According to the tradition, if it’s a cloudy day and the groundhog doesn’t see its shadow, then that means winter will soon come to an end. But if it’s sunny and the animal glimpses its shadow, it signifies another six weeks of winter.

The biggest celebration takes place in the town of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania in the United States and its famous little critter Punxsutawney Phil (made famous in the Bill Murray movie about the holiday, called simply Groundhog’s Day).

However, most people don’t realize that this North American holiday has roots that can be traced right back to Germany! This annual tradition derives from the medieval holiday of Candelmas. As the old German saying goes…

Ist’s zu Lichtmess mild und rein
wirds ein langer Winter sein.

That is, “If Candlemas is mild and pure, winter will be long for sure.”

So what, exactly, is Candelmas?

This takes us to a famous story about the young Jesus Christ from the Christian Bible. Candelmas is when the baby Jesus made his first public appearance, at a temple forty days after his birth. Prophecies were made about the young boy and how he would one day redeem the nation of Israel.

But how did this religious festival celebrating the Virgin Mary’s purification following child birth lead to furry rats predicting the weather?

The answer is all about timing.

First, when the ancient Romans established Christmas as December 25, Candelmas logically fell forty days later, on February 2. Just as Christmas was changed by the Romans to coincide with the pagan festival of Saturnalia, Candelmas also fell at the time of an important Gaelic holiday, Imbolc.

This day is also called Saint Brigid’s day for the goddess-turned-saint. She walks the earth and leaves signs of her presence. She is responsible for bringing the light of summer to the darkness of winter.

So her holiday marked the beginning of spring in medieval Ireland. Imbolc traditions included watching nature for signs of an early spring. Participants might go the fields and look for snakes or badgers that had come out of hibernation.

So, this springtime holiday of weather prognostication eventually found its way to America, courtesy of the Pennsylvania Germans.

While they may have been searching for the more traditional harbingers of springtime, which in Europe was the badger or even a bear, they apparently made do with the small creature that now gives its name to this most unusual holiday, the Groundhog.

Let me see if I can make sense out of this — since you have to go all the way back to May 8, 1945. At the end of World War II, Germany was carved up into pieces by the Allies — the United States being one of them.

To this very day American military presences are still maintained in Germany, albeit not in the regard they once did back in the late 1940′s. And thanks to the U.S. Government trying to “cut the fat” from its budget during its war in Iraq and Afghanistan, they’re about to reduce their presences in two of their stations.

For most people, these two are pretty hard to find or guess (that is, if you’re not in the military). Let’s see…

Ever heard of the town of Grafenwöhr? What about Baumholder, anyone?

See? Too bad, they’re pretty awesome — and Elvis Presley was stationed in Grafenwöhr when he was there.

Yes, I’m aware that nothing is written in stone yet, but since three-quarters of the country’s brigades are stationed in Germany, someone’s got to go.

A German/American alliance is nothing new, BTW. It were the Prussians who helped a newly formed United States of America during the American Revolution in the late 18th century against the Brits.

The thank-you letter to Prussian officer, Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben, from George Washington over at Hohenzollern Castle kind of says it all, BTW.

Oh yeah, speaking of the Brits, we’re grateful for their presence too. But, they too are pulling out some of their troops over the next few years; and will be totally gone by the end of this decade.

Throughout the decades we’ve suffered together, prospered together, and grown united together. So, it is only fitting that we Germans extend a heart-felt THANK YOU to our British and American friends — whether serving now, or in the past.

I know that many of you fell in love with Germany, our culture, and the peaceful live you enjoyed here. Well, it is peaceful because of YOU!

As progressive as we Germans are, I’m sure we seem a bit foreign to the average traveler. So, I’ll help you figure out the simple nuances of eating like a German — even if you’re not eating traditional German cuisine.

Your first test is when you arrive at the eatery. You’re going to have to find your own seat (exceptions apply). Second, it’s not unheard of some stranger to come sit with you if the restaurant’s crowded — it’s an efficient use of space.

Don’t worry about making small talk — that’s definitely not the German way. Just eat your food and be on your merry way.

Next, see that basket of bread on the table? First rule of Economics applies here — no such thing as a free Mittagessen (that’s lunch in German), so chances are you’ll have to pay for what you ate. Just ask if you’re not sure.

You’ll even pay for condiments (ketchup, mustard, etc.) in fast-food joints. Although traditional fast-food in Germany is the Döner Kebap (served in a pita) — and never once have I seen ketchup on it. So eat that — and you’ll be fine.

All right, your food’s arrived, now what? Um, good manners say that you don’t eat until everyone has their food. Also, eating with your fingers — use forks & knives to eat pizza, will you?

It’s not bad form to eat “American-style” (that’s with the fork in your right hand, cutting with the right while switching the fork to the left) — it’s just not the most efficient way to eat.

And we know how much that makes a Kraut crazy, right? ;-)

Want to see a German get really indignant? Ask for a glass of tap water with or before your meal. You’d think you had just sprouted a third eye and a turned purple. Actually, I think that would garner less of a reaction. Do yourself a favor, if you want water drink Mineralwasser (sparkling water like Pellegrino or Perrier).

You’re fed. You’ve got your drink. Now it’s time to pay the bill. I sure hope you’ve asked if the restaurant took plastic beforehand. That’s right, even the best restaurants don’t always take your Master, Visa, or AMEX card.

And, never, never, never, leave your tip on the table for your server. It’s customary to round up your bill (usually 5-10%), telling your waitress or waiter what you’ll pay, then give it to them.

Just don’t ask ‘em to wrap up your leftovers in a Doggy-bag. That’s almost as bad as asking for that tap water. ;-)

Germany (or the land that IS Germany) has been around a very long time, and many places have seen the likes of Stone, Bronze, and Iron Age man (and woman), Celts, and Romans — each bringing their own aura of mystery to the land.

So, in honor of the Beatles — welcome to my Magical Mystery Tour.

Barbarossahöhle (Barbarossa Cave)
This vast network of caves northwest of Bad Frankenhausen in Thuringia has seen all sorts of ancient rituals and offerings from salt to hair, including human dating to around 3,000 years ago.

ISIS Temple & Mater Magna
Only discovered in 2000 (quite by accident) in Mainz, this Egyptian Goddess’ temple and one to the Great Mother was favored by Roman soldiers as late as the 3rd century A.D. Artifacts found have included everything from lamps to fruit (wow, talk about preservation).

Ohlsdorf Cemetery
While not a Roman or Celtic site, the Ohlsdorf Cemetery in the Ohlsdorf district of Hamburg is the final resting place for more than a million people (mostly the who’s who of Hamburg). It has 12 chapels, six memorials, museums, an area for World War I soldiers, and 17km of roads.

Mt. Untersdorf
Close to Berchtesgaden, there are more then 400 caves within the area of Mt. Untersdorf. One legend tells of the end of the world from here. It’s said to have haunted spirits, and even the Dalai Lama himself noticed the magical aura of the place.

Mühlhausen
In the town of Mühlhausen in Thuringia you’ll see a reconstructed Germanic Tribe village on the site of pagan sacrifices dating to the 6th century B.C. Want to learn more? Check out their website at www.opfermoor.de.

Witches Dancing Ground (Hexentanzplatz)
Yes, the Hexentanzplatz is a real place in the rustic Harz Mountains, near the town of Thale. The legend says that witches left from the spot before heading to Mt. Brocken to wed the Devil. Today you’ll find plenty of men, women, and children just having a good time.

Exernsteine
Found in Horn-Bad Meinberg in the Teutoburg Forest are the so-called Exernsteine — 13 pillars made from rock standing over 37-meters tall. It’s also where artifacts dating to 10,000 B.C. have been found.

I’m pretty sure I’ve missed about a gazillion other mystical places in Germany — so feel free to add any you know to the list. Then it’ll be OUR Magical Mystery Tour. ;-)

What makes 2012 so remarkable is that this year’s highlight is music, so many events and programs have taken this into account.

The year of music kicked off just right in Erfurt where the new year’s events started with a choir concert at St. Thomas’ Church.

It’s all right if you missed it (lucky if you got to go). Here’s a listing of other events for the rest of the year so you don’t miss anymore.

In Eisenach at the Bach House there’s a special exhibit on the Book of Songs from Feb 25–Nov 11. Not running quite as long, the Thuringian Bach Weeks (March 30–April 22) is one of the largest music festivals in the country — special church services will also be taking place throughout the month.

Also in Eisenach there’s a grand birthday celebration for Martin’s 528th birthday on November 10. Oh sorry, I jumped ahead there. ;-)

For almost a full year at the Wartburg Castle (May 4, 2012–March 31, 2013) all sorts of exhibitions are going on where Luther translated the New Testament into German. The room in which he accomplished this task looks pretty much like it did 500 years ago.

October 31 marks Reformation Day (Reformationstag) and celebrate with the Reformation Festival. There will be plenty of special services throughout Thuringia on the day that Luther nailed his 95 Theses on the church door; an event that started a revolution.

From November 29,2012 to January 30, 2013 at the Heinrich-Schütz-Haus in Bad Köstritz you’ll be treated to a special exhibit on Martin Luther and Christmas.

Stay tuned. I’ll certainly keep you updated for the upcoming 2013 Reformation & Tolerance, the 2014 Reformation & Politics, and the 2015 Reformation Art & the Bible yearly events. Sounds fantastic, doesn’t it? :-)

No need to look like a tourist if you don’t have to. ;-)

Epiphany (Dreikönigstag) Jan 6
Known as Little Christmas, and where you’ll see children singing carols. Everyone’s welcome to eat some Dreikönigskuchen — but it’s supposed to be good luck to whomever eats the lucky object inside.

