is how these German staples arrive at your house. You pick how much and how often.
Just think, fresh rolls delivered to your door every morning. Or not having to carry those %^$#@* heavy beer and juice crates. Convenient services, but I can't vouch for the quality of the products.
OK, I already have a beer collapsible beer crate, but this was so Bavarian, it needed to come home with me. Besides, it was included in the price of the beer.
Imitation grey felt with machine embroidered Edelweiss and Hacker-Pschorr logo, I thought it was nicer than most things you'd find in a Munich tourist shop and I didn't have to go to Munich to get it.
in Germany aren't really what you think. Some people actually search for them, spend a week or so in them or just go to them for the day to relax.
"Bad" means "bath" or "tub" in German and any town with "bad" in its name has been approved by the German government as a spa town. Many of these towns have thermal springs and people have been "taking the waters" either internally or externally to help cure an illness or aliment for decades or in some cases, centuries.
Some famous "bad" towns in Germany include Baden Baden, Wiesbaden, Bad Cannstatt (also home of a famous beer fest), Bad Dürkheim (home of the wurstfest), Bad Reichenhall (near Eagle's Nest).
The smaller towns that depend on the spa trade, have lots of medical-related facilities, hotels, restaurants and more often than not, very good cake shops. In addition, there are often very nice shops and a big park with lots of walking paths. Sometimes, there's a casino and high quality music and theatrical productions.
Here in Hessen there are a number of smaller and less well known towns including:
Bad Camberg
Bad Ems
Bad Homburg
All are towns worth at least a day trip. One day soon I'll do a post about each.
is an environmentally friendly clothing company that uses only sustainable materials: silk, ramie, hemp, cotton and linen. The amazing thing is the company's design and manufacturing is done in China. Yes, China.
The company received the EU ecolabel for their commitment to the environment; minimal water usage, minimal use of harmful substances, minimal water and air pollution. They are the first company based in China to receive this distinction.
Their shops are found around the world, including in Germany and the United States, but, the first one I found was in Croatia. I was attracted by the deep discounts at the end of season sale, the original designs and high quality. Things like princess seams, darts, and porcelain buttons are standard in this collection; details that are difficult to find on reasonably priced clothing these days. It's worth it to check out their store if you have one nearby, or you find one when travelling.
I hope the Darmstadt store has end of season clearances, too, since I wasn't asked to provide this review and I didn't get any freebees for doing it.
has taken up residence in Frankfurt, at least temporarily.
"Tutankhamun - His Tomb and His Treasure" is one of three museum quality replicas of the tomb and its treasures currently on tour.
It's a comprehensive exhibition, includings lots of information about Howard Carter, the man who discovered the tomb.
I now feel like I've been to Egypt.
is a famous guy from Eastern Germany. Often associated with Berlin, but found in other cities in Eastern Germany, he and his female associate (the Ampelfrau) keep pedestrians from getting run over by cars. You can read more about him here.
The two of them are symbols often associated with the times before the wall came down and they have made their way on to all kinds of products.
Of all the products Ampelmann adorns, I never expected him to show up in one of our hotel rooms.
If you're an English-speaking expat blogger and you've never seen an Ampelmann, your opportunity is coming. Our next WEBMU will be this Fall in Berlin. Visit the expat forum to find out more.
is what I thought when I ordered this sandwich while in Gimmeldigen.
Except, it isn't even close. In fact it's probably the furthest thing from an all American burger you could ever taste.
This is a Rhineland-Pfalz specialty - grilled (over an open flame) saumagen on a Kaiser brotchen. It was delicious.
was our first wine fest of the season. Mandelblüte, or Almond blossoms are one of the first flowers of Spring.
The festival was the end of March in the tiny village of Gimmeldingen, on the Deutsche Weinstrasse in Rhineland-Pfalz. No, March is not a typo. Timing was perfect. The trees were in full bloom; a beautiful pink against the clear blue sky. The weather was actually nicer that day than it has been recently!
The village was closed to car traffic and parking was outside of town, forcing visitors to walk through the vineyards and along the almond tree-lined streets to get to the fest. In keeping with good German tradition, you didn't have to walk very far before you found something to eat and drink. On all approaches to town, the first opportunity to sample the local vintage was in the vineyards surrounding the village.
A very German way to welcome Spring!
was yesterday, the same day as the Spring Schlemmer Wanderung. Inspired by Monika's beautiful photos, I decided to return to this quaint town and see what the market had to offer.
There was a little bit of lots of things -- outdoor furniture and accessories, crafts, homemade herb-based products, antiques and of course, lots and lots of plants, all at extremely reasonable prices.
Thankfully, I arrived before the "doors" opened, or I don't think I would have found a place to park. It was very crowded, but people were extremely polite and friendly. No fighting over the antique chair or the last herb plant.
Since I don't really have a garden here, I didn't come home with any plants, but I did manage to find a few things for the patio. Plus I found a new place to learn about the local wine culture, including more about Grape Tears. The market was on the grounds of the Rheinhessen Staatliche Weinbaudomäne, which has a wealth of information about wine.
The vines are getting green, the Löwenzahne* (dandelions) are blooming, and the fruit tree blossoms are fading.
These were taken last weekend along the Rhine.
* one of my favorite German words - literally translated means "Lion's teeth." Now, think about what dandelion leaves look like...
