Right now I'm at an authentic beer tavern. The German equivalent of BJ's. They brought me their house brewed beer (let's face it, I don't know what beer to order at home much less Germany's house of beers). She asked if I'd prefer cloudy or clear. Hmmmm, what do YOU like? Well cloudy it is! And in fact, it is darned good. I thought most beer is bitter but this one is not. Eiher it's cause it's Germany or it's cause I just don't know beer. I also have in front of me a big plate of pretzel-crusted meatloaf with potatoes and sauerkraut. Yeeeaaaahhhh baby. It's darned good but I can't keep up with Germany's portion size. Woe is me. And by the way what's he fuss about sauerkraut? It's my first time trying it and it's awesome! Must be the American hotdog stands' sauerkraut sucks.
And my hotel...holy cow! Staying at the Kameha Grand and Lordy! It was just built in Novemeber right on the Rhine river. So my floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the river. The entire room has different lights controlled by a swichboard b the door. The floor in the bathroom is heated. The blinds are controlled by buttons. The bathroom is all glass but for the WC (toilet room). The sink is some weird flat contraption whose drain I haven't found yet. The bed is heavenly and there's a black screen as my headboard and at night you can turn on the "moon lamp" and a full moon appears on my headboard! Perfect for the space geek like me! He entire hotel looks like a glass spaceship. It's ultra-modern and the hallways are all RED. Floors, doors, walls,ceilings. The breakfast buffet is amazing and the staff there is insanely helpful. Little details...like tonight when I got in from work they brought my bag upstairs to my room and told a cab driver to bring me to
this restaurant. Then they proceeded to order me a lighter blanket since I was just a little hot last night. Also apparently they have every pillow available so just ask. Also as part of nightly turn down service they put out a little mat by my bed with slippers! My room overlooks the Rhine but also one of only 4 UN buildings in the world. This morning my 4 mile run was along the Rhine river where I watched boat cruises, kids playing on the banks, and people cycling. The temp must have only been in the 60's and everythig is so green! Bonn is a neat little city, reminds me of a German Ft Collins :)
Today I went to the German Space Agency (DLR) in Koln (Cologne). The meetings were fascinating discussions of a materials science experiment on ISS that uses microgravity to better understand the solidification process of alloys. In a nutshell, it could lead to the improvement of metal alloy production on Earth. Really much was over my head but I hung in there!
Well my battery on the iPhone is getting dangerously low so I'd better put this away and order my fried apples and ice cream!
:)
My job kicks ass. Tell your kids to go to college. Or at least do what they love.
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