I went to Germany and Austria with my friend Jeff for a week. Here's an occasionally interesting though largely boring report on what we did and where we went and how we got there (quickly).

TUE 16SEP97 - WED 17SEP97 FLY THERE

I flew United from SFO-LHR, then Lufthansa LHR-MUC. The United flight was a 777 flight, and turns out the seats are quite comfortable in coach. No in-seat video on these. On time departure, out over Boise and up over central Canada. Had a very interesting seatmate--professor of sociology from UC-Santa Barbara; turns out I've read some of his stuff before. Full dinner then continental breakfast. Good winds provided a slightly early LHR arrival. This airport was largely gross--took a bus to another terminal though did not have to re-check security. Then an LH 320 to Munich--nice flight, wierd all leather seating, opulent lunch for a 1.5 hour flight. Waited a long time at a meeting point which Jeff and I had messed up, so we ended up meeting later at the BMW museum. Glad to finally meet up so I could catch up on sleep--he already had a good "gasthaus" to stay in. Went to a local hangout, had my first drink in a very long time--beer, not too bad. Tired; up 30 hours in a row.

THU 18SEP97 GOULASCH

After lots of sleep and complimentary breakfast, talked a bit with another guest from Boston who informed us that indeed it is Oktoberfest in Munich soon. Then rented a car--a BMW 520i 5 speed. Green, black cloth interior, hubcaps, sunroof, lots of nice features, manual very comfortable front seats. Pizza lunch while Jeff did laundry in north Munich. Nice area--talked with a F1 fan there a bit as well. Then headed north onto the Autobahn to Regensdorf then over to Austria. Yes, there is no speed limit on much of the Autobahn, and yes, some people go very fast. Very attentive, disciplined drivers. Lots of trucks. A couple of people lost us, including one Porsche--I reached up to 220 km/hr at one point. Then into Austria which was a bit slower. Very nice mountain drive, long tunnel as we headed south to Loeben, north of Graz. Ate dinner at a place with a fantastic goulash and a very entertained server to see us--she toasted us as we left, even. Quiet smaller town. Stayed at a small hotel--not bad considering F1 was filling rooms in the area.

FRI 19SEP97 ALPS

Drove to the A1-ring near Zeltweg. Dropped Jeff off, went south right up into the mountains to hike some. This was rewarding--hiked at probably about the 4000 foot level. Lots of people, lots of forest though up near treeline, hiked about 8-10 miles. Talked awhile with a couple also up hiking from Graz--very friendly. I did accept their offer of snacks though I rejected the offer of Marlboros. Then picked up Jeff at the A1-ring, drove back up into the mountains (serious, fast mountain driving which most passengers would not have enjoyed; yet I was passed by a Mercedes along the way) to Graz for dinner. Tasty Greek place chosen randomly near downtown. Then back to the hotel via autobahn and expensive (about $7) tunnel.

SAT 20SEP97 WIEN

Austrian touring day. First drove northwest up to the mountains near Bad Tolz--some really dramatic and vertical mountains there. Lots of small towns with many, many small places with rooms for rent and flowers hanging out of almost every window. Then down north to the autobahn east to Vienna. Quick stop in a small town to check out a (convert? castle?). In Vienna, parked and walked all around downtown. Lots of old, historical architecture everywhere. Had a tasty Italian dinner before walking some more. Got a feel for areas in inner Vienna--lots of transit, a lot of people outside. Got lost enough to have to take a taxi back to the car. Then drove back to Loeben.

The Austrian Alps

A scenic town in the Austrian Alps. Note flowers hanging from every window (except car windows...)

Austrian (Monastery? Castle? Don't know but it sure looks neat.)

Scene from Vienna

SUN 21SEP97 GRAND PRIX

Drove to the A1-ring for the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Austria. Parked far away to miss traffic--traffic wasn't as bad as it could have been I thought. Lots of people at this event--we couldn't get all that close. Couldn't really understand the race, as in who was winning and such. But it was entertaining anyway--so was the crowd. Then zoomed away west though the mountains. Along the way we finally found a real castle--walked through the courtyards; was really quite neat. Went to Salzburg for dinner. Didn't see much there--just quick Kebab dinner near downtown. Headed into Germany and stayed in Regendorf, a midsize, rather wealthy Bavarian town at a small hotel/"Gasthaus". Took awhile to find a hotel.

Formula 1 Grand Prix from the general admission viewpoint

MON 22SEP97 AUTOBAHN

Probably the main stated reason for this trip was to drive a good, capable car on the German autobahn. Indeed, we succeeded--great weather as we had all the trip helped. Zoomed to Munich, then continued to Stuttgart in fairly thick traffic. Once there, stopped briefly at the Porsche museum, then got some food, then continued up towards Nurnberg. Traffic lightened some, then got quite good as we then zoomed south to Munich. Very fast stretch. The car saw 240 km/hr with Jeff driving in one spot. Again, fast, disciplined, attentive drivers and highways with great sight distances and good road maintenance--not a pothole encountered. Then into Munich to stop by the Oktoberfest. This is quite a scene--beergardens and carnival together. Lots of people, plenty of beer, chicken for me and beer for Jeff for dinner. Then randomly navigated out of Munich including urban to suburban to get back to the hotel later. Yes, we had to fill up the car twice today, at over $50 per fill-up.

Redline in 5th.

Traffic on the Autobahn.

Tiny car! How many wheels...?

Oktoberfest reveler (The big cookie says "Weiner Wind-hund")

TUE 23SEP97 FLY HOME

Up early to catch the flight. An easy and fast (of course) drive to the airport, then a not too crowded Lufthansa A340 nonstop back to San Francisco. Great views of central Europe into Scotland, then a very wet northern Canada. Two meals, I watched the first airplane movie I've watched in years ("Liar Liar"), and an early arrival to a very hot SF thanks to favorable winds. Great weather the whole time, good varied food, and we covered a lot of ground--about 2950 km in the rental car. 5 days is not enough for a European vacation!

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