy5aaBlOMSBSh3y6ErM3uYaZzyEjS_ewqfW2OCEzZMBH55ZjMzYzn1jeTHE_W05nzY5Jw3WKKtTtZ1DLH2nCiY56JR-v4YI/s1600/P4260210_rotated.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ru4Xa5byP-kHLyHVTJZVCZIIRp0p7V_Mh-zwk22JSisSXy5aaBlOMSBSh3y6ErM3uYaZzyEjS_ewqfW2OCEzZMBH55ZjMzYzn1jeTHE_W05nzY5Jw3WKKtTtZ1DLH2nCiY56JR-v4YI/s640/P4260210_rotated.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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You can climb halfway up it, and if you
so desire, can pay an extra fee to get all the way to the top.
Either way, you're rewarded by views of the city and the surrounding
countryside.
</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE-3u0_9rO-apBUhResdwxQdRK9DF2txEy0iKNCSXWQtPYuvRYlkSEFRu7NZq0k13qG17oS1TU-HRyLBeZT6EGsb4mCiTG5m1BW_Q47hjc-thY-JXmRGU5c2FOAMcURmbAxFHbySJOuJA/s1600/P4260217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE-3u0_9rO-apBUhResdwxQdRK9DF2txEy0iKNCSXWQtPYuvRYlkSEFRu7NZq0k13qG17oS1TU-HRyLBeZT6EGsb4mCiTG5m1BW_Q47hjc-thY-JXmRGU5c2FOAMcURmbAxFHbySJOuJA/s640/P4260217.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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It was quite funny going up the stairs
and watching people huff, puff, and having to take a break to catch
their breath. I have a feeling that if people tried climbing the
monument even just once a day both their calf muscles and the
cardiovascular endurance would grow by leaps & bounds.</div>
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</div>
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We then hopped back on the tram, and
after a stop or two ended up on the other side of Leipzig for this
piece of history--</div>
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</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnrRoHThQKRqaDXEvYxkuG9iq6plPWhSg1pUepTipn5ZRQ-Vnp1dWYU2IL5FL2OxWngeVgDD2Eso-7TmVtB1pVBY704R_nnSNsfEfPaRuzxobfOVBjGtCuGZxYu96cGP3nykXEsLPs47g/s1600/P4260254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnrRoHThQKRqaDXEvYxkuG9iq6plPWhSg1pUepTipn5ZRQ-Vnp1dWYU2IL5FL2OxWngeVgDD2Eso-7TmVtB1pVBY704R_nnSNsfEfPaRuzxobfOVBjGtCuGZxYu96cGP3nykXEsLPs47g/s640/P4260254.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
It's called the Capa House, after famed
war photographer Robert Capa (whose work you've seen, even if you
don;t know it). Capa was photographing American soldiers in this
house in April of 1945 when he caught a young American, Raymond
Bowman, as he was shot by a German sniper. The resulting photograph,
entitled <a href="https://rarehistoricalphotos.com/raymond_bowman-sniper-1945/" target="_blank">"Last Man To Die"</a> is now a revered work</div>
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<br />
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC3Frc4M7hAgUuYD6uh0mPHOos6UGMp8WkXiI6lxJzLQI2KinPCkHGEZPjIXTvhWXOXrRASJAAbYktuEP-JLpsO7WGJxhTGVg1E17tu-pVvGW8uIGSMb9CvVr82WT03kslACYW0GdEpwQ/s1600/Raymond_Bowman_robert_capa_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1556" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC3Frc4M7hAgUuYD6uh0mPHOos6UGMp8WkXiI6lxJzLQI2KinPCkHGEZPjIXTvhWXOXrRASJAAbYktuEP-JLpsO7WGJxhTGVg1E17tu-pVvGW8uIGSMb9CvVr82WT03kslACYW0GdEpwQ/s640/Raymond_Bowman_robert_capa_1.jpg" width="622" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">courtesy Magnum Photos</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
And both Capa</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKykjWTBELRBxSKX0h_NbByr4HVGtY6qnehDhtdIrskJ7r0pE2H6syIex5ojRUaArPjrvUmFln95nJtg3n9xpkEMpk2gMbIyq_V-hPnfe-xBm6bb0T8ITM7m0_Jdsl8So6hRjVJUD9bsM/s1600/P4260253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKykjWTBELRBxSKX0h_NbByr4HVGtY6qnehDhtdIrskJ7r0pE2H6syIex5ojRUaArPjrvUmFln95nJtg3n9xpkEMpk2gMbIyq_V-hPnfe-xBm6bb0T8ITM7m0_Jdsl8So6hRjVJUD9bsM/s640/P4260253.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
and Bowman have nearby streets named
after them.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYt3wDXrRjSiiUsWPJIGht5B9osjVcKHzZHU3PWzG3fNTFAPn3YuLQ62mxfryktBnYaan5d1zlaNKQx4EKjEaRCTJCYoYX3j2d9v0hLGAaaN5lLScLiBxUPqIiosJdNksHzOT6qCluAGc/s1600/P4260259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYt3wDXrRjSiiUsWPJIGht5B9osjVcKHzZHU3PWzG3fNTFAPn3YuLQ62mxfryktBnYaan5d1zlaNKQx4EKjEaRCTJCYoYX3j2d9v0hLGAaaN5lLScLiBxUPqIiosJdNksHzOT6qCluAGc/s640/P4260259.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The naming of these streets is a recent event in the city's
history. Even though the Americans liberated the area at the end of
World War II it was in the Soviet occupation zone, and once the war
was over Leipzig became part of communist East Germany. And that
brings me to the story I promised to tell yesterday. You remember
the picture I took out of our hotel window, the one where I said we're
staying right above historic ground?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkmkXUgtOGpDXWS6He0S9QsJfkfrP9a9L7xOufV99JfCAq-bgFQVvS1cwn0hL2iMilXqkTuTxZ54LAdYmZd7Tu6qS1CiC4yxy773oIgKkO4uPbkoR0juleIhnG8Dn7FRAQCZ5UVacl2Ak/s1600/P4250149_rotated.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkmkXUgtOGpDXWS6He0S9QsJfkfrP9a9L7xOufV99JfCAq-bgFQVvS1cwn0hL2iMilXqkTuTxZ54LAdYmZd7Tu6qS1CiC4yxy773oIgKkO4uPbkoR0juleIhnG8Dn7FRAQCZ5UVacl2Ak/s640/P4250149_rotated.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Well, that's the plaza of the
Nikolaikirche, and it was in this plaza in October of 1989 that
students from the University of Leipzig started holding nightly
candlelight vigils opposing the East German government and its
totalitarian ways. Soon, the protests spread to other parts of the
Eastern Bloc, and within a month the Berlin Wall fell.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
And it all started right outside our
hotel window.</div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Today, the University of Leipzig is a
thriving place--</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKAd6cA3uvzBDMCfvIwFtMNw5BDJKRcYGe58tdITOOeLlo5TS04TJaavFbYt4RzAo-8zVo8xWatEXkAhHMyzqURhcCi3NwtNoJDaHarlomOof0jgz3VpLvxamZbS5mpHOdst-xHdGQG1c/s1600/P4260236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKAd6cA3uvzBDMCfvIwFtMNw5BDJKRcYGe58tdITOOeLlo5TS04TJaavFbYt4RzAo-8zVo8xWatEXkAhHMyzqURhcCi3NwtNoJDaHarlomOof0jgz3VpLvxamZbS5mpHOdst-xHdGQG1c/s640/P4260236.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Filled with students gulping down their
coffee on the way to class. I'm glad to know that they honor those
pioneering young people from the 30 years ago with yearly candlelight
vigils--</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzS8How74a47nVmEnBt-5rlKn63p2eYp4YEtpBpiiQr7_mBKuoAPobnIk1noWUdOkMJzNa__cSLOKWh2ZkroFR9eqmPyDUUlB_qLaEyX6YuA73icpwFMyOrs5rUYAngV3_tw1BfTGwOnY/s1600/Leipzigs-historic-candlelight-vigil_germany+tourism+office.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="400" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzS8How74a47nVmEnBt-5rlKn63p2eYp4YEtpBpiiQr7_mBKuoAPobnIk1noWUdOkMJzNa__cSLOKWh2ZkroFR9eqmPyDUUlB_qLaEyX6YuA73icpwFMyOrs5rUYAngV3_tw1BfTGwOnY/s640/Leipzigs-historic-candlelight-vigil_germany+tourism+office.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo courtesy German Tourism Office</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
As does the hotel we're staying in.
Above the bar you see lights that, when you look at them long enough,
represent the candles the students used to help bring a country down.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD-dSU1KiYIA2MKx4HbsTc7zxrNejyuyxfYo3M0cKTfpWrHrwqYlnHFEMdbpp1xW9XsuI-b6P74C-a8TAHwmFpmvkTIRCs0jpDt29PLsHN4Ftg2x5w1AmnBU5b3UpF9RqzSdZVlZnmbuU/s1600/booking+dot+com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD-dSU1KiYIA2MKx4HbsTc7zxrNejyuyxfYo3M0cKTfpWrHrwqYlnHFEMdbpp1xW9XsuI-b6P74C-a8TAHwmFpmvkTIRCs0jpDt29PLsHN4Ftg2x5w1AmnBU5b3UpF9RqzSdZVlZnmbuU/s640/booking+dot+com.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo courtesy Motel One/Booking.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Okay; that's it for the history today.
Long time readers of these ramblings will be happy to know that
Loraine and I had our traditional Italian restaurant date at a place
called the Ristorante Valentino, where Loraine had a gratin with
turkey, broccoli and cheese, while I was barely able to down a huge
bowl of gnocchi al quatro formaggi, or gnocchi with four cheeses.
Why that particular restaurant, you ask? Well, I answer, they had
“liked” a couple of comments Loraine had made on the RB Leipzig
Facebook page. In fact, our server was apparently the very person
who clicked “like” on those comments. We just figured we'd stop
by and say “hey”. And we did!</div>
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</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Okay...here's today's totally random
picture of lilacs, this time with a little graffiti. Although I do
have to give props to one of the artists, who DID use a lilac-colored
spray paint in one of the works--</div>
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</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJGqv9jkxBE1vGUfq9Ux5pTSaX9-Lm46VZw7h-NGXDQlyRT7zCK3N9nOcxm5DFJ2ocPPzhYc1zfuQ79JVO2DxEsrFNE4f3FRtUmXw7IZJLyUMxJ19x6eqHZ3gt3nazucVLXBl14fTu7fY/s1600/P4260274_rotated.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJGqv9jkxBE1vGUfq9Ux5pTSaX9-Lm46VZw7h-NGXDQlyRT7zCK3N9nOcxm5DFJ2ocPPzhYc1zfuQ79JVO2DxEsrFNE4f3FRtUmXw7IZJLyUMxJ19x6eqHZ3gt3nazucVLXBl14fTu7fY/s640/P4260274_rotated.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Today's totally random picture of a
stormtrooper just chilling--</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvvvmO-xbQLfVtlqk-wU_VI5QLLuGru2pgrj7adJaUhu0rUXxgZpjsThRKvf8gG7ZBMKG1PI_bNruq58WYGSQI5ztmM2mdLdorHrbMi1LvpBtOlsGLgqt1RE7aM_GWnRTO2-84KLeffaM/s1600/P4260249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvvvmO-xbQLfVtlqk-wU_VI5QLLuGru2pgrj7adJaUhu0rUXxgZpjsThRKvf8gG7ZBMKG1PI_bNruq58WYGSQI5ztmM2mdLdorHrbMi1LvpBtOlsGLgqt1RE7aM_GWnRTO2-84KLeffaM/s640/P4260249.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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</div>
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And today's montage of street
musicians, both in picture form--</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaPxQ74I7Dy1cqdTkVe8Rgi-SBbu2zvTCrCqSQYwd78Hn-VW51FW0kTwcf6bLMjacq9DJvhjpN8g44n74dqa2qQ8LSrDQWV4SVvsvREf4-1mmwUtyQtjBzwZDsop_jtnH3ySgAfLYlUaY/s1600/P4260288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaPxQ74I7Dy1cqdTkVe8Rgi-SBbu2zvTCrCqSQYwd78Hn-VW51FW0kTwcf6bLMjacq9DJvhjpN8g44n74dqa2qQ8LSrDQWV4SVvsvREf4-1mmwUtyQtjBzwZDsop_jtnH3ySgAfLYlUaY/s640/P4260288.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
And in video form, in case you ever
wondered what a clarinet player sounds like when you're leaning out a
window fifty feet above them--</div>
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<br />
</div>
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<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/EB3_1F9-n2g/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EB3_1F9-n2g?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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</div>
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</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
That's it for now. As I mentioned in
the title, the jerseys are hung by the mirror with care...</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMA6KvYLVX94xLMoQQoS8gpWhpen3t4JDckBXfgXELshR_rpamtILQd71RNtTiDTznnsV7zoj06Z95rcz3KBohtW6eRFV3GKwpL3hMQOFgONGNIbpaOLuo6gRf2sRNFiDzGTZCSvj07hk/s1600/20190426_193002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMA6KvYLVX94xLMoQQoS8gpWhpen3t4JDckBXfgXELshR_rpamtILQd71RNtTiDTznnsV7zoj06Z95rcz3KBohtW6eRFV3GKwpL3hMQOFgONGNIbpaOLuo6gRf2sRNFiDzGTZCSvj07hk/s640/20190426_193002.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
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<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Because tomorrow, we go see these guys
play!</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnr5PafHSIMdNLyWsNLsrsrUstronrmTaMdgbFqSrz0LBSInCe2525_UkBI3ZSYrpLX4ddyW2luJEPe7TuON6XbLU5my6j2a6RNuAZNpAUDEEe2LLS9jPFa5UTP594vr3tVot01IiomZg/s1600/P4260277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnr5PafHSIMdNLyWsNLsrsrUstronrmTaMdgbFqSrz0LBSInCe2525_UkBI3ZSYrpLX4ddyW2luJEPe7TuON6XbLU5my6j2a6RNuAZNpAUDEEe2LLS9jPFa5UTP594vr3tVot01IiomZg/s640/P4260277.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Full details after the game.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
(<a href="mailto:jim@wmqt.com">jim@wmqt.com</a>)</div>
Jim & Loraine Explore Europehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06025780721003328665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2509666114226450396.post-27557827381024298232019-04-25T16:22:00.000-04:002019-04-25T17:21:25.865-04:00Durch die Fenster eines Zuges...<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
THURSDAY, 4/25:</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Did you know there's a way to travel
that doesn't involve waiting in lines, sitting in cramped seats, having your knees bashed by people in front of you reclining their cramped seats, and
having to subject yourself to body cavity searches?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
It's true. I know, because we did it
today!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Greetings from Leipzig, our home for
the majority of this trip. For the next five nights, in fact, we're
living the high life (or at least life on the fifth floor) of the
Motel One Nikolaikirche. And we get to overlook a piece of German
history--</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDH35IQfaWETuUdsAXQdOKzbharetTg5xQhzOwK4DLfPVOmVuAmZk9eRut1EgYwuDZahsxTvAb61aqRTXIGew1tP6XR3ucbTl85nV4ltcp9BVn7QXfbFAtl5uiSSQuih1RDTFp-KtJpZA/s1600/P4250149_rotated.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDH35IQfaWETuUdsAXQdOKzbharetTg5xQhzOwK4DLfPVOmVuAmZk9eRut1EgYwuDZahsxTvAb61aqRTXIGew1tP6XR3ucbTl85nV4ltcp9BVn7QXfbFAtl5uiSSQuih1RDTFp-KtJpZA/s640/P4250149_rotated.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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The story of why it's so historic in a
bit.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
