global observations about germany part 4

4. yesterday while on the last leg of my run around the grünwaldsee, i passed two girls, each about 10 years old. they were chattering loudly from either side of the street, seated gingerly on unicycles. they got quiet as i approached. the one with the long blonde ponytail hopped to the ground. after i passed, i looked over my shoulder; she had again fitted the long seat under her wildly striped skirt, and was wobbling over the wet cobblestones toward her friend. she was also wearing a pair of outrageous tights. behind that whirl of color, i noticed that the unicycle was outfitted with a small fender that pointed back, straight and stiff like a shark´s fin. i love germany. it is a land where children ride unicyces, secure in the knowledge that no spray from the street will kick up onto their skirts.