Christmas Market in Kassel

I should wait to discuss Christmas Market until I have an entire month to experience it; however, we move tomorrow and I may not have the time this year or the internet access.

Every year the Kassel Market is given a theme that has something to do with fairy tales and/or the Brothers Grimm.  At one point, the fairytale duo lived in Kassel and the city is on their "fairytale route." It is magical festival both in the day and at night.  Like any carnival or festival, it consists of small wooden buildings selling things: crepes, brats, toys, beer, gluhwein, artisan items, sweets, kiddie rides etc. 

Why does it surpass other festivals in magical mystique?  Maybe the romantic white lights... or maybe because it occurs at Christmas time when people spirits are happy... Who knows??? As a German from Bavaria told us last night, every market has its own feel.  I hope next year that we can experience one of the festivals with from the middle ages.

For now, here are some pictures from Kassel Weihnachten 2012. Please allow some time for them to load. Merry Christmas and we love you all!

 

 

 

 

Advent Mania

Book stores, grocery stores, and just about every retail store you can imagine sell different types of Advent Calenders (since October).

Here is a list of the Advent Calenders I have seen so far:

Tea Varieties
Beauty Products
Crime/murder mystery type for 18 and up (I think...I wish my German was better because this would have been fun)
Body Shopp products
Playboy
Playgirl!  (ha ha only kidding, but I did see the 2013 calender)
Candy, truffles, and pralines beyond imagination
Truffles with note cards that you can personalize (I got this one for Justin since I know he hasn't been reading my blog)
Chocolates all liqueur filled
Chocolate all without liqueur
Chocolates divided into half for the evening (liqueur) and half for the day without booze
Do-it-yourself kits with shotglasses (ok, maybe candle holders but shots sound like more fun)
Science kits
Dinosaur bone kits
Mystery for @ age 12
Girly lip gloss/makeup type stuff
Lego themes abundant
Disney themes abundant
Playmobile - Farm
                      Police
                      Horses (girls)
                      Pirates
                      Princess/fairytale



And just to confirm if my husband reads my blog....I would like the one from the Body Shopp, Please and thank you! Or the murder mystery one, but you have to google translate! :)

 

 

What's that funky smell?

Yesterday, I was telling a friend how hard it was living here and not speaking German.  Everyone has had a couple years of grade school English and no one wants to use it.  If I am on the tram long enough, I am reminded of the bravery in humanity because someone will finally try a few words.   I know how hard it is to put yourself out there and be vulnerable to strangers and mistakes.  Today after about 6 stops, a 78 year old man starting speaking in English to Colt regarding a toy catalog.  Every stop, he remembered more words.  It was awesome.  He was beaming and so were we, so much so that we waved to him as he pulled away.

Anyway, the conversation about the difficulty reminded me of  the times I am grateful that English here is limited. If you have ever parented a toddler, then you know how they can say embarrassing things in public.  I'm saved from the embarrassment.

For example, my son has busted out TWICE on the tram with "I'm sexy and I know it.  Girl, look at that body." He always make me laugh and that encourages him to sing louder and shake his shoulders a little more.
The first time it was practically empty, but the second time it was packed.  The girl next to me looked at me funny and put in ear buds.  LOL  I still can't stop giggling about it.  It is his famous skype performance. lol

Another example happened yesterday, one stinky vagrant got on at each tram stop all the way downtown.  The 20 minute ride totalled 5 stinky men with body odor and booze stench abundant. It was like they planned it. They all knew each other.  One of them even had two ferrets tucked in his coat.  Ughhh, the undeniable down side to public transport.  Just as I was thinking we needed a car, Colt busts out with, "What's that smell?"  "It smells like stinky poo! Mom, mom, what is that?"  The whole time he is sniffing loudly.  Now, I am sure people figured out what Colt was playing at, but I am glad I wasn't forced to apologize or converse about it.  hahaha  Being the foreigner does have a few advantages.  :)

Deutsche Bank

Yesterday, I had a discussion with Hemingway's wife.  She is Finnish and was talking to me about how difficult Germany is in so many ways.  Finland has walk-in closets and apartments come with kitchens and fitted bathrooms.  So, when you hear me talk about differences, the differences could be with the US, with the rest of Europe, and even with some other Germany states areas.  I'm not experienced enough or well-traveled enough (yet) to be specific, so please understand this is only my perspective on moving to Kassel (Hessen state), Germany.

