What's that? What goes on in Germany on a Sunday you ask? Well, allow me to enlighten you:
not much of anything besides an awesome breakfast.
One thing the Germans know how to do is provide an awesome array of food. For breakfast today I had Broetchen (delicious hard rolls) along with some other fine wheat and whole grain breads. Their 'american sandwich bread', as the package names it, is like our whole 12 multi grain extra fiber wheat bread. They call it white bread. Marginally slanted opinion of american sandwich bread. I wonder how a German would react upon encountering Wonder Bread...
I also had a soft boiled egg, which came from a free range local chicken. The chicken's owner brought the eggs to the door two days ago. That local.
Fresh squeezed orange juice, always delicious though I'm developing heartburn in my old age.
On the Broetchen I had nutella (wikipedia it, then buy it), turkey, and salami. Not on the same one obviously, but they are all incredible. For some reason, the meat here tastes much cleaner to me. I'm also trying to eat less of it in general so maybe it just tastes better having it so seldomly.
Lunch with my grandparents today was also an interesting experience. This was literally the first time that I can remember going to visit them without my mother there. I'm not afraid of them, the problem is though that they speak a very regionalized dialect of German which is nearly impossible to understand when you're used to classroom German. It's called Platt deutsch, low German, and more specified it's Koelsch Platt, or the Cologne regional speech. Considering the stereotypically harsh consonants and immaculate ennunciation of German, it shouldn't be too difficult to adjust to a dialect, or so one would think. Platt decides to throw most of what sounds German out the window. Like hard g sounds? Too bad, deal with a j. Like spread vowels? Too bad, it decides to round and front most of the vowels. It's become easier to listen to, especially thanks to German 650 (History of the German Language) last semester, but it's still a headache after 4 hours.
Hopefully today's rain lets up by tomorrow and I can go running again. I dont feel jetlagged but am still awake thanks to feeling entirely restless due to lack of exercise. The Germans are a low intensity but constant work out kind of people, I am not... I like my cardio quick and dirty, for a couple hours at a time. I dont mind the low intensity walking everywhere way of life, but I dont think its enough for my hectic american circadian rhythm.
Sorry about the hockey game btw, USA; sucks that Canada's men and women beat us on ice. At least we have sunshine sometimes... though our social healthcare is in shambles and the country is deeply divided on almost every main issue... is this the best time for a USA chant?
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Saturday, February 27, 2010
German tipping and the movie theater experience
2 posts in one day? Well, jet lag and no good tv will do that to you... also no books in English...
As promised in the earlier post, a spiel about German tipping etiquette. Since I work as a waitress, server, whatever you want to call it, I am entirely interested in the tipping practices of another country; I'm hoping possibly to find that Americans are not the worst tippers in the world. Pretend you're a german server: a bill comes to $15. If I were an American server, I would expect a minimum of $3 tip, as a 20% tip, especially on a bill so low. As a german server though, I'll be happy if they round up to $16. Why is this? As an american I would go in the back of the restaurant, out of ear shot of the customers, drop my cheesy smile, and swear my head off about how out of touch these people are and how they don't understand that a dollar and change are an unacceptable tip. As a german server, I get paid a good hourly wage and receive benefits in some places. I have no need for tips. I am also, therefore, less attentive but less stressed and frazzled. I think I might enjoy the security of being a German server more than being a server in the us... While 10% is common at Perkin's, Perkin's is in America and America doesn't seem to understand that.
Today, after a wonderful run in 50° weather along the Rhine river, I went to a movie with Lydia and her friends. I didnt expect to be over or underwhelmed by the idea of seeing a movie when I was first invited, though I later considered 'right, its probably in German...'. Seeing as the movie was Shutter Island, a horror drama, I wasn't too worried about hardly understanding what was going on. In fact, I thought I'd prefer it that way.
We arrived at the theater and parked in the parking garage, walked a few stories up, and into the theater itself which was located on multiple floors (3 ish?). In the middle was an open staircase and an elevator with a giant spiderman perched on top of it. Perched isnt the right word... crouched? in a spidery manner?. You get the idea Im sure. If not, look at the DVD cover of spiderman 1 2 or 3.
