Naturally, it’s all wrong, since wurst is correctly pronounced with a hard “v” sound, but while the jokes may be terrible, the sausage is still legendary.

In fact, one type of wurst is considered by so many to be the best that now it has its own museum near the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin. Currywurst, a spicy snack popular throughout the country, is being elevated to its own special cultural attraction in a building on Schützenstraße 70 called Deutsches Currywurst Museum, open from 10 am to 10 pm daily with an entrance cost of 11 euros ($14 USD).

Shockingly, we Germans are taking down an estimated 1,500 of these currywursts per minute. I’m not kidding — that’s 800 million currywursts consumed annually, and I pull down my fair share.

Most currywursts are sold on the streets, with the largest concentration of currywurst vendors located in Berlin. Many also believe that the formulation for the special tomato curry sauce was invented by a Berliner, Herta Heuwer. This makes it no wonder that the German Currywurst Museum is located at the very heart of the city.

Inside the museum, visitors are greeted by displays dedicated to all of the many varieties of currywurst. You can see displays of the different meal combinations, such as sliced sausage drenched in sauce with a bit of potato salad, or a hefty currywurst hot dog jutting out from its deliciously soggy bun.

You will also find that you are very hungry as you pass through the exhibits, because the museum has something for all of your senses. There is an audio track of sizzling sausages echoing overhead, and a scent machine infuses the air with the odor of fresh currywurst.

It’s all a bit over the top, which is why you absolutely have to see it all to believe its real. Go, see, buy a snack, and be sure to send me a copy when you get your photo taken in the life size currywurst truck in the final element of the museum!

—Marcus

To catch a wave in German, you really need to head south.

River surfing in Germany is a major sporting institution, and one that locals take very seriously. They have their own surfing leagues and there is a German surfing magazine (German only).

The epicenter of the action is in Munich, where a permanent wave generator has been set up on the Eisbach river. Here, locals and visitors alike prove their skills on a narrow channel of water, cheered on by passing spectators and surfer groupies. Experts surf at the wave generator near the Haus der Kunst museum in the Englischer Garten, while beginners ride the waves further up the tributary at Floßlände near the Thalkirchen campground.

There is no doubt that the wetsuit clad surfers look very cool in the midst of the city. They’re freezing, of course, because of the water temperature. No one was kidding around when they named the river — the English translation is Ice Stream and it averages about 6 °C or 42° F! As a result, all but the most dedicated wave riders limit their surf time to the summer months.

This makes right now the best season for getting an eyeful of the local tricksters and surf champions, and provides sightseers with the opportunity for a good, warm afternoon in the park as well.

To prepare yourself for the day out, you’ll need a picnic blanket, snacks, sunblock, and a crash course in German surf culture.

As far as German surf culture is concerned, start by listening to the best German surfer bands online — there’s Sportfreunde Stiller from nearby Germering, The Love Preachers from Düsseldorf, and Plan 9 from Berlin, just to name a few of the more famous bands to put you in the surfing mood.

From there, practice being polite and holding your board aloft as you wait in line for your shot at the river or start practicing your whoops and cheers for the local boys showing off.

If you can’t make it out to the Eisbach but wish you could, pick up the documentary on German river surfing that took 10 YEARS to make. Called Keep Surfing, it will let you see how the waves were made and showcase the lives of those who spend their days surfing South Germany.

—Marcus

P.S. Here’s a video of a surfer on the Eisbach river in action…

So rather than pointing out that you can easily learn German, I thought I would use this post to point out the German words you already know.

These words are pure German, but English speakers use them all the time. They are what linguists call “loan words” or “borrowings,” which basically just means words you English speakers have adopted as your own.

Check out the list below . . . you’ve been speaking German all along and not even knowing it! :-)

• Hamburger, anyone? You think this is a universal word from the American, but it’s really German. And so are delicatessen, strudel, frankfurter, bratwurst, sauerkraut, schnapps, vermouth and lager. Along with aspirin, which you may need if you have all of that together!
• Many pets have German names, including your hamster, Dachshund, Schnauzer and Doberman. And your children attend Kindergarten which is German, of course.
• Angst is a straight crossover word, along with gestalt.
• Fest is a party in both languages, and the glitz at the party is also German.
• Autobahn are those movie type of superhighways in Germany with no speed limit (given there is none).
• More fun words include kaput (German: kaputt), hinterland, halt, pretzel (German: Bretzel), glitch, carabiner, nickel, poltergeist, rucksack, and wanderlust.

Along with straight crossovers, some words have shifted in meaning, but they are still German in origin. How many of these do you use?

• Blitz is German for a lightning, but you English speakers now talk about an “advertising blitz” and also use the word to describe attack plays in American football.
• Flak was originally an acronym for a type of machine gun in Germany, but English speakers now use the word to describe heavy criticism.

There are many other German loan words on record, including dozens that are more technical. Keep your ears peeled and your mind open to see how much more German you really use, thinking you are speaking pure English! ;-)

—Marcus

Summer beers tend to be lighter on the tongue than winter beers, and some of them are designed with specific taste pairings in mind. There are even German summer beers that rely on sweetened fruit syrups added by the drinker to achieve their ideal flavor!

To find the German summer beer that will be your new favorite, I’ve compiled a list below to help guide you in your tastings based on what’s popular now in the last summer days of 2010. Feel free to disagree with me on what’s best (why else do we have hundreds of different sorts!), but be sure to sample each beer generously before making your decisions! ;-)

• The Premium Pilsner by Bitburger is heavy with hops for a light, dry finish. As Germany’s originators of the Pilsner style, this Bitburg based manufacturer is hugely popular in the German market and exported abroad. If you can’t find the Bitburger, the Tannenzäpfle Pilsner by Rothaus is also an excellent choice from the Pilsner category.
• Kölsch beers are brewed in Cologne, made using yeast that is aged in a lager style. The Mühlen Kölsch by the Malzmühle Schwartz brewery in Cologne is a delicious example you’ll want to try this year.
• Berliner Kindl offers a distinctive sour tang. Summer fans can request seasonal fruit syrups to add to the beer, allowing for some fun finding your perfect personal version. I’ve also found that the slightly bubbly nature of the beer helps make it a smart summer choice.
• Finally, no summer German beer review would be complete without including a Hefeweizen. As a beer garden staple, this light wheat beer is good with or without food but please, eat something. ;-) Then you can have more Hefeweizen like the excellent Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier by the world’s oldest brewery, Weihenstephan brewery in Freising.

To summer, and to your health!

—Marcus

However, there is, in fact, a small group of smart people behind MyGermanCity.com, eagerly working with me to provide you with a one-of-a-kind guide about Germany.

Curious? I’ll bet you are! :-)

Visit the revamped About page to get to know each one of us a bit better…

http://www.mygermancity.com/about

—Marcus

Smoking bans, after all, are hardly new in German. You can’t smoke in federal buildings, and there were a number of bans on smoking in restaurants and pubs passed in 2008.

However, the way things work in Germany, the national government doesn’t handle the smoking laws. Instead, each individual state has their own rules, and some of them are more strict than others.

Some of them are not very strict at all . . . and even the 2008 rules were rather quickly relaxed.

It’s not because Germany is a country of die-hard smokers. Yes, the smoky beer hall is a tradition in some areas, but just like people in the rest of the world my fellow Germans and I enjoy meals and public spaces that are smoke free.

