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In Destinations, Europe, Spain on
November 26, 2012

White After Labor Day: Thanksgiving In The Canary Islands

Does the no white after Labor Day fashion rule still apply when you’re outside the States?

Canary Islands

When Americans go to the beach they go to Florida or California, maybe even the Jersey Shore, the Hamptons…Texans stay in Texas. Maybe a few adventurous souls hit the Caribbean Islands or Mexico.  When Americans go to Europe they go to see old buildings — The Coliseum, The Louvre, the castles.  Typical Americans do not go to Europe to go to the beach.  But it’s just that typical American omission is what adds to the allure of European beaches and more specifically European islands.So embracing my new holiday traditions of traveling during breaks instead of only eating, I left Stuttgart’s frigid, gloomy weather and headed south, off the south-west coast of Morocco to Tenerife, Spain, the largest of the Canary Islands.

zip zip zipped around curvy mountain roads in a cute little fiat!

We left Stuttgart bundled up in gloves and coats and when we arrived to the islands six hours later, it was spring time again! It was cool in the evenings but warm all day.  I found out that it rained for the first time all year the week before we arrived so the locals kept saying “You’re so lucky to have planned you holiday when it’s so green.”  That’s where the idea of relativity comes into play.  I was actually expecting a tropical oasis of green like in Mallorca but Tenerife was surprisingly very brown. The islands are closer to desert islands and also have volcanic
origins which make the sand black.  Aside from the year-round fabulous weather, the 3718 meter high volcano, Mount Teide, is its most popular tourist attraction.  Bananas and tomato plantations along with cacti were the only green to be seen.  There is one highway that will give you a three-hour tour around the entire coast of the island.

 

Expectation management

I didn’t know what to expect, see, or do in the Canary Islands and that was part of the adventure.

We spent our time greeting sunrises, exploring, and chasing sunsets around the islands. One evening we wanted to watch a sunset however, it fell behind Grand Canaria and we couldn’t see it drop below the horizon. I got seasick during a whale watching excursion. I learned that nude beaches are no the same as nude spas and I will never be returning to one again (ew!).  We went into a building that said “Night club” hoping to dance. Turned out to be brothel – a place for activities other than dancing. There’s a Tony Romas which isn’t such a big deal unless you’re an American living in Europe without American food chains. We ended up not eating there however.
Although I usually don’t, I booked through a German travel agency who advertised a great deal. They promised a four night stay in a four star hotel with drinks and food all included, plus the flight all included for just under €400.
What we got was that the hotel was about an hour away from the airport and nearly every rental car company was sold out. I’m not sure what rating scale was used but the hotel where we stayed could in no way be described as four star.  Four star holds the expectation of a degree of luxury. This includes the services provided, decor, equipment, and catering to the needs of the payee. The restaurant will demonstrate a serious approach to its cuisine.  A highway-side Holiday Inn back home would put this place to shame. Blue Sea Lagos de Cesar hotel had night shift workers who slept on the lobby sofas. The rooms were clean and spacious like a small apartment but with 1980s decor.  The food was cafeteria style food and was the same every day. And additionally, it was not in a very lively area… Los Santiagos. Playa de las Americas and Los Cristianos among the best hot spots on the island.
So we stayed in a good enough hotel for the price but not for the four star rating.  I looked on trip adviser and saw the terrible ratings the hotel got.  We ended up only eating there for breakfast and we did make use of the ice cream cups they offered by the pool but other than that, the “all inclusive” board was wasted.

 

Again, relativity kicks. The hotel was okay and good enough until we learned that friends from Stuttgart booked through the same travel company and got a better hotel (called Best Tenerife which also got similar complaints that my hotel got on tripadvisor.co.uk). They had not complaints in terms of food, location or accommodations.
It is in in Los Americanas so they didn’t have to drive 30 minutes for entertainment.  We did visit Abama Hotel and Spa which was undoubtedly a four star hotel and wished we would have stayed just one night there. It may have been more expensive but worth it.  If I go back to Tenerife, that’s where I’ll stay.  It still sits alone away from the beach, shopping and other entrainment but there’s plenty to keep you entertained right there. I know that I am incredibly blessed to be able to go to such a paradise and how dare I even complain about good enough accommodations when others do not even have homes as nice as the hotel room I stayed. i know, it’s all relative.

If you’re traveling during the off season, I’d suggest not booking a room for the whole week until you get there and can scope out where you want to be. There were also Hotels called the Princess and Emerald in the heart of Los Americanas that looked appealing.

I couldn’t help to compare the Canary islands to Spain’s other islands in the Med.  The Canaries are populated by British Expats so Spanish lessons are less necessary here than it was in Mallorca. I can’t say I saw a lot of Spanish culture like Mallorca. I had to hunt for Paella. There were no major monuments no sense of history. Just beaches, resorts, and tourist traps like any other beach town. Mallorca was breathtakingly beautiful and refreshing with history, culture, and music. Tenerife is a desert tourist destination.  Two million people live in the Canary Islands and the islands attract six million tourist each year.  we were there during the off season and it was highly populated by viejitos (endearing senior citizens).  It wasn’t the party atmosphere I was expecting and secretly hoping for and I didn’t have historical landmarks to fall back on as entertainment. When compared to Mallorca, Tenerife just doesn’t have the same allure but when judged on its own merit there is plenty to like about the Canaries. You have to like the islands for what they are and not for what they have over other similar locations.  Mallorca is the Carmen to Tenerife’s candy face, Cindy Lou.
Overall, I would not dissuade anyone from going to the Islands. Tenerife is the biggest but not the best. I can’t wait to spend another winter holiday in the Canaries but next time I’ll try a different island and book without a travel agent.  My beau swears by only emphasizing the best of towns to make people believe you had the most rockin’ time ever even when you didn’t. And his company and the weather was probably the bets part of the trip.

 

After watching a sun rise the first morning, Idaho Beau and I followed a trail of white crosses up a mountain.

 

I thought something scary was moving behind this wall then I realized…Puppies!

 

The gorgeous golf course at the resort we didn’t stay at, Abama

 

Cacti close up

 

Black volcanic sand beach

 

How I spent my time whale watching. 🙁

 

More Cacti

 

 

White skinny jeans after Labor Day

 

Vibrant colors in November

 

Why are sunrises so much softer than sunsets?

 

I’m fascinated with the different types of Cati in Spain.

 

 

We got all gussied up to have a nice dinner out on the last night.

 

Lush garden & me in My Senegal attire.

 

Chasing sunsets around the Island.

 

This statue fascinates me.

 

That it is

 

Trying to get my Victoria Secret Beach sexy on.

 

Abama hotel and spa

 

Beautiful sunset

 

I decided to knock out as many pullups as I could every time I walked near the fitness closet of the hotel. Got up to 3 in four days.

 

Gorgeous.

 

Me & Crash!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paella

 

You always gota get a photo jumping off of things!

 

 

 

 

You can go on a pirate ship excursion to whale watch!

 

 

 

 

 

almost out of sight!

 

Being silly

 

Last one!