First, though, let me circle back to
how we got here, because it was a little amazing. For instance, how
would you like to travel the distance from Marquette to Green Bay in
just over an hour, where you would just have to show up at a place,
go down some stairs, and hop into a vehicle without standing,
waiting, showing thousands of documents, and having dozens of people
eye you suspiciously? Well, you can.</div>
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<br /></div>
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You just need to travel by train.</div>
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<br /></div>
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It's true. We just showed up to this place in
Berlin--</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEnrwtP4VY7Rkou3k_Dl3r8BwNkGzXgOEPS0zheU1IvpkVHfhal0MIngT822ukToDH_y4nZrbKS7WygrixXXG3GzBrHItHt78ZVFXkdOGa50CQWEf8d18wh6pH-xW3yNvfV1myx9CmqEU/s1600/P4240034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEnrwtP4VY7Rkou3k_Dl3r8BwNkGzXgOEPS0zheU1IvpkVHfhal0MIngT822ukToDH_y4nZrbKS7WygrixXXG3GzBrHItHt78ZVFXkdOGa50CQWEf8d18wh6pH-xW3yNvfV1myx9CmqEU/s640/P4240034.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Found this sign--</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiooDatuQwS8OXgVsrvePjfQau3ozlp5nFhiqizOcUd1FD6qUdAibA_6U7pXJRtWmJp45aA6EdQlqBvrNI2KZPufkjWyYqeLp-k_2ERT09qococi6HE9vAGMskNx3WY0c-hQS3SpsRtyEU/s1600/P4250080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiooDatuQwS8OXgVsrvePjfQau3ozlp5nFhiqizOcUd1FD6qUdAibA_6U7pXJRtWmJp45aA6EdQlqBvrNI2KZPufkjWyYqeLp-k_2ERT09qococi6HE9vAGMskNx3WY0c-hQS3SpsRtyEU/s640/P4250080.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Hopped aboard this thing--</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyBB2s-qFpfS7Uz1r4O0pK29sUKmuZPy_6L5c93196Uh1ic5jNVNP2qm4MxkCbf3N0vJtytm1VNvAXh8QvUBGcpENLafOqu3hOp4IoYfdBGFzjo149caS-tQo0eSTpjRwE28e1qrs6_ck/s1600/P4250128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyBB2s-qFpfS7Uz1r4O0pK29sUKmuZPy_6L5c93196Uh1ic5jNVNP2qm4MxkCbf3N0vJtytm1VNvAXh8QvUBGcpENLafOqu3hOp4IoYfdBGFzjo149caS-tQo0eSTpjRwE28e1qrs6_ck/s640/P4250128.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Found our reservation--</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1_QYvAJPtAjU-kuOoQgoZlT36qv-PgF6iixtIfYhON-iqkm0Fx4JTm9EeZllsOmcmIpITY3_loJy2A1j_Jsij83SeJocOtF80dLkraqVijI2IGRXoUen3YWbqGI7HEerqadUBNf_jZ_E/s1600/P4250098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1_QYvAJPtAjU-kuOoQgoZlT36qv-PgF6iixtIfYhON-iqkm0Fx4JTm9EeZllsOmcmIpITY3_loJy2A1j_Jsij83SeJocOtF80dLkraqVijI2IGRXoUen3YWbqGI7HEerqadUBNf_jZ_E/s640/P4250098.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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And sat in something like this--</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLl4fCzzqYBJ6SUQzlQZOgA87d_trGCOl8LOXs6rB1tFkSesYtrewfGUuwDcybGymRThKrOgk0tI7PhZlGrKao1KUj-bZXO6ok0xe9V5uGOhgxsBNsCk22W_WNRpiSvmjEfffJjvHW65o/s1600/P4250089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLl4fCzzqYBJ6SUQzlQZOgA87d_trGCOl8LOXs6rB1tFkSesYtrewfGUuwDcybGymRThKrOgk0tI7PhZlGrKao1KUj-bZXO6ok0xe9V5uGOhgxsBNsCk22W_WNRpiSvmjEfffJjvHW65o/s640/P4250089.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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We then pulled out of Berlin and at
200 kilometers per hour found ourselves in Leipzig a little over an
hour later. We literally (and I'm not kidding about this) spent that
much time just going through security, “pre-boarding”, and then
boarding our flight to London in Chicago Tuesday. If you could
travel the same way in the U.S. I don't think that I'd ever fly again...and
this is coming from someone who loves flying (just not the waiting
and cavity-searching part). Besides, in a train you get to sit back,
stretch your legs (an amazingly wondrous thing in and of itself), and
look out the window, where you can see farm fields--</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGS4J3MiGuDliCljsQIqLZFar5a_hOyZ6mH_PgHlivRLV9Wm4KgS7SCs_0MeTKD4EXRsvET6Ztez3GUCY4bGjs4HfkThNvQzcx2N4MJRKJyrLDa8mcu2AdqsSYo9OhpSI8FEa_qCXssy8/s1600/P4250109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGS4J3MiGuDliCljsQIqLZFar5a_hOyZ6mH_PgHlivRLV9Wm4KgS7SCs_0MeTKD4EXRsvET6Ztez3GUCY4bGjs4HfkThNvQzcx2N4MJRKJyrLDa8mcu2AdqsSYo9OhpSI8FEa_qCXssy8/s640/P4250109.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Town after town--</div>
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzMIEdNu50HwJBLVqy35OXC8EA-0QoQw-TBZZckXiXnz5nRS8DQOtPzWM5Jg_1xn0Q83lv23QaNbtqoaWujFEaETp8b9vBb5kFpzupRqGEGETBfHSvjD1THJu15C-6pLCd8hmSOoK-1fg/s1600/P4250107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzMIEdNu50HwJBLVqy35OXC8EA-0QoQw-TBZZckXiXnz5nRS8DQOtPzWM5Jg_1xn0Q83lv23QaNbtqoaWujFEaETp8b9vBb5kFpzupRqGEGETBfHSvjD1THJu15C-6pLCd8hmSOoK-1fg/s640/P4250107.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
And things that most definitely do NOT
cause cancer--</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRqJpIvb9Fjo9kHy5kUz3hwwexqrFwqUOQQFmA39F-qszIGxd8hC17pzhcDaRxrmEESk0mZOOXtjQiBbm58EggMudcHJHJS-vXWku5g-XA82k3cy_bTal4VnIHFJZ9bvCr3e7VRuDAe4o/s1600/P4250105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRqJpIvb9Fjo9kHy5kUz3hwwexqrFwqUOQQFmA39F-qszIGxd8hC17pzhcDaRxrmEESk0mZOOXtjQiBbm58EggMudcHJHJS-vXWku5g-XA82k3cy_bTal4VnIHFJZ9bvCr3e7VRuDAe4o/s640/P4250105.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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</div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Germany, of course, gets half their electricity from wind & solar power, with the goal of using 100% renewable energy in the next decade. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Heck, during your ride you can even get into a race with
a slower train that goes from small town to small town--</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXndWlXgaPIZj_8RPkvCvN0JWC4M2rfiQPi3DOqM1LGx8qnRkCWgerCJfno_a8TmhXINvviSAjRO_-jH5nFKbdKkK3x7oSQnpwEEaGOOpnbRPmM831mHF3yubqzVcu5W_-8pBsCX1KSQg/s1600/P4250126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXndWlXgaPIZj_8RPkvCvN0JWC4M2rfiQPi3DOqM1LGx8qnRkCWgerCJfno_a8TmhXINvviSAjRO_-jH5nFKbdKkK3x7oSQnpwEEaGOOpnbRPmM831mHF3yubqzVcu5W_-8pBsCX1KSQg/s640/P4250126.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Spoiler alert—our train won.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Our hotel in Leipzig is a short walk
from the Hauptbahnhof (the train station where we arrived) and once
we checked in we made our way out into another 80 degree day to
one of Loraine's two Holy Grails, the RB Leipzig fan shop--</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF49YEsR8rtUtgNy0v4uOwvLv0wfZIiL8fhz25eMZPyID-59Ogq1gca2pdz-p6jKaDSHCc0poiVMQpZGMjmUngAyFfubbrmRaI1daRy1wUTCMCVqCGQJ3VzK4J4Y2HpaHuBZGpK3Hy94E/s1600/P4250142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF49YEsR8rtUtgNy0v4uOwvLv0wfZIiL8fhz25eMZPyID-59Ogq1gca2pdz-p6jKaDSHCc0poiVMQpZGMjmUngAyFfubbrmRaI1daRy1wUTCMCVqCGQJ3VzK4J4Y2HpaHuBZGpK3Hy94E/s640/P4250142.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The young lady you see smiling in the
above picture was in her happy place--</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTXlner65kVCNRHsUBzwGy2K33SHgVRUWbGgKwuBgzWx0ZLzDAmNSyVvhLXQuOavNY92OklYNUy_zCLEukRY-RP3bC-N4_0lkqgM_UE-fyIY9QFLwaUDTRho2wJV3bRyiCa-rdXbkHFT8/s1600/P4250143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTXlner65kVCNRHsUBzwGy2K33SHgVRUWbGgKwuBgzWx0ZLzDAmNSyVvhLXQuOavNY92OklYNUy_zCLEukRY-RP3bC-N4_0lkqgM_UE-fyIY9QFLwaUDTRho2wJV3bRyiCa-rdXbkHFT8/s640/P4250143.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Going through shelves and racks filled
with nothing but merchandise from her favorite team. I have to admit
I had a good time, too, and since it's near the end of the Bundesliga
season and almost everything was on sale...well, we may have bought a
few things--</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWm3UXxy8Fu3k0a_vsg1ApYRUGlPvijTg2eaoCsEDBeBmw0r0805A_W2q_SabRt2RaluqP7RGunsHJSlcG49TZcubpeLiMs5_RkMBHbEBkKqZQ5HzbvLwm5KpvEi3IZzjBUhzR98vb_K8/s1600/P4250188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWm3UXxy8Fu3k0a_vsg1ApYRUGlPvijTg2eaoCsEDBeBmw0r0805A_W2q_SabRt2RaluqP7RGunsHJSlcG49TZcubpeLiMs5_RkMBHbEBkKqZQ5HzbvLwm5KpvEi3IZzjBUhzR98vb_K8/s640/P4250188.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
But that's why we came to Leipzig.
Well, that, and Saturday's game against Freiburg. But you have to be
properly outfitted for the game, right?</div>
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Right?</div>
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The city itself is an amazing place--</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlnEYP_hsHNnM7iqZajIg_PiSOAW8cFfnWFPflIpWQlm6KWmD-Fi_d6Z1yTWrqdXQ3H-YFNIv3zGdLeB69TMYE7jn_Ye7MGVs8ojB2iiad0faqF-OULZbPx9l8NfsrffZ98Dc0IJTrxI0/s1600/P4250139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlnEYP_hsHNnM7iqZajIg_PiSOAW8cFfnWFPflIpWQlm6KWmD-Fi_d6Z1yTWrqdXQ3H-YFNIv3zGdLeB69TMYE7jn_Ye7MGVs8ojB2iiad0faqF-OULZbPx9l8NfsrffZ98Dc0IJTrxI0/s640/P4250139.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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It's a big university town with lots of
history, lots of great food, and, perhaps most importantly, lots of
music. Leipzig prides itself on its musical heritage, both past &
present. Bach used to play organ at the church across the street
from our hotel, and even today everywhere you go you're serenaded by
street musicians, from a guy playing an accordion--</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNpcp8tSq2Hd3cXeXMNZtys0kVFDW3vTGer1dbjHdtCQJFBZdNIaF9L8EcaIRaP_c0JWZXsVymQXr-dh1261HClkEbbMvZCNztM3lAzaje_AhbiN0Ij8Lvgqd325KGn5fq3zDYU5r_CNY/s1600/P4250180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNpcp8tSq2Hd3cXeXMNZtys0kVFDW3vTGer1dbjHdtCQJFBZdNIaF9L8EcaIRaP_c0JWZXsVymQXr-dh1261HClkEbbMvZCNztM3lAzaje_AhbiN0Ij8Lvgqd325KGn5fq3zDYU5r_CNY/s640/P4250180.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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To a duo performing Cyndi Lauper's
“True Colors”--</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3HPYZYWNtB8xJid31AKHzxG4bXPUgxynoimq3_sxuXSSbDyII7KRM-PeNmz5TXwTRTE-zR4Vu-9nxJQlH1DkG8xrsHcdpexRWBgTUi4FELCeJ-_t8d8WlKUoao2G0XAnUG1CFJqnaZj0/s1600/P4250162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3HPYZYWNtB8xJid31AKHzxG4bXPUgxynoimq3_sxuXSSbDyII7KRM-PeNmz5TXwTRTE-zR4Vu-9nxJQlH1DkG8xrsHcdpexRWBgTUi4FELCeJ-_t8d8WlKUoao2G0XAnUG1CFJqnaZj0/s640/P4250162.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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To, well, this--</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPrhFcs9gGD7A4F6C1Hshto7zZUDBfn37VpAVo3Zrb5wKjZ9gppsS6Ptt5VpoUWoqdubagFmLj1NepxWjU1lg3UYQq3iAgbXSE9X4UnORHdPUa3oOCvDXsiH2AlMHY3TQJVtXJeSP0gX0/s1600/P4250144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPrhFcs9gGD7A4F6C1Hshto7zZUDBfn37VpAVo3Zrb5wKjZ9gppsS6Ptt5VpoUWoqdubagFmLj1NepxWjU1lg3UYQq3iAgbXSE9X4UnORHdPUa3oOCvDXsiH2AlMHY3TQJVtXJeSP0gX0/s640/P4250144.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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In fact, even as I write this (at 10 pm
local time) you can hear someone playing the organ at the church,
part of a night tour for people who want to learn more abut the
city's musical history, along with someone playing a piccolo and someone else whistling along either one or the other. This really is a cool place.</div>
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Okay, I suppose I SHOULD wrap this up
if I ever want to get it posted. So, with your permission, I'll save
the history lesson I promised earlier for tomorrow. After all, it
probably won't be changing before then, will it?</div>
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So on that note, I'll leave you with a
gratuitous shot of a statue surrounded by lilacs--</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMIvV5zHYN5a8E00sMH0hedlX7CU7xpwxZUyyY4oVzAxiSxgT8wvFEEqR9MF3so74nE0PR3-5W1t_HnfHE5j5huTNwlVCQKcqgwF29BV9GXHIJ8PDMM_d4kZ26OCo_GM5mI4akuD06OW4/s1600/P4250068_rotated.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMIvV5zHYN5a8E00sMH0hedlX7CU7xpwxZUyyY4oVzAxiSxgT8wvFEEqR9MF3so74nE0PR3-5W1t_HnfHE5j5huTNwlVCQKcqgwF29BV9GXHIJ8PDMM_d4kZ26OCo_GM5mI4akuD06OW4/s640/P4250068_rotated.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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And what half-priced leftover Easter
candy looks like in Germany--</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9GwXmivk41Se8m__d2Uqreo5YAWsas0Y13dfaa7-SUbmnNxk1-M4eJmkUk0_BZRU_Njl6G3K5m59OgpIP88E7FJFLEq386Z5hDA19-P7GyTdj3rRmWi6hhDmdqOJkhId3tWBeHlmJTY4/s1600/P4250185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9GwXmivk41Se8m__d2Uqreo5YAWsas0Y13dfaa7-SUbmnNxk1-M4eJmkUk0_BZRU_Njl6G3K5m59OgpIP88E7FJFLEq386Z5hDA19-P7GyTdj3rRmWi6hhDmdqOJkhId3tWBeHlmJTY4/s640/P4250185.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The amazing thing about those? They
actually an an egg-liquor taste to them. Imagine that. Candy eggs
that actually taste like eggs. Who knew??</div>
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Tomorrow, we buy a pass and jump on the
tram. So until then...</div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
(<a href="mailto:jim@wmqt.com">jim@wmqt.com</a>)</div>
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Jim & Loraine Explore Europehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06025780721003328665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2509666114226450396.post-1989739441358275022019-04-24T14:56:00.002-04:002019-04-24T16:01:32.520-04:00Springtime Along The Spree<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
WEDNESDAY, 4/24:</div>
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Look at how green it is in Berlin!</div>
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Greetings from Germany's largest city,
its capital city, and where nearly 24 hour of airline travel, airline
food, and weird fellow airline passengers ended with an afternoon of
the two of us walking around in 80 degree sunshine.</div>
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You really can't ask for more, can you?
