Day 59 - Peter v Petra and the Tall Bikes

After a nice lazy morning, we went into town to rent bicycles. EVERYONE in Muenster rides bikes - there are special lanes and traffic lights, and everything for them. For a lot of places around the city, it is faster and easier to get here by bike than by car. So, when in Rome...

Unfortunately, when we got to the bike lot, we discovered that everyone else wanted to ride bikes today too. Not one bike free until 4PM! G placed a few quick calls to his former housemates, and we were soon sorted out with two very tall bikes. I rather enjoyed my newfound height, despite a distinct lack of grace in mounting and dismounting. Cz's boy bits might have suffered a little - you never forget how to ride a bike, but it does take a little practice warming up - but he had a good time too.

The bike rental was probably all booked up because this is a sculpture year. Every 10 years since 1977, Muenster has an outdoor art festival where the top sculptors from around the world are invited to do an outdoor installation anywhere in the city they like. The works are only commisioned for one summer's life, though the city or patrons of the arts may buy them and by doing so make them a permanent part of the landscape.

Our route through the sculptures took us past the city lake. On the lake lives a black swan. His name was Peter and he was very popular. In the winter, Peter lived at the zoo, where a vet who was checking him noticed that Peter was in fact, a Petra. She is still very popular, and loves attention, patiently allowing visitors to stroke her feathers and offer her bits of bread. Her true love though is the swan boat. There is one particular swan paddle boat that Petra has adopted as her mate. Her caregivers have tried introducing her to other swans, but she will have none of it. She loves her boat, and that is that! So, in the winter, Petra goes to the zoo, and the boats are winterized. All except Petra's. It spends the winter in the zoo with her. We couldn't have her lonely for Christmas...

Day 58 - Creatures of Habit

Today we explored Muenster with the lovely G, S, and A (My cousin, his wife and their daughter). Saturdays in their house have a very nice routine which we were lucky enough to take part in. The day starts with a trip to the bakery where A is known by name, and gets her very own roll for free. Then home for breakfast, which is still my favourite German meal. After breakfast it's off to the market - that`s the ultimate goal anyway. We take a pleasant and roundabout way to get there.

First, we stop by a few churches (not always a part of the routine, but A is a patient kid) In Ludgeri Kirche (church) there is a statue of Jesus with no arms; only the words "You are my arms." A expects churches to have music, and when this one proves quiet, we move on to our next destination, the shopping center pharmacy with a wooden "Hoppa" (rocking horse). Another kid was riding it when we arrived, but A shot him thunderous glances until he gave way. Funny thing, as A was rocking, another little girl came up and waited in the exact same spot with the exact same expression. It`s as if the kids have an unwritten code that they must stand at a certain distance, that they may not push or shove, but that there is no limit to how much they may glare.

From the pharmacy we wandered over to the market square, a bustling outdoor market selling all sorts of specialty goods. In particular, the meat stall we visit makes all of its products from a rare and very old breed of pig that they are promoting and helping to preserve. Their pigs all live a full and happy life with plenty of sunshine and outdoor pens before becoming sausages.

Of course A is known by name here too and recieves her due treats from each stall.

The market is in the square of the cathedral. It was tall and lovely, in the way of cathedrals, and had a huge blue and yellow stained glass window that I liked very much.

G and S ferried us around a bit more, showing us various streets and telling us about town traditions and festivals. Soon though, it was time for A's nap, so we were left to explore on our own. We had planned on puttering around for a little while and then on going to the Picasso Museum. We got distracted by bookstores, and never made it to the museum. A pity, as I like Picasso's work, but there are other museums and other paintings, and we did have a lovely time.

S had a social obligation for the evening, so G, A, Cz and I all went out for dinner. The first restaurant we tried had a very long wait, so we opted on a mediterranian place closer to home. It was delicious, and A charmed the waitress to the point that after dinner she was escorted back to the kitchen, and returned to us sucking a strawberry lolly.

When it was time to go home G offered that she could either ride in her stroller and keep her lolly, or that she could walk and let him carry the candy (she could choke if she walked with it). After a moment of thought, she passed G the candy. Surprising, as this is a kid who really likes her sweets. BUT... as soon as G's back was turned she promptly produced a second lolly from her pocket! That kid is way too smart for her own good.

Back home we enjoyed wine and more conversation. All in all a very fine day!

Day 57 - We might need an Ark

We learned that early Altena industries were fueled by swift rivers. The swift rivers were, and are, fueled by lots of rain. This year is extraordinary, even by Altena standards.

On our first journey from the house, a policeman turned us back because so much mud and debris has washed across the road. Luckily E knows an alternate route, and we continued on our merry way. However, we hear that the Berlin airports and Ubahn (subway) are closed, some bridges are threatened, and some streets are closed to parking due to the rising water. We drove past several swollen streams and wound our way up to the castle overlooking the town.

When I was a little girl, A and E took me to the castle. I was terrified of the dark stairs, and refused to come down until E held his cigarette lighter up for more light. This trip was far less scary, and we enjoyed seeing all the exhibits.

After the castle we had a traditional German lunch...Chinese food! So I was joking about the traditional part. A and E are regulars at this lovely little restaurant run by a husbqnd and wife team - he does all the cooking, and she serves and busses the tables. I am feeling rather ashamed at my language skills - or lack thereof. The couple running the restaurant spoke Chinese, German, and some English. My family has been conversing with us quite smoothly in English. I can barely put together survival sentences. A language course is definitely in order when we get home!

After lunch we planned to go to the Jugensteil Museum, but unfortunately it was under construction. There was still a very good exhibit of Christian Rohlf's work at the site though. His styles ranged from impressionist to pointallist to expressionist as the times changed around him. I mentioned that he was like the Madonna (as in the pop star) of the art world. Cz's sensibilities were offended, but I stand by the assertion. The museum also had a room of neat flower paintings, and an interesting wing of fashion history and marketing design. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit, sans art neauvoux though it was.

Home again for Coffee and Kuchen, and the arrival of my cousin and his very cute daughter. She was shy at first, but by the car ride to Muenster was flirting away with Cz in the back seat.

We arrived in Muenster in time for dinner (yes, we are in fact eating our way through Germany), which was prepared by S (my cousin's wife), a real treat since she usually only does the baking - and also a treat just because it was good! After dinner A ( the daughter) tried to get us to reqd to her. I was lucky, as she presented me with "The Very Hungry Caterpillar", which she know most of the words to, and therefore, I only had to point at the pictures, and she "read" the story to me. Poor Cz was not so lucky. It's good that German is generally phonetic -but it does have the tendency to smash entire sentences into a single word. He muddled through though, and A seemed well-pleased with his performance.

A only put up a little fuss over bedtime (Cz's job in the car was to keep her awake to ensure this), and then we kept G and S up well past their bedtime chatting. Tomorrow we will all venture into Muenster together. It is lovely to be catching up with family, and to have such great tourguides to boot!

PS we are currently in Brussels and Belgian computer keyboards are laid out well-diferent than home. Observe.

the zuick brozn fox ju;ped over the lqzy dog;

That's what happens when I don't stare at my fingers!