 

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In Destinations, Europe, Germany on
November 1, 2012

Deutschland’s Haunted Halloween Castles

Holidays are celebrated differently here in Germany and living here, one must  learn to get accustomed to doing things differently. You have to improvise with your mini European-sized oven when it comes to roasting a Thanksgiving turkey. Christmas season does not come with an over commercialized, Whoville-style endorsement of spending on gifts and trinkets.  Valentine’s Day comes and goes without restaurants being over packed and florists selling out.  This year, Halloween will pass without the streets being engulfed with little spidermen, bumble bees, or cowboys showing up on doorsteps expecting candy on the last day of this month.Trick-or-treating is slowly becoming a trend in Germany. But it’s more the exception to participate than the rule.  You have to do some work to find costumes in shops. Instead of trick-or-treating, the Germans use their historical landscape to celebrate this terrifying holiday, giving this American girl a unique approach to the holiday.  I never knew, until recently, that the creepy locations that inspire many of America’s thriller novels turn sci-fi hallmarks are located right here in Europe. Germany boasts two Frankenstein Castles: the one that inspired Mary Shelly’s novel and the other in the village of Frankenstein.  Additionally, for the same amount I’d spend on a formal gown or discount Italian footwear, I can catch a flight to Bucharest and travel the Romanian country side to the home of the Count Dracula Castle.

 

Outside the Burg Frankenstein

So, last Saturday, after running a 10K Pumpkin Run then playing tennis, I tossed my gym bag in my best friend’s red pick-up and headed two hours up north toward Darmstadt to the castle that inspired Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein. What I was expecting was an old castle decked in spider web decor with scary ghouls jumping out to scare and thrill the crowed. What I got was a Halloween festival.

 

After parking, we were shuttled up the mountain giving an eery, exciting yet foreboding anticipation to what we’d witness. Once on the mountain top, theatrical  nuns greeted us off the shuttle by shouting in German. Now I must say, German often already sounds scary when it’s being shouted at you. Angry French shouting makes me giggle but German shouting is nothing to giggle about.  For some reason, the nuns picked us out of the crowd.We smiled and did our typical American greeting phrase: “Sprechen sie English?” The screaming nun promptly switched her shouting into English, “Eat this and you will not die!” she instructed. “

“And if you do not die, you will get a ….a…how do you say gummy bear in English?” She shouted to the crowed.

“Gummie bear!” we helped her out.

She doled out the round communion bread.  My partner in crime, Idaho Boy, tapped into his own theatrical side and pretended to choke. The nun called out to two of her comrades who carried this huge black cauldron of supposed holy water in which they hosed us.

 

After passing through the turnstiles and handing over our tickets we were amidst the Halloween fanfare. German’s don’t play around with their costumes. You will find no princesses, kittens, bunnies, and fairies here.  Their costumes are really scary. I knew it was for pretend, but the costumes still unearthed me. This is a perfect place for adrenalin junkies. Ladies, here’s a hint: Do not make eye contact with the spirits! It will only provoke them to haunt you.  I smiled at a scary fellow and he started following me with a strangling device. Another one that I made eye contact with started following me to tickle me. I tickled back darn it!  Then I just started giving hugs cus scary creatures need love too.

 

wasn’t expecting him to touch me. I just wanted a buddy pic.

 

 

Six days until Halloween, I was bummed that I couldn’t  find a cape or wing to complete my Storm super hero custom because there are no Halloween costume stores and no Wal-mart with a Halloween aisle.  So I waited for my costume to arrive from Amazon.com to my parent’s home and then for them to ship it to me because this particular retailer does not deliver overseas. It’s a good thing I didn’t just show up to Burg Frankenstein looking like a super hero.  It would have only attracted unwanted attention from the frightful creatures.

 

 

Bring on the dancing zombies
This Frau’s costume was scary.
Performers
Halloween at Burg Frankenstein isn’t so much like the haunted houses in America. The actors are more hands on. The goblins grab girls and stuff them into coffins. The scary swamp monster tries to pull a girl into the swamp and the boyfriend, after allowing the scare factor sink in, comes to her rescue. The participants control the outcome. This wouldn’t fly in The States. I think Americans would likely be violent in order to preserve their macho.  The Germans are just here to be frightened and have a good time.  Of course with any German festival are fest tents offering typical German fest food like pizza and sausages.The castle‘s enticement message states: “We will make your nightmares come true! BEWARE: We can not guarantee your well being when 99 lively monsters roam the spooky castle.”

I couldn’t agree more.

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In Destinations, Europe, Germany on
October 29, 2012

A Long Autumn

There was a time in my life when the mere thought of autumn triggered severe turning in my stomach.  I was simply repulsed by the inevitable end of summer. Pangs of sorrow and disappointment plagued my mind.  No matter how hard I tried to deny the days of basking in the sultry summer glow would soon come to an end, the my season was over. My shorts, sundresses, tank tops, and sandals would have to hibernate.  I mentally braced myself for the worst winter storm southern Alabama has ever seen. Its inevitable promise of winter was my primary aversion to fall.  The fall in Stuttgart, however, is really quite lovely. There is just no other way to describe it. Stuttgart’s Autumn has a beautiful peace and calm about it.  The vineyards on the hills are covered in fall’s signature colors. And the people really seem to celebrate the change of the season.


Fall Favorites in The American South

Fall fashion for aesthetics’ sake
Apple picking
Pumpkin picking

Corn Mazes
College Football
The Apple festival
Outdoor concerts
Hayrides
Bonfires
Cross country season
Marching bands
Bourbon Apple cider, apple pie, apple butter

sweet potato pie, pecan pie
marshmallow roasts

 

 

 

 

 

German Signs of the Seasons

Fall fashion has function as well as style
Fußball  season
Ludwigsburg Pumpkin festival
Oktoberfest
Volksfest
Almfest cattle drives
Halloween festival
Gluh wein (warm, mulled red wine) 
Opening of ski season
Traveling to warmer climates

Living in Germany has taught me not to detest the winter and thus, not to dread fall. Now I just take the seasons as they come. Each season has something wonderful to offer and I cannot write a season off. I cannot spend time dreading fall least I miss out on all the wonderful things it offers. Germany gives me more to love about fall.  The winter in Germany means the opening of ski season.  It means cute winter wear and traveling down south to the Med once the tourists flee the continent. Being an American in Stuttgart gives me even more to look forward to because, in addition to embracing traditional German fall activities I can still maintain my American fall traditions.

 

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In Destinations, Europe, Germany on
October 29, 2012

Why Is It Snowing In Stuttgart Already?!

I don’t do snow. It’s beautiful inside a souvenir. It’s nice to look at on a post card. It’s even nice if I can fly to it for a couple of days then fly back to a nice warm climate home but over all…I’m against snow. Yes, I did a snow dances as a child in Kentucky…primarily with the hopes of getting out of school and sliding down the hill in my back yard but nowadays, it’s just a cold, miserable mess and class’s rarely get cancelled and work doesn’t either.  In fact, now that I think about it…If I was back in Alabama, work would be cancelled.
In the suburb of Böblingen just outside of Stuttgart today
The buzz that snow was on the way made me cringe more than the thought of the statistics final I’ve been putting off.  Folks I came across talked about praying for snow. I prayed that the good Lord would do the opposite of their prayers. I was just now accepting that fall was among us. I was even welcoming the idea of embracing the beautiful autumn.
Got to act quickly to photograph the fall before the snow.