The larger issue, of course, is that we Germans don’t always appreciate being told what we can and can’t do. Restaurant owners and bar managers also feel that smoking bans hurt their businesses by driving away customers and raising expenses as they need to create new spaces for smokers. So the smoking bans become controversial, and a subject of hot debates.

Many establishments work around the smoking bans in Germany by turning their businesses into private clubs, where smoking is still allowed. You may find yourself surprised to get a ticket or a membership card when you sit down for a drink or a meal, but it’s just a way to help skirt the local laws.

The bigger deal with the smoking ban in Bavaria is that it has been extended to include Munich‘s famous beer tents in the fall. For 2010, the authorities are saying they won’t do much in the way of ban enforcement, but for 2011, expect your trip to the Oktoberfest to be a smoke free experience!

—Marcus

Getting a small garden plot in Germany can be a bit of an adventure for those who don’t live in the countryside. Urban dwellers can try and join a Kleingartenverein, the Small Garden Associations which provide land for gardens. However, these well-established systems have long waiting lists and holdings are often kept by members for decades.

This doesn’t mean that German city dwellers have stopped looking for fresh greens and organic gardening options. Quite the contrary! Into this hungry market has stepped Meine Ernte (site in German), a company offering rental gardens for those who want to try their hand at having a garden.

Meine Ernte, which means “My Harvest,” isn’t a traditional garden co-op. Instead, they cater specifically to would-be organic farmers without a lot of time or even gardening experience.

The company has set up cooperative agreements with organic farmers near some of Germany’s largest cities, including Frankfurt, Düsseldorf, Bonn, and Dortmund. The farmers provide swathes of land, which are planted by professional gardeners at the beginning of the season. A small bit of land is left for customized plantings, but the rest has a mix of 20 popular edible plants.

Renters have their choice of section size. Small gardens are for 1 – 2 people, standard gardens cater to 3 – 4, and large gardens cater to large families and groups. Prices range from €149 to €433 per season, with renewable subscriptions and the option to change as your needs change. Meine Ernte estimates that even small sections produce at least €600 of produce per season.

Each of the locations has a professional gardener on site to offer consultations and aid. Renters should plan to spend 1 – 2 hours a week tending to their garden allotment, which does make it rather easy to have a summer hobby garden.

Meine Ernte plans to expand to new cities in 2011 — so plan ahead for your garden share. Those Meine Ernte doesn’t have waiting lists like the Kleingartenverein, there is still just a limited amount of space available for those who want to try their hand at gardening in Germany.

—Marcus

In Germany, a good daycare spot, known as Kitaplatz, is a prized item. The government subsidizes the cost of daycare for children over three, but this is coordinated through our child services and visitors won’t have the Gutschein. This is the document that tells how much childcare subsidy you have and how much from your own pocket must be paid (it’s a sliding scale based on income).

However, even with the right papers, most formal places have different holiday hours, and they don’t always accommodate older children or teens. This means to find someone to mind the children for a few days, or even a few hours, can be a stressful project. This is true if you are resident of Germany, but it is doubly true if you are just visiting. Who can you turn to for a bit of babysitting?

Locals often have a Tagesmutter, or child minder. These are loosely licensed caregivers who may have completed a course or two in First Aid or child care. A good Tagesmutter is fiercely prized, but if you have local friends they might share with you while you are on holiday.

You can also ask around for babysitters, which is the same word in English and German. If you don’t have a local friend’s recommendation, most towns have Babysitter-Agenturen in the phonebook. Your hotel may also have a recommended provider if you ask at the front desk, who will come to the hotel to watch your children or grandchildren.

However you find them, babysitting and Tagesmutter services are not always so cheap! Plan to pay at least 10 euros an hour, with more due in big cities, for infants, for multiple children, for last minute jobs, and for overnight work.

My friends point out that tipping is not required, but if you want to use the babysitter or Tagesmutter again it is a good idea to slip them a few extra euros to ensure they are not “busy” when you call. This way, when you come out to meet me while you are in Germany, you will be sure to have someone to watch your kids! ;-)

—Marcus

How about ending a relationship? Well, this might be challenging… I remember some of my own dating adventures and wince, but I’ll spare you all of those stories!

At times, breaking up is hard to do, that’s a given. Add in the complexities of a multi-national or multi-cultural relationship and it can be even more challenging. So what’s a German dater to do?

Well, we Germans are nothing if not innovative! We like solving difficult problems, and a man in Berlin has created a special service to help people get out of their dating relationship more easily. I didn’t believe it when I first heard about it, thinking it might be one of my country’s famous April Fool’s Day jokes, but it seems that this is a very real service!

Known as the Separation Agency (site in German), this company was founded by Bernd Dressler. Essentially, you hire the company to go to your significant other and explain to them that you don’t want to continue the relationship. Though I wouldn’t think this would be much of a business, apparently the company has been thriving for three years!

They offer four levels of service: the basic phone break up with a “Let’s still be friends,” a “Please don’t speak to me again” phone call, a break up by letter, and a personal visit from Mr. Dressler himself to announce the end of the relationship.

The cost for the services ranges from about 30 euros for the basic to over 60 euros for the door stop visit. On personal visits, Mr. Dressler can also collect items left at a soon-to-be ex’s home.

Mr. Dressler, who carries the nickname “The Terminator” thanks to his work, has reported in various media interviews that the bulk of his clients are younger women, and that business is busiest on Monday’s and after holidays. Thus, my poor fellow men, watch out for a phone call or knock on the door from a stranger after a bad weekend or lousy holiday trip!

Though I find this service amusing — especially now that I am married and out of the game (at least for the time being ;-) — I can see where it would be useful to some.

However, I wish all of you the best in love and hope you never have to experience “The Terminator” or his services yourself! ;-)

—Marcus

Of course, to be technically accurate, you won’t be doing any driving. No, no — not with these cars! These are classic BMW Cabriolets which are being temporarily pressed into service as tour vehicles for those wishing to have a special trip around Munich

You will definitely notice them as they tool around the city, driven by professional drivers, thank you! After all, these are BMW 326 and 335 Cabriolets that date back to the 1930′s, with a 502 Cabriolet from the 1950′s and a 3200 CS Cabriolet also available as options. Their unique and highly polished shape stands out against more modern cars.

As a guest, you can ride in the back of these open air classic to see Munich between now and October 2010. That’s it. After that, these classic cars will be retired back to their home in the BMW Museum.

Tours of the city actually start and end at the BMW Museum, stopping by a number of BMW attractions in the city as well as cruising the ring road and other local sites before returning. The registration for the tours is through the information desk at the museum (+49-1802-118822) and you are advised to register well in advance.

The tours are 90 euros per person, and the experience lasts about three hours. Though this may seem expensive for a chauffeured tour, remember that the euro (alas!) is at four year lows, so this special BMW experience is more affordable to overseas guests than locals (again, alas!).

Germany is going to be beautiful this summer after all the moisture this winter, and southern Germany is truly lovely. Why fight the average tourist in the street to see Munich, when you can tour in style?

—Marcus

However, demand and supply for honey in Germany is a little interesting. Although there are more than 85,000 beekeepers in Germany, most supermarket honey is imported. This is because the majority of German beekeepers are hobbyists or small family operations not much interested in a big marketing push.

To get the fine local honey we really want, in the past we had to hunt it down at farmers’ markets. Now, a new company has worked to unite local beekeepers and make our delicious domestic honey available online.

