Frühlingsfest (Spring Fest) in Stuttgart!

The Germans know how to drink bier (beer) and party.  It's as simple as that.  I think I am officially one of them now that I have experienced my first fest.  It is a non-stop great time.  We took the U-Bahn (train like the metro or T) to the Frühlingsfest.

It is really a spring carnival--but with beer tents.  The carnival has various rides (pirate ship, swings, roller coaster-well I heard that, I didn't actually see it) and eateries (from candy apples to cotton candy).

I would estimate that 40 to 50 percent of the attendees had on traditional German clothes-dirndles and lederhosen (which is what guys wear).

The waitresses at Frühlingsfest rock.  Sometimes I needed both hands to hold up my beer.  But they could carry 8 or 10 drinks and made it look easy.  They also served you a half chicken and roll (Huhn und Brötchen).  I highly recommend the chicken after you finish one of your 3 liters of beer.  And the beer glasses don't break when they are dropped.  I watched many drunks (most looked about 16 or so) drop their glasses on the ground.  


A band played all evening.  Everyone stands up on the benches and sings and dances and drinks.  Pretty much all night long.  We arrived around 1530 and left at 2230.  The party was still going.  

Sightseeing

One of my first experiences in Deutschland was to visit a .... you guessed it... castle.  Germany has  16 castles (or so I read).  I visited one (outside of Stuttgart, not sure which though) on January 27, 2011.  This was one of the few times there was snow on the ground.  So not a great picture.  But you can't win them all.  On a side note-I was told in the winter of 2010 there were like 3 days without snow on the ground.  I move to Germany and there are like 3 days with snow on the ground-Winter 2011.  I don't get it either.

In addition to skiing the first couple of months, I also visited some towns I had not seen before.  On February 19, 2011, I drove to München (which Americans refer to as Munich).  I managed to locate Olympia Park.  I walked all around and saw the various venues.  Today the Germans allow anyone to swim and dive or play Fußball (which Americans refer to as soccer).  Notice there is no snow on the ground.  


I tried to find the city center.  Alas, it was not meant to be.  This is when I should have bought a GPS.  But there were many more times I got lost before I finally caved and purchased one in the middle of April.  I am sure I will find the city center for Oktoberfest.  But I think I will take the train.  


On March 27, 2011, I had lunch in Stausburg, France.  It's a lot of fun to lunch in France.  I mean, why not, it's roughly 1 1/2 to 2 hours away.  I had mussels.  Europeans also seem to love french fries.  No, I did not eat the entire plate.  Germans especially love potatoes.  Every menu will have about 5 different ways you can have potatoes.  


 Strausburg has a beautiful Notre Dame Cathedral, located in it's city center.  This city center I managed to find.  Really, you should not visit new cities on Sundays as most stores in Europe are closed.  But they will let you in the church to look around.    








Christine 

Dirndl

If you have read the Harry Potter series, then you know that the wand picks the wizard.  Well, the same theory applies to Dirndls.  Dirndls are the traditional German dresses worn for Fests.  (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dirndl)  Since I am attending the Fruhlingsfest on Saturday, I went to buy one.  The store had racks of various styles of dirndls.   The first one I tried on was about 5 inches short of my knees.  Then I started trying on some dress that went just past my knees.  You try on many to figure out which looks best.  Then the lovely sales lady points out why of the last two dirndls you are deciding on, one does not actually fit you--too large at the chest.  So you end up with the one perfect dress.  Still not a fan of shopping.  But I acquired my first German garb.  Mine is more like this:  http://www.krueger-dirndl.de/en/collection/madl/.  I will post picture after the event on Saturday--stay tuned.

Christine
ps.  I know, I still owe an update on what else I have been up too.

Moving to Germany!

So in January 2011 I moved to Germany.  There was an opening at my work for our field office in Stuttgart, Germany.  I thought, I should move to Germany.  So I applied and here I am.  Living in Europe is amazing.  Just like you thought it would be.  Great food, friendly people, unique sites.  I still have to learn German.  But I am picking up some words.  And I think I have a lead on a class.  I am hopeful.

To bring you up to speed, I have had a couple adventures since moving:

On January 22, 2011, I skied at Lech, Austria.  

On February 26, 2011, I skied at Kitzbuhel, Austria (well not the part without snow).

For the weekend of March 5, 2011, I skied at Dashstein West, Austria.  This is near where the family from the Sound of Music is from (or where the movie was filmed-well, something about them).  I fell pretty hard here and hit my head.  I needed a new helmet after that wipeout.  At least the old helmet did its job.  

On March 13, 2011, I skied at Feldberg, Germany.   There was the coolest igloo I have ever been in.  To be fair, I have only been in one igloo.  Still.

On March 20, 2011, I skied in the Black Forest, at Nebelhorn.  

Yes, the Alps/mountains in Europe really are this beautiful.  At least every time I have skied.  I will write about non-skiing activities catch-up next time.  

Christine