Leaving Germany....

It was a sad day to leave the beautiful, historic country of Germany, but other adventures were calling and pulling me homeward to America. I spent some of my last week traveling around Europe, visiting the fourth largest city in Germany: Cologne (spelled 'Koln' in German). Koln is a small city with a lot of energy and home to one of the most beautiful Catholic churches I have ever seen (see pictures below). I also traveled to Brugge, Belgium for chocolate and fries (well worth all the calories). I then ventured over to the Normandy beaches to relive D-Day and the downfall of the Third Reich. The museums, cemeteries (American and German cemeteries), and other memorials there were incredible. I walked on the beaches of Normandy, trying to imagine the turmoil that was once present on that shore.

I then spent one day and night in Paris, walking around the City of Lights for hours before jumping on a U.S bound plane early the next morning. In Paris, I encountered a dangerous mass celebration for Paris' soccer team winning a championship or series. There was tear gas and multi-colored smoke bombs in front of the Eiffel Tower with French police officers scattered around. Some police were engaged in subduing the rowdy, chaotic soccer fans, while other French police officers were standing in a group smoking cigarettes. Gotta love the French way of life.

Here is a song for you as my farewell song to Germany. It doesn't have any significant, deep, or hidden meaning behind it. It just happened to be the last song I heard while traveling out of Germany. Enjoy!

BAMBERG!

This weekend I ventured with a coworker to Bamberg, Germany in order to explore the town with the most beer breweries in Germany. I drank ample amounts of wine, while my coworker enjoyed local beers. I am slowly developing a taste for beer, but it is slow and I am in no rush for it to fully develop. We explored a castle, beautiful old churches, and ate amazing German meals! It was a memorable weekend!

Newest Jams in Germany!

Here are my new favorite songs in Germany... BOOM!

Holland: Jokes on me!

I was told by my dear coworkers here that we would be heading to the Netherlands this past Saturday! My mind translated that to mean we were heading to Amsterdam and I excitingly informed all my friends and family that I was heading to the coolest north European city! I spent last week day dreaming of visiting Anne Frank's home, exploring the city notoriously known for legal drug use and other dark matters, and tuning into my inner hippie. 

On Friday night, as I dined with my coworkers, I was sadly informed that we were not Amsterdam bound but that we were heading to some lame-ass tulip garden, known as Keukenhof. As the disappointment settled within me, I was informed that this was the biggest flower garden in Europe (as if this was going to soften the blow). I couldn't believe it! I just threw down over a hundred dollars for flowers I couldn't even take home. This was cause for a second round of drinks. "Waiter!"

However, the trip ended up being a great experience! It was sponsored through the military base and we had to board a bus at 1:30am, sleep, wake up in Holland, visit a dairy farm for a traditional Dutch breakfast, and then head to Keukenhof. The dairy farm was AMAZING!!! I ate AMPLE, more like shameful amounts of Gouda cheese!! AHHHH Holland knows how to do GOUDA! I just wish I could have drank some wine at breakfast... but maybe that would be too soon in the day... just maybe.

The "traditional" Dutch breakfast might as well of been a "traditional" American breakfast. On the way there, I had my coworkers all excited about what this Dutch breakfast might entail. I told them stories of Dutch pancakes, Dutch pancake balls with powder sugar, and other wonderful possibilities that awaited us. When we sat down to find boiled eggs, sliced bread, cheese, and coffee, our empty stomaches just groaned. Was this really a Dutch breakfast? Although the staff affirmed that bread and cheese is a traditional Dutch breakfast, I refused to believe it. I, in turn, advised the staff I have had better Dutch breakfasts in the U.S. and, with that comment, I was thrown out of the dairy farm!

Okay, so I didn't insult the staff by making that egotistic American comment (although it is true, thanks to saints in Connecticut) but remained quiet and thanked the Lord for Gouda. We spent the day at Keukenhof on a very gloomy, slightly rainy day and, since winter has lingered longer this year, we took very few pictures of the grounds where flowers have yet to bloom in. We boarded the bus right when the sun came out (so sad!) and headed back to Germany. Dinner was spent eating cheese and drinking wine on the bus (because we could!!) in addition to having a dance party with my coworkers. Gotta stay in shape somehow! Good times in the Netherlands.

Hanging out with the Cousin!

This weekend, a few coworkers and I headed to Heidelberg to enjoy the most gorgeous day of 2013 thus far in Germany. While I was there, I met up briefly with my cousin, Sharpour, and his girlfriend Heidi. We had a few good laughs! I hope to visit them more in the coming weeks. 

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY JON JON!!!

