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.