Thursday, October 6, 2011
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Year 3!
Personally I'm looking forward to 8th year - can't wait to get my salt!
Anyways, another year of awesome and happiness, can't complain. We are celebrating by buying a new dishwasher tonight! Yesssss!
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Naked Time
Sorry about my posting lapse- We were without internet for a week. Things will be more back to normal now. I want to talk about getting naked in Germany.
Germans have a long and glorious tradition of public nudity. Even though their once thriving naturist community is now shrinking somewhat, there are still plenty of opportunities to show off yer goods. In the Englischer Garten, (Munich's answer to Central Park) there is a nude sunbathing area. From a distance you can see middle aged men standing around with their legs spread and their hands on their hips, talking to other men doing the same. You could also see it up close...if you were brave.
So while we were in Baden-Baden, a historic playground of the rich and famous, it only seemed fitting to take part in one of their most luxurious attractions, that happened to involve nudity.
Fredrichsbad, the thermal bath house was mere steps away from our wonderful hotel's door. Since 1877, this place has been a temple to relaxation and health. You can even get a prescription to go to the baths from your doctor in Germany, for free! Also, the dress code for this experience is totally nude.
Before we went into the baths, I was very nervous! I do have a tendency to have not the greatest body image, so the prospect of just wandering around and flaunting it seemed kind of, well, crazy. I also looked back to the scenes of Munich's park. Was it just going to be me and Paul with a bunch of wide-stanced hairy business men?
But as you enter this place you are almost transported into another plane of existence. This isn't just getting naked in public, this is like getting naked in a mansion!
As we were getting naked in the locker room, a staff person approached us and started talking quicly in fairly advanced German. It was...strange. Being naked with this prim and proper staff person, in her all white spa uniform - shoes and socks and all, explaining to us how to use the lockers. She was so totally non-plussed. But I imagine working there, seeing naked people all day long every day, you kind of lose that veneer of sensitivity about approaching somebody with no clothes on.
It helped with the anxiety of the situation that it wasn't too busy that day - I think we saw a total of about 8 other people the whole time. But even still, once you got used to the prospect that you were naked, they were naked, and it was normal, you almost forgot about it. It was relaxing, and liberating!
It's hard to explain, but it just felt natural and fun to be able to just walk around and swim and be naked and for nobody to think anything of it. And also to see the whole of other people's naked bodies, makes one's little imperfections seem like the most natural thing in the world.
Another nice things about this place is that all the water is natural mineral water, and the steam rooms are thermal, powered by the earth. It was fun to be able to open my eyes under water, and not have to smell chlorine everywhere. You feel so clean when you leave here, especially if your get the soapy scrub brush massage!
I really did enjoy it - to the point that I've been looking up clothing-optional places across the country. Maybe for our next vacation? I wouldn't be opposed! Getting naked is pretty fun!
Germans have a long and glorious tradition of public nudity. Even though their once thriving naturist community is now shrinking somewhat, there are still plenty of opportunities to show off yer goods. In the Englischer Garten, (Munich's answer to Central Park) there is a nude sunbathing area. From a distance you can see middle aged men standing around with their legs spread and their hands on their hips, talking to other men doing the same. You could also see it up close...if you were brave.
So while we were in Baden-Baden, a historic playground of the rich and famous, it only seemed fitting to take part in one of their most luxurious attractions, that happened to involve nudity.
Fredrichsbad, the thermal bath house was mere steps away from our wonderful hotel's door. Since 1877, this place has been a temple to relaxation and health. You can even get a prescription to go to the baths from your doctor in Germany, for free! Also, the dress code for this experience is totally nude.
Before we went into the baths, I was very nervous! I do have a tendency to have not the greatest body image, so the prospect of just wandering around and flaunting it seemed kind of, well, crazy. I also looked back to the scenes of Munich's park. Was it just going to be me and Paul with a bunch of wide-stanced hairy business men?
But as you enter this place you are almost transported into another plane of existence. This isn't just getting naked in public, this is like getting naked in a mansion!
As we were getting naked in the locker room, a staff person approached us and started talking quicly in fairly advanced German. It was...strange. Being naked with this prim and proper staff person, in her all white spa uniform - shoes and socks and all, explaining to us how to use the lockers. She was so totally non-plussed. But I imagine working there, seeing naked people all day long every day, you kind of lose that veneer of sensitivity about approaching somebody with no clothes on.
It helped with the anxiety of the situation that it wasn't too busy that day - I think we saw a total of about 8 other people the whole time. But even still, once you got used to the prospect that you were naked, they were naked, and it was normal, you almost forgot about it. It was relaxing, and liberating!
