tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60858652011-09-26T19:04:18.051+02:00or does it?Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.comBlogger20401100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-64584868132655190672008-04-13T08:04:00.001+02:002008-04-13T08:06:06.914+02:00

to Wordpress because of how much Blogger.com sucks. You can find it here. I encourage all of you that are as fed up with Blogger as I was to switch.

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-72584239999748102502008-03-23T10:25:00.011+01:002008-03-25T22:57:11.964+01:00

a religious post (perhaps only of interest to those that know DOS, but the computer saavy of you should be able to figure it out)GENESIS BY DOS In the beginning, there was the computer.And God entered: C:\Let there be light! Enter user ID C:\God Enter password C:\Omniscient Invalid passwordEnter password C:\Omnipotent Invalid passwordEnter password C:\Technocrat And God logged on at 12:01:00 AM,

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-5840999395462774192008-03-19T09:33:00.003+01:002008-03-21T11:56:22.908+01:00

but could we postpone Easter? Last year my bike and I went to Paderborn and did some sightseeing and cycling there and in the area – and ended it by watching the season opener of the Paderborn Untouchables. This year baseball season doesn’t start til the first weekend of April. So I have a four day weekend with nothing to do. I’m saving up for my Bildungsurlaub, going away for the long weekends

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-78820367438561736242008-03-18T05:16:00.007+01:002008-03-18T05:28:40.143+01:00

Last week we had a businessman call to arrange English lessons for this week, and I was told that I’d be teaching him. No problem, it’s my job. The secretary then told me that the lesson would be at his office in a castle (some are used as commercial space). Great, I thought.The problem was getting there, since it was an incompany class. Not transportation – we have a few school owned cars that

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-80304293851247647332008-03-17T10:03:00.003+01:002008-03-17T10:35:33.607+01:00

The Mannheim Tornados came up for some Spring Training against the Caps and I decided to attend. I had never seen the Tornados play and thought it’d be a good way to spend the afternoon – not to mention the fact that it was free.Mannheim's uniformThe first game was embarrassing, to say the least. The Caps were trying out pitcher I had never seen before (probably from the minor league) – not an

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-86952467914943788962008-03-16T09:00:00.001+01:002008-03-16T09:14:26.118+01:00

The List, it's Shopping Sunday here!Wooo hooo! Time to grab my debit card (credit cards are rarely accepted in Germany) and hit the shops!Yes, I still hate shopping, but something is actually happening on a Sunday here and I'm going to enjoy it (besides, the Irish pub - where I watch football (soccer) - is across Old Town and I have to go through it and by most of the shops anyway).

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-55056130281282080712008-03-14T06:35:00.002+01:002008-03-14T06:46:34.531+01:00

Taken on 12 January 2008 in Thailand

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-62120263709291485302008-03-13T05:41:00.003+01:002008-03-13T06:07:02.876+01:00

(Alternate title: Rude people, crappy weather and incompetent companies: This place is getting on my last nerve)I held practice exams on Monday for our students taking Cambridge exams in June to make sure that the would be signing up for the right level and also to help them to experience Cambridge exams all at once instead of piece by piece like we do in class (the exams are about six hours long

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-46875697777402578762008-03-12T18:02:00.001+01:002008-03-12T06:04:43.757+01:00

(Alternate title: German word for the day)About a month ago, I found out about a program that allows employees of companies to take paid time off in addition to their holiday entitlement and knew that I had to do that. Research took place and low and behold, I’m just about to book my Bildungsurlaub. Bildungsurlaub varies from state to state, and in my state one is entitled to this after two years

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-73196035198792295542008-03-11T21:25:00.002+01:002008-03-11T21:28:12.495+01:00

J: 'Who knows what an envelope is?'StudentS: 'It's an animal.'* The rest of the class and I look puzzled*J: 'An animal?'S: 'Yes. Like Bambi, sort of.'J: 'Oh, that's an antelope.'*Laughter from all*

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-42058490826662344832008-03-11T05:39:00.002+01:002008-03-11T05:42:21.474+01:00

and I'm a blogaholic.75%How Addicted to Blogging Are You?Thanks to Granny for this one.What is your score?

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-28068542480122791012008-03-09T22:28:00.004+01:002008-03-10T06:03:57.568+01:00

As with the last few weekends, this one was a quiet one. Saturday surprised me and turned out to be rather sunny around 11am. So, I hopped on the 11h16 train and went to Bonn for a Capitals Spring Training baseball game (arriving 10 minutes late). After stopping at Rewe to buy the food I needed for a baseball picnic, I pedalled off. The sun was still shining and while I was riding along the Rhein

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-89656265623052031002008-03-09T17:32:00.003+01:002008-03-09T17:36:48.284+01:00

1. Why the lady behind me shoved me out of the way at the deli at Rewe yesterday. It was obvious that I was ahead of her in line, but she still needed to shove me. If she was in a hurry, she could have asked and I would have let her go before me (she wasn’t – she didn’t rush around the supermarket afterwards). 2. Why many people walked right by the couple in their 20s this afternoon that were

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-58052462537520501752008-03-08T18:38:00.006+01:002008-03-09T05:44:32.487+01:00

national rail carrier!Alternate title: Deutsche Bahn really sucks!''(for those that don't read German, it says 'about 30 minutes late')FYI, Deutsche Bahn isn't on strike (yet), it's just their incompetence.

