"Cycling in Köln" Cologne by lauriejeanne

<font color=darkblue size=4><font face="MS Serif"><center><b>A Story</b></center>

<font face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif" color="deeppink" size="+3"><b>I</b></font><font color=darkblue face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="+1">n preparation for my 4-month cycle trip through Europe, I remember doing many things, not the least of which was taking a course in bicycle repair and maintenance. Sometimes though, the best of intentions are not enough…

<font face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif" color="deeppink" size="+3"><b>A</b></font><font color=darkblue face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="+1">fter a lovely stay in the city of Köln (where I met with the wife of my Thesis supervisor at the time, toured the city and enjoyed my very first Eiscafe), it was time to move on. Cycling through the streets of the city, heading out of town, I accidentally let my front wheel slip into a Straßenbahn (tram) track. It was just like in the cartoons – slow motion even – down I went..., sideways..., no time to even release my feet..., splat...!

<font face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif" color="deeppink" size="+3"><b>I</b></font><font color=darkblue face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="+1">t could have been much worse as there were cars right behind me, but fortunately they stopped in time and when I got up and checked myself out, I realised nothing had been bruised worse than my own ego.

<font face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif" color="deeppink" size="+3"><b>I</b></font><font color=darkblue face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="+1"> hopped back up on my bike and continued down the street, but to my dismay, the gears were now making a mysterious clicking sound. Ah – hah!! But I had taken a course, right? Well true, but all that the course had taught me about gears was that when something goes wrong inside the gear casing itself, it’s time for new gears (or Level Five of the course!!).

<font face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif" color="deeppink" size="+3"><b>I</b></font><font color=darkblue face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="+1"> decided not to tempt fate, but look for a bicycle repair shop. Just then though, I had to take a detour (Umleitung). There was construction on the road. I hate German detours because a very official sign always shows you how to get off of the road, but no signs come up later to show you how to get back. If you are not a local resident, an Umleitung can become quite an adventure. This particular Umleitung was taking me further and further into uncharted territory – in this case, an industrial area. There were no phone booths, restaurants… or other sources of telephone books with yellow pages! There weren’t even any businesses that I could go in to and attempt in my less than rudimentary German to ask for help. The clicking was getting worse and there was no way I was going to make it to the next town, where I had a room reserved for the night! Why is it that you always wait until you have no other options, before you whisper a prayer?

<font face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif" color="deeppink" size="+3"><b>F</b></font><font color=darkblue face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="+1">or it was then that I saw the sign. Schott. It wasn’t a retail dealership, but rather a factory where Schott parts are made. There was no-one in the front room and I was too shy to look around. I stood there not even knowing if I were allowed that far in to the building. Would anyone help me? Could anyone help me?

<font face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif" color="deeppink" size="+3"><b>S</b></font><font color=darkblue face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="+1">omeone must have seen me because before long everyone was pooling their knowledge of English with my knowledge of German and of course, our international language – hands flying everywhere. Then all of a sudden, someone picked up my bike and lifted it over the counter.

<font face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif" color="deeppink" size="+3"><b>I</b></font><font color=darkblue face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="+1"> was terribly nervous because he had grabbed it so quickly, I still had everything (including money, passport) on it. But I had nothing to worry about at all!! There before my very eyes, they hoisted up the bike and replaced my gears and chain with brand new Schott parts (um, we’re now talking 10 times the quality – and price!!! -- of my old parts).

<font face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif" color="deeppink" size="+3"><b>I</b></font><font color=darkblue face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="+1"> pulled out my wallet to pay, wondering how many days I’d have to live on bread and cheese to cover this unexpected expense. But no-one in the factory would take my money!! They weren’t a retail dealership and didn’t even own a cash register… They were just happy to help.

<font face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif" color="deeppink" size="+3"><b>I</b></font><font color=darkblue face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="+1"> left the factory, the sun still bright and high in the sky, yet dull and insignificant compared to my own spirit. I cycled to the nearest grocery, bought up some nice cool beers and brought them back to the factory. No folks, I didn’t stay to share them – I had lost too much time already and had to try to make it up before dark. Furthermore I didn’t feel at all comfortable sticking around. I’m sure they were perfect gentlemen, but when a girl travels alone it’s always better to err on the side of caution!!

<font face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif" color="deeppink" size="+3"><b>B</b></font><font color=darkblue face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif" size="+1">ut that day taught me about <i>deutsches Gastfreundshaft</i> and I will never forget it!!

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