Planes, Trains, and Running on Empty
(Ross speaking) Leah's coworkers and leadership have been great about giving her extra free time whenever possible, so that we can capitalize on our days together. Today was no exception, and they basically chased her out of the office mid day, insisting that they'd hold the fort down in her absence - awesome! This was a welcome surprise for me, though it did mean I had to get out of my pajamas and take a shower before noon - boo!
The weather here has been chilly, gray, and rainy recently - not suitable for a whole lot of outdoor adventures - so we decided to find an afternoon of indoor activities instead. One of Leah's coworkers mentioned a large "Technik museum" a short drive away - sold! The drive was easy, and as usual I enjoyed the autobahn experience!
The museum is large, plenty of exhibits, but is tossed together in a haphazard fashion. You might be reading up on a Panzer tank one minute, then turn the corner and see a dozen tractors and a display case of antique women's hats. Hey, whatever, works good if you have a short attention span like me!
The five "famous exhibits" included: Concorde F-BVFB and Tupolev TU-144 supersonic jets, the A project car built from an airplane engine named Brutus, the "Blue Flame" (rocket powered land-speed-record breaker), and my favorite... a machine which needs no introduction... a DeLorean DMC-12! (Though their literature did sling mud at the "inadequate engine" - sacrilege!) Milwaukee's own Harley Davidson also had a pretty decently sized display - felt good to see some love from the homeland represented!
We both thought the wartime exhibits were cool, but also made us wonder... how would it feel to be a modern German citizen, touring through all the Allied and Nazi equipment, uniforms, and propaganda items on display? It's crazy to think that less than a single lifetime ago, this whole continent was gripped by war, and today US and German citizens sip coffee at the same table, reading bilingual informational signs about the war machines used by their countries to do battle with one another.
A few of the coolest exhibits are on the roof, which must've been 50 feet tall by itself. Climbing a metal staircase to an airplane suspended into the sky, while icy rain and winds blew wasn't the most delightful (or smart) experience, but it's something to remember! It was a funky experience walking to the front of the aircraft, as they were all tilted upward, and it felt as though you'd fall backwards and tumble out - especially when the winds blew and the whole thing swayed. Yikes!
There was also a "super slide" which started inside one of the roof-mouted aircraft, and ended in the first floor lobby. It was surprisingly very very fast, and gave us both a bit of scare on the way down. Fun!
After the museum, we found a local Brauhaus for dinner. It had a special "Vegetarisches" section on the menu, and the background image of its webpage is bubbling beer... so I knew I'd be right at home! We drove for just a few minutes before we found its brightly colored exterior. Inside, however, it was dark and quiet. We wandered to the front where several large copper brewing kettles sat, and found one table occupied by some folks that didn't know a word of English. Good for us, because we also don't know a word of German, so we were in a rough spot! Eventually, we found someone who appeared to work there, and he sat us at a table, then went to turn the lights on and let a few other folks in. I guess we opened the place! (Hey, the door was unlocked!!)
I enjoyed a house-brewed Dunkel, while Leah warmed up with a hot chocolate, and we struggled our way through ordering some grub. We had some Spaetzle, baked camembert cheese (like a giant cheese curd,) cranberries, pickled veggies, and some toast. It was all very tasty, and we felt like we finally arrived at a true German restaurant! It was fun to see what must've been locals or regulars, meeting at their usual time, at their usual table, drinking steins of beer and making small talk. If only I knew what they were saying!
Here's where the night makes a turn for the "adventurous" ... I attempt to pay the bill with, and our waiter doesn't appear pleased when I pull out a Visa. He says something about "Not German... (do you have) German money?" to which I attempt to give him a Discover card, and then some US cash. Both were also incorrect answers, judging by the look on his face and tone of his voice. (Note that we spent the last of our Euros at the museum and thought "What are the odds we won't be able to pay by card!?") Anyway, I manage to get the angry waiter to go away, and send Leah on a "side quest" to the nearest ATM while I sit at the table fearfully. Luckily it was only a few minutes away, so she returns quickly, we pay, and get the heck out of there.
Now, we're driving back to base, an hour away, it's dark, we're in a foreign country with no idea where we are. And, the low fuel light clicks on. It's not as easy to get fuel here as it is in the US, we have a special card and procedure we have to use, so we decide to risk it all and shoot straight back to base where it's much easier. Half an hour later, the low fuel indicator is blinking, the dashboard is locked on a "immediate action required" message, and we're both sweating.
The Opel Mokka didn't let us down - it made it all the way to the base gas station without me needing to get out and push. Thank goodness! We performed the ritual of filling it up, with all the customs paperwork and rations card and whatnot, and finally made it back home safely.
PS: If you noticed a lack of pineapples in our photos today, it's because we forgot the little guy back on base, with his new friend Dovahkiin. We attribute his absence with our run of bad luck today, and will be sure not to misplace his smiley face again!
