Germany… well… hmm… I like it!

Okay, the journey began in Oslo, visited a couple of friends there that within the last years emigrated from Trondheim, unfortunately. It was nice to see everyone again and I hope it won’t be that long until the next time our paths cross.

All of a sudden I find myself in the beautiful country of Germany. Never experienced this part of it before (that is anywhere outside Berlin) I must say – I like it! Open-minded people, beautiful cities, good food, great beer and a hell of a lot of chocolate! In other words ‘my cup of tea’, which by the way the Nintendo Wii we got for Christmas used to let me know, in a gentle way, that my balance suck. I quote; this balance test was obviously not your cup of tea. Damn!!! I’ll show you, besides it’s not my intention to balance my way trough life, I don’t mind a fall or two… pah, in your face, Wii-machine.

The Christmas spirit was definitely all around down there, I could feel it in my fingers and also almost in my toes.





Most important was of course the garden-gnomes. But seriously, I think they are hiding from me, most likely they know I’m after them, and that’s why they are especially careful when I’m around. The only ones I found were these, dressed for the occasion. Pretty, sure, why not.













One of the 1,500 types of sausages. Mmmmmm, delicious!









Altbier
Kölsch
Weizen/Weißbier
Weizenbock.
Berliner Weisse
Leipziger Gose
Roggenbier
Helles
Schwarzbier
Pilsener
Export
Spezial
Dunkel
Rauchbier
Bock


For each 750 ml (3 cups) of wine
1 stick cinnamon
6 whole cloves
Rind of half a lemon
2 Tbs sugar
1 cardamon pod (optional)
One of: (optional)
rum
brandy
vodka
schnapps




Germany is a leader in garbage separation… I approve of this! High five to Germany.




The German people seem to be very warm and welcoming, they include you in their lives in the most wonderful way and they show interest in you as a person from a different culture. They also invite you to return one day, this I really appreciate,

Thank you!





From all of me, to all of you, a continued Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

On the road again

Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany (German: Bundesrepublik Deutschland, is a country in Central Europe and Danubian Europe. The territory of Germany covers 357,021 square kilometers and is influenced by a temperate seasonal climate. With over 82 million inhabitants, it has the largest population of any member state of the European Union and is home to the third-largest number of international migrants worldwide.

Okay... blaaaaah, to the important stuff.

Germany has about 1250 breweries offering more than 5000 different beer brands - as a traveller interested in the soul of the place i'm visiting I will definitely check this out.

There are over 1,500 types of sausages - will of course try this as well.

Germany is the home of the world-famous garden-gnome. In the mid 1800s, the first garden gnomes were made in Thuringia, Germany. They have spread via central and northern Europe as far as America and Australia and have admirers in all four corners of the world - Exactly, they are invading the world, I always said so but nobody ever believed me, and here it is black on white, heeeelp, I might not return for Christmas, to my family: I love you, if I'm not back the 23rd - sue the gnomes.

Germany is a leader in garbage separation. More than 80 % of paper and glass is recycled. The problem is that each state has a different set of rules on this matter - wow, amazing, I'm actually going to this place! (Søffis, I promise to do research)

Many great philosophers of the world, like Kant, Hegel, Schopenhauer, Nietzsche and Heidegger, were German - and I guess they like visitors of this kind as well, anyway...

Germany here I come!

Rules

I received my lease contract for the apartment in the US today,
and naturally I sat down to study the rules, and I highlighted
the rules that will disrupt my normal way of life the most:

Candles are not allowed (only potpurri burners) - what the fuck is a potpurri burner?

Live trees, including holiday trees are not permitted at any time - what about festivus poles?

Liquid filled beds and other liquid filled furniture are not permitted - damn it.

At least it means my luggage will be a lot less heavy now that I know I have to leave the christmas tree and the waterbed in Moholt.