Candlemas (Mariä Lichtmess) Feb 2
Folks from the U.S. know it as Groundhog Day, but us Germans know this day falls right between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. Celebrated exactly 40 days after Christmas, it’s all about the light. That’s why candle blessings are traditionally done.

Carnival (Karneval/Fasching) Feb/Mar
Here’s where things get tricky. The Carnival Season really kicks off on November 11th at 11:11 in the city of Cologne (and the Rhineland) — except during Advent and Christmas. Traditionally, everyone associates the lead-up to the Lenten season within a week of Ash Wednesday (40 days before Easter).

If you’re in the Catholic regions of Germany (generally the South & West of the country), you’re more for partying in a masquerade style parade festival (with lots of drinking); while the Protestant (North & East) are known for a more subdued affair eating Berliners (donuts) and other sweet treats.

Good Friday/Easter (Karfreitag/Ostern) Mar/Apr
Good Friday is a solemn affair in Germany, often without any public performances or even church bells ringing in the town squares. Most people are off work or school at this time (and traditionally not eating any meat but fish), and only true touristy places are even open.

Holy Saturday (the day before Easter) is a lively event (compared to the relative quiet the day before) with Easter bonfires and Easter Markets taking place. Easter Sunday (Ostersonntag) and Easter Monday (Ostermontag) are even more festive, with folks heading off to church and eating a hearty lamb dinner, and presenting kids with the play of searching Easter eggs and gifts (in the garden, living room, etc.).

Walpurgis Night/May Day (Walpurgisnacht/Mayfeiertag) April 30/May 1
Walpurgis Night is said to be the day that witches wait for Spring — but you’ll find plenty of Germans just dancing their hearts out by the bonfires. Hmm, maybe this is why the traditional saying is “Tanz in den Mai,” or Dance into May!

Assumption Day (Mariä Himmelfahrt) Aug 15
Technically this mid-August date isn’t a “public” holiday (except Bavaria and the Saarland), but it’s common for people to head to church AND pick herbs out in the gardens.

Reformation Day (Reformationstag) Oct 31
Sure, it’s Halloween — but it’s also a special date on the Lutheran calendar. It’s a public holiday in the federal states of Baden-Württemberg, Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Thuringia, celebrated with the Feast of the Protestant Reformation.

Advent (4 weeks prior to Christmas Day)
Almost every German city, town, village, and hamlet have Advent markets, bazaars, and concerts to ring in the joyous season of Christmas. These Christmas/Advent events are legendary — bringing people from all over the world to experience them.

And certainly a terrific way to end a year of celebrations.

You may want to bookmark this page as our holidays are scheduled to stay. ;-)

Her love of the dance means she doesn’t care where she sees it (New York, Paris, London); all she knows is she wants to go.

So, if you’re like her, and you’re going to be in Hamburg, why not check out this upcoming season’s fantastic ballets? A truly cultured activity for a truly cultured city, if I do say so myself.

Here’s just a few of the ballets playing at the Hamburg Ballet:

Nutcracker (Dec 14, 15, 23 (2 shows), 28, and 29, 2011)

Peter Tchaikovsky will forever be remembered as the composer for this Christmas ballet extravaganza, where a Sugar Plum Fairy and a Nutcracker come to life. Besides Scrooge, this is a Christmas Season must-see. Don’t worry if you don’t make this year’s performances—there’s always next year.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Jan 14, 20; May 16, 18, 19, 27; Jun 20, 2012)

A classic ballet (choreographed by none other than Balanchine himself) based on a classic comedy by William Shakespeare. Graceful is always the best adjective to describe one of the best ballets ever.

Death in Venice (March 6 & 9, 2012)

This isn’t your typical ballet by any stretch of the imagination. It’s based on Thomas Mann’s novella about a writer with writer’s block who heads off to the beach in search of inspiration. What he finds is a boy that captures his… uh, imagination.

A Streetcar Named Desire (April 18, 23, and 27, 2012)

Choreographed by John Neumeier, there’s no Marlon Brando screaming “Stella” in this ballet based on the Tennessee Williams play. Even so, the tragic story of Blanche transcends any media format.

The Little Mermaid (Apr 21, 25, 28, May 9, 12, Jun 22)

John Neumeier does his own adaptation of Danish writer Hans Christian Anderson’s tale. This ain’t no Disney version, that’s for sure. The “underwater” scenes are truly dramatic for us landlubbers.

In case you’re not a fan of ballet, or never seen one before—we do recommend watching Mr. Baryshinikov in White Knights or The Turning Point (with Anne Bancroft and Shirley MacLaine)—it did it for my friend.

And if you’re interested, here’s the calendar of the Hamburg Ballet.

No, I’m not talking about movies shown at the annual Berlin International Film Festival, either. I’m talking about movies that center around a country’s capital.

You’d think that all the movies about Berlin would be about its separation into East and West Berlin during a divided Germany. They weren’t all Cold War spy films, though; and neither were they all about World War II (that’s another blog post, altogether).

I also decided not to add Berlin Express (1948) to this list, because it already made the Top 10 for the best World War II films, ever.

So, here’s my pick for the best flicks taking place in Berlin.

A Foreign Affair

Directed by Billy Wilder, A Foreign Affair stars German actress Marlene Dietrich in this romantic comedy from 1948.

Grand Hotel

There’s still something truly special about this 1932 Academy Award winning film, Grand Hotel, even after 70 years.

Kuhle Wampe

Kuhle Wampe is one of the best films taking place in Berlin that doesn’t have to do with World War II, Cold War intrigue, or anything else—it’s about a family struggling to get by during the Great Depression.

The Big Lift

Sure, The Big Lift is about the Berlin Airlift, but this 1950 film stars Montgomery Clift. Ain’t that enough for you ladies?

Octopussy

James Bond makes his appearance in Berlin during this 1993 flick Octopussy staring Roger Moore as the title character. Sorry, Mr. Sean Connery—Roger was great as the dapper and dashing British spy.

Rosenstrasse

Don’t you just love movies that are total flashbacks? I do; and the Rosenstrasse film takes a look at the Rosenstrasse Protest that took place in Berlin from February to March 1943.

The Bourne Supremacy

Matt Damon plays Jason Bourne in 2004 trying to escape the U.S. Government. I swear it’s not German politics at play in The Bourne Supremacy, my personal top favorite of all ten here. ;-)

Dr. M.

A 1990 whodunit film on a number of deaths that looked like suicides. Yeah, I enjoy a good spy thriller, but I sure like trying to figure out who did it, too.

Valkyrie

Yeah, this 2004 Tom Cruise film had some controversy before and during its making; and although I didn’t add it to the World War II list, it does deserve an honorable mention somewhere.

I bet you were expecting a “Top 10″ list, but I’m leaving it at just nine—this way you can add your favorite.

OK OK, I just thought of another one…

Gotcha!

The 1985 Anthony Edwards film titled Gotcha!; it’s a comedic look into a poor college kid who’s suckered into bringing a package over to East Berlin from a girl he met in Czechoslovakia (it wasn’t nowadays’ Czech Republic back then).

Yeah, make that my 10th pick for the best films of Berlin—you can add number 11, OK?

Words like Medieval, Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and Rococo can easily get thrown around; and without any clear understanding of when these artistic and architectural styles were popular, it can make no sense of what you’re looking at.

I guess we’d all just be standing around some church or castle saying, “Darn, that’s just old.” ;-)

Germany is filled with many towns that were created during the Middle Ages, with defense walls (called Stadtmauern in German), churches, and castles. That’s all part of their charm, isn’t it?

But, did you know that the Middle Ages encompassed a time long before many of the 11th and 12th century churches and castles were built? The period known as medieval started back in the 500s ending around the 16th century.

That’s just about a thousand years.

Too bad not many buildings and sites are still standing from the Early Middle Ages. As the Middle Ages progressed into the 10th (right up to the 13th centuries), the popular architectural style became known as Romanesque.

Gothic architecture and art followed the Romanesque period. This is where you’ll find churches with “flying buttresses,” stained glass windows, and gargoyles adorning many buildings. The Gothic period finally ended as the Renaissance swept through Europe.

Following the enlightenment of the Renaissance, a two hundred year period from the 15th to 17th centuries, the magnificently opulent era of the Baroque and Rococo came to be popular in Germany.

Technically, the Baroque period started in the year 1600, lasting until around 1830; while Rococo was ushered in around 1650, and not lasting as long—ending right before the start of the 19th century.

Ha, which is funny, because the 19th century centered around Neo-Romanesque and Gothic Revival architecture.

I guess it was so popular the first time around, why not do it again?

Throughout the reigning years of the Third Reich, Germany’s Jewish population suffered and many of their buildings were destroyed.

But, I’m here to tell you that Germany’s Jewish population is again on the rise (just over a hundred-thousand people)—and many of the country’s big cities have enough to see if you’re looking for a Jewish Germany.

Let’s start at the capital, shall we?

Berlin

In what was once part of East Berlin you can see the Old Jewish Quarter and the New Synagogue Museum (the synagogue is thought to be one of the most beautiful in the country). Also in Berlin is the German History Museum with an entire Hitler exhibit—and the city is home to the Berggruen Museum, an art museum filled with works donated by a Jewish art collector.

Frankfurt

Frankfurt’s Jewish community lived in a ghetto-like area known as Judengasse from around the mid-15th century. Its West End Synagogue is one of the very few to have survived the anti-Jewish Kristallnacht in November 1938. At the Old Jewish Cemetery you’ll find the names of every Jewish Frankfurter deported; and the Jüdisches Museum highlights the history of the Jewish community from medieval times right up to the 20th century.

Heidelberg

Yes, Heidelberg was once a hotbed of Nazi activity. However, the city was home to a Jewish community since medieval times. 13th century scholar, Rabbi Meir came to live here. Today you can see one of the best preserved Jewish Quarters on the European Continent.