We got our tickets from a machine on the wall where Lydia slid her credit card and was given 5 pre bought tickets. Normal enough. The tickets however had a row and seat number on them... I found this strange as I normally like to be in control of these things, like finding a seat in the theater that isnt too close or too far or too near other groups of people, especially not too near loud and sticky children. I was row 5, seat 8. No choice, no changing... What? Really? Guess there's nothing I could do about it, so I went along for the predetermined ride.
We next stopped at the concession stand, where I was going to buy popcorn and a soda, maybe some candy. The candy selection was bare bones compared to the Majestic in Brookfield and I wasnt in the mood for either Haribo or M&Ms. Interesting dichotomy. Jenny, one of Lydia's friends whom I had met years ago, snuck an entire galloon tub of popcorn in so I didn't buy any but really, the black canvas bag she carried next to her purse was apparently entirely unsuspicious. Like I said, along for the ride. I shared this popcorn.
Steffen, Lydia's boyfriend, bought the soda for me (nice of him but I'm sure most of you know how I feel about things being bought for me). The Cola Light (aka diet coke that tastes depressingly like coke zero) came without ice. I knew it would but I was still taken aback by the lack of swishing sound in my cup when I jiggled it or how light it felt and how I was left with nothing to chew on once my soda was finished. Also, they were sold in sizes as follows: half liter, full liter, liter and a half, or something ridiculously even larger.
On to the movie theater: row 5 seat 8 was covered by a plastic bag and the seat felt wet, so we all moved over one seat. Thank god this did not create problems because the Germans probably would have insisted on me sitting in the seat my ticket dictated if it had. Once seated, the popcorn was opened. I grabbed a handful, popped some in my mouth, and was left missing any sensation of movie popcorn. The popcorn here is apparently served like kettle corn, a very sweet snack. I didn't realize until then, but the theater didnt have the buttery smell I always loved. How upsetting this realization became. Next time I'll be prepared though and will order the nachos with salsa. Apparently, to get nachos like we have in America, one must say nachos with cheese sauce. Nachos here mean tortilla chips, which are seasoned and not just salted. Interesting difference, to say the least. The others laughed when I told them, ordering nachos in American means, without question, a lot of cheese will be piled on top of plain salted chips.
In general, I found the movie easier to understand than I expected. Not having subtitles allowed the simultaneous effort of listening and reading to fall apart and required only listening. I may have missed some details which remain lost in translation but I feel I could write an adequate summary of the plot and character analysis. German may even be a better language for dramatic and thought provoking movies... it has an elegance to it that many people dont understand but when I can see what the english phrase is via lip reading and hear the (more verbose) eloquent German translation, I must admit I think I prefer the German.
Sorry for the gratutitous use of passive voice, I have no energy to edit it out tonight.
Bis Morgen,
Debby
As promised in the earlier post, a spiel about German tipping etiquette. Since I work as a waitress, server, whatever you want to call it, I am entirely interested in the tipping practices of another country; I'm hoping possibly to find that Americans are not the worst tippers in the world. Pretend you're a german server: a bill comes to $15. If I were an American server, I would expect a minimum of $3 tip, as a 20% tip, especially on a bill so low. As a german server though, I'll be happy if they round up to $16. Why is this? As an american I would go in the back of the restaurant, out of ear shot of the customers, drop my cheesy smile, and swear my head off about how out of touch these people are and how they don't understand that a dollar and change are an unacceptable tip. As a german server, I get paid a good hourly wage and receive benefits in some places. I have no need for tips. I am also, therefore, less attentive but less stressed and frazzled. I think I might enjoy the security of being a German server more than being a server in the us... While 10% is common at Perkin's, Perkin's is in America and America doesn't seem to understand that.
Today, after a wonderful run in 50° weather along the Rhine river, I went to a movie with Lydia and her friends. I didnt expect to be over or underwhelmed by the idea of seeing a movie when I was first invited, though I later considered 'right, its probably in German...'. Seeing as the movie was Shutter Island, a horror drama, I wasn't too worried about hardly understanding what was going on. In fact, I thought I'd prefer it that way.