Heimathonig (in German) provides an online marketplace for honey and beekeepers. It does all the marketing and coordinates the placement of online orders. However, it keeps some farmers market elements by letting you order online and pick up directly from the beekeeper if you are in the area.

For me, the best thing about this site is that I now have access to honey grown in different parts of Germany that would never appear at my local market. There are also honey varieties that are quite rare, like acacia, white fir, blueberry, organic cherry blossom, and seasonal forest flowers.

The prices are very reasonable, too — the typical jar of all natural, locally grown honey is less than 10 euros. A sampler of mini jars in different flavors is just under 8 euros, and the Heimathonig blog announces when new varieties are available.

Heimathonig is also searchable. You can look for beekeepers by zip code, or by the type of honey you would like. This can help you search out the rare varieties, like Black Forest honey, and also control what is in your honey if you like a specific taste.

Even just exploring the site will make your mouth hunger for a taste of something sweet!

I’m off to get my own little honey pot, and happy to say good bye to imported supermarket stuff in favor of local — and delicious — German honey.

—Marcus

Germany’s underground dining scene is growing. In fact, worldwide, pop up restaurants, supper clubs, and invitation only private dining events are becoming more and more popular. Locals and travelers alike enjoy a bit of novelty and of course, really good food.

In the spirit of keeping you all informed, I’d like to share a few more of the secret supper clubs I’ve found operating around Germany:

• In Düsseldorf, there is Sunday’s Dinner Party. It is hosted from 7 – 10 pm on the first Sunday of each month, in a restored 19th century farmhouse. The suggested contribution is 20 euros, and you need to confirm your reservation 48 hours in advance.
• In Berlin, the Loteria Supper Club held its first dinner in February 2010. They are now holding weekly dinners, with a limit of 12 guests per table, near Boxhagener Platz. Of course, they launched with a feature in the iHeartBerlin dining pages, so they are not so terribly secret, but the food is reported as very tasty! Suggested donation for dinner is 50 euros.
• Also in Berlin, in the Friedrichshain area, is the Palisaden Supper Club. The dinners there are held once a month in the middle of the month, and you reserve through email. Suggested dinner price is 25 euro, and they have been operating since February of 2009, so a bit more organized than some.
• For less formal events and pop up restaurants in Germany, you can check the listings at Tafel Zeit (German), which operates mainly in Berlin, Cologne, and Hamburg.

There are also a number of Germans with Ghetto Gourmet sites, leveraging the American started underground dining community format, meaning that those willing to do a bit of research will be sure to uncover a great meal and a truly memorable experience.

—Marcus

Since that time, we have shared more than 50 posts as a readership community. I’ve enjoyed your comments and feedback (including those received via the metaphysical ether), and I hope that you have enjoyed getting an insider’s view of Germany.

Together, we’ve been all over the map. This includes all corners of Germany as well as almost every topic imaginable. From how to find new authors in Germany to how to get your laundry done by mail, nothing has been off limits, not even dating life in Germany! :-)

Some of the most popular posts haven’t always been what I might expect, but that just goes to show that there is something about Germany for everyone to love.

I bring you the things that I think are interesting . . . but I am happy to write about the things that are most on your mind. Do let me know what you have liked about this past year and what kinds of questions or topics you would like to see me discuss in the blog in the year ahead!

Speaking of the year ahead, well, I’m sure you’re curious about what’s coming up. The next year will bring a continuation of my weekly blog posts, as well as several new items for the Web site and the blog.

And I do have one big surprise in store . . . but you will have to stay tuned to find out all about it! ;-)

My suggestion?

Make sure you are signed up for my monthly G-ZINE to get all of the announcements for the site as a whole, and feel free to reach out with comments and suggestions for the blog. I love to hear from you!

This last year together has flown by, and I am looking forward to spending many more years sharing with you all about my favorite topic and dearest country — Germany! ;-)

All the best and thank you for this year together!

–Marcus

As a result of our stability, many people around the world look to Germany for financial help in times of stress. Whether this is eastern European banks looking for help due to mortgage backed securities issues or Greece looking for help with its debt, Germany gets the call. German leaders offer advice, make speeches, and sometimes commit to large bailout programs along with other European nations.

What is this doing to the Germany economy?

In many ways, the average person doesn’t see a lot of change in the street. On a broader level, however, Germany’s economic fate is linked to that of the European Union. Thus, you can look at the euro for a gauge of price trends in Germany.

Looking at the last few months of euro trading, you can see that the economic stress across the European Union has been putting significant downward pressure on the euro. This makes it more expensive for Germans traveling outside the euro zone (as I’ve discovered at airport currency exchange stations), and also makes some imported goods more expensive for local shoppers.

On the other hand, this downward pressure on the euro makes it easier than ever for you to visit Germany. As currencies like the dollar, pound, and yuan appreciate against the euro, the real cost of hotel stays, train tickets, and nice dinners goes down for visitors like you.

Thus, if you are thinking about taking a trip to Germany, you may want to think about doing it soon! The euro has been through a lot of up and down cycles over its lifetime, and who knows what will happen next?

Take advantage of the current dip in the value of the euro to enjoy a Germany that is both beautiful and more affordable than ever. :-)

—Marcus

The German national team is meeting now to prepare, and millions of Germans and foreigners are watching these preparations closely. How well will Germany do at the games?

Traditionally, Germany turns in a great performance at the World Cup games. We have won the tournament three times, behind only Brazil and Italy. In the last 14 World Cups, we have always made the quarterfinals, won the most vice-champions, and it looks good for us this year, too.

Currently, Germany is ranked 5th overall. We’re a part of Group D, along with Serbia, Australia, and Ghana. Tickets for the matches still don’t sell that fast, but the Germany vs. Ghana match sold out back in March. To watch live, you will now have to try and find a secondary dealer for tickets, likely at a very inflated price.

Fortunately, the games will be broadcast on international television, and you can be sure that it will be no mystery when the games are on in Germany! World Cup watch parties and “Public Viewing” are popular in Germany, and local beer halls frequently have special events related to broadcasts.

After hosting the World Cup games in 2006, Germans have been even bigger supporters of the games. If you are traveling through Germany between June 11th and July 11th, expect to see us all in our jerseys on game days and to hear endless discussions of the matches.

Don’t be surprised at all the other gossip that is discussed, either. Not all of the drama is on the field! For example, because the coach of the German national team, Joachim Löw, has a contract expiration date near the date of the games, there has been a great deal of speculation about his next move. Mesut Ozil, one of the star players, is also a big topic of discussion.

Whether you like to watch the games or simply talk about them, I encourage you to follow Germany’s progress through the 2010 World Cup tournament. You can get the latest news about the team and their group on the Germany Team page on fifa.com or in any German publication with a sports section!

—Marcus

Enrolling in a German language course in Germany makes learning German a fun and memorable experience. You have two main options when it comes to coursework. You can come for an extended stay in German and take a course from a university, or you can come for a few weeks to a month and enroll in an intensive German language camp, which I recommend.

Either way, you have plenty of choices. There are more than 116 registered language programs scattered throughout the country. Prices vary, and many are concentrated in Germany’s bigger cities, with Berlin, Munich, and Frankfort serving as popular study destinations, especially for formal language study and intensive German courses.

However, there are also a number of programs in smaller cities. For example, Regensburg has a very famous language program with year round courses.

The key is to determine what you want to use your German for. If you are coming to Germany to start a business or live full time, you will want to take a more formal course. If you just want to be able to make very basic conversations on your vacation, a month-long intensive program may be sufficient.

