The Schwebebahn in Wuppertal used to be on my bucket list…not anymore. An Odyssean journey through Berlin and Hamburg ended in paradise.
Category: Germany
Feuerzangenbowle and those silly dogs
What in God’s name is this one? I’ve lived in Germany this time around for nearly two decades, and there are still times I feel like I’ve just arrived. Regularly, I have an expat problem that’d be solved by me being a bit more tolerant. That’s preposterous, isn’t it? I’m a guest in this country,… Continue reading Feuerzangenbowle and those silly dogs
Beamers & the real power in Bavaria
‘Please turn on the Beamer, so we can start the meeting in time,’ my colleague says. Huh? The Beamer? Are they giving me a company car? Wow, I like the direction this is going. Nope. Not a chance. Instead, this is another example of them having funny English-sounding nicknames for things that those of us… Continue reading Beamers & the real power in Bavaria
across fields and dales pulling your wagon and drinking all the way
Here’s what happens when you lie down in the grass when Louis is around. He’s going to stand over you and imply that he’s ready for you to get up and keep going. I bet some of you wish you had this sort of motivation. He’s happy to help you out if you need… Continue reading across fields and dales pulling your wagon and drinking all the way
Searching out a uniquely Teutonic answer to those rowdy refugees in Cologne
A whole bunch of refugees freaked out on New Year’s Eve in Cologne and allegedly both robbed and sexually assaulted women who unfortunately were at the wrong place at the wrong time. It wasn’t immediately covered in the German media, but not because of any conspiracy. It simply wasn’t known about. There’ve been allegations… Continue reading Searching out a uniquely Teutonic answer to those rowdy refugees in Cologne
Fully upright, I might add (Octoberfest edition)
Sleeping rough in your best Lederhosen? Yes, it’s that time of year in Munich. The Oktoberfest has arrived and shot off with a vengeance. The celebrating is in full swing. It does look a bit like there are casualties on the hill above the huge Volksfest, as the people who started quite early take a… Continue reading Fully upright, I might add (Octoberfest edition)
An adventure waiting to happen
It’s like a Renaissance Festival year-round. Ok, it’s only six months, but who wouldn’t want to live in a castle in the Middle Rhine Valley for as long as they could manage it? Back in the old days, if you found yourself set up in such style, you wouldn’t leave until some other knight came… Continue reading An adventure waiting to happen
loud, dirty and grey…just the way we like it
“Die Berliner sind unfreundlich und rücksichtslos, ruppig und rechthaberisch, Berlin ist abstoßend, laut, dreckig und grau, Baustellen und verstopfte Straßen, wo man geht und steht – aber mir tun alle Menschen leid, die nicht hier leben können!” (“The Berliners are unfriendly and inconsiderate, gruff and self-opinionated, Berlin is repulsive, loud, dirty and grey, construction works and… Continue reading loud, dirty and grey…just the way we like it
Hanging out in my temporary Wohnzimmer
As Joni sings in my thoughts, ‘You don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone…’, I’ve spent this week in Berlin without wifi. It’s been more difficult than I imagined. Originally, I assumed I could make it work by just frequenting cafés that were wifi friendly. It hasn’t worked out that way exactly. Although there… Continue reading Hanging out in my temporary Wohnzimmer
Bound to be adventures in Berlin
Going to Berlin tomorrow, and although there’s no wifi in the flat we’re staying in, the city is purportedly all wired up. You can connect anywhere there, or so I’ve been told. I’ve written about the capital of Germany on this blog before. What, you don’t believe me? Check out these links: Berlin, Berlin,… Continue reading Bound to be adventures in Berlin