Everything in this country is just slightly off.

I think it's almost done just to spite me....

1) Dryers do not have exhausts like in the US, the moisture collects in some tray. I didn't know this. The tray was full. I pulled my clothes out after an hour soaking wet and about 200 degrees. Almost like I was pulling them out of boiling water. I basically was...

2) Germans are pretty good at cars and beer, but they're less than mediocre at city planning... City streets are neither numbered nor named alphabetically. If you continue on the same street for more than 3 blocks, the street name will change. Makes it real easy for a foreigner to find his way around...

3) After the first night in the hotel, the maid stole my comforter. Never got it back. I still haven't figured that one out...

Oh, did I mention the Super bowl doesn't end here until around 5am Monday morning? Lame.

München

Headed out to Munich a little late on Saturday because my coworker I went with, Adrienne, overslept (seriously, I woke up before someone). Got a falafel at the train station - it was good, but it had nothing on my old namesake.

Got into Munich around 3, found a hotel, then walked in the direction we thought the sites were. About a mile and half later, there we were. Weird, that should never have worked out. The most memorable thing about Munich was all the old historic sites with cell phone stores and foot lockers built into them. It would be like me selling bacon wrapped bacon out of Lincoln's right leg...

Went to Hofbrauhaus for dinner. It’s a famous bar that fits probably a 1000 people, half tourist, but all drinking beers by the liter. Met a couple from UMD. Despite that fact, they were pretty cool. Living in Switzerland and had lots of good traveling advice. Some Schnitzel, a pretzel, and 2 liters of beer later, it was time to leave...

Late night, we went to an area with a bunch of clubs (in Germany, this still is not my thing). Going in to the area there was a "Tex-Mex Grill". They sold hamburgers. First stop, a communist club. There was a statue of Lenin out front and about 15 people inside. Not quite a thriving business, who would've guessed communism would bring you that. Second stop, a bar the size of my closet. Still about 15 people, but this time I'd consider it crowded. Third stop, more normal club. I was surprised by how much American music they listen to. Locals knew more of the words than I did - of course that would probably still be true in Mongolia...

The next day, I ate a doner kebab. Kind of like a gyro. The server tried to give me a plate after he blew on it and then scraped something off with his fingernail. Thanks, but I'll just use the paper it's wrapped in...

Went to a toy museum (even lamer than it sounds) and the Deutches museum dedicated to technology and engineering. That one would have been interesting except all the good exhibits didn't have English translations... My method of communicating in stores and restaurants (mostly pointing), didn't help with translating paragraphs about oil drilling...

I ate a German delicacy tonight...

"Curry scallops & scampi with bok choy".

ummm, germany, didn't you mean to use the word shrimp instead of scampi?? A friend I was eating with ordered "salmon trout". Sounds like some sort of super fish... It turns out it is a real kind of trout, but I'm pretty sure the dish was really just salmon.

Poor translation in english menu, but still one of the better meals I've had here. Tomorrow is Schnitzel and Beer in Munich.

Snow Day!

On my third day of work it snowed 2.5 feet (may be metric or an exaggeration). I got all the way to work before I found out it was cancelled. Spent 10 minutes getting the fiat out of its parking space, then went back to the hotel. Caught the train downtown and ended up in a shopping district. Had my first lunch where the waitress couldn't speak english. It went pretty well until I ordered coffee and she asked whether I wanted a cup or a whole pot. Luckily, there was a guy from Oregon at the next table that jumped in to translate. "ein taffe". I'll get that next time... I also managed to buy hazelnut chocolate, pastries, and an electric skillet without using english. Awkward looks when I'm talking are down 20%.

Now it's time to go downstairs and say "Cann ich bier haben?" 17 times. Check out pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/adammorganvt/SnowDay

My sleep schedule so far.

2pm - 8pm
5am - 1pm
11pm - 3:45am

Probably the last time in my life I will wake up 4 hours before I have to be at work.....

Some things to know about Germany...

1. Ordering water results in you getting $5 carbonation.... Apple juice may also contain carbonation....
2. Lines that divide traffic going in the same direction are white dotted. Lines that divide traffic going in opposite directions are white dotted. Does anyone see where this may cause me problems?
3. If you randomly order a beer at a restuarant, you'll get something good.

Fiat Punto, 1.2 liters of power...

I'm flooring it going down the Autobahn, trying to keep up with the Ford Minivan I'm following. I'm failing...

The adventure started in London....

So, I had a layover in London. I was supposed to land at 6:05 AM, giving me plenty of time to catch my 8:10 flight. The pilot had to circle around for awhile, so we didn't get down until 6:25. Still plenty of time....

I get off the plane and took a bus 15 feet to terminal 3. My next flight is in terminal 2, so I follow the signs up stairs, through a long hallway, down stairs, through another long hallway to the bus that takes you to terminal 1 and 2. After about 18 turns on the bus, we're at the terminal, it's now 6:50. More stairs and hallways that take me in what feels like more circles. I get in the security line. "Only one carry on allowed in the UK" the security person says. "What if I have 2?". "You have to go the other way". "huh?". He points towards customs.... Another person explains I have to go through UK customs, check my bag at the ticket counter, then go back through security... Yeah, that's efficient. I take 2 minutes to debate whether i can take the 3 pairs of shoes in my backpack, put them in various coat pockets, then stuff the laptop bag in the backpack. It won't work. There's about 200 people in line for customs. I'll never make it. A Columbian girl, having the same problem, says she's going in the short line that has 2 people in it and no sign that says what it's for. They don't let her through because she's not from the EU. Hmm... has the US joined the EU, yet? I'll try.... I explain my situation using my official passport (it is now officially worth the extra money I ended up paying). A special agent takes me aside to question me, then lets me go. The Columbian girl is still stuck. It's now 7:10. I sprint through baggage claim, up to the ticket counters, down the entire front and up the back (think dulles). No Lufthansa... I ask someone. He points outside, to the left, 10 minute walk. I run it. A taxi driver gives me more directions (I'm glad UK is english speaking). 7:15. Short line at the ticket counter, 20 person line at security, then about 5 in line for passport check. I'm in the wrong line. It's not moving. 7:40. I switch lines, get through, run to the gate. I get there at 7:47, they started boarding at 7:45. Awesome...

I wore too many layers.... Worst designed airport ever.