All the preconceptions I'd pinned on that passport stamp turned out to be fairly accurate-- at least, in Munich they were. Germans are, on the whole, careful and attentive to detail. They're never late. Under no circumstances do they cross streets while the "Don't Walk" signal is lit. (In fact, Rachel witnessed a group of Münchners walking around looking for another crossing point when the crosswalk signal they were attempting to use proved broken.)

But the Bavarians also know how to relax with a good beer and insanely large portions of fattening food. They work hard, but they have a 35 hour work week and over 40 holidays a year. They appreciate a fast car, but they enjoy biking and hiking just as much as driving.

They somehow succeed in uniting devil-may-care enjoyment of life with complete and utter anal retentiveness.

Naturally, I want to go back immediately.