Well, the good news is, we’re getting better at this traveling-around-Europe business than the last time I wrote. Bathrooms, for example, are now way less scary. Each one tends to be a bit of a mystery to use. Do you pop coins in at the door? Buy a ticket and go through a turnstile? Leave money with some lady sitting outside? And besides those minor details, which one is for girls and which for boys?!?

So yep, happy to report I’m getting more confident at bathroom procedures, which makes my bladder happy.

We made another video update of our experience:

 

It hasn’t all been bathrooms and driving though.  Since we’re not here long, we’re packing tons of stuff into our days.  We’ve done some things that people would consider “normal”.  For instance, we rented bikes and rode around Lake Constance until we got two countries away, and then rode back.  These were 50 pound rental bikes (read: tanks), so this was quite a workout.  It didn’t stop James from being James though.

 

Also, since we’re in Bavaria, we pretty much had to do this.

We didn’t realize it, but this castle is actually a pretty recent thing.  Well, like 1870’s recent.  It’s not from the middle ages or anything.  Still, it’s every bit as impressive as you imagine it.

And  also also, since, we’re in Bavaria, there was this:

Since I’ve learned a thing or two about James, when we came across this, I started a timer.  I was wondering how long it would take him to try to reenact the German slap-fight scene from National Lampoon’s European Vacation.

Six and a half minutes.  (I was impressed it took him that long.)

And you guys know how sometimes it’s fun to sit out at the campground and watch that guy with the way-too-big fifth-wheel try to back into a spot that’s way-too-tight?  Well, this was kind of the European version of that.  While we were sitting out, a rather large (by German standards) trailer pulled into the spot next to us.  Except rather than husband and wife yelling at each other for 45 minutes, this happened:

Yep, campers from far and wide showed up to wrestle the camper into that spot.  And then, this being Germany and all, everyone had a beer (even James, which is extremely rare).

Well, I better sign off and get this show on the road. It’s early morning here, and today we’re headed to the Truma factory to do a tour. James is going to totally geek out, I just know it. Me, I can’t wait to see inside the unique buildings. The architecture of the Truma complex is SO interesting! There’s even some strange glass encased walkway over a street connecting some of their buildings that looks to have a conveyor belt to ride on!  So far, I’ve only been outside, will make sure to report back.

Also, James has heard there are robots, and he won’t be quiet about it.  (sigh…)