Autobahn Impressions - German Autos

Here are some somewhat random impressions about the auto that Germans drive. Some are not too surprising, others might be.

• There is a much higher percentage of German made autos on the road than from any other country. These would include Mercedes, BMW, Audi, VW, Opel. I don't include Ford here, but I think a number of them are made Germany
• Japan is probably second.
  
• I think Porches might be more popular in the US than in Germany. I seem more likely to see them in the US that here.
  
• Every manufacturer that sells in both the US and Germany, has smaller car models for the German market that are not sold in the US. For example, Ford has the Fiesta and the KA. Audi sells and A3. Mercedes markets an A and B class. Toyota sells a car small than its Yaris, the Aygo.
• The Honda Fit is called the Honda Jazz in Germany
  
• To maximize space, a high percentage of small and mid-size cars are hatchbacks or station wagons. Leading body styles that I don't think are available in the US. Examples would include station wagon versions of the Ford Fusion, BMW 3, Audi A4, Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. Also, hatchback version of Honda Civic and Toyots Corolla.
• The GM mark in Germany is Opel. I have seen an occasional Chevy. But the typical brands that we in the US associate with GM are not here.
  
• Volvo and Saab seem more popular in the US than in Germany
• The French makers. Renault, Citröen, and Peugeot, have quite a reputation for their small cars
• I cannot get excited about the Fiats that I see. Rather plain simple body styles. So simple that it looks like minimizing the manufacturing cost of the bodywas the primary driving force in their design.
  
• A lot more Alpha Romeros on the road here that in the US. I'm talking hatch backs or family cars, not the sport cars. They do have a sense of style to them.
  
• Seat is the Spanish wing of VW. Their cars have sleeker bodies that their German counterparts while appearing to be built on the same frames.
• Skoda has a following in Germany. They remind me of BMWs, but I suspect there are a bit cheaper.
• Some Prius can be seen, and I would say that the number is growing.
• Diesel versions of most cars. Diesel is cheaper here than gas, and just as available.
  
• Some SUVs can be found. But certainly they are in no way the same percentage as in the US.
  
• Mercedes E class looks great on the autobahn. If I went into a Mercedes dealer, my mind would say A class, but my heart would want an E class.
  

Walking Frannie - Picking Up

There is at least one aspect of German culture that I don't accept. As a general rule, people don't pick up after there dogs. In a country that tries so hard to make sense in so much of what is done, it hard to understand that the sanitary and aesthetic value of picking up doesn't out weight the effort in doing so. I mean it's not safe to walk on the grass in the park. Sometimes it's not even safe walking on the path in the park. And the cost is a bag and 5 second to reach down and pick up.

I'm not accepting and environmental argument about increased use of plastic in bags. Reduce the impact with the use of bags from recycled plastic or paper.

I will accept different rules when walking in the country than in the town.

This is one area where Magda and I have decided not to assimilate. We will pick-up after Frannie. It's the right thing to do.

If we do it, who knows, maybe 3 or 4 other will do it. And if 3 or 4 others are doing it, as Arlo would say, you got yourself a movement. Then if you can just get a few more to join the movement, you got yourself a revolution. And that just what we need here in Wallersheim, a dog pile pick up revolution.

Sure enough, while walking Frannie in the park, we say a lady walking a husky. The husky went, the lady took out a bag, picked up and tossed it in the near-by waste bin.

Three more and we have a movement.

Reading the Grapes, Baden 2009

Talked with two vintners about the Traubenlese (literally Grape Reading, actually refers to harvesting the grapes). Both were very excited about the harvest. Dry July, August and September had provided high levels of sugar. Something to look forward to on trips to Badenweiler next year.

Still need to visit some vintners on middle Rhine and Moselle to see if we can expect some interesting Rieslings.

Hiking in Schwarzwald, October

We decided to hike a little in the Black Forest, but as there was snow above 1000 meters, we were a little concerned that the snow might be a little deep on Belchen (first picture) at 1415 m. Our compromise was to drive up to a pass at 1080 m called Kreuzweg. From there is a pleasant loop hike over Kälbelescheuer and Heldenhof and back to Kreuzweg.

As we suspected, the hike was right above at the snow line. The snow added to the beauty of the hike, covering the trees and the ground with a couple of inches. But the spectacular thing were the views of Feldberg (third picture) and Belchen. These are Germany's second and third highest peaks.

Frannie was quite enamored by the snow. She doesn't get excited by much, but this was special. She was running in circles, jumping up and down, back and forth, grabbing mouthfuls of snow, just generally wanting to play. It was a joy to watch.

She also got to visit another resturant as we stopped a the Gaststätte at Heldenhof before the climb back to Kreuzweg. Here she met a Münsteränder for the first time. Both showed impeccable resturant manners.