Recent Germany trip

[Motel75]

Yes, everything closes on Sunday in Germany. Some states would like to change this, and there are loopholes to allow occasional opening in some states, but I don't think it'll happen in the next couple of years at least. Just be glad, shopping-wise, that you weren't here a few years ago, when all stores were legally required to close by 18:30 on weekn ights and 14:00 on Saturday. That law was loosened to 20:00 a decade ago, and finally abolished only six months ago.

Anyway, Ortel and Blauworld are the same thing, so no big deal. And yes, in Europe, there are never any charges for incoming calls if you are in the country the SIM card is from (you pay to receive only in other countries, and the price is capped by law within the EU at 49 cents plus tax). BTW, 69 cents to receive in the US is relatively cheap, as roaming charges for foreign users in the US are generally outrageous.

If you're thinking of going back, keeping the SIM alive shouldn't be too much trouble, either.

[inquisitor]

Originally Posted by Motel75

(you pay to receive only in other countries, and the price is capped by law within the EU at 49 cents plus tax).

You mix up incoming and outgoing calls. While roaming within the European Union with a SIM card from a EU-state (note that Switzerland, Norway and further European countries are not EU-memberstates) rates are capped at € 0.49 for outgoing calls and € 0.28 for incoming calls.
This price cap will be further decreased to € 0.46 / € 0.22 in August and to € 0.43 / € 0.19 in August 2009.

[Przemolog]

Originally Posted by inquisitor

You mix up incoming and outgoing calls. While roaming within the European Union with a SIM card from a EU-state (note that Switzerland, Norway and further European countries are not EU-memberstates) rates are capped at € 0.49 for outgoing calls and € 0.28 for incoming calls.

0.24 if you exclude VAT.
And about the countries obliged for euroroaming, I read an EC document in which eurotariff is currently extended to non-EU EEA countries (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Economic_Area), namely Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. Of course, eurotariff rates or lower may also be applied in other countries by decisions of particular operators.