Today is my little brother's birthday! I wish I was celebrating with him in Texas. I was imagining having a dance party with him and all my Texan relatives... awwww what a great time that would be! Jon Jon, I wish you a wonderful birthday, but an even more AMAZING year! I love you a lot and am rooting and cheering for you everyday!

Oldest City in Germany: TRIER!

On Saturday, I traveled to Trier, the oldest city in all of Germany, in order to walk the streets there with some coworkers. As usual, there was a food market outside giving away free samples of olives and cheese... After viewing street performers magically levitate (see below) and touring the Roman ancient ruins (Porta Nigra on right), we had lunch at a fabulous and popular Potato Restaurant, that makes potatoes in every way shape and form! SO good!!

GREETINGS FROM LUXEMBOURG!

This weekend I met up with some coworkers in Luxembourg to visit the American Military Cemetery there, where over 5,000 U.S. military men (plus one female nurse) died and were buried, including General Patton. After touring the amazing cemetery and site of the Battle of the Bulge of WWII, we ventured to Lxuembourg City to have lunch in our first spring weather day of 2013! It was a marvelous Sunday!

Blending In in Berlin!

I made some friends on the tour bus and we ventured out into Alexanderplatz, where we ran into the guy in the picture below. He is getting married in May and was having his "Bachelor" party - which in Germany consists of the groomsmen dressing the groom in ridiculous garb and have him sell ridiculous items to strangers from a box. All items are one euro and all proceeds go to getting them drunk later that night. Of course I had to do my part, so I purchased a small bottle (.5 oz) of alcohol for one euro. In exchange, he took a picture with me! Enjoy!

BTW, click on the pictures to enlarge them.

The Berlin Wall Today

What was once viewed as loathsome thing, the Berlin Wall is now a modern canvas on which artists display their creativity. Here are some pictures of the last remaining standing portion of the Berlin Wall...

The above kiss is NOT REAL and NEVER happened. It was something the artist imagined... that the East and West leaders of Berlin would embrace one another. 

View from my window...

Woke up most days my first few weeks here with this as my view...

Berlin Recovery

Well the toll of the overnight bus trip combined with a non-stop two days of sightseeing and walking all over Berlin, I woke up Thursday morning finally feeling like myself again. I apologize about the delay of pictures but they will be up before the weekend, for sure. 

Berlin is a city not to be missed! It's an old city yet so young as it just experienced unification just over 20 years ago. I loved walking around the streets, the different metro stops, and trying to imagine all the history this city has seen. Combined with a glass of wine, it was such a great time! I already want to go back and walk the streets of Berlin with my friends and family. 

Below is a music video...lol... I know! ANOTHER music video. BUT I really like this song as they play it here a lot on the German radio station. And I woke up this morning with the lyrics in my head. I googled the lyrics, found the video, and guess what? The singer is singing in Berlin in Alexanderplatz where I hung out on Saturday night. A double pleasure: a great song in a great city. Enjoy!

Marlon Roudette - New Age

Next stop: BERLIN!

Tomorrow evening around 2330 (11:30pm), I will board a bus bound for the capital of Germany: BERLIN! I am super excited to be able to take such a trip, which was organized through the base here. I will wake up in Berlin and spend Saturday touring the former Prussian and Third Reich capital. I am preparing my camera as I type so that it is locked and loaded to take numerous pictures. Since I won't be driving, my hands will be free to just click away at all things Berlin!

Some interesting sights to see will be, of course, the Berlin Wall, the Berlin Dom (big church), the Reichstag (their Capital building), and Check-Point Charlie (ultimate symbol of the Cold War). Speaking of cold, I expect that it will be very cold in Berlin :( Seriously! Where is spring this year?

When I think of Berlin, I can't help but hum along to 'Commando' by the Ramones; how about you? No? Not so much? I figured it was just me...

Anyways, lots of history in Berlin. It was also the host city of the 1936 Olympics and the 2006 World Cup. I've been reading stories about the great lengths people went to in order to escape from East Germany to West - some successful and others not so successful. I hope to learn more and then share with you! 

Cheers! XOXOXO 

Second Week in Germany brings Banishment

Well week two of my time here in Germany has brought banishment. Banishment from what you may ask? From the Commissary...aka the military grocery store on base.

Yes, people... your dear and sweet Nikki was caught red-handed with Chobani yogurt, organic greens, and mineral water while checking out on Friday at the Commissary. You see, technically I do not have privileges to shop at the Commissary, which is tragic because it is the most convenient place for me to grocery shop. Plus it has American products like Kraft and Amy's organic frozen dinners. Come on! I'm just not going to find these things out on the economy (aka off-base in Germany).

