I'd like to expand on Jenn's notes on the differences between Germany and Italy.
The first thing we noticed: sidewalks. Not just their presence, but the evenness and width of them. Why, a person could conceivably walk on them here.
Second thing we noticed: costs. A private room with walk-in closet, en suite washroom (full-size, nonetheless), towels, breakfast, and wi-fi for 43 euros. In Venice, this would cover the cost of getting to and from the hostel with change left over for a coffee. With an accountant in the family, I don't think it's wise to disclose what the hostel in Venice actually set us back.
Third thing we noticed: juror number seven was right, anyone who speaks German can't be bad. Nice Germans or Austrians everywhere taught us some new words and pointed us in the right direction when we got lost.
Fourth thing we noticed: a public who enjoys their culture. We stepped out from the subway car (entering on the left, exiting on the right) to the sounds of piped classical music. We ascended to a local park, passing two separate, well-dressed buskers cranking out more classical music.
Fifth thing we noticed: a sense of order. In the same park, we crunched merrily along a gravel path, feeling some discomfort at dislodging the stones. Until we noticed the repair crew behind us, diligently re-raking the gravel paths.
Sixth thing we noticed: escalators. The first broken-down thing we saw in Munich was a stationary escalator. "Hey, at least it's bidirectional!" we joked. And then we stepped on it. And it started moving. Oops - it really was bidirectional.
Seventh thing we noticed: public toilets. In Munich, at least, there were free toilets--by law--for anyone in any establishment that serves alcohol. Therefore, it came as no surprise when we came across a portapotty in the same park. Grateful that it was at least free, I plugged my nose, thinking the magic of Munich would have to come to a smelly end. Wrong: the portapotty was clean and smelt of blueberry bubblegum.
Eighth thing we noticed: Coke. There will be a separate, lengthy essay on the nuances and costs of Coke in the countries we are visiting. But, on Coke in Austria, let me say this: it's cheap. Cheaper than in Canada. And it tastes like sewage. We are harbouring suspicions that the ingredient "Sauerungsmittel E 338" is German for "aspartame." Or "poison."
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Sir: I believe that your reference to Juror No. 7 is in error and that you actually intended to refer to the Simpsons.
Die, Colin and Jenn, Die!
Hi!
Glad that you are enjoying the sights and sounds of Germany and Austria. They really support the arts. Hope you can take in a musical concert or organ recital at a church. If you need a rest, the main library in the RIng has listening stalls with lots of classical music.
Has Colin decided how to spend our grad gift to him ( see my e-mail to Jennifer)? From Mom Keith
Hi Colin and Jenn,
Mom, Jess and I just got back to Dawson Creek from Halifax. Jess's grad was really nice and Mom and I had a great stay at Prospect Bed & Breakfast.
I read your blog about the orderliness of Germany and Austria to a fellow guest, a German, at the B&B. He thought it was very funny (and accurate) and he correctly guessed the conclusion of the disturbed gravel story before I even had to read it to him! Which would indicate that what you say is completely true or that Urich is one clever fellow (which, as a professor at the University of Western Ontario, he certainly must be).
Urich seems to know a lot about Coke despite not being a software engineer. He said that Coke has different tastes throughout the world and that if you are ever in Atlanta (a honeymoon destination perhaps?) you can go to Coca-Cola's museum and sample Cokes from all over the world to see how the pause that refreshes does so in different ways in different places.
Burp.
Hope you enjoyed Vienna.
Love,
flyydq dad
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