We're back in Freiburg for a few days, and things aren't entirely as we were expecting. First, it was almost 100
oF today--hot for Freiburg, and hotter than it's been all year in Durham. Hot.
Second,
Rindfleischetikettierungsüberwachungsaufgabenübertragungsgesetz is
no longer the
longest word in the German language. According to the UK's
Telegraph, "the word--which refers to the 'law for the delegation of monitoring beef labelling,' has been repealed by a regional parliament after the EU lifted a recommendation to carry out BSE tests on healthy cattle." I'm not sure how Germans will refer to this law as history without the word, but I'm sure the
Volk will work it out in due time.
Third, despite reserving a rental car two months in advance and talking with a rental company rep about how we needed a car large enough to hold Stefan's bike suitcase
and four people, we were surprised today to receive a car large enough to hold Stefan's bike suitcase
or four people. After much wrangling, Stefan negotiated upgrading to a larger car on Friday, the day before we need to drive the bike
and four people to Austria for his
110-mile, 9000-ft elevation gain bike race. I'm not sure whether the chance to upgrade represents an improvement in German service over the past several years or not. Incidentally, the weather on race day is currently anticipated to be 50
oF in Nauders, with rain. Even compared to today's heat, I don't think that represents an improvement in the weather.
Some pics from the day:
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| A steam-punk bespectacled dog Wasserspeise |
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| A dog or goat body therapist cheerfully massaging a human head Wasserspeise |
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| Lunch at Chang Thai |
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| Where muppet fairies sleep |
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| Mock orange |
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| Walking home from dinner |
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| Sweat makes great hair-styling gel |
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| Rose |
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| Grape vines at 8pm |
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