Banking

When you are ready to open a bank account, you must make an appointment.  Walk-ins are not welcome.  As a foreigner, by the time we showed up at our appointment our banker knew our employer, salary, and many other details.  Much like our apartment and new landlord, he chose us. We did not chose them.  It is an interesting outlook and quite different from the one in the US. We set 9900$ in cash on the table like many immigrants have in the past everywhere. It has become quite difficult to make international transfers anymore and if we had known that German declarations and customs didn't exist we would have transported much, much more. As of last week, our credit union (like many others including BofA) stopped international transfers because of too much liability and paperwork.  Awesome for the millions criminals who launder money.  Shitty for normal people like us who just need the money (we legally earned and paid taxes on) in accounts here.

He opened our account and was incredibly polite and helpful.  Justin and I drank espresso and Colt played with toys in a completely different room. :)

So, we now have EC cards.  Debit cards with computer chips like sim cards installed.  I can use it for groceries, shopping, etc. with a pin number.  They look at me comparing my face to their screen or sometimes they look at my signature and compare it to the screen.  Interesting.  Everyone is very careful.  We were offered credit card option based on our salary and we said no thank you.  No need.  After a simple international transfer, we have a debit.  Right?  Wrong.  The EC card cannot be used online at all, not for shopping, train tickets, airfare.  Nothing.  Hmmm, that won't do.

The Chase card that had no foreign transaction fees was a lie.  It's only for traveling.  If we live here, transaction fees out the ass. Whatever, we don't need United miles any more anyway.  Cancel.  So, Justin makes an appointment and goes back to the bank.  They were very nice to accept and deposit all of our US checks (escrow acct, etc).  Justin decides to get a needed credit card. Afterall, we are going to have to rent a car just to go to Ikea.

Details (remember I hate credit):

Credit limit: 5000 euros based on a salary, non-negotiable
Annual fee:  free for the first two years, then 40 euros a year
APR:  nothing,  whatever you spend that month comes straight out of your account automatically at the end of the month....Big "Nicole" Grin


Hardly anyone takes credit at all here, but it is helpful for trains, airfare, car rentals and hotels.  When I say hardly anyone takes credit, I mean a friend at work just bought a car in cash.  Literally, he went to the bank and pulled out 27.000 euros and put it under his mattress. The next day he went to the dealership with the money.  Our banker, also, told us to use it for major appliances because we would get an extra two years warranty on top of the manf warranty, IF, of course, we could find someone willing to accept a credit card.  The idea is if you don't have the cash, you aren't getting it. Regardless of whether you think you need it or not. I'm not sure if you can finance homes.  I think I read somewhere that foreigners cannot buy so we never looked into it.  I can say that the family who moved out of the apartment we are about to live in saved for a LONG time to be moving into their first house they have ever owned. I estimate they are early 40's with three children.

This is how I was raised to believe credit should be, so I just may be the only American NOT shocked or appalled.  Well, almost, I can think of a couple more and you know who you are :)

The Rocket

Imagine Target 20 years ago minus the clothing.  Or maybe, imagine a Walgreens/Target hybrid without clothing.  That's Mullers: cosmetics, housewares, toys, music, DVDs, and seasonal items.

I like to go through advertisements here because it helps me increase my vocabulary.  Imagine my surprise to see a selection of vibrators on sale at Mullers.  The US is so stuffy I got quite a kick out of it.  So, the next time I conference skyped with my dad, sister and brother in law.  I hurriedly giggled and said, "Oh, hee hee, I have to hurry and tell you something before mom gets home from church!" I described Mullers in general and then I called "earmuffs" and covered Colt's ears.  In telling my family about the ad, I chose my words carefully because he is about to start daycare.  I carefully used...erotic selection.  When I uncovered Colt's ears, his eyes got super big like he was in on the secret and he leaned towards the computer screen.  He said, "Papa, (gasp) a Rocket!" 

