GREETINGS FROM DEUTSCHLAND

Pictured: German photojournalist I couldn't stop looking at... I know he has to have won contests with that crumb catcher of his... yikes.

Michelle and I survived the 8 hour plane flight stuffed in steerage (i.e. economy class), cruised through customs, and met up with an angry-as-fuck German cab driver once on the ground in Frankfurt. This motherfucker grumbled to himself, in German, the entire time we drove to the hotel. Very uncomfortable to say the least. The next several days consisted of work, work-related dinners, more work, a little bit more work, followed by some work, and topped off with a heaping helping of, err, work. Then the real adventure began.

We struck out on our own yesterday, leaving Frankfurt and the motor show behind. Frankfurt was nice, but somewhat drab. They've got a clusterfuck of addicts, whinos, and the like congregating around the train station. And the Red Light District, which was a block from our hotel, was sketchy at best. However, the motor show was incredible. The auto industry (worldwide) has far too much money to spend, and it shows in the cash they're willing to drop to wow journalists and consumers alike. Frankfurt did yield some good photography though. I stumbled across a stockpile of fantastic murals, graffiti, and street art (I'll post some pix as soon as possible).

The first stop on our journey was the city of Cologne--about two hours north of Frankfurt. Cologne was a sort of last-minute change of plans. A woman we met on the train said we HAD to see the city. So, luckily, we caved to peer pressure. As soon as you leave the train station in Cologne, you're greeted by the mammoth 12th century architecture of The Dom... basically, the largest church you'll ever see in your life. Its architecture is medievel, with tall spires reaching for the sky, dwarfing the rest of the souvenir shops, boutiques, and corporate offices that surround. We only stayed a few hours in the city, but managed to find a great vegetarian restaurant that served chick pea stew and some sort of pea soup thing that was awesome. And, I bought a Coke in a little tiny bottle--and it was actually cold (Germans don't care much for refrigeration, a lesson we've learned after drinking every liquid at room temperature since we arrived).

We're in Freiburg today, a city that requires me to post pictures for you to understand. Also, yestersay we were in Mainz and met several colorful characters. The old German desk clerk here has just asked that I stop using the computer so he can use it... he looks angry. I could probably take him in a fight, but don't want to cause an international incident.

More news from the road soon.

Matt & Michelle.