It's hard to explain, but it just felt natural and fun to be able to just walk around and swim and be naked and for nobody to think anything of it. And also to see the whole of other people's naked bodies, makes one's little imperfections seem like the most natural thing in the world.
Another nice things about this place is that all the water is natural mineral water, and the steam rooms are thermal, powered by the earth. It was fun to be able to open my eyes under water, and not have to smell chlorine everywhere. You feel so clean when you leave here, especially if your get the soapy scrub brush massage!
I really did enjoy it - to the point that I've been looking up clothing-optional places across the country. Maybe for our next vacation? I wouldn't be opposed! Getting naked is pretty fun!
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Alles Zeit ist Brotzeit
One of my dear friends also went to Germany a few years back. When she returned, she was all about making pretzels. It was a compulsion I didn't quite understand then, but I do now.
FACT: Germans love pretzels. It is one of their big cultural icons. Germany, I think is the only place in the world where you will see a stroller with a plush toy pretzel hanging down for baby to play with (yes. I saw this.)
FACT: Germans make the best pretzels in the world. Once you eat a pretzel in Germany- like a fresh one, right out of the oven, you will have a hard time enjoying other pretzels again. As another friend of mine, who recently returned from a historic tour of Berlin told it:
"The other day I was at the mall with my friends, and we got soft pretzels from Auntie Anne's. Seriously, afterward I was in a horrible mood. My friend was all 'what's wrong? This is so good!' Ugh. It's just not the same, we don't make good pretzels."
Now I too am spoiled. It's hard to say what makes them better. The skin is um, snappier? And the insides are softer? It's just better, ok?
I forgot to mention that these pretzels are also HUGE. Holding a giant beer and a giant pretzel makes you feel like a kid. Literally because you seem very small in comparison to your edibles.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Foxes in the Woods!
Ugh! I've been so bad about posting things about the trip. I am just so much better motivated to write about things that happen day to day. Not sure why?
Anyways, Paul and I went to an a.w.e.s.o.m.e concert last night: Fleet Foxes at Mountain Park! It was a gorgeous night, possibly the last unseasonably warm one we'll get- so it was great to get to be outside. Listening to chill music under the stars is about as good as it gets.
The venue was really cool. It was kind of like the iron horse company took a little bite out of a larger outdoor music festival, and planted it in the woods in Holyoke.
Seeing the band live gave me such a better appreciation of how technically impressive their music is. In the expansive open air of mountain park, the acoustic qualities of their music really resonated. It was like the fun of dancing to bluegrass music all shaken up with a choir singing canticle. Really really awesome!
The cat-calls that people were doing during the show were funny too. People shouting "I really enjoy your music!" "You are very talented!" "Honestly, your skill level is really above average!"- It was more like getting report card notes than cheering...but it was funny and cool and somehow seemed to fit the whole mood of the night.
Having gotten to hear a lot of their music live now, I would say that this is my favorite song to hear in person.
The harmonic "ooo" parts just took on a whole new brightness and power in person. If you ever get a chance to see these guys play - do it! It is an experience.
Anyways, Paul and I went to an a.w.e.s.o.m.e concert last night: Fleet Foxes at Mountain Park! It was a gorgeous night, possibly the last unseasonably warm one we'll get- so it was great to get to be outside. Listening to chill music under the stars is about as good as it gets.
The venue was really cool. It was kind of like the iron horse company took a little bite out of a larger outdoor music festival, and planted it in the woods in Holyoke.
Seeing the band live gave me such a better appreciation of how technically impressive their music is. In the expansive open air of mountain park, the acoustic qualities of their music really resonated. It was like the fun of dancing to bluegrass music all shaken up with a choir singing canticle. Really really awesome!
The cat-calls that people were doing during the show were funny too. People shouting "I really enjoy your music!" "You are very talented!" "Honestly, your skill level is really above average!"- It was more like getting report card notes than cheering...but it was funny and cool and somehow seemed to fit the whole mood of the night.
Having gotten to hear a lot of their music live now, I would say that this is my favorite song to hear in person.
The harmonic "ooo" parts just took on a whole new brightness and power in person. If you ever get a chance to see these guys play - do it! It is an experience.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Shroomin'
So I had a hard time starting up with these vacation-related blog posts, because the temptation to tell the whole tale in a linear way made me reluctant to launch into the juiciest tidbits that took place later on. But I'm going for it!
Fact: Germans LOVE Mushrooms. And more specifically, mushroom hunting. On the train, the deutsche bahn magazine had a pretty extensive article on the hippest new mushroom hunting gear. Boots, this knife:
ETC!
