One thing I've noticed is that Germans will wait. And not just wait, but formally, in place where they should be. At the crosswalk, in the doctor's office, outside doors, all over.
One of my pet peeves is at crosswalks. In America when there are no cars coming, I go across. In Germany, this is frowned upon. People will stand there with no cars around waiting for the light to change. I understand that if cars are coming, one should not cross, but with absolutely no way of getting hit, they still will not go. The cars are similar when dealing with crosswalks: if a car is going to be turning right and there are people in the crosswalk, they of course wait. But they will wait even if someone is about 5 feet from entering the crosswalk. Cars and pedestrians are always far apart.
At the doctors office, there is a room where the reception is, that is separate from the hallway. People have to wait outside the room until the person before is done. Of course I just went inside, and stood behind the person, not understanding why I got a few dirty looks from other patients until later.
Germany has lots of rules, and most are followed. I'd say that waiting is definitley one that is followed.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Bavarian Photos
Nazi Rallygrounds
Me eating an Americaner, a pastry named after me, that tastes like a thick pancake with lots of sugar
Lorenzkirche - St. Lorenz Church
Frauenkirche with some international friends, Wah and Jennie
Wurzburg fortress with vineyards
Main bridge to the old town of Wurzburg from the fortress side of town
Entrance to the fortress
Me eating an Americaner, a pastry named after me, that tastes like a thick pancake with lots of sugar
Lorenzkirche - St. Lorenz Church
Frauenkirche with some international friends, Wah and Jennie
Wurzburg fortress with vineyards
Main bridge to the old town of Wurzburg from the fortress side of town
Entrance to the fortress
Nuremberg
Nuremberg, the city famous for an impenetrable fortress, a great downtown full of churches, and of course it's Nazi history, ranging from the rally grounds to the Nuremberg trials. I spent the weekend learning more about the city and it's history, learning a bunch of new things on a city tour and learning about the Nazi past at the Documentation Center which is located at the Nazi rally grounds.
Hitler chose Nuremberg to show off the Nazi power to the world and set about building a a huge stadium for the Olympics to be held every year, a congress hall to seat 50,000 people, a zeplin field, marching grounds, a huge street pointed directly at the Kaiser's castle and more. Not much was fully completed, with the main goal to be a weeklong rally once a year to show the strength of the Nazis. Nuremberg was chosen as the city was the first to let Hitler speak after his 5 years in prison where he wrote Mein Kampf.
It was interesting being back in Bavaria, where things are more expensive, the dialect is different and there are more beer halls. It's a different atmosphere. People say there is west Germany, east Germany and Bavaria. I have to agree, and although it's fun to travel to, I'm quite happy living in the east, in Erfurt.
Hitler chose Nuremberg to show off the Nazi power to the world and set about building a a huge stadium for the Olympics to be held every year, a congress hall to seat 50,000 people, a zeplin field, marching grounds, a huge street pointed directly at the Kaiser's castle and more. Not much was fully completed, with the main goal to be a weeklong rally once a year to show the strength of the Nazis. Nuremberg was chosen as the city was the first to let Hitler speak after his 5 years in prison where he wrote Mein Kampf.
It was interesting being back in Bavaria, where things are more expensive, the dialect is different and there are more beer halls. It's a different atmosphere. People say there is west Germany, east Germany and Bavaria. I have to agree, and although it's fun to travel to, I'm quite happy living in the east, in Erfurt.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Shoulder update
My shoulder is still bothering me from a snowboarding accident so I went to a specialist doctor today. The trip provided more entertainment with German doctors. First off I learned that X-Ray is Roentgen in German, which happens to be the name of the street I live on: Roentgenstrasse. So I live on X-Ray street.
The doctor I went to see was Dr. Schade. Schade in German means bummer, as in when someone loses their keys, you say "schade" A good sign. But it turned out he was on vacation, so I saw another doctor. I had a couple X-Rays done as well as an ultra-sound. Pretty fun stuff seeing my muscles and tendons function. The office was more efficient than the last couple. Sit on the orange chairs to wait for the X-Ray, sit in the other chairs in the hall to wait for the examination room and no one sits in the waiting room. And I had nurses walking through the room to go to other rooms while the doctor examined the arm, but you can't argue about a free audience.
