Slagheaps, Horsemeat and Football

December 18th, 2005 | by: WC Bob | Comments Off

The UK’s Observer takes an interesting look at the 12 German cities that will host World Cup matches and offers advice about what to do in each city instead of watching Tunisia play Saudi Arabia.

Somehow I don’t think this description will be found in Gelsenkirchen’s tourist brochures:

This is a heavily industrialised area, and there’s a ‘night of industrial culture’ planned for the second Saturday of the World Cup. Although there’s a science park, the biggest attraction is a slag-heap, the Halde Rungenberg. The view from the top is spectacular. Looking across to the next nearest slagheap, you can count 42 pipes and chimneys and a dozen billowing steam clouds at one factory alone. Chemicals, oil, steel, and the European capital of ice-cream cones and wafers – this place has the lot.

And for those planning on catching the action in Kaiserslauten:

Saumagen (pig stomach stuffed with potatoes) and Pferdwurst (horsemeat sausage) are the definitive delicacies of the region.

Suddenly that Tunisia-Saudi Arabia match looks more appetizing after all.