I realize that all my Thursday Thirteens lately have been about Germany. What can I say - it was a big trip for us. I’ll try to make this my last one. How about observations from our trip.
- Germany is very cold.
- Germans walk around outside and do a lot of outside activities regardless of how cold it is.
- Christmas Markets are a blast.
- German beds are hard, but I love the covers they use.
- I found myself starting to understand some of the conversations by the time I left - at least I thought I was understanding them.
- The Germans seemed like they had a good time no matter what they were doing.
- Christmas was VERY different, but was absolutely delightful.
- The retail world would go absolutely broke if Americans did Christmas like Germans do - unless they do more capitalistic consumption on December 6th.
- Germans are very friendly and seem to like Americans.
- The Germans I met loved talking about American politics and most loved George W. Bush (LOVED!).
- Germans have a very different sense of personal space than Americans that takes a little bit of getting used to.
- Nudity is no problem for Germans, that took a little getting used to as well.
- Germans drink a LOT of beer. That deserves repeating. Germans drink a LOT of beer.
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. Its easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
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January 10th, 2008 at 12:21 am
I love the Christmas markets! I also love how a German bed is made..it is so fluffy..love it! What a great list. I really enjoyed Germany when I lived there and hope to go back there for Christmas one day!
January 10th, 2008 at 2:34 am
It’s interesting that you began topick up a sense of the language while you were there. Immersion is th ebest way to learn a language.
You’ll find that in most European countries they are far less inhibited and uptight about nudity.
January 10th, 2008 at 4:48 am
I love the “delicate” way you put this: “Germans have a very different sense of personal space than Americans that takes a little bit of getting used to.”
I’ve lived in Germany for 13 years, and I’m still not used to the people who crowd me everywhere I go where I have to stand in line. The problem is, if you’re NOT right on top of the person in front of you, someone else will cut the line and take that space. That goes for driving on the autobahn as well as standing in the supermarket line!
January 10th, 2008 at 7:38 am
. . . nudity AND a different sense of personal space?
Not at the same time I hope.
January 10th, 2008 at 8:41 am
I haven’t been since I was 14, but I want to go back!
And i’d love to do the Christmas markets tour.
Did you eat lots of cake? I know I did. Seemed everywhere we went there was another cake to be eaten.
January 10th, 2008 at 10:08 am
I am NOT tired of reading about Germany. I found this very interesting. I sure would like to visit Germany!
January 10th, 2008 at 11:05 am
I love reading about Germany as many of my ancestors are German. My Dad spoke German as a first language - wish he had taught it to us.
And thank you for visiting my TT-13!
Smiles,
Holly
http://theabundanceplace.com
January 10th, 2008 at 2:12 pm
Loved your list, and I hope to visit Germany soon. But not to live - as a homeschooler, I’d be jailed! Seriously, homeschooling is illegal in Germany, and parents who do so truly face jail, fines, loss of custody…
But I still think Germany is a fascinating, wonderful place to visit!
January 10th, 2008 at 7:08 pm
Interesting post - and fun to read. Okay two things - I want the “socialize” button on my post, and how do you get advertising in each post or in comments?