Back to North America for Xmas
After two months am finally heading home. Should really stay longer but am eager
to spend Christmas time with my family. Spending the past two months here in small
town Germany has been very interesting. In some ways it is an undiscovered gem.
This area is one of the major wine producing regions in the country. There are
vinyards as far as the eye can see and wine is a major part of the culture. Was in
the small town of Schweigen (hard on French border) yesterday. The town, despite
it's size has over 32 eating establishments. All of them serving food that is
quite good but more often than not with identical menus. The local cusuine
consists of leberknudel (steamed liver dumplings), saumagen (stuffed pork belly)
and blutwurst (blood sausage). Of course there is the usual schnitzel or rumpsteak
mit pomme fritte und salat that is ubiquous in this area. Prices are extremely
reasonable compared to home and it is easily affordable to eat out two or three
times a week. Most people here do exactly that and I guess that is why there are
so many establishments. After dinner yesterday went for a walk and stopped in the
town centre. Most of the building are from the Medieval era and this particular
building was built in 1425. It was not out of the ordinary and looked like dozens
of similar buildings on the same street. I had to pause and think of the age as it
was standing here before Columbus. It makes one think. This is not a historical
protected site nor are any of the many others. It is still functioning as living
quarters and the stable now houses a mercedes instead of livestock. Real estate
prices have dropped here of late and a buildings such as this can be picked up for
a song. Most locals are not interested in the older buildings as they are drafty in
winter and usually require upgrading of services. No easy task in a building that
is almost 600 years old. I actually found a picture of the building and the bench I sat on.
view link
Tchuss for now!
Jack
to spend Christmas time with my family. Spending the past two months here in small
town Germany has been very interesting. In some ways it is an undiscovered gem.
This area is one of the major wine producing regions in the country. There are
vinyards as far as the eye can see and wine is a major part of the culture. Was in
the small town of Schweigen (hard on French border) yesterday. The town, despite
it's size has over 32 eating establishments. All of them serving food that is
quite good but more often than not with identical menus. The local cusuine
consists of leberknudel (steamed liver dumplings), saumagen (stuffed pork belly)
and blutwurst (blood sausage). Of course there is the usual schnitzel or rumpsteak
mit pomme fritte und salat that is ubiquous in this area. Prices are extremely
reasonable compared to home and it is easily affordable to eat out two or three
times a week. Most people here do exactly that and I guess that is why there are
so many establishments. After dinner yesterday went for a walk and stopped in the
town centre. Most of the building are from the Medieval era and this particular
building was built in 1425. It was not out of the ordinary and looked like dozens
of similar buildings on the same street. I had to pause and think of the age as it
was standing here before Columbus. It makes one think. This is not a historical
protected site nor are any of the many others. It is still functioning as living
quarters and the stable now houses a mercedes instead of livestock. Real estate
prices have dropped here of late and a buildings such as this can be picked up for
a song. Most locals are not interested in the older buildings as they are drafty in
winter and usually require upgrading of services. No easy task in a building that
is almost 600 years old. I actually found a picture of the building and the bench I sat on.
view link
Tchuss for now!
Jack