Could you?

It takes a certain kind of person to sell everything they own (cars, house, and furniture), take significantly less salary, pay significantly more in taxes, and move across the world.  I'm not sure if I am one of those people, lol, but by now I certainly better become one.  Here is a list of a few differences (from my perspective and understanding), so far.  Think about all of this. Are you willing?

Work:

When you resign, you must give SIX months notice.  You did read that correctly. SIX MONTHS!

A team is actually a team.  They eat lunch together, get coffee together after and take turns paying as coffee is not free. There is no coffee, tea, or snacks provided by the company. They laugh together, do each other favors, and there is no evidence so far of competition between team members.

Six weeks paid vacation that must be taken by April of the next year or you lose it.  Personal time and sick time can be taken as needed and doesn't count against your holiday time.

The hours you work are totally flexible, except you cannot work more than 40 hours or on Sunday.  It it illegal and your boss could be fined. Justin can no longer go in a 4:30 AM. :)

The perks are plentiful (with Justin's company, at least): Bahn 50 card, subsidized day care, very cheap gym classes, pretty much similar to his last two companies.

Renting an apartment:

Our contract has no stated time period.  If we live there less than 5 years, we give 90 days notice.  More than 5 years, six months notice.

All the repairs are on us.  The painting and renovations are us.  Everything is on us. 

Most apartments don't come with a kitchen (as in any kitchen cabinets, appliances, nothing but pipes.  Some apt don't have anything but walls, in the bathroom either.  We lucked out. The kitchen and bath were included but we do pay for all the appliances up front. We get our appliance money back when we leave minus how long we use it.

We must open all of the windows twice a day to flush the air out of the apt because there is not ventilation system. This is in our rental agreement :)

My washing machine is in the basement.  It is the norm in case it floods, then it doesn't flood anyone's property. 

Daycare:

There is an unstated amount of "settling in" time.  I go to school with Colt during the settling in time and he only goes for short amounts of time the first week depending on how well he adapts or if he cries.  Say day 1 and hour, day 2 maybe two hours if he adjusts, etc. I'm not sure if this matches my parenting philosophy or not, but subsidized beggars cannot be choosy.  lol

Colt will go Mon-Fri from 9-3.  He will eat breakfast, snack (30 euros a month) and lunch (1.60/ day)  there all healthy foods.   All for about 340 euros.  That rocks!  I don't even have to make lunches.  Super! When he turns 3 in 6 months, it will only be about 230 euros...a month!

Enough for now, but I will leave the ladies with one more oddity.  There are no tampons with applicators here.  They are all OB style. I won't comment on this.  You will just have to read all of the funny thoughts in my mind. 

Next time....banking and credit...very different

 

We have a bath tub and a shower, some people don't.

 

Our street

Sugar Lust

It seems I have been on a diet since I was 12.  I know I have been exercising to lose since that age  because I remember coming home from school to do aerobics in Jr. High.  My neighbor had warned me to never hit 100 pounds because I would never be able to lose it as I aged.  I believed her and at 103 I ate less and began exercising.  Diets, calorie counting, and obsession ensued.

At 38, I realized the universal truth that all men know.  Muscle weighs a lot and burns a lot of calories.  I didn't need to lose weight.  I needed to trim the fat off.  Long story short, I quit eating sugar/empty carbs, started lifting weights, and drastically reduced my cardio (makes me hungry).

Bakeries are to Kassel as Starbucks are to Houston.  They are everywhere and often have lines out the door.  Children around the age of 5 line up (on their own!) and wait in these lines to purchase an after school treats.  When I walk out my door, two bakeries are a few steps away and within a three block radius I count five bakeries/candy stores off the top of my head.  It's unreal!  I thought only Americans ate this much trash. Most people are a healthy weight here, children included. I'm not judging, but I was shocked.  At a play date, I watched a mom feed her 3 year old son cake, gummy bears, ice cream and a candy bar within 45 minutes.  WFT?  The poor kid doesn't have a chance. The ice cream and candy bar were very tiny versions, but still. Colt chose to play outside and had no afternoon snack.  He even gave her the ice cream cone back saying no thank you.

