Day 47: Twice Stuttgart

It has cooled noticeably. It's still dry, the chance of rain is high, it's supposed to rain around 8:45 am. I get on my bike shortly after 8, having decided to put on the rain gear right away. It's downhill to the Neckar, it's really fresh. I cycle through the city center of Esslingen again, but then on a path directly on the Neckar. Lots of tree roots make for a bumpy ride. I can handle the signage, I don't need komoot, but I have activated it just in case. Only in Stuttgart, where my destination "Buschlestraße" is not to be found on any signpost, do I put my smartphone on the handlebars and find my destination without any problems.

A colleague from the works council has taken over the organisation, she brings fruit and small Ritter Sport as goodies for the donors to the stand, which is set up at the barista bar. The chairman of the works council has his first day at work today after his vacation, and on his way to the office he almost unexpectedly stops by the stand. I'm really looking forward to seeing both of them. The joy is even greater when a former colleague shows up with his wife. Both have already retired from active service, but are still happy to be there when old acquaintances turn up. I had a lot to do with him, behavior and performance control plus ergonomics were his and my topics, we headed the local technical committees of the two general meetings and sat on the technical committee of the AZD when it still existed. There's a lot to tell. And the joy is even greater: A colleague comes who jumped into the breach when the department that traditionally directs elections in the HV Stuttgart had to give up for capacity reasons. As a company election officer, she did a super job and I really enjoyed working with her. She supports me effectively in "contacting customers". I had to gradually grow into this communication topic and gain experience, namely to speak to passers-by that they have the opportunity to do good with a donation. In all humility, I would like to say that I have now learned that lesson.
Unfortunately, the rush is very small. Monday as an unpopular office day plus holidays plus limited availability on my part (a second "shift" follows in Uhlandstraße) plus structural conditions of the location only allows a few colleagues to come to the barista bar at all. After all, 150 € cash donations come together as well as a number of PayPal transfers or credible assurances that they will still do the same. I'm happy about every euro that I can generate, and I don't regret the euros that I could have generated if if if... I'm also happy that the site manager stopped by and inquired intensively about bikes and tours. Many thanks to all donors of the HV Stuttgart!
Then I have to move on, Uhlandstrasse is waiting. Actually, I wanted to devote a whole day to each of the two locations in Stuttgart, but that would have made my tour longer. So I decided with a heavy heart to visit both in one day. A colleague from the works council waves happily from the building when I arrive at Uhlandstrasse after a few minutes' drive. She set up the stand in the entrance area, actually everyone who works today has to come by here. But here, too, Monday is not a popular working day, there are also holidays, the reasons are actually the same as in the AGM. She thinks I have to strengthen myself first and takes me to the staff restaurant, where there isn't much going on. It's been a long time since I've been eating meat loaf, and with relish! Back at the stand we try our best to encourage the few "passers-by" to donate; I would say with some success. Although many did not notice my action, they are happy to be enlightened, go to get money quickly and throw something into the donation helmet. My personal highlight: A cleaner (I don't like the term) takes part because she had cancer in the family. On the other hand, others with presumably bigger wallets act as if we didn't even exist. Of course I don't know the reasons, but I think it's a shame, especially among colleagues. I think a "no thanks" would be fairer. At the end we count €124 in cash donations. PayPal is also required here. Many thanks to all donors of the BS Stuttgart!
It's over at half past two. I would like to thank my colleague for her commitment, not only in terms of the stand. I also value her as an active trade unionist trying to make a difference (cf. day 43, where I confessed my union activities). I pack up, take a picture of Allianz Uhlandstrasse and am annoyed that I forgot it in the AGM. If you are interested, please take a look at "Stuttgart Reinsburgstraße" on the Internet).
Shortly after 4 am I'm back at my mother's, there's plum cake and later a "Veschper" with Swabian ham sausage (I always get one of these to take home, just - for the sake of circumstances - not this time).