Kultur 11 - Tim

"Mauer im Kopf" is a very interesting article, and something I had never really heard much about.  The idea that it takes a long time for different regions to reconcile and find common values after strife, division or conflict is not surprising, and had many examples in history.  There are still large cultural divisions in the US between North and South, after a civil war that happened 150 years ago.  Despite the longevity of resentment, differing values and expectations, this article is 10 years old, and I wonder what opinions my own peers would have.  Everyone through their 20's now in Deutschland would have little or no memory of the fall.

The "Ostalgie" is definitely something I saw in Berlin this Sommer.  Evident is the Ampelmann mouse pad sitting right next to me here at my desk.  Other evidence I saw were things like the Trabi Tours and numerous little shops selling cold-war memorabilia.

I think that the North/South divide and its parallels in the US are very interesting.  This Spiegel article focuses on Bayern as the example for the south, and indeed that is where the classic German Stereotype in America comes from.  Though Baden-Württemburg may be different, it is also in the south.  My father would mention the concern his mother had for him when he had his first internship in Deutschland.  She was worried his Schwäbusche accent would discredit him in the eyes of company professionals.

Kultur 10 - Tim

After reading the article about the famed "Dinner for One" I of course had to watch it for myself.....  I do believe it would be much more enjoyable if I were on par with James' level of inebriation.   While I can usually appreciate the droll, methodical pace of old British humor, this sketch was another piece entirely.  Suffice it to say it is a small wonder the Germans are not renowned for producing a great number of hit comedians, satirists, cartoonists, or citizens with anything resembling a normal sense of lustig.  

Der Spiegel article regarding closing times was something I can definitely relate to.  As mentioned, it may not be as bad as it used to be in Germany, but I find that the amount of time a store is open at convenient hours is in proportion to the size of a city.  So for the little Bavarian Alpine towns my family frequents, that makes it almost never.  Although this Sommer, Tante Erne was happy to announce to us that the local Backeri now is open late, all the way until 17. Uhr on weekdays!

Männertag sounds to me like a rather revolting and strange drinking holiday.  But that in essence is I suppose what defines the German stereotype to so many outside the country.  Good to note that the reputation is mostly the work of, as in so many things, a vocal minority.  Many choose simply to enjoy a day with friends.

AMD 3 - Tim

Für meinen dritten AMD habe ich mahr dinge aus "365 Dinge..." recherchiert.  In das olympic spirit finde ich "Im Sommer rodeln" sehr intressant.  In Neuendorf ist ein 600 Meter lange Sommerrodelbahn.  Even die Kinder can participate!  Es its nur 2,20 Euro pro Fahrt und Kinder bis 14 Jahre sind nur 1,80 Euro.  Merh information kann man auf www.sommerrodelbahn-teichland.de gefinden.

Ich finde die "Wolfsnacht in der Schorfheide" auch sehr intressant.  Es ist ideal fü einen Ausflug am Wochenende und für Kinder es gibt tolle Tiere zu bestaunen.  Man kann auch Fischotter sehen.  In dem Wildpark gibt es Wildschweine, Wölfe, Elche, Wildpferde, Rotwild und vieles mer.  Es kostet 5,50 Euro und ist offnet Täglich 9 bis 19 Uhr.

In Berlin kann man vielfältiger Weise tour die Stadt.  Mit der Bus, mit der Fluss, mit ein Gruppenfahrrad, auf ein Pferd, usw. Es gibt auch "Trabi Safari."  Die Trabbi war ein ganz schlimm Auto bei die DDR aber jetzt gibt es ein "cult following" für diese beschissen Autos.  Die Safari fangt die BallonGatren an.  Es ist available Täglich um 10 bis 18 Uhr.  Es ist vellicht sehr Spaß!

Kultur 8 - Tim

With such a sophisticated health care system, ad generally educated populace it surprises me how fearful Germans are of a simple draft.  The phrase "es zieht" I find very amusingly German.  Stating the obvious and waiting for the implicit understanding, "Halt vor wir alles erkälten!"  This is however very consistent with what I have experienced, though I find it curious, since Germans are so found of outdoors -wandern, outdoor cafes, usw.