Well, as it turns out you can, at least today. Wanna see what else
we saw?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlVblk_0J6_whhNKR_Z2XAWR9MiElqL8C0X78QoqBJMwSDDBWvdvCHTtg6b2C_Y7DI5z-9gKYdef4YZdySj2kprZR2cr7wV-zuzlctBb4CXdYuivKtAp8dyiYwQCwkIrTg4vpTCXTExUM/s1600/P4240007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlVblk_0J6_whhNKR_Z2XAWR9MiElqL8C0X78QoqBJMwSDDBWvdvCHTtg6b2C_Y7DI5z-9gKYdef4YZdySj2kprZR2cr7wV-zuzlctBb4CXdYuivKtAp8dyiYwQCwkIrTg4vpTCXTExUM/s640/P4240007.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I know. In some ways, it really was a
perfect day, wasn't it? We're just in Berlin for the night, before
we catch the train to Leipzig for the whole reason de etre behind the
trip—Saturday's Bundesliga match between RB Leipzig and SC
Freiburg. But after a relatively pain free trip through German
customs, we hopped on a bus and soon found ourselves ensconced in a
Motel One right near one of the country's great city parks, the
Tiergarten--</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2KiST4iRRKnXdd52Q97-YBWCCHmAdPUK2IGUWu79dDVwwIENPBf0fJJZ43ttPXW_H5LFcOvwnvEy6Ixybh3hr9zIYll_UXraSHctrTFcuhpL5rMbCjeamJpWKguW1WNJVsCgOflfX7gs/s1600/P4240004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2KiST4iRRKnXdd52Q97-YBWCCHmAdPUK2IGUWu79dDVwwIENPBf0fJJZ43ttPXW_H5LFcOvwnvEy6Ixybh3hr9zIYll_UXraSHctrTFcuhpL5rMbCjeamJpWKguW1WNJVsCgOflfX7gs/s640/P4240004.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The Tiergarten was originally hunting
grouds for some long-ago Prussian king, and now is where the average
Berliner goes to walk, run, push a stroller, commune with nature,
play Frisbee, or paint graffiti over public bathrooms--</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3urYf5iRigvP3FA3FsJZ953uFAr-kS3mk1MFjmAjEyA1H2chvDis-T5USxLtqf2D3rjOVKN62qRbj5ZAMK6ZV4OaxWYwtkVtgWGCR_FU3XR78d6D3dnig5ro0DGz7IvFbduC9ym-fmhg/s1600/P4240005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3urYf5iRigvP3FA3FsJZ953uFAr-kS3mk1MFjmAjEyA1H2chvDis-T5USxLtqf2D3rjOVKN62qRbj5ZAMK6ZV4OaxWYwtkVtgWGCR_FU3XR78d6D3dnig5ro0DGz7IvFbduC9ym-fmhg/s640/P4240005.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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It's also where we saw the lilacs that
were pictured a little earlier. The eastern end of the Tiergarten sits at the Brandenburg Gate, once a symbol of German might and now
the stop for hundreds of selfie stick-wielding tourists at any given moment--</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7II9TVXOFeJwLqOw0p4AK_PGID90Xr_8Ke7R3dN0jPAp9Duc12iTuXILI4tlPLd8OTmvcTpu9KtIReLd8U01iSwSgnMswGfB7-8aUcFlxmFbV2LxC5_d-6vwuDvSJemx0FMn9zXmyj8s/s1600/P4240016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7II9TVXOFeJwLqOw0p4AK_PGID90Xr_8Ke7R3dN0jPAp9Duc12iTuXILI4tlPLd8OTmvcTpu9KtIReLd8U01iSwSgnMswGfB7-8aUcFlxmFbV2LxC5_d-6vwuDvSJemx0FMn9zXmyj8s/s640/P4240016.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I don't know if it was because of
today's weather or because it's always like this but Loraine and I
counted 20 tourist buses waiting to offload and/or onload their
passengers as we walked in the vicinity of the gate. We also had a
couple of other stops we wanted to make, at the Ritter Sports Store
to buy some chocolate--</div>
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For a walk along the Spree, which is
the river that cuts through the heart of the city, and where it seems like a large chunk of the city's population was out enjoying the gorgeous day--</div>
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And at a place called the Bebel Platz,
which is a courtyard at Berlin's Humboldt University. Loraine was
just reading a book about plundering the libraries of Europe, and how
college students during the early days of Nazism held huge public
rallies in the Platz and burned thousands of book at a time. Now,
they have plaques in the courtyard that commemorate that small moment of terror in the Nazi's huge reign of terror.
</div>
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We also had to visit the Ampelmann
Store--</div>
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which celebrates a unique piece of
Berlin history. Back when Berlin was a divided city, something that,
by the way, is still commemorated by a line of bricks that ran where
the wall did--</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvmVxDPoPMSy3-LOqc1JySJm9r9H5_cmekqSabcezs1RXk-fkmkgMam6X5oTjmadzhiaoR9vSmXIJnkHOcTUEfxXq-jrHxu5BA7NdFM9AxY7yTw1zxZj9K9hd6z82xY1TuBDQbQGPaMoM/s1600/P4240012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvmVxDPoPMSy3-LOqc1JySJm9r9H5_cmekqSabcezs1RXk-fkmkgMam6X5oTjmadzhiaoR9vSmXIJnkHOcTUEfxXq-jrHxu5BA7NdFM9AxY7yTw1zxZj9K9hd6z82xY1TuBDQbQGPaMoM/s640/P4240012.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The people of East Berlin had one thing
that carried over when the city (and the country) was reunited. You
had the Ampelmen, what East Berlin used to tell pedestrians to walk
or not walk across the street. Instead of having a green light you'd
see this guy--</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhurWrfuLgnyVBo8ET_5Vx-_ltseYGQLGS-a0M2XLLwpqxaCXiCfQKDM4ddZeT9KBA4_UfruBP0if4_qRliN88JMX5ix80fmLzin1DcP1y4WalltT9ixeKCzRXh3kEDf1uZ94Szj79A51Y/s1600/green.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhurWrfuLgnyVBo8ET_5Vx-_ltseYGQLGS-a0M2XLLwpqxaCXiCfQKDM4ddZeT9KBA4_UfruBP0if4_qRliN88JMX5ix80fmLzin1DcP1y4WalltT9ixeKCzRXh3kEDf1uZ94Szj79A51Y/s640/green.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
And if it wasn't safe to walk you'd see
his friend--</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMElXG46CT42SMW69uGBT01w_eK6cGfRqBtD60Tjgd7gbWAhLYDpOo_-KJAooCnj24wWskWthLQs3KVXikxXzAd604nCKRhjpM-hr66Sz4gY8e-80-K1YX_JJfdFm3VBJzfq68M7YO26M/s1600/red.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMElXG46CT42SMW69uGBT01w_eK6cGfRqBtD60Tjgd7gbWAhLYDpOo_-KJAooCnj24wWskWthLQs3KVXikxXzAd604nCKRhjpM-hr66Sz4gY8e-80-K1YX_JJfdFm3VBJzfq68M7YO26M/s640/red.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Ampelmen have now become a kitschy
piece of Berlin history that everyone seems to love. In fact you can
see them in other different German cities (we've spotted them in
Heidelberg and in Munich), and at the store you can buy just about
anything that has the characters on it. You can buy shirts and
towels, cookie cutters (which I already own) and pasta noodles. You
can buy soap on a rope and soap in a bar. You can buy Ampelmen pens,
pencils, paper, coloring books,history books, recipe books, and book
holders to hold your Ampelmen books.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
You can even buy these--</div>
<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij9CC5lV7n0Xx9hWMJ0tMHilft_I6P5X2kItDkoguBMO0uStt1HE96eN3Q72f7_e4wx8T9ZpNGP7cj0uR9JF6pBD3fsxiq6ht9Ln1ygVbCd3klUGCwl0grl5VkUku2VrKfRLHLonM-V-g/s1600/P4240029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij9CC5lV7n0Xx9hWMJ0tMHilft_I6P5X2kItDkoguBMO0uStt1HE96eN3Q72f7_e4wx8T9ZpNGP7cj0uR9JF6pBD3fsxiq6ht9Ln1ygVbCd3klUGCwl0grl5VkUku2VrKfRLHLonM-V-g/s640/P4240029.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Told you you can buy just about
anything with the characters on them.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Tomorrow, we hop on a train and take a
ride. So until that train drops us off in Leipzig...</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
(<a href="mailto:jim@wmqt.com">jim@wmqt.com</a>)</div>
Jim & Loraine Explore Europehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06025780721003328665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2509666114226450396.post-40176853687916323552019-04-08T20:14:00.003-04:002019-11-21T19:32:27.744-05:00Planes, Trains, & Willi Orban<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The last time we went to Germany it
rained for six straight days. Seeing as how we're only going to be
there for nine days in total this time around, we're hoping for
something a little different.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Welcome to this year's adventure, where
we are heading to Berlin and Leipzig on a quick little adventure.
We'll have no car, relying on feet and on trains, and we have one
main reason and one main reason only for going.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
For these guys--</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We visited both Leipzig and Berlin back in 2013 on
a bit of a whirlwind trip, and always wanted to go back. Then, after
becoming fans of a certain German fussball team, we found ourselves
with the perfect reason—to watch a match just a few days after our
30<sup>th</sup> wedding anniversary.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
That's right. We got married when we
were ten.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Because of all that this will be a much
different trip than the kind you usually read about—in the spring
instead of fall, only nine days instead of 12 or 13, and with us
visiting exclusively urban areas, which means, sad to say, no cows
(however will I survive?). We'll get between cities by train
(something new) and get around in the cities by foot (something we do
all the time).
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
And yet we'll still have time for
football. And, of course, chocolate.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Stop one is Berlin--</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip2HNT-iASYmQPSKOAfTOijATGMaUN92K-uiUezXyIktZshWeyTQDz2UaK9ymNIqJlfyluU1g1HY7wOL8Anzkuir_s3BinhK_DqWiqQJ9hlUeaQEmKVM9XJsKchYNYDU43joFobXhC8s8/s1600/P8300055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip2HNT-iASYmQPSKOAfTOijATGMaUN92K-uiUezXyIktZshWeyTQDz2UaK9ymNIqJlfyluU1g1HY7wOL8Anzkuir_s3BinhK_DqWiqQJ9hlUeaQEmKVM9XJsKchYNYDU43joFobXhC8s8/s640/P8300055.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
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</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Where we're finding ourselves ensconced
in the Tiergarten neighborhood for a night. The Tiergarten is a huge
city park--</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgikpE1KyK14dlapcdf8jMM8QnRv14TXehogRLxzrvHCH815HIU2f-t1-hCpM4flpEHLVb3cODjJGu4zDNGmtjESBeI0C9WOy5gp45xHf1_Pqi8Sb8RF-q5rtsP7VlevTqlJJRfTdDfDZs/s1600/P8300069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgikpE1KyK14dlapcdf8jMM8QnRv14TXehogRLxzrvHCH815HIU2f-t1-hCpM4flpEHLVb3cODjJGu4zDNGmtjESBeI0C9WOy5gp45xHf1_Pqi8Sb8RF-q5rtsP7VlevTqlJJRfTdDfDZs/s640/P8300069.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
That sits right near the Brandenburg
gate, the Reichstag, and the Ritter Sport store--</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQb9a0n6pl4A6osKRm1rzcX2iOrbYTEvCmZOMUcJ5tiwoSty6DHxZai9smMt1fDzf7Vu8OV0aHPTp7JRCFwl_jsFQEjHI0gALGqRYnaRi5uRTpFqtT0pKDggF93xJcTVmRoVaa-YNSA-w/s1600/P8310179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQb9a0n6pl4A6osKRm1rzcX2iOrbYTEvCmZOMUcJ5tiwoSty6DHxZai9smMt1fDzf7Vu8OV0aHPTp7JRCFwl_jsFQEjHI0gALGqRYnaRi5uRTpFqtT0pKDggF93xJcTVmRoVaa-YNSA-w/s640/P8310179.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
So the chocolate part of the trip is,
rest assured, taken care of.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We then hop on a train and find
ourselves an hour later in the fair city of Leipzig, a place where
we slept for three nights in 2013 but really didn't get a chance to
explore. A pity, too, because aside from being a really cool place
just to visit--</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjupI1IRrPfjPvwtuGf_cHe46_eDcZY33lmo1KCWHYAWGWnUvbVRJblbiZ21RXXxzCsHU1B6vUOlsjGSPcWz5atG-pSj5ovNOXBWe1FESpbGJy7VXv9sKBY6L1nAyc5oOiH8Xw4pzPBDPo/s1600/P9030204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjupI1IRrPfjPvwtuGf_cHe46_eDcZY33lmo1KCWHYAWGWnUvbVRJblbiZ21RXXxzCsHU1B6vUOlsjGSPcWz5atG-pSj5ovNOXBWe1FESpbGJy7VXv9sKBY6L1nAyc5oOiH8Xw4pzPBDPo/s640/P9030204.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
It has this church where, in 1989,
college students began the protests that eventually toppled the old
East German government and the Berlin wall.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjdTQoNB11ZTKVuBjz0WjajcGt26-flhAicLh-cWXCJvtz-Mk6b5njgkAwWnE8UZZr_a815Lp_2KtMFp7T18uD_-npwwKbg9-5v2cUOyx4NDvrfe591HGnq3rzifuxOOMf8nujL32PzJg/s1600/P9040002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjdTQoNB11ZTKVuBjz0WjajcGt26-flhAicLh-cWXCJvtz-Mk6b5njgkAwWnE8UZZr_a815Lp_2KtMFp7T18uD_-npwwKbg9-5v2cUOyx4NDvrfe591HGnq3rzifuxOOMf8nujL32PzJg/s640/P9040002.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
There's a whole walking tour you can
take to commemorate that era, plus parks and great food and all kinds
of other things we didn't get to do or see last time we were there.
After all, the place isn't referred to by some as “Hypezig” for
no reason.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Of course, the reason for the trip will
be when we set foot inside of this holy shrine the Saturday we're
there--</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZwX5YVRjD0xzkj934AveDpAU3p4botmpoq73kyubRhtOB160RVdFK6f7xrV83RqXJppkqb9rUNSGK65ibJQgFCfsR4B1WPphp0wWg45DuSq793RmbMiA6om62GCfYPC52zLxTVMrWTOs/s1600/tv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZwX5YVRjD0xzkj934AveDpAU3p4botmpoq73kyubRhtOB160RVdFK6f7xrV83RqXJppkqb9rUNSGK65ibJQgFCfsR4B1WPphp0wWg45DuSq793RmbMiA6om62GCfYPC52zLxTVMrWTOs/s640/tv.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
This holy shrine is known as Red Bull
arena, home to the RB Leipzig Bundesliga team. We started watching
RB Leipzig a couple of years ago, when they made it up to the
Bundesliga from the German minor leagues, just to see if they had any
beauty shots of Leipzig during game coverage. After a while we
stopped looking for the beauty shots and started concentrating on the
team. With a core group of young players they finished in the top
six of the league their first two years, and are on pace to finish
third this year, so maybe it's not too surprising that it took us two
mornings of getting up at 5 am to get tickets for the match.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
But I have the feeling it'll all be
worth it. Especially because they're playing SC Freiburg, a team
from what might be my favorite German city. Sad to say Freiburg's
soccer team isn't quite as good as RB Leipzig (although they did tie
Bayern Munich, the [evil] New England Patriots of the Bundesliga, a
few weeks ago), but that just means that by the end of Saturday the
40,000 of us packing Red Bull Arena should have big smiles on our
faces.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
With the exception of one other day the
rest of the trip will just be exploring and seeing what we can see,
but that one day should be quite fascinating. Long-time readers of
these blogs may recall back in 2013 when we visited the town of
Weissenfels, so Loraine could present a copy of her first book to the
town's mayor (the subject of that book, Marquette's Elwood Norr, was
shot down in Weissenfels), and we found ourselves at a press
conference with him, the end result of which you could see in the
newspaper the next day</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj76YSMm3jtxzThj2N1skHNhF-cndHiblwgKgbGcuvMzPYIiWJN91vxP_rytBg26LYey2AlP9Xtvx3ctCXLaO4pwvLQ7gkEuDOgdiI-Y6DiVTYmdIBpE8dYAVbYJd0xC8SPqmhcZvVWZ9g/s1600/Mitteldeutsche+Zeitung+article_090413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1286" data-original-width="873" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj76YSMm3jtxzThj2N1skHNhF-cndHiblwgKgbGcuvMzPYIiWJN91vxP_rytBg26LYey2AlP9Xtvx3ctCXLaO4pwvLQ7gkEuDOgdiI-Y6DiVTYmdIBpE8dYAVbYJd0xC8SPqmhcZvVWZ9g/s640/Mitteldeutsche+Zeitung+article_090413.JPG" width="434" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We thought it might be nice to see our
old friends again, so Loraine got in touch and said that, among other
things, she'd like to give the town a copy of her second book, which
mentions our visit the first time around. Well, we were invited
back, and soon found ourselves with an itinerary for the day (these
are very organized Germans, after all). We get to have a catch-up
lunch and a tour of an historic building, and we also get to give
someone from the city a copy of Loraine's second book complete with,
according to the itinerary, a “press availability”.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
That's right. You go to this part of
Germany with Loraine, and you find yourself in the newspaper the next
day. Everyone needs a travel companion like that.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
So while we won't be gone as long as
usual we will be doing a whole bunch of stuff we've never done
before. You're more than welcome to come along. Just promise you
won't bring any rain with you. We had enough of that last year.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
8-)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
(<a href="mailto:jim@wmqt.com">jim@wmqt.com</a>)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
Jim & Loraine Explore Europehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06025780721003328665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2509666114226450396.post-26269996518875522142018-09-09T18:25:00.003-04:002018-09-09T18:25:33.567-04:00You Have Reached Your Destination (And Yes, We Know!)
