Sightseeing at 300 KPH

As has been mentioned in previous posts, a great deal of the two weeks covering the World Cup was spent on some of the splendid (and also some not so splendid) trains of Die Bahn.

The ICE trains (InterCity Express) are what are also known as 'bullet trains' and capable of speeds up to 300 kilometers per hour (roughly 185 miles per hour). They may go faster, that's just the highest recorded speed I saw posted on the cabin display. Much of the German countryside was experienced as it whizzed by the windows.

One thing that caught this Georgia boy a bit by surprise was the number of deer stands in the German countryside, in many cases, right up to the edges of villages and towns. As with so many other things, the Germans must be very efficient in their deer hunting. In all the time travelling through dawn and dusks, only saw one deer.

I did hear that one must pass a test to obtain a hunting or fishing license. Now, hunting, I can understand; hunter safety, weapon proficiency, et al, but fishing? This is one test I would love to see a translation of....

The other thing that sticks out is all the towns and villages have a signature, centerpiece church steeple in the middle of town. I suppose after awhile, one would be able to know what village just blurred by by the architecture of that particular landmark.

Also, noticed the vast amounts of graffitti on anything that stands still. Some of this rampant vandalism ranks as artwork it is so meticulous. Sorry, forgot momentarily, it is still Germany. Many of these elaborate and colorful displays put our crude, everyday graffitti to shame.

Will try to get some more posts up in the near future that address some of the other, non-soccer, aspects of the experience.

As with all the content of this blog, written and photographic, Copyrighted 2006, All Rights Reserved, Perry McIntyre, Atlanta, GA - USA.