for opening hours: see Mudguard's post (downtown, you'll find shops open until 4pm on Saturdays, but not near my place (downtown is a 20 min walk)

prices are similar to the Netherlands

Bron, we'll find some place for you (in the worst case: in my sleeping bag on the floor). However, I could book a hotel for you (no B&B as you know them in Germany): roughly 100 DM for a night including breakfast would be my guess. Let me know if I should book.

What will the neighbours say? Not much I guess, for we are usually rather quiet. As for Rainer and Gaby, immediately below us, I know which room they sleep in and we'll be in the most distant room in the flat. As for the others, Angelika is in principle a Mudcatter as well (though she posted only once with a special request) and James will be delighted to hear his native language spoken instead of that awful German. All others are too remote to care.

Should the food when we go out rather be cheap or good???

Wolfgang