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
SUNDAY, 9/9:</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Really? There are people who would
want to eat sushi for breakfast?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Greetings from the seething pit of
humanity known as London's Heathrow Airport, where it's just after 9
am local time and there are actually people sitting and eating at the
sushi & caviar bar a few meters away. Now, I like seafood as
much as the next person, but eating it for breakfast? Before getting
on an international flight?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Uhm...not so much. But maybe that's
just me.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The first part of our journey went
well, and if you're actually reading this then we made it to Chicago,
where I'm planning on posting it. Hopefully, then, the final part
is just as smooth, we make it home in one piece, and we can stop
living out of a suitcase.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Although, if I have to admit, it has
been kinda cool doing just that the past 12 days.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Like I mentioned yesterday, there are a
few topics & tales that I didn't get to while we were in Germany,
but I still wanted to discuss. For instance, do you know that most
people think we're Germans?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
No; seriously. More often than not,
when we were just sitting and eating breakfast at the hotel or trying
to buy something in a store, people would actually start speaking to
us in German like we lived there. And lest you think I'm strange
(well, more strange than usual), I'm not. We would be in line behind
fellow Americans, and the German clerk waiting on them would speak to
them in English. Then, when we walked up, they picked up the
conversation in German, at least until we started to speak. I don't
know what it is, although I have a sneaking suspicion it's because we
don't act like Americans.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
As an example, sitting down the row of
seats from me are two American couples, and you can tell they're
American. They're loud, they're large, they're wearing baseball
hats, and they seem to have this attitude that screams out “Look,
we're 'Mericans”. In Europe, Americans stand out, and that's what
Loraine and I go out of our way not to do. I mean, it helps that
we're not loud and not large, but more than anything we try to fit
in. We try to act like the locals act, and do what the locals do.
When we're in Europe, we try to be European, and not American.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
And that, I have a sneaking suspicion,
is why many people in Germany (including the sweet little old guy
complaining about the rain one day) think we're Germans.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We're okay with that.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Next, the tale behind Watzmann. You
remember Watzmann, Berchtesgaden's iconic mountain, right?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoXm1sITBGxEj5J6zbEeNZzpf1R2_Dp__a0s7HmMgvQiFwman4R3BbrVoJlas_51T7QKK4bAqj4WsER6c35nLxmTfpr45pB6477ecEpvB3hyTBnt6XdKbCN9sjMW0WrPeXokWPaZprzAc/s1600/DSC_0656.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoXm1sITBGxEj5J6zbEeNZzpf1R2_Dp__a0s7HmMgvQiFwman4R3BbrVoJlas_51T7QKK4bAqj4WsER6c35nLxmTfpr45pB6477ecEpvB3hyTBnt6XdKbCN9sjMW0WrPeXokWPaZprzAc/s640/DSC_0656.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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This is a mountain that greets everyone
heading to the Berchtesgaden National Park in (far) southern Germany,
and its unique structure has inspired a tale. Apparently, if you
look at the peak, you see an old king of the area and his family.
Something bad befell the royal family, and instead of leaving the
area they turned themselves into stone to they could stay in their
beloved land forever. The peak on the right is the king, the smaller
peak on the left the queen, and the little peaks in between are their
seven children.</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
They may have turned to stone, but they
get to rule over their lands forever.</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Now, it's time to issue a correction.
What seems like forever ago (but was, in reality, only a week ago
last Friday), I was talking about the Wagner opera based on a German
folk tale called “Lohengrin”. It was one of King Ludwig's
favorites, and I mentioned that it may have something to do with a
giant killer swan that led Bavarian soldiers to a great military
victory.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Well, I was slightly wrong. Lohengrin
was in fact NOT a giant killer swan that led Bavarian soldiers to a
great military victory. Lohengrin was, in fact, a human who led
Bavarian soldiers to a great military victory. According to the
legend, in fact, he did so while in a boat that was being pulled by a
swan, probably not the greatest form of locomotion while in battle
but one that does make the legend just a little more colorful.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
So my apologies to lovers of Bavarian
folk culture for getting the story wrong.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
And my apologies to this guy, too--</div>
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He was actually thinking he was descended from someone special.</div>
<br />
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<br />
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Now, a tradition that (surprisingly)
some of you actually look forward to. I've been doing this every
time I've gone to Europe, and this is my (counting on my fingers
here) 13<sup>th</sup> trip. Right before my first trip, my (then) 6
year old niece Mallory was bummed because she couldn't come with us.
So I took a bookmark with her picture on it, and shot a picture of
that bookmark in Europe so I could show that she DID indeed go with
us. Well, I've done it every trip since, so for 13 times the now
21-year old Mallory has come with us.</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Mallory, here you are in the sleepy
little town of Bernau-am-Chiemsee--</div>
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</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxPE6VamPTvr2fE1Y_s_VyGsCWtvMN3N3LrZPVgW0TeShXMc9ABHIUMbBpLDMydggosNtzxQORXj0iGV58aQDEf9O8Mqs2ZBIIjOdnja5RxcI5F7WY-PhzWRVdy8tkYxHs1Ll9_QKSjuc/s1600/DSC_0711.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxPE6VamPTvr2fE1Y_s_VyGsCWtvMN3N3LrZPVgW0TeShXMc9ABHIUMbBpLDMydggosNtzxQORXj0iGV58aQDEf9O8Mqs2ZBIIjOdnja5RxcI5F7WY-PhzWRVdy8tkYxHs1Ll9_QKSjuc/s640/DSC_0711.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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How about a few pictures I didn't get
to use? Pictures of the exotic language they use in German stores--</div>
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Of ducks--</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtH9ZaIy-Yp62Ax-3tg2mC_Q37agVZqAkaGrIHSwyPadIsUeHOHoV3R4XjkyPrMF14RWZU6mrA268bZH7D4qNh-ahVEqwUWbCYpvN1CT4EoWqNIPG4jgvBFAyNE82uNqdY3a6Q3LAF3vo/s1600/DSC_0123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtH9ZaIy-Yp62Ax-3tg2mC_Q37agVZqAkaGrIHSwyPadIsUeHOHoV3R4XjkyPrMF14RWZU6mrA268bZH7D4qNh-ahVEqwUWbCYpvN1CT4EoWqNIPG4jgvBFAyNE82uNqdY3a6Q3LAF3vo/s640/DSC_0123.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Or even weirder looking ducks--</div>
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And, of course, of the greatest
creatures Europe has ever produced--</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR5e_roZd1z1HseIj1gabpsg-Q3JWC0Ye3CmAA_VD4NqX_P5X8ME6dJII_NxYDp3VxY6SdecPgClbYh_pGSkZwnFt2afj9bDlhENC2Wl1tXjjY1BhmceuDHzKaCqkMfFU-x7XP4RowvKc/s1600/DSC_0573.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR5e_roZd1z1HseIj1gabpsg-Q3JWC0Ye3CmAA_VD4NqX_P5X8ME6dJII_NxYDp3VxY6SdecPgClbYh_pGSkZwnFt2afj9bDlhENC2Wl1tXjjY1BhmceuDHzKaCqkMfFU-x7XP4RowvKc/s640/DSC_0573.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Speaking of which, we drove down many
roads with “Cow Crossing” signs. I personally love this one,
which combined a “Cow Crossing” sign with a “Dip in the Road”
sign that makes it look as if the cows have, uhm, left their calling
card--</div>
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That's right. I'm easily entertained.</div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
This whole trip, of course, was
inspired by Loraine's interest in the 19<sup>th</sup> century Brian
Wilson known as King Ludwig II. I've tried to share some of the
stuff we've found out about him, but there's a whole lot more to
tell. If you're interested, check out the <a href="http://www.schloesser.bayern.de/" target="_blank">Bavarian Palace Department website</a> for all kinds of cool stuff on the dude (and in English if you want,
to boot). And if you ever go to tour the area yourself, I highly
recommend buying the 14-day Bavarian palace ticket, which allows you
to get into almost every single Ludwig-related attraction, plus lots
of museums and monuments, as well. It was 44 Euro, and I think it
paid for itself after just the second or third day.</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Loraine's been working on this trip on
and off for three years now, and I think this may have been one of
her masterpieces. There was a ton of research and planning she
needed to do, and I have the sneaking suspicion that what started out
as a quixotic little vacation turned into a labor of love for her.
So thanks for that labor of love, my love. I enjoyed every single
second of it, and, as always, stand in awe of your trip planning
abilities.</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
You're amazing.</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Well, that's about it for this little
expedition. If you enjoyed these ramblings, I write stuff like this
(usually minus the cows and the mountain views) every day for my day
job. You're more than welcome to <a href="http://www.wmqt.com/injimsopinion.html" target="_blank">check them out.</a> As for what's
next? Well, it's going to be a little different in a few ways. One,
we're doing it next April, not at the end of summer. And two, it's a
down and dirty, much shorter with one major purpose.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We're going to Leipzig to see a
professional soccer match featuring RB Leipzig (our favorite
Bundesliga team) going up against Freiburg (the team from my favorite
German city). We don't even know what day the game is (just the
weekend it's scheduled), so that's how on the fly that trip will be.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
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So until April, thanks for reading
these. Hope you've enjoyed them, and hope you didn't get too sick of
these guys--</div>
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<br />
</div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
(<span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><u><a href="mailto:jim@wmqt.com">jim@wmqt.com</a></u></span></span>)</div>
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Jim & Loraine Explore Europehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06025780721003328665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2509666114226450396.post-66812879898019101692018-09-08T13:36:00.000-04:002018-09-17T17:53:52.826-04:00Ein letzter voller Tag (One Last Full Day)<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
SATURDAY, 9/8:</div>
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Look. I made a new friend today!</div>
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Greetings from the NH Munchen Flughafen
hotel, where we are spending our last night on German soil before
heading home really, really early tomorrow morning. How early?
Well, we'll probably wake up just after 4am here, so we can get a
ready to go for our first flight of the day at 730. To give you a
little perspective, we'll be waking up around 10 pm Saturday night in
Marquette. Our flight to Sawyer gets in just before 9 pm Sunday
night.</div>
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Yup. We land 23 hours after we wake up
for the day. It'll be glorious.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
(Pity sarcasm doesn't travel well in
the written word, isn't it?)</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We did two things today. The first was
to return to the Residenz Palace in Munich, the first place we
visited on this epic journey. The reason for going back was that we
didn't get there until late in the afternoon of the day we arrived,
and they were already closing off parts of the exhibits. We just
didn't know how much we missed. As it turns out, they had closed
almost 60% of the stuff we were supposed to see, so it's a good thing
we went back. I mean, mostly it was to check out rooms this this--</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWLF63vnsMVccRYqcAzLRgi78l4TqGM_RmIYDrLai95obI5clr8-ZNptCsnOix7zJOxIXp0pDEfeq3Y-tvbowCibHbTIlIWpxucQqiTlEvmlyH70n6y6nG6lix1b4aej7_V5yq5KodOns/s1600/DSC_0181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWLF63vnsMVccRYqcAzLRgi78l4TqGM_RmIYDrLai95obI5clr8-ZNptCsnOix7zJOxIXp0pDEfeq3Y-tvbowCibHbTIlIWpxucQqiTlEvmlyH70n6y6nG6lix1b4aej7_V5yq5KodOns/s640/DSC_0181.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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That's the throne room for Ludwig's
randy grandfather Ludwig I, who you may remember from yesterday's
blog as the guy who liked women a lot. We also checked out the
rebuilt chapel (bombed during World War II) where Ludwig II was
formally crowned. But perhaps the most stunning thing in the complex
was the Residenz Theater, where Ludwig II would go and watch the
operas that he loved so much and that made up such a large part of
his life--</div>
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His friend Richard Wagner, the guy who
wrote “Ride of the Valkyries” as part of his “Ring” trilogy
(thus enabling everyone in pop culture from Bugs Bunny to “Apocalypse
Now” to steal it), would often put on productions at the theater.
Ludwig would attend, sitting in his royal box--</div>
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That would change over the years,
though, as the people who went to the show would not watch what was
happening on stage. Instead, because the lights were left on during
the performance, they'd turn around and focus their opera glasses on
the shy king, who then became quite aware that hundreds of magnified
eyes were staring at him. That was something he did not like.
Eventually, he built a theater into his Neuschwanstein castle and had
productions put on there for an audience of one—him.</div>
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<br /></div>
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At least that way, no one would be
staring at him.</div>
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Our other stop today was one of the
great municipal parks on the planet, the Englisher Garten (English
Garden)--</div>
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<br /></div>
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The park was started by one of Ludwig's
predecessors, who took the old royal hunting grounds and turned it
into a park for everyone to enjoy. In true Bavarian style it has a
Beer Garden--</div>
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And in non-traditional Bavarian style
you can also see people playing cricket in it.</div>
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<br /></div>
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But perhaps the most unique thing about
the park is the surfing. Yes, surfing, in a city park thousands of
kilometers away from the nearest ocean. Don't believe me?</div>
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I wouldn't lie to you, would I? What
happens is this—there's a river running through the park, and where
it goes under a bridge the surfers (and the city) have constructed a
series of walls that force the river into a narrow path, causing it
to rush through the bridge and kick up some rather mean rapids. The
surfers wait on either side of the river. One jumps in and rides the
current as long as she or he can, and then the next person takes
their turn. There are dozens of surfers at any one time, and
hundreds of spectators watching them, cameras and phones in hand.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
It's quite the spectacle. And not
something you'd expect in a city park.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
That's about it for today. What else
do I have to share? Well, how about a statue of a guy strangling a
wild boar with his hands--</div>
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<br /></div>
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Cows in the middle of Munich--</div>
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Well, okay, they're not REAL cows, but
they were still cows in the middle of Munich.</div>
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<br /></div>
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And we saw this--</div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Germany has been rocked the past
several days by neo-Nazi rallies in the eastern city of Chemnitz,
similar to what we went through in Charlottesville last year. So
across the country today rallies were held to show that most Germans
are tolerant and loving people, much like rallies were held in places
like Marquette to show that most Americans are tolerant and loving
people.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
While our trip is almost over, these
blogs aren't. I'll be spending a LOT of time in airplanes and
airports tomorrow, so you'll get another one of these with all the
stuff I didn't get to. That should include (but is not limited to)
the legend behind Berchtesgaden's iconic Watzmann peak, how German
elections (coming up next month) are held, and how I may have been
slightly mistaken a week ago when talking about a giant killer swan.</div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Oh, and I'll have my niece Mallory's
annual picture (and the story behind it), as well.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Well, 4 am comes way too soon when
you're...heck, 4 am comes soon no matter what you're doing. So with
that in mind...</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
(<a href="mailto:jim@wmqt.com">jim@wmqt.com</a>)</div>
Jim & Loraine Explore Europehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06025780721003328665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2509666114226450396.post-13898270008046481252018-09-07T15:01:00.002-04:002018-09-07T15:06:16.376-04:00The Circle is Complete<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
FRIDAY, 9/7:</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We zipped through the entire life of
Loraine's BFF, King Ludwig II, today. Literally, too. We went from
his birth to his eternal resting place.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Greetings from Munich, where we started
this whole crazy thing a week and a few days ago. It was actually
raining quite heavily when we left the sleepy little town of
Bernau-am-Chiemsee this morning, but thankfully (aside from a few
quick & scattered showers) it cleaned up quite nicely by the time
we arrived here. And now that we're about to leave Germany, the
forecast for the entire next week calls for a return to summer, with
sun & temps in the 80s. No six days of rain, no cold, no
nothing. Just perfect weather for a week, right as we're getting
ready to head home.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
You hafta laugh at the irony of it all.
