Baseball in Germany

I have known for some time through J that is it possible to see baseball games in Germany but I finally made it out a few weeks ago to watch one. I headed out of the city on the S-bahn to Haar to see the Munich-Haar Disciples play the Mannheim Tornados in the second game of a double-header. The weather was a bit chilly and overcast but it was fun nevertheless. Ice cold drinks (including beer) and burgers from the grill were available. The home team served as the grounds crew and the crowd watching was small, giving it a after-work softball league game atmosphere. The entrance fee was 3 Euros. The announcers used a mix of German and English to call the game and I heard quite a bit of American English coming from the dugouts so it seems this league has more than a few expats playing. All in all I would recommend a visit if you are missing American baseball and want to see some boys of summer while far from home!

Schedule



Posted from Munich

Wellness Weekend

In the midst of a stressful few weeks, set in what has been an extremely busy year, this weekend was a welcome retreat from it all. Mr. Kilt planned a surprise getaway and only instructions I had were to leave the stress behind and pack comfy, casual clothes and a good book.

We picked up a rental car on Saturday morning and headed southwest towards the mountains. The weather has been unbelievably warm and sunny, almost like late springtime weather. A couple hours later, past the rolling hills of the Allgäu we arrived at a little resort nestled in the mountains and checked into our cozy and kitschy room. We had a big picture window facing the mountains and kicked back on the sofa, taking in the view and the warm, fresh air from the woods.

Towards late afternoon we went down to the sauna and enjoyed the steam bath and the Finnish sauna. Afterwards, we had a 5-course dinner and wine and then an early night where I slept the best I have in ages.

The warm, sunny weather made an encore appearance on Sunday and after a leisurely brunch we headed to Andechs for a look around. It was crowded owing to the nice weather but a beautiful drive up past Ammersee and then on to Munich afterwards with the Alps visible for mile and miles. Lovely!

It was nice to get away and a great surprise. I have to admit it's the first Sunday in a long time where I have felt recharged and ready for the week. I always though the term 'Wellness Weekend' was silly but maybe the Germans are on to something after all.



Posted from Munich

A Little Luck

A little good luck charm for the Sox tonight!

Cozy Weather

The last few days have been positively winter like. It is supposed to warm up again to the 50s but brrr! I have a chill I can't shake and it is only mid-October. The first snowflakes were reported from Munich this past weekend but we made a weekend in Basel. It was a nice weekend, we visited the in-laws, saw M.'s 2 year old niece and enjoyed the beautiful scenery and fall colors in the area. I was kicking myself that I couldn't take the day to focus on photography because you only get 2-3 days of such photographic perfection a year. I got lots of cute shots of the little one though.

We went to Walliser Kanne for the first fondue of the season. I love this cozy little restaurant. We shared a nice bottle of white wine, accepting that the weather mandated comfort food.

Sunday we took in a little culture and went to the Fondation Beyeler. What a fantastic and well-housed collection. Perfect for art idiots like me but I'm sure great for the educated as well.

And by the way, how bout them Sox? Let the next round of anxiety begin!!

Posted from Basel

October

We are having pre-global warming, traditional October weather here in Basel. The leaves are responding accordingly and it has been a treat to see the leaves slowly changing colors and dropping from the trees. It seems in recent years that either it stays warm forever and the leaves just kind of wither and drop or the weather is so erratic and the leaves just take a beating before they get a chance to glow. I love hearing the leaves crunching under my feet when I walk to work and the woodsy smells all around even in the city.

The shorter days are the real confirmation to me that summer is passing away. In the morning there is a gloomy haze for a few hours until the sun manages to push its way through the clouds. It creates a cozy feel as the wind stirs the leaves and people hustle inside for coffee or sit outside bundled up against the fresh air. For me, every season has a dominant mood and for autumn it is peace and resignation to what lies ahead. My only restlessness is to see the very first snowflake of the year.

One last vestige of summer, the culmination of another baseball season, still lies ahead. The Rockies are ready for the World Series and the Indians are up 3-1 over my Sox. I've been a bad fan this year however when they started the playoffs, I knew we had a good chance. But the Sox are being the Sox and letting it slip away. Tonight's game could be the last for them this year but a little voice is whispering to me, 'don't give up just yet. They can still do it.' All Red Sox fans hear that whisper, despite what comes out of our mouths. It makes the disappointments that much more bitter. Then three years ago, that little whisper was finally right.

My last day of summer will come soon but only when the Red Sox play their final game. Then I will let the summer go for good.

Posted from Basel