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Culture shock. That’s what I was expecting when I return to the United States after living in Germany for 18 months. After one day back in Michigan, I have to admit that it was a bit strange for me to be back. So what do I miss the most about Germany? Well, besides missing the opportunity to produce the tome, “The Complete Study of European Brassiere Sizes,” there are quite a number of things to miss from Germany. Consequently, I’ve compiled a list of things that I might miss from Germany.
There’s quite a number of possibilities for such a list. For instance, there are all those endless miles of billard-table smooth autobahns snaking through the hills of Germany. Around Bavaria, the surrounding areas around the autobahns are filled with rolling hills, trees and farmers’ fields. Off in the distance, you can see small, orange-tiled roofs cluttered together forming towns on the hillsides. There’s nary a billboard in sight, with the exception of a couple of government ones now and then. (Roughly translated, these read: “Are you seatbelted?” and “Are you going to fast?” which to both question I must answer, “Yes!”)
It’s also easy to miss driving down the autobahn without worrying about police pulling you over for speeding. Or blowing by them at 100+ MPH. This doesn’t mean that they don’t give speeding tickets — they just aren’t as obsessed about it as our fine officers in America.
I could easily miss getting on the autobahn, driving in the left lane and making everybody get out of the left lane. Have you ever wanted to get in your car and drive as fast as you (or your car) can? That’s why they invented the autobahn.
The city where I lived, Regensburg, is typical of some German cities with its history, picturesque buildings and small-town charm. As an additional bonus, the not-so-blue Danube River flows through the town. One can ride a bike along the river as far as one likes. If you get tired or hungry, you can stop anywhere for a picnic along the river’s edge, or go to a beer garden that’s never too far away.
Heading back into town, one can walk over an 800-year-old bridge, or join the festivities from a number of events that occur on the weekends. There are jazz festivals, river fests and whole city celebrations, complete with orchestrated fireworks.
I could miss the smell of bratwurst cooking in the “old kitchen” across the street from my apartment which, according to legend, fed the workers who built the 800 year-old bridge. I could even miss just getting ice cream cones in town and walking around.
Then there’s the antithesis of American litigation — the Nürburgring. This old race track that claimed the lives of many racing drivers in the past is now a public toll road (though it’s still claiming lives). This year, there’s actually a speed limit in one particularly dangerous portion. Otherwise, it’s really a free-for-all. That, and the fact that there’s no runoff room anywhere makes this one of the most dangerous tracks around. If you get into an accident here, that’s simply too bad. Try not to damage the guard rails — you’ll have to pay for it.
So of all these things, what do I miss the most? I actually only miss one thing — a German flower, Die Iris.
| << July 1999<< | >> September 1999>> |
(The BahnStormer is the official newsletter of the Rally Sport Region (Detroit area) of the Porsche Club of America. You can contact the editor at .)
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