Picture This

Our Thursday evening Bamberg walk

I said we should get the camera.
Katie felt, on the other hand,

"we just need to remember"...

So picture this:

Venetian gondola drifting down our canal.

Polizei talking with bier-bikers on a five hundred year old bridge.

Sipping Greifenklau pils at a sidewalk cafe
sax, guitar and drum box
serenading
Our waitress knew - she brought ketchup with the fries.

And we will remember...

Nascar Guys Thought Our Car Was Ugly Too!

Life has its bumps and bruises no matter where you live, unfortunately.

On our drive back from France, 45 minutes left to go, ( a long, long German STAU (traffic jam) had delayed us for over an hour) a quick pit stop was necessary.

Lots were full and parking tight. Quickly we hopped out with our .5 euro in hand, headed for the water closet (restroom). As I returned, approaching our Saab, a Hungarian truck driver called out, "Lady your auto and pointed!"

A Toyota/Panasonic Formula One crew guy had put his truck in "R" and backed up into us. Three Nascar trucks had stopped with nine guys. They came over and inspected damage. Big, macho mechanics circling and rude gawking Germans thinking this was a photo opportunity was not fun. "Scotty, beam us home!"

One small scratch was all the truck suffered. The car was still OK to drive, but needs two new headlights, front grill, hood is dented, and air conditioner not usable. A sympathetic mechanic taped a broken headlight for us. (Tom made me take these photos, I wasn't sure if I was going to admit to knowing him.)

German law determines fault on accidents and then the insurer of that party pays out. Two policemen arrived about an hour or so later. Since our car was parked, Nascar guy won the prize! As officers departed Nascar guys gave them hats, none for us!

Dealing with insurance is such a pain in the butt! Did you ever consider that a truck cab and trailer might be owned and insured by different companies? At this point we are not sure what we will do with our smashed auto. We might fix it, sell it for parts (a guy wants the engine) and then rent until we fly home SEPTEMBER 17th!

As we've already told some of you, we would be thrilled to stay at your B & B for a night or two, until we know where we are going to live happily everafter. (Sorry about my shameless plug for lodging) I would clean, do errands, chat, play checkers with you, care for children, or/and make meals while Tom is on safari looking for a position. And I guess since it will be fall, I could rake leaves too!

Dreaming of Copper Pots (or Katie Goes Shopping)

When we left for Europe, at the top of my shopping list, was copper pots. I wanted my kitchen to look gourmet, like that of a French chef, with wonderful aromas filling the house.

Several times I examined copper pots in stores, including Paris, but just couldn't bring myself to purchase them. Too expensive and maybe I wouldn't use them enough. It seems I glance at cookbooks and magazines, fully intending to roast succulent meats and make perfect pastry from scratch, but I don't.

Sunday markets are relatively popular countryside events.
Produce, meats, cheese, pastry and coffee stands tempt one.
However, the real purpose of these
gatherings is to sell your stuff to a neighbor or tourist.

Vendor rules follow:
No.1 Don't mark a price on anything.

No.2 Remember a language barrier works in your favor, shrug a few times.

No.3 When they ask a price, keep changing it, see what you can get.

No.4 Don't admit you have change.

No.5 Smile at the buyer, not her husband.

No. 6 Once she buys something, and you see they have euros, get out the good stuff from your van.

No.7 Throw in something free you are tired of storing, maybe a wooden pot rack.Sold! Seven copper pots and a couple of other treasures!

Tour Watching - Part II - The Sun is Shining

When you are in France,

Tour start is only 10 km from your inn (12:30 p.m.),
and it's your chance to see Lance,
one just has to head to Colmar.
A chocolate croissant and coffee, at a very French cafe, with locals was a perfect beginning.
Several stands were selling must-have souvenirs.
(you have to buy this stuff, so one can remember your travels fondly
and have something to dust or wear)
Tom decided on a nice yellow shirt
and me a hat and coffee mug.
(I have a tacky mug collection)
Fans were buzzing around cobblestone streets,
waiting and watching for cyclists to arrive.
An hour before starting time, a parade of sponsors geared fans up.
Quickly it seemed they were off, and another marathon leg was underway.
On average a course of 160 - 200 km is covered by racers in a five to six hour time period.
The sunny Saturday weather was a relief from yesterday's rain.

Le Tour de France

Started 96 years ago, French cyclists quickly gained international excitement for their tour. The 2009 race began in Monaco on July 4, ending in Paris on July 26. Participants bike 3,500 km in a 21 stage event. (180 men start, made up of 9 teams of 20)

Lance is back for this year's race, in second place as of the 21st. ( most recent appearance was in 2005) His Spanish teammate has the lead. In statements to the press,
Armstrong is suggesting Contador may earn this year's yellow jersey.
Lance declared he isn't as able to climb mountains, as well as in his past.
We watched two race legs, Friday checking out the Vittel to Colmar ride. About five km from the finish line, in a small village, we waited forever. Getting a spot to see the Tour is not a problem, the issue is getting to it and parking, because of road closures which occur about five hours beforehand.

