Zootopia

Marty and I always mention how slowly lines move in Germany.  And also how completely unbothered workers in Germany are about the long the lines of customers they have waiting in front of them.  When they are face to face with you, YOU are the only thing that matters.  Which, in a way, is nice.  You have waited your turn and you are entitled to take your time and get your questions answered.   This happens in any type of industry.  We have seen it in restaurants, grocery stores, electronic stores, train stations, really anything where there can be a line of customers and only a few workers.  The workers do not acknowledge you.  I have yet to have ANYONE look at me and say "I'll be right with you"  The Germans do not waste their words.  I can just imagine them thinking "Why would I waste my words or energy telling someone I'll be right with them.  That is an obvious fact" And why would any German waste their time with these niceties.
Today we went to one of the main Duetsche Bahn  stations (train station) to ask about a special deal they are running through tomorrow.  Apparently they have these DB discount cards and you buy one for the year - normally for 62 Euro- and then you get 25% off any train bookings in the future for an entire year.  But because of a special promotion the 62 Euro price has been reduced to 25 Euro.  So we thought if Marty and I each get one of these cards (kids ride free) it would save us substantial money on future train travel.  So to make sure we weren't missing anything we decide to do this in person rather than online.  We get in line behind probably 20 other people, likely doing the same thing.  There are 3, very grumpy, DB workers behind the counter.  Not one of them is bothered by the line of people that has now grown to at least 30 people total.  Each teller takes their ever loving time.   We over hear one teller tell a customer who does not speak much German, "Well, I can't look at your nose and tell you how to answer that, you will have to tell me"  So bitchy!!
There was another customer ahead of us who had some kind of voucher.  The customer likely had waited 30-45 minutes and when finally up to the counter the DB worker tells her that her voucher is only valid when booking online.  The customer laments to the teller that she has been waiting in line for a very long time and would just like to redeem her certificate.  The teller then proceeds, in a very arrogant way, to say to the customer, "well, it is not my fault.  What? Am I supposed to look in people's pockets and see why they are in line and warn them to get out" In other word, - your problem not mine!!  So SO bitchy!
We finally get to the front of the line and are called over by the only male worker currently in the DB.   We have noticed him while standing in line and he is V.E.R.Y slow.  Even just watching him fold the tickets for the customers was painful.  Not one care in the world.  No matter that there are 30+ people in line waiting, this guy was going to take as much time as he wanted.  So, we get slowpoke.  But, he really couldn't have been nicer.  Marty asks his questions regarding the DB 25% off cards.  We feel like there are so many unknowns with the transportation here and everyone tells you a different piece of information and unless you go to the source you are never quite sure of how things really work.
Then we ask about booking trains for the weekend to Prague.  He lights up and somehow goes EVEN SLOWER.  He starts looking up trains and connections.  I already knew the times trains leave Berlin and the times trains leave Prague.  I knew the prices.  All we needed was to book them with our newly purchased 25% off Bahn cards.  He asks when we want to leave?  I tell him the time.  He confirms.  When do we want to leave Prague back for Berlin?  I tell him.  He confirms.  Then confirms price.  Then before he books Marty asks some random question about the fast (ICE) trains.  The guy goes off on some long winded, slowly delivered explanation.  UGH!!  I wanted to kick Marty.  Why ask this guy for anymore than what we need.  He is as slow as molasses.   No joke.  Then right as he is about the print out our Prague tickets a mail courier comes with a package.  He slllooowwwlly picks it up and squints.  Then slowly laughs and says he can't read it without his glasses.  He turns his swivel chair around and spends 3 minutes looking for his glasses and another 2 trying to read it. Then reads it and puts in on the back counter.  And... back to us.  Now, let's print those tickets.  At this point as I sense the transaction is nearing the end I head outside to wait with this kids who have been so unbelievably patient.  Once outside the kids and I wait for at least another 10 minutes.  I have NO idea what could have possibly taken him this long.  But Marty emerges with 4 round trip tickets to Prague (yay!) and tells me that the DB guy immediately put up a "This counter is closed" sign in front of his window as soon as Marty was done.  Phew!  Just too much for that guy.   Such a long process for what should have taken 5 minutes.  There was something about the whole interaction that reminded me of the sloth scene in Zootopia!!  

 After the DB station the kids and I headed to the zoo. With the time change Marty has to be back before 1:30 to do his radio show.  For this next week we are only 8 hours ahead of Seattle instead of 9.   It was a gorgeous fall day.  But, quite cold with the wind blowing.  It was the first time since arriving when I have actually been cold to the bone.  I didn't dress with enough layers as it looked so sunny and in the sun it was pleasant but the minute you were in the shade and then plus the wind it was downright, bitingly cold.  More layers next time!!
The kids spent most of their time at the playground and the could not have been cuter together. 

They laughed and laughed and played together so well.  Then they walked through the zoo hand in hand 💗 It is at times like these when all of their fighting and bickering seems miles away.  Then we all decide to head to the Aquarium, which made me very thankful because it was inside and heated and I was able to thaw out a bit.  Fun and productive first day of Fall Vacation.