Worms

Ah, the city of Worms—this is home to Germany’s oldest synagogue (which is also known as Rashi’s Chapel), built in 1034. It did have to be rebuilt a few times over the last millennia—the last being after it was destroyed on November 10, 1938.

Dresden

Dresden’s New Synagogue was built using parts of the original 19th century Semper Synagogue—that was left in ruins after the infamous Night of the Broken Glass.

Augsburg

The Swabian town of Augsburg has a beautiful Art Nouveau Synagogue and its own Jewish Museum.

Munich

There’s a whole lot of Jewish history in the big city chic of Munich, and part of a visit to it means heading towards the city of Dachau, and the infamous Dachau Concentration Camp. Guided tours are available of the camp 9am-5pm, Tuesdays through Sundays.

Within Munich itself, its synagogue finally reopened sixty-eight years to the day after the original was destroyed by the Nazis. You’ll even find Jewish manuscripts in the State Library—and a place that serves a kosher Weisswurst.

Hey, after all this touring around a new Jewish Germany—you’ve got to be hungry, right?

In this case, I’ve decided to give you an all-time list of Best World War II movies. Stay tuned though, I’m pretty sure that I’ll bringing up other movie lists that center around Germany in the future.

Berlin Express

Receiving both criticism and cinematic acclaim, Berlin Express is a 1948 film that shows real-life footage of a post World War II Frankfurt and Berlin. The real plot, however, is a sort-of whodunit on a train where a diplomat is “killed;” and you never quite can guess who really is who they say they are.

Black Book

Filmed in Dutch with English subtitles, the Black Book movie is raw and graphic (to a point). And unlike most European films, it surprisingly has a sort-of happy ending.

Das Boot

Released in 1981 by West Germany and the Bavarian Film Studio, the Das Boot movie centers around the U-96 with an embittered crew and a war correspondent onboard. You can feel the crew’s low morale, high hopes, and fear as they try to get to a safe haven for Christmas. Movie creators used real-life U-boat officers as consultants to give the movie true brilliance.

Inglourious Basterds

Quentin Tarantino’s 2009 tale of an alternate universe to assassinate Adolf Hitler is sheer genius. Actually, I think it was Christoph Waltz’s character as a Nazi SS Officer that did it for me—and the acclaim of his peers with an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, and Best Actor Award at the Cannes Film Festival.

Notorious

Alfred Hitchcock does it again and again, this time in a partial love and espionage tale with Claude Rains, Ingrid Bergman, and Cary Grant in Notorious. I think the war is secondary to the kissing scene (quite scandalous in 1946) between two of the three characters in this love triangle.

Saving Private Ryan

This film’s first 25 minutes opening sequence of the chaos of the Normandy landing alone could earn this film a spot on this list. Add in the heartfelt journey to return home a mom’s only surviving son in this war drama; and you’ve got one of the best World War II movies ever made.

Schindler’s List

Filmed in black & white, Steven Spielberg brought the nitty-gritty of the war to center stage when he filmed this 1993 flick, Schindler’s List. Ralph Fiennes’s portrayal of Amon Göth is both chilling and cinematic genius. And you got to hand it to Liam Neeson who couldn’t play the lead character of war-profiteer and womanizer Oskar Schindler any better than he did.

Sink the Bismarck

The 1960 Sink the Bismarck film centers around the search for the infamous Nazi Battleship named for the esteemed statesman Otto von Bismarck; and shows how the Germans started an era of sea superiority—that is, until the Bismarck is sunk by British destroyers.

Sophie’s Choice

Meryl Streep won an Academy Award for her 1982 Sophie’s Choice character as a Polish mother forced to make the ultimate sacrifice, one of her children at the Auschwitz Concentration Camp. Sad. Poignant. Brilliant.

The Colditz Story

Based on the 1955 book by British Officer, P.R. Ried, the The Colditz Story movie deals with the escape of British, French, Dutch, and Polish POWs at the infamous Colditz Castle in Saxony. Fantastic.

While some of these films might be controversial, they’re certainly a conversation starter.

Care to add some of your favorites?

I first learned about the elegant Duchess and her story touched my heart.

Who would have guessed that a lady born over a thousand years ago (in what’s now the Harz Region) would have been considered “the most beautiful woman of the German Middle Ages”? There must have been something about her; and if she looks familiar, it’s because Disney used her as a “model” for the Evil Queen in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

Only her likeness, Uta wasn’t considered to be an evil duchess. She is, however, thought to be the epitome of the Teutonic Woman. ;-)

Don’t take my word for it, you go scour the globe looking at all the medieval art you can find (huge exhibits can be found in major cities like New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, and London); and let me know if you find a more marvelous medieval matron than the life-size limestone sculpture of her that sits in what is now Naumburg Cathedral.

It wasn’t always a cathedral, it started as a little chapel with funds bequeathed to the church after Uta’s death (Eckhard died only months earlier) and dying childless in 1046.

To be fair, Uta wasn’t the only patron—sculptures of 11 others (including Uta’s husband) were also done at the chapel.

Naumburg (Saale) has rightfully earned its place on the Romanesque Route, receiving more than a hundred-thousand visitors a year to the Romanesque Cathedral that was built in the 13th century. You’re welcome anytime since the cathedral is open year round (less hours from November to March).

If you want more information on Uta’s life, I would suggest taking a guided tour—although it’ll cost you more than just the 4 Euro entrance fee, I think for an audience with Uta that’s money well spent. Don’t you?

Say what?

Translated, that means: We can do anything, expect speak Standard German.

What, they don’t speak German in Germany? Is this a joke? Maybe you thought you lost your marbles.

It’s more complicated than just speaking German in Germany—we speak High German, West Low German, East Low German, East Frisian, Low Saxon, Upper Sorbian, Lower Sorbian, Lower Silesian, Swabian, Baden, etc etc…

Whew, that’s a whole lotta language going on.

Just so you’re aware, not all the languages spoken in Germany are derived from German. Nope, over in Lower Lusatia, for example, you’ll hear (or read, since signs are bilingual) Lower Sorbian, which is based on a Slavic language.

Upper Sorbian is spoken by around 40,000 people in Upper Lusatia, which is an area found within Saxony (and cities like Bautzen).

And in Lower Saxony, almost a quarter of million people speak East Frisian (also called East Frisian-Low Saxon), which kind of sounds like Dutch. Hmm, these are the tea drinking folks of the country (unlike most of the coffee devouring rest of the country)—so why not speak something else, right? ;-)

West Low German is the biggie, spoken by around 4 million people. You’ll hear this dialect in Hamburg, parts of Schleswig-Holstein, Saxony-Anhalt, North Rhine-Westphalia, and even Denmark.

Doesn’t it seem like we’re all over the map? Yeah, it should—because just about everywhere in Germany, someone’s speaking another language, it seems.

I have to admit, it was the Lower and Upper Silesian that had me confused. Upper Silesian doesn’t have German roots (it has Polish beginnings), while Lower Silesian (spoken by around 23,000 people) does.

Maybe Germany’s motto should be that we can speak everything, PLUS Standard German. ;-)

I’ll be the first one to sing the praises of fine German cuisine from the rooftops. But, bugs? That’s a bit much for me.

It isn’t, however, for a man by the name of Thomas Knack. He decided to sell all sorts of (dare I say it?) bugs for sale on his German website Braidy Snack.

German health officials kind of had a cow (do you blame them?). Yet to be fair, to Herr Knack dung beetles, scorpions, grubs, and spiders have long been sold in places like exotic Thailand, as well as plenty other towns & cities across the Pacific, Asia, and South America.

Mr. Knack and scientists state that bugs are full of vitamins and plenty of protein. Bamboo worms are said to taste like ham. I say, why not just eat the ham? And grasshoppers have a flavor like chicken. Again, give me the chicken.

You don’t have to order your grubs online; you can stop in at the Weinkeller on Linienstrasse 147, Berlin—just in case you can’t wait for your, aack, insecty treat to arrive in the mail.

Ugh, I can’t believe I’m writing this. ;-)

Doesn’t a fine Cannibal Sandwich (meat, onions, mustard on rye bread) sound better? Yeah, I’ll take that over some grass moth munchies any day of the week.

It’s no wonder that Mr. Knack has had a hard time getting local folks to try his wares. This is a land of Black Forest Ham and Black Forest Cake (made with delicious cherries, not crunchy cooties).

I’m also pretty sure that Andrew Zimmern on his Bizarre Foods Blog didn’t mention all these crawly delicacies when he came to Germany. I’d like to think I would have remembered that. But, I could be wrong, since I’m so inclined to tune out when bugs are involved.

What do you think? Does the bug treat thing sound like it could make its way into German cuisine?

Nah, bug (I mean, but) good luck to Mr. Knack for trying.

So where’s the place that piqued my culinary interest this time?

Bavaria, my friends, good ol’ Bavaria.

Bavaria is a pretty big place, and it’s known for three types of regional dishes—Franconian, traditional Bavarian, and Swabian.

Since Swabia encompasses parts of Baden-Württemberg, I’m only going to give you the scoop on some of the best of Franconia and traditional Bavaria.

Franconia

It’s not uncommon to see both Rotkraut and Weisskraut served as a side dish to schnitzel or potato dumplings. Rotkraut (that’s the red stuff) is a bit sweeter than the white (I mean green cabbage), so expect it when you eat it.

Spargel (asparagus) is also common in Franconian cooking; and you’ll find it on a menu from April to June. It’s chocked full of vitamins and minerals, so not only is the “king’s veggie” delicious—it’s good for you too.

The Knieküchle isn’t all that great for you (it’s a deep fried sweet bread), but oh is it simply divine. A nice way to end a meal, I must say.