The Idaho beau and I went up to Bruges, Belgium for the weekend. Part of the way there it was a wet, messy drive but soon we were in the clear and the rest of the weekend was chilly but pleasant.  On the long drive back home I looked over the embankment thinking, man, that full moon is shinning bright over there…hold up…that’s not bright, that’s white. Holy smack, it snowed in Badden-Württemberg! It’s not even Halloween!  Why is it snowing in Stuttgart?!

I expressed concerns that the snow could put a damper on our plans to visit Prague next weekend. People may not be on Charles Bridge due to the cold weather.  My beau from Idaho disagreed.
Street corner near my work. I  love how pretty the

“The only reason this is a problem for you is because you’re from the south. We have to get you some gear,” He says.

I guess that’s true. I came to Stuttgart two July’s ago with a suitcase full of sundresses, halter tops and sandals and froze my tail end off. When winter came, the little sweaters I had from back in Bama were not doing the trick.  With a shrunk full of clothes, I had nothing to wear. But it was only bone chilling cold for about two weeks last year so I suffered through. Does this first snow forebode a long rough winter to come? If so, I will have to go shopping.
Last February I contemplated traveling to Budapest. It’s too cold, I thought; I might as well stay inside and stay warm. Then I reasoned, if I wait until ideal weather in Europe, I’m never going to see or do anything.  So I went on my trip. The frost covered trip snowballed into a whirlwind of travel adventures.  The Germans don’t let foul weather slow them down and neither will I. But my goodness, couldn’t we have eased into winter instead of this abrupt sneak attack?
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In Destinations, Europe, Germany on
October 29, 2012

More On Culturally Appropriate Nudity

Living in Stuttgart has afforded me some pretty spectacular international exposure that a southern girl from a one-horse town usually doesn’t have the opportunity to experience. To date, I’ve been embraced like I was next of kin by a big Greek family with four generations of love spewing from the kitchen; I’ve been part of a debate on political ideology with the French, and shared the most intriguing historical and cultural revelations with a German Jew whose family fled to Shanghai, just before things kicked off here in Germany.
Every one of these wonderful events has taken place around a dinner table. But some of the more dramatic and revealing (sort of speak) cultural experiences happen in the sauna. I have concluded that the best a culture has to offer is experienced around a dinner table.  However, if you really want insight on different levels of a country’s culture, more specifically on its morality and health culture, get naked and visit a sauna.
My mom, niece, and I went to a spa over the summer.  Mama Belle, being the middle-aged, southern, conservative prude that she is was not ready to do as the Germans do and wore her black and bright striped one piece bathing suit into a tiled steam room. Everyone silently and nakedly braced themselves for the heated pain that was to one except one obviously non-native man who started pointing and shouting at us in German. We looked at him. He kept on. The other native Germans looked our way but didn’t say a word. I looked around. “Is he yelling at us?” I asked loud enough to let him know we didn’t speak his language. “Maybe he’s saying that Audrey is too young to be in here.” My mom responded. “Maybe it’s because you’re not naked,” I offered. I mean, it’s really not fair for everyone else to be naked and then there’s one person not willing to make one’s self vulnerable.  Having clothes on certainly gives the clothed an upper hand.  The man fumed and stormed out of the room, presumably to find an employee who could translate.  Audrey started getting antsy in the heat so we left before the angry patron returned.
Photo from www.saunascape.com taken in a Badden-Wuttemburg town near Karlsruhe.