The pertinacity of Germans to prefer homeopathic remedies definitely rings true.  Meine Großmama was trained and worked in a classic little Apotheke.  Diesen Sommer my knee was aching after some of our hiking in the Alps (I had completed a 270km backpacking trek a week before), and my Tante Erne had just the thing.  A big jar of sickly-sweet smelling, bright blue horse liniment, whose primary ingredient was eucalyptus extract.  Certainly did the trick, though.

AMD 2

Meine Tanzenpartnerin auf der Ballroom Team ist Deutscherin.  Sie grew up in Lörrach, in southwestern Baden-Württemburg, so last night at practice, I asked if we could "Diesen Abend können wir nur Deutsch sprechen?"  I have to say it did not end up as the most efficient practice with regards to dancing, but it was fun for both of us to speak German with each other (or rather, her to speak German, me to get confused and ask "Wie Bitte?' a lot...).  Throughout the night, we reminded each other "stark Körperbau!" and I picked up on words like Zeh (toe), Stufe (step), and Anzahl (count or musical beat).  Communication was pretty doable, many dance terms are the same, z.B. Waltz = Walz, and I learned quickly.  Aside from a few specific words I can remember, it was also a good opportunity to practice conversational German with a peer.  Ich weiß nicht weil wir sehr oft Deutsch sprechen.
Certainly it opened the door to feeling more comfortable with a bit more German for me.

Kultur 7

When it comes to food, the Germans seem to have picked up on several key ideas in American food culture.  The most enshrined in american restaurant menus is definitely "Bigger is better" thinking on the (now removed, but still known) "Supersize" option at McDonalds.  Also amusing was one person, an American, talking about "Parchment Paper" aka Reynolds wrap.  Who knew that it doesn't exist somewhere...

 Obviously written by a Brit (who else refers to "queuing" and "training shoes"), this article I think is a little less drastic to the American  perspective.  Sure, the Germans will jump your spot for lollygagging, something that results in angry looks or protest in our country, and is a crime punishable by law in the Queen's land, but in my visits in Deutschland, I have never found such to be an issue.  Stay alert, be decisive and anything but passive and I've always been just fine.

I find it interesting that in Deutschland one must carry ID at all times, since that is not a requirement here in the States.  Government regulations aside, the daily task of going to the lokal Bäckeri, Metzgeri und Markt I know well, having gone with meine Tante und Großtante und Großmutter und Eltern to Markt on a daily basis for that day's food while in Deutschland.

Stuttgart is the main city closest to Esslingen, where most of my relatives live.  Just this summer we went through the Mercedes-Benz Museum -a really cool place!  The museum first takes you to the top of its 7 (maybe 8) Geschlossen, then you wind your way down through the building and through time as they show the evolution of the Mercedes company, their vehicles, as well as the greater historical events happening at those times.  The effects of WWI and WWII on the company were very interesting to learn about.

AMD 1

For me, finding an Aktivität auf Deutsch is as easy as picking up the phone.  For this one I decided to give a skype call to my Tante Erne, a very lovely, but lonely, Frau after Onkel Manfred suddenly passed away last year at the age of 81 (they are actually my Father's Aunt and Uncle).  We stayed with Tante Erne for part of our trip to Deutschland diesen Sommer to visit family.  She was happy to answer my call at 18.00 local time, despite being amidst her dinner perperations she happily set aside her Maultaschen to talk with me.  She was interested to hear how classes were going, and we conversed mostly in German, as her English is not very good, and I am learning German, after all.  She was happy to hear that I have madeone of the competition teams for Ballroom, and warned me that being Schwäbish, both her and mein Vater may pronounce things differently from how the instructor spoke, but I assured her that it would be okay.

The last night we were there before flying home, she made Röte Grutze for dessert, and was pleased to learn that I made it successfully based off her rezepte over die Weinachstenfreizeit.  She was curious to know how I was getting along without a fresh Schwäbiche Brezel each morning; "Das geht mir schlect, mit keine Bretzeln." "Aah, denn Timothy, du müssen bald wiederkommen!" I certainly hope so.

3...2...1...Testing...

Test post.  Yaya, blogging!

Meine Lieblingswort ist "Immerschweinehund."  Er ist groß, fett und sehr gluchlich.