I went sightseeing today and it finally feels like a foriegn country....

Mainly because it is so clean! America could really take a cue from Germany on some things, such as:

In Germany, you have to bring your own bag for groceries, or they will sell you a plastic bag for about 15 cents. Imagine all the litter and street garbage that would disappear if people actually had to supply their own bags.

Germany REALLY takes their recycling seriously. There are recycling bins and separators everywhere, and they manage not to be ugly eyesores, either.

Public pay toilets! Yes! For about 50 cents, you can use a very clean public bathroom. (Actually, for you New Yorkers, you can find one near the Wonder Wheel at Coney Island next time you're there, if you want to avoid those oh-so-pungent beach bathrooms...whew!)





Tiny cars: Check it out. The car in teh first pic is coming out in the US next year, called "SmartCar". I haven't seen one Hummer sized car since I've been here. Woohoo!





And I love the walk signals. Every time I see one, I can't help but think of leprechauns (maybe it's just me, who knows?).



There are some very American, and even New York-like traits here as well, such as:

The subway stop I needed was under construction (of course!).

I saw at least 3 Starbucks today and we only walked about 2 miles around Potsdamer Platz.

Dunkin Donuts, also gaining a foothold in Germany.

The live statues we always see in the subway stations, only they hang around the Brandenburg Gate area.

Homeless musicians with their dog laying beside them in the subway station.

Man, the world just seems to be getting smaller and smaller....