Duck, Duck.... Goose!

My stay here has been rather short - or at least it feels like it. A lot of work was done on both sides of the pond, and I think we've done well. I wish I had more time to enjoy Germany rather than work in it - the people are nice, the weather is very close to our own climate and there is Glühwein to keep yourself nice and cozy.

You can see that strange customs are here, such as providing a rubber duckie for your baths - wierdos!

I'm taking a few things back with me for the family - they are hurting bad for supplies apparently and my last trip I was told not to bogard the schaschlik, so I got them their very own bottle. I got a bottle of Glühwein for a parental unit and I received a bottle of wine from a collegue here in Germany from his region. I cannot wait to try it when I get back. I also picked up a bottle of rum, which I will use for all sorts of cool things. This stuff is called Stroh rum, and if you think you've had strong stuff, you ain't seen nutin'.

This stuff is serious. Really serious. 80% alcohol serious! Now you might ask, why I need to bring back something like that, but I had it with my Glühwein, some sugar cube in a spoon and then you light it on fire! It was awesome, and tasted fantastic! You know I'm making fire wine when I get back - and for some cooking, I'll be setting all sorts of other things on fire! That's it on the left, Stroh-Rum 80 - it even makes the Germans laugh (just kidding).

The funny thing is even awful promo items are affixed to their booze just like in Canada. Here I am modeling the latest in Stroh-wear. Can you believe they put this on the bottle for free? It's incredible - you get warm from the booze and keep your head nice and toasty in style!

One last thing I may have ommited from mentioning. While providing a rubber duckie, the hotel does NOT provide mints on your pillow. They do provide gummie sheep - sleepy sheep to be exact. They also provide a business card to go with the sheep, but hey, it's a strange new world out there.

I will say I'll be glad to get home and spend some quality time back in Canada. My 1st anniversary with my wife is coming this Sunday, and I am looking throughly to spending some QT time there.

Hopefully, I'll also get some chances to play some cards and socialize with english speaking folk. Not that practicing my German wasn't fun (if you can call what I speak German) but I think I miss cooking. All this hotel/restaurant/cafe food is making me bored. And for the record, I make a WAY better frikadella than I got here. The Wüsrt is mighty good here but the quality of the dinners is simply random. Sometimes good, sometimes bad, sometimes I truely saucy!

Anyhow, my flight is in Stuttgart at 07:20, so I have to be there for around 05:20, which means I have to leave here for at least 04:30. Damn it's going to be a hard morning for me - no coffee either since nothing is open... It's all worth it... it's all worth it...

I'll post more as I get a chance (or when I land in Canada).