Tag Archives: good times

Hessen, trip planning

Our last wine stand in August…

We had really pleasant weather last night. It was warm and sunny, but not too hot. Bill and I decided to go to the wine stand, but we left Noyzi and Charlie at home. It was pretty well attended last night, so it was probably good that we didn’t take them with us.

The wine was pretty good last night– better than usual, actually. I didn’t wake up with a hangover! And the company was especially fun. We ran into the American couple who live around the corner from us, and their two kids. A German lady who sat with us last time we went to the wine stand greeted us warmly.

And the pretzels and Spundekäs were both totally off the chain! The pretzels were very fresh and tasted like they had just come from the oven. The Spundekäs was creamy and tasted like it was made “mit Musik” (with music– raw onions that supposedly make one fart more). I already fart a lot anyway, so I don’t know if that’s a real thing. I determined that I liked it better with the onions. This is a very special cheese dip to the Rheingau region. It originated in Mainz, which is about twenty to thirty minutes away from where we live. The only time I ever saw anything like it near Stuttgart was when we visited the home of a guy who married a woman from Hanau. And she had Handkäse, which isn’t really the same thing. I doubt I would like Handkäse.

I got some photos of the event. Most of the usual people were there, so it wasn’t super unusual or exciting. Once again, I was very glad to be in our little village, which has become my favorite of the three I’ve lived in during our German sojourns.

The pretzels were so good!
So was the Spundekäs!
Charming Schnauzer who behaved very well.
I love these gatherings!

Next week, we’ll be in Iceland, enjoying everything… I don’t know how much travel blogging I’ll have the time and energy to do while we’re gone. We have a pretty full schedule. But I’ll do my best to at least share some photos. Hopefully, we’ll have good weather.

We came home last night to our dogs and enjoyed a light repast as we closed out another week here in Deutschland… I can’t believe we’ve now been here for ten years!

Tater tots, cucumbers, hummus, and pita…
Standard
Baden-Württemberg, blog news

Hello from Stuttgart!

Here’s a quick post to say hello from our old stomping grounds, Stuttgart, Germany. We got here Friday and will be coming home on Tuesday. I expect to write several posts about this trip, which has turned out to be surprisingly productive so far. We’ve visited a couple of new places, as well as one we haven’t seen since 2008.

The weather has been positively crazy, which is totally normal in March. Today, we’ve seen rain, wind, sunshine, and HAIL! It’s possible there could be snow tomorrow, though I doubt it will stick.

We have to see our dentist in the afternoon. He’ll be repairing things for both Bill and me, and we’ll get cleanings… and then, when we get home on Tuesday, we’ll fetch Noyzi and start planning our next big adventure, which will likely be somewhere totally different. I might even get on an airplane again.

Even though we’re in Stuttgart, this trip is pretty pricey for us. But today, we scored a new carpet for the living room, which desperately needs it after Arran’s many clandestine toilet runs. It doesn’t match the other two carpets, but the rug guy says he’ll be up in Wiesbaden in three weeks. Maybe we’ll just redo the whole living room.

I’ve also noticed a lot of businesses coming and going down here… and a lot more road construction. It’s weird to see the changes.

Anyway, I’m not quite ready to start blogging yet. But I do have a lot to write about… Here’s a short list, so I don’t forget:

  • Bill mistaking a Muslim woman in dark coat with a hood and a white headscarf as a nun.
  • The “Familie von Trapp” and the private concert/birthday party we crashed.
  • Arran is everywhere…
  • “You don’t need to put a bow on that load…”
  • Wein fur Eins…

Stuttgart will always have a piece of my heart, in spite of some of the things that happened when we lived here. It’s a beautiful place, with good people, delicious food, and gorgeous scenery. So, watch this space for the new series. Maybe I’ll start it tomorrow, but definitely Tuesday it will commence, if I’m not in the hospital or somewhere else like that. We’ll see.

Standard
Uncategorized

Cannstatter Volksfest 2018…

Over the past few years, Bill and I have taken to going to the Cannstatter Volksfest on Sunday afternoons.  It seems like the crowds are less obnoxious on Sundays, although there were definitely plenty of people festing yesterday afternoon.  This year, I talked Bill into wearing his kilt, since I wore my dirndl.  He was a good sport, although he was afraid he might get in trouble for wearing it.  He heard some Scotsmen wore their kilts to the Oktoberfest in Munich and were stopped at the gate because they were mooning people.  I don’t know how true that story is, especially since Munich, in particular, seems to be pretty relaxed about public nudity.  Nevertheless, he was concerned about it.  I’m happy to report that the kilt was not only acceptable, it was a big hit!

Anyway, below are some photos from yesterday’s drunkfest…  Yes, I did drink way more than I should have and some of the photos might reflect that reality.

Bill in his kilt.  He got several comments about it!

A shot of the countryside near Herrenberg.  Too bad I didn’t roll down the window.

 

We made the 12:46 train to Bad Cannstatt, which takes about 45 minutes to get to from Herrenberg.  I don’t really enjoy riding the train, but I will admit that the train makes it much easier to have fun at the Fests.  We ended up sitting with a nice family from the States.  The dad is a teacher on Patch Barracks.  I was glad to get to talk to them, since it made the travel time pass.

 

I managed to get a nice shot of us.  For some reason, I seem to look best in a photo if Bill is with me.

