Kultur 1

USA Kulinarisch: 

• Ich denke dass das ist sehr interressant! Since Thanksgiving is a markedly American holiday, I thought that the integration of Thanksgiving in Germany is very interesting. Our holidays have already been quite the diaspora--Halloween, for instance. Although Thanksgiving originated in with the European colonization of North America, the modern associations with the holiday are giving and food, both things that jive well with German culture! 

http://www.usa-kulinarisch.de/5362/tisch-dekorieren-thanksgiving/

• Additionally, I also love to cook, so when I saw this post, (see below) concerning parchment paper, I could relate. Perhaps, over winter break when I could not find parchment paper anywhere, the grocery stores in my town were merely trying to emulate Germany. 

http://www.usa-kulinarisch.de/5359/parchment-paper-kaufen/

What Discipline? Of German Lines and Pythons: 

I was very surprised by this article. As it says, "the famed German Ordnung -- that is "order" -- breaks down when it comes to waiting in line." Perhaps, as alluded to in the article, the lack of a line-standing tradition resulted in the "no-holds-barred" situation of today. I'd rather think that the German people are instead too free-thinking to be coerced into standing in line. 

365 Dinge: 

• Das Badeschiff: (13) Is this a Bath-Ship!? Mit saunas, ein Pool, und ein Lounge mit Bar, this place sounds so awesome, is has to be German. 
• 3-Muskel Tour: (22) This bike for 4 is so cool! What a great way to explore the surrounding countryside. Lets just hope a train doesn't come while you're on the tracks.... 
• Echtes Berlin-Musical: (27) This would be fun to see because I'm not quite acclimated to hearing German sung. 
• Im ältesten Restaurant Berlins essen: (36) What a great combination of 2 of my favorite things-- food and history! 

Brennpunkt Kultur: 

Einkaufen: While in Germany, I definitely noticed an emphasis on higher-quality goods. For example, fresh bread. The prevalence of small specialty shops and, for those who work the night shift, fresh bread vending machines are testament to the German dedication to good food. 

Stuttgart: I've been in Baden-Wuttemberg and in the Neckar River Valley. It's exceedingly beautiful and actually, in my opinion, resembles many areas of the American Appalachia. Besides its scenic surroundings, I especially like how Stuttgart is an opera metropolis. I love opera!! (Especially Wagner)