Freiburg, Germany — Gateway to the Black Forest, this university town of 200,000 has 24,000 students. The city was founded in 1120, and its university in 1457. It is also a cultural center and a convention center. It would also make Odette Alcantara and her environment gurus green with envy. Kids swish barefoot chasing after their wooden boats on mini canals running along the inner part of the Old Town.

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A(H1N1) came to Freiburg via the penitentiary warden who returned from his holidays in Majordca.

Fortunately, he infected only the inmates in jail. No conjugal visits allowed. Even the warden is in quarantine, which is just like being in jail. He got a taste of his own medicine.

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The Munster is a 13th century Gothic cathedral undergoing restoration before it takes sandblasting. Pieces of original stone that are replaced are sold with a wax seal authentication to help pay for the restoration.

Restoration is work in progress which can be completed only heaven knows when. Contributions never run out. A stone mason working on restoration of cathedrals in Germany is assured of longer tenure and job security than a civil servant.

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The stone statues of saints in the crevices of the cathedral are chiselled 360 degrees, front and back.

"But why do the back, since nobody would see it," asked an inquisitive tourist. "Ja, aber Gott will" ("Yes, but God will") was the stone mason's reply.

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We could learn from Germany, Spain, or Poland on restoration work for Intramuros and our other historical treasures. These would produce real skills and have more far-reaching benefits than the make-work emergency employment jobs that politicians hand out give as patronage.

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Our hosts Dr. Martrin and Ning Hilpert bike around the City year-long. They are also car club members which allow them to rent a car for a fraction of the price. Saves on upkeep, insurance, etc. Sensible, when you think of how much downtime your car spends in the garage or in pay parks. The club even provides for links to drive to train station and pick up another car at another end. Like Ro-Ro on land, but better.

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We are staying in their neighbor's home. The Grosse Perdekamp's have an environment fully green-certified home... with daffodils growing on the roof and solar energy to provide the hot water. Our only tariff is to water the garden on days that Freiburg doesn't get enough rain.

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The garden-for-a-roof is now available in Manila by a German and Filipino couple in Cavite whose home was featured in one of our dailies. It has an ecology boon. Certainly a far cry choice of a cool cat over our hot tin roof.

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Our room is in souterrain (basement) and is about 5 degrees cooler. Ideal for Manila. (Except that Ernie Fajardo tried it in his Magallanes home and his basement never ceased flooding because Manila is under water.)

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Freiburg forks to France and Switzerland.

But we have neither Schengen nor Swiss visas so we stay put in Germany which allows diplomatic passport visa-free.

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Feedback: jaz@mb.com.ph