Smokin'

Remember when you were a kid (or when I was a kid anyway), those cigarette dispensing machines were everywhere?

They looked something like this.

While we were in Hameln, Germany, we saw dozens of dispensers like the one pictured above. Not just outside a bar either. They were on the corners in neighborhoods too. It seemed odd to me, but apparently they are placed in rural areas or for use late at night. Most stores aren't open at night so this is the smoker's only option.

FYI - Germans smoke more than Belgians and Belgians smoke more than Americans.

Apparently you can swipe your personalausweis (personal ID) or your EU-Fuhrerschein (EU Driver's license) for automatic approval. This is proof of age because, as in the U.S., you must be age 18 to purchase zigarettes in Germany.

A packung will set you back a €5 schein or 2 packungen for €10. These are your only options 'cause those words at the bottom mean you won't get change back!

And this just made me laugh. Along a side road, we saw this - right here you can get all your errands done - buy your smokes, mail a letter, and replenish your condom supply.