Basically my arm is getting better, although slower than I would like. Just need to take it easy and all will be good. Off to Nuremberg this weekend on a cultural outing to do some touring with my program. Lots of walking, and no lifting, sounds perfect for the doctors orders.
The doctor I went to see was Dr. Schade. Schade in German means bummer, as in when someone loses their keys, you say "schade" A good sign. But it turned out he was on vacation, so I saw another doctor. I had a couple X-Rays done as well as an ultra-sound. Pretty fun stuff seeing my muscles and tendons function. The office was more efficient than the last couple. Sit on the orange chairs to wait for the X-Ray, sit in the other chairs in the hall to wait for the examination room and no one sits in the waiting room. And I had nurses walking through the room to go to other rooms while the doctor examined the arm, but you can't argue about a free audience.
Basically my arm is getting better, although slower than I would like. Just need to take it easy and all will be good. Off to Nuremberg this weekend on a cultural outing to do some touring with my program. Lots of walking, and no lifting, sounds perfect for the doctors orders.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Rothenburg ob der Tauber Pictures
Group marching into Rothenburg
View from the Tauber Valley of the city up above
Medieval Crimes Museum with my roomate Stefan
City wall in all its glory
South gate to the city
View from the Tauber Valley of the city up above
Medieval Crimes Museum with my roomate Stefan
City wall in all its glory
South gate to the city
Rothenburg ob der Tauber Trip
This past weekend, my roomate Stefan and I traveled to Rothenburg ob der Tauber to meet up with a bunch of other participants in my program. We took the cheap, adventurous route of regional trains, making it a 5 hour trip with 5 different trains. A fun and cost effective way to travel, but didn't allow for much sleep along the way to a great weekend.
There were 10 of us all together, from Stuttgart, Munich, Karlsruhe and Erfurt. Great to catch up with everyone again, learn about their experiences in the program and what they've been up to. Everyone is in their internship now, from engineering, to marketing, to bio-chemistry to soccer. I'm the only cook in the program.
We spent the weekend exploring the city, walking around the huge city walls, hiking in the valley below, eating some tradtional Schneeballen (balls of strips of dough with different toppings), hearing some great organ music, eating tasty German food and living it up with good friends. It was awesome to catch up with everyone, seeing many of my favorite participants in the program.
We spent the night at a hostel, 5 guys in a room and 5 girls in another wing. The hostel was part of the castle complex, with a huge roof and a good view of the city. Pretty impressive views of the red roofs and city wall, as well as the Tauber valley, where the Tauber river is. We also checked out the awesome Mediveal Crime Museum, seeing some great displays on everything from shame treatment to signed confessions to the executioners axes.
There were 10 of us all together, from Stuttgart, Munich, Karlsruhe and Erfurt. Great to catch up with everyone again, learn about their experiences in the program and what they've been up to. Everyone is in their internship now, from engineering, to marketing, to bio-chemistry to soccer. I'm the only cook in the program.
We spent the weekend exploring the city, walking around the huge city walls, hiking in the valley below, eating some tradtional Schneeballen (balls of strips of dough with different toppings), hearing some great organ music, eating tasty German food and living it up with good friends. It was awesome to catch up with everyone, seeing many of my favorite participants in the program.
We spent the night at a hostel, 5 guys in a room and 5 girls in another wing. The hostel was part of the castle complex, with a huge roof and a good view of the city. Pretty impressive views of the red roofs and city wall, as well as the Tauber valley, where the Tauber river is. We also checked out the awesome Mediveal Crime Museum, seeing some great displays on everything from shame treatment to signed confessions to the executioners axes.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Rot Weiss Erfurt
Rot Weiss Erfurt, our local soccer team, did some major butt-whooping today against Rot Weiss Essen. Showed those West German who the real RWE is. 4-0, with a rocking, rowdy crowd, loud music and sunny weather.
The best part about the game is when a goal is scored. The anouncer shouts Rot Weiss (Red White) and the crowd shouts Erfurt. This goes on for between 3-5 depending on how pumped the announcer is. Then he shouts the first name of the player and the crowd shouts the rest, again about 3 times. Then some more hollering back and forth regarding the score ending with the announcer shouting Danke! with the crowd answering Bitte! Gotta love the German formalities, everywhere you go.
The video shows the stadium, which is on the same level as a junior college, as well as the routine after a goal.