 

We arrived at the Wasen along with many others.  I managed to snap a few photos.  I wish Bill liked riding the rides.

This guy was collecting bottles.  I liked his hat.

I’ve seen it more crowded.

 
 

Let the drinking begin.

We sat in the Furstenberg tent, which I think is the same one we went to last year.  It was quite festive and there were a lot of people there, although they didn’t seem too wound up at first.  I think I got more funny pictures and videos last year.

The band was alright.

The chicken was just okay… it was a little dry.  Last week’s was better.

These guys were having fun!

I call this my Bill Cosby look.

More merrymakers!

In a world of lederhosen, wear a kilt!  One lady selling cigars came by and told Bill he looked great.

Doing the Macarena!

Head and shoulders above the rest!

Around 4:30 or so, we decided to go to the Wine tent.  To be honest, I think it was really more my speed.  It was much less crowded and there was an older crowd in there.  Instead of a full band, there were two guys playing a keyboard and guitar.

But this guy wasn’t among them.

They had fish, too!

More my speed.

We ended up sitting with a really nice German family from Calw.  It turned out the parents are from the Wiesbaden area.  They didn’t speak English, but their daughter and her husband filled them in.  I think it was the kilt that got them talking to us.  We learned that wearing Trachten to the Volksfest is actually kind of a new thing.  According to our new friends, fifteen years ago, no one dressed up for them.  Now, Germans love to put on their best Lederhosen and Dirndls!

They did a lot of dancing divinely!  I sat and drank too much wine.

Nice bar area, too.  I think I might stick with the wine tent from now on.  But then, we may not be back to the Cannstatter fest next year.

That wraps up yet another fest season for us.  We’re not the kind of people who go to it repeatedly because it’s just too much excitement.  It’s a one and done deal for us.  I don’t even remember much of the ride back to Herrenberg…  It’s probably just as well!  I think I’ll spend today recovering.

Standard
Uncategorized

Oops, I did it again…

Yesterday, I decided to get crazy and invite a new friend and her husband to my little town of Unterjettingen.  It was Thursday night and I had a feeling Tommi’s Bistro would be having a jam session.  Also, for several reasons, we were both in need of a really good steak and Tommi’s has some of the best I’ve ever had in Germany.

Bill made reservations for 7:00, but had to work late.  My friend Becky and her husband Richard met me at my house, where they parked.  We walked to the restaurant after I calmed Zane and Arran down; they weren’t too happy about not getting to meet our guests, but I wanted to make sure we got a decent table.  I needn’t have worried, since it turned out Bill got to the restaurant before we did, still dressed in his suit.

We all sat down and enjoyed delicious steaks and frites… well, except for my friend’s husband, who had a salad instead.  The musicians were a little late getting the show started.  They were supposed to begin at 8:15, but the music didn’t get going until 9:00.  The first song was a super long rendition of “Ain’t Nobody” by Rufus (Chaka Khan sings, of course).

This is Rufus, but the guys last night did a great job covering this song… and a lady got up to sing with them.

 

I was thinking maybe last night I’d stay in my seat, since we had company.  And it was getting late and both my husband and my friend’s husband had to get up for work today…  But then my new friend Gunter the harmonica player showed up… and he made a beeline for our table…

The guy with the ripped jeans was very good… reminded me a little of George Michael in looks, but certainly not in musical style…  He had an impressive bluesy thing going on.

I had to get a couple of photos because he was just awesome… Gunter is the guy in the hat with the plaid shirt.  I think he should be an agent.  But he also plays a MEAN harmonica on several very classic rock songs.

The keyboard player is also fantastic… he was regaling us with dramatic flourishes and improvisations.  In fact, I think I was most impressed by his skills.  He plays like someone whose livelihood depends on how well he plays.

 

The girl on stage also played the last time we visited Tommi’s.  She goes to a music school and plays an impressive cover of “Dust In The Wind”.  Last night, she played “Heart of Gold” and another song I can’t remember right now.  

So… I got up to visit the loo and the guitar player and Gunter stopped me and asked if I’d sing “Little Wing” with the band again.  Now, I still don’t know the words to that song very well, even though I’ve practiced it a few times.  It’s not a very long song and the words aren’t that complicated.  I just never had the chance to learn them.  But anyway, I was game because they were actually encouraging me to make up lyrics like I did last time.  Anyone who knows me loves I enjoy acting a fool in public.  Gunter even said, “It was so charming the way you did it last time…  And be sure to shake your hips again.”  No one has EVER said that to me.  Not even Bill!

I warned them that we had to go soon because Bill was about to turn into a pumpkin.  They said fine… so before I knew it, I was on stage with them doing my own very odd version of “Little Wing”…

Jimi Hendrix does “Little Wing”…

I brought my phone on stage to remind me of the right words… did the first run through properly, then let ‘er rip with some truly silly improvisations.  It was such a blast!  Bill says I kind of come alive on a stage.  I wouldn’t know because I make a point of not watching videos of myself.  But I have to admit, I get a huge rush from a live performance, especially with a band.

We had a great time!  What a joy it is to live in a town that not only has fantastic steaks, but also offers me a chance to be obnoxious in front of other people… and score applause for it to boot!  So glad Becky and Richard joined us for musical fun…  I hope I can entice a few other folks to come out to Unterjettingen for meat and music.  And if you sing or play yourself, you might want to visit on a Thursday night.  That’s when they usually do their “jam sessions”.

Standard