Naturally, you may also want to consider your region. Learning High German is good for communicating all over Germany, but you may also want to study your local dialect if you are interested in living in Germany long term.

However much you learn, don’t be afraid to use your German whenever you can. Even after you go to a language school, only with practice will you be able to keep up your skills.

So practice, practice, practice . . . I want to be able to chat with you someday! :-)

—Marcus

I know you may think that if you learned German in school or did some language tapes you speak the right language, but this is not always true. Formally taught German may be understood throughout Germany, but it is not the only kind of German to know!

Germany is full of many different well-developed dialects — some estimate that there may be as many as 250 dialects scattered throughout the country! This is because Germany has historically been many different kingdoms and principalities, encouraging the development of local and regional dialects.

Although for a time there was a push to standardize the German language, now there is a very strong movement to preserve all of Germany’s dialects. This is partly a response to the growing prevalence of English in German life, and partly a desire to retain all of Germany’s rich culture. The movement is publicly led by Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle, who refuses to use any English at his press conferences in Germany. ;-)

Thus, as you travel around Germany, you will hear and see many different kinds of German being used. Here are the major types:

• High German, Hochdeutsch, is what is taught as standard German in classrooms. It was originally spoken in central and southern Germany but was adopted as the official standard form by the government after the turn of the 20th century.
• Low German, Plattdeutsch, is mainly spoken in the Northern parts of Germany. It was the main language spoken by the Hanseatic League, and you can watch programing in Low German on the North German Broadcasting Network, Norddeutscher Rundfunk.
• Bavarian – Austrian, Bayerisch-Österreichisch, is spoken in Southern Germany and parts of Austria, since for many years this area was united as one large kingdom.
• Frankish, Fränkisch, is spoken in central Germany along the Main river. Some related forms are spoken along the Moselle river, too.

There are many other dialects and variations that you can experience in your travels — such as Baden (Badisch), Swabian (Schwäbisch), Saxon (Sächsisch) — but being aware of the main forms will help you smile and adapt to all the German that you hear!

—Marcus

At the beginning of the year, Germany was named as one of the top four countries in which to live. Now, an annual poll by the BBC shows that not only is Germany a great place to live, it is also a well-loved country.

In fact, Germany is now the world’s most lovable country, according to 29,997 people surveyed worldwide!

The BBC World Service poll ran from November of 2009 to February of 2010. It has been conducted annually since 2005, and surveys opinions about a country’s positive or negative attributes in the world.

Germany was actually also the most favorably viewed country in 2009 as well, but this year Germany’s positivity ratings are up by 18%! It is one of the largest gains in the history of the poll, and I would like to think that MyGermanCity.com has a little something to do with those numbers ;-)

Of course, the negativity percentages are also important to watch. This is especially true for we Germans, as we are a little sensitive about the issue of other countries having a negative opinion of us. Fortunately, only 14% of the world views Germany negatively, one of the lowest numbers of any country in the world.

Tellingly, some of our biggest boosters were not just other Europeans. The positive views of Germany went up the most significantly in Egypt and Chile, with Russia showing the third largest positive increase. This helps speak to Germany’s popularity across markets and even with countries who are not our primary neighbors or trading partners.

Though naturally I am most excited about Germany’s results, I don’t have room to share them all here in this blog post.

You can download the full BBC Poll report (PDF format, opens in a new browser window), or simply come to Germany in person to see for yourself just what a lovely country and folks we truly are! ;-)

—Marcus

Where do I get such exact numbers? Well, while hunting may be a casual sport in other countries, in Germany hunting is highly organized and regulated. The German Hunting Association, Deutscher Jagdschutz-Verband, is the official representative of 84% of all hunters in Germany.

They work closely with the Ministry for Consumer Protection, Food, and Agriculture, the Ministry for Environment, Nature Protection, and Reactor Safety and the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation to coordinate the process of hunting. Each hunter needs to pass a hunting examination and be cleared by the Land Office of Criminal Investigation to get a license to hunt in designated areas.

Once the hunting license is granted, hunters must still abide by regular hunting seasons for the various animals.

Boar hunting is primarily done in the winter months, while fox hunting can be done all year round. Still, it is important to check with the landowner for each hunting site to see what they are allowing in that season as landowners are free to add more restrictions on top of the federal guidelines.

As a guest hunter in Germany, you can get a temporary permit to go shooting. It is also possible to bring three of your own guns into the country if you have an invitation from a licensed hunting group to go on a hunt. However, you don’t necessarily need a gun, as falconry and trapping are also popular permitted hunting methods in Germany.

Whichever your preferred hunting method, if you want to go on a hunting trip, plan ahead. It is somewhat easier for residents of European Union states to hunt in Germany than for visitors from other countries, but all of you prospective hunters will need to reserve spots early for your hunt! Competition for good hunting space is fierce, and locals tend to get the best spots first.

Happy Hunting!

—Marcus

Now we have a volcanic ash cloud over Europe, and the majority of its airspace is closed.

If you are stranded in Germany due to volcanic ash, don’t despair. While I would love for you to stay in my beautiful country, I understand you want to go home.

Here are some of the other ways to get around Germany and Europe when the airports are closed:

• Take An Airplane — I agree, this may sound very strange… they say the airspace is closed, so how in the world can one travel through Europe using an airplane? The thing is that most people are unaware of the fact that airspace below 6,000 meters is still open! (Note: The normal air traffic takes place at an altitude of between 6,000 and 11,000 meters.) So, contact your air carrier and ask them if they provide (or know of another carrier that provides) flights below the 6,000 meter mark (ex., Cessna flights). Or ask around small-sized airports and airfields for these type of flights.
• Take A Train — The German Rail System is one of the most efficient and advanced networks on the planet. Trains run to and from all of the major airports and cities, so book a Deutsche Bahn rail ticket for local and international travel. Remember, airports in Portugal and Spain are still open!
• Take A Bus — Though our train system is more famous, German bus lines are also very good and give you many options for getting around the country and even Europe. The Berlin Linien Bus company is one of the most well known, and I also offer an online bus tour booking service which covers convenient coach tours through Europe. As I mentioned just above, in just one or two days you could be in Spain or Portugal and then get back home from there since their airports are still open!
• Rent A Car — I told you just last week how easy it is to rent a car in Germany. The German airports are closed, but the German highways remain open!
• Take A Taxi — With more than 50,000 taxis in Germany, you should be able to find one at the nearest taxi stand, at the airport, or near any transit hub. If none are at the stand, ask to use the taxi phone (Taxirufsäule) or call the city’s taxi hotline, Taxi-Zentrale, which is in every phone directory. Fares over 50 km can be negotiated, and international travel is allowed but likely will be expensive — plan to pay at least 1 euro/km. You can also use this table of taxi fares by city as a guide (German).
• Share A Ride — In Germany, we have several Carpool services, which pairs travelers with others looking to share the cost of travel. It may be a bit adventurous, especially for those with no German skills (although, many drivers do speak English), but why be stuck when you can make a new friend and get moving?

Either way, I wish all of my readers stuck around Germany the very best as you try to get home. In the meantime, you can book a hotel room (special prices included) and watch the visual map of the ash cloud online or read the latest airport closing updates.

Good Luck!

