Germany is the Land of Sauerkraut and Shrapnel

 My Father helped liberate Dachau. He was stationed in Europe, London for 6 months, then finally Munich for 6 months. So, as a student abroad in 1981, my friends & I made it a point to visit Munich and Dachau. In Munich, the streets, sidewalks and street lamps were new. The old buildings which survived still had shrapnel holes in the sides. The reserved citizens would quietly gather in the old town square to watch the huge and intricate Cuckoo clock strike Noon. It was quite the treat, but back then, Munich was grey. The citizens walked quickly and efficiently about, but with their heads slightly down. We were the giggly American college students running around in shorts!  

Dachau was a 20 minute bus trip from Munich. Although gloomy, I encourage everyone visiting Munich to visit Dachau. Back in 1981, it was almost untouched. There was no fancy visitors Center. No tour guide. No memorial wall site or flowers. Only a guest book to sign at the end. We simply stepped off of the old, non-air-conditioned school bus and walked in through the old gates. There was one lady at a visitors desk to sell us a ticket, but no one else. We walked right into the old crematory. The old dormitories. The many wooden triple bunk beds still had scratchings of every name and every initial of each human soul imprisoned there. That's when it hit me, along with my Dad's words: "No one knew. No one knew what was really going on. They knew it was desperate, but no one could have imagined. Myself and my Air Force buddies came back from our initial visit all sick to our stomachs." My friends and I didn't speak for hours afterwards. A sad but life changing visit worth your time. 

Also, while driving on the Autobahn, our bus driver pointed out what the locals call: "Hitler's Widow's Peake" Photo below!    

On a happier note, below are a few travel tips for Germany:

• Do use your old European manners (see the post "Old European Manners" August 12, 2020)
• Germans value hard work, frugality, thriftiness, punctuality, order, rules, respect, perfection, achievement, belongingness, and are proud.
• Germany is a country of 83 million. Berlin is the capital. The GDP per capita is $$46,500 USD
• Germany is a bit bigger than New Mexico. It is a Federal Republic. 
• Germany is known for their "perfectionism"
• Layer, as the temperatures are 25 - 60 Degrees F. and it's a rainy climate.
• The German currency is the Euro. You will need cash for some purchases. Always carry a bit of cash as well for tipping. Exchange your currency at your bank before you leave for your trip. If you run out of Euro cash, DO NOT exchange monies on the street. Go to a bank. 
• DO NOT eat or drink while walking down the street. Rude. DO NOT chew gum in public.
• Dress code is European city chic. Plain black, navy and beige are best. DO NOT wear white tennis shoes or a fanny pack. Travel websites have clothing with inside hidden zippers. My Mother taught me to keep some cash inside my shoe. Covered shoes are best. 
• DO NOT wear shorts unless you are exercising or hiking. 
• We also drove by Hitler's "Eagle's Nest" mountain as pictured. 
• DO NOT be the loud, boisterous "Ugly American." Speak quietly and be reserved.
• If you must wear jeans, black jeans are best and should be clean and pressed.
• Gentleman: please keep your hands out of your pockets. Pockets are for change only. 
• Speak a few 'magic words' in German and you will be appreciated. "Ein beer bitte" means "one beer, please!" "Bitte" = Please and "You're welcome.". 'Danke' = Thank you. "Hallo" = Hello. "Guten Morgen" = Good Morning. "Grub Good" = "Good Day." "Guten Abend" = "Good Evening." "Ja" = "yes." "Nein" = "No."
• Germans have coffee and cake at 4:00pm. "Kaffe und Kuchen." All kinds of different cakes & strudels.
• Toasting: "Zum Wohl" = "To your health." Or "Prost" is traditional too. Use these toasts at Octoberfest or when simply going to a beer house and having a beer with friends. The waitresses here are fabulously talented (they gracefully carry 6-8 beer mugs all at once) and nice, and the sauerkraut (fermented cabbage) & meats are fresh & good!
• "Wie Gehts" = "How are you" and begins a discussion. 
• Breakfast = boiled eggs, rolls and marmalade, cheeses, coffee & hot teas & hot chocolate! 
• Lunch = meats, potatoes, sausages, vegetables, salad and soup.
• Dinner = "Sauerbraten" is pot roast and is the German National dish. "Kartoffelpuffer " = potato pancakes (my Dad used to make these for breakfast from leftover mashed potatoes the night before). "Spatzle" = egg noodles. "Zungerl" = pig's tongue. "Wursts" = sausages. "Bratwurst" = grilled sausage. "Leberwurst" = liverwurst. "Winerschnitzel" = breaded fried veal. "Knodel" = dumplings. "Torten" = decorated cakes. "Schwern" = pork. "Lamm" = lamb. "Hahnchen" = chicken. "Fisch" = fish. "Ei" = egg. "Gemuse" = vegetable. "Fleisch" = meat.
• Appetizer = "Vorspeise." Main Course/Entree = "Hauptspeise." Dessert = "Nachtisch." 
•  Eat every meal Continental style only. Otherwise, Germans think you are hiding something, that you are not trustworthy. DO NOT place your hands in your lap. Keep your wrists always above the table. 
• The toilette is "Toiletten" or "WC." Women = "Frauen" and Men = "Herren."
• Hot water = "Warm." Cold water = "Kalt."
• Handshakes are firm and eye contact is direct. Smile warmly. Shake hands with everyone present. Women do extend their hands first. Men should stand when a woman enters the room. 
• Use last names and formal titles only until you are invited to use a first name. 
• German's answer the phone with their last names.
• Try not to ask for ice. The weather is cool and wet anyway, so you probably don't need it!
• Use your knife and fork Continental style to eat your sandwiches and fruit.
• DO NOT use the "Ok" hand gesture. Obscene!
• DO use the "thumbs up" to order more beers or as a sign of appreciation!
• DO NOT point. This is a signal for "stupid" or "crazy."
• Dinner seating is formal. Continental style only. Brandy is often served after dinner.
• To beckon a waiter, raise your hand and say: "Herr Ober." 
• DO NOT cut your dumpling or potato with your knife because this suggests to the chef they are not tender or properly cooked.
• Clean your plate!
• Butcher shops are common as the famous meats and sausages are fresh and delicious! Don't be scared of the mammals and fowl hanging in the windows!
• NO dirty jeans. Some establishments may not accept jeans at all. Check before going to dinner.
• Tip 10% for a large meal or dinner. Leave a bit of cash on the table if the service is exceptional.
• Tip 5% for a beer or small item.
• Tip the Taxi driver 2 Euros per trip.
• Tip the Maid 4-5 Euros per day.
• Tip the Porter 2 Euros per bag. 

Guten Appetit!