Hi folks,

I'm heading back to Germany in June with a group of 11 of my students. We're
going to Stuttgart, Munich, WOLFSBURG, and Frankfurt... Another Prof and I
started these trips last year. He teaches German language and culture,
and I do some stuff on international business focusing on Germany, and our
students get 6 credits.

We'll be over there for two weeks. Of course we're hitting Mercedes and BMW
to visit their facilities and museums like last year....but this year we're
doing Wolfsburg with the whole crew (last year it was an optional side
trip).

Thursday, the factory and museum faxed me and they have arranged guided
tours of both places and lunch at the factory dining hall! So it's time to
save up some $$$ for more toys from the factory store!

I was over there in January and visited Hannover and Wolfsburg. It was
interesting that the kiosk at the visitor's center was prevented from
selling any more "Concept 1" toys. Word was from upper management that the
car is now the "New Beetle" and the kiosk will sell only "New Beetle"
paraphenalia. So I'll have to see what they have. Hopefully they will have
some of the stuff on the New Beetle (germany) web-site.

In January, I also picked up a 1/48 scale split window bug. The bug has a
little computer chip and when a button is pressed on the roof of the bug it
makes a starting noise, and then it makes the same sounds as my '56 running
thru the gears....it lasts about 15 seconds. I'll have to get a few more of
those....

If anyone is interested in any stuff from the museum or factory store, let
me know, and I can see what I can do.

Ric