Because if you didn't, you'd end up crying.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Today's major task was a visit to
Schloss Nymphenburg, a palace on the outskirts of Munich that the
Bavarian royal family would escape to when the pressure of actually
living IN Munich got to be too much. And, of course, the castle was guarded by, among other things, a swan with an attitude--</div>
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<br /></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Admittedly, after yesterday's visit to
Herrenchiemsee, I don't think any castle would compare, but there was
one difference here. Here you could take pictures inside! So if
you've ever wondered what the inside of a Bavarian castle looks like,
now you know--</div>
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<br /></div>
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Ludwig was born in this castle, which
is why we visited. In fact, his mother popped him out right here--</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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Thankfully, there was no re-creation of
that event.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The castle grounds were kind of cool,
with museums, outbuildings, and one of the strangest things you may
ever see, a hundred gold King Ludwigs waiting to blow your mind--</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf1OJihwoIIG_cYNOIPSgjs0vvu16Kg7WfXtT4_UyiagYubajwwjxZzobM6TJOLgX6550UeXqPjbyoBtnQSbZ_m8xl3fhDc71ZQHfuNQrlnbiGYrfQ8UsrwVFjYjlZ1g5bhUTTh1HbQr0/s1600/DSC_0037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf1OJihwoIIG_cYNOIPSgjs0vvu16Kg7WfXtT4_UyiagYubajwwjxZzobM6TJOLgX6550UeXqPjbyoBtnQSbZ_m8xl3fhDc71ZQHfuNQrlnbiGYrfQ8UsrwVFjYjlZ1g5bhUTTh1HbQr0/s640/DSC_0037.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The gold busts are actually part of a
fundraiser for the castle and its preservation. For a mere 400 Euros
we could've taken one home with us. Unfortunately, that would've
made us choose between having room in our luggage for the bust or
room for our chocolate.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
You can guess which one won.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I had mentioned that Nymphenburg was a
place on the outskirts of Munich that the royal family used to escape
the pressure of actually living in Munich. Well, when the pressure
of living in the place where they went to escape the pressure of
living was too much, the men in the family would take a five minute
walk and escape to a building called Amalienburg, which served as
their hunting lodge. Yup...they had a hunting lodge in their back
yard. That would be like a Yooper hunter having a deer camp next to
their garage.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Only, I'm guessing there are very few
U.P deer camps that look like this on the inside--</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOZv4Z6HAEUFnZ5eqvkAUZA4ky1CXTuojZEZzm8u6ReIdXoj4rnAUOESb9CJ93aF0H6iHLAczexK6vA5qmRSnq6EFumm52ZWoNp9P8IlIxtzXxkCEhMpoblOZTfQfnS3_wBmMWggh7Da0/s1600/DSC_0051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOZv4Z6HAEUFnZ5eqvkAUZA4ky1CXTuojZEZzm8u6ReIdXoj4rnAUOESb9CJ93aF0H6iHLAczexK6vA5qmRSnq6EFumm52ZWoNp9P8IlIxtzXxkCEhMpoblOZTfQfnS3_wBmMWggh7Da0/s640/DSC_0051.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Ah, rich people. They're just like you
& me. Except they're not.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Throughout this whole trip we've been
talking about King Ludwig II, but did you ever wonder about King
Ludwig I? Well, he was Loraine's Ludwig's grandfather, often
pictured with quite the gleam in his eye--</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmBXKK00GG7J191MYXQ0PHcPf08MJQzX52FFq9aW8ioK-pIfQnlHCOupFRvJcKJulFAuZU4u4VoERqjHmy6-5PWVQAdhC9uFJM2eUUY8PNywo-7W13vrhX1p5nz-aCKUH28sgsNmr6MHs/s1600/Ludwig_I_of_Bavaria.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="631" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmBXKK00GG7J191MYXQ0PHcPf08MJQzX52FFq9aW8ioK-pIfQnlHCOupFRvJcKJulFAuZU4u4VoERqjHmy6-5PWVQAdhC9uFJM2eUUY8PNywo-7W13vrhX1p5nz-aCKUH28sgsNmr6MHs/s640/Ludwig_I_of_Bavaria.jpg" width="448" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
He was a dandy, that Ludwig I. He
liked women. He liked women a LOT. He liked one woman so much, in
fact, that he gave up his throne for her. But his love of women is
still noted inside Nymphenburg palace in a room called “The Gallery
of Beauties”--</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLUuN389gFQ540bRICpZlQvDwHY09J2gLJxmM3O0aytE_DflFn5ttMYAetTWHw2YwSqBPL63TZIi6qPUwZluU3OXgRJMTuqBVVbvBDtYE1R7wy_H__QxGa8FCYC5CfoBeHtFmrfvBja3M/s1600/DSC_0023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLUuN389gFQ540bRICpZlQvDwHY09J2gLJxmM3O0aytE_DflFn5ttMYAetTWHw2YwSqBPL63TZIi6qPUwZluU3OXgRJMTuqBVVbvBDtYE1R7wy_H__QxGa8FCYC5CfoBeHtFmrfvBja3M/s640/DSC_0023.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
In this room are paintings of 36 women
that Grandpa found interesting, including Ludwig II's mom. It's
perhaps not surprising, then, that Ludwig II also has his own
“gallery of beauties” in one of the castle's outbuildings--</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDkcbQuoUKe3wJIY2-hrGWK3IR9Ap1fQIFGhnsi0A9LMa39YWXe6j0NEvNtosjqz-MtAhwOpUpC5mRAKVzgv6eCGqlYWiAqbCCbwUULQThh8wJOg5vBRVURO6yAQJ5pxNDRfS0ffgWM64/s1600/DSC_0074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDkcbQuoUKe3wJIY2-hrGWK3IR9Ap1fQIFGhnsi0A9LMa39YWXe6j0NEvNtosjqz-MtAhwOpUpC5mRAKVzgv6eCGqlYWiAqbCCbwUULQThh8wJOg5vBRVURO6yAQJ5pxNDRfS0ffgWM64/s640/DSC_0074.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Only, Ludwig II really didn't care
about beautiful women. He cared about these beauties--</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6toiXiq3sMuqZ26lQhRabCbdy6m2rCAax9_S5SZTwWlhZAu5gs9Q2OX69-iEB088s35rpRIP1dt90o5zbYW6k1mtWMnzZtMqYbEdawj2cSI25m7poJBNJTjX1bhR_AMTi_qndn_5GF3o/s1600/DSC_0105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6toiXiq3sMuqZ26lQhRabCbdy6m2rCAax9_S5SZTwWlhZAu5gs9Q2OX69-iEB088s35rpRIP1dt90o5zbYW6k1mtWMnzZtMqYbEdawj2cSI25m7poJBNJTjX1bhR_AMTi_qndn_5GF3o/s640/DSC_0105.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
That's right. Showing that he shared
perhaps only a name with his grandfather, Ludwig II really didn't
care that much about beauties until they had four legs and a tail.
And could pull one of these--</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYPiGRSD_8NSxsYIJYDapS-JLD2bXPh8Q4jxAOs__LuBwIcTA5RuYNCK9hKWebY14pST6B327F_85zSmxd1u2qCpmzf-XHgWjcTij4w3TuhPUvYkgcySzmLIo6o8riLpHXuVRzdNj7qvM/s1600/DSC_0079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYPiGRSD_8NSxsYIJYDapS-JLD2bXPh8Q4jxAOs__LuBwIcTA5RuYNCK9hKWebY14pST6B327F_85zSmxd1u2qCpmzf-XHgWjcTij4w3TuhPUvYkgcySzmLIo6o8riLpHXuVRzdNj7qvM/s640/DSC_0079.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Aside from horses, Ludwig II also had a
thing for carriages, the more blinged out the better. In fact,
legends exist of his nighttime winter carriages rides, where he would
often pop in unannounced at the home of one of his subjects for a
warm drink. And because he was a gadget freak, one of his carriages
was also tricked out with a battery operated light, perhaps serving
as the first electric headlight ever used.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I wonder what his grandfather would've
thought about that?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Our other big stop today, after seeing
where Ludwig was born, was to see where he lies in death--</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia0zg7w3ryJhTIm51-_3j5ggBdUVW9VkidZdx3G5MfUsCftXX5L5zMKGeu72kpf3mfLN4EcRkT15r1S340_uVO_ymTQ7G5Ca8K-MS2r1xmUDtOO0pi_OPxv25ZTNE5m1w7BnqBVGRR0RQ/s1600/800px-King_Ludwig_II_Crypt_-_Michaelskirche_-_Munich.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="800" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia0zg7w3ryJhTIm51-_3j5ggBdUVW9VkidZdx3G5MfUsCftXX5L5zMKGeu72kpf3mfLN4EcRkT15r1S340_uVO_ymTQ7G5Ca8K-MS2r1xmUDtOO0pi_OPxv25ZTNE5m1w7BnqBVGRR0RQ/s640/800px-King_Ludwig_II_Crypt_-_Michaelskirche_-_Munich.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
This is Ludwig's sarcophagus in the
Wittelsbach family crypt in St. Michael's church in Munich, where Loraine left a flower for him. The
picture is not mine; you're not allowed to take pictures down there,
and there's a very cranky old man watching to make sure you don't.
However, the Internet is filled with all kinds of dark and illicit
things, including the picture I just shared.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Don't worry. I scanned it for viruses
first.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Other than that, we just bounced around
the area for a bit, dodging showers and trying to pick up a few last
gifts (other than chocolate). We did get a chance to see what may be
the world's smallest car--</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqN6S19aZEZIANkSdRJJzQ7fUX3fr14UnJ1n9TfAna6-OPMB7JkQhtE_ZLT3yS8idTkgIHsB6crN8li9108wF_lG-rpPSii9EgX9TIDEFrHxFvxrklm5VbTmEbSkOHbrdLXVZMgRC6k-o/s1600/DSC_0135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqN6S19aZEZIANkSdRJJzQ7fUX3fr14UnJ1n9TfAna6-OPMB7JkQhtE_ZLT3yS8idTkgIHsB6crN8li9108wF_lG-rpPSii9EgX9TIDEFrHxFvxrklm5VbTmEbSkOHbrdLXVZMgRC6k-o/s640/DSC_0135.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
A cute little bird that I think is
called a coot--</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaMqx9HNjBkNp1QBS9e8f9IkPVVQRQSLucpOv9U_gva9hruc1TRBkuplxVGiyDRn8bLtAByRLYsIAiuNVraehfv52QoF3td9VowWQ1EbB8Z8o3c74Tfe5Gbc15UwWuxL6bNicCySm4d34/s1600/DSC_0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaMqx9HNjBkNp1QBS9e8f9IkPVVQRQSLucpOv9U_gva9hruc1TRBkuplxVGiyDRn8bLtAByRLYsIAiuNVraehfv52QoF3td9VowWQ1EbB8Z8o3c74Tfe5Gbc15UwWuxL6bNicCySm4d34/s640/DSC_0004.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
And what all well dressed men will be
wearing (or not wearing) this season--</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7QdxUCT_ZgkjkQqllIZ0OjWvfjRnXj7w8tCj0GDO4DT0XWMiwZxYux98UUjizNgxYmQgEt98urvvIg47SZL3dz3jZENOJ1Db8D3X5AoimMBR7Uy4P79bx76D5jHbsds8oIM577jtPK_U/s1600/DSC_0131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1072" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7QdxUCT_ZgkjkQqllIZ0OjWvfjRnXj7w8tCj0GDO4DT0XWMiwZxYux98UUjizNgxYmQgEt98urvvIg47SZL3dz3jZENOJ1Db8D3X5AoimMBR7Uy4P79bx76D5jHbsds8oIM577jtPK_U/s640/DSC_0131.JPG" width="428" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
It's Germany. Don't ask.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We have one more day left on this
little adventure. That's tomorrow, where a return visit to one final
castle, a curry-wurst or two, and one of the biggest municipal parks
in the world await. See you then!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
(<a href="mailto:jim@wmqt.com">jim@wmqt.com</a>)</div>
Jim & Loraine Explore Europehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06025780721003328665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2509666114226450396.post-32362205558188209642018-09-06T15:18:00.001-04:002018-09-06T16:22:29.810-04:00Admiral Ackbar Strikes Back<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
THURSDAY, 9/6:</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I apologize in advance today. You're
going to be seeing a LOT of pictures of fountains.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Greetings once again from the sleepy
Bavarian town of Bernau-am-Chiemsee, where we no longer have workers
building a tent underneath our window. Nope; now we have sausages
cooking underneath our window. It's not a bad smell, at least as far
as travel smells go. But when I made the joke yesterday about the
German habit of using every edible part of the pig, I wasn't kidding.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Really, I wasn't.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Today was another castle day, but this
was a very special castle. Loraine's BFF King Ludwig II built
Schloss Herrenchiemsee on an island in the middle of the lake near
which we're staying. And this wasn't just any old castle. Ludwig,
who had this thing for French king Louis XIV, built Herrenchiemsee as
an (almost) exact replica of Versailles, down to the gardens and
fountains. Technically, he both ran out of money and died before finishing it, so
it's not an exact replica, but you can decide for yourself--</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc_NYIC_83o1rGNlmBR3Hiezp7rudI9-Mx5Eol08eMxcUR47-eJNJDpPGcJihdiw4HCrGkIlV9VTIK5SImfQzudeGZF9MP_keoQKlkOAaYpZEGXqOF6VKg2jLEl0FESn1zEJs7zpWKVIc/s1600/DSC_0915.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc_NYIC_83o1rGNlmBR3Hiezp7rudI9-Mx5Eol08eMxcUR47-eJNJDpPGcJihdiw4HCrGkIlV9VTIK5SImfQzudeGZF9MP_keoQKlkOAaYpZEGXqOF6VKg2jLEl0FESn1zEJs7zpWKVIc/s640/DSC_0915.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Trust me. It's close enough.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
As a student of history, both the
castle and the museum attached to it were fascinating. For instance, did you know the castle also served as the place where the West German constitution was drawn up in 1948? I did not know that. And as someone
who dabbles (or tries to) in photography, the grounds sent me into a sensory
overload. And that went double when the water show started. Every
half an hour for five or ten minutes a series of six huge fountains
would shoot water high into the sky and out of the mouths of every
imaginable (and some quite unbelievable) pieces of sculpture. I
swear that I could run around that place for three or four straight
days and not take all the pictures I wanted to take.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
So that's why I apologize in advance
for subjecting you to too many fountain pictures. It's not my fault,
though. It's his--</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDFQ55tTdmDVrad4aOedZe7dJ-VYw-sOCSWB6YGvKC9hBIJNiyvMJS6HvRdDcLSDsmESvxfu3Dv_56tGgJZjXcs4Ni1DD4zaCohjfTeTHc6JdrZ7kd1w9pph5kdAgyhvttcFxVwPohC_E/s1600/Ludwig_II_1865+cape+portrait_Ferdinand+von+Piloty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDFQ55tTdmDVrad4aOedZe7dJ-VYw-sOCSWB6YGvKC9hBIJNiyvMJS6HvRdDcLSDsmESvxfu3Dv_56tGgJZjXcs4Ni1DD4zaCohjfTeTHc6JdrZ7kd1w9pph5kdAgyhvttcFxVwPohC_E/s640/Ludwig_II_1865+cape+portrait_Ferdinand+von+Piloty.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The way the castle grounds were
designed, you could take a picture, move five feet, and see an
entirely different aspect of the grounds and/or the fountains going
off. The symmetry of the place was just incredible, which allowed
you to line shots up just perfectly. Ludwig apparently had a dream
when constructing this castle. It's just sad he never lived to see
that dream actually completed.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Like I said, I apologize in advance for
the torrent of fountain pictures you're going to see. I took (ahem)
almost 160 just of them, and it was gosh darned hard trying to narrow
it down to just five or six.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
But here goes. I present to you the
fabulousness (Jim's made up word of the day) of the Herrenchiemsee
