The beginning of something beautiful

TUESDAY: As I sit here drinking coffee (I've been doing that more and more) and eating a peanut butter and banana sandwich (hot DAMN I haven't had one of those in forever, and they're so good - you know what I'm talking about, don't lie), I realize that today essentially marks the point that says this is longest amount of continuous time for which I have ever been out of the country - three weeks. Thrice huzzah. To commemorate, I thought I would put to pen something I've been thinking a bit about, namely a list of THINGS GERMAN PEOPLE HATE, through which I hope to illuminate the differences between us "normal" Americans and those "wacky" Germans - in no particular order. I know it might be nicer to go with a Things German People Love list, and they're not always going to necessarily "hate" the things on the list, but a little negativity never hurt anyone so we're just gonna go with this format. It might be a little long, cuz I've been savin' em up, ergo I ask you to bear with me. So now, without further ado, the first installment of...

THINGS GERMAN PEOPLE HATE

#1: Peanut Butter
We've already sort of gone over this one, but they seriously, seriously do not get peanut butter. It's not available in a lot of grocery stores, and when it is, it's expensive and in very small containers. Not only that, but I have had to staunchly defend my, and all God-fearing, flag-waving Americans', love of peanut butter not once, but three times in three weeks. I feel like peanut butter is running for political office and I am trying to sway people to vote for it. I tell them (a) it's full of protein (b) it's delicious (c) you can put it on pretty much anything and that thing will become more delicious (d) it lasts pretty much forever and (e) in less than two minutes you can combine it with jelly on bread and have a pretty rockin' meal. Thus far my sound and righteous arguments have fallen on deaf German ears.

#2: Customer Service
I think I've already got this one pretty much covered.

#3: Fabric Softener
This is more to say that dryers pretty much don't exist here, so everything gets hung out to dry and comes out not-so-soft. I admit to being a big baby in this regard, but for those of your planning on coming to Germany, you have been forewarned.

#4: Restrictions on Dogs
Germans take their dogs freakin EVERYWHERE. It's incredible. They take them on the train, into the grocery store, into the department store, into the bakery. A lot of them don't even have leashes - they're just perfectly well behaved. I guess that's German engineering for you. But seriously, don't tell a German he can't bring a dog into your store, because he will not be a happy camper.


#5: Giving You Enough Space When Talking
You know that weird kid in elementary school who got way to close to your face while talking to you? Well multiply that by like a million and you're in Germany. ...Okay it's not that pervasive, but some of the people here are serious close talkers.


#6: Jaywalking
Jaywalking, while a joke of a law in the States, can be serious here. I've seen people get 20€ fines for it. Some people walk on the wild side, but it's not uncommon for there to be nary a car in sight and have people waiting patiently for the Ampelmännchen to turn from rot to grün.

#7: Spoiled Milk
Who doesn't? But the Germans have taken it a step further by creating super-mega-hardcore pasteurized milk that lasts for over a year unrefrigerated. Kind of scary, but hey, when in Rome.

#8: Hookers Who Don't Wear Fanny Packs
Okay I really just wanted to tell you that all of the working girls in Berlin wear fanny packs. And yes, it is that hilarious. Thought this fashion item was the territory of old tourists in Hawaiian shirts? Think again.

...and thus ends this week's installment of THINGS GERMAN PEOPLE HATE.

To conclude this monstrously long blog, I'll give a quick recap of last Friday to now: Friday was Fidelio at the Berlin Staatsoper (State Opera House), which was very well done with some beautiful performances. Set was breathtaking, costumes left something to be desired. Saturday night I hung out with a friend of a friend from school who lives here (a real live German!) - very cool guy, hopefully we'll chill again soon. Sunday I went to THE COOLEST flea market I've ever been to in my life. It was seriously incredible, and larger than I could see in two hours. I got a messenger bag for 1€, an cool retro duffel bag for 2.50€, and an old-school skateboard with a satellite on the back (you're jealous) for but 5€. I'm obsessed and there will be more to come as far as that goes. Today & Yesterday consisted of cooking chicken and rice and going to a boxing club to check out how they do things - nice folks, hopefully that all works out.

Tomorrow is set for a jazz club, Friday for Karaoke, and Saturday I leave to see my former exchange partner in the south. Stories shall be forthcoming.

So liebe Leute! That's all for now. Thanks for hangin' in there, and much love to all.

P.S. Some weird elf sewed the wrist part of the sleeves of my sweatshirt down, I guess because they were fraying. I sincerely have no idea how it happened.

Oh and as a final note, that club across the street from my apartment building is definitely a Puff.