Eventually Friday came and after getting things
organized Peter and Helga announced breakfast was being served on the top floor,
which happens to be his parents apartment. The table was decked out and truly
looked wonderful. Various jams, boiled eggs, four different types of bread
including big pretzels, just like in Central Park in New York. Of course
Germany is the source of those famous pretzels! Delish! There were also a
couple different kinds of cheeses and pork that Gordon got into quite happily.
Peters mother planted and cares for her
beautiful garden downstairs as well as all her gorgeous orchids and other
plants on their balcony and windowsill upstairs. She not only has a green
thumb, every digit on both hands is green and so she's a natural. Both parents
are absolutely delightful!
Auntie Val's boxes of jams were loaded into
Peter and Helga's Zoe as well as a few other things that could not possibly fit
on or in the buggy which we will call the Tapir from here on in. Our own
baggage was stowed on top of the Tapir and battened down with a tarp that snaps
shut keeping all contents dry. Gordon and I donned our helmets and climbed into
the Tapir. The goggles were also put on and we were ready to hit the road along
with Peter and Helga. My head bobbed around like the head on a kewpie doll due
to the weight of the helmet. Since my neck was protesting the decision was made
not to wear mine but Gordon kept his on and donned the goggles like a
swashbuckling cartoon hero! Thankfully he didn't try leaping off tall buildings
or go faster than a speeding bullet and besides he didn't have a cape to enable
the afore mentioned activities. He is, however, the Plug Hunter and now also
the Tapir Man!
And off we drove, the Tapir Man and sidekick,
like a speeding Tapir into the wilds of Germany heading towards
Bietigheim-Bissingen for the gathering of the Wave participants would take
place. There the various teams would be introduced and Louis would give his
briefing about the following day! There were, in fact, 78 teams, four support
teams and Louis, our fearless leader, with his incredible crew and the switch
bus. To all the teams were introduced on stage for if that would have happened
it would have taken all night and possibly a good portion of the following day.
Louis gave the briefing and then it was time to enjoy some food provided by our
hosts. This particular writer and vegetarian was in heaven, with eyes popping
at all the delicious goodies prepared by our hosts. The very best part was
seeing all the people who had taken part in last years WAVE taking part in this
years WAVE. It was like a huge family reunion!!! All was
good with the world and my stomach celebrated. Pretty soon the teams headed off
for their lodgings for the night. We headed for Jugendgastehaus Leonberg
which we eventually found somewhere out in the toolies that seemed far from the
madding crowd, quite isolated and very quiet.