A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKLjzRLSlRv_vpbt5FASwlVBE5LNrtut_cyUwaEN1Yr0vcA-xdZSwejN84RTDKQg1qwf-RRTK1PmqmiQ5kbLU3HuXvMSXOAxmXwbTSysxU5hP36gOPI4C_2zzUjTbkVzj6Re03R_6RMBOw/s1600-h/P1060835.JPG">
The best part about the game is when a goal is scored. The anouncer shouts Rot Weiss (Red White) and the crowd shouts Erfurt. This goes on for between 3-5 depending on how pumped the announcer is. Then he shouts the first name of the player and the crowd shouts the rest, again about 3 times. Then some more hollering back and forth regarding the score ending with the announcer shouting Danke! with the crowd answering Bitte! Gotta love the German formalities, everywhere you go.
The video shows the stadium, which is on the same level as a junior college, as well as the routine after a goal.
A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKLjzRLSlRv_vpbt5FASwlVBE5LNrtut_cyUwaEN1Yr0vcA-xdZSwejN84RTDKQg1qwf-RRTK1PmqmiQ5kbLU3HuXvMSXOAxmXwbTSysxU5hP36gOPI4C_2zzUjTbkVzj6Re03R_6RMBOw/s1600-h/P1060835.JPG">
Friday, March 28, 2008
The heart of Germany
I spent today exploring more of the German state of Thuringen, where I live. We have a ticket called the Hopper Ticket which allows to you to travel to another city within 50 km and back for just 6 euros, quite a bargain. And I went to two cities on the same ticket, getting off at one and then getting on a later train to continue to the other.
Bad Langensalza, the first town, had a couple churches and a lot of gardens which are a big tourist draw. Lots of cobblestones and of course the local butcher shop selling fresh Bratwursts outside on a grill. The Japanese Garden was pretty sweet, although they could've used some fish in the water. The city built a creek around the old city walls, making a nice entry to the gardens.
There are approximately 15 Muhlhausens in Germany. The one in Thuringen, has the 2nd largest church to Erfurt, a good brewery, a large city wall around most of the city and an impressive church that Bach played at for several years. Pretty sweet place with lots of sights, lots of people out an about enjoying the warm weather (over 10 degrees Celsius today) and some sweet streets.
Muhlhausen with the Church of the St. Mary and city wall
Church of the St. Mary, 2nd largest in Thuringen
Bad Langensalza Japanese Gardens
On a side note, yesterday while discussing ways to agree or disagree in my class, Gernot, a 60 year old man came up with "bullshit" as a good way to disagree. Let's hear it for the people from Siemens.
Bad Langensalza, the first town, had a couple churches and a lot of gardens which are a big tourist draw. Lots of cobblestones and of course the local butcher shop selling fresh Bratwursts outside on a grill. The Japanese Garden was pretty sweet, although they could've used some fish in the water. The city built a creek around the old city walls, making a nice entry to the gardens.
There are approximately 15 Muhlhausens in Germany. The one in Thuringen, has the 2nd largest church to Erfurt, a good brewery, a large city wall around most of the city and an impressive church that Bach played at for several years. Pretty sweet place with lots of sights, lots of people out an about enjoying the warm weather (over 10 degrees Celsius today) and some sweet streets.
Muhlhausen with the Church of the St. Mary and city wall
Church of the St. Mary, 2nd largest in Thuringen
Bad Langensalza Japanese Gardens
On a side note, yesterday while discussing ways to agree or disagree in my class, Gernot, a 60 year old man came up with "bullshit" as a good way to disagree. Let's hear it for the people from Siemens.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Paris
Spending 4 days in Paris, and being able to relax and enjoy everything was triumphant. Quite nice to be able to go at a leisurely pace, seeing everything I wanted (one or two times) and explore the city, seeing new places off the beaten path.
Paris is known for tourists and being super expensive. With the help of my friends in Paris, I was able to often avoid this. There are bikes all over the city available for use, being checked out at racks and returned in some other rack in another part of the city. It is cheap to ride and free if you ride for under 20 minutes. This meant that we rode for 15 minutes and then found a place to rerack the bikes and then check them out again, for free.
If you look at Notre Dame long enough to fully see the church, you will notice that the three entryways are not the same.
Friday and Saturday nights, one bar gives free Indian food with cous cous to customers. Quite large portions and very tasty, along with a one drink purchase.
