August Break: When I Said Bedroll, That’s Not What I Meant

On August 21, 2013August 19, 2013 By StevenIn Life In Germany9 Comments

I’m on an August Break from my regular blogging schedule. Here’s today’s picture.

Living in America, I got used to bedding being flat white slabs stacked up in a mattress store. When I moved here, I did what most people do- I went to Ikea for some affordable, necessary furniture. Imagine my surprise when I saw that the mattresses in Ikea start out in this rolled state!

When I got it to my apartment, I had to unfurl it and let it sit open for a day or two to fully expand and air out. I also had to get used to the bedding sizes and styles here. I love that German couples usually have separate blankets rather than one big one that they have to ~~fight over~~ share… it’s quite ingenious!

Have you ever had an Ikea bed? Did you like it?

August Break: What the wash?

On August 20, 2013July 25, 2014 By StevenIn Life In Germany5 Comments

I’m on an August Break from my regular blogging schedule. Here’s today’s picture.

Apartments here don’t come with clothing washers built in. When I moved in, I had to buy one. To this day, I still don’t quite know what all the functions do, because the instruction manual is also auf Deutsch.

Do you prefer front-loaders or top-loaders?

August Break: Longshadow

On August 19, 2013May 30, 2020 By StevenIn Life In Germany4 Comments

I’m on an August Break from my regular blogging schedule. Here’s today’s picture.

I love the longer days during the summer. This picture of my street was taken at around quarter to nine in the evening.

Do you prefer longer days or shorter days?

August Break: Business Flags

On August 18, 2013March 13, 2014 By StevenIn Life In Germany

I’m on an August Break from my regular blogging schedule. Here’s today’s pictures.

In Germany, business put up flags. Often, they’re in groups of three. I thought this was interesting when I first got here, but I’ve since gotten used to it. It doesn’t matter what kind of business- I’ve seen the flags for clothing stores, bakeries, machine work shops, and more. Here’s two examples.

August Break: One Thing I’ll Miss

On August 17, 2013August 11, 2013 By StevenIn Life In Germany11 Comments

I’m on an August Break from my regular blogging schedule. Here’s today’s picture.

I’m often asked what I’ll miss about Germany when I leave. The list is a long one, but the bakeries are near the top of that list. The picture below is one of my all time favorite German concoctions. Basically, you take a fresh pretzel, slice it lengthwise, slather butter on it, and put it back together like a little sandwich. It’s callled a Butterbreze, which means buttered pretzel- the name is simple because, honestly, why would you saddle such an elegant and tasty treat with a more complicated name?

Sehr Lecker!