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
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Sunday, March 24, 2013
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.
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.
Sunday, March 17, 2013
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.
Saturday, March 16, 2013
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. :)
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. :)
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