ANIMAL TALK

A DELIGHTFUL SERENADE

Biking through  France's Bordeaux countryside was my third European bike trip.The trip started with three days biking on   narrow paved roads through a huge  pine forest.  We were frequently serenaded by frogs croaking in the drainage ditches along the side of the road. Cuckoos perched high up in the tree tops joined the serenade on many occasions. Otherwise there was little to disturb our quiet and solitude of those peaceful days.

            Sand often covered part of the road and bike paths. If one wandered off the pavement the sand bogged you down. A small mesquite-like low shrub grew along the edge of some of the paths and their nasty little thorns were the cause of most of our flat tires. At times the shadows of the sun filtering through the trees made it hard to see any dips or bumps ahead.

            It was nice to have sunshine and not rain. This part of the trip was mostly over flat terrain. But after three days it was good to add a bit of variety and challenge to the landscape. However, the frog and cuckoo serenades were a delight and are a fond memory.

ONE FAMOUS HOTDOG

A Good Dog as Well

         Many cities claim to have the hotdog. I love hotdogs and have indulged in a few in various places but never have stood in a long line to get one ----until Reykjavik, Iceland. Several of us had read in tour books about the lamb based pylsa. Billed one of the world’s great hotdogs, the book said it cost about three dollars. As far as directions it only stated the stand was on the waterfront and one could find it easily by the queue outside.

       After a day of touring and sightseeing we asked our guide-driver about the city's famous hot dog. He took us to the waterfront to the well known hot dog stand of Baejarin Beztu. The family business has operated from a small stand in the same location since 1935. There is no seating inside as the stand is no more than a kiosk. The service was quick and efficient. We sat at a picnic table as we all indulged. It was good dog! Every time we were on the waterfront we noted the queue at the stand.

The site of the Reagan-Gorbachev Reykjavik summit in 1986 is on a lot by itself near the highway where security could be easily achieved. The white building was built by the French consulate who occupied it for two years. The French sold it to the British who never occupied it because supposedly the building is haunted. Now the city owns the building and uses it for receptions.