Germany Blog

Stories, tips, and reflections about life, travel, and culture in Germany.

  • Listen To German Authors Read Their Work To You With Zehnseiten

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    While many complain that the Internet is killing the written word, here is an example of German organization who is using the power of the web to distribute good literature. Knowing that many people would love to find more good books to read, they have arranged a system for authors to read their work directly to you, presented via the Internet.

    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

  • Germany Ranks 4th Of World’s Best Places To Live

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    Insiders know that Germany is a great place to live and do work, but it is always nice when outsiders recognize that as well. ;-)

    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

  • The Four German Meals You Can’t Miss

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    In Germany, we don’t eat three square meals a day. At least, not by American standards. There’s no piping hot breakfast, and we eat our cake in the middle of the afternoon instead of after dinner.

    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

  • Wahre Winterfreuden — True Winter Delights

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    What for some people can be stressing can be a dream for others.

    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
    Balcony in German Winter, Berlin 2010

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

    Bikes in German Winter, Berlin 2010
    Bikes in German Winter, Berlin 2010

    The kids like it, too… :-)

    Berlin Winter with Kids, 2010
    Berlin Winter with Kids, 2010

    Here’s the Berlin Reichstag…

    Berlin Reichstag in Winter, 2010
    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
    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

  • Germany Now Has 33 UNESCO World Heritage Sites

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    Germany is full of beautiful and memorable places. Some of these places are so special that the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has honored them as world heritage sites.

    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