Honey, Hiking Boots, and Bikes

Well, it's Saturday in Bonn, Germany, which I think officially marks the end of my first week at the United Nations Climate Change Secretariat. Despite drinking a considerable amount of rum last night with my UNFCCC colleagues and somehow ending up in an electronic club, I managed to pull myself out of bed this morning and meet my new friend from the States, Renata, at the farmer's market next to a beautiful church called Bonner Münster. Before we did any shopping, we got some coffee at Cafe Blau, where I also enjoyed a croissant with two types of jam (raspberry and apricot). I purchased many things at the market: apples, dark red cherries, local honey, a red pepper, strawberries that got a little squished on the way home, tomatoes on the vine. Renata is lucky enough to be staying in an apartment right next to the market, so we lugged our veggie and fruit hauls up three flights of very steep stairs before setting off to explore the city. 

Renata is interning at Crop Diversity, and knows loads about vegetables, farming, seeds... She wanted to check out an organic market across the Rhein, so of course I joined her. It was a lot like New Leaf in Tallahassee! The tram across the street from my dorm goes straight to that area, so I might shop there from now on. We also went by a few thrift stores. I bought some really nice hiking boots for 16 Euro from Oxfam, which is an international development organization that mobilizes people worldwide to overcome poverty on their own. They have thrift shops all over Germany to raise money. I also bought Life of Pi (Peter, I will finally read this book, I promise!) So basically, today was the day to spend money. In Bonn, nothing is open on Sunday, so everyone was out buying.

Okay, so, the bike. I bought a beautiful bike (called a "grandma" bike, why, I'm not sure...) from my colleague, Michael. He's from Australia and his internship is up next week! He knows a lot about bikes, worked at a French cycling co-op (like Krank It Up) and even has his own blog, which I want to plug, but I can't remember the link right now! I'll find out tomorrow or Monday and post it on Facebook. On Friday I rode the bike to the internship, which took about 40 minutes. It was a beautiful ride though. I kind of want to take a video... My route goes down bike trails through the woods, skinny streets full of traditional German houses, and then opens up to the Rhein. All the trails are paved! So then I just follow the Rhein straight to my office, it's incredible. 

Well, I'm heating up some water for chamomile tea right now, and I'm going to break into the honey. 

Tshcüss!