McLays in Europe

We arrived by train about 2pm at Magdenburg train station and had to kill a couple of hours until the hosts arrive. We had been on many train trips in Europe but did not enjoy this one. There was a piercing noise the whole way and for once a ticket inspector did not come along which meant we could not bring it to the attention of anyone who could maybe do something about it! There also seemed to be a lot of passengers who walked back and forth the whole way - maybe looking for a solution to the noise. We were very happy to got off this one. Outside, we found a modern shopping centre and slipped into front seats to watch the judging of Mr & Miss Magdenburg. We curiously wondered if this would have been sanctioned before unification! Girls parading in bikinis and boys in their speedos!
We meet up with Michael & Kirsten and they only had a work van with one bench seat in front so Micheal had to catch the train home. We all got to their home which wasn't far away and sat down to another well prepared German meal. We shared a glance and thought oh, here we go again!
They had just got out of the German rent trap and were buying their own home. It was nice, on four levels and then we learnt we had been given their double bed. They announced they were going up to the third and fourth floors, but not the same floors. It seemed he snored so that was a big joke for the next few days.
Next day Kirsten took us around Magdenburg and although we didn't have much idea of what to expect at this place it turned out to be another very interesting stop. Magdeburg is a medium sized city in the former East Germany and was literally flattened in WWII. Michael's grandmother remembers it burning. The city profile reflected therefore remnants of the past and some rebuilt beautiful old churches and government buildings, but also the communist influences which were bland, and the modern and ultra modern. One significant building we were shown was painted bright pink and although structurally as sound as any other, has the surrounds to windows and doors painted with crooked lines. This was irritating to our hosts as being German they generally like things perfect!
We suggested a restaurant meal for us to thank them (anything to avoid more sausage) and spent a very pleasant night with them. We were surprised to find out that our hosts were younger than us. It seems they have had a hard struggle with life living through a country divided and their accounts of the cold war are not pleasant. They were honest and happy to talk openly and we appreciated their hospitality and hope to host them in Alice Springs in 2009.