An even stronger indicator of this fungus lust took place one night when we were eating dinner in the Rathausglockel Hotel Restaurant. One of the other guests came in, apparently hot off mushroom collecting with an absolutely giant specimen, about the size of a basketball. She asked the kitchen to cook it up for her, and they seemed super pumped about it. Although, that all took place in German, so I could be wrong about what was actually literally said.
It's a pretty big deal there, I guess. In honor of that, I suppose it's only fitting that I cooked up a batch of my awesome mushroom soup last night. Why yes! I will share the recipe.
Ingredients:
1tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp butter
1 onion, finely chopped
6 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
2.5 cups of chopped mushrooms (any type)
handful of flour
3 cups of broth (chicken or vegetable - your choice!)
parsley
salt and pepper
1. Combine the oil and butter in a large sauce pan.
2. Cook the garlic and onion in the buttery mixture until they are soft and transparent.
3. Add the Mushrooms and stir to coat them.
4. Turn the heat to low and cover, cook for 15 minutes.
5. Throw in the handful of flour and stir to thicken.
6. Add 1 cup of broth and stir to mix again. Once, thoroughly combined, add the rest of the broth.
7. Turn up the heat and bring to a boil for about 8 minutes.
8. Add parsley, salt and pepper to taste.
It's a really easy recipe and really does bring out the wonderful earthy tastiness of mushrooms. The broth is really flavorful and hearty. The Deutsch would be so proud! Na Klar!
Extra Credit: Guide to Edible Mushrooms of New England
Fact: Germans LOVE Mushrooms. And more specifically, mushroom hunting. On the train, the deutsche bahn magazine had a pretty extensive article on the hippest new mushroom hunting gear. Boots, this knife:
ETC!
An even stronger indicator of this fungus lust took place one night when we were eating dinner in the Rathausglockel Hotel Restaurant. One of the other guests came in, apparently hot off mushroom collecting with an absolutely giant specimen, about the size of a basketball. She asked the kitchen to cook it up for her, and they seemed super pumped about it. Although, that all took place in German, so I could be wrong about what was actually literally said.
It's a pretty big deal there, I guess. In honor of that, I suppose it's only fitting that I cooked up a batch of my awesome mushroom soup last night. Why yes! I will share the recipe.
Ingredients:
1tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp butter
1 onion, finely chopped
6 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
2.5 cups of chopped mushrooms (any type)
handful of flour
3 cups of broth (chicken or vegetable - your choice!)
parsley
salt and pepper
1. Combine the oil and butter in a large sauce pan.
2. Cook the garlic and onion in the buttery mixture until they are soft and transparent.
3. Add the Mushrooms and stir to coat them.
4. Turn the heat to low and cover, cook for 15 minutes.
5. Throw in the handful of flour and stir to thicken.
6. Add 1 cup of broth and stir to mix again. Once, thoroughly combined, add the rest of the broth.
7. Turn up the heat and bring to a boil for about 8 minutes.
8. Add parsley, salt and pepper to taste.
It's a really easy recipe and really does bring out the wonderful earthy tastiness of mushrooms. The broth is really flavorful and hearty. The Deutsch would be so proud! Na Klar!
Extra Credit: Guide to Edible Mushrooms of New England
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Guess who's back? Tell a Friend.
We made it back safely! Hooray! It was an awesome awesome two weeks that I will think fondly about forever. Paul and I did and saw so many cool things. I'm posting all of our pictures on facebook, but I definately plan to use my blog space to talk some about what happened. Perhaps less of a play-by-play than my posts about the mid-atlantic disaster of 2010, but more of a series of posts talking about what we saw and noticed abroad. SO THAT'S COMIN'!
As a little taste, I figured I'd start with something light. European Fashion Watch!
Everybody knows that all the hot trends of the season come from fancy pants Europe and their ability to dress nicely. I cannot tell a lie - almost everybody over there was dressed very hip, pretty much all the time. There was one big trend for ladies that I saw on women across all ages and body types:
MC Hammer/ Harem Pants!
As universally as they have been embraced by the ladies of the old world, I have to say that they were pretty much also universally not flattering at all. I am sad that this is coming across the atlantic soon......Like a horrible fashion shark of doom!
As a little taste, I figured I'd start with something light. European Fashion Watch!
Everybody knows that all the hot trends of the season come from fancy pants Europe and their ability to dress nicely. I cannot tell a lie - almost everybody over there was dressed very hip, pretty much all the time. There was one big trend for ladies that I saw on women across all ages and body types:
MC Hammer/ Harem Pants!
As universally as they have been embraced by the ladies of the old world, I have to say that they were pretty much also universally not flattering at all. I am sad that this is coming across the atlantic soon......Like a horrible fashion shark of doom!
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