European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - August 5, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse Page -1 i by we fax %u/fy7 t r a Quot a \ Rev a a Ivy f Idu k i it a go 1 ��1 so of a it a 3ir Taffy a Quot ft1 1 a fear of bicycle Paulette Garner. A guest columnist swarm of bees a flock of Birds a crowd of people a Constellation of. Stars a you be got the picture. These tire All Large groupings of things. What Pray Tell is the name Given to Large groups of people on bicycles a menace to motorists a quote live in the Netherlands where pedestrians. People on bicycles horseback even a horse and buggy has As much right to use the Road As do motorists. This is quite contrary to the states where unspoken though it May be. One senses that anyone behind the wheel of a motor vehicle has the right of Way in the states one can easily get run Over if one Isnit careful. And it s not uncommon to be run Over even when you arc careful. In Holland for the most part bicyclists have their own lanes so marked by the drawing Ofa bicycle on the pavement. They have their own stoplights with the picture Ofa bicycle visible on the lights. These people have rights. Motorists look out for cyclists something new t had to learn. It should be noted that cyclists Arentt particularly concerned with motorists. They ride with a Carefree Cavalier attitude that could be con Sid Rcd unhealthy. I was Happy when i passed the Netherlands driving test. That was before i knew what 1 was up against. Getting out on the Road was the True test. A test of nerves. I remember quite vividly the first time 1 encountered a a mass a for Lack of a better word of bicyclists. I was More frightened than a Bat put of hell though i was Safe in my steel encrusted Protection otherwise known As a car. Hundreds maybe thousands of cyclists pulled out from a Side Street a Little Way ahead of me. Traffic coming out Ofa Side Street on the right have the right of Way unless you Are travelling on a priority Road. It matters not that you Are going straight ahead and they Are pulling out into traffic. I quickly stepped on the Brake and rested my head of the steering wheel to Calm my nerves somewhat. That was not the thing to do As i inadvertently honked the Horn a a practice prohibited in the Netherlands. Its kind of Nice though that cyclists have these rights and privileges. I can now get my Bike Down dust it off and go Riding without any trepidation. Unless of course i turn around and see myself Chi rid the wheel of a car. Paulotto gamer is a Mhilary family member living in in Trueck Netherlands. A goodbye army hello 7-Elevenmark Norton guest columnist of know me. In a the Guy walking around with a Little smile on my face even on monday mornings. 1 have less than 45 Days left in a Short. I thought id Lake the time to say goodbye before i leave. After All i m not Only leaving Europe but Active duty As Well. First to Europe. It s funny i did no to even ask to come Here. I had visions of life out West requesting fort Ord and fort Lewis among others. Europe was 1 oth out of 10 choices on the old a dream Sheet i sent in a few years ago. In a sure it was in the a Best interests of the army to Send me Here but at the time it certainly Wasny to my interest. Now three years later things arc different. I am ready to go Back to the states a no doubt about it. Hut i m actually going to miss a few things about Europe. Of course ill miss the travel the castles the endless photo opportunities. More than those ill miss the Long summer Days the closed off to traffic shopping areas the endless Bike paths and the restaurants. Especially the restaurants. Nothing like eating Good euro can food outside on a Spring Day with Good company. Next to the army. If pm getting out Why did i Ever join you ask easy. It s something i knew right then i wanted and needed a to do. I did no to want to be thirty something saying a Damn 1 wish id tried now in be done it i can move on. What will 1 miss the feeling you get when you really do something right that has an Impact i wish i could have had More of that. Ill miss the camaraderie of my fellow lieutenants. Ill miss not worrying about what clothes to put on in the morning or How to Wear my hair so to Europe and the army goodbye and thanks. And to America a and the first 7-eleven i can get to at Midnight a Here i come. 1st i. Mark Ancmon is brigade officer for he co 2nd Engado 3rd Ini div kit Zigon Wost Germany. Feedback w hat is the biggest problem you have shopping in Europe chaplain c Apt Hill Smith 4th in 7th Field arty Dorf Ciuelo West in Many limited Quantity at Post Exchange. It you re not Pimp died to buys Ini. Thing is Lien its there it surely w a l to 11 i. R e the nest time. Lisa Burnett military family member Mannheim West Germany 1 love shopping on the Economy. The a is so limited and a lot of things Are Loo e it pen is s e. And sex cry a Here there be Long hues especially i a 11 a. Tony Ogden american automobile sales representative Firth West Germany opening hours. If in a Lucky i manage to do my shopping once a week and that son thursday night. When we finish w 11 k on Ether Day sat lie1 a. I l v p s a re sit u to spec Walborg co a i 23rd support in 1st army div Firth West Germany part of the problem is to get time off to go shopping. Being in the n urn Berg Community e have one of the largest commissaries so v. C Hue. V Eood \ arid v. Janet Illiams military family member Mannheim West Germany so far i have no problems on the Economy. Most germans speak English and i carry a pit rave Book with me. Between that and hand . It i in a s in s c sunday August 5, 1990
