Hey All!
Just arrived back home last night from my 2 week business trip to northern Germany. What a whirlwind couple of weeks! I'll start by saying that over 10 hours on a plane is borderline insane. I am just not built for that kind of travel. What makes it a little more tolerable is that the plane rides aren't back to back. I couldn't handle a short trip that far away. A bit of a glitch getting back has me awaiting my luggage via a cab later today - hopefully.
Germany is beautiful. The region we were in is kind of remote and there was a lot of surrounding farmland. I was surprised to see all of the wind generating turbines and solar panels all over the place. They seem way ahead of the US in alternative energy. That area is close to the border with The Netherlands which had a lot of the same landscape. We didn't have a lot of great weather but still beautiful.
It is true what I had heard that the Europeans are much more fit than Americans. It was stunning in contrast. I really think they are much more active in their everyday lives. They walk or bike everywhere. They don't eat as much processed food either. An example; I am still amazed at how good the dairy was there. I never ate so much good cheese and eggs in my life, the breads and meats were something else, and let me tell you about the beer........and another thing, everyone smokes......go figure.
The local Pub. The carpet crew from London could be found here on off hours! They were a scream!
The canals are rimmed with businesses that seem to close very early. A new car show here on a Sunday afternoon had what seemed to be the whole town out and about.
OBI rocks! The German Home Depot! They have radio commercials set to Queen's, "We Will Rock You" in German, surreal......The place saved us a number of times, and they had probably the best bakery in town at the entrance, just plain weird.
Amsterdam was a 2-1/2 hour car ride away on the Autobahn. What a great city. It was a rainy, windy, and cold day for sure!
We started at the Van Gogh museum. The busiest museum I've ever seen!
There was this carnival set up right in the middle of the city. Having it set against these great old buildings was such a contrast. We walked through the midway games area to find a guy throwing a ball to break REAL dinner plates at one game, right next to a kid with a REAL bow and arrow breaking balloons! We were not in Kansas anymore!
The city is sliced up by all the canals running through it. Just beautiful. Check out the swans.
A great trip, a lot of work. I am glad to be home. I look forward to someday travelling to Europe for vacation. Just so much to see and do.
Gotta rest today and get turned around 'cause it's back to the grind tomorrow.