Breakfast started as usual but Carmen and blinked and sighed and we had our selves a carafe of coffee when we arrived at the table. A few minutes later the proprietress brought along the copy if the bill for the first half and a half-bottle of brut as a thank you. Credit cards and bank cards aren’t as common here (I think it’s because they reject the ridiculous service charges) and she had promised us she would hold the Internet rate if we paid cash for the second half of our stay. So we’ve been squirreling away euros for the last couple of days.

After breakie I lead the girls in circles for a bit, touring the shops and checking out the remaining streets we had yet to explore. It really is easy to go around in circles being so uses to a gridded street system. But to their credit I think I only had them turned around once.

We walked through the hospital area which revealed some of the more literal German. Apparently krankenwagen means sick people vehicle. As we rounded the corner we noted the large outdoor playground in a secluded courtyard for sick kids. Situated right in the middle was a huge apple tree overflowing with apples. Which prompted the clever among us to remark: “An apple a day keeps the krankenwagen away”.

During the early part of our walking tour we were strolling down a narrow street with cars parked all over the sidewalk when Leslie dived out and snatched Carmen up against the wall. Seems as a giant Mercedes tour bus was sneaking up on Carmen and she was just about to be crushed. The driver jauntily saluted Leslie as he passed by with inches to spare as if acknowledging she had win this round while still warning her there would be a next time.

Eventually we passed by the Kaiserthermem and headed uphill by going underground. Off to the Roman arena which defined the western border of the ancient Roman city. To get under the major thoroughfare we went through a tunnel. Then up the hill.

Throughout our visit here I have been hearing military-grade aircraft flying overhead, in clouding jets and helicopters but I hadn’t actually seen anything until a couple of days ago when a helicopter roared overhead. Carmen suggested it might be a hospital and lo and behold she was right. Moments later I saw a chopper landing on the roof of the building next door. Today, in the open space of the amphitheater, I saw 4 A-10 Warthogs fly over and a bit later a pair of F-16 like fighters. There must be a base near by.

The arena (it was more arena than amphitheater was more and less than I imagined. Another amazing 2000 year old engineering feat but it lacked the finish I would find in some of the ones in Italy of southern France. Still it was a highlight with old wood, cells and incredible acoustics. I do need to find an extant amphitheater though and perhaps even a Greek one to truly satisfy my urges.

We headed back into town and hit the Market Church (the Gangalf Church) nit was beautiful and Carmen found her favorite crucifix. It was a functional church that actually had a number of worshippers using it for its intended purpose. I noted we have yet to see a church, large or small without a pipe organ. I think there may be 4 in the greater Edmonton region.

We meandered slowly back to our rooms for a rest until dinner. During our rest period Carmen escaped and visited the local bookstore to acquire some kiddy porn (Did I mention that German was a literal language? No good can come of translating things…) and an English book about an inappropriate duck. She really has her duck on for the trip.

It has to be mentioned that neither Carmen nor I have heard from our respective mothers since their abortive attempt at a date. this has raised all sorts of speculation among the more suspicious of us. Was there a Mom vs Mom Battle Royale? Did they meet, compare noted and are mow too ashamed to communicate with us? Was the chemistry so good they ran off and started a perogy and crepe restaurant in north western Saskatchewan?

Speaking of eastern European food, we set off for dinner and I bullied the two Slavs of the group into trying the Russian restaurant. They were remarkable reluctant. In fact I remarked in their reluctance several times. That why I thought it was remarkable.

We started with a couple of glasses of dunkel and a halbtrocken. Leslie went for Pork loin, I stayed with schnitzel and Carmen had Wereniki. I think she pleaded the fifth about how it compared to the family recipe. We had anther couple of beers and were just starting coffee when the rain started. I was dry under the umbrella but apparently that wasn’t good enough for Leslie. Seemed she wanted to be dry too… Who can tell with girls..,

We moved inside and into the cellar. Vaulted ceilings and beautiful ambience. Leslie had some more wine, I out-beered Carmen and we all voted for dessert. Carmen had plum crumble
(sans whip cream), Leslie went for sour cherry Wereniki (sans whip cream) and I got brave and opted for the sour cherry Wereniki (with extra whip cream).

Well all I can say was I didn’t get my whip cream and a Perogy is a Perogy even without the potato. Blech. The other two enjoyed theirs though.

A lovely walk home in the moist air and it was off to bed. I will add pics tomorrow.