Münster – June 30, 2007

Even before we got out of the car in Münster, both Christian and Carl announced that this was one of their favorite cities and places to visit in Germany. They each started remembering various details from earlier visits here. And for all of us these next days mean that we are with family. With all of Martin’s aunts and uncles visiting Minnesota last year, we’ve all gotten to know each other better and feel very comfortable around each other.

Our first days in the Münster area were actually spent in Roxel with Ingrid and Ulrich (brother of Martin’s mom). We all have been amazed and humbled again and again by the welcome and generosity bestowed upon us as we are hosted in people’s homes. Ingrid and Ulrich both took lots of time - Ulrich even took time off from work - to show us Münster and the surrounding area. Many of our adventures involved riding our bike; Münster, after all is Germany’s bicycle capital and bikes literally rule the streets and people’s way of life. So, do as the Münsteraner do, Ulrich guided us along streets, through the woods and along fields, over and under the Autobahn, past horses and horse-drawn carriages to the famous zoo and on special tours along the Aasee, along the promenade that circles the entire old town, and into the city. One morning Ulrich awoke Andrew with a tune on his concertina and the two of them took out their bikes for a run to get fresh breakfast treats from the bakery. We also enjoyed a hat-trick day of seeing and touring Wasserschlösser, castles around the Münsterland surrounded by big wide moats filled with water. The rest of our time was filled with great food, lots of ice cream, having fun with Sparky (Ingrid and Ulrich’s friendly bull terrier), and lots of laughs.