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-24671796638587958382008-03-07T05:44:00.001+01:002008-03-07T05:07:59.915+01:00

I enjoyed my time in Thailand and Laos on my most recent trip, but the chilly evening and nights of Laos and northern Thailand was a bit too cold for why I travel at that time of the year (8°C – 10°C). So, when I got back I decided to look for a place that I hadn't visited trip and was relatively inexpensive as well as hot and sunny at the turn of the year and also had good sightseeing and

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-2451533679810498912008-03-06T06:10:00.003+01:002008-03-06T06:23:56.629+01:00

(Road House is one of my all time fav movies).Yahoo News Actor Patrick Swayze is diagnosed with cancer:American actor Patrick Swayze, best known for his roles in the movies "Dirty Dancing" and "Ghost," has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, People magazine reported on Wednesday."Patrick has a very limited amount of disease and he appears to be responding well to treatment thus far," Swayze's

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-6414220987608996862008-03-05T05:31:00.004+01:002008-03-05T05:48:03.070+01:00

something good about living in this small-sorry-excuse-for-a-city. The strikes won't affect me. Alternate title 1: We're turning into France.Alternate title 2: Deutsche Bahn: 'You can't blame this one on us (yet).'BBCGermany faces widespread strikes Lufthansa says it will cancel domestic and European flights Unionised workers at German airports are threatening to strike soon, amid

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-79646341399682154872008-03-04T07:26:00.002+01:002008-03-04T07:31:41.088+01:00

Our rain has just changed to snow! That yucky white stuff a rarity in my city. This means the mountains around us must be buried.Our first snow of the winter.I hate it.

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-70555481820539404952008-03-03T07:52:00.004+01:002008-03-03T08:09:22.828+01:00

As Adam and I discovered during the weekend, there’s a blog that’s just started called Ask the German Guy. He appears to have started the blog after finding out about the books Ask the Krauts by Roger Bowles and also Planet Germany, albeit Eric T Hansen’s book, not Cathy Dobson’s.Since he says, ‘I’ll try to write the truths about Germans and answer questions never ask before’, lets help him kick

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-53821659318938623202008-03-01T12:48:00.003+01:002008-03-01T13:02:06.883+01:00

I'm doing something right.Thanks to my fellow 8 Lillian for the blogged website. However, I do wish that at least some feedback was given (like those funny and sassy women used to do).

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-71781826182234443952008-02-29T15:02:00.001+01:002008-02-29T15:04:31.831+01:00

I spent a few years in Phoenix in the 90s and had the closest group of friends I've ever had. I moved there when I was in my late twenties and still liked to go out dancing. One of the first nights there, I found a place that spun the music I liked and was wearing my snazzy button down yellow short sleeve shirt with red and black vertical stripes. As I was having a great time dancing on the

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-91379854395520403292008-02-28T22:19:00.003+01:002008-02-28T22:37:13.587+01:00

I went to see Dr Quack this afternoon because I've had a bit of a cough for about a week and thought I might be getting bronchitis again (I had a quite bad case of it back in November). After listening to my lungs, he told me that my suspicions were correct, but also that so far it's only a slight case.What do you think his very next question was?

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-25930920823794759212008-02-28T05:38:00.001+01:002008-02-28T05:41:55.566+01:00

Apparently it was 'pick on the American' day yesterday in one of my classes.At the end of a lesson today, I had to unplug the CD player we had used for a listening activity, so I leaned over but wasn’t quite able to read the plug, so I gave it slight tug and it came out of the outlet. Here’s what ensued (from a class of 18 – 20 year olds):StudentG: ‘That’s so American.’J: ‘What?’SG: ‘You were too

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-77033482775179008072008-02-26T06:54:00.004+01:002008-02-26T07:23:36.474+01:00

I hate traveling by bus. Give me a train or airplane any day over a bus and I’ll usually be happy. However, Laos doesn’t have a train system at all. I had looked at the Laos Airline website before starting my trip, but felt it was too expensive. A round trip ticket was $130 US – quite a bit more than the €15 - €22 Euros I had become accustomed paying for flights on Nok Air and Air Asia, so I

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-72591715210154632712008-02-22T06:19:00.002+01:002008-02-22T06:25:43.482+01:00

Police concerned about order to stop screeningBy JACK DOUGLAS Jr.Star-Telegram Staff WriterDALLAS -- Security details at Barack Obama's rally Wednesday stopped screening people for weapons at the front gates more than an hour before the Democratic presidential candidate took the stage at Reunion Arena.The order to put down the metal detectors and stop checking purses and laptop bags came as a

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-13955072552223664192008-02-20T20:35:00.001+01:002008-02-20T20:37:30.766+01:00

Ag and I went to the Christmas Market on 14 December (and quite frankly I feel that way this week) and here's how part of the coversation went:Ag: 'J, what would do if you won €5 Million in the lottery?'J: 'I'd be on the next train out of Germany.'Ag: 'Really?'J: 'Immediately, and I'd never return.'Ag: 'Never?'J: 'Okay, that's a strong word, so let's say 'probably never'.'Ag: 'Really?'J: 'Yes.