It rained, sometimes pouring, all afternoon.Our favorite race fan was "Wannabe".



A gentleman in his sixties, behind his BMW,
pulled a painted trailer and sound system.
Mr. Hospitality buzzed around posing for and taking photos.










Just like the Super Bowl, or any other major sporting event, sponsors are a big part of the show. An hour prior to race arrival, a caravan of commercialization passes by tossing out treats;
hats, key chains, gummy bears, umbrellas, meat snacks, crackers, bottled water, balloons, pens, shirts, newspapers etc.





Finally, here they came, racers peddling down the hill into town!! Two cyclists had pulled ahead, followed by pack 1, 5 minutes back; pack 2, 10 minutes later; pack 3 in another ten minutes and then the last rider in about 15 minutes. (I guess you could say he was not having a good day.)










Job done, we had watched the Tour!

Cold, wet, hungry, and a bit grumpy, off we drove to find food.

Flower Power

The stunning beauty of flowers ,both in French villages and countryside, was picture perfect. Communities are set in valleys, or on rolling hills, with mountain ranges as their background. Vineyards can be seen for miles and miles, grapes abundant, some beginning to turn purple.

French gardeners put forth much effort to plan, plant and then care for flowers. Artistic talent was very apparent - height, color, grouping of plants, use of vines, container selection was all considered before action was taken.


Fields of bright, brilliant sunflowers (all facing the direction of the sun) highlighted our drive. Cut flowers farms, "U Pick" were a popular Sunday afternoon activity.


The Alsace region of France is internationally recognized for its wine. Vineyard beauty with farmers at work rounded out our tour.

"So Grilled"

Chez McDonald's creation for southern France was a gourmet hit,
"delicieux!" "C'est bohn!"(It's good!)
A generous sized grilled chicken breast, toasted baguette, lettuce, tomato and
a special sauce that resembled green goddess.
At a chic little bistro in Colmar a similiar dressing was served on a chicken dish.

Sixteen pages of "La Nutrition" greeted diners as you picked up napkins.
TMI (too much information) was given out,
with gentle reminders if you eat this fare,
plan on running, jumping, hopping, biking ..... exercise!

Fellow Americans this is our problem,
and it's no secret,
SUPERSIZE!
A petite serving of frites (fries) has 235 calories,
frite grande measures in at 470 calories a serving.
(no ketchup or mayo has been added yet).
Please note I'm not eating in this photo,
just reading and weeping inside.

No matter what,
I am still a fan of the golden arches!
Since the kids are grown I don't have to chase down Happy Meal prizes,
but do admire,
and for my collection of tacky mugs,
would like one of the jumbo McCafe cups.

The Principality of Lichtenstein

One of the highest standards of living worldwide
is the privilege of Lichtenstein citizens.

The landlocked alpine micro state has a strong financial sector,
more companies are registered than people (35,000).
It is not a part of the EU,
no interest in membership and
has the reputation of being a tax haven.
Three countries are smaller than this one;
Vatican City, Monaco, and San Marino.
Approximately 100 square miles of land make up Lichtenstein.
Fantastic mountains and small farms grace the countryside.
A main road connecting the "big L" to Austria and Switzerland
is busy with retail shops, museums, government offices,
banks and lots of office buildings!
(none of them have for rent signs in windows)
Pope John Paul journeyed to the Chapel of St. Elizabeth in 1984.
A life size statue was erected in his honor.
Liechtensteiners generally have German roots and are Catholic.
(at least that is what they tell their grandmothers)
Since we were right next door to Switzerland
a quick drive over the boarder to drool at their Alps and lakes.
The Swiss - so neat and tidy, hardworking, prompt
- have done well for themselves.
Laid back near the roadside we marveled at
Swiss Precision Air Force
maneuvers.
Perched on a country hillside, we ate pizza the way all Europeans do,
with a knife and fork.
A pizza (medium size), salad and ice tea cost us about 42E or $60.

Off to Iowa (actually Austria)

Driving to another country in Europe is sort of like traveling to other states in the U.S.
Fourth of July weekend plans for us didn't include fireworks,
instead we were in awe of majestic Austrian and Swiss mountains.
We lodged near Innsbruck with a phenomenal view out our window.
Austria is one of our favorites.
The sun rises, showing off a panoramic landscape of unmatched beauty.
People are genuine, value tradition, and are dynamic with spirits
that thrive on outdoor sporting activities.
We hiked, admiring Alpine meadows filled with wild flowers and grazing animals.Bells around the necks of goats, sheep and cows sounded like wind chimes.
Miles and miles of paths cut through the mountains displaying unending pleasing sites.

Morning snail watching (have to get up with the sun for this one) was a new activity for us.
Big (5 inch), fat, slow moving creatures were out on stroll.
Sort of cute, Europeans eat them like caviar, we'll stick to chocolate.




Afternoon drives introduced the assignment of not hitting Tour de France wannabes on curvy, tight mountain roads.
Pedaling away, sweating, grimacing, struggling, panting . . . testosterone propelled men challenged themselves!
(even when a body is really toned, I don't think tight fitting biking outfits should be worn in public)