Longer trains in Oberursel

November 11, 2010 By Leave a Comment

With the work on extending most of the stations completed, longer U-Bahn trains will soon start running through Oberursel.

The trains will then be made up of 3 double-units, rather than 2 giving them a total length of 75m.

50m and 75m U-Bahn trains at Oberursel Hohemark

The 3-unit train next to a 2-unit train at Oberursel Hohemark.

Today I spotted the Fahrschule (train drivers’ school) practising where to stop the longer trains by taking one up to the Hohemark stop at the end of the line.  At each station they worked out where to stop the train, and were even measuring out the platform if necessary.

At our station, the train stopped too early leaving the road partially blocked!

Fahrschule - nicht einsteigen

Filed Under: Travel Tagged With: , ,

Green Bananas

November 10, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Green bananas - ©iStockphoto.com/lepas2004

The Green Banana Guide is an interesting concept for visitors to Lanzarote.

For a single fee (currently £14.99) you receive a Green Banana Discount Card, giving you between 5% and 20% discount at a variety of outlets on the island.  These can be viewed on an interactive map and are also listed in the printed guide to the island.

At Double Six Fish and Chips in Puerto del Carmen, for example, you receive 10% off your bill.

If used often, the card is likely to cover its own cost fairly soon, as it can be used multiple times at the same establishment and the discount is applied to the bill for the entire party, not just the card owner.

For those who visit the island more than once a year, there is even an annual offer available.

However, even though it sounds like it could be good value for money, there are some discrepancies on the website that unsettle me.

[Read more…]
Filed Under: Eating Out, Lanzarote Tagged With: , , , , , ,

What purpose does the Ausländerbeiratswahl serve?

November 7, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Ballot box - ©iStockphoto.com/jgroupToday I went to vote in the Oberursel Ausländerbeiratswahl.  Not an easy feat considering that the polling station was in the town hall, with a trade fair going on next door and as a result the (chargeable) car park being nearly full up.

So what’s the Ausländerbeirat you might be asking?

The state of Hessen (Hesse) stipulates that any town with more than 1000 foreigners living in it must have one.  Once in office, the town has to inform them about any decisions that will affect foreigners.  They are also allowed to sit in on various committees.

The last time I heard anything from them was 5 years ago – at the last election. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Politics Tagged With: ,

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