Magical disappearing bikes

Yesterday we took our bikes for a last spin around the town, and came back via the green belt that runs through Frankfurt- which was a very nice route to cycle (and lots of pigeons to chase). After that we spent most of the day washing the bikes and packing them up. This required four brushes, an entire bottle of washing detergent, several rags and a bucket. Newly bought toilet brushes are great for cleaning between the spokes and in tricky areas. Hope that New Zealand customs is happy with our efforts. We'd bought some Tardis bike bags from Ground Effects in New Zealand and left those here locked up in a dog cage while cycling around Europe. Bit of a panic when we got back because they'd rearanged the furniture and moved the cages. Couldn't find our bag initially.
A new statue has gone up since last month - there are additional spots for future Euro countries


That red blob is our fourth red squirrel




One of the many fountains in the green belt

Anyway, George dismantled my bike (which is smaller and therefore more likely to fit in a bike bag) and we snuck it upstairs in the lift. Packed it in the bag (layed out on the bed), with cardboard between layers, and it only just seemed to fit. Bit of a worry as the bike frame of George's bike is 10cm larger! So after dismantling George's bike and washing it, we snuck that upstairs too and packed the frame in upside down - which was a much better fit! So we've repacked my bike upside down too. The filled bike bags weight about 17kg, no wheels, so going to be a heavy carry to the railway station tomorrow. Luckily it is only about 200m down the road, but we might still need wheels to get there.
George's bike dismantled and washed


George's bike half packed




Two packed bicycles


Today we just moseyed around the centre. Had a good look in the amazing glass shopping centre - it has a funnel going through the middle of it and an escalator that does 5 stories in one swoop. One entire floor is dedicated to an electronics shop and all the other floors have at least one cellphone shop each. Lunch consited of cake and coffee/tea. Then back to the hostel to see if the dryer had finished with our washing. George daringly got his hair cut by a Turkish hairdresser in the red light district tonight. Bit hard to converse with somebody that only speaks German with a Turkish accent. I was tempted but the hairstyles all seemed to run to short, layered military cuts. It looks good on George, but I wasn't so sure if it would suit me. George says that he enjoyed the experience, especially the hairwash, scent, hairspray and quick neck massage!
Five story escalator



Part of the glass funnel



Waves of glass

Another day of waiting tomorrow as the plane doesn't leave until 10pm. Will be interesting to see Dubai. Wonder if the temperature has dropped below 40C yet?

Amazing light fittings at our restaurant tonight



The waiter told me it would cost me 5 Euro for each light I took photos of.