Well I did have a good run for a while I suppose... things were working in my interest as I frequented the Commissary without any problems, buying here, buying there. All that came to a screeching halt on Friday. To make a long story short, no more commissary for me.

Gone are the days of Nature's Valley granola bars, Kashi anything, and Lactase milk. Just when I thought it couldn't get any worse, I hit an all-time low when I found myself staring through the windows of the Commissary yesterday, glazing at all the wonderful American products which were once potential booty but are now far out of my reach. When personnel found me staring like a fool through the windows, they shut the blinds. Now I can't even stare at the forbidden fruit.

Okay so none of the last part actually happened, but it did in my mind and in my recent nightmares.

So what am I to do now? The answer to this is two things: one, make the Shopette (on-base convenient store) my new grocery store, if possible, or two, shop at the local German grocery stores, which can be expensive and tempting, with many shelves devoted strictly to German chocolate.

Today, therefore, I went to the Shopette to check out the goods. I picked up a hand-basket as I walked in. Many minutes later my basket was still empty as I couldn't compel myself to put Hormel canned chili (with beans) in my basket nor convince myself that Bush's Pork and Beans was a healthy option because it had some fiber. The only thing I allowed myself to buy was some Dubble Bubble. After a few chews and a couple of bubbles, I decided to go off base and visit a local grocery store in Germany.

I ventured to the small town of Speicher (pronounced spy-sure), where I found the local grocery store, REWE, closed. Ah! The joys of small town Germany, where most stores are closed completely on Sunday. I did however find a hotel's cafe opened. I parked the car and walked in to find what I had just read about the night before: kaffee und kuchen!

Kaffee und Kuchen is a mid-afternoon sugar-rush of coffee and cakes, a traditional Germanic treat equivalent to English tea. Being that it was 1500 (3pm), I was so thrilled to partake of such a traditional German pastime that I couldn't wipe the smile and excitement from my face, which then scared the local patrons dining in the cafe. I quickly remembered my place and changed my expression to an indifferent demeanor to better suit the crowd. "Oh did I come just in time for kaffee und kuchen? Whatever dude..."

I ordered Apfelstrudel (apple strudel), black tea, and a nice corner table to enjoy it in. It was a real treat! After some contemplation and reflection by way of kaffee und kuchen, I decided that being banished from the Commissary may be a blessing in disguise. A blessing for me who will now exert effort to become aware of German products and way of life. And a possible curse for local Germans who may get tired of an easily-excitable American in their village.

Here is the local soundtrack playing on the German radio stations... it's a lot of fun driving around to this music... Enjoy! Cheers... as they say here in Germany. 

Let me know what you think.

If I could make a video while here in Germany, I think it would look like the one above. :) And I'd even wear the yellow stripy pants. 

Love the harmony guys in the background... they are really feeling la bella vita and letting it in their hearts.  

This is the song I am jamming out to these days...

So week one down in Spangdahlem... I'm sorry I haven't sent pictures. I will! It's been hard to take pictures here. Mainly because I am definitely in small town Germany and I stick out like a white dude in Harlem and I've been too nervous to take pictures. This past week was spent trying to get my bearings around western Germany.

The local Germans just stare at me when I am out in the villages; however, I was happy to hear that the Germans just stare period so... maybe its not me. With driving, trying to find parking and food, and then trying to order it without a word of German, it's been challenging... but I love it! I love being in a foreign land and getting to explore it!

I am driving these days a marvelous BMW and I finally figured out how to use the radio today. If you are wondering what I am jamming out to as I drive though scenic Germany, please see above.

Do you know what drink the Germans prefer over beer and wine? I'd never guess it, but it's surprisingly sparking mineral water (SMW)! They love it! And as I was driving home tonight, I stopped at a gas station rest stop and picked up a bottle of SMW... and dang it!!! Those Germans have great taste!! It was so amazing! I nearly drank 1.5 liters in less than 30 minutes. Thirsty much?

Due to my location, I am very close to Luxembourg and Belgium, which I have already visited! They are amazing!! I have not stopped off to really explore those countries, but I will in the near future. However, one thing I have learned about traveling in Germany and its surrounding countries is that driving in Germany is the best! I had to drive through Belgium to get to my destination today and it had a speed limit of 100 km per hour (about 62 mph). This is not heard of in Germany, the land of limitless speed on the autobahn. Once you experience the autobahn, where you can drive any speed you like, when you are told how fast to drive, you can't help but think "bitch no you didn't!?!?!".

Sincerest apologizes for the profanity. :)