Understandably I’d get yelled at for taking photos in a naked sauna. and no one ever looks this good.
Now, it is important to note that I get yelled at by angry Germans all the time so this occasion was really not unique.  Every non-German I know has a similar angry German tale to share. Headlights turned off at sunset, make a U-turn even when no one is coming, switch lanes without a signal, or cross a crosswalk when the little man on the sign is red and just expect a firestorm of angry Germans to emerge from all directions and shout at you.  Heaven forbid a plastic bottle end up in your cardboard recycle bin. You will have a neighbor knocking at your door, handing it back to you while providing a lecture in German. Leave your car running to warm up as you run back into the house to collect some last minute items and a local will be standing right by your car when you come out of the house waiting to let you have it.  Cut your grass at 1145 on a Tuesday, expect neighbors to congregate to observe what you’re doing as if you are making a spectacle, then brace yourself to be yelled at. If you walk in the woods with your dog and come across a no dogs allowed sign… a German wood gnome will pop out of the forest and you will get yelled at. There’s no time to explain, “Well I’m sorry, I’m already here, there was not a sign at the entrance and I’m trying to leave the area.”  There are no excuses. You will get harangued.  Once, the driving lane I was in suddenly turned into the taxi lane. I was stopped at a red light with a car to my left, sidewalk to my right, and a car, that happened to be a taxi, behind me. There was nothing I could do about it. The taxi driver beeped furiously. Sorry bub, the light is red. I’m not going anywhere. The driver, who was actually Turkish, not German, gets out of his car, starts beating on my window to yell at me as if I know what on earth he’s saying. Now this would have ended very badly for him if he was in the south in America. Its times like that I wish mace wasn’t illegal in this country.  It was also the day I started carrying a mini can of bug spray in my purse.  Has the same affect. It does It’s not like he could do anything either…the light was red! Then he drove with road rage. Oh, once, someone swerved his little car and abruptly stopped in front of my beau causing him to slam on the breaks in the cross walk…the the light turned red and he couldn’t move. Then my beau got yelled at, and his truck smacked by Germans crossing the street.  Goodness people, get over yourself. Sometimes stuff happens and there is nothing you can do about it. And usually it’s not that serious!  Unless someone’s life, eyesight, or limbs are seriously in jeopardy or they are going to score a goal in Fußball, there is never a real reason to yell at them. Well, apparently it’s the sauna, a place for relaxation and tranquility, is not off limits to yelling either.
Fast forward about four months — my beau and I go to an indoor pool.  Everyone in the pool area is wearing swimsuits. After a few laps and splashes we decide to check out the “wellness” section which includes saunas, foot soaks, whirlpools, and lounge chairs.  The whole floor is ours alone. I go sit in the least hot Sauna wearing my bikini. No more than 15 seconds after I entered the wooden box — the door had not even had a chance to close all the way — and here comes the spa monitor looking like Megan from Bridesmaids in long red shorts and two layers of tee shirts yelling at me in German. Now, in most occasions when I get yelled at in Deutsch I respond by smiling and using my “you’re such a cute little baby” voice while saying things like “I don’t understand you. Do I look like I know what you’re saying,” while shaking my head. This time, instead of my baby voice, I simply respond by maintaining  eye contact with her while undressing. Why does she get to yell at me for not being naked in an empty sauna when she’s tromping around in layers galore?  Why does it matter if you are naked or not? Why is nakedness not an option?  I imagine if this was a movie it might be funny. Someone yells at you in German, you take your clothes off.  What if my response to getting yelled at was removing my garments every time?  Would that incite more anger? Amusement? Would the yelling stop? What if that became the standard American response to German yelling? Could we condition Germans to stop yelling at us least they see us naked, or would they do it even more? Instead of Americans asking, “Wanna watch me make this German flip the heck out?” then proceed to toss a plastic bottle in the trash, would the Germans then ask each other, “Wollen sie diesen Amerikanerin nanackt sehen?”  (Want to see this American naked?) then start speaking to us in a raised voice.
Working with international partners I get the chance to meet a diversity of people doing the same computer work as me. One such event was an international computer geek conference where I met a Finnish Army officer. Saunas are so much apart of Finnish culture that when the Fins deploy into war, they deploy with tactical saunas. And men and women soldiers sit in this tent-like sauna naked together. Once, one of the Finish soliders went to the U.S. to visit his sister who lives in Indiana. He got a similar shock of American Sauna culture. He explained, “There they were, the Americas sitting in a Sauna with their hot, sweaty, wet clothes and I go in naked like you are suppose to and they screamed. There were screamers!  And the workers asked me to leave.” He was not welcome to return.  Years later he was still upset. I laughed.
One last experience that I must share that still made me shake my head.  I was in my private little dressing cabin in a spa putting on my swim suit. When I came out there he was, my beau, smiling ear to ear, naked as a jay bird. I gasp. We had just seen everyone fully dressed in the swimming pools down below. “You are not supposed to be naked,” I hollered a whisper. “Why not,” he whispered back.  “No one else is naked,” I said.  Seconds later an accented voice came from the cabin next to us, “Excuse me,” she said. “This is a sauna. It is ok to be naked.” She cleared up the situation. Sure enough we turned a corner of the locker room and there was a bare butt naked lady greeting a fully dressed man in a business suit. They smiled shook hands and carried on a lengthy, friendly conversation.  In America there would be so much wrong with this scene.  She’s naked. He’s not. They’re in a co-ed locker room, laughing and joking and just shooting the breeze.  But all the patrons dressed only in flip flops walked right passed them and into the wellness center without concern.
When living abroad it is expected to feel the sting of a cultural sanction at least once in a while. However, there are few cultural shocks so jilting than getting socially sanctioned while in the buff. Our approach to nakedness, health, and family is a paradox salad.  America, a nation founded by puritans, has endorsed the Daisy Duke Shorts and bras that push our breast in low cut tops where you can see everything but the color. Yet we can get violently upset if we see another adult completely undressed in a controlled environment with heat climbing over 100 degrees centigrade. In Germany, you’re hard-pressed to see a girl in cut off jeans and ta-tas spewing out walking through the shopping district but plenty of naked bodies are found in every sauna and every beach is at least topless.  In America we have laws against being naked in front of children. In Europe, families go to the Sauna together.  It’s no big deal for an eight year old girl to be walking around bare butt naked with her daddy and every other middle aged man in a spa.  The Germans don’t allow clothing in the sauna due to sanitary reasons as if it’s more sanitary to have someone’s sweaty genitals sitting nude on a wooden bench.  It seems that Americans do not allow nudity for sanitary and moral reasons. Usually saunas in America are found in gender segregated locker rooms.  In Europe those are hard to find and Finland and Germany families are close enough to be naked and unashamed together.  In America the same act is a perversion.
My favorite Spa in Stuttgart, The Dormero, has a fantastic atmosphere.
I must say I enjoy the Sauna experience and it has become a part of my lifestyle while living here in Germany. I think culturally appropriate nudity warrants deeper exploration.  We all know that every region of the world has culturally regulated guidelines on what a female can expose, whether it’s her belly button, legs, ankles, cleavage or what have you.  But why do two similarly developed western societies have such drastically different attitudes toward nudity in general? And what are the affects? In Germany there are still child molesters, rapist and general perverts. There are still occurrences of eating disorders. I can’t say if there is a difference between frequency rates of any offense or if there is heightened awareness and discovery in either country.  Perhaps Germany has a healthier body image understanding that there is no shame associated with your naked form. Maybe I’ll make this a thesis topic at a later date, I certainly have enough field research to get started.
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In Austria, Destinations, Europe on
October 13, 2012

Partying ‘Til The Cows Come Home

Mayrhofen im Zillertal Almabtriebfest

As the trees adorn their branches with classic fall hues, thousands of visitors flock to one little Bavarian town or another signaling the time that the cows come home!  I know watching cows come home from the mountain sounds pretty hokie, a little backwoods even. However, in Mayrhofen, Austria, cows walking down from the Alps make a pretty valid reason to throw a big street party.

During the summer, farmers send their cattle to graze in the alpine meadows. When the leaves start to change, farmers drive their cattle, dressed in show-girl style headdress, garlands, and clanging bells down to the valley where they return home, stopping to rest at various pastures on the way.

Almabtrieb (Alm-ubtreeb) or Viehscheid (Vee-shide) fests are what American southern girls recognize as a cattle drive festival.   Thousands of visitors come to the cattle drive every year, and celebrate German style with traditional, accordion-lased mountain music, dancing, beer tents and more modern bands wooing crowds live!  It goes on most of September and through October (depending on the weather). It’s a great family activity, fun for friends, a place to for fantastic photos of German culture, or just have some fun.

Mayrhofen is a little mountain town right across the border in Austria with no major tourist attractions aside from its nature and slopes that are perfect for skiing. The Alps are a devastating beauty that takes my breath away and replaces it with clear fresh air every time I’m amongst them.  I can understand Marie spinning around and singing praises of sounds of the Mountains even more having been inspired to run, skip, sing, and prance myself.

Mayrhofen’s Almabtreibfest had this Kentucky country girl taking photos of cows!  Never, in all my years in Kentucky or Alabama, have I ever photographed a cow until I moved to Germany.   Just makes me think that my little Kentucky town, with all its cows, should certainly incorporate a cattle drive into our fall festivals.  The town of Obertsdorf in Germany has a larger cattle drive, (totaling over 1000 animals) is well down into the Allgäu region (the low mountainous area before the Alps) and is about 2.5 hours from Stuttgart. Some Cattle drive fests are much closer.

My experience with Almabtreibeibfest actually started in Munich for Oktoberfest. I couldn’t convince my party friends to make the hour and a half journey south to Austria to watch this cultural event. But just like Oktoberfest, Almabtriebfest is just one of those events that you must experience at least once if you live in Germany.

 

    

Activities start early in the day like 0930.   You’ll want to be dressed in your native German attire (dirndl and Liderhosen). If you don’t have it, shops will be open. The shops in the Bavarian Alps have a much wider variety of cute, authentic accessories for your native attire than places in Stuttgart. It’s easy to blow 400 euro.  Be sure to check out my buying guide before you go.Sip your cappuccino and have some strudel drenched in vanilla cream in one of the lesser populated coffee shops and watch the first few parades of cows go by. As the day warms up, shop, walk up and down the streets, dance to the accordion mountain music, buy from the local venders, watch out for the drool, blood, and poop in the road. When you stop in a little restaurant for lunch, try the putenschnitzle.  Coming from the Shwabish area, where every meal includes pork, I had never had jager puten schnitzel until I traveled Bavaria.  It’s healthier and delish!  Spend the afternoon taking the train to the top of the mountains or gliding through the mountains.  Better do this before 4 pm.  As the sun starts to set…and it’ll set early these days… it’s time to check into a quaint little gasthaus for the night. The cows will be finished with their parade but the party is just getting started.  I actually went back to Munich for the Oktoberfest but, if that’s not on your to-do list,  I suggest staying in Mayrhofen or moving on to another charming Alpine town like Innsbruck or Fussen for the night.