—Marcus

Renting a car in Germany has a reputation for being challenging. I don’t know if this is the language barrier at work or if something else is contributing to this reputation, but I want to correct it now. To rent a car in Germany is actually easy as pie, and driving in Germany is definitely an adventure!

First, you will need to make a reservation. There are many different companies that offer rental services in Germany, including international firms like Hertz, Avis, Sixt, and Enterprise. Just as in other countries, you can reserve a car by phone or online and the best cars go to those with the earliest reservations.

Generally, if you do not have a German license, you will need an international driver’s license to rent your car. There are very few exceptions to this rule, and some companies also require that you be more than 25 years of age. Do your research and you will be able to navigate these humps easily.

Once you have checked the policies, simply make your reservation directly with the company. You can also go through your favorite travel service, but direct bookings often get your the best deal and eliminate the possibility of mis-communication between the booking agent and the rental company.

Check out the sizes of the cars available, and be sure to decide for automatic or manual transmissions. Many German cars are manual cars with diesel engines. If you haven’t driven a manual transmission before, please don’t use my beloved streets as a training ground! Traffic is tough enough without stalled tourists ;-)

All joking aside, do a bit of extra reading when you book to be sure you are getting a car that will be comfortable for you to drive. Then you will be free to sit back and enjoy the view as you tour Germany in high-speed, and you will be able to have happy memories of car rentals in Germany.

—Marcus

First, you will want to book early for your summer travel. According to industry reports for the initial quarter of 2010, travel bookings to Germany have already exceeded their 2009 levels. This means to ensure you have a train seat or a hotel room in August you should make reservations NOW.

Second, you will want to be mindful of specials. Cruises, for example, have been dropping in price over the last few years, and German River Cruises are in line with the trend. It is becoming more and more affordable to do a Rhine Valley cruise, and this year the falling euro and the cruise ships specials make a German cruise a great value.

Third, you should be aware that you will be facing stiff competition from locals. Germans took 86.6 million domestic trips in 2009, which was up 2% from 2008 and is expected to go up again in 2010. Yes, we love to travel and we love our own country, so expect festivals, trails, and scenic spots to be well populated with natives as you travel.

Fourth, you will want to be mindful of the most popular travel destinations. If you want to avoid crowds, stay away from Bavaria and Lower Saxony, Germany’s most visited areas. You will be able to find more space for reflection and perhaps more open hotel rooms in other regions.

Finally, be sure to check low cost airfares. Discount air travel has been rising in Germany, and now accounts for nearly 40% of all travel. With a robust market, there are multiple carriers serving the German market, and by shopping carefully you can really snatch up some cheap flights.

Happy travels! :-)

—Marcus

Today is not merely the first of April. Today is also April Fool’s Day, so be on guard against pranksters and tricksters roaming around looking for gullible types. April Fool’s Day is quite popular throughout Germany, so you can’t relax anywhere!

Part of the reason that April Fool’s Day is so popular in Germany is that according to some, the holiday originated here. However, there are multiple stories about its birth.

One of the oldest stories traces the holiday back to Augsburg in 1530. There, a group of lawmakers was supposed to be meeting on April 1st to discuss a number of financial projects. However, the meeting didn’t happen. As a result, many speculators lost money, earning them the title of “April Fools.”

According to another story, April Fool’s Day was started in Darmstadt by Gabriel Hoffman. No one is sure of his motivation, but there is no doubt that the holiday has certainly caught on around the country.

You can’t even trust the news on April 1st. Many of the national and local papers put out a special April Fool’s Day edition. This has caused some international sensations as multi-national syndicates pick up the stories without realizing they’re fake.

Some of the 2009 national hoaxes included the announcement of women’s only parking spaces, magnetic towing on BMW cars, and the banning of lederhosen sales.

For 2010, the pranks are anyone’s guess. . . keep your eyes and ears open! ;-)

To see some of the great April Fool’s Day hoaxes from Germany’s history, you can look at the archives at the Museum of Hoaxes. Also, don’t be shy about sharing the hoaxes you think should have been included in the list!

Traditionally, pranks are supposed to be played before noon, although the national pranks tend to go on all day or even for a couple of days.

However long your April Fool’s Day experience lasts, enjoy!

—Marcus

Combining speed, elegance, and the latest innovations from German engineering geniuses, driving a German car is a real pleasure.

You can take that pleasure to the next level by making a trip to one of the test tracks in Germany. For those who love speed, the Porsche test track is a must-visit destination. The company builds nearly 200 cars each year for premium racing events, and their test track is where the rubber meets the road–literally!

Located in Leipzig, the test track event package includes a tour of the factory grounds and the chance to take the latest models out for a spin with a professional co-pilot. The on-road track is FIA certified, and there is an off-road track experience available as well, complete with hills, canals, and mud pits.

Currently, the event package features the Cayenne, Boxster, Cayman, 911, 911 Turbo or Panamera models for test driving on-road, and the Cayenne for driving the off-road track. The Panamera isn’t available in the North American market, so if you’re interested you have to come and see it in its native environment.

The co-pilots come from the BMW Driver Training facilities in Munich, so you are in good hands for coaching as you take the wheel.

Pushing the top speeds, doing spins, and shalom racing are all encouraged. You can even do skid pad slides and re-enact driving stunts seen in popular commercials.

The overall cost of the experience is less that you might imagine for hours on a top track and coaching from world class drivers. Four hours with some of the best cars in the world will cost between €650 and €940 (approximately between US$910 and US$1,316), with expansion packages available and group events also on offer.

It will certainly be a one-in-a-lifetime experience — don’t you think? :-)

—Marcus

If you are up to an exceptional dose of culture, you will want to head to the Black Forest town of Gernsbach this next week. Each year just before Easter, the town hosts one of Europe’s premier puppet festivals.

The Gernsbacher Puppentheaterwoche (Gernsbach Puppet Theater Week) attracts the top puppeteers from Germany and Austria. For one week straight they stage performances for adults and children. Some are light-hearted and funny, while others are darker artistic pieces.

No matter the subject, the visual experience is superb. Many of the puppets are made by hand especially for the event. With intricate costumes and sets, the stories really come to life in ways that can make you forget there are any human performers involved!

For 2010, there will be more than 14 puppet performances. Some will be traditional stories for children, while others, like Caravaggio, are original works design specifically for the festival. There are performances each day of the festival, which is being held March 20 – 27 this year.

Even if you can’t make a performance, you will still want to head to Gernsbach for the workshops and exhibitions. You can see museum displays of historical puppets made in Germany at both the town hall and the main library.

If you’ve ever thought of trying your own hand at being a puppet master, then you will want to attend some of the workshops. There are workshops for children’s entertainment, but there are also in-depth teaching events for those with an interest in being on stage.

Tickets for the day and evening shows are available from the town culture and tourist office at +49-7224-644-44 or by email through touristinfo@gernsbach.de.

It’s a novel festival with a lot of culture packed into just seven short days, so try to find at least one day where you can visit!

—Marcus

You’ll get the best exchange rates on your travels when paying with your plastic card(s). However, if you’ve got some cash to exchange I always recommend doing this at the airport as I found the most reasonable exchange rates there (rather than at a local bank).

However, do check out the various exchange desks available at the airport and do NOT stop your journey at the very first!

Short ‘n sweet, here’s my experience from last weekend, on which we exchanged R$ 370 (three-hundred seventy Brazilian Reais) into euros:

Currency Exchange Counter #1 (I don’t recall their name): € 97
Course: 3.81

Currency Exchange Counter #2 — Reise-Bank: € 117
Course: 3.16

Currency Exchange Counter #3 — Euro Change: € 130
Course: 2.85

See? Noticeable differences! The third desk gave us 33 euros more than the first one.