The line up of people at the Eiffel Tower is ridiculous and more fun to take a picture of than to go up, something I have already done. Having been to Paris before, I was able avoid doing all the touristy things and just enjoy the monuments and sights.
I made two trips to Montmarte, always a highlight, at night and in the day. Great views of Paris from the church, and tons of people there. Drinking super expensive chocolate and watching everyone in the daily action on the hill made for a good time, despite everyone wanting to draw me, saying I have a beautiful nose. I have to agree.
Now I am back in Erfurt, cooking and teaching, with snow flurries on and off the whole time, not really sticking, just getting blow around in cold weather. Missing the blue skies of Paris with warmer weather.
Paris is known for tourists and being super expensive. With the help of my friends in Paris, I was able to often avoid this. There are bikes all over the city available for use, being checked out at racks and returned in some other rack in another part of the city. It is cheap to ride and free if you ride for under 20 minutes. This meant that we rode for 15 minutes and then found a place to rerack the bikes and then check them out again, for free.
If you look at Notre Dame long enough to fully see the church, you will notice that the three entryways are not the same.
Friday and Saturday nights, one bar gives free Indian food with cous cous to customers. Quite large portions and very tasty, along with a one drink purchase.
The line up of people at the Eiffel Tower is ridiculous and more fun to take a picture of than to go up, something I have already done. Having been to Paris before, I was able avoid doing all the touristy things and just enjoy the monuments and sights.
I made two trips to Montmarte, always a highlight, at night and in the day. Great views of Paris from the church, and tons of people there. Drinking super expensive chocolate and watching everyone in the daily action on the hill made for a good time, despite everyone wanting to draw me, saying I have a beautiful nose. I have to agree.
Now I am back in Erfurt, cooking and teaching, with snow flurries on and off the whole time, not really sticking, just getting blow around in cold weather. Missing the blue skies of Paris with warmer weather.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Paris and Montana
What could Paris and Montana have in common? Pretty much nothing, other than that I'm going to Paris tomorrow morning at 6am and that I met a German who was in the US for the first time last year, and it was to Montana. Poor guy.
The Paris trip was a spur of the moment thing, once I found out that I had the weekend free, I figured to do some traveling and I have some friends in Paris to visit, so it works out perfectly. And I asked for Monday off of work and got it, so now I'll be there Friday through Monday. Pretty sweet deal. Got some cheap train tickets, allowing me time to catch up on sleep as well as enjoy the scenary. I'll be in Paris tomorrow at 1pm, ready to take on the city, eat pastries all day long and take photos.
Sunday, March 9, 2008
German toilets
Something most people would not think about is the toilets of Germany. Most of the time they are the normal toilets that we have in the USA, quite easy to use. But in my new apartment, we have an older toilet, something a bit more of a challenge to use.
Here is a website discussing German toilets, of which mine is exactly like he describes:
http://www.asecular.com/~scott/misc/toilet.htm
Hope the flushing is going well.
Here is a website discussing German toilets, of which mine is exactly like he describes:
http://www.asecular.com/~scott/misc/toilet.htm
Hope the flushing is going well.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Another good weekend in Erfurt. Two other participants in my program were in town and crashed at my place. Always good to have visitors and catch up with old friends. One is lucky enough for his internship not to have started yet due to his boss being in America for all of February. I gave them a tour of the city after I got off work at my restaurant on Saturday and then had a good night out at a good bar.
Sunday morning I cooked up a 10 egg omlette for all of us, along with some rolls from Stefan, quite a tasty brunch feast.
On Friday night, Stefan, his cousin and I had a large dinner together. I grilled up Argentinian steaks and made a salad with homemade dressing. Stefan cooked potato croquettes. Quite tasty and filling. Tomorrow should be a apartment dinner together to keep the good food and company streak alive. Speaking of streaks, the Lakers had a 10 game winning streak lately, and I, along with all of Germany, is loving it.
Sunday morning I cooked up a 10 egg omlette for all of us, along with some rolls from Stefan, quite a tasty brunch feast.
On Friday night, Stefan, his cousin and I had a large dinner together. I grilled up Argentinian steaks and made a salad with homemade dressing. Stefan cooked potato croquettes. Quite tasty and filling. Tomorrow should be a apartment dinner together to keep the good food and company streak alive. Speaking of streaks, the Lakers had a 10 game winning streak lately, and I, along with all of Germany, is loving it.
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