 

    
When I returned to Stuttgart this Cattle drive is all people were raving about.
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In Destinations, Europe, Germany on
October 13, 2012

Oktoberfest 101: Prosting With The Best Of Them

Making Sure You Fest Like a German Rock Star

Germans always find a reason to fest. Whether its cows coming home, a change of season, change of day, it’s a cause for celebration. When King Ludwig married Princess Theresa in October 1810, the people of Bavaria partied, and they have been celebrating their anniversary ever since.
I always imagined Oktoberfest to be a wild, crazy, debauchery laden drunk-fest similar to Woodstock or Bonnaroo with a heaping of Mardi gras chaos sprinkled in. But after partaking in the 202 year old tradition, I compare it to something like the state fair…without the cows and pigs. Oktoberfest can be quite the family affair with plenty of sober activities.

I must say, I’m not a beer girl. I’ve tried, but I’m just not. All the great beer snobs of the world talk a great game about German beers and Belgian beers and the loggers and what have you. But honestly, and they’ll cringe when I say this, I haven’t tasted a darn beer in all of Europe that could hold a match to Budlight Lime… or even bud light wheat. There! I said it.

Anyway, here’s my guide to making sure you party like a German rock star in Munich!

Packing

Bring your own hangover medicine ‘cus Advil and Tylenol-like medicines are only sold in Apotheke which are closed on Sundays. Ladies, you must bring our buy a traditional dirndl or lederhosen. Not a polyester/ felt sexy milkmaid costume.They can run you around €200. Because of the price, I want to make sure I get enough wear out of mine so I pretty much wore mine around all of Bavaria during the entire 4-day weekend. Bring your fave American drink. I gave Jim beam as a gift to the Fins and they gave me Mintu. Buying bourbon in Germany is pricy though. You may want casual, traditional American jeans to wear around town during the day. And a bathing suit — sitting in a hotel sauna would be great the morning after.

Logistics
I stayed in the Holiday Inn South. It’s a great hotel with wonderful service. I like to keep my lodging costs around €100 euro so, at about €300 it was a bit pricy. On top of that I reserved a room through hotels.com, a sister site of Expedia.com. I ended up coming a day earlier than my reservation (I mistakenly mistyped my reservation) and because the reservation was an Expedia reservation the hotel couldn’t change it. So I wound up paying for two nights. Had I booked directly with the hotel, changing my Saturday reservation to Friday would have been no problem. I’m sure there were cheaper hotel in Munich. However, this holiday Inn was right around the corner from the U-bahn station and about seven stops away from the fest. Learning the U-bahn system may take some time for Americans who aren’t accustomed to public transportation but the staff at the hotel can direct you to the U-3 to the fest…then follow the mass droves of people dressed like you! Bottom line: Reserve your hotel early! You can use hotel sites to find hotels, but then book directly with the hotel. It provides more flexibility say if your flight was cancelled or missed. Just do a little research.

Drinking

Those of us who live in Germany already know, but for those of you coming from the states, German beer is stronger than American beer and they give you more of it (a liter at a time). Do not cut your night short by drinking quickly. You cannot keep pace with a European. You just can’t so don’t even try. Good rule of thumb is one beer per hour…or less! Also, Make sure you eat! Save your drink to wash down your rotisserie chicken or drink during the “Ein Prosit” song only. Better yet order a Raddler — Bier and sprit mix. You can still party with the crowed and no one will ever know you have less beir.

Make a note, pretty much everything on the menu in the Hippodrom tent costs €10. Eight beers, if you are still standing after that will cost you €80. Don’t go into shock when you get the bill after buying a round for your whole table. Half a chicken and strudel will cost 20 bucks. Be sure to tip the waitress a euro per drink. Doing the traditional American 15% is overboard. It’s a cash only festival so bring plenty of it.

Practice the buddy system. If one man goes down, you all go home. Security is really good at making sure people don’t die so when they see your buddy passed out at your table and you keep on dancing, they’ll send him on his way and you get to go with him.  Folks, don’t be the one that makes your whole crew end their night early.  Notice, it’s never the German who is passed out. It’s always the newbies to Germany.

Partying

And since we’re talking about cash, you pay for rides in cash. It’s not like America and you go up to a ticket booth a buy a ton of tickets all at once and different rides are worth different amounts of tickets. You pay for the ride at the ride. Good roller coasters can cost you €6.50 a person. Remember that if Oktoberfest is a date for you…and you’re not going Shwabbish (same idea as going Dutch). Note: It is not advisable to ride the spinning swings after consuming a liter.

You’ll want table reservations. You can only reserve a whole table for 10 people and you have to buy beer and food vouchers in advance for 20 – 80€ per person depending on the tent and the time. My Finnish friends and I got prime time table reservations (weekend evening tables) so our reservations were pricy. You’ve got to reserve tables early…we’re talking six months or so in advance.If you don’t make it to your table on time, your €80 per person investment may be up for grabs.

My favorite tents were:
Löwenbräu – has a lion on top
Hofbräu – has a chicken on top. Thousands of internationals inside.
Hippodrom – tacky colors but hip amongst the younger crowd and best bet for singles.

Inside the hippodrom

I also knew one of my friends was suppose to be somewhere in Oktoberfest but she lost her phone and I lost contact wither. I found her, where else, but in the long women’s line for the bathroom. She was without a reservation but she was having a blast chatting with people from all over the world anyway.

Löwenbräu Fest Tent

Hofbräu Tent with International Flare

Make sure you are up on your 80’s rock lyrics. Not just the chores, the whole thing! It’s so awesome to here citizens from all nations belt out the “Na Na Na Na” part of “Hey Jude” or rock out to “Don’t Stop believing” ACDC and every other 80s rock song. It’s the Germans especially who know the words, lyric for lyric to every obscure 80s song. Look up and practice the words to Ein Prosit.

Just remember that the proper response to “Ticki-tocki, ticki-tocki” is “Oi!, Oi!, Oi!”

Dance on the tables until security chases you down.

Don’t let bad weather slow you down. It poured down rain one of the days I was there and people were still Prosting.

You can try to learn food ordering phrases in German before coming but I’m not sure it will help you. These people speak Bavarian…I’m going to liken this language to Louisiana’s Cajun. The Germans say Bavarian German is Germany’s equivalent to Texan English. Being taught Shwabbish German then going to Bavaria I noticed that even though Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg are neighboring states, their dialects of German a worlds apart.

And lastly, for the love of America, Americans, do not get into a fight! I’m not sure why, but anytime a fight breaks out in a tent you can bet your best dirdle push-up bra that it’s either an American or a Brit (Canadians and Australians, and English South Africans included… but most likely a regular ol’ Brit or American).

