So Pithy » Germany

Marathon cleaning

Jason — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 01:29:56 +0000

Sadly my upcoming trip to Mexico City will preclude my participation in the Des Moines marathon a week from today. It does not, however, keep Deb and I from marathon cleaning and laundry sessions yesterday and today. And it opens up the possibility of maybe running the Disney marathon in January. We’ll see.

In other news: I’ve finally found a stand-in for the muesli I so loved in Germany, and I once again have a desktop PC that works.

Speaking at the Brandenburg Gate

Jason — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 13:28:52 +0000

“Obama didn’t do anything for German unification … That’s not a criticism, but as a result there is no reason to grant him such a privilege.” So says Erwin Huber. Chancellor Merkel has made similar comments about the Obama campaign’s desire to have their candidate make an appearance at the Brandenburg Gate.

Apparently I’m forgetting the contributions Coca-Cola made to German unification that made their Summer Soundwave Tour finale at the same site last year an appropriate privilege. Or the many other events held there. Fortunately, it’s up to officials in the city government, not the federal government, to decide such matters. If they want to grant Obama–or McCain, for that matter–such a privilege, then good for them.

Home on the fourth of July?

Jason — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 19:01:28 +0000

In the past five years I have been home for Independence Day one time: last year. This year, of course, I’m in Germany. Two years ago I was in Kenya. The year before that I was in Germany, and the same goes for the year before that.

So I’m home for July 4th 20% of the time. That number might sound small until you remember that less than 5% of people are in the United States on July 4th.

Three Hours in Poland

Jason — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 17:18:15 +0000

Three hours is not a whole lot of time in a new city. It almost seems a waste, really; if not the time, then the money and effort spent getting there.

Szczecin seemed interesting, from what little I saw. Train station in a bad part of town, perhaps, but that’s not entirely surprising. And, like Prague, prices are low.

Prices are also calculated in a currency other than Euros. That switch is yet to come. But, the border with Germany has been open for a little while now, so there are no passport checks on the train. One minute you’re in Germany, the next you’ve crossed an invisible line.

Trains really are the only way to travel medium to long distances. No worries, no hassles, just easy. Still, four hours travel for a three hour tour of the city (and half of that at lunch) is a bit much to ask, even when it’s train travel.