This all sounds frightening to an ex sugar addict but the truth is I don't have much of a taste for sugar any more.  It makes me physically sick after and most of the time I just don't want it.  We do wander in bakeries for coffee or tea (usually after a run or walk) and I do let Colt get a treat which I sometimes make him save for afternoon snack. Some things in life are worth waiting for and so I try to teach him that early on in life. If I treat myself, I get a croissant (trashy white bread and butter, but only 3 grams of sugar).  Compromise at it's best.

My difficulty with sugar filled Germany isn't the bakeries.  Sugar is loaded into all of their products.  It was hard enough in the US finding products low in sugar or without added sugar.  Here it is almost impossible.  I have been to three shops looking for zero carb protein and everyone looks at me like I am loo-loo!  You want no carbohydrates?  Hmmm.  Together we look at every package.  Zis does not exist.  I am told.  No shit, I think to myself.  I wonder if the girls at the gym know that snicker bars would be just as healthy. Seriously.

All that said....I can't wait until Christmas!  I am going to fill my stocking with the best chocolates and candies in the world and eat them all in one morning with a glass of champagne.    Special occasions always deserve over-indulgence!

only the beginning...

 

How we work it off!

10,000 Nudists

I asked the following question last night on FB:  Do I need a bathing suit to go to Kurhessen Thermals?  They are salt water pools here with varying temperatures of heat.  They are quite an attraction because a salesman in Frankfurt told me he drives up on Sundays just for the baths.  I asked the question because I have been dying to go since Fabio mentioned it and my swimsuits haven't arrived.  So, surprise!  This American was hoping for a No Swimsuit Required answer, after all this IS Europe.  Unfortunately, the answer was swimsuits in the pools and naked for the saunas and steam room.  No problem, I can easily wait one more month for my old lady swimsuits.

The question reminded me of my recent visit to 10,000 Waves.  In my humble opinion, the greatest Spa in the US.  Knowing it was only a matter of time before we left the US for good, I decided to go to 10,000 Waves last May for Mother's Day.  Not wanting to spend too much on indulging myself, I waited until the last minute to make my decision and by last minute I mean I called when we were already en route to Albuquerque.

Here is my conversation with the friendly Scott who booked my spa which includes communal hot baths:
Me:  Do I need a swimsuit?  Because I don't have one with me....
Scott:  Absolutely not!  We tell people to wear one if they are uncomfortable, but you will be in the minority. Most people choose to be nude.
Me:  Perfect, I didn't have one anyway.
Later on the highway to Justin:  I'm not sure how feel about Co-ed communal nudity.  I mean, at midnight after a few drinks cool.  At 9:00 in the morning sober???  I'm not so sure......

Later after a couple days in Albuquerque and a couple drinks, I repeat my concerns to Justin and his guy friends.  I'm not sure how feel about Co-ed communal nudity. I mean, at midnight after a few drinks cool. At 9:00 in the morning sober??? I'm not so sure...... Their advise: Just go with it, who cares?  I wouldn't know anyone any way. Cool.

I arrive at 10,000 Waves and check in.  It is breathtaking as it sits next to Santa Fe National Forest and easy to feel at ease there.  The nice lady checks me in and explains the day, shows me around.  The bath with my package is all day access to the WOMEN'S Baths!  AHHH, deep sigh of relief.  All my anxiety about saggy man parts disappears magically into the trees.  Whew!

Locker rooms and straight to the baths to enjoy every minute of my day away.  I hang my robe in the cute cedar sauna hut and nakedly parade through double doors into the thermal baths.  Surprise. Drum roll.... EVERY single women has on a swimsuit.  I am standing their naked, brows furrowed...not one nipple in sight ( Well, other than the two I'm openly sporting). Ughhh, there is even a look of surprise on their faces.  HAHAHA  Oh well, about 20 minutes later someone else showed who must have talked to Scott (the Liar), but by then I could have cared less. 

