Welkommen to Wildeshausen

Today is Wednesday and we are in Varel, a lovely walkable, bikable town but I want to relay our welkommen to Wildeshausen, our last lovely little, walkable, bikable village. Our Wildeshausen hosts greeted us and shared their historic village Dötlingen nearby, took is to Berlin for 4 days and on our return took us to meet the Burgermeister- Mayor of the town at noon on Friday. The appointment with the mayor was at noon. As they told us about their historic rathaus(town hall) on our right, the first of the month siren on top of it went off three times-LOUD LOUD LOUD as it was also the first Friday of the month. Simulaneouslz the town glockenspiel in the new town hall in front of us started and the wooden figures marched across the front of the hall as the bells played! It was histerical- our hosts laughed and laughed. We had experienced a giant Welkommen to Wildeshausen!

The Rotary of Wildeshausen planned an exciting week for us in their town where they also shared their historic cemetary which was from 3500 BC- created before the wheel- wow! Always the Rotarians arrange an english speaking tour guide. The Rotarians then also enrich our experience with their own stories of their lives and their towns. We see in every village folks of all ages bicycling everwhere. It is not uncommmon- in fact common to see 80+ year olds riding bikes with their belongings. Today we saw a group of women all over 80 touring the countryside. The Germans have invested heavily in bike paths and in the villages the sidewalks are marked one side for bikes and one for walkers... and they are well used everywhere.

The GSE experience is like no other. We have seen a side of German life few get a chance to see. Our wonderfuls German hosts share their family customs, lives and philosophy and their homes with us and then arrange for us to see the most exciting, innovative industry, their historical sites etc. We have been welcomed and have enjoyed the most wonderful hospitality you can imagine.

And then for methey go the extra step-they rent a rolling chair so I can keep up with and experience it all and they do it with a smile. Now I am studying the handicapp accessibility of old buildings! and I have had some wild rides in the rolling chair- especially with Fred and Greg. I am so grateful to all for your support.

Rosemary