Traditional Bavarian Cuisine

Sure, you’ve heard of the pretzel—well thanks to Bavaria, this has become a modern day snack. However, that’s not the only contribution the region has given to the world.

Ever heard of apple strudel? Of course you have! This is a yummy dessert made with apples, cinnamon, and often rum. Oh, that’s why I like it so much. ;-)

But, before you have dessert you got to eat something normal, right? Try Wiener Schnitzel or Schweine (pork) Schnitzel. My Italian-American friends call it a cutlet, but I ain’t splittin’ hairs, OK?

For a starter, try the simple yet delicious Kartoffelsuppe, a potato soup made with bacon, onion, celery, and carrots.

If you’ve come to Munich you might have heard people talking about Weisswurst. This is a sausage that has its own set of “rules” to eat it by—never after noon (and I mean precisely at noon), never consumed with a knife & fork (use your hands), and mustard is generally the only acceptable condiment. Although…

I am one of those who willingly and frequently dismisses these rules…

If I wasn’t hungry before, I certainly am now. I think I better go get a schnitzel and some apple strudel before I eat my keyboard.

And the next time I get hungry—I’ll bring you another blog post on German cuisine, OK?

Nevermind, this is a family-oriented website.

Writers (of German or English) beware, because leave it to us no-nonsense Germans to come up with a website (www.Blablameter.com) that’ll “rate” your words for its level of bull.

If you’re used to using big words (I call them dollar-fifty words), or “bombastic phrases” then you’re sure to score over a “1.” That just a nice way of saying you’re full of hot-air.

Yeah, that’s a nice way to put it.

I did a little homework myself, just so you know, copying a number of articles on German Cities that I scanned through the website. I’m happy to report not a one that I submitted scored the dreaded 1 (or higher). YES!

Blablameter isn’t the only new thing to come out of Germany lately. Lufthansa, Germany’s national airline, is testing a new biofuel on flights from Frankfurt to Hamburg. And the Technical University Munich is working on an affordable electric car (called the Mute).

Innovation that’s eco-friendly. I like it.

The Mute and biofuel aren’t the only ways that innovation and earth-responsible behavior come together. The Deutsche Bahn just signed a renewable energy deal. Even better!

Did I mention that Google’s funding (more than 4 million Euro) a new institute in Berlin, get this, on the Internet’s impact?

OK, maybe this isn’t eco-friendly, but it very well be socially-responsible.

Don’t laugh at all these new gadgets, websites, or studies—Germany’s been at the forefront of inventions for over 500 years.

Did you know that toothpaste, teabags, and coffee filters were all invented by Germans?

I know I’ll be giving thanks to these folks after I’ve brushed my minty fresh teeth and have a cup of grindless filled coffee (which I have time to drink since I don’t have to worry about my words here at MyGermanCity.com being full of hot air). ;-)

This is all about superstitions and Old Wives’ Tales from Germany that have something to do with everything from cleaning to warding off the Devil. And I have to thank D. L. Ashliman for providing us with a great list of Superstitions from Germany.

One disclaimer though, some of these might seem downright sexist or plain odd, but I got a good chuckle out of ‘em… and a few I do myself, without ever understanding why. Until now. ;-)

One is that it’s not good to kill spiders, which I do not do, because spiders eat other bugs—so by killing them, you’re increasing other creepy-crawly critters. (Well, thinking about it, it’s actually not a superstition… it’s a fact; so let’s cancel that one.)

Another states that if a stork builds a nest on your roof (or chimney) it’s an omen for a long, wealthy life.

Uh, can someone coax a stork to do that on my house, please? ;-)

And while people seem to think that just touching a chimney sweep is good luck, Germans know you actually got to shake hands with him for the luck to rub off on you.

One superstition that has to do with your home is to bring bread and salt as a housewarming gift so that the owners will never go hungry. How thoughtful.

Here’s a creepy one… Rainwater from a tombstone removes freckles. Since I don’t have freckles, I haven’t tried it to see if it works. Another creepy one is to wash the clothes of the recently deceased—otherwise they won’t rest in peace.

While some superstitions are meant to bring luck, some are meant to keep bad luck from happening.

Guys, whatever you do, don’t walk between two old women in the morning—it’s supposed to make your whole day be sour with bad luck.

And Ladies, if you’ve given birth in the last six weeks—you’re not to be left alone; because this is when the Devil has the most power over you. Also, you’re not supposed to answer any question a witch might ask you—it’s said she’ll take something from you.

With any good luck, she’ll take away any bad luck you’ve got. ;-)

Bottom line with all those superstitions? For me, if you believe that a certain superstition is true, then it is true for you. And if you don’t believe in them then they’re not true for you.

Oh boy, were they mad.

What’s the big deal about foie gras? Isn’t it a luxury food like caviar?

Yeah, except the practice of making geese or ducks binge eat like they got bulimia (without the evacuating part of it) to fatten their livers is now a heated debate.

Lots of people out there don’t eat certain meats because of handling practices (one person I know doesn’t eat veal because of how they’re treated).

But, whether our French friends are up in arms over whether foie gras was allowed or not, rest assured that there are a variety of other food festivals and shows that don’t include eating fat duck liver.

Food Fairs & Festivals in Germany

January is a big month for food shows. One of the biggest is the International Green Week in Berlin. Actually, it’s a food, agriculture, and horticulture show (2012 date: January 20-29).

Just as Berlin’s show ends, the Sweets & Biscuits Fair kicks off in Cologne, which is all about new trends in confectionery delights. Who cares, bring on the chocolate—FAST!

Berlin’s at it again with the Freshconex Fair, that’s all about the juiciest, freshest, yummiest produce (salads, juices) you can find. I guess you better go if you want a healthy option after hittin’ up the sweets fair.

Munich is not to be outdone—their response is the Starkbierzeit (Strong Beer Week). Yes, I’m aware that this 2-week festival (kicking off around March 19) in the middle of Lent is about the beer. But, I did have to give it an honorable mention.

And don’t confuse this with Bavarian Beer Day that’s the official start to Bavarian Beer Week.

Now do you understand why I make jokes about Bavaria and beer all the time?

Anyway, Bavarian Beer Day kicks off on April 23 in honor of the date that a Bavarian Duke decreed the Beer Purity Law in 1516.

One of the biggest festivals is the Bad Dürkheim Sausage and Wine Festival in Bad Dürkheim. It might seem like it’s all about the wine (150 varieties available) but the Wurstmarkt is about the sausage. This festival is so popular (with fireworks) it takes place over 2 weekends (2nd & 3rd weekends in September). Make new friends while you’re sampling some great vino at a Schubkärchler, a small wine stand.

It’s back to Bavaria for one of the biggest food festivals in the country, Oktoberfest.

Stop laughing! Oktoberfest might be where more than 7 million liters of beer are consumed during the 16-day festival, but lots of local specialties are eaten during the event too. Try some Hendl (it’s chicken so don’t be alarmed), some roast pork dishes, Kasspatzn (cheese noodles), Weisswurst, and/or Obatzda.

Look, you better eat while you’re drinking—otherwise you’ll be what we call a Bierleiche (a “beer corpse”), all passed out in an Oktoberfest Beer Tent.

Who’s laughing now? :-)

Each year leading up to the epic event has all sorts of symposiums, festivals, movies, and other events in villages and towns that were important places in the life Martin Luther. A most remarkable man, if I do say so myself.

What is also remarkable are the folks who’ve created this decade long event, have even implemented theme years; each with their own special events. Stat tuned with me, I’ll keep you posted about many of the events throughout the upcoming years.

If you’re going to make your way through many of the towns that were instrumental in the Protestant Reformation sweeping Germany, you better make sure you’re here for a while.

I would start in the town of Wittenberg, where it all started. It was here in Wittenberg at the Castle Church that Martin nailed his 95-theses to the door looking for, well, reform of the Catholic Church.

No, scratch that. I guess it all started in Eisleben where he was born. Then again, Erfurt is where he lived as a monk, so here’s a town that was instrumental in the shaping of Luther’s life.

Some other places in the life of Luther weren’t so much as important in his work, as in his early life. He went to school in Magdeburg and lived in Mansfeld for a time.

Whichever route you choose to follow, like (but not limited to) the Lutherweg or the Luther Pilgerweg, it doesn’t really matter because the Center for Spiritual Tourism in Thuringia (it opened on July 3, 2011) is here to help you along the way.

I don’t think you need to be on some spiritual quest to enjoy the events of the Luther Decade. No, even if all you do is enjoy it for history’s sake; you’ll certainly learn quite a bit about the man who changed history and influenced the lives of millions of people.

So, in honor of All Hallow’s Eve (or Halloween)—although barely celebrated in Germany—I’m about to give you skinny on the creepiest, scariest, hair-raising sites in all of Germany.

If you’re faint of heart you might choose to change to another page on The Germany Blog. If not, then don’t say I didn’t warn you. ;-)

In case you’re wondering, yes Frankenstein Castle has made the list. And, this is only a fraction of the haunted places found throughout the country.

Berlin’s Pfauen Insel Park has been said to be haunted by a black ghost with glowing red eyes. Yikes, I’m scared already.

Over at the old Nazi Hospital (at the Conn Barracks in Schweinfurt) it’s been said that the ghost of a Nazi soldier has haunted the area for years.

Heidelberg’s Amphitheater and Hexenturm also said to be visited by strange noises and ghostly apparitions, especially on moonless nights.

Yeah, I know none of these places is a haunted castle — don’t worry, I’m getting to them right now.

One of the biggest haunted sites in Germany is Eltz Castle, where the spirits of medieval Knights have been known to roam. The castle closes for the winter season on November 1st, but at least it’s open for the scariest of all the holidays.

Hmm, it’s time for the most famous name in scary stories — Frankenstein Castle. No, there isn’t some large guy with bolts sticking out his neck here; it’s said to be the ghost of Johann Dippel.