It made for a great story and who doesn't love a good story?  The look on their faces still makes me laugh...

No pictures with this post, sorry!  LOL

Made in Germany

Ninety percent of everything we buy here is Made in Germany.  I haven't seen Made in China on ONE label, seriously not one. IKEA is the only company that stands out in my mind as having products made in Asia (Thailand, maybe?).  It is a concept the US has struggled to promote, but hasn't been nearly as successful.  Regions and cities are often included on labels and people are rather devoted to local products and brands.  When I asked Hemingway which beer he preferred, he said, "Well, the beer made here in Kassel, of course," with a look of disbelief.  Kassel brews Martini Meister a pilsener which is fantastic so his devotion is well earned!  Most products here have pride built into them.  Interesting.

Another thing I have noticed all over Europe is how everything is so well-made and crafted.  There is a sense of permanency here that you rarely find in the states.  For example, windows here are much heavier and better sealed than even doors in the US. The stairs in our building are marble (or rather according to Justin polished limestone because marble isn't a real stone). Roofs, bridges, roads, etc aren't made to last a decade. They are made to last a century.  The playground we frequent has trash cans from the 50's that look like they could survive Hiroshima.  The play equipment itself is solid wood and heavy metal, not plastic and moldy cheap wood.  It makes for an impressive appearance and forms the grandeur that makes Europe romantic.

It left me wondering if cheaply made products are a result of capitalism. After all, if you have to replace it every 2-5 years, then business get to make more cheaply made crap which people continuously pay for again and again. Or maybe it is simply an attitude that accompanies overabundance, the knowing there will always be more. Who knows? I could speculate for days and offers hundreds of examples. Instead, I invite you to come see for yourself :)


This is a small park that is closet to our house. I wish I had taken a pic of the bullet proof trash cans and so of the other phenomenal parks.  All I have for now.

 

I love the Germans!

I always knew I would live in Europe, but Germany was a surprise.  Having never traveled here, I was at a loss for what to expect from the people themselves.  You can google museums, restaurants and shopping, but you cannot find online how much people laugh and smile even though it is raining. 

Germany may not be for everyone, but it's definitely for me.  I find the people incredibly friendly and snobby all at the same time.  For those of you who know me, I fit in well here. Most people have a confident formality about them that I love.  They always leave the house dressed in their Sunday best and look at me sideways in workout clothes (I overlook this because thin trumps well-dressed in my book :)). On the other hand, they are welcoming and seem to love Americans.  If not Americans, they do love practicing their English.  I have a wallet full of cards with names and numbers of people I have met on the tram.

Two days ago at the grocery store at 5.30PM Colt and I are standing in line.
"Guten Morgen, guten morgen, auf wiedersehen, etc.," Colt rambles.
Everyone (5) people look around at each other quizzically, slight smiles.
Colt says good morning about 3 more times.
People quietly giggle.
"Ok," I announce in English, "he has just started learning German and he is practicing.
"Oh, good job.  Good boy! Say it again!"  everyone brags and chuckles and tell each other in German why he has his days and nights confused. The checkout lady was adorable and tried to talk to all of us in English.  Colt went on and on about his cars to her as I translated car to auto.

Today, we went back to the store. No matter how many times I throw out Ja, Bitte, Danke.  Colt always gives me away. We approach the checkout and the same cashier grins. We checkout and I tell Colt to tell her Danke Schoen. Everyone nods and smiles.  There is an old lady at the end staring at us (very common here).  I encourage Colt to smile and tell her, Guten Tag.  He does and she just smiles from ear to ear (because I have the cutest boy ever) and she says, "Guten Tag."  Colt goes into a soliloquy about cars, trams and crashes.  Her jaw drops like OMG what just happend. She looks at the four people behind me SHOCKED, confused and horrified.  Everyone dies laughing at the look on her face.  One guy in line says to me, "American?"  Ja, ja I respond.  Then, the cashier tells everyone about the other night and we all have a belly laugh. I don't understand it all, but I did get the ein auto, ein auto, ein auto! lol

What's not to love about people who are always laughing and always well-dressed?