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-78208267396740485032008-02-18T08:19:00.002+01:002008-02-18T08:26:05.804+01:00

in this part of the world.Divided EU meets to debate Kosovo A number of European countries are expected to recognise Kosovo as an independent state after EU foreign ministers meet in Brussels on Monday. Britain, France and Germany are likely to support the fledgling state but some fear it will set a dangerous precedent. Kosovo's parliament unanimously backed independence on Sunday but Serbia's

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-17074253701478862632008-02-17T21:05:00.003+01:002008-02-17T21:09:54.172+01:00

Unlike last weekend, this one was quite good. I finished work at 9h50 (yay!) and did a bit of cycling in the cold morning air before heading to the supermarket and home. I was tired, so I took a nap and then spent the rest of the afternoon at home – watching videos, attempting to plan my summer holiday and a few weekend trips, etc. Not much of anything.I met American Colleague at 12h on Saturday

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-24409843786765031332008-02-16T10:55:00.003+01:002008-02-16T11:00:56.650+01:00

The new baseball schedule is out!Click here for the northern league and here for the southern league.

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-50953479253770649332008-02-14T06:22:00.000+01:002008-02-14T06:22:28.219+01:00

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-74984868855981191352008-02-11T22:12:00.000+01:002008-02-11T22:12:49.546+01:00

Nothing.That's what I did. Nothing.I was bored into a coma. Random notes:For the first time in a long time, I spent the entire weekend in my town, and something was reaffirmed to me:This place is incredibly boring.So, I made due.When I realized how nice the weather was going to be on Friday, I retrieved my bike from the basement of the school - where I had stored it before I left for Thailand. I

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-16494401210127928392008-02-10T20:46:00.000+01:002008-02-10T20:51:11.098+01:00

Here I am in Germany watching a pro soccer game in Spain through an English website that has it piped in from China.

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-38404861867437839812008-02-09T09:24:00.000+01:002008-02-09T09:42:25.214+01:00

here are my results. I'd be interested in knowing yours - especially those that aren't from the US.83% John Edwards82% Barack Obama80% Hillary Clinton75% Chris Dodd75% Bill Richardson71% Joe Biden70% Dennis Kucinich69% Mike Gravel41% Rudy Giuliani38% Mitt Romney35% John McCain34% Tom Tancredo27% Fred Thompson25% Mike Huckabee13% Ron Paul2008 Presidential Candidate Matching Quiz. Thanks to

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-29853635073415313752008-02-07T22:54:00.001+01:002008-02-07T22:57:39.593+01:00

Alternate title: Oh my! There are people that might actually believe this rubbish. "If I fight on in my campaign, all the way to the convention, I would forestall the launch of a national campaign and make it more likely that Senator Clinton or Obama would win. And in this time of war, I simply cannot let my campaign be a part of aiding a surrender to terror," Romney told the Conservative

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-14903701062547679162008-02-07T21:20:00.000+01:002008-02-07T21:23:44.172+01:00

J: *achoo*Js: ‘Bless you.’J: ‘Thanks. Allergies.’Js: ‘How can you have hay fever in the winter?’J: ‘Winter is over.’Js: ‘How do you know?’J: ‘It didn’t get very cold this winter and things didn’t freeze, so they’re growing now and my allergies are starting a few months earlier than they should. That means spring is coming.’Js: ‘Oh. Okay.'J: ‘I’m very useful at this time of the year.’Js: ‘Yes, you

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-73654410366242833962008-02-06T08:47:00.000+01:002008-02-06T08:45:34.247+01:00

to wiping yourself with Happy End or having Blech for dinner.However, something did catch my eye yesterday.I was in Lidl (a supermarket) and one of the items on my list was deodorant. I usually buy the same brand, but have a look at the different fragrances and pick a different one every time.This is what I purchased:Big deal, you're thinking. It's deodorant.Yes, but look at the name of the

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-64571114925385133132008-02-05T08:01:00.000+01:002008-02-05T08:01:33.446+01:00

(because I probably won't have time to blog about it)Where I've been:What I've been doing:How I travelled once I got there:Who I saw:

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-4894504284616635012008-02-01T06:45:00.000+01:002008-02-01T07:08:42.394+01:00

Something about this year’s Meet-Up needs to be considered. The Meet-Up has been the third weekend in November the last two years (a coincidence) and both years we’ve commented how it’s been dark and cold (not unsurprising at that time of the year) and that it’d be better to have it earlier in the year. Spring is probably too close (or is it?) to have it and we decided a few years ago that summer

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-17254058254589418502008-01-31T09:38:00.000+01:002008-02-01T07:15:16.625+01:00

Wooo hooo!Throw on a silly costume!Gather your friends!Reset your liver!And sing Viva Colonia til you drop!

