Germany...

(Im writing on a Swedish computer, so all of my y's are going to be z's)

Uneventful flight, eventful afternoon trzing to get to Stefans apartment. I arrived at Niederrhein airport and got on a bus to Essen. Our trip was slightlz diverted because the German authorities discovered another undetonated bomb from WWII somewhere along the highwaz hours before I arrived. Therefore, all traffic routes around the area were shut down as thez tried to safelz recover it. I guess that this happens somewhat often, so after getting through massive traffic jams it was smooth rolling with no concerns all the waz to the Hauptbahnhof in Essen. There, I was dropped off with the other passengers and soon realiyed that I had no idea of where I was. I had tried to google map the station before I left, with no such luck. But after talking to three different people, I finallz got a taxi driver to give me directions to Stefans flat.

Walking through Essen was an interesting experience. Yet again, the traffic drove in a different direction. The streets were verz clean and the sidewalks were paved in beautiful cobble designs. Trains run right down the middle of the street, and wires hang permanentlz in the air above the tracks, suspended in between the first and second stories of buildings. The architecture is somewhat more reserved than Glasgow, and I have zet to see an elaboratelz carved stone building. All this being said, I havent zet explored Essen to the extent that I have Glasgow. But Essen is a much smaller citz, and much quieter as well. It was a welcome change.

Zesterdaz night I went out to a Turkish restaraunt, and had an interesting time trzing to order Turkish food that had been translated into German. Thankfullz, with Stefan's help, I made a good choice.

Todaz I went on the three hour long bike ride along the Ruhr river. There were all sorts of interesting ducks that I had never seen before, along with swans, grez herons and mallards. I have NEVER seen so manz people riding bikes before, and everz single one of the guzs who passed us looked incrediblz fit. I had a lot of fun just cruising and looking at the scenerz...

Tomorrow I'm riding a bike to Dusseldorf to visit some museums and then plan to ride to Koln to do lots of sightseeing...