Sehr Schnell!!!

Halfway through vacation, and since the hotels provide internet access (I'm still struggling with my connection at home), I thought I should check in.

Here's my main impression, so far: Germany grows a lot of food. The scenery has been mostly pretty, tidy, and green fields, which look best viewed in quick glimpses between the trees lining the smaller roads. Which, truth be told, seem to be in the way far too often, given the number of memorials lining those smaller roads.

Which brings us to the bigger roads. All I can say is wow. It turns out that I'm not quite the speed demon I thought I was. 160 km/h (100 mph)is comfy, and the Mini likes it there, but to be doing that speed and continually be passed as though I'm standing still is a bit unnerving.

All the American journalists covering the World Cup have already put it better than I can, but here's my best shot. Imagine being stopped at a red light and watching a car approach you in the rear view mirror at 80 miles per hour. And then passing you. I actually understand now why BMWs don't have cup holders. Unless you are crazy or suicidal, both hands stay on the wheel.

Disappointingly, it's not just BMWs, Mercedes, and Porsches. I've had my doors blown off by delivery vans, minivans, Fords, and Meganes (if you don't know, don't ask). It's decidely more satisfactory to be smoked by a large 7-series. They just look so glued down, which my sweet little Mini does NOT. She accelerates beautifully, I've now discovered, and makes all the right noises, but jumps at every bump.

I'm also amused by the fact that I simply can't stop checking for cops. Technically, there IS a speed limit (150 km/h). My understanding is that if you are going faster than that and have an accident, you lose all insurance coverage regardless of fault. That is, if you are still alive, which is doubtful.

On other fronts, I've adjusted the itinerary some. I didn't get to meet Dorothee's sister, sadly, because I cut Bodensee and Heidelberg out of the equation in favor of more time in Hamburg and, tomorrow, Munich.

Also spent about an hour staring at the incredible spires of the cathedreal in Köln. Question for my mom...did we see that in '86?

Pictures to come, though I have mostly been doing snapshots. It's a city vacation, not a safari, after all.