The ghost at Friedland Castle is thought to be the daughter of a former resident, who was “cursed” by her own dad. Wow, that’s a scary thought.

I think Reichenstein Castle would be scarier than Burg Frankenstein or Friedland Castle. Why? Because it is said to be haunted by the ghosts of not one, not two, not even five ghosts — but ten! Just so you know, they’re believed to be the spirits of robber baron Dietrich von Hohenfels and his nine sons.

If you’ve come across any super creepy sites within Germany, let me know so I can come back to visit them next Halloween.

Because I’m German, I love lists (an order for everything, I must say). This is why I’ve made a list of some of my faves of Germany’s National Parks (besides the Black Forest, which I did not list below since I guess you all know by now that the Schwarzwald is my top favorite of all). This way, while you’re here you can enjoy the family-friendliest, most economical, a downright prettiest countryside on the planet.

Sorry, Yellowstone, you’re gorgeous too.

Bavarian Forest National Park

The Bavarian Forest is 243 square kilometers that stretches eastward all the way to the Czech Republic’s Bohemian Forest National Park. With 300km of hiking trails, 200km of cycling paths, and 80km of cross-country skiing lanes, there’s no possible way you’ll ever say or hear the words: I’m bored.

Harz National Park

The mountainous Harz region in both Lower Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt has wild boars, woodpeckers, and hundreds of other kinds of wildlife living in it. Add in cave exploration and a ride on the 130km narrow-gauge railway, and you’ve got an excellent adventure to say the least.

Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea National Park

One word: mudflats. Yes, mudflats. Mudflat hiking is booming here — and there’s not much to it. Get yourself a guide to fill you in on the low tide schedule, then walk out on the terra firma that was just covered by the water.

As if hiking the mudflats isn’t enough, try to find all 3,000 species of animal that lives within this park’s boundaries, take a boat cruise, or enjoy the rustic simplicity of a small fishing village.

Saxon Switzerland National Park

No, Saxony does not border the country of Switzerland — that’s just its name. It’s called Saxon Switzerland due to the mountainous landscape.

But, I don’t think you’ll care when you’re off hiking around the rock formations, valley, or gorges. Dresden isn’t too far away, so starting from there makes getting to this park remarkably simple.

Hainich National Park

Forested woodlands makes this Thuringian landscape look as if it came straight from the pages of a storybook. Guided tours can take you to find everything from mushrooms to a thousand-year old Oak tree, or you can choose to follow the Rennsteig (Thuringia’s oldest hiking trail) or see Wartburg Castle all on your own.

These are some of my favorite picks, and I’m pretty sure that you’ll love them too.

Now I don’t want to suggest one airline over the other, except that Lufthansa is the largest German airline (and one of the largest worldwide).

Oh, and the best part? They’re offering that new Airbus A380 for service from Frankfurt Airport to Singapore, Miami, San Francisco, New York (JFK), Johannesburg, Beijing, and Tokyo.

Whew, that’s a long list. Ain’t it grand, my international friends!?!

Most people aren’t able to fly either Business or First Class (although I know how to save a whopping 70 – 90% on the usual ticket prices), but I got to tell… the First and Business Class seats in this A380 aircraft are AWESOME!

In First Class there’s a seat that’ll stretch out to just about 2 meters with 17-inch video screens, a constant humidity level that won’t dry out your skin (women of the world, rejoice).

First Class offers privacy screens in case you don’t want to “be bothered” by your seat mate or anyone else for that matter. Plus, the cabin is made with materials to reduce noise (yeah, cause jet engines are known to be “quiet” ;-).

Unfortunately, the seats don’t recline to a fully flat position in Business Class (yet), but just about. Oohh, comfortable—even if you’re a bit taller than the almost 2 meter seat! This class takes up the entire upper deck of this super huge wide-body aircraft, which is pretty cool if you ask me.

Meals in either First or Business are a scrumptious affair (keep in mind I am talking about airline food) with fine wines and plenty of snacks.

People in Economy Class will find they got a little more leg room than in other aircrafts; mostly because of thinner seat backs. Don’t worry, you’ll eat fairly well in Economy Class as well.

As with any aircraft on Lufthansa you’re able to order special meals to accommodate any kind of dietary issue (low-fat, kosher, diabetic). You get the point, right? Besides, German food on the German airline can be a precursor to the awesome dishes you’ll find once you land.

So, I guess I’m saying fly Lufthansa for the best German experience—before you even arrive!

I know I do. Yet, this isn’t about planes or automobiles, really. It’s all about the trains.

Germany’s network of trains is exceptional; offering a handful of choices for your train travel needs.

Suppose you’re in the Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, or Belgium; and you got this burning desire to come to Deutschland? By the time you’ve gone through airport security, managed to get your clothes & stuff back on, and sit on the tarmac for umpteen hours—you’d have already been there if you hopped on the ICE Train (these babies do 300 k/h or 186mp/h, so they’re really, really, REALLY fast).

Um, that’s the Inter-country rail line; but, not the only one. Express service of the ICE will take you nonstop on intra-German lines (like Berlin to Frankfurt, Hamburg to Duisburg, you get the point).

Don’t want to kill a day traveling? Use the Night Train (called the DB Nachtzug). Oh, this is a gem of a line—with sleepers, couchettes, and women-only compartments with routes taking you to/from Berlin, Munich, Copenhagen, and Prague (to name a few). There’s even room for your bicycle onboard.

Already in one of Germany’s big cities, and want to head out towards the suburbs? You won’t need the night train or the ICE—you’ll take the S-Bahn. No women-only compartments needed since most travel is within a 60km radius of any major city. They’re quick, they’re convenient, they’re punctual, and they’re affordable.

Better than having to fight your way to the center of town from the airport, I think.

Even better that just about everything runs on-time in Germany. Being punctual is of the utmost importance to us! ;-)

It’s also important to easily buy your ticket, too. Most of Germany’s train tickets can be bought on Bahn.de as well as at the stations themselves, even on the trains (with a small surcharge).

Wow, what a great (easy, affordable) way to see the German countryside and the best of its cities, no?

Yes, I’m quite serious—but joking at the same time. Oh, maybe I just started a debate here (my debate coach from high school would be proud, don’t ya think?).

So, this got me to thinking about dogs. More specifically, German dogs.

Sure, breeds like the German Shepherd and Pomeranian have made the cut. But, have you ever heard of the Bavarian Mountain Hound (needs acres and acres to wander). Or, the Affenpinscher (a dog so small it weighs less than a newborn baby)? What about the Hovawart (a medieval estate dog)?

Even if you are a cat person (like I am), you may be bound to fall head over tail for some of these German breeds.

Dachshund

Known as the “hot dog,” this short, stubby fellow is famous for digging, and being stubborn. These guys will chase just about anything and everything, making for hours of fetching-fun. This breed’s been around so long, Kaiser Wilhelm II owned one; as well as Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso, and E.B. White.

German Shepherd

You know this loyal, protective, guy was gonna be here. These dogs are so smart they’re often used for search & rescue missions, trained as seeing-eye dogs for the blind, and police dogs (I guess their 238 pounds of force on their bite have something to do with it).

Large Münsterländer

Called the Großer Münsterländer in German, this Black & White hunting dog is quite affectionate and really great with kids. They’re not all that big, weighing in at an average of 30kg.

Mini Schnauzer

This doggy is a cross between a poodle, affenpinscher, and a standard schnauzer—giving you a smaller version (around 5-9kg) with all the intelligence, friendliness, and playfulness of the bigger variety.

Pomeranian

Hmm, this is one little pup. I have a cat that weights more than this toy breed (average 3.5kg). Queen Victoria of England was a fan—she owned one.

Poodle

Called a Pudel in German, these canines are said to be smarter than the German Shepherd (believe it or not). Hypoallergenic, playful, and a willingness to be shaved into geometric shapes makes this breed a winner with many dog lovers.

Great Dane

Talk about massive—and popular. Think Scooby-Doo and Marmaduke. Either way, in TV or reality, the Great Dane is friendly, friendly, friendly. And even has a totally cool Blue colored coat (amongst others).

Leonberger

I saved the best for last. This gargantuan beast originally bred in Leonberg (males average 150lbs.) is loyal to the end, just like the lion it resembles. They’re a great family pet and loves to swim (it’s got webbed feet). I don’t care that Otto von Bismarck owned one; once you get a look at this fuzzy creature—you’re hooked for life.

Hey, the Leonberger converted some folks from being a cat person to the Leonberger dog lover. So this is some dog.

I can’t wait to hear about your favorite dogs. Hopefully they’re a German breed! ;-)

I started to throw books away just to purchase their respective Kindle version in order to enjoy an easier and a much more comfortable reading experience.

Don’t believe me?

All I can say is, get one (bought or loaned) and see & feel for yourself. ;-)

Either way, back to the topic of this post…

Authors and writers (they’re not the same thing, BTW) are held in high esteem in Germany, so no surprise to me that you’ll find a bunch of book festivals held throughout the year. Perhaps this is why Germany is one of the “leading book nations” in the world.

And the types of books don’t really matter, either. Many book lovers appreciate the written word whether it’s fiction, non-fiction, or poetry.

Now, I don’t know if I should start or end this with the Frankfurt International Book Fair, an event that’s been taking place for nearly six centuries. Every October a quarter of a million book enthusiasts, publishers, authors, and writers flock to the city all in the name of books (400,000 of them during last year’s event).

While the Frankfurt Book Fair is this week (Oct 12th – 16th), the Leipzig Book Fair falls every Spring in March. Oh yeah, at least you don’t have to choose which one to attend—but the game remains the same, it’s books, books, and more books.

