Summer in the stadt

It's hard to imagine that, when it's 90 degrees and the hot sun is beating on the bricks that anyone would want to sit in a cafe and sip hot coffee. But an awful lot of people do!

I suppose it beats sitting around the apartment.

Though at least Glen and Betina's place has a cross-breeze. So, although it's unbearably hot and stuffy, at least the air moves.

I took a walk this afternoon through the pedestrian zone, where you're surrounded by brick and concrete and it's nearly impossible to find shade. It just seemed like a good idea at the time.

Say what you will, Europeans are definitely a communal people. They love to gather in public places, usually in the outdoors if it's possible.

We Americans are way too addicted to our own backyards. What our cities need are more piazzas!

Next to cafes, bakeries seem to be most ubiquitous businesses. And with good reason.

You can buy sandwich bread at the grocery store -- but why would you? There's an amazing bakery every block and a half.

Most aren't that large. Just little storefronts. But the loaves are practically a meal in themselves -- and they're treated as such.

A loaf of bread and some jam is a good breakfast. A loaf of bread with some sausage or cheese is a nice lunch.

What remains of the loaf at the end of the day will go good with supper.