We arrived at the theater and parked in the parking garage, walked a few stories up, and into the theater itself which was located on multiple floors (3 ish?). In the middle was an open staircase and an elevator with a giant spiderman perched on top of it. Perched isnt the right word... crouched? in a spidery manner?. You get the idea Im sure. If not, look at the DVD cover of spiderman 1 2 or 3.
We got our tickets from a machine on the wall where Lydia slid her credit card and was given 5 pre bought tickets. Normal enough. The tickets however had a row and seat number on them... I found this strange as I normally like to be in control of these things, like finding a seat in the theater that isnt too close or too far or too near other groups of people, especially not too near loud and sticky children. I was row 5, seat 8. No choice, no changing... What? Really? Guess there's nothing I could do about it, so I went along for the predetermined ride.
We next stopped at the concession stand, where I was going to buy popcorn and a soda, maybe some candy. The candy selection was bare bones compared to the Majestic in Brookfield and I wasnt in the mood for either Haribo or M&Ms. Interesting dichotomy. Jenny, one of Lydia's friends whom I had met years ago, snuck an entire galloon tub of popcorn in so I didn't buy any but really, the black canvas bag she carried next to her purse was apparently entirely unsuspicious. Like I said, along for the ride. I shared this popcorn.
Steffen, Lydia's boyfriend, bought the soda for me (nice of him but I'm sure most of you know how I feel about things being bought for me). The Cola Light (aka diet coke that tastes depressingly like coke zero) came without ice. I knew it would but I was still taken aback by the lack of swishing sound in my cup when I jiggled it or how light it felt and how I was left with nothing to chew on once my soda was finished. Also, they were sold in sizes as follows: half liter, full liter, liter and a half, or something ridiculously even larger.
On to the movie theater: row 5 seat 8 was covered by a plastic bag and the seat felt wet, so we all moved over one seat. Thank god this did not create problems because the Germans probably would have insisted on me sitting in the seat my ticket dictated if it had. Once seated, the popcorn was opened. I grabbed a handful, popped some in my mouth, and was left missing any sensation of movie popcorn. The popcorn here is apparently served like kettle corn, a very sweet snack. I didn't realize until then, but the theater didnt have the buttery smell I always loved. How upsetting this realization became. Next time I'll be prepared though and will order the nachos with salsa. Apparently, to get nachos like we have in America, one must say nachos with cheese sauce. Nachos here mean tortilla chips, which are seasoned and not just salted. Interesting difference, to say the least. The others laughed when I told them, ordering nachos in American means, without question, a lot of cheese will be piled on top of plain salted chips.
In general, I found the movie easier to understand than I expected. Not having subtitles allowed the simultaneous effort of listening and reading to fall apart and required only listening. I may have missed some details which remain lost in translation but I feel I could write an adequate summary of the plot and character analysis. German may even be a better language for dramatic and thought provoking movies... it has an elegance to it that many people dont understand but when I can see what the english phrase is via lip reading and hear the (more verbose) eloquent German translation, I must admit I think I prefer the German.
Sorry for the gratutitous use of passive voice, I have no energy to edit it out tonight.
Bis Morgen,
Debby
Globalsocialization: Friends in all places
I... have arrived.
Yea, it feels about that anticlimatic too. Considering how much build up there was to leaving, the trip was a piece of cake. Jess, sweetheart that she is, drove me to Chicago and Nate was able to guide us to the correct Termianl with minimal U turns. I got through security within 20 minutes and had an hour to kill at the gate. People magazine helped, thanks Mom! haha, and I bought a book which I didn't get to start and then forgot on the plane! Boo. If anyone wants to send me an english copy for Dostoyevsky's House of the Dead (I think it was called), I'd love you forever.