Last Call
Security doesn’t play. When the band stops playing it’s time to move along. Taxi, walk, or U-bahn yourself to the DISCO (not night club…night clubs are found in the red-light district) or back to your hotel. Notice I didn’t say drive. German Polizi don’t play when it comes to DUIs. The legally drunk limit .05. That’s less than a liter of beer for ladies. In the US, you get a little fine and a tap on the hand. If you’re a drunk driver in Germany prepare to be lined up against the barn in front of the firing squad. And they are more active and effective at catching perpetrators. Do everyone some good and just follow the droves of dirndl and hosen wearers and hop yourself on a train. Oh, and do not try to “barrow” an Oktoberfest mug until the next time you come. Security will get you and you could go to jail. Just buy one. Their like 10 euro.

Food Guide
Hendl Bavarian for Hühnchen or Huhn which is German for chicken
Anything with Schweine is pork. Schweinebraten (roast pork), Schweinshaxe (grilled ham hock), Steckerlfisch (grilled fish on a stick)
Würst- sausages (rot is red, curry is spicy, Käse is cheese, and weiß is white)
Brezel- Pretzel
Knödel -potato or bread dumplings
Spätzle – noodles,
Reiberdatschi (potato pancakes),

Sauerkraut or Rotkohl/Blaukraut

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In Destinations, Europe, Germany on
October 13, 2012

Fesch Fest Fashion

Prost Y’all!
 

As I strolled through the fest tents at Stuttgart’s Cannstatter Volksfest, looking all cute in my dirndl I overheard two American men discussing modern inventions. One said, “I think the dirndl is the greatest modern invention.” The other responded, “Then next, I’d have to say the car.”   When I went to Oktoberfest with my Finnish friends, a usually very polite, sweet Fin says, “This is like the promise land — There’s cleavage everywhere!”  It’s a bit ridiculous and entertaining that men on both sides of the Atlantic are openly amazed at cleavage…as if they haven’t seen it often since they were nine years old. My Finnish friend explained, “usually, you see cleavage and it’s an accident and you try not to be obvious when you look but here, the girls just put it out there and its okay to look!” 

I have to say, there’s not much difference between German country fashion and American country fashion. You’ve got lederhosen in Germany and Daisy Dukes in America. Square dancing dresses in America look awfully similar to the dirndls of Germany.  Americans and Germans have expertly found ways of turning the native attire into something sexy.   
I’d traveled from Stuttgart, to Munich, to Mayrhofren, and Innsbruk scoping out the best in traditional Bavarian fashion by the time I made it to Fussen. While trying on a petticoat under my dirndl in a Fussen shop I tried to save a cute Italian girl from making a bad dirndl purchase. But she gave me attitude and said, “It’s possible to wear it this way.” So you’ll probably see her in her pink dirndl that smashes her boobs with her bow in the back signifying she’s a window when her boyfriend is right next to her.  I thought maybe I should give a little insight on dirndl Do’s and Don’ts to keep you looking fesch at every fest!

You’re free to submit your suggestions and comments too!

Hayden’s got the right idea!

DO: Rock a cute hat

DON’T: Overloaded with costume accessories. 
You don’t have to buy all the jewelry, hats, pretzels, etc at the souvenir shop. As in life, less is more.

DO
Midi-Dirndl — The knees are always covered! Everything else is loops cheap and costumey!

 

DON’T: Mini-Dirndl 
No one needs to see your hoo-ha while you’re on the table dancing to Bon Jovi in the Hippodrom. All Dirndls that stop far above the knees — please resend to your schrunk (closet) or donate to the Rote Kreuz (Red Cross second hand store).  


 

DO: Wear high heels and boots with your Dirndl. 
I’ve seen everything from chucks, ballerina flats, and Keds but elegant pumps or peep toes are a perfect match for knee-length dirndl. Make sure they won’t keep you from dancing all night though. I wore my favorite western boots and was complemented all weekend. Sexy tall boots are also a do.

DON’T: Wearing the wrong shoes
 Please no sneakers

DO:  Nontraditional Accessories
Traditional accessories are a 200 year old standard. But this year trendy, modern accessories like clutches, statement jewelry and high heels set a new standard for Dirndls.

More Dos


Do: Double Aprons
Double Layering your apron is a creative genius idea so long as the aprons are not overly decorated. Sequins and embroidery, yes, but with discretion!
 
Do: Embrace New Traditions
How you tie your apron bow matters!
Traditionally married women had totally different dirndls than single gals but a new tradition is sweeping Bavaria;  How you tie the apron bow on the dirndl indicates your marital status: 

Photo: Getty images

If you are engaged or married – tie it on the right side.

If you are young, single, and free – tie it on the left side.
If you are widowed – tie it at the back.

Do: Braids. 

I’ve seen the traditional two braids pinned up, the single side braids and the two ponytail braids. Very cute.

Photo: Getty Images

Do: Forgo the dirndl Girls in Lederhosen rock! While a dirndl is a staple, if you already have gotten good use out of your dress, go ahead and splurge on some sexy leather shorts!   Save the dirndl for spring fest and try out some hosen this fall!

 
Do: Wear a colored blouse
I didn’t even know they made these until I saw some very glamorous girls wearing black blouses at Oktoberfest.  I purchased my black blouse the next day in Austria and got complemented on my elegance. A black undershirt can transform the same dirndl’s style from casual and fun, to dressy and sophisticated.  

DONT’s 

No squished boobs here

Fesch Fest Fashion Commandment #1 “Thall shall not squish thy boobs!”

Let’s keep it real, if you weren’t trying to put your ta-tas on display, you’d find a more modest blouse. There are ways to display them elegantly.  Take a look at German Advertisements of models in Dirndls; Their boobs are not squished! They sit there nicely as if they were on a shelf.  If your dirndl is flattening your voluptuous curves, you need a bigger dress…just tailor in the sides.   If you have small boobs and think that if you squish your boobs to the top you are fooling someone into thinking you’re farm raised…you’re not. It’s okay and beautiful to not have big boobs. Just add a necklace to draw attention but do not squeeze what you do have to the top of your blouse in order to create the appearance of cleavage.  Women fought for the right not to have restrictive clothing. Do not make the women’s movement be in vain by smooshing your boobs!

Thou Shall Not wear Animal Prints!
“Leopard and zebra patterns have no place near a dirndl!” — direct quote from a Fesch Bavarian girl.

Thou Shall Not Mimic “The Waitress” 
Don’t be surprised if someone gives you their drink order when you’re wearing a black dirndl with a white blouse. Waitresses have a monopoly on this look. 

Thou Shall Not Be Cheap 
Spend € 30 on dirndl from the dirndl man stand on the corner and everyone will know it. You’re better off in a luau shirt. And a costume milkmaid outfit likes about as authentic as a robin wearing peacock feathers.  Invest in a decent dirndl. You don’t have to go couture, The C&A Store sales respectable dirndls for € 99… about the same price as Ebay costumes. 

Photo: Getty Images

Thou Shall Not be a Coma Boozer 
No dirndl is ever hot on an unconscious girl lying in the corner. Nor is it made more sexy when some chick without self control somehow loses her top or skirt. In the translated words of Dirndl Magazine, “Self-control is the alpha and omega!”

Thou Shall Not Wear an Incorrect Apron Length
You should be able to the bottom of the dress below the dirndl.