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-70561877571669846032008-01-29T10:42:00.000+01:002008-01-29T10:41:08.620+01:00

can't not like this one:

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-4683601105283667612008-01-27T22:04:00.000+01:002008-01-27T22:06:25.958+01:00

I spent yesterday afternoon at the FC-Koeln/Leverkusen football (soccer) game. I went because:1. Leverkusen is my team;2. I had never attended a game at the stadium in Cologne.Observations:First of all, brrrrrr! The Leverkusen stadium has heaters in the roof and a game can be watched without the aid of a winter jacket. No so in Cologne - on either point. It was cooolllldddd! Moving on....FC Koeln

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-51341740522540863592008-01-25T05:27:00.000+01:002008-01-25T05:31:57.002+01:00

I still have it, but luckily it's east-west jetlag and means I just get tired early and get up early.- Forced myself to stay up til 23h on Monday evening hoping that I'd fight off jetlag and woke up at 3h on Tuesday morning.- Went to bed at 23h on Tuesday evening (same reason as Monday) and woke up at 4h15 on Wednesday morning.- Went to bed at 21h30 on Wednesday evening (I was wiped out after not

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-52175674118210552202008-01-24T21:23:00.000+01:002008-01-24T21:28:04.930+01:00

but I wanted to.J: 'The word is '[word]'.' [I can't remember the word we were talking about]StudentIdiot: 'That's what you say in America?'J: 'Yes.'SI: 'What about in real English?'This kind of stupidity really annoys me when it comes from a 22-year-old that has been learning English for 10 years.

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-76882181885209782952008-01-24T05:47:00.001+01:002008-01-24T05:47:57.361+01:00

(This happened several months ago)StudentS: ‘The weather is nice today.’J: ‘What do you mean it’s nice? It’s cold, windy and cloudy.’StudentS: ‘Yes, but it isn’t raining.’J: ‘True.’

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-67530906009788193962008-01-23T19:58:00.000+01:002008-01-23T20:01:19.839+01:00

Not me. Study: False statements preceded warBy DOUGLASS K. DANIEL, Associated Press WriterWed Jan 23, 6:43 AM ETA study by two nonprofit journalism organizations found that President Bush and top administration officials issued hundreds of false statements about the national security threat from Iraq in the two years following the 2001 terrorist attacks.The study concluded that the statements "

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-60356578440521576412008-01-21T21:09:00.000+01:002008-01-21T21:10:53.241+01:00

’Tolerable’ is a better word. Being stuck in a metal tube flying through the sky does become tedious and boring after a while – well before you’re even halfway there sometimes. Don’t get me wrong, I do love flying but 12 ½ hours is a long time.I can’t believe my holiday is over. It seems like just yesterday that I had this conversation in the office at work:J: ‘Hi Colleaguette, I’ve just checked

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-39630462834496943972008-01-20T08:47:00.000+01:002008-01-20T08:54:58.267+01:00

It's almost time to go!No more:- having every meal outdoors;- hanging out at open air pubs;- wearing sandals every day;- being able to afford everything;- lazy afternoons at the beach;- free wifi (wlan) all over the place;- meeting people from all over the world everday;- enjoying a 97% smoke-free envoirnment;- lovely ocean sunsets;etc.However, instead of dwelling on what I'm losing, I've decided

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-42022641656222770842008-01-19T07:31:00.000+01:002008-01-19T07:36:54.102+01:00

A tsunami can be disastrous and was for Koh Phi Phi, Thailand. (where I took the photo on 18 January 2008). The graphic is creative.

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-57746157099785595482008-01-19T07:16:00.000+01:002008-01-19T07:24:25.631+01:00

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-30596137745440996052008-01-15T20:42:00.000+01:002008-01-15T14:34:25.025+01:00

1. Free wifi with dinner is a good thing;2. I'm evil;here are a couple of photos I took earlier this evening.

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-72921830050653215272008-01-14T20:41:00.000+01:002008-01-14T14:41:41.013+01:00

No sandcastles in the land of Buddha, sandtemples instead.Very scenicFor those that might have forgotten, this is what the sun looks like.

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-63214996394438146832008-01-12T16:46:00.000+01:002008-01-12T10:47:14.902+01:00

There's a mountain off in the distance. Taken in Phuket, Thailand on 12 January 2008.