Hamburg’s festival is known as the Harbour Front Literature Festival; and held every September. You’ll find it all, historical fiction; women’s literature, biographies, and my favorite—the whodunit.

Not to be outdone, Berlin gets in on the book reading action; that’s a September staple around the capital city. Sorry, it’s called the International Literature Festival Berlin, to be exact.

I don’t care what it is—just as long as it’s somethin’ to read. What do you think? :-)

Oh yeah, I sure did get a hearty chuckle of this. What isn’t so funny is when you under-25 folks ask me, “who’s Milli Vanilli”?

You cheeky young ‘uns, I tell ya. ;-)

Anyway, this all got me to thinking about other famous singing sensations that came from the land of Bach and Beethoven.

I’ll start with Milli Vanilli since I already mentioned them. These two guys (Fab Morvan and Rob Pilatus) were found dancing around a Munich nightclub — and seemed liked the perfect frontmen for songs like Girl You Know Its True.

Problem was, this duo weren’t the actual singers — losing their Grammy because of the deceit.

Another famous singer from Germany was Marlene Dietrich. Yeah, Black & White movie lovers might know her as a glamorous Hollywood movie star. But, she started out singing Cabaret in Berlin. Her sultry, raspy voice singing Das Lied Ist Aus is legendary.

Another German singer that’s managed to cross the Atlantic to America is Xavier Naidoo. Born in Mannheim, Naidoo has been globetrotting, singing, and song-writing for both the American and German music market. And while he’s a two-time MTV Europe music award winner, he’s yet to win a Grammy.

Too bad, his voice is smoother than a well-aged Scotch. Listen to his song Sag es laut with a glass of Johnnie Walker Blue Label, and you’ll know what I’m talking about.

Chances are you might never have heard of Tangerine Dream, but watch the 1980′s flick Risky Business; and you’ll hear them. They started performing in the 1960′s — yet gained fame for doing soundtracks. Whatever, a paycheck is a paycheck.

FYI, a Cannabis Cup winner from Amsterdam was also named Tangerine Dream in their honor. I don’t know this for certain, I only read about it in High Times. ;-)

Because I got to be a teenager in the 1980′s, I got to give it up for the Scorpions. Yes, I’ve sang Wind of Change and Rock You Like A Hurricane into my hairbrush way too many times.

It must have been all the hairspray that made me a bit loopy. ;-)

Anyway, the Scorpions (from Hanover) had been performing their heavy metal and hard rock genre since 1964 — and believe it or not, they’re still performing.

A bit harsher is the music from Rammstein. This is a metal band from Berlin (they started performing in the 1990′s) — and chances are if you ask anyone under 35 to name a German band, these guys would be it.

Going back to the 1980′s for a minute, Nena is another singer and band from Germany; and you might have heard of them without knowing their name. They sang 99 Luftballoons (the German version) or 99 Red Balloons, that’s the English version. It went around the globe.

Now, don’t go expecting an exact translation of this Cold War protest diddy — the English version was changed a bit — but either way, this is quintessential 80′s music if I ever heard it.

The song’s still popular, having shown up in movies like Austin Powers Goldmember and in Euro Trip to name a couple.

If I’ve missed any that I should have mentioned — let me know. I’ll be smokin’ some Tangerine Dream — I mean, listening to Tangerine Dream. ;-)

So, I started to think how many other famous (or not so famous) German folks have changed the world of engineering, science, art, music, sports, and politics.

Just so you know, Karl Benz, Gottlieb Daimler, and Ferdinand Porsche have made the list. What would be the point in mentioning two of the best automobile companies in the world if they didn’t?

It wouldn’t be fair to leave out Rudolf Diesel. Name sound familiar? Sure it does — he’s the inventor of the diesel engine.

For any of you out there who do accounting work, thank a German. Johannes Gutenberg (1398-1468) to be exact, he’s the father of modern accounting.

Like your jeans? That would be Levi Strauss. Your coveted ADIDAS sneakers were the brain child of Adi Dassler, another German. Brand names are great; and German natives Hugo Boss (my favorite, born in Metzingen) and Karl Lagerfeld (born in Hamburg) deserve to be mentioned.

Designer clothes deserve to be worn and German supermodel beauties Heidi Klum (born in Bergisch Gladbach) and Claudia Schiffer (born in Rheinberg) know all about it.

Ever seen the space shuttle lift off? That’s all the hard work of rocket scientist Wernher von Braun. But long before there was space exploration ordinary men went to the skies in regular old airplanes; men like Red Baron, Manfred von Richthofen of World War I fame.

Who else came from Germany? A long list of composers, that’s for sure! You’ve heard of Johann Sebastian Bach and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, I’m sure. Then you’ve got Richard Wagner, Strauss, and Händel.

Traveling around Germany on the German Fairy Tale Road, then you’ve heard of the Brothers Grimm. I’m pretty sure you’ve heard of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and Friedrich Schiller, right?

I’m sure I’ve missed just about a bazillion other famous Germans. But, maybe the next time you see a Benz or a Porsche — you’ll think about the three great inventors behind the engines.

Rugby? That’s not big in Germany.

At least for the moment it isn’t, but it sure is on its way.

If you think American football is rough, or think normal football (a.k.a. soccer) is a test of endurance — you ain’t seen nothing yet. But, first the rules!

Rugby, originated in England and the predecessor of American football, is played on a field called a pitch that’s 69 meters wide by 100 meters long. It’s flanked by two H-shaped goal posts; and game action takes place with thirteen players. Unlike American football, the only guy that gets tackled is the one with the oval shaped ball.

Perhaps the most vivid thought about rugby is the “scrum.” That’s when players all lock arm in a circle, all pushing back and forth on each other.

Whatever the rules of the game are; or whatever they’re doing in that huddle of theirs (probably discussing what pub to go to after the game, ha-ha) this is a very competitive and physically grueling game.

There are a lot of other rules, and trying to figure out how to score can be tougher than rocket science, yet it’s still a lot of fun to watch.

Don’t believe me, go see ‘em in action. There are few teams in Germany that play for the Rugby League, like the Heidelberg Sharks and the Rhineland Reds.

Of course I bring this up because it hasn’t been all that long since Germany hosted the 2011 Women’s FIFA World Cup.

I know, rugby isn’t soccer, but wouldn’t it be nice to one day host the Rugby World Cup (that’s also held every four years) like New Zealand is set to do this September?

Heck, it would be nice for the German National Team (that’s part of the Rugby Union) to qualify for the Rugby World Cup (for which it’s never done). However, if we all united with them, they just might!

No rainy weather for me, so until the mercury drops to a preferred level I’ll have to live vicariously by writing about the cold temperature season. ;-)

Now some of you might prefer the warmer weather, so consider this a jump on your Christmas shopping list.

And anyway, the Christmas season starts about a month before the actual date of Christmas — so I’m only two months ahead of myself, instead of three.

With over 2,000 Christmas Markets in Germany, it might take a while to figure out which ones you’ll want to go to. Plan ahead, that’s my motto!

Chances are whatever Christmas market you’re going to will have all the traditional fixings of a proper German Christmas (or just a dandy good time).

You’ll certainly eat great since there’s everything from German sausages to fresh baked bread, and the delicious Glühwein to drink. In most places you can keep the glass as a souvenir, or clean it out & re-gift it.

Oh, I can’t believe I suggested such a thing… never mind!

Weihnachtsmärkte bring out the very best craftsmen (and women) and artists to sell their wares. You’ll have no trouble at all finding the most unique and original gifts for your family and friends back home.

And fruitcakes are really popular in Germany — not so much in America. Maybe you’re better off bringing home Lebkuchen (gingerbread cookies) or Plätzchen, which are traditional Christmas cookies.

I really love the Christstollen, which looks like a loaf of bread but is filled with raisins and marzipan. Top it with powdered sugar, and you can feel your teeth hurt. It’s so yummy, so it’s worth it.

That’s it. I really like the cold weather with the Christmas markets, the traditional food and romantic white snow that come with the season.

Merry Christmas, three months early!

However, because I’m a greenhorn when it comes to the topic of history (who would’ve believed that… but my favorites in school were Mathematics, English, Geography and Sport), I had to ask our history buff and German History expert, Lisa Keller, in terms of what could be an accurate answer to Harald’s question.

So here it comes… Harald’s question first, Lisa’s response next, and then some final thoughts from yours truly…

Here’s something for you to pick up on, or keep in mind. I’ve been searching for many years for the origins of the prowess you talk about in “German Engineering Is A Leading Engine In Our World.”

Studying the origins of civilization in general is a bit of a hobby of mine, as is early German history. Of course, German history is rather swamped by more recent events, and I get the idea few Germans like to spend a lot of time thinking about the past.

There seem to be several black holes — between the Völkerwanderungen and the rise of the Frankish Empire and during the Dark ages. What events may have contributed to the intense “can-do” National pride that put the Germans among the top technical innovators — and kept them there for longer than any other nation?

Having learned that Germans are at least as much a mixture of races as any other country, I certainly don’t buy Hitler’s Ayrian superiority concept.

How did we get from a bunch of feuding Barbarian tribes to a nation that refuses to play second fiddle to any other nation in innovation and engineering?

If you have any suggestions of where I could find such information, I would appreciate that too. (And yes, I can read German, though with a bit of a struggle when it gets technical.)

Again, excellent question. Here’s Lisa’s response…

I’ve thought long & hard about this question–and you’re probably better able to answer some things better than I could.

But, from a historical standpoint, Germany wasn’t really a technological leader until around the mid-19th century. The country had been in the midst of wars (Peasants’, 30 Years, even the Reformation itself for that matter for the better part of two centuries).

What Germany did have was location, location, location. The country was located on some old major trade routes, it had resources (silver, etc), rivers for navigating around to trade with other countries. And it had food, as much of the country was used for agriculture.