Thou Shall Not Wear Lingerie Blouses
Apart from the fact that there are only a few exceptions where a dirndl looks good without a shirt, the blouse should complement and not distract the dirndl. Please only wear transparent blouses when the dirndl completely covers your chest! Even strapless blouses are definitely a no-go this year! 
 
Thou Shall Not wear Matching Dirndl 
Even if you are twins or bridesmaids or twin bridesmaids, if your best friend is wearing the same Dirndl as you, one of you must make alterations. For example, different style aprons, different color blouse, or corset belts.  There are too many possibilities to be dressed just alike.

For a little inspiration, this is what right looks like:

This photo from Dirndl Magazine

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In Destinations, Europe, Germany on
October 5, 2012

A Weekend Of Fests

It’s fall in Germany again.
Ordinarily for me, fall has a sad, foreboding feel to it. To my chagrin, the changing of the leaves are a reminder that warm, long summer days are behind me and the icy winter gloom is setting in. Fall is also the time when Central Europe’s stops their clocks for an hour and two weeks before Central USA making the time difference seven hours instead of only six which creates more challenges when I try to calling back home to my family.  It’s football season and I will be thousands of miles from any stadium-side tailgate parties.
But fall in Germany is not met with such dread.   Germany greets the change of each season with  Festivals and my aim this fest season is to immerse myself in all of them. So for Columbus Day weekend, I stayed close to home and tried out all the traditional festivals going on in my area.  The beer is flowing and the cows are coming home. So here my glorious weekend of fests in photos.
Thursday Night: Stuttgart’s Cannstatter Volksfest I kicked the weekend off in by staying in my hometown with friends at Volksfest also called Cannstatter Wasen or just Wasen because that’s the name of the fair grounds which is also where the Spring fest is held each year.  So apparently in 1815 a volcanic eruption in Indonesia led to a climatic catastrophe even in Europe causing the people of Stuttgart to stuffer a famine. Thousands died. In 1817, when they were relieved of the famine through Russian support, Katharina, King Wilhelm’s Russian wife, sponsored a harvest festival. This fest takes place annually on the King’s birthday on September, 28th in the area of the Cannstatter Wasen. Sounds very much like a Thanksgiving fest to me.
Embracing Southern Germany style in a dirndl but keeping it Southern USA by rocking the boots.
Mixture of German and American gal pals hanging out during the band’s break between sets.
There’s no chicken like fest chicken and that evaluation is coming from a Kentucky girl whose first bonafide employment was selling chicken at KFC. Yum!
Idaho Beau and I
 You know they have those stereotyped-filled saying like “I can drink like a German/Irish” but even Germans have hard times holding their alcohol. And they have the argument that letting folks drink at a younger age will teach them responsible drinking habits. Not sure if that’s true. The guy with the vests consoles his puking buddy while the guy behinds them pretends to hump them.
 
Cathy just arrive to Stuttgart but already had her dirndl ready to party.
 
Aw. Idaho Beau won a little bear for me.
The Beau, Stephanie & Me causing trouble.
 
Contrary to popular American belief, Volksfests are more than just drinking. They actually provide a fun family atmosphere with children’s games as well.  It’s comparable to a county fair.
Friday Night: Munich’s Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest began as a celebration of the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig to Princess Theresa on October 12, 1810.  Folks have been celebrating their anniversary ever since. The fair grounds are called Theresienwiese although locals have shortened it to Wiesen, juts like in Stuttgart.
The ride to Munich was a stau (traffic Jam) nightmare! Everyone is on their way to the big Fest.
Made it!
 I went up to the upper level of the tent to get a photo of the party from above and was basically adopted/kidnapped by these old Bavarian men. They called me a little Schwabish girl from Stuttgart.  They also snorted flavored tobacco up their noses and said all Bavarian men do it.  They left their wives at home in the kitchen to have a boys night they told me.
  During the day I tested my skills.
 Ladies in the Finnish army with their apple strudel. Yum!
 Inside the international tent.
 This is the flirty, young tent.
 My friend Harri from Finland and I getting our grub on before dancing on the tables.
Kartoffeln! AKA Potatos fest style. Simply delish.
 Don’t stop believin’! Country Roads take me home —the Europeans know every word!
  One drink per hour. Slow and steady does it. People will continue to party around you while you almost die. Then the Polizi will make your friends take you home. You will end the night early for everyone. Do not be that guy!
 The next day at the fest poured down rain! It stopped no one.
 Everyone just kept the parties in-doors.
Gotta get a fest gingerbread heart.
 Munich by the way is a beautiful, fun active city. After the fest, go out on the town for a night on the tiles.
Saturday: Almabtriebfest in Mayrhofen, Austria
From Munich I journeyed about a hour and a half south to a charming little mountain town in Austria. Fests like these go on most of September and into early October in one little alpine village or another. It’s a cattle drive bringing the cows down from grazing in the alps back to their pastures before it gets cold. It’s great Bavarian cultural fun and a nice outdoor outing with family or friends. I blog more about this special Alpine adventure in my post, “Partying til the Cows Come Home.”
It’s quite the sight to see, a parade of cows clanging their giant bells.
In a restaurant in Fussen on the way back to Munich from Mayrhofen. The food was glorious!
All of these pieces of flare were removed from the cows so they could rest after their long trek down from the mountains.
Putin Schnitzel…Schnitzel made from turkey.
This was these calves first fest. I think they did quite well for a first parade.
Only females journey down together.
This cow had to be seriously dehydrated. Another cow came along and she mooed her away from the water.  either that or she is just mean and wasn’t really drinking for for 20 minutes straight but was just trying to keep the other cow from having any.
This place was absolutely breath taking. I really just have not other words to describe being in the Alps. I don’t know how Maria had the lungs to sing in the Alps.
Sunday: Ludwigsburg Annual Pumpkin Fest
I never knew so many varieties of pumpkins existed! Over 400! Last year, giant dinosaur sculptures made of pumpkins graced the gardens of Ludwigsburg palace. This year the theme is Switzerland. Like all fests in Germany, it’s not complete without divine food. Pumpkin soup, pumpkin bread, pumpkin seeds… you get the idea.  Ludwigsburg also hosted a Venice fest which happens once every two years. Which I missed this year. boo!
A dress of Queen Elizabeth (Sisi) of Austria who was King Ludwig’s favorite cousin.
 A horn blower and the Swiss flag made of pumpkins
 Rows of different types of Kurbis (the German word for pumpkins).
 They host a pumpkin shell boating race!
 Germans can do some beautiful work with wood so it doesn’t surprise me that the same care is done when sculpting a pumpkin.
Again, the Swiss horn blower made of pumpkins
The palace grounds are breath taking year round put especially early fall.
So there you have it. Volksfest, Oktoberfest, Pumpkin fest and a Cattle drive all in one wonderful weekend.
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In Destinations, Europe on
September 29, 2012

Europe’s Best Cities

How does it get any better than Stuttgart?

I often ask myself that. I know an American girl’s time in Stuttgart is unlikely to last forever, so often I plan and consider my next moves.  Where else could I be content living after living in Stuttgart and making it my standard?  I just spoke with an American friend who recently went back home to The States during the spring to study at Notre Dame University. We did the typical, “how is life” conversation. He confessed he cried like a baby when he left. In addition to having to part from his sweetheart, we both ventured to say Stuttgart is probably the best place to live in Europe.  Mercer, however, published a different list of top 30 places to live and Stuttgart was not on it. I tell you, Stuttgart is an overlooked, hidden gem.