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-6807791676260502182008-01-12T16:42:00.000+01:002008-01-12T10:56:19.924+01:00

Greetings from the beach!Bangkok gives me my Big City Fix.The places I visit after that wonderful city give me my Exploring Fix.However, my favourite part of my trip is always my Beach Fix – which all my Asian trips end with. Nothing in the world beats being in the blazing hot sun, swimming in warm water, wading for hours in clear water along deserted beaches, and without a care in the world.Not

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-11671262677899609992008-01-09T17:19:00.000+01:002008-01-09T11:26:09.024+01:00

I'm returning to Thailand tomorrow, will be flying back to Bangkok and then flying to the beach on the 11th (it was much cheaper to do it that way) to go swimming, snorkeling and hang out. The 'chill out' phase of my holiday.I'm glad to be going back to Thailand. I'm tired of the dishonesty of Laotians as far as prices go (tuk tuk and taxi drivers don't count because they are dishonest in any

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-27337687391657332682008-01-07T13:52:00.000+01:002008-01-07T13:57:43.409+01:00

There is a law here in the Laos People’s Democratic Republic (the official name) saying that all visitors/guests must be back to their accommodation by midnight. A bit annoying due to the fact that I was having pleasant conversation with a Norwegian couple, a Japanese guy, a Frenchie and a crazy Spaniard Bask when the bewitching hour neared, but I’m a guest in this (literally Communist) country

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-42624211097143117972008-01-06T12:54:00.000+01:002008-01-06T13:44:20.070+01:00

- which, oddly enough, has a cafe with free wifi. Eat my dust, Europe.Okay, I'm in a UNESCO World Heritage City town right now, so that might account for it. Notes: - 9 1/2 hour bus rides are not fun, no matter how comfortable the bus is;- Flat tires can be a good thing;- Laos pales in comparison with Thailand as far as development goes;- I have 'currency confusion' bigtime;- Fascinating country;

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-26582032862673049822008-01-05T17:39:00.000+01:002008-01-05T11:50:56.296+01:00

I'm currently at Free Wifi Place in Vientiane (yes, there is one - but only one) having dinner and a German couple in their late twenties came in after me and sat next to me. What's the first thing they did after sitting down? Look at the menu?No.LIGHT CIGARETTES! And then they extended their arms and held them away from them so that (I assume) the smoke didn't annoy them! Their freaking

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-79257157994126682992008-01-04T18:47:00.000+01:002008-01-04T12:47:47.552+01:00

That Luang, Vientiane, LaosTemple Luang was built by King Settathirath in 1566 and is believed to contain a relic of Buddha. It is 45 meters high and has been damaged several times by foreign invaders, but each time has been lovingly restored by the Lao people. It has become a symbol of the country of Laos and is even on the country’s coat of arms. It has withstood the passage of time for 442

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-65149029501333000602008-01-04T18:40:00.000+01:002008-01-04T12:44:47.236+01:00

Read this one carefully.Mathematics is fun?A London taxi that seems to have got lost.The Arch de Triomphe has been moved?One of the things I like best about Southeast Asia is how affordable it is. This entire delicious (and filling) breakfast cost me €1.69 Almost sunset on the Mekong (taken about an hour ago).

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-17733154934527992882008-01-02T19:12:00.000+01:002008-01-02T13:14:24.459+01:00

is something I look forward to reading every year, and this year is no exception. Have a read. Here are a few extracts:As the debate over Iraq intensifies, the eyes of a worried nation turn to another trouble spot: New York City, where Donald Trump and Rosie O'Donnell are locked in a bitter high-stakes battle to determine who is the bigger horse's ass.On the homeland-security front, the U.S.

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-53734279273548121872008-01-01T17:36:00.000+01:002008-01-01T11:44:45.056+01:00

(literally).It's a bit odd being here (but in an exciting way). I'd read a lot about this area but it had always been a place I never thought I'd visit. And here I am.I'm at sort of a commune, but not really. Granted, there are a few hippies and extended travellers, but there are also people like me (just on holiday) and a few families. My laptop is plugged into a tree. Sort of. The LAN cable is

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-77992352873873154732007-12-31T16:12:00.000+01:002007-12-31T10:12:22.849+01:00

for the last 10 days, it’s time for me to go. I still love this dynamic city of 12 million people (I had thought it was only 10). I’ll be flying to northern Thailand tomorrow and crossing into Laos a couple days later for more than a week before flying down to the beach for the rest of my trip.Hopefully, New Year's Eve in Bangkok will be better than last year.Happy New Year, everyone.

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-88975257926914468072007-12-30T15:26:00.000+01:002007-12-30T16:22:31.286+01:00

anything is for sale in Bangkok.I spent 250 THB on:

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-34155501389409052402007-12-27T07:40:00.000+01:002007-12-27T07:47:37.318+01:00

Binty is an English friend of mine that is also travelling in Asia at the moment. She landed in Bangkok the day before me and caught an early flight north the day I arrived (Thailand wasn't on her travel plans, Bangkok was just a good place for her to catch another flight). We hope to meet up somewhere next week (we met up a few times last year when she was travelling in Thailand - something I

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-24772312290849047562007-12-25T12:08:00.000+01:002007-12-25T06:17:31.784+01:00

from Bangkok, where the Christmas lights are illuminating the tropical evenings and Christmas carols are the music of choice in shops.