If you ain’t worried about eating–you got time to think about other things, right?

Too bad the church hierarchy and the “guilds” wielded too much power for the common man to change much of the status quo. It wasn’t until Wilhelm II came to power, and wanted to at least be on par with countries like England–wanting to build a navy like the Brits–and a chance to get away from the bureaucratic way of thinking of his father, grandfather, and Otto von Bismarck. He kicked off much of the industrialization that propelled Germany into a technological marvel.

Of course, education comes in to play. Men like Copernicus & Kepler are only two of the brilliant minds that came from Germany educating its population–plus the 20 year battle of the French Revolution helped to bring around changes of equality and liberty to the people–even though all this took place before Wilhelm’s day.

Women were another resource, they made great strides for themselves in the Weimar Republic–until the Nazis came to power, that is.

The Nazis might have used the phrase “Aryan superiority”, but they ostrasized many brilliant minds–forcing the likes of Einstein and others to flee the country. So, no–I don’t “buy” into that either.

My opinion there wasn’t one catalyst event that caused German to become a technological leader. It was (and still is) a combination of events, people, education, and location that leads (and led) Germany from barbaric tribes to all the technological advances it’s made and will continue to do so.

I hope this helps!

Thank you very much, Lisa!

Thinking about it myself, four characteristics usually come up in my mind that could explain how we Germans are and why, and be reasons for the prowess of German Engineering — in addition to what Lisa said above…

Perfectionism — Probably a prime reason, we have a distinct sense and desire for perfectionism. We simply go an important step further and discover and fix flaws where others give up or think it would be “good enough.” It’s not. It’s never good enough.

Discipline — Discipline helps us focus and stay on track. I’m not sure where our tendency towards discipline stems from. Perhaps due to all the wars we had and the “trainings,” “camps” and “drills” we went through and experienced?

Seriousness — Yeah sure, after all those wars (and we really don’t want any other war anymore, ever!) we lost happiness and joy and now go through live in a serious manner — looking down on earth when walking. Kidding aside, our seriousness helps us “get down to business” and focus on the task at hand (rather than get sidetracked by distractions or delayed by dull chatter).

Climate — Germany is ideally located in Central Europe. The climate is not as warm or hot as in, say, Greece or Portugal, nor is it as cold as in Island or Canada. This, too, helps us focus and concentrate to deliver top (and perfected? ;-) products.

A possible fifth reason just popped up in my mind… Silence. We love silence and a quiet environment that helps us relax, enjoy, think, consider, contemplate, focus (again), and concentrate.

70% of our population lives in smaller (& quieter) towns and villages with less than 100,000 inhabitants. With 82 Million people living in 14,000 German towns, they are scattered all over the country — something rare in our world. And these smaller towns and municipalities provide a quieter environment which, again, helps us focus and concentrate on what’s important.

And focus and concentration ultimately leads to better performance, productivity, and products.

(This does not mean Germans don’t love to party. Yet still…)

And speaking of silence, ever noticed that windows in our houses are usually so thick and insulated, they eliminate noise from the outside almost completely?

Again, thank you very much for this excellent question, Harald. Really something to chew on… (although my own response was probably more about the current state rather than historical roots… ;-)

—Marcus

Germany too was a hodge-podge of kingdoms and dukedoms, and they certainly weren’t without scandal (as is the modern day English monarchy). Sorry, Elizabeth, I ain’t judging — I’m just saying. ;-)

What’s really funny (and I mean REALLY funny) is ordinary common folk also have their fair share of scandals. It just doesn’t so happen to make the tabloids or CNN. Most of the time.

So, if you’re scandal bound; why not add a real German noble title to your name?

No, I’m not kidding. With a few clicks of the mouse & a hundred bucks (or two), you can buy yourself the designation of a German noble title — such as Herzog (that’s a Duke) or Fürst (Prince).

Alright, the titles you buy might be only to the micronation of Pomerania and Livonia, but it might be fun to make all the people who think you’re a “Nobody” call you Freiherr (Baron) John Doe.

It’s downright hilarious. What? Am I the only person to find the humor in this?

What wasn’t funny when it comes to titles of the nobility is the case of Caroline of Brunswick. Oh, she was a lady of German noble blood who went on to become a Queen of England at the turn of the 17th century.

Sort of.

Her husband, King George IV of England, was illegally married to his mistress prior to Caroline. Their tumultuous relationship was chocked full of gossip, adultery, and scandal. Hmm, you mean these aren’t just modern day problems?

Anyway, Caroline was so despised by her hubby that he had her turned away at the doors of Westminster Abbey for the coronation — and those loyal to the king referred to her as just a simple Duchess. Oh, a snub to a proper queen, don’t you think?

For us mere mortals, I wouldn’t be offended if someone called me just a Graf (that’s a Count).

Once you buy your coveted German title, I wouldn’t worry too much about an assassination attempt like the Archduke Franz Ferdinand (in line for the throne of the Austro-Hungarian Empire), whose death kickstarted World War I.

Wheww, that’s a relief — ’cause I’m about to go get me a title (just kidding).

And if you’re interested in hearing more scandalous stories in German history, let me know — there are PLENTY. ;-)

Wait, that’s one island. Do they plan on being reunited with the mainland? That’s a heck of a long bridge.

No, nothing like that. German officials are looking to connect Helgoland with its neighboring island (which is also part of Helgoland), which it was once connected to back in the 18th century.

A nasty North Sea storm washed away the only land bridge connecting the two islands. Now three hundred years later, they very well might be together again.

So, why the sudden (as if 300 years is “sudden”) vote to reconnect? Simply put, tourism.

Detractors say that might not be the answer. More than a quarter of a million people come to Helgoland as a day trip for its unspoiled beauty. By connecting to its former appendage (oh, that would be island, sorry) there would be more room to build more hotels so that more people could spend the night.

I guess they’re afraid Helgoland would turn into a tourist trap. Oh, I’m so torn on this one, but it’s not up to me. The fate of the Helgoland islands is in the hands of the 1,200 people that call this place home.

Make that a couple more, ’cause I think some of my dear readers want to live there; and not because the average temperature in the dead of summer is only in the 60s. OK, that might just have something to do with it.

Psst, allergy sufferers — it’s been said that Helgoland has virtually no allergens. Ahh, can’t you already feel the sinus relief?

It won’t matter too much if the people of Helgoland vote to connect (or not) to the other island. Helgoland has prospered just fine the way it is. Remember, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

Oh, wait! Helgoland was broken. So I guess they do have to fix it, huh?

Yes, I’m using this blog to tout the virtues of the German Opera.

I know you must be thinking, how “romantic” can German Opera be when the language itself sounds a bit harsh? Romantic or not, it took years for German opera writers to come out from behind the shadows of their Italian or French contemporaries.

While Heinrich Schütz is technically the father of the German opera (back in the early 17th century), it took the likes of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven, and eventually Richard Wagner (Mad King Ludwig II’s favorite guy) to bring into the light.

Many German language operas follow the tales of the Brothers Grimm (even making the story of Hansel & Gretel into a singing sensation). Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde is also a time-honored favorite.

These two operas aren’t the only ones sung in German. It wouldn’t be fair to leave out Beethoven’s Fidelio or Franz Lehar’s Die lustige Witwe (that would be the Merry Widow in English).

It wasn’t just German (or Austrian) composers that wrote German operas, Italians like Busoni wrote them as well.

Operas are grandiose productions, so it’s only fitting that they’re performed in magnificent music halls like the Munich National Theater (where the Bavarian State Opera performs), the Alter Oper in Frankfurt, and the Stuttgart National Theater (home of the Stuttgart State Opera).

I can’t think of a more appropriate venue for an over the top opera than an over the top theater. Can you?

Yeah, I know that opera is one of those musical stylings that either you love it or hate it, there’s no in-between. But c’mon, give it a chance. Just remember, it ain’t over ’til the “pleasantly plump” lady sings. ;-)

We all know Germany’s famous for its world-renowned beer, and its fantastic wines. I also think that it’s about time its schnapps be held in higher esteem.

When talking about the American version of what our friends on the other side of the pond call schnapps, for us this would be liqueurs such as the quite famous Jägermeister. Ever heard of it?

Yeah you have, if you ever tried a Jäger Bomb (that would be Jägermeister and Red Bull).

Today, though, I ain’t talkin’ about American schnapps or liqueurs but German Schnapps or German Liquor. So…

For my American friends, keep this in mind: The sugary schnapps you buy in the liquor store (root beer, butterscotch, banana, lemon, etc.) aren’t true German schnapps. Nope, the real German stuff is generally made with apples, pears, plums, and cherries; and is about 80 proof (which is about 40% alcohol by volume).

OK, and the occasional raspberry, but that makes something called Himbeergeist. It’s also meant to be drunk cold.

Confused? Don’t be, I’ll help you navigate your way around this clear, fermented, fruit-flavored drink. I already told you the typical flavors and proper drinking temperature, didn’t I?

Schnapps or liquor isn’t always listed as “Schnaps” on the label. You might see bottles with names like Kirschwasser (a cherry water made with morello cherries & served cold) that’s often drank either as an aperitif (before dinner) or a digestif, which would be an after dinner drink.

Kümmel is also a fine German schnapps made with caraway, cumin, and fennel. And while technically a schnapps, Steinhäger is a German gin that’s only allowed to be made in the Westphalian town of Steinhagen.

Even if you’re keen on drinking schnapps before or after a delicious German dinner, I still think it’s high time to create an entire schnapps or liquor festival.

But, if I totally dropped the ball and there is one out there, can someone let me know so I can come & have a good time?

Maybe this is why we love museums so much; where everything is categorized, labeled, and methodically documented. “Sniff-sniff,” it’s a beautiful thing, isn’t it?