What Makes a City Great (on my scale)  

 

1. Dateability — countless places to go and have unique dates, not the typical dinner and a movie plus plenty of eligible bachelors to choose from.

2.      Plenty to do — No shortage on activities for all sorts of interests
3.
Cultural events — More than just ballet and museums, I’m talking fests, events, etc
4.
Shopping – My home town sales John Deer paraphernalia and hospital scrubs in the mall right next to sears.  That is not what good shopping looks like.
5.
Education – universities, and competitive children’s schools
6.
Housing – “Affordable” downtown homes on American standards
7.
Low crime rates
8.
Green Consciousness
9.
Awesome public transportation
10. Diversity — People representative of the world around us

 

My List

 Here’s how my list would differ. Stuttgart is the number one best city in Europe to live.  Now  granted, I haven’t lived in any other place on the list and I haven’t visited them all either, but you just don’t get better than Stuttgart. No city in Switzerland will ever  top the list of Best Places to Live. If eating casual dining food is a splurge then the fancy boarding schools will certainly be a luxury. Everything Swiss related seems to be accompanied by the idea of luxury (Swiss Skiing, Swiss watches, Swiss vacations) thus it is just too luxurious for this southern girl. Switzerland loses. It’s just too expensive, but undoubtedly beautiful and safe to visit.

Brussels –not a lot of cowbell and it has an eastern European ghetto in which I got quite acquainted with when my GPS took me through it and of course, my car would subsequently break down.  But that’s another story for a northern date. Anyway, Being broke down in the hood is my biggest memory of Brussels and it needs redemption.
All other cities in Germany — Munich, Frankfort, Hamburg, Dusseldorf all made the list. However, with the exception of Munich, non have the travel-ability of Stuttgart.  And I don’t even know what theses Northern Germans are saying when they speak.  It’s like they have a German Yankee accent.
Copenhagen, I read, is a haven for terrorist. Of course, there’s always terrorist amongst us. Besides it’s expensive and way up north away from the rest of Europe.

1. Stuttgart

My dad captured this pic in downtown Stuttgart

It’s the sixth largest city in Germany and the capitol of the federal state of Baden-Württemberg. Stuttgart is home to countless fests year round: Fish fest, children’s fest, summer, spring, winter fest, Christmas markets, Volksfest, African fest, fests where you just sit and eat — not sure of the name but walk out of your home and voila, in the middle of a fest.

It’s location in Southern Germany makes it a springboard for travel.  By plane, train, or car Stuttgart is the hub of European travel. Of course, all of Germany is situated in the heart of Europe, but unlike big cities in Northern Germany, Stuttgart is no more than a four hour train ride or drive to three other fabulous capitol cities (Paris, Prague, and Zurich) in addition to driving to other countries quiet easily (Italy, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Budapest, Slovakia, Luxembourg, Belgium, the Netherlands, Holland, Poland). You just can’t cover that much ground by car as easily in Berlin, Hamburg, or Dusseldorf.
The most difficult places to get to from Stuttgart are Spain, Portugal, Greece and Turkey because you actually need to fly to save you a full day’s drive.  Munich is a happening town just a quick jaunt down the road from Stuttgart and the Alps nearby are breathtaking.
Porsche and Mercedes-Benz have their headquarters in Stuttgart and both have car museums.  As Will Smith said in his song, Welcome to Miami, “100 thousand dollar cars, everybody got ‘em” —- Let’s try 100 thousand euro cars are seen zipping down the autobahn all day.
Stuttgart’s Soccer team, VfB Stuttgart, has fans comparable to the SEC. Craziness! The city also boasts first-rate art and history collections, heck, the city is a walkable history museum. Plus the shopping on and around Königstraße is fabulous!
Although crime does happen, the common understanding is, “Germans don’t commit crimes because its against the rules and Germans don’t break rules.”  Stuttgart is considered a safe town because even when crimes happen, they get solved. Stuttgart has two major engineering Universities and the secondary education is phenomenal with language learning a
priority.

 2. Vienna

The Opera house hosts 360 productions a year! Here, you can leave your trendy modern loft to stroll the same cobblestone paths the world’s greatest composers traversed. The mixture of history, modernity, cafes, gardens, architecture (a la hundred water house), and things to do just make it as charming as say…Charleston.  Additionally, it’s just a lively, active town with similar standards of living as Germany.

 

 
For just three euros or less you can watch world class performances

3. Amsterdam

What an active life style of boating through the canals, biking, and green living I’d live if only I lived here. Besides, Amsterdam is a very open, accepting, tolerant city. After being so oppressed by Nazi’s this city’s response was not to be oppressive to any group of people. It’s so much more than its infamous red light district. I love this place!
I visited in April. Tulips were in bloom but still not the trees.

4. Paris

It doesn’t matter how many square meters a tiny Parisian loft is…it’s in Paris! Living a minimalist lifestyle is welcoming when Paris is your back yard. Seriously, I think if I could shake the fear of uncertainty, I’d just move to Paris and live off of fromage, wine, and see if I could make a living selling my paintings on the street by day and performing at Moulin Rouge by night.  Now it is dirty, and stinky, and a little grimy at times…definitely not the same standard of public cleanliness as found in Stuttgart, but what a wonderland to live.

The backside of Notre Dame

5. Munich

When I think of German culture, I thought of all things Bavarian —beer, dirdls and liderhosen…scenes out of Grims brother’s fairytale. Well, Munich is the heart (and capitol) of Bavaria.  It’s also Germany’s Hollywood, as it is home to most of Germany’s celebrities. It’s a big city, with small town charm and would just make an exciting, eventful place to live. Besides, you’d gte plenty of visitors when the hotels fill up with Oktoberfest tourists.

6. Bruges

Water ways like Amsterdam but without as many tourist. This city is a gem! I like it more than Brussels.

7. Berlin

Now I have never visited here but My Friends from Bavaria and Baden-Wuttemburg swear its much more happening than Munich and Stuttgart. And since its on every other awesome place to live, and I can vouch for Germany in general being pretty awesome, it made my list.

8. Mallorca

Columbus Day vaycay in Columbus’ birth land

I would so retire here. The living is easy and the beach weather is amazing without all the hurricanes I’d have to deal with in Florida. Plus, they speak Spanish!

9. Strasbourg, France

Photo taken during my Labor Day weekend

Narrow ally ways and cobblestone ooze with European charm. Add to it that, because this region got passed back and forth between France and Germany war after war, folks speak both French and German in addition to many speaking English.

10. London

Photo from: http://www.destination360.com/europe/uk/london/london-eye-millenium-wheel

The British are so much fun to party with. Maybe because they speak english so I understand the jokes. West End Shows, history, the possibility of a Will and Kate or Becks and Vic sighting, shopping, music and just a world of fun. The tube makes traveling the city easy (but nothing beats Germany’s bahn system). Only issue is these folks aren’t known for their food, and the little island is on the edge of Europe making it more challenging to travel than say, anywhere else in Germany.

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