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Helpful apps

Honey made my latest hotel booking a little sweeter…

Sign up for some honey!

A big shoutout goes to my friend, Stephanie, who turned me on to “Honey“, an app that automatically finds coupons for you.  Although lately, I’m not a frugal as I used to be, I’m always up for saving money, especially when it’s easy.  Honey, a browser extension, is always looking for deals on your behalf.  I found this out yesterday, as I was searching for a hotel room in Leipzig.

On July 4th, we will be traveling to the east German city to catch Mark Knopfler in concert on the 5th.  I’ve been wanting to see Mark Knopfler for years.  Even though he’s also playing in Mannheim, which is a lot closer to where we currently live, and Stuttgart, which is near where we used to live, I chose to get tickets in Leipzig, because we’ve never been there.  Ever since we visited Dresden back in 2008, I’ve been wanting to explore more of what used to be East Germany.

July 7th, the day we’re coming home, is Bill’s birthday.  I figured, since we usually do fun stuff for my birthday, this year, we’d do something nice for Bill’s.  Although I was closely eyeing the Leipzig Adina Hotel, which is part of a great chain of apartment hotels and is a lot cheaper than the ritzy Hotel Steigenberger, the truth is, I like overpriced luxury digs.  I’ve stayed in a lot of inexpensive lodgings in my lifetime, so when I can splurge, I do.  We stayed in an Adina hotel in Berlin and liked it, particularly because Bill’s mom was with us.  The super clean apartment allowed her to have her own bathroom and bedroom.  But this time, it’s just Bill and me, and we don’t need a kitchenette, laundry facilities, or other apartment stuff.

I booked us at the Hotel Steigenberger, cringing a little at the price.  But then, just as I was about to pay, Honey went into action.  It found me a coupon that ended up shaving about $71 off the price of the room!  And better yet, I didn’t have to do a thing to get that discount.  In fact, I had completely forgotten about Honey and would have missed out on that coupon if it hadn’t worked automatically.  Also, looking at Honey’s official site, I see that they have “Honey Travel“, which is a site available only to Honey members.  One can use Honey Travel to browse deals and collect “keys”, which can be used to save money on future travel.

I didn’t use Honey Travel yesterday, because I didn’t know about it.  I can see how it will be useful, though, when I plan future trips.  I can use the dedicated site to compare hotels and find deals.  The site appears to compare prices at the major travel Web sites like Travelocity, Expedia, and Booking.com.  I already collect points on Expedia and am a Booking.com “Genius”, so I’m not sure how often I’ll also use Honey Travel.  It depends on if it allows “double dipping”.

Still, even though I didn’t use Honey Travel, Honey saved me money– about 10% off Expedia.com’s rate.  And every time I save money with Honey, I get Honey Gold, which I can eventually trade in for gift cards at stores like Amazon, Macy’s, and Target.  I already use other sites, like MyPoints.com, for collecting points that can be turned into gift cards.  When I was in the States, I also used MySurvey.com, which was good for a little pocket cash and the occasional freebie.  Honey appears to be somewhat similar to MyPoints, only you don’t have to remember to click through any links.

Anyway… I just wanted to share the news and the wealth.  I’ll be sure to keep using Honey for all of my online shopping, which is pretty much the majority of it these days.  God knows, I can use a little more cash for my travels!

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Visiting the Naturparkmarkt in Nagold…

A couple of weeks ago, someone in the local Facebook group posted about the Naturparkmarkt, a market that has been going to different towns in the Black Forest region.  A couple of weeks ago, it was in a town about 20 kilometers from Jettingen.  I was tempted to go, but it was raining that day.  Then I noticed that on June 19th, the market would be coming to Nagold, a cute little town about four kilometers from Jettingen.  Bill and I made plans to go and just got home from the small but mighty market.  Despite some clouds, we spent some euros and brought home quite a haul of fresh food and cosmetics made from honey.

The lovely thing about Nagold on Sundays is that parking is free.

I love going to markets.  They’re always very festive and the food is so fresh and colorful.  Today’s market was pretty small and there weren’t very many people there, which kind of made it better.  Many of the vendors were allowing people to taste their products before purchasing.  Bill and I ended up with mustards, jams, bread, sausages, wine, strawberries, cherries, and cheeses.  Feast your eyes!

Our first stop was at a little stand where a dirndl clad lady was selling cheeses, sausages, and many interesting mustards.  We ended up buying five exotic flavored mustards featuring everything from dill to whiskey.  Here’s an obligatory shot of Bill helping himself.

It wasn’t very crowded…

Another stand featured some delicious jams, jellies, and marmalades.

A tour is going on at 3:00pm.

 

We ended up going to the river, where a band from a music school was playing.  It sounded like they were playing “Superstar” from Jesus Christ Superstar.  Just as we approached, they broke for lunch.  Too bad.

Nagold is such a cute town.  There are flowers everywhere, as well as many entertaining water fowl.

The band.

Cute little kiosks selling lunch.

 

After we strolled back across the bridge to the market, we stopped at a stand where a very friendly guy was selling products made from honey.  He didn’t realize we were English speakers and was rattling off all sorts of information about the lotions, salves, and creams he was selling.  When Bill explained that we only speak a little German, he called his wife over.  But then she and another guy at the next stand said we didn’t need translation!  They were really interested in knowing what we were doing in Nagold.   I still don’t speak a lot of German, but I am finding that I understand a lot more than I used to.  Bill is fairly conversant.

The honey guy.

