CHARACTERS ALONG THE WAY
MORE FUN SCULPTURES!
I sleep really well. No rush to head out in the morning as there is fog and I have a short 50 km ride to Tangermunde today. I vacuum the room and slowly get my things together. I load up the bike and Claus stops by to check on me. Everything is good. It’s 11 am by the time I pack up, stop at the local super market and head out.
In the next town is a very cool pottery shop where the entire yard is full of elves, wood animals, dragons and more…
I realize it is Saturday because people are working on projects in their yards. Before long I get to an historic inn where I decide it must be time for coffee and their version of a delicious plum cake! I share a table with a local couple who bicycled from home, are having lunch and will bicycle back.
QUICK CONNECTIONS
I come upon a field with a long pile of huge beets. Just then the couple from the inn rides by and we talk some more. They explain the beets will be made into sugar.
This part of Germany was once the East Zone. The couple lived here before the Iron Curtain/Inner German Border Wall went down and now after. Their daily lives are largely the same.
The major differences are that air pollution is way down due to the closing of old factories and people are now more capitalistic - they just look out for themselves. Before the wall came down, they explained, everyone had a garden, some people had chickens or cows and they traded food. That connection to producing their own food and sharing is now sadly gone.
SMALL MOMENTS
Later in the day I encounter a historic building and further down a memorial. Both locations have trees that appear as old, if not older, than the historic structures. I wonder what stories the trees would tell us if we could communicate with them.
The town of Hohenburg has funny stuffed characters in their yards: like they are making fun of certain townspeople. The road to Arneburg, is lined with apple trees! Another treat! Arneburg has a welcome sign saying it is over 1,000 years old.
This day’s ride is marked with small town history that makes large memories…
On to Tangemunde!