Sunday in Munich..

I went to the Michaelibad Swim Hall. I know, a thrill a minute, eh?

It was really kinda cool. I had to take the train toward the east part of town, then on the underground for 2 stops. The place was pretty cool, almost as large as the Westbad in Freiburg where I swam with a team before. Had a kids pool, a 25-meter normal pool, a bunch of hot tubs, and a heated outdoor pool that had jacuzzi-like seats and a "rapids" pool where the pumps all moved the water in one direction, creating a stream that flowed around and around. The place was crowded, Sunday family day and all, but no so thick that you couldn't get around. They had one lane open for swimming laps, and occassionally a rugrat would swim across it getting over to the side, but it wasn't too crowded otherwise.

What I really liked about spending time there today was the fact that I felt like I fit in the 'everyday' of life here. There were people from every walk of Munich there, and I didn't feel different. There was one family there where the Dad was a big red-headed John Goodman type, and had probably a 5 year old daughter that you could tell was absolutely his princess. There were some horny teenagers feeling each other up in the pool alongside the lap lane. There were some "Saftig" women paddling back and forth in the main body of the pool. Of course there were tons of kids in the non-swimmer pool and running about, but for the most part they were well behaved & just having fun. In my lap lane, there was one guy that probably was 20 lbs or so heavier than me that was able to keep up with me, if not in pace, in distance.

Swimming-wise, I didn't feel so strong; this was the first time in a few weeks I've had the time/concentration to get the laps in. I was able to knock out 5x200 meters pretty easily, then wandered for a bit before jumping back in for 4 more 50s totalling 1200. Not too bad, but I really could have used a bit more. Perhaps Tuesday I'll get back to it in Hannover.

This evening I feel pretty tired - especially my arms - they're heavy tonight. It was a pretty good workout I figure, though I can't recall if the meters are longer than yards, or vice versa. I chatted with Chaz for a bit after my swim, then went to dinner at KraftAkt from where I'm typing this entry. Cool little place, if I do say so myself. Had a real tomato/basil/cream soup and a pasta dish with salmon which was most filling.

Tomorrow it really starts to get going with the project, as well as a few cleanup type things I have to do with bell Canada.

I'm a little lonely not having anyone to share the 'normalcy' of things over here, but I know that's primarily a transitory feeling that will happen. It has before, and will again.