So make sure you ask at least three. They’re usually pretty close to each other, by the way. ;-)

—Marcus

This time the news comes in the form of a special lifestyle feature out of Amsterdam. The piece focuses in on artists and other creative types who are leaving their homes to move to a new creative capital — Berlin.

Berlin has served as a creative capital of Europe before, and insiders know that the museums, theaters, and concerts are second to none.

In this time of economic uncertainty, however, Berlin’s numerous cultural charms are being seconded by the financial realities.

Berlin is cheap.

Don’t scoff! Compared to many other cities in Europe, the cost of living in Berlin is surprisingly low. Artists and others who make their living in creative fields can find reasonably priced homes and apartments throughout the capital. The stable real estate market in Germany helps keep prices from fluctuating wildly, making it easy for artistic types to survive and thrive in the capital.

Another factor in many artists decision to move to the city is the overall economy in Germany. Unlike other countries in Europe, Germany’s economy is strong and stable. Both the government and the average person have money to spend on artistic items, such as museum visits, tickets to performances, paintings, sculpture, or other things for the home.

Though many people want to believe in art for art’s sake, the truth is that artists need a market of buyers in order to survive, and in Germany that market is vibrant!

Though other places in Europe may be crying over their lost artists, Berlin is happy to see new arrivals and support their work. With a low cost of living, strong market for artistic goods, and strong arts culture, it is no wonder artists favor Berlin over other European capitals.

Naturally, what is good for artists is also good for anyone interested in living in Berlin. Even visitors will benefit from all the new artistic activity coming to the capital, so be sure to save a few days for Berlin in your next vacation! ;-)

—Marcus

For me, it has certainly been enjoyable to see Germany’s shining performance in the Winter Olympic games again. True, Germany has traditionally done well at winter sports, thanks to our honorable attitude, many mountain ranges, excellent skiing opportunities, and the exemplary national support, but we were not always a medals leader.

During these games, however, German athletes certainly seemed to be going for the win again. You can see from our final standings just how well we did in the overall medals count. In both team and individual sports, Germany’s Olympic champions gave their all to earn recognition for their event and their country.

Besides, in the all time Winter Olympics medals count we are, with 358 medals thereunder 128 gold medals, a convincing number one. :-)

Germany’s strong showing at the 2010 games has broader implications than just enhancing our national pride. I don’t know if you’ve heard, but we have an upcoming bid to host the 2018 Winter Olympics. Munich has put in an official bid for the games, with the theme Die Spiele im Herzen, meaning “The Games in the Heart.”

If Munich wins the bid for the 2018 Winter Olympics, it would become the first location in the world to have hosted both the Summer and the Winter Games. It would also be the first Olympic Games hosted in Germany since the reunification, which would be meaningful for many Germans.

The bid has an environmentally conscious bent, promoting the use of existing winter sports facilities near Munich, like the ski jump courses at Garmisch-Partenkirchen and the bobsled, luge, and skeleton tracks at Schönau am Königssee in the kingly Berchtesgadener Land. It is also being promoted by Katarina Witt, one of Germany’s most famous (and gorgeous ;-) Winter Olympic champions.

By doing so well in the 2010 Winter Games, Germany enhances its chances of getting the bid for the 2018 Olympics. Our strong performance testifies to the high quality of our training sites and competition grounds as well as exemplifying our commitment to sports excellence.

Keep your fingers crossed that we win the bid, and I’ll save you a seat next to me at the 2018 Winter Olympic games! :-)

—Marcus

As an example of this in action, you need look no further than the way solar power is used to solve transportation issues in Germany. It goes far beyond simply installing solar powered roadside lights and road signs. Instead, we Germans use solar power to run some of our largest and most notable ferries.

In Hamburg, for example, the solar powered shuttle has been operating since 2000. It can move up to 120 people across the river at speeds of up to 15 km/hr. The sleek needle shape is 42 meters long, and has a pontoon style layout with bench seating.

Many people compare it to the famous Serpentine shuttle in Hyde Park, completely unaware that the 14.5 meter British ferry is a miniature of the Hamburg model constructed by Christoph Behling!

Further south, a catamaran style solar shuttle operates on Lake Constance. With a spiraled translucent top, you can enjoy the beautiful shorelines of the lake as you make your transfers between Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Although the shuttle holds up to 60 people, with the clear sides you will feel as though you are floating alone on the water, and be able to get some stunning photographs.

These are just a few of the green innovations in use in Germany as solutions to the pollution many public transportation systems cause. Thus, when you explore Germany using public transport, you get the satisfaction of supporting some of the world’s most cutting-edge installations of solar power. :-)

—Marcus

However, if you are without a date for Valentine’s Day it can be a little depressing. Fortunately, there are many ways to meet single people in Germany. One method that is growing in popularity in Germany is online dating.

There are several different types of online dating sites in Germany. The biggest four German dating sites, based on paid membership models, are listed below. You can register for free and browse listings, but you need to pay a subscription to actually talk and/or connect with dates:

1. FriendScout24
2. iLove.de
3. Neu.de
4. Parship.de

Neu.de is also good for listings across Europe and around the world, as it is affiliated with Meetic, a global dating network.

If your budget is tight, you can also try some of the popular free sites. Two popular free German dating sites are Freenet Singles, and Single.de. You can meet good, interesting people on the free sites, but you will need to have more patience than with the paid German dating sites as you will find there are more ads, junk, and poor matches to look through.

There is also one up and coming site for dating German academics, which is ElitePartner. They promise fast matches based on a scientific matching system, though I haven’t tried this for myself yet.

I have personally tried many of the other sites — after all, I met my wife online! ;-) So I can tell you truly that you can meet a wonderful date for Valentine’s Day in Germany by registering with the German dating site of your choice. Millions of my single countrymen (and women!) are waiting to meet you. And rest assured that your soul mate DOES exist!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

—Marcus

German bread is famous around the world for its flavor and texture, but did you know that there are more than 200 recognized varieties?

Pumpernickel is the most famous internationally, but there is so much more to German bread! Experimenting with flavors and textures will let you move beyond the basic loaf and explore other mouthwatering options in every category.

Weißbrot is the basic white bread, although most Germans prefer the more nutritive darker breads. Weißbrot is often used for rolls, like the popular Käsesemmel, which is baked with cheese on top.

Graubrot, while literally meaning gray bread, refers to the bread that are neither black nor white. Sourdough and rye breads fall into this category, as do the delicious sunflower seed (Sonnenblumenkernbrot) and pumpkin seed (Kürbiskernbrot) breads.

Schwarzbrot is the black bread that has made German bakeries famous. It generally has a 90% rye content with a hard crust hiding a dense, moist center. The super grainy Vollkornbrot is a part of this group, as is the renowned Pumpernickel.

Eat your bread with cheeses, creamy spreads, and sliced meats. A mild cheese with small holes is very popular to go with the bread, as is Hüttenkäse, a seasoned cottage cheese. For using jams many foreigners toast it, although the chewy bread really doesn’t need it.

To learn more about German bread, its history, and its role in daily life in Germany, you can even visit a museum dedicated to bread in Ulm. The Museum of Bread Culture covers 6,000 years of the history of bread. Opened 10 am – 5 pm daily and until 8:30 pm on Wednesdays, it has 18,000 works related to bread in its collection.

