Most of my posts lately have been about my two most recent obsessions--my girls and our travels around Europe. But there's been another topic that I've been wanting to write for ages, and haven't gotten around to. I want to write about life in Germany--just day to day living as opposed to the country and city-hopping we've been up to. How although we really haven't suffered much in the way of culture shock, it's so very different here than the States.
I would certainly say that out of all the countries in Europe, Germany is the most "Americanized", probably due to our huge influence here post-World War II. Sometimes it seems like we have more US military bases in Germany than there are in the States! But as much as some things feel like a bizarro version of home, just about everything is wildly different. Driving. Going out to restaurants. Shopping. Speaking. Paying utilities. Home ownership. Disposing of garbage. Energy alternatives. Banking. How sometimes living here is like being transported back to 1992, and how, as much as I love America, there are SO many things that are done SO much better here.
So, trying to process all of that into a blog post has been sort of daunting, not to mention how epically long it would be if I tried to include everything. Instead, what I've decided to do is break it all down into a series of sorts. I want you all to be able to experience this world with me, and I want to remember it in the years to come, when we've left Europe. How crazy it was to be driving 100 mph on the autobahn, only to have an Audi blow by us at seemingly double our rate of speed. What it's like trying to decipher the products in the aisles of a grocery store and sometimes accidentally trying new things! How we didn't realize that it takes a German bank up to two weeks to deposit a check, meaning almost all of our utility and rental payments were suddenly made of rubber.
We've learned a lot since moving here, and there are fewer and fewer hiccups each week, but we're definitely still learning, and attempting to fully understand Germany. So, my question for you is, are there things that you wonder about life overseas? I think when people hear "Germany", the immediate question is about the autobahn. But what are the topics I could cover that would interest you? I'd love feedback on this, and I'll kick off my series next week with the most obvious topic, and the thing I was most terrified about upon moving here: DRIVING!!!
Food. Definitely food. LOL. Can definitely relate to "grocery store roulette," that's for sure!
Posted by: Mandy | September 11, 2012 at 03:09 PM
I've visited Germany about 7 years ago for Christmas, and I felt it was really like the 1980s. maybe it was just this places I visited. the Germans are so efficient and how they do things. thank you for your sweet comment yesterday.
Posted by: Elle sees | September 11, 2012 at 03:20 PM
Thanks, Angel -- get me ready with all the handy tips before I get there:) You know how I love to drive!!!
Posted by: The Incubator | September 11, 2012 at 04:24 PM
Yay! I can't wait for these.
Posted by: A Super Girl | September 11, 2012 at 06:23 PM
I'm excited for this series! My husband is in the reserves, but is a full time civilian for the department of defense. He was offered a job at a base in Germany, but ended up turning it down because at this time it would have been a logistical nightmare! I can't wait to read about what it's like living there, though. :)
Posted by: Annie | September 11, 2012 at 07:10 PM
I'm really curious about the food, as well. Is the produce a whole lot different (like the fruits and veggies that they carry)? And what about prices? Is it really all meat and brats and beer over there? I'm personally so excited to go there and see if I can find some vegan restaurants! So definitely do a "trip to the grocery" store one. That'd be neato burrito!
Posted by: Brittany | September 11, 2012 at 09:02 PM
Ditto, I am very interested to hear what you have to say about the cultural differences! Also, where are you located? (email me!) My girlfriend is German, and she's headed home for about two months pretty soon, here. If you guys are anywhere near each other, I think you should meet up, she's wonderful, and might be able to give you some insider POVs!
Posted by: Cat | September 11, 2012 at 10:25 PM
I want to hear about the stuff you mentioned, especially dining and shopping.
The autobahn just scares me.
Posted by: thoughtsappear | September 12, 2012 at 02:08 PM
When I was 20 and living in Germany for a few months, I didn't appreciate it as much as I should have. I wanted it to be like America and really resisted the way life was different over there. Yes, something are a bit archaic, or were then, but I didn't get to appreciate it as much as I do now. That's why I'm traveling so much, to relive parts of those experiences and get to savor it more now than I did then.
Posted by: Jessica | September 13, 2012 at 03:39 AM
Ooo, ooo, ooo! I can't wait for this series! This sounds like so much fun. Totally looking forward to living vicariously through you.
Posted by: Molly | September 18, 2012 at 04:25 AM