Q&A Time!

On By StevenIn Life In Germany

A short while back, I posted an ‘Ask Me Anything’ post.  Some folks used that as a chance to ask for advice in advance of their upcoming travels to the area, and I tried to answer what I could of those in regular e-mail.  Some of the remaining questions are really interesting, so I’ve decided to do a series of “You asked, I answer” posts.  Let’s get started!

Here’s a question from Rarasaur:  What’s your favorite holiday, including minor or obscure ones?

My favorite holiday is actually New Year’s Eve.  While I’m not a religious person, I believe firmly in the concepts of circles closing, in things ending, and in getting a fresh start.  New beginnings are important.

My second favorite holiday is birthdays.  All birthdays.  Mine, yours, the birth of the Sony Walkman, and so forth.  Like I said a minute ago, beginnings are important.

As for the rest of the holidays-  I like Halloween and Fasching because I like to see people dressed up in nifty costumes.  I like Thanksgiving because I like to have tasty food with my family.  I like the Day of the Dead because it’s important to remember those who have passed beyond the rim.  I like May Day because giant poles with streamers and decorations!  I like Valentine’s Day because I’m a romantic at heart.  I like La Tomatina because pelting people with tomatoes is fun and more than a little strange.  I like Diwali, despite only learning about it this past year, because it’s a festival of lights, involves family, and is utterly fascinating to me. I also like invented holidays, such as Talk Like A Pirate Day, Towel Day, and yes, even Steak and a BJ Day.

I tend to like the holidays that are about people and introspection more, and the holidays that are about giving and receiving gifts less.

Here’s a related question from Jenny: What has been your favorite German event/celebration so far?

I quite liked Palmator, the Starkbierfest that turns up on Palm Sunday each year, when Prösslbräu Brewery in Adlersberg serves up their signature bock beer for the first time.

I also enjoyed the Jazz festival that turned up here one weekend, and Mai Dult, which had all the things you would expect from a festival here-  beer tents, bands, lots of interesting food, and carnival-style rides.

I haven’t made it to Oktoberfest yet, but I’m hoping to make it this year.

Do you have anything you’d like to ask?  The Ask Me Anything post is still open!

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10 thoughts on “Q&A Time!”

  1. Yay! I love all your answers. 😀 And Palmator looks fantastic… I like costumes and beer in almost-too-heavy glassware. 😀 Have you ever seen” Holi” celebrated? Based on your love of La Tomatina, I thought you might also like throwing paint at people, haha! 🙂

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    1. I think I’m a little bit less interested in throwing paint- that just seems kind of harsh. We’re still a month away from Palmator; you could fly out for it. 🙂

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      1. Well, it’s a dyed powder, so it’s not violent or anything, haha! 😀 And as far as Palmator… maybe I’ll find a local, mediocre version of it. I’m pretty much the world’s worst traveler. If I actually successfully arrive at my destination (which with my travel luck, you never know), it’s with a year’s worth of supplies and a cranky level of 10/10. 😉

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          1. Yay! Sometimes I feel like I’m the only one! All my family and the vast majority of my friends are the “Everything I need is in this duffel bag or backpack” sorts. ::fist bump::

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            1. I’ve gotten better over the years, partially because I travel a LOT and partially because I’m also OCD about simplification and getting rid of stuff.

              I’ve gotten to the point now where I can usually do a short trip (no more than two nights) with a single bag, but I almost always have more t-shirts with me than I can realistically wear in the same period.

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    1. Palmator was my first experience with that sort of festival, and it was my first time drinking an entire Maß (one liter) of beer. Toward the end of the day, my photographs became increasingly likely to contain crotches, random trees, sections of wall, and so forth. Not on purpose, either.

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