fountains--</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgasjjBTD16q3PQZFq8EZ1ndpC0MBVQGELx_AHbx7PGk0sbtLgthG5ZmWwkiXJM8p5VcIS8_YimpfvdkroCuQqn2M1HE_H4PGg3VoVyGqvU6JlV6DPJSbtY3Od6w_7pT7I12zKYRIrkIFs/s1600/DSC_0807.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgasjjBTD16q3PQZFq8EZ1ndpC0MBVQGELx_AHbx7PGk0sbtLgthG5ZmWwkiXJM8p5VcIS8_YimpfvdkroCuQqn2M1HE_H4PGg3VoVyGqvU6JlV6DPJSbtY3Od6w_7pT7I12zKYRIrkIFs/s640/DSC_0807.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The splendor--</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUKSMdsnor3QAfdSDQXZqrHrif2kH5O3E5tkkWW7e0Zlmc6boG2h-ni8bG5_cjjLq9Xjfa7mwtlhEuJFFkflNH_aOFvdaDNOLMx2yMYL5KpijKRg8WvxIi0eK2hAp8dD0xEnxVTzKNRyI/s1600/DSC_0857.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUKSMdsnor3QAfdSDQXZqrHrif2kH5O3E5tkkWW7e0Zlmc6boG2h-ni8bG5_cjjLq9Xjfa7mwtlhEuJFFkflNH_aOFvdaDNOLMx2yMYL5KpijKRg8WvxIi0eK2hAp8dD0xEnxVTzKNRyI/s640/DSC_0857.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The glory--</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiiPxeVma_Ot90HiOiCEMtoe4EhtbZ2MWMFzQsm5O5nZHSSj_uwfWAzcL1I56sF9sbQyyMQa5FMK7MTVAhA2KJuI4AM1IH5xxuRdDtYjBLZEXmI8vJbnareeyAgPTfwuVaoQwM5TMQINM/s1600/DSC_0837.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiiPxeVma_Ot90HiOiCEMtoe4EhtbZ2MWMFzQsm5O5nZHSSj_uwfWAzcL1I56sF9sbQyyMQa5FMK7MTVAhA2KJuI4AM1IH5xxuRdDtYjBLZEXmI8vJbnareeyAgPTfwuVaoQwM5TMQINM/s640/DSC_0837.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Greek gods--</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjczycoT0iTq9f3-J5jYx9hjkERxx7WVafjGMFIKBQ0CpCB3ilsRWBotZrHWxQkAFtEtrahiMMyE5Fw83tbUvmvkTRJPj-SEEUlR9ilnIliGdc1dKp9UyOiK_R7OsL2EuQP3IX_FeXGRIM/s1600/DSC_0873.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjczycoT0iTq9f3-J5jYx9hjkERxx7WVafjGMFIKBQ0CpCB3ilsRWBotZrHWxQkAFtEtrahiMMyE5Fw83tbUvmvkTRJPj-SEEUlR9ilnIliGdc1dKp9UyOiK_R7OsL2EuQP3IX_FeXGRIM/s640/DSC_0873.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The panthers projectile vomiting a
stream of water--</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTSmmkBAlDiFLYo6Po7J13SqvkAErYBp2u-og67ULRdhrFbz-NuMG8rKeJwEYx5_nzzyjeAxZQ-a8xD-SsklIMKyS_B7LRkiCZHSAzE6GyQCy56AHOOU2OUx6TQl1l7xg_M4QGsPK8v_s/s1600/DSC_0830.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTSmmkBAlDiFLYo6Po7J13SqvkAErYBp2u-og67ULRdhrFbz-NuMG8rKeJwEYx5_nzzyjeAxZQ-a8xD-SsklIMKyS_B7LRkiCZHSAzE6GyQCy56AHOOU2OUx6TQl1l7xg_M4QGsPK8v_s/s640/DSC_0830.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
And the genius who thought of doing all
of this--</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3e5blmL-38DutJaTeGMo_WfKZ-nCXZSdptRMtJpUT51gOKh8G05nP88KEigKTD-xgPQOXCsQ1oq2NI8z5xYgvQS0t0J873qtFszDMjA-VVQMag0TeeYpYzN-vueaQOvfvuCyqNa-dgcE/s1600/DSC_0852.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3e5blmL-38DutJaTeGMo_WfKZ-nCXZSdptRMtJpUT51gOKh8G05nP88KEigKTD-xgPQOXCsQ1oq2NI8z5xYgvQS0t0J873qtFszDMjA-VVQMag0TeeYpYzN-vueaQOvfvuCyqNa-dgcE/s640/DSC_0852.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Even when the water show wasn't going
on, the statues themselves were very cool to look at, especially if
you like angry turtles next to angry iguanas--</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz0lAzA0PL_wvnmZR81pPW7oERzrsD7TKg9sPP_vOoUQrC1gMzL7C-ExTQFY_k6OawycSYD41zyGYJ0miDJaUNsckSwxa49bYOxcGX_E5c8pHzS1zjH_avZmDR7p7jIfwx5aRyZ_ZSp2Y/s1600/DSC_0778.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz0lAzA0PL_wvnmZR81pPW7oERzrsD7TKg9sPP_vOoUQrC1gMzL7C-ExTQFY_k6OawycSYD41zyGYJ0miDJaUNsckSwxa49bYOxcGX_E5c8pHzS1zjH_avZmDR7p7jIfwx5aRyZ_ZSp2Y/s640/DSC_0778.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Snakes that will give you nightmares--</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheJv9NPUeJxVnxRZp8AV4VpL9i6PnpYB96nTNCc2467bddCEHzosb37hY9XL-udWSHmJc0T35wV0ti2y8pvTZf0is8RA6e5mD2ohv5v_XI1J59Z_H23sJIXVuOYt3ohMwinQcxAHwj0Jk/s1600/DSC_0792.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheJv9NPUeJxVnxRZp8AV4VpL9i6PnpYB96nTNCc2467bddCEHzosb37hY9XL-udWSHmJc0T35wV0ti2y8pvTZf0is8RA6e5mD2ohv5v_XI1J59Z_H23sJIXVuOYt3ohMwinQcxAHwj0Jk/s640/DSC_0792.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
And Admiral Ackbar, standing in the
middle of it all--<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4P6yry5YilE3KrD3mntxZZKuYOWyYyn5DXw_RJue_ScTCF-6dTka3PO4cbIPbsSmMzAkQzP0COlK8FnyHi65gjTcbrLQJ6Dkt6y3bkPOb3ald-La8RK4282otHkI_8oe-Re2ToAYNDjg/s1600/DSC_0777.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4P6yry5YilE3KrD3mntxZZKuYOWyYyn5DXw_RJue_ScTCF-6dTka3PO4cbIPbsSmMzAkQzP0COlK8FnyHi65gjTcbrLQJ6Dkt6y3bkPOb3ald-La8RK4282otHkI_8oe-Re2ToAYNDjg/s640/DSC_0777.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
You just know he had to be seeing the
people out to get Ludwig kicked off the throne and telling him “It's
a trap”, right?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Right?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Okay. That's it with the fountains and
the statues. I promise. The grounds did have other things that you
could see, including the ferry boats that brought us over--</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTo8nu4ebUOwfqI3P6KYrXZnbMo24jhgJ3eIa5OCKF3SsBy9IfMcbj5tejt9i6vUWw6Bv189sHGSGjGZ-9Li3UmUsbhTbLb24IaZAjRdwR6y7MotvWBuyt2LLrx6kXBFfgAUXcEOrRjXU/s1600/DSC_0928.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTo8nu4ebUOwfqI3P6KYrXZnbMo24jhgJ3eIa5OCKF3SsBy9IfMcbj5tejt9i6vUWw6Bv189sHGSGjGZ-9Li3UmUsbhTbLb24IaZAjRdwR6y7MotvWBuyt2LLrx6kXBFfgAUXcEOrRjXU/s640/DSC_0928.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
A wonderful line of trees that provided
shade on this hot day, another example of the symmetry you see everywhere on the grounds--</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span id="goog_230303664"></span><span id="goog_230303665"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW1G6NGZ3FgCL0tpiaqUdK6IDr3FSuXk-fmiA4cetjqvPVJ_DweWbeRLBTsMbABOHG7C3wxOHiBbjSJQogzk3AwvimUQylNEMQz2Z-0DIK1uQ6QHBSDtSqm1d0kOHzVwgT-6FvZE9yyIg/s1600/DSC_0881.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW1G6NGZ3FgCL0tpiaqUdK6IDr3FSuXk-fmiA4cetjqvPVJ_DweWbeRLBTsMbABOHG7C3wxOHiBbjSJQogzk3AwvimUQylNEMQz2Z-0DIK1uQ6QHBSDtSqm1d0kOHzVwgT-6FvZE9yyIg/s640/DSC_0881.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span id="goog_230303664"></span><span id="goog_230303665"></span><br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Cows off in the distance--</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsJFpmchmHE7bajnx627jQuUEjbHJNSKnmgVRuprEMQ_ruPIAw-2ViYn8LlJTl-zcy55rjtdtWJSnBgmofsBIs97hOciDgve7zp2Bv8WaiFUKjz4zGwkCpKcPZekbp6AJSa6q2ap6mRFc/s1600/DSC_0759.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsJFpmchmHE7bajnx627jQuUEjbHJNSKnmgVRuprEMQ_ruPIAw-2ViYn8LlJTl-zcy55rjtdtWJSnBgmofsBIs97hOciDgve7zp2Bv8WaiFUKjz4zGwkCpKcPZekbp6AJSa6q2ap6mRFc/s640/DSC_0759.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
And a robot lawn mower, as well--</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2SGOyAL94RRCT9faqO7lyL9Hx4jGmy_WSVrjWysBI5RLeL03Hp7PGRntR6k8GIIrKuLLQjJXFJuiHT1UDVP8Q06NJ0n13BkepGwR_S3uwDjn329fjiYgc3el4vJmFlJr-_PD4iNSvgss/s1600/DSC_0767.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2SGOyAL94RRCT9faqO7lyL9Hx4jGmy_WSVrjWysBI5RLeL03Hp7PGRntR6k8GIIrKuLLQjJXFJuiHT1UDVP8Q06NJ0n13BkepGwR_S3uwDjn329fjiYgc3el4vJmFlJr-_PD4iNSvgss/s640/DSC_0767.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Seriously. It's like one of those
robot vacuum cleaners you see in people's homes, except it was
rolling around the grounds cutting grass. Little kids were more
interested in watching that then they were the castle. Heck; they
were even more interested in the robot lawn mower that than they were
looking at Admiral Ackbar, and that's saying something!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
That trip to the island and back
basically took up our whole day, but the genius behind our little
tour had one more great idea up her sleeve. Remember a few days ago
when we were driving through a small town and she saw a monument to
her BFF? Well, it's only eight kilometers from here, so we took our
dinner down there, and ate it in a park, with the Alps in the
background--</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKdVBRv6Z9WA_XMNFki0h2lqwcOdmqnm7AluYo6dC48B-oopgZCvnT-G-Y1oBJuzfEwcZuEqQNvpylhQ8IKad5pGdR5vxbxQpNGqfDWJlqAYj_DtaMiCHwz_qv4EQ4k_qxT9JkwwNDLcc/s1600/DSC_0941.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKdVBRv6Z9WA_XMNFki0h2lqwcOdmqnm7AluYo6dC48B-oopgZCvnT-G-Y1oBJuzfEwcZuEqQNvpylhQ8IKad5pGdR5vxbxQpNGqfDWJlqAYj_DtaMiCHwz_qv4EQ4k_qxT9JkwwNDLcc/s640/DSC_0941.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
After exploring that little town, we
were quite impressed, especially by the nexus of biking & hiking
trails that emanate from there. So don't be surprised if, some year
in the future, a blog or two is written from the German town of
Grassau--</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZgm15caheVmQY4zLI5LPCsJUiQ_FqG2HCUkGnqMZotPXu0P58A5yovM5o02bAk8vkK1l233RJ2lJnc3_1sYHCSt4qqNvLsOeOgA4pNrsGB7t5Ol7RBeAd_6jpLBl9csU4sXI16WTCO7A/s1600/DSC_0953.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZgm15caheVmQY4zLI5LPCsJUiQ_FqG2HCUkGnqMZotPXu0P58A5yovM5o02bAk8vkK1l233RJ2lJnc3_1sYHCSt4qqNvLsOeOgA4pNrsGB7t5Ol7RBeAd_6jpLBl9csU4sXI16WTCO7A/s640/DSC_0953.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Tomorrow we head back to Munich, look
at few more Ludwig related sites (including a castle belonging to his
family, set in a city instead of a forest), and start to think about
heading home.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
You guys DO think we should come back
home, right?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
8-)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
(<a href="mailto:jim@wmqt.com">jim@wmqt.com</a>)</div>
Jim & Loraine Explore Europehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06025780721003328665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2509666114226450396.post-63309050417078581782018-09-05T14:48:00.003-04:002018-09-05T14:55:22.366-04:00If It's Mittwoch It Must Be Bernau<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
WEDNESDAY, 9/5:</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I can't tell you just how nice that
mythical creature known as “sunshine” feels after a week without
it.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Greetings from Bernau-am-Chiemsee
tonight, where our room does indeed have a view of the nearby lake
but also has four German guys trying to set up a tent right below our
window. I'm not quite sure the purpose of the tent. It might have
something to do with the fact that the entire hotel was closed and
being sandblasted when we arrived late this morning. We weren't
quite sure what was going on, or even if we would have to find
another hotel. But the owner finally came out, and although she
doesn't speak a word of English (to go along with our not speaking a
word of German) we finally figured out that the work would be done by
two or three, and that we should come back then.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We did, and voila. We have a hotel
room. And a floor show outside to go along with it.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We're staying here for a few nights
because it's a good location for tomorrow's big task, taking a ferry
over to a nearby island to see the last one of King Ludwig's palaces
we wanted to check out. But we also know that this place is HUGE
for biking & hiking, and we were kind of thinking about getting a
few bikes, pedaling around the area and soaking up the sun.. One
could, if one wanted, bike 70 kilometers around the lake, although we
were just thinking we could go a few K in one direction or another.
But because we couldn't check in early and have our luggage in a
secure place, our plans were shattered.However, not wanting to waste the sun & the heat we threw our most important stuff in our backpacks, strapped them on, and went for a walk to the
lake, which is about three kilometers away. You walk through town,
past a place that sells luxury yachts, and then down this path--</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfS2Cv0NeuYX7M0o8ZvfVXDN17I5s8Ve3VPORrXlacHFl71XROJhjvsmet6OvT8dU4_Z0qIJJ95n4ZlDsbCfeYTmlTFRtoM06EeuOkBcW6xv4r3pLvMknVZwynC32xnzFoD8mCF2rRyyk/s1600/DSC_0663.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfS2Cv0NeuYX7M0o8ZvfVXDN17I5s8Ve3VPORrXlacHFl71XROJhjvsmet6OvT8dU4_Z0qIJJ95n4ZlDsbCfeYTmlTFRtoM06EeuOkBcW6xv4r3pLvMknVZwynC32xnzFoD8mCF2rRyyk/s640/DSC_0663.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
And eventually you end up at Chiemsee--</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIHsjOjj_z6a9UJwAKl9aMerPsK_R5VgDFomihyphenhyphennPI9gvShrSgbKIWSgZO5AF1VTZxaJkUyp6NLMTcBhb2Vlzw5oS-ynRDzVMgeJWyplEWHrRsSuVsZXDWIjH2IBxeu1HVQNIx0c2QuD4/s1600/DSC_0679.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIHsjOjj_z6a9UJwAKl9aMerPsK_R5VgDFomihyphenhyphennPI9gvShrSgbKIWSgZO5AF1VTZxaJkUyp6NLMTcBhb2Vlzw5oS-ynRDzVMgeJWyplEWHrRsSuVsZXDWIjH2IBxeu1HVQNIx0c2QuD4/s640/DSC_0679.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Chiemsee is Germany's third largest
lake (the biggest in Bavaria) and it's a place that's a magnet for
people, especially on the first warm & sunny day after a week of
cold & wet days. You can swim, sail, or just loaf around in the
sun, all under the watchful eyes of the lake's guardians.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioGA9p_VA3pjIQrtvbabUcwcn5AxHNZjdFnd3MIsBy1TxXen5yLOOHAcOGzoOnwwKrhkgX0APQE1YX6tSWcoj_XPex6XEIIlufU0RMXPwpPTCsOPHzqFxnF02D31ybjBd9zdsql9ic3YY/s1600/DSC_0671.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioGA9p_VA3pjIQrtvbabUcwcn5AxHNZjdFnd3MIsBy1TxXen5yLOOHAcOGzoOnwwKrhkgX0APQE1YX6tSWcoj_XPex6XEIIlufU0RMXPwpPTCsOPHzqFxnF02D31ybjBd9zdsql9ic3YY/s640/DSC_0671.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
It's funny, though. For a place with a
lake and biking and hiking, the town of Bernau itself is rather
sleepy. It just doesn't have much going on. Heck, even the one
grocery store closes at 6. But then, if you're beaching and biking
and hiking all day maybe that doesn't matter. You just need a place
to sleep. Hopefully, Bernau's good for that.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Even with the workers outside our
window.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Actually, there is one place in town I
discovered where you can spend a little time, and that's at the town
park. When I walked through this afternoon there were parents and
kids playing around, plus a nice little stream...</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3fN2lwRLEudJjHBgcZoRxMbsfWBMD-p9NsBYpIsuVkyOSYGpUVlEL9GrBT0vpg83kJ27zuw-cnPCZ3Hpbur3J74lM846Jyl8f1N9jW66Qt7swD242QkIl4NwT0HANSqKVcC8THUoQDGA/s1600/DSC_0694.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1072" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3fN2lwRLEudJjHBgcZoRxMbsfWBMD-p9NsBYpIsuVkyOSYGpUVlEL9GrBT0vpg83kJ27zuw-cnPCZ3Hpbur3J74lM846Jyl8f1N9jW66Qt7swD242QkIl4NwT0HANSqKVcC8THUoQDGA/s640/DSC_0694.JPG" width="428" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
A German bee doing what bees across the
world do--</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM14f-M6axv2q0TfU4owYDQdf53SPmp-Nt-hOJJBo4UGT19QGUMc5iGmVGN-62r5JRRIm9L8kDOGNfbH1jGGNvk3xcnD0HkzC0nKqrmaZeBxAtFzItXIT4TGFlEPe27sgRUTJi9MwUlNg/s1600/DSC_0708.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM14f-M6axv2q0TfU4owYDQdf53SPmp-Nt-hOJJBo4UGT19QGUMc5iGmVGN-62r5JRRIm9L8kDOGNfbH1jGGNvk3xcnD0HkzC0nKqrmaZeBxAtFzItXIT4TGFlEPe27sgRUTJi9MwUlNg/s640/DSC_0708.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
And a mini-golf course that seems to
attract almost everyone in town, including a couple of little kids
who wish they were old enough to play--</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiryXCmnK3z7ikn64h2WwP8buGRaMsq8RdwV3SnmrVB5RAZJWNSvdNVQlPtQC7dfQxZpUeuO12HaE9LsYLqr8KHMv3nfTYosjjYJVzLBCpvcfH5Y3R8QzYu_SKLqhyaOcx6OdycjOZCR4/s1600/DSC_0713.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiryXCmnK3z7ikn64h2WwP8buGRaMsq8RdwV3SnmrVB5RAZJWNSvdNVQlPtQC7dfQxZpUeuO12HaE9LsYLqr8KHMv3nfTYosjjYJVzLBCpvcfH5Y3R8QzYu_SKLqhyaOcx6OdycjOZCR4/s640/DSC_0713.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
One thing we did notice was that there
are a LOT of fruit trees around Bernau--</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM6K3awNEHPyNmxZau7y-SKrPwF9E8e2DmLCQXymGP59sCW52qCY488OJZaBBYeVriW6Cl0BJxd8nsZ4xpjmOZYFY-hjzvtnfgInNm3G1ZBVveCCxQfZlahs9YNh8fYghEm7VJbN5TD-I/s1600/DSC_0703.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM6K3awNEHPyNmxZau7y-SKrPwF9E8e2DmLCQXymGP59sCW52qCY488OJZaBBYeVriW6Cl0BJxd8nsZ4xpjmOZYFY-hjzvtnfgInNm3G1ZBVveCCxQfZlahs9YNh8fYghEm7VJbN5TD-I/s640/DSC_0703.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
In fact, we went for a stroll after we
ate dinner, and I grabbed a plum that had just fallen off of a tree.