I got on the plane and an older man was sitting in the seat next to mine, a window seat. I told him I needed to get through and he mumbled something about 'they said this would be free' and 'there's so little room'. I mumbled back 'well it is an airplane... they're not known to be spacious'. Once boarding completed, I looked around and realized only a third of the seats or less were taken. To an experienced traveler, that means you get up, claim an entire row, and have a place to sleep without sitting up and leaning against a window (generally the best spot on long flights). I claimed around 6 spots for myself. I take up three when laying down. It was awesome. So after eating dinner and watching the remake of Fame (awful. should have stayed in the 80's. there literally was no plot line, only montages of the students 'careers'), I slept on and off for six hours and then we landed. It was about 1230 AM Wisconsin time, 730 AM German time. I was a zombie walking through the airport. Luckily, my baggage made it and I made a friend named Rosa. A student from Chicago doing her masters in Cologne, she took my email and we're going to meet up at some point. Very sweet girl.
After a skytrain ride (think the Superman roller coaster at Six Flags) to the train station, I made another friend! Kevin, an African American Frenchman, helped me carry my HEAVY bag onto the train, which without his help I would have missed. On the ride to Cologne, we passed the time discussing french politicians, attempting a multilingual conversation, and he told me about his job. He comes to Germany a few times a year, buys cheap cars that the country wants to get rid of, and brings them back to Africa where they are in high demand. He loves traveling and I was able to offer my services as a translator for his phone call with a man he was to meet at the next station. I was left with the feeling that his job is about as legal as selling DVDs and jeans out of a trunk in the mall parking lot... nice guy though.
Then I caught the train from Cologne to Wesseling and arrived safely at Lissis and FINALLY got to stop dragging my suitcase around. Awesome. Best part of the day! haha
After multiple naps to make up for the jetlag, I went out to Cologne with Jonas and friends from last summer. Cocktail lounges are apparently popular here. At 6,50€ or more per large drink, I can say I want to become a fan. Too pricey. Somehow though 3 drinks ended up being 13€. Shifty math on part of the waiter? A long post of German tipping and Americans tipping in Germany will follow for my waitstaff readers out there. I may be the best tipper in Europe and dangerously so.
I'm happy to be here, this is something I've been looking forward to for years. Since I was a little girl. Well younger. not much little-r. I am however very homesick... I cried as the plane took off, it hit me that my return flight isn't until August. I miss family, friends, my car, everything. I cried before falling asleep, as cliche as that is. When you lay down and finally think about it all, it hits you. I hope the homesickness gets better and I can enjoy every minute of this experience. The language isn't a problem so far. Without my english speaking family as a crutch (yea, i said it), I'm already finding myself thinking in German. Lunch tomorrow with my grandparents and shopping now in Bruehl with Lydia for some essentials: cell phone, alarm clock, hair dryer... woo.
Check facebook page for pictures (if my computer will ever accept the German wireless internet router as a real one and let me upload things).
that's all for now,
bis spaeter
debby
Yea, it feels about that anticlimatic too. Considering how much build up there was to leaving, the trip was a piece of cake. Jess, sweetheart that she is, drove me to Chicago and Nate was able to guide us to the correct Termianl with minimal U turns. I got through security within 20 minutes and had an hour to kill at the gate. People magazine helped, thanks Mom! haha, and I bought a book which I didn't get to start and then forgot on the plane! Boo. If anyone wants to send me an english copy for Dostoyevsky's House of the Dead (I think it was called), I'd love you forever.
I got on the plane and an older man was sitting in the seat next to mine, a window seat. I told him I needed to get through and he mumbled something about 'they said this would be free' and 'there's so little room'. I mumbled back 'well it is an airplane... they're not known to be spacious'. Once boarding completed, I looked around and realized only a third of the seats or less were taken. To an experienced traveler, that means you get up, claim an entire row, and have a place to sleep without sitting up and leaning against a window (generally the best spot on long flights). I claimed around 6 spots for myself. I take up three when laying down. It was awesome. So after eating dinner and watching the remake of Fame (awful. should have stayed in the 80's. there literally was no plot line, only montages of the students 'careers'), I slept on and off for six hours and then we landed. It was about 1230 AM Wisconsin time, 730 AM German time. I was a zombie walking through the airport. Luckily, my baggage made it and I made a friend named Rosa. A student from Chicago doing her masters in Cologne, she took my email and we're going to meet up at some point. Very sweet girl.