Germany’s got a museum for just about everything and anything under the stars. Don’t want to be stuck indoors on a fine weather afternoon? No big deal, there are outdoor museum scattered all over the country, including the Winsen Museum Farm and the Hagen Westphalian Open-Air Museum.

Got a penchant for following military and war history? Check out the German Tank Museum, Königstein Fortress, and the Luftwaffenmuseum der Bundeswehr.

It might seem a bit odd to come all the way to Germany go see mummies. Both the cities of Bonn and Berlin house fantastic mummy exhibits at their respective museums.

Yeah, I’d think that the religious museums like the Lorsch Abbey and Michaelstein Abbey, and the Maulbronn Monastery seem a more likely choice to be found within the country.

But, I did say we like museums — so never mind.

Honestly, the land that IS modern day Germany has been around a lot longer than people, so no wonder we got all sorts of natural history museums. The State Museum of Natural History in Stuttgart is fantastic, as is the Lower Saxony State Museum.

Oh, I didn’t even add in our two volcano museums which can be found in the Eifel Region — the German Volcano Museum Mendig a.k.a. Lava-Dome in Mendig and the Eifel Volcano Museum Daun in Daun. That counts as natural history, does it not?

And speaking of people, OF COURSE we’ve got museums dedicated to the best of the best of our homegrown sons and daughters. The Goethe House in Frankfurt am Main and the Karl Marx House in Trier are only two of the many museums that are all about famous Germans.

The Supreme Pontiff sitting on the throne of St. Peter is in fact, German; and this is why his return to Germany September 22nd to the 25th is a very big deal.

http://www.papst-in-deutschland.de/english/

I know it’s a bit early to put this epic occasion in our blog event section (it is still summer, after all), but the chances of getting tickets to one of the five papal services (two in Freiburg, with one each in Erfurt, Etzelbach, and Berlin) are slim to none.

Sorry, more than a hundred thousand requests have already been sent; and seating is limited.

That’s too bad, but even if you can’t get yourself a ticket to the see the pope in action you can follow along the Benediktweg or Benedict Trail.

Yeah, that’s a shameless plug for a scenic route in Germany if ever I wrote one. ;-)

Pope Benedict XVI was born on April 16, 1927 as Joseph Ratzinger in Marktl am Inn in Upper Bavaria, but that’s not the only town on this 225 kilometer route.

You can see the village of Hufschlag (which is part of the town of Surberg), where the young Joseph’s parents bought a farm, or many amazingly beautiful monasteries or medieval churches in towns like Altötting, Neuötting, Hohenwart (Mehring), Burghausen, and Seeon-Seebruck.

Whew, I didn’t think I could stop mentioning Bavarian towns there for a second. ;-)

Many of the towns along the Benedict Trail might not have much to do with Benedict the Pope, some were important when he was just a mere Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger.

Ha, a mere Cardinal; like there are a bazillion of them walking city streets across the globe.

Whatever Pope Benedict’s name now or was, his return to Germany is momentous, as is the scenic route that bears his name.

That day will also mark the closing of the special exhibition of the Lodz Ghetto (also called Ghetto Litzmannstadt) at the Nazi Documentation Center in Cologne. The entire special exhibit is of photographs taken within the ghetto looking at daily life, before its residents were sent to Auschwitz in 1944.

The building itself is a piece of history in the story of the Third Reich. The EL-DE Haus (located at Appellhofplatz 23-25) was once the HQ of the dreaded Gestapo; and the museum does have permanent exhibits on the history of Nazi Germany.

Just about a month after the Lodz Ghetto Exhibition closes, the Dresden War Museum will open its doors (slated for October 14). There’s no glossy candy-coating the wicked, ugliness of war on these exhibits, which is exactly what the museum plans to accomplish.

According to Der Spiegel, Dresden was the most and least logical place for the museum. It’s also where a number of Neo-Nazis gather every February to mark the city’s destruction date (it was leveled on Feb. 13, 1945 by the Allies).

Neo-Nazi groups also gather every year at the grave of one of Nazi Germany’s most notorious leaders, Rudolf Hess. Well, they did — until recently.

According to Der Spiegel, the town of Wunsiedel was tired of the group coming every year in August to “commemorate” the former Hitler Deputy — well they did until 2005 when the practice was banned.

Still, the folks in the sleepy Upper Franconian town didn’t think that was enough. They cremated his remains and scattered his ashes into the sea, with Hess’ family’s permission, of course.

Looks like it’s the dawn of a new day in Germany, doesn’t it?

It was on August 12th, 1961 that East Germany leader, Walter Ulbricht, gave the order to build a separation wall between them and the West Germans, which had started the day after. Hmm, interesting since only two months beforehand he said that “no one wants to build a wall.”

But, he did build a wall. A 160km concrete barrier around Berlin, to be exact.

As if the wall wasn’t insulting enough, watchtowers (which is believed that no two were alike) were added along the wall’s perimeter with soldiers ordered to shoot anyone trying to defect. They called it Repulikflucht, or illegal immigration.

East Germans were a bit creative in trying to flee to the more free West Germany, using a variety of methods to get across, including tunneling, hot air ballooning, and one soldier drove a tank through it.

In 1989 after the East and West Berliners could cross “freely,” it was still dangerous, as the Soviets had buried landmines along the Eastern side — so it did take a while for it to be truly safe. And there’s no exact number of people who perished trying to cross the wall, estimates guess somewhere between 136-200 souls lost trying to reach freedom.

Now a little more than two decades after the fall of the wall, a new exhibit has opened up at Unter der Linden 40 in Berlin with never before seen photos taken from the East German perspective. Which is to say, taken from the eastern side of the wall.

The exhibit opened August 5th, which will until October 3 before heading off for an exhibition in Poland.

Maybe the exhibit should circle the globe, as a reminder of hope to all those who are repressed.

I was a bit stunned to see Shakespeare’s Globe Theater for sale on eBay a while back. Not the real Globe Theater in England, but a full-size replica at the famous Babelsberg Studios just outside of Berlin.

The best part? It would’ve only cost you 11.50 Euro to buy it. The down side? It would’ve cost you about 50,000 Euro to have it dismantled and carried away.

You really didn’t think they’d ship it to you in Some Small Town, USA, did you?

Still, would you’ve been interested?

The Babelsberg’s Globe Theater can actually seat 700 people; and is worth an estimated half a million Euro (approx. $716,000 USD). I can just imagine what the neighbors would say if you tried to put this out in your backyard.

It was a gift to the Shakespeare Company Berlin from the German-born director Roland Emmerich (he directed Independence Day with Will Smith) after he made the movie Anonymous.

The studio where this Shakespeare’s Globe sits is pretty historical in its own right; it’s the oldest theater in the world, ready to celebrate its 100th birthday next year.

Did you know that The Blue Angel (the movie that catapulted Marlene Dietrich to stardom) was made here in 1930, and Fritz Lang’s movie Metropolis was also made in the studio’s lot in 1927.

More modern movies have been made at Babelsberg Studios (all under the watchful eye of the Globe), including Valkyrie, The Reader (with Academy Award winner Kate Winslet), The Pianist, Inglorious Basterds, and The Ghost Writer.

Not to mention, the approximately 1000 movies made by Joseph Goebbels between 1933 and 1945. OK, they were propaganda films, but in terms of number of movies that’s still a whole lot being made.

If amazing pieces of cinematic art like the Globe Theater (or the closest you’ll get to the real one) were for sale on eBay, I guess it is true; you can buy anything on the internet.

Summer’s rough, isn’t it?

However, if you want to shed ALL of your clothing, then you might as well do it at one of Germany’s nude beaches.

Nude beaches? Germany’s got nude beaches?

Yeah, it sure does and they are scattered throughout the country, so you’ll find one when you really want one (or, got the guts to go ;-).

Uh, where are they; and what are the “rules” for being there?

Let’s start at where it all started; the island (and town) of Sylt (in North Frisia). The entire island isn’t a beach for naturists (as nude beach goers are called), but an area of the island has been set aside for those looking to don their clothing since the 1920′s.

Situated on the Baltic Sea in the state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, you’ll find some nude beaches in the Rügen district. The white chalky cliffs make for a great background. Too bad though you can’t bring a camera to take pictures of them.

You really didn’t think you could bring cameras onto a nude beach, did you? ;-) Do yourself a favor and keep the camera put away until you’ve left the beach area. OK?

Even Berlin gets in on the nude beach action over at the Wannsee. The sandy beach might be clothes free, but make sure you’ve brought something to cover up with while you’re playing beach volleyball or are out paddle boating.

It’s always good form to bring something to sit on or cover up when you’re at a nude beach restaurant, or some other concession area. Sanitary, ya know.

Lower Saxony has got a nude beach on the island of Borkum. Whether you keep your clothes on or take them off, you’ll love the clear lakes and nude camping.

One thing, Gentlemen, if you’ve come to Borkum or some other nude beach to pick up the ladies; you better think twice. Nude beaches aren’t meat markets!

Yeah, that means you don’t invade anyone else’s space. And you certainly don’t want to be up close & personal not smellin’ all that fresh. So, make sure you’ve practiced some hygiene before arriving.

Look, don’t kill the messenger. I didn’t make the rules, I’m just passing them on. ;-)

Hamburg isn’t going to be left out. So, if you’re a true naturist, the Sommerbad Volksdorf is the place you’ll want to be.

Places like this are (believe it or not) quite family-friendly. So, please don’t come to the Sommerbad Volksdorf thinking it’s like Jamaica’s Hedonism. Keep the public displays of affection to a very (very, very) bare minimum.

Better yet, don’t display them at all.

But, don’t let a few rules of etiquette keep you from enjoying the best of Germany’s nude beaches. Then again, most of these “rules” would apply if it was a clothing-required beach, as well. Right?