We have trouble rousing anyone to come to the desk. When a young man and woman finally show, they seem strangely unfamiliar with the procedures to check us in. They are, obviously relatively new immigrants and speak little English. Somehow we manage to get checked in.

I am second guessing my decision to get a hotel near the train station. In retrospect, I would have been better off booking a hotel closer to the river. The taxi fare would have been worth it. I find that the train station areas in Germany are not nearly as desirable as they are in Italy or France.

All of this notwithstanding, it is a nice, small, cozy hotel and the price is right and includes breakfast. It is convenient to an internet cafe, an ice cream shop, a deli and a small grocery store. It has an inviting breakfast room and serves a very nice continental breakfast including a complimentary Herald Tribune to read. There's also a small bar on the ground floor which we never use.

Our room is spacious, especially by European standards, but Pam will have to do her Internet thing while sitting on the bed since there is no desk.

When we check out we discover charges in the hundreds of Euros for phone access. There is a discrepancy between the time and the charges. Even though, Pam will be reimbursed, I question the accuracy of the charges. The owner is behind the desk and is extremely helpful. He tries to call the phone company to straighten things out but they, of course, cannot respond immediately. This is a problem because Pam and I have a train to catch. We figure out that Pam most likely was on the internet for more time than showed on the bill so we agree to pay and the owner agrees to reimburse us if it turns out we are overcharged. He seems trustworthy so I believe him.

Later we figure out that the charges are legitimate, so we never have to test my judgment.