After a skytrain ride (think the Superman roller coaster at Six Flags) to the train station, I made another friend! Kevin, an African American Frenchman, helped me carry my HEAVY bag onto the train, which without his help I would have missed. On the ride to Cologne, we passed the time discussing french politicians, attempting a multilingual conversation, and he told me about his job. He comes to Germany a few times a year, buys cheap cars that the country wants to get rid of, and brings them back to Africa where they are in high demand. He loves traveling and I was able to offer my services as a translator for his phone call with a man he was to meet at the next station. I was left with the feeling that his job is about as legal as selling DVDs and jeans out of a trunk in the mall parking lot... nice guy though.
Then I caught the train from Cologne to Wesseling and arrived safely at Lissis and FINALLY got to stop dragging my suitcase around. Awesome. Best part of the day! haha
After multiple naps to make up for the jetlag, I went out to Cologne with Jonas and friends from last summer. Cocktail lounges are apparently popular here. At 6,50€ or more per large drink, I can say I want to become a fan. Too pricey. Somehow though 3 drinks ended up being 13€. Shifty math on part of the waiter? A long post of German tipping and Americans tipping in Germany will follow for my waitstaff readers out there. I may be the best tipper in Europe and dangerously so.
I'm happy to be here, this is something I've been looking forward to for years. Since I was a little girl. Well younger. not much little-r. I am however very homesick... I cried as the plane took off, it hit me that my return flight isn't until August. I miss family, friends, my car, everything. I cried before falling asleep, as cliche as that is. When you lay down and finally think about it all, it hits you. I hope the homesickness gets better and I can enjoy every minute of this experience. The language isn't a problem so far. Without my english speaking family as a crutch (yea, i said it), I'm already finding myself thinking in German. Lunch tomorrow with my grandparents and shopping now in Bruehl with Lydia for some essentials: cell phone, alarm clock, hair dryer... woo.
Check facebook page for pictures (if my computer will ever accept the German wireless internet router as a real one and let me upload things).
that's all for now,
bis spaeter
debby
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
The American Dream: The Little Things
Alright, everyone, only two more weeks. I'm starting to freak out randomly about little things like "will my computer work? do i need an adapter? do german hair straighteners work as well as mine, if so, should i buy one there or bring mine with me? will i be able to find wings and chili anywhere?"
You know, the important things in life. The little things.
It's becoming more surreal each day thinking that I won't come in to Perkin's six days a week anymore or that I can't watch my TV shows on Fridays, my day off lately. It's also becoming more of a concern thinking "will I be able to cook for myself?", will I even be able to read and understand the ingredients on food packaging? Also, where in the world will I do laundry? Those of you who know me well or have lived with me know that I'm a very detailed oriented person and before I take a leap of faith off a cliff, I prefer to have a topographical map of how high from sea level that cliff is and what the weather conditions on the way down will be. I don't feel comfortable not knowing my classes, not knowing my daily routine and set up, not knowing a lot of little things.
Missing the little things, like american fast food and diner coffee or football on sundays and opening day at Miller Park... that will be the hardest for me. I'm excited and I get more excited by the day to be leaving but I'm so high strung that I think I'll actually be more relaxed when I get there, despite being in a new and mostly foreign place... It's a very odd feeling to say the least.
Knowing that Jenny is settling in well in Utrecht is making things easier to take in stride, I'm also excited to start planning trips. How does St Patricks Day in Ireland sound for starters? O:)
that's it for now, need to continue to enjoy american phenomena while I can: trivia night at a bar.
You know, the important things in life. The little things.
It's becoming more surreal each day thinking that I won't come in to Perkin's six days a week anymore or that I can't watch my TV shows on Fridays, my day off lately. It's also becoming more of a concern thinking "will I be able to cook for myself?", will I even be able to read and understand the ingredients on food packaging? Also, where in the world will I do laundry? Those of you who know me well or have lived with me know that I'm a very detailed oriented person and before I take a leap of faith off a cliff, I prefer to have a topographical map of how high from sea level that cliff is and what the weather conditions on the way down will be. I don't feel comfortable not knowing my classes, not knowing my daily routine and set up, not knowing a lot of little things.
