German Bits and Pieces

– So, the internet claims the Zeilgalerie has been around since 1992, but I never noticed it until this year. Maybe it was always behind a particularly large bit of the scaffolding that seems to migrate down and around but never leaves the Zeil, which is the main drag for chain-store shopping in Frankfurt. I’m glad I went in, though, because it’s a stunning building. I come from a land where we put rollercoasters inside our malls, and I was still impressed. It’s a bit dizzy-making, though. [I noticed a few days later, as Janet also pointed out, that this is the 'MyZeil' mall, and it did actually just open this year!]
– I went to get dinner for take-away this evening at the same local kebab place I had my falafel sandwich the other day. That was the only other time I’d been there, but the same guy was working, and he remembered to speak to me in English (by his own volition; I didn’t refuse to speak German, or anything). Makes a person feel like a regular. I’m probably one of very few Americans wearing a stripy scarf and constantly carrying a Kleenex, though. Memorable.
– I’ve been sharing my hotel-apartment with Mister Legs, a spider with a tiny body, but with probably a good three-inch leg span (at least!). He hung out by the curtains for most of our time together (on the ceiling), and then one day appeared in the corner of a room, then a different one, and now… I’m not sure where he is. I’d be more comfortable if I DID know, but I’m feeling surprisingly nonchalant about it. That is, until sometime in the future, when I realize he’s RIGHT… BEHIND… ME! (I saved you the trouble, Rob.)
– I wasn’t so impressed with the hotel breakfast at first (and I didn’t have the time when the bookfair was on), but I’ve been going every day this week. Partly because I can have a tiny glass of orange juice AND free coffee, but also because the lady brings me a perfectly soft-boiled egg. They have never before been a part of my life, but now I’m considering staying here just for the eggs. Or maybe I’ll hire her to be my live-in egg chef. Or maybe I’ll just start making my own. Part of the enjoyment is the luxury of them simply appearing five minutes after I sit down, though.
– I have kept absolutely no sort of schedule while I’ve been here, as far as when I sleep. Actually, apart from the few nights when I woke up at 3:00 in the morning, I’ve usually slept until 6:00-7:00am most days. But I’m pretty sure that lights-out has ranged from 10:30-1:30. That’s not really of any interest, except that it’s about a quarter after 10:00 right now, and I’m thinking, ‘Hm, I could go to bed in just a little while. Or stay up for a few hours.’ It hard to know if you’re tired without some sort of reliable routine!