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-88195119707055521632007-12-22T08:28:00.000+01:002007-12-22T08:47:33.239+01:00

My bag arrived at 12:36 today (after a few phone calls), so full Thailand Holiday Mode has been engaged. Shorts, short sleeve shirts, contact, SuperCoolSunnies - the works. What is Thailand Holiday Mode for me? Enjoying the weather (it's 35C today), sightseeing, taking photos, watching football (North Korea is playing Iraq (if Iran had qualified, I could have had a full Axis of Evil trifecta)

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-48197574772235437982007-12-21T06:49:00.000+01:002007-12-21T07:05:34.967+01:00

I've just checked into my hotel and decided to come here for lunch. Ahhhh, life in tropical weather - I love it. Wearing shorts and short sleeve shirts really agrees with me. Theoretically. My bag is still in Germany, so I don't have the above. I guess some idiot forgot to put it on the plane. However, I've been assured by the nice folks at the Bangkok Airport that it is still in Dusseldorf and

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-4511704270398671972007-12-20T07:39:00.000+01:002007-12-20T07:54:37.130+01:00

unlike last year. I'm off to work for three hours and then will be going right to the train station to get to the airport for my flight this evening. I'll be checking in from time to time from Thailand and Laos (internet access permitting), so see you on the other side of the world!

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-75370920987121093722007-12-19T15:30:00.000+01:002007-12-19T15:30:32.055+01:00

Part 2 due to the fact that I've been planning on going to Laos in Jan 2008 for many months now.December 9, 2007New York TimesThe 53 Places to Go in 2008Compiled by DENNY LEE1 LAOSVietnam and Cambodia are so 2007. Now, Laos is shaping up to be Indochina's next hot spot. Ancient sites like the Wat Phou temple complex and the capital city of Vientiane are drawing culture seekers. Luxury teak

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-87247587756469064242007-12-19T07:42:00.000+01:002007-12-19T07:58:53.615+01:00

We had two students in an beginners' level intensive course (4 hours a day, Mon - Fri) for a couple weeks last summer and I taught them for a good deal of it. During that time, we got to know each other quite well (one of the best way to get people to talk is having talk about themselves). The intensive course was successful (all the students complimented the three teachers they had to the boss

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-39054567496309599812007-12-17T22:22:00.000+01:002007-12-17T22:29:31.924+01:00

one of the newest permanent residents of Germany.And I did it all by myself. I didn't marry a German to get it. I didn't get transferred here, fly here first class and/or have all my stuff shipped in a large container by a company.I found a job on the internet, moved here and took care of all the paperwork myself (with the translation help of my bosses and German colleagues). My first visa was

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-21616904932300368082007-12-16T22:15:00.000+01:002007-12-16T22:18:33.724+01:00

- If you've ever wondered how cold you'd feel if the zipper on your autumn coat broke (not just split) on one of the coldest nights this autumn (tonight), I've done some research for you and can inform you that you'd be extremely cold walking home without your coat closed - way to cold to cycle, so walk your bike.- Saw my local (Bundesliga 2) football (soccer) team play against the Alemenia

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-7679666919118968812007-12-15T12:11:00.000+01:002007-12-15T12:13:31.856+01:00

in the Saturday class:J: "StudentJo, what are you doing with the rest of your Saturday?"StudentJo: "I'm going to catch a Christmas tree."

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-6043722346396047722007-12-15T07:11:00.000+01:002007-12-15T07:33:06.937+01:00

An American in Africa and her family are repatriating today. I found her blog off someone else's (no idea whose) and have been an avid reader ever since. Not only do I love what she writes about, but I also love how she writes it. She's very honest and not afraid to admit it when they make mistakes (as all expats do) and has made me laugh my head off numerous times. Leanne, best of luck to you

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-28402367895201078902007-12-14T07:45:00.000+01:002007-12-14T07:49:42.778+01:00

from Dixie Here Are Five ThingsI've always wanted to do:1. Live in a corner flat on a high floor in a large city with at least one glass wall (looking over the city) and a great view2. Go on a long sea voyage (not a cruise)3. Visit sub-Saharan Africa4. Spend six months living in a beachfront bungalow on a tropical island (that is not prone to earthquakes) and spending my time interacting with the

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-15231259572738400892007-12-12T22:16:00.000+01:002007-12-12T23:22:58.027+01:00

I don't know what happened, but for some odd reason I've been ultra-productive today.I taught in the morning and evening and had a five hour break inbetween. Here's what I accomplished in that time:1. Took my clothes to the launderette, washed them and took them home and hung up them to dry;2. Found a text for a dictation exam;3. Ate lunch;4. Made a correspondence exam;5. Prepared 4 lessons;6.

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-41247142930980445742007-12-11T21:03:00.000+01:002007-12-11T21:48:17.407+01:00

A students in my Spanish class this evening translated directly from German to Spanish and mentioned a Monday car (un coche de lunes). The two other Germans in the class understood what she meant and laughed, but Jg and I were puzzled. I asked Jg what that was and he said he didn't know (he's lived here for 28 years). He jokingly said that perhaps some people have cars for Mondays, Tuesdays, etc.

