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Photo of the Day: Rimsinger Baggersee, Germany

August 20, 2012 in Europe, Friends and Family, Sports, Travel with 2 Comments

 

Rimsinger Baggersee, Germany

When dust said we were going to a lake in a rock quarry, I presumed he meant a quarry that was disused and abandoned. You know, like you see in kill scenes of dour TV shows and such. Nope, not quite. As we pulled up, I found that we were actually entering the lake area through the entrance of a real, in-use quarry. You know, like you see in kill scenes of dour TV shows and such. (Wait, did I just say that?)

Anyway, as we passed through the mounds of rock and dirt, heavy machinery, industrial buildings and whatnot, we found ourselves at a huge lake whose shoreline was filled with what had to be thousands of people. Cranes and diggers and whatever else you call them were in the water, being used on the weekend as a playground for many a daring thrill-seeker. (This video on YouTube at a similar lake is a good example.) I have no idea if the machinery in the water is still used, but it seems like it probably is.

In any case, this place was a trip. We found ourselves a tree-shaded area on the opposite side of the lake, and proceeded to lounge and swim. And I can assure you: The water really is that clear and that blue.

Living Like A Local: Loving Life through Football and National Pride

June 11, 2012 in Europe, Life, Sports with 2 Comments

 
Creative Commons by tetedelacourse on Flickr

Photo by tetedelacourse on Flickr

Euro Cup 2012 began a few days ago. For those of you who aren’t fans of “the real” football (unfortunately referred to as “soccer” in the States), I must say, you’re missing out. When I was younger, I used to think football was boring, what with the final scores always being so low, and many times even non-existent.

Then I met Ryan, an avid FC Barcelona fan. After watching my first Barça match, I was sold. I truly believe that if I was introduced to the sport by watching any other team, I would not have been instantly hooked. Since then, together we’ve watched every single Barcelona game of every season, and I’m inevitably just as loud and riled up as, if not more than, Ryan. I’m not going to get into the amazing talent and teamwork and glory that is FC Barcelona, because that could make for a never-ending post in itself. Besides, regardless of if you’re a fan of Barcelona or not, the statistics speak for themselves. Best team in the world. ‘Nuff said.

Anyhow…Saturday night was the Germany v. Portugal match at Euro 2012. You could feel it in the air all day. Every – and I mean every – bar, café, restaurant, bodega, and public gathering place in Berlin had multiple, large, flat-screen TVs set up for the game, both inside and outside their establishments. We first noticed a couple of them during our morning walk with the dog. As the day progressed, more TVs started popping up. By our evening dog-walk, every single place we passed was ready to show the game.

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