Sunday, January 29, 2006

German snow...

Our last day at the Ferienwohnung in Liel, and the snow is still in evidence ...
(click the images for a slightly larger view)











Unser Schneeengel (our snow angel). Tschuss!

Thursday, January 26, 2006

Does German snow taste different?

SNOW! Wow, snow, in Germany, really?

Well, not a LOT of snow (a couple of inches at the Ferienwohnung, less in Lörrach) but we did get the opportunity to see, smell and taste real, live German snow! I am sure that Madge will be taking pictures while I am here at the office, so look for those later, but that should answer a question you may have. Just because white stuff falls from the sky does not mean that the world is coming to an end (got that, Richmonders?). The sidewalks in front of your house must be swept and cleared by 7:30 (yes, AM, German-time) and the streets have already been plowed. Schools are still in session (very few snow-days here) and the office is alive and kicking. You can either mark it down to German sensibility, efficiency or just plain common-sense, but keeping the walkways clear so early allows for safe passage of pedestrians, postmen, city workers, etc.

You may be getting the picture as to why this 'blog is called The Swept Stoop. Folks over here just expect things to be kept in a certain order. There are some outright rules for how to keep your sidewalks, how to drive, and some other areas that seem to fit pretty well under the line of 'guidelines'. A good guideline example would apply to your yard and gardens ... "just do what the German's do".

What I have found out about Germany is that it's not so much a hyper-clean society (because there is some trash as well as a fair amount of mud and dirt and general 'schmutz' around), it is really more about taking care of what you've got. Hmmmm. Wasn't that what we were supposed to do from the get-go? We got the basic instructions (here's your garden, take care of it, eat anything you'd like except from that tree over there) and if we had followed the rules things would have remained pretty hunky-dory. And no, I am not comparing Germany to the Garden of Eden, and I am certainly not comparing a German Rathaus official to the Heavenly Father (not by a long shot!). I'm just thinking that I need to spend a little bit of time taking care of what I've been given.

I'll let you know how that's working out ...

Thursday, January 12, 2006

I love to go a wandering...


A trip up to Vogelbach led us to a castle ruin, the Saussenberg. It was worth the climb!






























The high road is the preferred road for the clan!

Vogelbach...near where we started our wanderung (which is German for small hike)

How’s your German? we figured it was a warning to be careful, don't light a camp fire, and if you fall it is your fault.

The tower – a good climb to the top. For all it’s appearance as a seemingly crumbling tower, it’s pretty well re-enforced with steel beams and cement posts.

The view from the top of the tower


View from the top looking over the Black Forest (Schwartzwald)

It’s got solid stairs!

Monday, January 09, 2006

Photos from the farm...

We are staying in what the German's call a Ferienwohnung (Holiday, or vacation, house) in Liel. Liel is between Kandern and Schliengen (got that?) and is easily found on a map...if the map is really detailed! Needless to say, it is a small town, surrounded by beautiful fields and the woods of the Black Forest.

The Bauer (farmer) who owns the guest house works an orchard and garden as well as maintaining a section of the Black Forest for timber. He raises chickens for food and eggs, rabbits for food, and has some BIG turkey's right now that are just about fat enough for the slaughter. What is so interesting is that the farm sits in the middle of town, surrounded by other residences and guest houses. We have seen people walking horses through town, with cars zipping nimbley by on the narrow streets. Everyone is very polite and concientious of others. When they find out that we speak only a little of the German language, they are very willing to speak slowly and with simpler words (and lots of hand gestures) so we can communicate.

Shopping is not so different than in the US, although here you need to bring your own shopping bag and be prepared to bag your groceries yourself, very quickly! What we heard about German efficiency and order is very much the rule...you need to be precise and direct about what you want and able to do it as quickly as possible.

Here are some pictures of where we are living...

Stryker-Ann outside the Ferienwohnung (we are on the third floor.












View from our floor looking out at the neighbours












Wils in the courtyard








Working with the Bauer (ok, more like Wils getting a tractor ride...)