Tag #6

"Don't Wanna Go" (11-24-05)
I can tell our on-the-go vacation is starting to get to JBP. This morning, my little boy who starts each morning with the words, "Where are we going today, Mommy," vehemently fought going anywhere. This presaged a very difficult day ahead for us.


Autobahn
Despite JBP's reluctance we did hit the road today. This was Der Deutscher's second chance to drive the autobahn. Every American male's dream.

As soon as JBP realized where we were going, he asked, "Daddy, will you speed for me?"

Der Deutscher tried to explain that when there are no posted speed limits you can't be speeding. But JBP just doesn't get it. All he knows is here his Dada drives really fast on the highway, something he can't do at home.

Needless to say, Der Deutscher was perfectly happy to accede to JBP's need for speed.

But, about five minutes into the drive, JBP suddenly became quite anxious to slow down. He thought there was a cop car behind us. He really didn't get that it's legal to drive that fast here.


Mall
The concept of the mall has unfortunately infected Europe. That's right we went to a mall, right here in the middle of the continent. There wasn't even the excuse of a nearby American base. It simply is.

Although it is like an American mall in that it's a series of stores all under the same roof, etc, there are a few important differences.

1. The temperature. The mall here is kept cool enough that you're comfortable leaving your coat on throughout your shopping expedition. But it's not so cool that you'll gte cold.
2. The interior decorating. They've done their best to make it look like you're strolling down an indeterminate european street doing your shopping at traditional stores, not in an americanized shopping center. The decoration even includes false second story balconies, etc, in the food court.
3. The Food Court. Yes, there is a food court. But other than the ubiquitous McDonald's and Subway stores that you now find everywhere, the offerings are uniquely european. For example, we stopped at a yoghurt parfait store for lunch. I ordered something called an Amarenabercher because it looked like it had blueberries in it. There are no blueberries in europe. Forget it, they simply don't exist. What I got actually had cherries in it (Kirsche in the local lingo.) It was OK, but not what my mouth was all set for.

Convenience Stores
You know, the stores attached to gas stations around the world. They sell all those little items you may need on a trip, at an outrageous price.

One major difference here, instead of advertising things like 'breakfast sandwiches' and Krispy Kremes they advertise Brotchen. That's my kind of fast food!

Nimitz' Lady