It was so interesting to be a part of the opening meeting last night at the conference.  The mayor of Oldenburg spoke as well as another government official, not as recovering people but as supporters of AA in the community.  It was very inspiring.  They said that 1 in 9 people in Germany have an addiction and almost everyone has been affected by an addicted person.  Also, the Oldenburg Choir was the entertainment and they were so good!  I don't think you'd see that in the US.  They sang: Get Your Kicks on Route 66, Are you going to Scarborough Fair, a Freddy Mercury medley--it was unbelievable.  There were 6 short talks and then a main speaker.  All very touching and thoughtful.  Most everyone had their talks written out which you wouldn't see in the US.