The weather here has been chilly, gray, and rainy recently - not suitable for a whole lot of outdoor adventures - so we decided to find an afternoon of indoor activities instead. One of Leah's coworkers mentioned a large "Technik museum" a short drive away - sold! The drive was easy, and as usual I enjoyed the autobahn experience!
The museum is large, plenty of exhibits, but is tossed together in a haphazard fashion. You might be reading up on a Panzer tank one minute, then turn the corner and see a dozen tractors and a display case of antique women's hats. Hey, whatever, works good if you have a short attention span like me!
The five "famous exhibits" included: Concorde F-BVFB and Tupolev TU-144 supersonic jets, the A project car built from an airplane engine named Brutus, the "Blue Flame" (rocket powered land-speed-record breaker), and my favorite... a machine which needs no introduction... a DeLorean DMC-12! (Though their literature did sling mud at the "inadequate engine" - sacrilege!) Milwaukee's own Harley Davidson also had a pretty decently sized display - felt good to see some love from the homeland represented!
We both thought the wartime exhibits were cool, but also made us wonder... how would it feel to be a modern German citizen, touring through all the Allied and Nazi equipment, uniforms, and propaganda items on display? It's crazy to think that less than a single lifetime ago, this whole continent was gripped by war, and today US and German citizens sip coffee at the same table, reading bilingual informational signs about the war machines used by their countries to do battle with one another.
A few of the coolest exhibits are on the roof, which must've been 50 feet tall by itself. Climbing a metal staircase to an airplane suspended into the sky, while icy rain and winds blew wasn't the most delightful (or smart) experience, but it's something to remember! It was a funky experience walking to the front of the aircraft, as they were all tilted upward, and it felt as though you'd fall backwards and tumble out - especially when the winds blew and the whole thing swayed. Yikes!
There was also a "super slide" which started inside one of the roof-mouted aircraft, and ended in the first floor lobby. It was surprisingly very very fast, and gave us both a bit of scare on the way down. Fun!
After the museum, we found a local Brauhaus for dinner. It had a special "Vegetarisches" section on the menu, and the background image of its webpage is bubbling beer... so I knew I'd be right at home! We drove for just a few minutes before we found its brightly colored exterior. Inside, however, it was dark and quiet. We wandered to the front where several large copper brewing kettles sat, and found one table occupied by some folks that didn't know a word of English. Good for us, because we also don't know a word of German, so we were in a rough spot! Eventually, we found someone who appeared to work there, and he sat us at a table, then went to turn the lights on and let a few other folks in. I guess we opened the place! (Hey, the door was unlocked!!)
I enjoyed a house-brewed Dunkel, while Leah warmed up with a hot chocolate, and we struggled our way through ordering some grub. We had some Spaetzle, baked camembert cheese (like a giant cheese curd,) cranberries, pickled veggies, and some toast. It was all very tasty, and we felt like we finally arrived at a true German restaurant! It was fun to see what must've been locals or regulars, meeting at their usual time, at their usual table, drinking steins of beer and making small talk. If only I knew what they were saying!
Here's where the night makes a turn for the "adventurous" ... I attempt to pay the bill with, and our waiter doesn't appear pleased when I pull out a Visa. He says something about "Not German... (do you have) German money?" to which I attempt to give him a Discover card, and then some US cash. Both were also incorrect answers, judging by the look on his face and tone of his voice. (Note that we spent the last of our Euros at the museum and thought "What are the odds we won't be able to pay by card!?") Anyway, I manage to get the angry waiter to go away, and send Leah on a "side quest" to the nearest ATM while I sit at the table fearfully. Luckily it was only a few minutes away, so she returns quickly, we pay, and get the heck out of there.
Now, we're driving back to base, an hour away, it's dark, we're in a foreign country with no idea where we are. And, the low fuel light clicks on. It's not as easy to get fuel here as it is in the US, we have a special card and procedure we have to use, so we decide to risk it all and shoot straight back to base where it's much easier. Half an hour later, the low fuel indicator is blinking, the dashboard is locked on a "immediate action required" message, and we're both sweating.
The Opel Mokka didn't let us down - it made it all the way to the base gas station without me needing to get out and push. Thank goodness! We performed the ritual of filling it up, with all the customs paperwork and rations card and whatnot, and finally made it back home safely.
PS: If you noticed a lack of pineapples in our photos today, it's because we forgot the little guy back on base, with his new friend Dovahkiin. We attribute his absence with our run of bad luck today, and will be sure not to misplace his smiley face again!
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| Always remember your traveling companions! |
Did you snag that German beer gnome and put it in your suitcase to bring it home to me?
ReplyDelete...you say you don't know the German language? Didn't I teach you anything? ..."scheitzrikhosen..." well you know the rest! Would have worked perfectly with the angry waiter...?
ReplyDeleteGreat photos, as usual... and again an epic adventure for the books!
Looking forward to hearing/seeing your Paris New Years adventure!
Love, Meem