It was divine.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
It was a bit of a shock to the system,
too. One of the things I've noticed in my travels is that,
especially in Germany, you don't eat a lot of fruits and vegetables.
I don't know what it's like in the home of an average German, so I
could be entirely wrong about this, but both at breakfast at your
hotel and going out to dinner at a restaurant you don't see a lot of
fresh fruits and vegetables. You see lots of breads, and just about
every part you can get out of a pig, but you don't see a lot of fresh
fruits & vegetables.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Maybe that's why the plum tasted so
amazing.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Lest you think we ignored the chocolate
today, we didn't. Just down the street from our hotel, right off the
nearby exit from the Autobahn, lies a Lindt outlet store.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizGUVElTscRJJMQSNB3FbB_whPEfB1axHvaikDClLe9oKhC9E8ljWExuwN3jwTqMXXtJoCoydzyncVe9MiMagRaZU1WuKnLm90oeAvfodC1J-MNMgwDBbzcx-tiwECffFqU1GEXwfG_fM/s1600/DSC_0687.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizGUVElTscRJJMQSNB3FbB_whPEfB1axHvaikDClLe9oKhC9E8ljWExuwN3jwTqMXXtJoCoydzyncVe9MiMagRaZU1WuKnLm90oeAvfodC1J-MNMgwDBbzcx-tiwECffFqU1GEXwfG_fM/s640/DSC_0687.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Yup; there was actually a little outlet
store mall at the freeway exit, a genius move by somebody trying to
capitalize on people who want to get out of a car & stretch their
legs. But during the short walk from town to the Lindt store we came
across a mystery. There's a Shell station right by the Lindt store.
In fact, you could even see Bob Marley at the Shell station--</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVPg3xCGfvw8AnQvsPSRmlVKf-B2JYq_yzS73zD0oQsCf7_uLKyJdLWnfPGHD5gU4Cw4zbAWB6WJevCO2kzmHy8bfq58jlk8clr9mLTNIgT2wP42zijsAKEHWB1NW_rJTqdUk7Mmb_kb4/s1600/DSC_0685.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVPg3xCGfvw8AnQvsPSRmlVKf-B2JYq_yzS73zD0oQsCf7_uLKyJdLWnfPGHD5gU4Cw4zbAWB6WJevCO2kzmHy8bfq58jlk8clr9mLTNIgT2wP42zijsAKEHWB1NW_rJTqdUk7Mmb_kb4/s640/DSC_0685.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I'm not quite sure WHY Bob Marley was
painted on the back of someone's camper, but that's neither here nor
there. Upon coming into Bernau this morning we noticed that gas was
selling for €1.31 a liter. That's a good price this trip, so we
figured we'd fuel up there when leaving on Friday. But when we
walked down to the Lindt store a few hours later,the price had gone
up to €1.34 a liter. We were a little disappointed, but still
okay with that. We spent about 10 minutes in the Lindt store, and
when we came back out the price at the Shell station was now €1.32
a liter. It went down two cents a liter in ten minutes, just a few
hours after going up three cents a liter.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
What's the deal? Was the person
operating the sign bored today, or maybe had a little too much sugar
for breakfast? Does the store operate on some kind of supply &
demand system, where if they see a lot of cars driving past without
stopping they lower the price, and when they do get a lot to stop
they raise it? Or is there some kind of strange gas pricing
algorithm that all gas stations used to raise & lower prices all
day, and I'm just not aware of it?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
These are the things that keep me up at
night!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
What else is there to share? Well,
because Bernau is a little sleepy, not too much. How about, though,
what may be the world's only curry AND pasta delivery vehicle, which
was basically a motor scooter with a cab on it?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijHTL5eMTxulSvu6hCCkap-1RLMhFSAMLyHO-wMLnxg2I6UOhfJpyXrM8vHhALAxEzEDyFpnu8d1zjxoSBJ97Sr9uyT6M6Tv-IK4Y9yt9zsrfyNXlBO4uUHwUC96AB7Aq7t6-oDqegdNM/s1600/DSC_0734.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijHTL5eMTxulSvu6hCCkap-1RLMhFSAMLyHO-wMLnxg2I6UOhfJpyXrM8vHhALAxEzEDyFpnu8d1zjxoSBJ97Sr9uyT6M6Tv-IK4Y9yt9zsrfyNXlBO4uUHwUC96AB7Aq7t6-oDqegdNM/s640/DSC_0734.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Or this rather attention-getting
display in front of a shop that fixes windshields?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgppdu_e0RCTD9vapM8AQ7moe24wK-HWDTm7UAQ5qzokoNYqwO0Kv7MavuElxgqT6IT4ZKR7WZdxPUNXzwVUesBNIQr1CrkTSg4_6abGQ3UPUBpyY_KrRRbBk449iaXFjhixXibuhZpWB4/s1600/DSC_0684.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgppdu_e0RCTD9vapM8AQ7moe24wK-HWDTm7UAQ5qzokoNYqwO0Kv7MavuElxgqT6IT4ZKR7WZdxPUNXzwVUesBNIQr1CrkTSg4_6abGQ3UPUBpyY_KrRRbBk449iaXFjhixXibuhZpWB4/s640/DSC_0684.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
If they can fix that, they can fix
anything, right?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Well, the guys putting up the tent
underneath our hotel window are now shouting out “ho” in unison
as they put the top on, so this is probably a good time to quit.
Tomorrow, we spend another sunny day on the grounds of a castle so
big it almost covers the entire island on which it sits.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
That should be something.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
(<a href="mailto:jim@wmqt.com">jim@wmqt.com</a>)<br />
<br />
(p.s.--there is one more thing I'd like to share, and that's this picture I took as we were leaving this morning, this picture of Berchtesgaden's iconic mountain peak, Watzmann--<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijV-8AQgQRMZvWSOvDZuzW-JqX1JMwsJrDcsyUEZz11nqu2Sz_ZNs1Lk_9zQUw3F4p0wu5z_X7BncvyrCIag7J5OgiPrDRbS_C33ACrraFguWUws2a9X-0r6lHlbg-vTWFHRgj2MBKTz4/s1600/DSC_0655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijV-8AQgQRMZvWSOvDZuzW-JqX1JMwsJrDcsyUEZz11nqu2Sz_ZNs1Lk_9zQUw3F4p0wu5z_X7BncvyrCIag7J5OgiPrDRbS_C33ACrraFguWUws2a9X-0r6lHlbg-vTWFHRgj2MBKTz4/s640/DSC_0655.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
There's a legend about the mountain that I'll have to share when I have the chance. But we were just glad to see it in sunshine before we had to say goodbye (at least for now)!</div>
<br />Jim & Loraine Explore Europehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06025780721003328665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2509666114226450396.post-26898599305647116122018-09-04T16:24:00.000-04:002018-09-05T15:40:21.845-04:00Here Comes The Sonnen<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
TUESDAY, 9/4:</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I don't think I'm ever going to eat
again.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Greetings today from Berchtesgaden, the
gateway to Germany's coolest national park. While today started out
cool & rainy, by the time we sat down for dinner tonight (more on
that in a second) the sun had come out and all seemed right with the
world. And lest you think I've been complaining too much about six
straight days of wet & cold weather, I'm not alone. When we
checked into the hotel today the lady who owns the place was taking
about how hot & humid it was all summer, and them BAM. Six
straight days of rain & cold. No one around here knows how to
handle such an abrupt change.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
So you see? I'm not the only one. And
with a forecast of mostly sunny skies and highs near 80 tomorrow, I'm
keeping my fingers crossed that everyone will be happy.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Even the lady who owns our hotel.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
This is the fifth time we've been to
Berchtesgaden, and unlike the previous times we had one goal and one
goal only—to eat dinner at a certain restaurant. But it's not any
old restaurant. Nope. Aside from amazing foods, this certain
restaurant has something very few others can offer. This certain
restaurant has a view--</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8koDkN86qiwIFuDVgyxhPNfF59Z96cdWAcWHBydc4kBsqe0RdMEvhvtlYcnOVlihsT8G1L6279yhW0RlfYq8_fD1fuaDYsIvdFfH_mpwxdF5JuxMIqT7o1EMZmp1rq-GGidpq6Bx5h1c/s1600/DSC_0635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8koDkN86qiwIFuDVgyxhPNfF59Z96cdWAcWHBydc4kBsqe0RdMEvhvtlYcnOVlihsT8G1L6279yhW0RlfYq8_fD1fuaDYsIvdFfH_mpwxdF5JuxMIqT7o1EMZmp1rq-GGidpq6Bx5h1c/s640/DSC_0635.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
That's what you see when you eat at the
Hochlenzer, a restaurant that sits almost 4,000 feet up in the Alps.
Part of the adventure is just trying to get there; you have to drive
up a winding road with a 24% gradient. And for those of you in
Marquette, here's a comparison. Fifth Street, perhaps the steepest
hill in the city, has a gradient of just over 10%. So double that,
add another five degrees for good measure, throw in some curves and
some motor homes barreling towards you, and you'll understand why the
drive is quite the adventure.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
However, it is worth it, even aside
from the view. Here's the Hochlenzer Schnitzel that I get every time
we go there--</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqCKPXtpOVjPmGmyy8X0wJor9SqfCmzTDMggwmTmiZ7fl0Encoik0AQCYQJ1PQJFsdx3_c7BLWi-7pcYBcegw3O4neQHU8MfKWF3dgUEhzBzun93AksdTwzMto0dFwer6ShtYaPQVnzqE/s1600/DSC_0631.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqCKPXtpOVjPmGmyy8X0wJor9SqfCmzTDMggwmTmiZ7fl0Encoik0AQCYQJ1PQJFsdx3_c7BLWi-7pcYBcegw3O4neQHU8MfKWF3dgUEhzBzun93AksdTwzMto0dFwer6ShtYaPQVnzqE/s640/DSC_0631.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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And the Schweinebraten Loraine always
enjoys--</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
And so you know, each of those plates
is 14 inches wide. So you get a LOT of food. But because we're
gluttons for punishment, we also ordered dessert. But not any
dessert. Nope...we had to go for the Kaiserschmarnn.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkaKHfL7GniWOJpaiwR75cQSNEez2e52by2pNTM6-3UhhAMhH4hjFi7XFAZgonsKWTZwY6jVM4h6dos5Ff0d8cHPLxRRc7Va4iIoQSkzvXacc2OU0PHISlvw4AlxF2vqc9CoIIffS-X4c/s1600/DSC_0637.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkaKHfL7GniWOJpaiwR75cQSNEez2e52by2pNTM6-3UhhAMhH4hjFi7XFAZgonsKWTZwY6jVM4h6dos5Ff0d8cHPLxRRc7Va4iIoQSkzvXacc2OU0PHISlvw4AlxF2vqc9CoIIffS-X4c/s640/DSC_0637.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Kaiserschmarnn is a German delicacy.
Basically, it's two pounds or so of fried pancakes covered with
powdered sugar and some kind of fruit. In our case, it was
applesauce. Normal people might order this dish as their main
course, but because we're not normal we ordered it for dessert AFTER
eating the schnitzel and the Schweinebraten.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRNCj6AdIdzrMARu6uls3zxOi4vr9MtF96qvaJvue3csrMfJAHjdhur2EJjvnwKtVTb9ObM_hdYpVznAOSCvMEc332MDdWwdimu2P6vWv9yzBZkAdSOkmueaPpAmUS1mzVBakQWbSHVfQ/s1600/DSC_0638.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRNCj6AdIdzrMARu6uls3zxOi4vr9MtF96qvaJvue3csrMfJAHjdhur2EJjvnwKtVTb9ObM_hdYpVznAOSCvMEc332MDdWwdimu2P6vWv9yzBZkAdSOkmueaPpAmUS1mzVBakQWbSHVfQ/s640/DSC_0638.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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And that's why I'm never eating again.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We left our overnight home in Bad
Reichenhall this morning, a mere 24 kilometers from Berchtesgaden, in
a driving rain. Because of that we fell back on the two things that
have never failed us—chocolate and cows. Remember yesterday when I
said our first stop today would be at a chocolate factory outlet
store?</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Well, I wasn't kidding.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br /></div>
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We picked up perhaps a little too much
chocolate for an amazingly low price at the Reber Factory Outlet
Store. But here's the weird part. We got to the store about 15
minutes before it opened. Because it's in the middle of nowhere, we
just decided to sit in the car and wait. Before you knew it, the
parking lot filled up, and people were getting out of their cars to stand in line, waiting for the store to open so they could buy their
chocolate. There was even some guy on a motorcycle with Austrian
plates. As soon as the doors opened the people piled in, and scooped
up whatever they could find.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Apparently this happens every day.
Apparently people like the Reber chocolate so much that they're
willing to stand in line in the rain just to get a good deal on it.