It is also conveniently located near some cafes where you can snack after you’ve worked up a bread craving looking at the displays ;-)

—Marcus

Zehnseiten was created by five friends from Munich while they were out having drinks.

I know that many people dismiss German beer hall culture as simple drunkenness, but the truth is that while we are drinking we Germans discuss everything. Literature, art, science, politics . . . there is no better way to really work through an idea than with your friends and some good German beer by your side. :-)

In this case, the discussion was pointing out that when you go to a book reading by an author, you are usually very familiar with their work. However, due to work schedules or unfamiliarity with the format, many people never go to book readings. This is unfortunate, because there is no better way to really connect with a writer and their work.

To solve this problem, the friends arranged for German and international writers to read ten pages from their newest novel aloud. The format is simple. The authors are presented in black and white, sitting at a table and looking straight at the camera. You get to see them as well as hear them read you their favorite sections of their latest work.

The recordings are available through an iPhone application as well, so you can take your favorite readings with you. Shorter recordings are about ten minutes, while some of the longest videos are thirty minutes in length.

Presently, Paul Beatty, Norbert Niemann, Tim Parks, Thomas Meinecke, George M. Oswald, Stephanie Geiger, and Andreas Neumeister are among the authors featured. New recordings are added weekly.

I’ve already found several new authors to enjoy through Zehnseiten, as well as gotten to see some of my favorite writers read aloud.

There are select recordings in English, but most of them are in German. So why not practice your German listening skills while discovering some truly interesting writers? :-)

—Marcus

This year recognition of Germany’s charms comes from the 2010 International Living Quality of Life Index.

International Living itself is based out of France, Ireland, and the US, and publishes a monthly magazine and that caters to expats.

Every January, International Living scores 194 countries across nine categories to determine which countries offer the best values and lifestyle benefits to residents. The categories are Cost of Living, Culture and Leisure, Economy, Environment, Freedom, Health, Infrastructure, Safety and Risk, and Climate.

The data for scoring each of these categories comes from the World Health Organization, United Nations reports, The Economist, and government websites. By using third party reports, International Living hopes to avoid bias and present the most accurate picture of the experience a new resident would have in the country.

In 2009, Germany was not even in the top 10 for places to live. This year, as the economic climate around the world has shifted and safety issues have changed, Germany has gained ground in several categories. Average earnings for workers have stayed up, the infrastructure continues to be excellent, and health services still provide remarkable care.

In awarding Germany the number 4 spot in the top 10 best places to live, International Living also cited the reasonable cost of real estate and rentals around Germany. You can rent beautifully appointed apartments in all regions for much less than in neighboring countries and buying real estate is also affordable as Germany was spared the housing bubble that plagued much of the rest of the world.

As ever, you know it is my opinion that there really is no place in the world quite like Germany. France, Australia, and Switzerland may have ranked higher on the list this year, but Germany is moving up! :-)

With this new recognition, it is just one more reason for you to give Germany a try.

—Marcus

Of course, we Germans are hardly going hungry. In fact, we do quite well with our German food. Our secret? It’s our four meals a day. ;-)

Breakfast is known as Frühstück, and traditionally served cold on a specially carved board. Often this is shaped like an animal, and these boards are usually bought from local artisans in the town markets. A typical German breakfast consists of bread (of course!) with cheese, yogurt, fruits, a boiled egg, or muesli. Coffee, milk or tea is more common than juice.

Lunch is the main meal of the day, and we take the Mittagessen very seriously. Eaten between noon and 2 pm, it usually consists of soup or salad followed by a main course and a light dessert of custard, fruit salad, or ice cream. Drink whatever you like with lunch, including alcoholic beverages, but save a bit of thirst for the strong coffee that traditionally closes the meal.

Later in the afternoon, it is time for the third meal, Kaffee und Kuchen. This is a sit down affair with coffee or tea and pastries. Eaten between 3 – 5 pm, all the rich cakes and cookies others might think of as desserts we take care to consume at our leisure well before the evening meal.

The final meal of the day is generally eaten at around 7 pm. Known as Abendessen (or Vesper in the south-west), it is traditionally a cold meal of bread, cheese, and meats eaten at home. Modern families having been shifting it to a large, hot meal as more and more German parents work.

Evening meals in restaurants, of course, will be hot, with multiple courses and large portions. After dinner liqueurs are common, or there is always to option of a little espresso to counteract the effects of a heavy meal.

As you can see, although we don’t have the same dining traditions as other countries, we Germans are certainly not starving. ;-)

Guten Appetit!

—Marcus

If getting to your job every day equals getting through a mass amount of snow (and, eventually, passing transverse trucks) you may feel overwhelmed and stressed at times. Same holds true if you simply don’t like coldness.

For others, however, it can be very pleasing and relaxing walking through snow and experiencing true German winter — including its coldness it provides in 2009/2010.

Note: That (below) is not a piece of cake (click to enlarge)… ;-)

Balcony in German Winter, Berlin 2010

And these bike seats below are not that high in summer… ;-)

Bikes in German Winter, Berlin 2010

The kids like it, too… :-)

Berlin Winter with Kids, 2010

Here’s the Berlin Reichstag…

Berlin Reichstag in Winter, 2010

And, finally, the majestic Brandenburg Gate (again, click on it to see the large version)…

Brandenburg Gate in Winter, 2010

Hope you have a chance to enjoy the German winter this time.

If you’re still thinking about visiting Germany this winter, don’t delay… it’s incredible this time! Entire Germany is white these days providing us with countless of opportunities to do the things we like to do in pure white snow.

So get on that airplane and… off to Germanyyyyyyyyy!

—Marcus

While other countries might have just one or two of these sites, Germany has 33 (!) stunning world heritage sites, with new sites being added regularly.

As you look into the year ahead and your travels in Germany, why not plan to visit some of the 33 locations listed below? I’ve included all of them with the date they became a recognized site, as it’s an excellent New Year’s Resolution to try and see each one! ;-)

1. Aachen Cathedral in Aachen — 1978
2. Speyer Cathedral in Speyer — 1981
3. Würzburg Residence in Würzburg, with the Court Gardens and Residence Square — 1981
4. Pilgrimage Church of Wies in Steingaden — 1983
5. Castles of Augustusburg and Falkenlust in Brühl — 1984
6. St. Mary’s Cathedral and St. Michael’s Church at Hildesheim — 1985
7. Roman monuments, Cathedral of St Peter and Church of Our Lady in Trier, Germany’s oldest city — 1986
8. Hanseatic City of Lübeck — 1987
9. Palaces and Parks of Potsdam and Berlin (including Schloß Sanssouci) — 1990, 1992, 1999
10. Abbey and Altenmünster of Lorsch (in the Bergstraße district — 1991
11. Mines of Rammelsberg and Historic Town of Goslar — 1992
12. Town of Bamberg — 1993
13. Maulbronn Monastery Complex — 1993
14. Collegiate Church, Castle and Old Town of Quedlinburg — 1994
15. Ironworks in Völklingen — 1994
16. Messel Pit Fossil site — 1995
17. Bauhaus and its sites in Weimar and Dessau — 1996
18. Cologne Cathedral — 1996
19. Luther Memorials in Eisleben and Wittenberg — 1996
20. Classical Weimar — 1998
21. Museum Island (Museumsinsel), Berlin — 1999
22. Wartburg Castle overlooking Eisenach — 1999
23. Garden Kingdom of Dessau-Wörlitz — 2000
24. Monastic Island of Reichenau — 2000
25. Zeche Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex in Essen — 2001
26. Historic Centers of Stralsund and Wismar — 2002
27. Upper Middle Rhine Valley, the Rhine Gorge — 2002
28. Town Hall and Roland on the Marketplace of Bremen — 2004
29. Muskauer Park in Weißwasser on both sides of the Neisse River — 2004
30. Frontiers of the Roman Empire: Upper German & Rhaetian Limes — 2005
31. Old Town of Regensburg with Stadtamhof — 2006
32. Modernist Housing Estates in Berlin — 2008
33. Wadden Sea in Schleswig-Holstein — 2009

Now the decision of which ones to pick…

—Marcus

Like most of the other peoples of the world, this morning finds Germans waking up a bit worn out from the night before. Even if you only stayed home and watched Dinner For One, our traditional New Year’s Eve programming here in Germany, it is easy to be tired by setting the work of the old year aside.

