European Vacation (2023)

Some observations:

It had been four years since my last trip across the pond. It seems that everyone else had the same idea.
Turmbesteigung (Tower Ascent). 157 meters, 533 steps, a 360 degree view of Cologne, pure joy to any serious hiker. Looking back, I should have done this twice, with a weighted backpack!
Cologne was sleepy, a town for hipsters, I was told. Bonn, the former capital of West Germany, was sleepier.
Hiking Nuremberg was a close second. A neat, if not cozy, tower, and a castle to boot.
23,000 steps on a sweltering Saturday in Munich, starting in the Viktualientmarkt (Farmers’ Market), cooling off (with the rest of the city) in the Englischer Garten, and strolling through Olympiapark, before returning to our hotel near Marienplatz. Rest well earned.
A good friend mentioned that Munchners are stressed out. I did not see or sense that. Slower pace, to be sure, compared to the “always on” San Francisco Bay Area. Markets and shops closed on Sunday, except at the train station (I learned). Restaurants not opening for breakfast before 10am. Idle (regenerative) time at a cafe pondering the world and the cappuccino at hand. I could get used to this.
In Heilbronn, near Stuttgart, the pace was even slower, pondering a glass of extra dry weisswein on a late Friday afternoon at the local cantina. Yes, I was on vacation, but I have trouble imagining that the experience would have been much different if I wasn’t. Work hard, but when the workday is over, you’re done.
Disney ruined it for me (us). Every quaint German town or village (e.g., Bamberg) looked like a Disney set.
A hike in the German Alps never materialized, but, as evidenced by the snapshot below, was very much planned. This is as good a reason as any to return.
Just go with the flow and enjoy the not-so-lazy river. See below.
COVID-19 is over in Europe. No N95 masks at the Viktualientmarkt, in sharp contrast to the San Mateo Farmers’ Market.
Food, at least at the supermarket, was much cheaper. A kilo of apples for three euros. Same for ten slices of gluten-free bread, compared to ten dollars at home. Small, super fragrant strawberries. Gooseberries that reminded me of my original home, in Ukraine.
California is great, but German drivers are better. Buses and trucks know better than to cruise in the far left lane on the Autobahn.
In Amsterdam, the order of precedence is bicycles, cars, and pedestrians. It’s not, “watch out for the car!” Rather, it’s “watch out for the bikers!”
Amsterdam is an incredibly young city. Where are all of the old(er) people?!!! Probably in the suburbs. I jogged Vondelpark twice. I was the oldest and second oldest, respectively. It is, of course, quite old. You cannot but feel the weight of laws, customs, traditions, and strictures on upward mobility.
Gezellig! Although I’m not sure that I am ready to buy a houseboat just yet …. Watch Ted Lasso, Season 3, Sunflowers.
I was told that the water in the canals of Amsterdam is quite clean, now. I am not ready for a swim just yet.
Surprisingly, no Orange Theory in the Netherlands. I did find a Basic-Fit Ladies. See below.
For some reason, gouda is not quite as good outside of the Netherlands.
Color is everywhere, especially at the University of Utrecht. And, of course, bicycles. Oh, to be a student again.
Outlet shopping, for better or for worse, is somewhat a hobby. As such, the Puma Outlet in Geiselwind could not be ignored or avoided.
My rudimentary German improved considerably in just a week. Eins cappuccino mit sojamilch bitte.
I packed light, but could have packed lighter. Less is more.
It’s (already) time to plan my next vacation, for another change of perspective, but also good to be home.