The European Chronicles - 2021 Ch. 9
Gratitude
That's my overwhelming feeling after this trip. Really, how could it be otherwise? I've been able to pursue my passion an ocean away, during a global pandemic that has killed over 4 million people worldwide. Gratitude seems appropriate.
Just a few days ago, Germany put the US back on the "bad boys" list because of our dramatic rise in Covid cases; the US has announced that booster shots will become available starting 20 September. In many ways, I hit the timing lottery. And I want that booster shot so I can continue to keep myself, and those around me, safe and healthy.
This trip was filled with beautiful scenery and roads but, unfortunately, somewhat less interaction than normal. To be expected because of the virus, and certainly somewhat my choice as well. Still some interesting characters:
At Stefan's...
Tad, whose company does real estate development in the middle east. Just finished work on NYU's new campus in Abu Dhabi. Now considers himself retired, bought some property in St. George, Utah and wants to raise a family. To make that happen he's shopping for a wife; he's maybe 40 if anyone wants to volunteer.
Mike, a retired contractor for the Pentagon, living in DC, spent 11 years living in downtown Moscow. You do the math.
Bob, also now retired, did shipping logistics for a NASCAR team.
On the road...
Adriana, a Lt. in the heavy airlift wing of the Hungarian military. In Garmish for a NATO conference. She and her partner are trying to buy a house and keep getting outbid. Real estate is crazy worldwide.
Klaus, the retired Audi factory planning consultant. His explanation of how German pensions work blew me away. We've got it so wrong.
Waitress doing her apprenticeship at the Waldblick Hotel. Three years apprenticeship is required for almost every vocational job in Germany. It is a formal system that virtually guarantees employment upon completion, and is designed for those that do not want to go to university. Smart.
The three riding buddies at the Kurgarten in Wolfach, none of whom spoke English, not that I speak German. We were able to communicate through pictures on our respective phones, which was kinda fun.
A bit over 2100 miles, which surprised me, and Mia got 54 mpg, which didn't. Love these bikes.
A few observations, some old, some new.
Never disrespect Grandma in her Skoda.
She will throw that speedball by you, make you look like a fool boy.
Europeans still love their diesels, and love the torque. Whenever the "end limit" sign comes up, the right foot goes down, all the way down, no waiting. Does not matter if there's another limit coming up in 500 meters, everyone accelerates now. And that torque helps to jump up quickly, no matter the vehicle. A VW Polo or UP!, a delivery van, the big black estate, or Grandma in her Skoda. She will pull you up that hill waaaay faster than you expect.
This was something Klaus and I talked about; he did a trip through the US about 10 years ago and commented that when he returned to Germany, he had to adjust back to the European "style" of driving. It takes me 3-4 days to adjust each time.
That said, everybody shares the road. There is no "my lane" mentality. Make room to merge, move over for motorcycles, filter to the front or around traffic, no problem, totally expected. No one is angry, there does not seem to be any "road rage," just a communal, we all need to get there, approach. Refreshing.
Estates still rule the Autobahn.
They are almost all black, silver or white, in that order; long, low and Fast. I had three in a row...three!...blow by me on the autobahn while doing 100 mph, they had to be doing at least 140. Imagine standing on the side of the road and having a vehicle drive by a few feet away at 40-50 mph. That is how fast they passed me while I was doing 100. You get used to it after a while.
The autobahn remains extremely disciplined, no one dawdles in the left lane...signal, pass quickly, move back over. Repeat. Very efficient.
E-bikes have taken a giant leap, E-scooters too.
Sure, there are still the rail-thin spandex people working hard on their bicycles, but for the rest of the population, e-bikes seem to be THE thing. They are now everywhere, ridden by every sort of person. The Deutsche Post delivery vehicles in Fussen are all electric bikes.
Back in 2019, I walked into a sports store in Bolzano that had an entire floor devoted to e-bikes, that has only increased, with even the motorcycle manufacturers like Husqvarna, Ducati and even Harley Davidson now with their own offerings.
And just like in US cities, e-scooters have appeared and are multiplying. I don't remember seeing any of these in 2019.
Things are clean, really clean.
Look back through some of the photos I've posted, see any trash? Nope, and I've done nothing to make that happen. There just isn't any...well, there's the occasional something, but it is extraordinarily rare. The autobahn, secondary roads or city streets, does not matter. And they've come through the pandemic just like we have, with far stricter lockdowns.
In contrast, the roadways in and around Tucson are an absolute disaster, with garbage everywhere.
When did we become such pigs? Sad.
Flower boxes are ubiquitous.
It's a thing, no question. No idea who maintains them, but it sure adds ambiance. Hotels, private houses, city streets, railings, everywhere. Simply pretty.
The roads are smooooooooth.
There is no comparison to US roads. None. Even our newly paved roads are not as smooth as the average road here. And the tarmac is very grippy, with virtually zero "crap" on it, no gravel, sand, garbage, nothing.
Fun.
Get ready.
Ok, Mia's got fresh Motul 300V 15w-50, a full tank of Agip Super Premium Plus with stabilizer added, and a wax job, with everything "tagged and bagged."
We are ready for more, bring on 2022!
Until then...stay chill. 😎
Love you Krisanne, I'll be home soon...