I got a kick out of the Queen Elizabeth and Albert Einstein waving dolls.  They reminded of me of my Margaret Thatcher nutcracker.  😉

This stand selling sausages was extremely popular.  I didn’t have to pressure Bill too hard to pick up some deer and wild pork sausages.

 

One very kind lady was selling wines.  We stopped to talk to her and tried three of the several wines she offered.  She told us if we liked her wines, we could just send her an email and she’d bring us orders when she visits her mother in Nagold.  I love that about living here.  You can strike up a conversation with local farmers or vendors and they can hook you up with some great locally made products.

Just last week I got an email from a small vintner in France.  Last time we lived in Germany, we happened to purchase some wine from them at a market in Tuebingen.  We got on their mailing list and used to buy wine from them at the Ludwigsburg market.  For the next five years, while we were back in the States, I’d get emails from them telling us where they were selling their wines.  I’d sigh wistfully and miss being in Germany.  The emails eventually ceased until I got one out of the blue last week.  We’re picking up an order in Ludwigsburg during the first weekend in July.

It’s a pleasure to live near so many cute towns.  If you like farm fresh products, I recommend looking out for the Naturparkmarkt.  The one in Nagold ends at 5:00 today, but there will be other markets in towns around the Black Forest all summer.

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Things I learned on our trip to Colmar…

Re-reading the four posts from our trip to the Alsace region of France, it occurs to me that I come across as kind of negative and curmudgeonly.  If the truth be told, I truly am a cranky person sometimes, though I also have my jovial moments.  I tend to write and say what I’m thinking, which can be off-putting for some people.  Other people have told me they enjoy my frank nature because I say out loud what they are thinking and don’t want to risk saying.

Anyway, while some readers may have gotten the impression that I didn’t like Colmar, allow me to explain.  I did have a good time.  I almost always have fun when I travel with Bill, even when I end up in a predicament.  And when something mortifying happens, like I get asked if I’m pregnant when I’m not, it usually turns into a funny story.  I always learn something new whenever and wherever I travel, whether it’s the lay of the land, or appreciation for a new food or product, or even a new word or two.

Our trip to Colmar started off kind of badly, but by the time we were on our way home, I was marveling about how pretty France is and majestic parts of Germany are.  Even in the rain, the beauty of the Alsace region and the Black Forest is breathtaking and very inspiring.

So, here are a few things I learned on our trip to Colmar.

1.  In France, if you are pregnant, they are more concerned about you eating rare meat that might pass on an infection than they are if you’re drinking a glass of wine.  The incident at La Taverne was initially offensive to me because I am not pregnant and I’m American and have a poor body image.  I’d probably have a poor body image if I were French, too, but the bottom line is that those poor servers who got the stink eye from me after asking about the status of my womb weren’t really trying to be rude.  And yes, though it was initially a mortifying moment for me, they provided me with a funny story.  Next time I go to France, I’ll invest in some Spanx or control top pantyhose.

2.  Colmar is cute, charming, and very busy!  I had no idea how busy it would be there.  I was under the impression that it was a quiet town.  It’s not, and that’s not a bad thing.  It took me a bit by surprise, but I think if we went back there and the weather was a bit more agreeable, I’d love it.  I wasn’t all that impressed by what we saw of Mulhouse, but I bet it has its secret charming places, too.  And even if it doesn’t, a lot of times, interactions with people make a place more special than ambiance and old buildings do.

3.  Being in France on a Sunday can be fun, even though a lot of things will be closed.  I’m glad we took a drive around the area.  Just looking at the scenery is worthwhile.  And I’m really glad we visited Remiremont and the areas surrounding it.  While we may not get the chance to vacation there, I can definitely see why people would.  If we stay here long enough, we may have to go back there… though I will be more careful about drinking water and wine and I will scope out where the public toilets are!

4.  Sometimes hotel restaurants, even at small, basic establishments, are really excellent.  I made the proprietor at Le Relais du Ried smile big when I complimented him on the talents of his chef.  We really enjoyed our dinner there.  Also, I’m kind of glad we stayed in a hotel outside of Colmar.  We saved significant money and I thought the little neighborhoods around the hotel were adorable.

5.  If you go to Colmar and you want to eat out, you may want to ask your concierge about reservations.  We saw a lot of places that had signs on the door that read “Complet”, meaning that the place was fully booked for the evening.  In Europe, people aren’t rushed in restaurants like they are in the United States.  Personally, I like it that way.  Having been a waitress in my younger days, I know how American restaurants like to “turn and burn” tables.  But who wants to rush through a delicious meal?  I like the fact that in European countries, you are encouraged to enjoy your meal and take your time.  It makes for less stress on the wait staff, who can then offer you better service.  It also makes for better enjoyment and digestion of your food and more time to converse with your companion(s), if you happen to have them.

6.  Say hello and goodbye.  Though I have spent a lot of time in Europe, particularly in Germany and France, I never noticed how more likely it is that people will speak to you here.  In France, it was “Bon jour, madame!” and “Au revoir! Bonne journee!” everywhere I turned.  In Germany, older people sitting near us in a restaurant said “Grüß Gott“ (May God greet you– commonly heard in Bavaria and Baden-Wurttemberg) and “Auf Wiedersehen” (Until we meet again).  Americans aren’t as much into greetings, so when you offer one in the local language, it’s a pleasant surprise for our hosts.

7.  French honey from Alsace is absolutely delicious!  And so is Alsatian riesling.  I must rethink the previously negative opinion I had of certain white wines made of riesling grapes.  They aren’t all sweet and cloying and they are worth trying.

And finally…

Getting this picture was worth the trip!

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