It was quite the interesting sight. Who knew going to a chocolate
store could be a spectator sport?</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Speaking of Austria, we did something
I'm guessing not many people do when they're here. We parked the
car, walked across the street, and walked into Austria--</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFLT8icVKA_8-flis3vMPqc-zC7i6K4GMlK-P6vXw-y-azey0_mR-3QDmyNjs6yS3hPgMZJmFKQR7xgFzbgQk6boe3tAfGk0eMKRjAXLQM0-7_WaihPJlyVI2F4TqiiDlCqy7WPig1Yyc/s1600/DSC_0537.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFLT8icVKA_8-flis3vMPqc-zC7i6K4GMlK-P6vXw-y-azey0_mR-3QDmyNjs6yS3hPgMZJmFKQR7xgFzbgQk6boe3tAfGk0eMKRjAXLQM0-7_WaihPJlyVI2F4TqiiDlCqy7WPig1Yyc/s640/DSC_0537.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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Then we turned around and walked back across the street
and back into Germany--</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2RkhBrJtMMHUwPXjNeCao9kJ7wfJ5U6hscyIn3zUFhTFiDgAYXWXZoRJs18E7mQiRKfd94763nhN5M1QF87yYAlqiRjUA3BUqdoBGy7sZs9sCzBkUzTf5LnoQ296e7f4o_LbQ2TpC03E/s1600/DSC_0540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2RkhBrJtMMHUwPXjNeCao9kJ7wfJ5U6hscyIn3zUFhTFiDgAYXWXZoRJs18E7mQiRKfd94763nhN5M1QF87yYAlqiRjUA3BUqdoBGy7sZs9sCzBkUzTf5LnoQ296e7f4o_LbQ2TpC03E/s640/DSC_0540.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
10 or so steps, two countries. Not bad
for one morning, is it? But you can do that here. Since the advent of the E.U.,
borders between the countries have fallen, and walking between
Germany and Austria is like walking between Michigan and Wisconsin.
Actually, it's easier than walking between Michigan and Wisconsin
because there's not a river separating Germany and Austria. There's,
like, a bus stop--</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvrAjZ7kT32UJLkQXJhSSWXnB3OXJq7PpV7747VtDouNQYpTRWmTLTSsRaFEiqeTQQlLDVkCIg0j63DWS9Q5ogtJCI4Twos-9X-V8iGni7n38ZJJ4azcfEKa526Odi3OeDGHBFOtM6oMw/s1600/DSC_0542.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvrAjZ7kT32UJLkQXJhSSWXnB3OXJq7PpV7747VtDouNQYpTRWmTLTSsRaFEiqeTQQlLDVkCIg0j63DWS9Q5ogtJCI4Twos-9X-V8iGni7n38ZJJ4azcfEKa526Odi3OeDGHBFOtM6oMw/s640/DSC_0542.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
And that's it. The modern world is a
wonderful place.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
When we finally arrived in
Berchtesgaden it was still rainy so we drove around for a bit,
stopping to “ooh” and “aah” at what scenery we could see
through the fog, and also stopping because, well, I'm a dork. Say
“hello” to my newest friend--</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaRrtGrDjLoYBa7Q3Dp0Kmee5hzrfqQgfv8pJIZE7a6spwgW37_WaDEp9D_QaJQQPN7jTUavVF5JvuV1YT5_yQAKG49M4Hz_RbyrLLNgfDfipoqJGLz8iKkUaYG-rt20ZMHTpTmDtAYJQ/s1600/DSC_0568.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaRrtGrDjLoYBa7Q3Dp0Kmee5hzrfqQgfv8pJIZE7a6spwgW37_WaDEp9D_QaJQQPN7jTUavVF5JvuV1YT5_yQAKG49M4Hz_RbyrLLNgfDfipoqJGLz8iKkUaYG-rt20ZMHTpTmDtAYJQ/s640/DSC_0568.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
And my other newest friend--</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsXvEtxMeyDEO9jDceZ-Ac1xDoOP8Cut4YUmmUOIQ-1klNzv113m_a-kyWLXi0_NUZqALVTSI4OvsiZip3eXt9WsoRawWJLPNhXY2YP32a7qi_MmAEiEU7kGGDA8e8Z6vMm_OlGdZ586o/s1600/DSC_0573.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsXvEtxMeyDEO9jDceZ-Ac1xDoOP8Cut4YUmmUOIQ-1klNzv113m_a-kyWLXi0_NUZqALVTSI4OvsiZip3eXt9WsoRawWJLPNhXY2YP32a7qi_MmAEiEU7kGGDA8e8Z6vMm_OlGdZ586o/s640/DSC_0573.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
When we got back in town and strolled
through the pedestrian area we stopped in a toy store, where Loraine
spotted a stuffed cow that looked almost exactly like my first new
friend, pictured above. So guess what I'm taking home with me?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Hey, don't judge. At least it's just a
stuffed cow and not a real one!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Cows weren't the only animals we had
fun with. There's a path in Berchtesgaden called the “Sonnen
Panorama” (The Sun Walk”), and while the sun was just starting to
come out while we were on it we came across a family of goats. Being
stupid humans, we started making noises like a goat, hoping they
would answer back. And they did. Loraine, in particular, had quite
the conversation, at least until the mother goat got bored with the
stupid humans and started giving us the evil eye--</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Like I had mentioned before,
Berchtesgaden is the gateway to the Berchtesgaden National Park,
which is the premiere hiking park in all of Germany. And since
Germans love to hike, the place is usually packed. But if you get
off the beaten path, you can still see many pretty colors...</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Some amazing views--</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
King Ludwig on the side of an ice cream freezer in a grocery store-- </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH5wf4G_wy3Uvy7RWpKPWyv96N9hfq-JZWx6Nt5KLDiSdC_NqX-UsXQQeDA8eeMQiSfAOKodz9OLqMx98-2jnkp3rLXJhNUjzqmqY0RRSPdo68JC4oXV2PrdCUTV-EufQd2zyzJBNMlj4/s1600/DSC_0613.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1072" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH5wf4G_wy3Uvy7RWpKPWyv96N9hfq-JZWx6Nt5KLDiSdC_NqX-UsXQQeDA8eeMQiSfAOKodz9OLqMx98-2jnkp3rLXJhNUjzqmqY0RRSPdo68JC4oXV2PrdCUTV-EufQd2zyzJBNMlj4/s640/DSC_0613.JPG" width="428" /></a></div>
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And a place where you can do some
pretty interesting things to your vegetables for the day--</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9T4E7FvNIrahJBgKFrxOkqvAgDDWfMmHsGxccM2yS5eeflYbSDXeOOPBX_39Fq5fwfK2IEZUyo-QWkojjpgFAEIKcEaeRGFwdKhOfWp9J8LweFn5nPOTK6WtEzevAx1JTsPbiNY7XUXU/s1600/DSC_0576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9T4E7FvNIrahJBgKFrxOkqvAgDDWfMmHsGxccM2yS5eeflYbSDXeOOPBX_39Fq5fwfK2IEZUyo-QWkojjpgFAEIKcEaeRGFwdKhOfWp9J8LweFn5nPOTK6WtEzevAx1JTsPbiNY7XUXU/s640/DSC_0576.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I don't even think I want to know.</div>
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That's it from Berchtesgaden. Because
it's supposed to be nice out tomorrow, we're going to do what all
sane people do, and head to the lake.</div>
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So until then...</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
(<a href="mailto:jim@wmqt.com">jim@wmqt.com</a>)</div>
Jim & Loraine Explore Europehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06025780721003328665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2509666114226450396.post-82052585150572647142018-09-03T13:21:00.005-04:002018-09-03T13:23:05.289-04:00Gesundheit (Or, Without the Exclamation Point It Doesn't Mean What You Think It Does)<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
MONDAY, 9/3:</div>
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When we woke up this morning we weren't
sure if it was an illusion, a cruel joke, or if we had simply gone
off the deep end. But for almost an hour this morning we saw this--</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi70d1WXvKjSFfbY4nTBFjSDP7oAbTAm1-AhGoCOiRvnAvseQazhEDRztdaZsVUkaitgDWJFkxOIJq8hpoFbOIS8N_fgT135F-N2h_GzubhzTANbmTYutJM6-e9bqTVVyxEpTpVlWv7wR8/s1600/DSC_0484.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi70d1WXvKjSFfbY4nTBFjSDP7oAbTAm1-AhGoCOiRvnAvseQazhEDRztdaZsVUkaitgDWJFkxOIJq8hpoFbOIS8N_fgT135F-N2h_GzubhzTANbmTYutJM6-e9bqTVVyxEpTpVlWv7wR8/s640/DSC_0484.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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That's right. The sun actually came
out before we left Garmisch this morning, allowing us to see the peak
of the highest mountain in Germany, the Zugspitze. Of course, right
after we left Garmisch, and for almost the entire trip here to Bad
Reichenhall the fog and the clouds decided they wanted to tag along
with us. But for an hour, we had sun today!!!!!</div>
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<br /></div>
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Today was mostly a travel day,
including the longest drive of the whole trip, a relatively short two
and a half hour jaunt here to Bad Reichenhall. This was to have been
one of the few days where we didn't have any plans to deal with King
Ludwig II at all, but as we were passing through the small town of
Grassau Loraine's eagle eyes spotted something and she shouted out,
“Is that King Ludwig?” As soon as I could find a parking spot we
jaunted back, and sure enough--</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyyHB0CG3ZBD4HxQaI0VLDR-Di2hwI-RhwCo7YKWz7rwoIjRecGeyVHw2yoUUt6hH_wcb_8yqkJBfO91PXZ9ogOjhrQUJBUoi0FwObjFtV6j50RCEQXYGqMA9v0RyfMJuS_hs-mUlYpI/s1600/DSC_0489.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyyHB0CG3ZBD4HxQaI0VLDR-Di2hwI-RhwCo7YKWz7rwoIjRecGeyVHw2yoUUt6hH_wcb_8yqkJBfO91PXZ9ogOjhrQUJBUoi0FwObjFtV6j50RCEQXYGqMA9v0RyfMJuS_hs-mUlYpI/s640/DSC_0489.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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As it turns out, Ludwig employed a
bunch of builders from Grassau when he was building the one castle of
his we haven't yet visited (that comes Thursday) and they were so
grateful that 30 years after his death they erected the memorial to
him.</div>
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When it comes to King Ludwig, nothing
escapes Loraine's attention. Nothing.</div>
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Bad Reichenhall's an interesting place.
It's a spa town (“Bad” meaning “bath” or “spa” in
German), and it's where people go for their health, whether they're
retirees just trying to get around a little better or workers on
their health vacation, which is an interesting concept. Every few
years, Germans get paid to go on a health vacation. You can go
hiking or biking, or just visit a spa town, but every few years you
basically get paid to relax and to look after your health. It makes
German workers among the most productive (and certainly among the
healthiest) on the planet.</div>
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That, I think, is a German concept that
would work wonders for the rest of the world, as well.</div>
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That's why people come to Bad
Reichenhall, so they can walk or hike or even sit around the fountain
and relax--</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfovumVVBUVmM-JFVKDG66T4UeYCJ6px2QNHaXAMJ8xe_YhdhOPiSmLOW-p2VwAbKZj1Dp5FiUV43A6fquLwP1yg-j2pRJi0USgRyALjWpA7_WCpawTzvL9-gEXFg5urWM5-8PtkyhfgI/s1600/DSC_0499.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfovumVVBUVmM-JFVKDG66T4UeYCJ6px2QNHaXAMJ8xe_YhdhOPiSmLOW-p2VwAbKZj1Dp5FiUV43A6fquLwP1yg-j2pRJi0USgRyALjWpA7_WCpawTzvL9-gEXFg5urWM5-8PtkyhfgI/s640/DSC_0499.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Or sit on one of the big chairs and
just take a nap--</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5OKrCXolwTUXqrMdXni2bYddFDcyvwjsH26JxhiSPyQAoh-3-B54mqehbTwqnnG_UwTgNCGbisfGc6pNEJvNsiqaox8hC2eUBOrjFKtlyyZd3zuYyZ_1tY6t5yh0cIthm00q7YsZQ_GY/s1600/DSC_0529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5OKrCXolwTUXqrMdXni2bYddFDcyvwjsH26JxhiSPyQAoh-3-B54mqehbTwqnnG_UwTgNCGbisfGc6pNEJvNsiqaox8hC2eUBOrjFKtlyyZd3zuYyZ_1tY6t5yh0cIthm00q7YsZQ_GY/s640/DSC_0529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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But the big draw at Bad Reichenhall is
the Wandelhalle. It's a huge double-sided wall filled with water
running down over eucalyptus and cedar branches, and you're just
supposed to walk around it, breathing in the air--</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3EsJpJngvjg4EDurY37O_SuTeycz44XL2MrduhboLu51rEo9gzHpVpMn-sRfsJG-_eH4RNGAJX6A1ZZfVKBg_OiavLSZqhfCtbKo2JJXd_-ZBu5NEGJtFSVWLBRoI3sLU0yjsQuko5dg/s1600/DSC_0521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3EsJpJngvjg4EDurY37O_SuTeycz44XL2MrduhboLu51rEo9gzHpVpMn-sRfsJG-_eH4RNGAJX6A1ZZfVKBg_OiavLSZqhfCtbKo2JJXd_-ZBu5NEGJtFSVWLBRoI3sLU0yjsQuko5dg/s640/DSC_0521.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Just because I was curious, because I'm
in Bad Reichenhall, and because I actually do care about my health, I
spent a little time strolling the Wandelhalle. While the air did
smell nice, I found the sound of the water a bigger benefit. Just
listening to it I found myself zoning out and relaxing, which was
something I didn't expect. It was kind of like meditating, while
getting splashed with drops of water here and there. I actually had
a weird sense of calm after the walk.</div>
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Hmm. Maybe there is something to this
place after all.</div>
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There is one ironic twist to the fact
that Bad Reichenhall is a health town. Despite all the emphasis on
health here, I don't think I've ever been in a place in Germany where
so many people smoke. On the grounds of the Wandelhalle and the
gardens? The air is fresh & clean & healthy. Once you get
to the pedestrian area or anywhere else in town? There are times
when it can smell like I imagine a bar would have smelled like in the
1950s.</div>
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For a so-called “health town”, it
is ironic, indeed.</div>
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There are, however, two other things to
recommend about Bad Reichenhall, the first being the flowers that are
everywhere--</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1OsZulqqdZXKnV1VisX3LqNah_1-WX53NdgO_uMc1EdlKZWaPyspP24zNL6BsXrYiaFudaxh-qK8TALv-Ke585eb1-31T6LEubcD-7YWaLwGwLjkhrNdWiAoxegKxpdluMlg6YDNGw1Y/s1600/DSC_0520.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1OsZulqqdZXKnV1VisX3LqNah_1-WX53NdgO_uMc1EdlKZWaPyspP24zNL6BsXrYiaFudaxh-qK8TALv-Ke585eb1-31T6LEubcD-7YWaLwGwLjkhrNdWiAoxegKxpdluMlg6YDNGw1Y/s640/DSC_0520.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The second being this place--</div>
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What is this place? Well, it is the
Reber store and cafe, Reber being a company that makes all kinds of
chocolate goodies--</div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I think I had mentioned yesterday that
there was a place where Loraine and I would be like kids in a literal
candy store. So lest you think I was joking, be aware that I was
not. Not only that, but Reber also has an outlet store we'll be
passing as we're leaving town.</div>
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Now you know the first thing on our
schedule for tomorrow.</div>
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Because a chunk of the day was spent
driving, I didn't take as many pictures as usual. However, I am
happy to report that we did see a poster for what I believe might be
the most popular movie in Germany right now--</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh18r4w9LJhEkJdrWAkefwYuKOEJKu7WgsY7WbgwP_LD9awOCxKXvJW9PBuUVpOg2NY5fPltw11VGY0NXtgPZ3uS8Z_0Nrl6RXb8epnf84KZBlylriUJBSA2Ud1Y-H-hhZGXc7Fww1LkIQ/s1600/DSC_0512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh18r4w9LJhEkJdrWAkefwYuKOEJKu7WgsY7WbgwP_LD9awOCxKXvJW9PBuUVpOg2NY5fPltw11VGY0NXtgPZ3uS8Z_0Nrl6RXb8epnf84KZBlylriUJBSA2Ud1Y-H-hhZGXc7Fww1LkIQ/s640/DSC_0512.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
If you're curious,"Sauerkraut Koma" is the fifth film
in a series about a wacky detective and the wacky adventures that
seem to along his way. I guess that in Germany, even like in
Hollywood, the best idea is a rehashed idea.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
If today was the longest drive of the
trip, tomorrow is the shortest, a whole 28 kilometers to a place with
which we're quite familiar, Berchtesgaden. One of the reasons why is
the yummiest schnitzel--with apple strudel for dessert--in the world.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Pictures then!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
(<a href="mailto:jim@wmqt.com">jim@wmqt.com</a>)</div>
Jim & Loraine Explore Europehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06025780721003328665noreply@blogger.com0