Cool European Things

Transportation: You can get virtually anywhere on public transportation. Trains, subways, trams, buses. We were really impressed by their mass transit system from city to city.

Gas Mileage: Considering we were driving a large E-Class Mercedes both on the autobahn and in the city, and mostly at high speeds we managed to get about 30mpg, and that is at an average speed over 110mph! Why haven't we managed this in the USA?

Dogs: Dogs everywhere and they are not treated as 2nd class citizens! We saw people with their dogs in the airport, train stations, stores, restaurants, and in the subways. Never did we see a mess in any of these places, but watch out for the Munchen sidewalks! Perhaps a "Doogie Poop" bag company needs to be set up there.

Environmentally: We saw solar panels and wind farms almost everywhere we went. They also are very big on recycling their trash, but I was amazed that they don't recycle metal/aluminium.

Clean: Germany is a clean country, we didn't see trash in most places. No cars parked on the side of the highways. The only exception to this is what we saw in Nurnberg which I hope was just a fluke!

Electricity: They run on 220 volt which seemed far superior to our 110 volt. Things worked faster. The stove, coffee pot, hair dryer, all of it. In addition, they conserve their electricity, with motion detector light switches. In all places we stayed, lights would come in when you enter a space, and go out when you left. I really like that idea! Of course you could override it if needed. In Amsterdam you had to put your electronic room key in a slot for your power to stay on in your room.

Breakfast in Bavaria: A typical Bavaria breakfast consist of weisswurst and a beer! On our walking tour of Munchen we saw many people having this and it wasn't the tourist. To us though it just seemed just a bit much and a bit early, perhaps next time!


Commercials: Never did we see a commercial or a billboard advertizing for an attorney or a new drug! Mark and I hate that!


Homeless People: We probably saw 2 or 3 the whole time we were in Germany. I'm not saying there aren't homeless people but they aren't very visible if they are there.