Missing the little things, like american fast food and diner coffee or football on sundays and opening day at Miller Park... that will be the hardest for me. I'm excited and I get more excited by the day to be leaving but I'm so high strung that I think I'll actually be more relaxed when I get there, despite being in a new and mostly foreign place... It's a very odd feeling to say the least.
Knowing that Jenny is settling in well in Utrecht is making things easier to take in stride, I'm also excited to start planning trips. How does St Patricks Day in Ireland sound for starters? O:)
that's it for now, need to continue to enjoy american phenomena while I can: trivia night at a bar.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Inevitable Return to the Fatherland
T-minus 18 days until I leave... it's starting to feel very real. I decided to start this blog to update friends and family, though mostly Adam Slavens, about my happenings in Bonn. I'll probably write every few days or at least once a week, so check back to see how I'm doing :)
Also, I'll probably use a lot of ":)". Don't judge.
Only two and a half weeks left before I go, like I said, it's starting to feel real finally. First reality check was the semester in Madison starting without me for the first time in 4 1/2 years. I'm very anxious about the classes Bonn will have to offer and if they can compare to the English dept. at Madison. I hope they have something concerning Chaucer... speaking of, I chose this template because it's the same at the Chaucer blog. I'm more or less becoming a huge nerd.
Second reality check: Jenny left for Utrecht and I am left with *nothing* to do in Brookfield and no work out partners besides Edward. Jenny and I will only be a few hours apart in Europe but it's still strange that she's gone again (it feels like when she left for Italy a few years ago).
Third reality check: TV shows are starting and I won't be able to see the end of the seasons!! What will I do without hours of reality television to fill my time? Will I miss the entire second season of the Jersey Shore? Will I ever feel comfortable with the German dubbed versions of my beloved shows? Only time will tell...
I'm also beginning to get nervous that my expectations are set so high that I'll be severely disappointed. This isn't the typical study abroad experience: I don't know if I can become homesick when my grandparents will be a 15 min train ride away or when I have more cousins over there than I do in the Milwaukee area. I also know my way around Bonn already and have friends there; will I have less fun exploring that other American students?
Hopefully things go great and I love every minute of it :) Check back to see how I'm doing before I go, when I arrive, and what sorts of trips I manage to take!
Get ready Europe: the Oakes twins are coming back... unsupervised!
Also, I'll probably use a lot of ":)". Don't judge.
Only two and a half weeks left before I go, like I said, it's starting to feel real finally. First reality check was the semester in Madison starting without me for the first time in 4 1/2 years. I'm very anxious about the classes Bonn will have to offer and if they can compare to the English dept. at Madison. I hope they have something concerning Chaucer... speaking of, I chose this template because it's the same at the Chaucer blog. I'm more or less becoming a huge nerd.
Second reality check: Jenny left for Utrecht and I am left with *nothing* to do in Brookfield and no work out partners besides Edward. Jenny and I will only be a few hours apart in Europe but it's still strange that she's gone again (it feels like when she left for Italy a few years ago).
Third reality check: TV shows are starting and I won't be able to see the end of the seasons!! What will I do without hours of reality television to fill my time? Will I miss the entire second season of the Jersey Shore? Will I ever feel comfortable with the German dubbed versions of my beloved shows? Only time will tell...
I'm also beginning to get nervous that my expectations are set so high that I'll be severely disappointed. This isn't the typical study abroad experience: I don't know if I can become homesick when my grandparents will be a 15 min train ride away or when I have more cousins over there than I do in the Milwaukee area. I also know my way around Bonn already and have friends there; will I have less fun exploring that other American students?
Hopefully things go great and I love every minute of it :) Check back to see how I'm doing before I go, when I arrive, and what sorts of trips I manage to take!
Get ready Europe: the Oakes twins are coming back... unsupervised!
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