Random Thoughts

We've been in Germany for about 3 months now.  Time for some random thoughts.

Things I never dreamed of doing

• Listening to the Macarena with my German coworkers at work. (They play the radio all day long in the office.)  The radio station we listen to plays modern pop songs, but some of the filler songs are quite amusing.
• Listening to Gansters Paradise with my German coworkers at work.
• Going to Disneyland Paris for my birthday.
• Watching a town erect a Kerwa pole in the city center (every town we have seen has one of these for their Kerwa festival).  There was plenty of beer on hand to aid this task.  The Kerwa is a 2-3 day festival with music, eating, and drinking.  Each local town has its own version (at least in Franconia).  I didn't have the heart to tell them this tree is not going to grow.

Causes for Celebration

• I finally wiped the kitchen counter without banging my head on the range hood.  Still working on the light in the living room.
• Giant bottles of nutella.

• Mastering a new toy.

• No presidential campaign ads.

Things you may not have known until now

• About 70% of the music I've heard on the radio is American.
• Times I've heard "The Eye of the Tiger" on the radio in the last 10 years prior to Germany: 2
• Times I've heard "The Eye of the Tiger" on the radio since moving to Germany:  6
• Top speed thus far on the Autobahn 185 kph (we drive a van).
• American TV is pretty much banned here (even on the internet).  I haven't even seen David Hasselhoff.
• It is definitely not 1 gallon per flush.  The toilets here actually work.
• The German national handball team takes precedence over the gold metal basketball game for Olympic coverage.  Apparently, the 4x100 m men's relay final is not as critical as field hockey.
• There are no weeds in Germany.  Alright, that may be exaggerating a bit.
• Gummi Bears are a national phenomenon (this is not an exaggeration).  Here is the typical Gummi aisle at the market.

• American girls can play German Folk music.

• Dancing is allowed in the kitchen.

Dancers and Evil Range Hood

• Driving in Germany is awesome.  It is the way driving should be.  There are very few stop signs.  If there is line of sight at an intersection, you have a yield sign (even at t-crossings).  Rolling stops are very much encouraged to keep things moving.  Stop signs are only at places you can't see oncoming trafic.  I've seen about 3 stop signs since we've been here.  In addition to the obvious benefits of the Autobahn, I have yet to see someone pass on the right.  Very nice and predictable.  I'm in trouble going back to the U.S. 
• The Autobahn does have a speed limit in areas around cities, bridges, and curves.
• Blueberry jelly is more popular than grape jelly.
• You can buy peanut butter here.

German Language Tips

• You only need to know 2 words and one jesture in German to survive:  Genau (which means something like "right on brother", ja ja (ja means yes), and a head nod.

Here are some sample conversations with the use of your new language toolbelt:
-All rherorical questions: head nod.
-All statements not requiring a response: head nod with an occasional genau.  Hold the e sound longer for greater effect.
-Any question, just say ja ja and live a little.
-Statement:  "Your German skills are really lacking"  Response:  Combo: ja ja, genau with head nod