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-87408198172176265002007-12-10T21:33:00.000+01:002007-12-10T21:33:32.292+01:00

Castle of Toilets wine?

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-34281414430211201492007-12-09T10:21:00.000+01:002007-12-09T10:27:27.321+01:00

(Disclaimer: I am not recommending anyone else do this)In protest of Deutsche Bahn's extortionate rates and unreliability, I've modified my ticket purchasing habits. A couple months ago, I started buying tickets for shorter distances than I'm actually traveling when going by Deutsche Bahn. For example, if I go from my town to Cologne, I only buy a ticket for the stop after mine (on the RE trains)

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-12413998618951355462007-12-08T09:30:00.000+01:002007-12-08T13:04:35.319+01:00

especially on a Friday morning.One of my classes completely annoyed me yesterday. They didn't want to work, kept speaking German and made a few not very nice remarks. Twelve minutes before the end of the class, I came to a stopping point. I had covered the material that we needed to and knew that I didn't have enough time to start new material, so I decided to do conversational exercises as an

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-23650738940877485022007-12-07T05:53:00.000+01:002007-12-07T05:58:54.462+01:00

one of my evening group classesJ: 'Welcome to our group, NewStudent. What kind of work do you do?'NewStudent: 'I work in the personality department of Large Company.'

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-64865347097677107982007-12-06T06:49:00.000+01:002007-12-06T06:49:59.581+01:00

Longtime readers might remember that I started attending a Spanish course last year. I still attend it most Tuesday evenings and like it a lot. Jg is a good teacher and I have also become friends with the other two long-term students. The class is a lot of fun and I love attending it. The last week we finished the coursebook we had been using. I joined the class after they had started it and

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-8445152002761283002007-12-05T07:45:00.000+01:002007-12-05T07:46:07.163+01:00

No one can 'Mickey Mouse' around like they can Tweety, Donald Duck summoned to courtBy ARIEL DAVID, Associated Press WriterTue Dec 4, 1:04 PM ETTweety may get a chance to take the witness stand and sing like a canary. An Italian court ordered the animated bird, along with Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and his girlfriend Daisy, to testify in a counterfeiting case.In what lawyers believe was a clerical

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-9667562780219988702007-12-04T06:02:00.000+01:002007-12-05T07:44:59.194+01:00

I've been cold since summer ended on 7 May and quite frankly, I'm sick and tired of it. Granted, we had a few days of shorts weather in June and July, but other than that we haven't had anything but cold and rainy weather. I've had it! I don't want to be cold anymore. I don't want to have to decide how many layers of clothing I need to wear when I leave the house. I don't want to have to take my

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-495185033523541042007-12-03T21:31:00.000+01:002007-12-03T21:40:28.039+01:00

StudentE: 'J, do you know when Pregnant Colleague's baby .....ummmm.....[searching for words].....ummmm.....is going to come to planet Earth?'*the whole class bursts into laughter*J: 'Let's work on the vocabulary for that.'

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-79280980186988962612007-12-03T08:59:00.000+01:002007-12-03T10:27:26.920+01:00

I checked out of the hotel at 9h30 and went off into the rainy November weather to find the hotel that Christina and I would be spending the evening in. Since we're both saving for long trips, we decided to forego the Mercure in favor of adding to our trip funds. I followed the extremely accurate map that Mr Eurotrippen had made for us, went past the ice cream parlor that we would be meeting in

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-91372679139669949472007-12-02T13:45:00.000+01:002007-12-02T13:46:31.298+01:00

the Germanwings stand at the Cologne Travel Fair. Free internet access!

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-23642383318319005372007-11-30T06:19:00.000+01:002007-11-30T06:11:09.182+01:00

another way to get to Leipzig just before the Meet-Up and had to post it. It's from the website of the Study Abroad Program at Texas A&M University.How to Avoid Looking Like a US TouristCompare your outward appearance and behaviors to those of people who live in the country you visit. The more you blend in, the less chance there is for you to look like a tourist. Some simple ways to spot a US

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-71167879605560415832007-11-28T07:43:00.000+01:002007-11-28T08:07:24.486+01:00

I ventured into the office last Thursday afternoon to ask one of the secretaries something and saw that she was talking to a customer, so I knew that I had to wait til she finished. A couple seconds into my wait, I glanced at the customer. And he looked at me and smiled. My face lit up in astonishment and I said, 'Vk !', to which he replied, 'Hi J!'.The secretary said, 'You know him? That's great

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-19534341793967845662007-11-26T07:20:00.000+01:002007-11-26T07:21:00.816+01:00

Pointing out the obvious, the Meet-Up began when the first of us met up which, despite the fact that the Meet-Up was in Dresden, happened at the Leipzig Hauptbahnhof (main train station). Adam and I met at track 8 inside the almost deserted train station, exchanged cordialities and headed outside to wait for our transportation. Due to the train strike, train service was almost non-existent so we

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-87772165165820031832007-11-22T23:09:00.000+01:002007-11-22T23:11:15.092+01:00

Some day I would like to return to the US for Thanksgiving. Watch parades, stuff myself silly with delicious food, watch American football (and I don't even like it),take an unplanned nap, etc.However, it probably will never happen. Happy Thanksgiving to all my fellow Americans - especially the ones that are doing the above.