For those of us who went out for a St. Silvester’s party or attended a fireworks show, well, thank goodness for coffee! ;-)

Of course, New Year’s Day is not all about recovering from New Year’s Eve. This is also the traditional day in Germany to say Thank You to the people who have served you throughout the past year. Small gifts for business partners, the newspaper delivery boy, your grocer, or the doorman at your building are customarily given on this day.

Many people also set their Neujahrsvorsätze, or New Year’s Resolutions. These are popular in Germany although not quite as institutionalized as a practice like they are in the U.S. or Great Britain.

Still, setting goals or making wishes for the year ahead is much talked about here, even if we know that the majority has no intention of following through on resolutions to eat right, lose weight, or give up one’s favorite time wasting hobbies ;-)

As for me, my Neujahrsvorsätze for MyGermanCity.com is to keep developing this site into an entertaining and informative portal for all things related to Germany.

In the year ahead, you will see more webcams, maps, and finally the photo galleries to give you an even closer look at what’s going on “now and then” in Germany. Also look forward for more developments of the Community area (whose gates will hopefully opened in 2010).

Until then, however, enjoy this day and the things here now. Make some Neujahrsvorsätze of your own regarding Germany, research them on MyGermanCity.com, and, of course, let me know what you miss.

I look forward to hearing from you as you achieve your resolutions.

All the best for you and yours,
Marcus

Here in Germany the snow is on the ground, making the white lights of the German Christmas Markets really twinkle and shine. I luckily and gratefully enjoyed them in person here in Berlin, by the way.

Of course, on Christmas Day we will all be together for a big meal and the exchanging of presents. The day after Christmas I’ll be around visiting close friends and other family members. I traveled a lot this year, so I have a bunch of stories to share and people to catch up with before the year is through.

Wherever you are, I wanted to take a few minutes this day to wish you the very best of the holiday season. Whether you will be celebrating Christmas in Germany or another corner of the world, I want you to feel the warmth of the German holiday season. Even for those who celebrate for purely secular reasons, it is a truly magical time of the year.

There are carolers and live music performances all over the country. Some of the carols that are shared I’ve collected here so that you can listen as well (links open in a new window):

• Stille Nacht (The famous Silent Night)
• Herbei, o ihr Gläubigen (O Come All Ye Faithful)
• Lasst uns froh und munter sein (Let Us Be Happy And Cheerful)
• Am Weihnachtsbaum die Lichter brennen (On The Christmas Tree The Lights Are Burning)

You may be able to catch some of these performances live, of course, via the webcams that are over the Christmas markets. I don’t have webcams for every town in Germany yet, but several of the bigger markets are covered, with more added all the time (including you, thank you!).

You can watch the markets via webcams in Dresden, Munich, and Berlin from several different parts of the city.

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas!

—Marcus

Hugging trees for good luck is just one of many traditions that are celebrated around Thomasnacht (this very night from December 20th to 21st), which usually coincides with the Winter Solstice.

Another tradition is baking Kletzenbrot, which is a kind of fruit cake with lots of dried pears and raisins. Unmarried women can also toss shoes over their shoulders, and if the toes land pointing out, they will marry in the next year, as Thomasnacht is supposed to be a good night for predicting the future.

Of course, you don’t have to stay in trying to guess what’s going to happen to you in the year ahead. Instead, you can go out and have a good time at one of the Thomasnacht parties being held around Germany. Rüdesheim am Rhein plays host to a particularly well-developed party for this special day.

The Rüdesheim town association puts on the Thomasnacht party, which includes special drinks, pageants, and presentations. Locals dress in historical costumes and reenact scenes from the town’s history, while performers do street theater based on tales from the Brothers Grimm. There is even a special cruise down the Rhine with live classical music.

While the occasion is certainly festive, community events like these also serve as a way to get more people to come out to the Christmas markets. Since most of the shops close up on the 24th for the season, Thomasnacht also serves as a last hurrah for gift buyers and those looking to get souvenirs from the markets (including me ;-).

Thus, whether you just want a night out or you are trying to pick up a bit of good luck by hugging a tree, don’t neglect to take advantage of the peaking of the festive spirits around Thomasnacht! ;-)

—Marcus

Understanding how to recycle in Germany is something locals have learned over time. We separate our trash instinctively and enthusiastically.

There are even reports of German soldiers in Afghanistan habitually separating their waste, despite the lack of a formal system.

It’s simply the German way. ;-)

How The German Recycling System Works

For newcomers, recycling in Germany takes a bit of getting used to!

To begin, unlike many other developed nations, Germany doesn’t have one single recycling bin. Typically, there are at least four bins. Each color manages a different kind of waste, and the bins are supplemented by other collection programs for glass, batteries, and miscellaneous goods.

Brown Bins

Brown bins are for biological waste. This includes kitchen scraps and garden clippings. Other items that go in the brown bin are coffee filters, tea bags (without the paper tag), feathers, sawdust, and hair.

Blue Bins

Blue bins are for paper and cardboard. In some ways, this is the easiest one! All of your papers, boxes, tea tags, and magazines go here, although you should remember to flatten boxes first and to throw in dry paper only.

Yellow Bins

Yellow bins are for plastics and metals — often also represented by the Der grüne Punkt sign (a round circle with two arrows pointing to each other). Plastic wrap, food cans, yogurt cups, shopping bags, and soap bottles go here.

They do ask that you rinse items before putting them into this bin (remember my “enthusiastically” note in the first paragraph? ;-).

Gray Bins

Gray bins are for household waste a.k.a. Restmüll. Light bulbs (the old models), diapers, tissues, cigarette butts, and photographs are some of the things that go here. Also these items are burned when collected.

Glass and Batteries

Glass bottles and batteries are recycled publicly. You will see large bins for glass recycling in most public places. It is separated by color, always.

Batteries are collected at supermarkets and shopping malls.

Sperrmüll

In Germany, we also have Sperrmüll, which refers to miscellaneous items. Typically, Sperrmüll days will be announced as a time when municipal trucks will come around for all of the other things you want to have thrown away, like broken furniture, old lamps, or sofas. You place it on the curb outside of your house.

Sounds like it is heading for the landfill, right? Wrong! Second-hand goods dealers, junk collectors, and enterprising locals often collect the Sperrmüll long before anyone from the city arrives to get it. No sense letting something that can be used again be thrown away by your neighbors! ;-)

—Marcus