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Trip to Germany

Over the next few weeks my wife and I are travelling in Germany.  She’s travelling on business while I simply enjoy ride.

As is customary when we travel anywhere outside of our city, we experienced the usual challenges (I say usual because it happens all too often): our credit card was cancelled, and the airplane was overbooked and my wife barely got a seat (she was the last person to check in and we arrived quite early).  Nevertheless, the flight was trouble-free and we arrived in Germany ahead of schedule.

Up until this point I had always held the point of view that getting through Canadian customs could not be easier.  I was wrong.  Entering Germany consisted of presenting my passport and having it stamped.  The customs officer said not one word; he simply smiled and waived me on.

It took awhile to find our rental car through the five levels of parking.  Imagine our surprise when the automatic transmission car we reserved was actually not so automatic after all.  It worked out in the end as we were “upgraded” to a Mercedes.  I’ve never liked the look of Mercedes but I can’t complain as it drives well and its integrated GPS navigation system is incredibly accurate and reliable.

Our apartment is small but very nice (it must have been recently redone).  The city we’re staying in is a bit older and situated across a valley.  The view is quite spectacular.  We’re located on the edge and overlook much of the city and its surrounding hills.

The bizarre thing with Germany is their traffic signs (I suppose the same could be said from a German resident visiting Canada).  Often the traffic lights are located at the beginning of the intersection (where you stop your car) instead of across the intersection.  Their signage is also a little odd with, more often than not, signs indicating the driver has the right of way–as opposed to signs stating one needs to yield.  The backwardsness of this means that you have to yield when you see no signs, but drive when you do see signs–regardless of how the intersection looks.

The journey is just beginning but so far it’s not too bad (considering most of the expenses are covered for us).

We haven’t had a chance to tour the area a lot, but I’ve posted some pictures below that we’ve taken so far.  These are of our apartment and the view we have from it.  Note the two single beds pushed together: Germany doesn’t have queen or king-sized beds.  Also note the minute fridge that we still found time to stock with the essentials.