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-57446849546789395952007-11-22T14:24:00.000+01:002007-11-22T14:28:44.763+01:00

and see a German colleague eating lunch.J: 'Hi, K, what are you eating? [in English]K: 'Ants'J: What?!'I stand speechless there (for once) with my mouth open and eyes wide open and about to burst out of my head in shock.K: 'By the look on your face that's not the right word.'J: 'Perhaps not?' [still unsure of what he was eating]K: 'What is 'Ente' in English?'J: 'Oh! [chuckles] 'duck'.' He had

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-17006058925067079692007-11-20T09:15:00.000+01:002007-11-20T22:32:07.017+01:00

I leave for Thailand! HOORAY!!!!Before then, I have to:- Work my normal schedule;- Attend a Thanksgiving party (more on that soon);- Make and give 3 written exams;- Attend two different Stammtisch in my town (finally);- Give oral exams the next three Saturdays and two Thursdays;- Work 15 Dec (the next Saturday I have off will be when I get to Thailand);- Go out twice with the Meetin Cologne group

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-34583795782685123852007-11-19T09:24:00.000+01:002007-11-19T09:24:25.806+01:00

'Autowahl'.Let me explain by giving you details of a conversation.J [just after hanging up the phone]: 'Js, what does 'Autowahl' mean?'Js: 'Your choice of cars.'J: 'What?"Js: 'It means 'your choice of cars.'*J gives Js a perplexed look*J: 'What on earth does that have to do with..'[Js interrupts after noticing I had just hung up the phone]Js: 'It also means 'speed dial.'J: 'Really?'Js: 'Yes.'J: '

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-91767728451952005702007-11-15T19:43:00.000+01:002007-11-16T09:22:03.843+01:00

where it snowed off and on all afternoon. I haven't seen a lot of the city, though. I only had four hours of sleep last night. I got up at 4h30, left my town at 5h47, arrived in Berlin (the only way I could get to Leipzig during the strike) at 11h17 (9 minutes late - aka 'on time' for DB), left there at 11h57 (5 minutes late) and arrived in Leipzig at 13h02. I took the tram to my hotel and

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-28528193078901750202007-11-15T04:57:00.000+01:002007-11-15T04:57:50.224+01:00

with a 28 hour stop in Leipzig along the way (it was supposed to be longer - thanks, Deutsche Bahn). I expect there to be chaos on the rails on day one of the train strike (which is why I've reserved seats for once), but assume I'll make it.If you have any last minute questions about the Meet-Up, please contact Eurotrippen.See some of you soon.

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-3340853130836961442007-11-13T20:41:00.000+01:002007-11-14T14:30:56.991+01:00

nor is it going to be due to the Deutsche Bahn strike.It has already reduced the size of attendees on Friday evening, but dinner and drinks are still going to happen that evening too.I'm probably the worst affected by this since I'm travelling the farthest, but I'm going to be there (somehow).**** Update 14 Nov 12:27 ****The emergency DB schedule (PDF file) can be found here. I have downloaded it

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-68946532568718718882007-11-13T13:35:00.000+01:002007-11-13T13:36:59.736+01:00

Streiks im gesamten Bahnverkehr von Donnerstag, 2 Uhr, bis Samstag, 2 Uhr - Streik im Güterverkehr beginnt bereits Mittwoch, 12 UhrDie Gewerkschaft Deutscher Lokomotivführer (GDL) hat heute Streiks im gesamten Bahnverkehr von Donnerstag, 2 Uhr bis Samstag, 2 Uhr, angekündigt.Streiks im Güterverkehr sind bereits ab Mittwoch, 12 Uhr, zu erwarten.Für telefonische Informationen ist rund um die Uhr

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-85480993608857681742007-11-12T23:28:00.000+01:002007-11-12T23:31:50.717+01:00

After finishing work on Saturday, I went to check out the opening of Carnival celebration in my town (it had been brought forward a day due to the bomb). Knowing how things work here, I wasn't expecting much. I had stopped at the tourist info office near the train station on Friday to make sure that I had my facts correct. She confirmed that it had been moved to 10 November at Zentralplatz,

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085865.post-21398509039204783232007-11-11T06:25:00.000+01:002007-11-11T17:24:31.192+01:00

This is not a joke. On 6 Nov, a bomb was found at Zentralplatz, a square in the center of town near Old Town. It turns out that it was a 500 kg bomb left over from when the British bombed my town in World War 2 (apparently the Americans used 400 kg bombs) on a building site. It was eventually determined that there was a problem with the fuse and it couldn't be disarmed like others that have been

Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997335550343515464noreply@blogger.com5