Yoyo travelers. Long time no see...
It was 3 months since I came back from my internship in Germany. I gotta, admit that there is a mix of feeling when i'm about to leave for home. I miss this place so much, not only leave behind my footprint, but also my heart as well. I hope I could stay there a bit more longer... I don't mind to be here forever. Hahaha. good food, beautiful scenery, and nice people. Whenever i open my eyes, I wish I was there again.
Therefore I write this post, to help me to reminisce the wonderful moment i had in this land of beauty.
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The Autumn
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| Blackforest's Titisee Lake during Autumn |
It's when the weather started to get cool and cozy. It's when the leaves started to change. Adding arrays of color into the landscape. Whenever sunlight shines upon them, the entire forest glows with golden complexion. Chestnut is everywhere on the ground ready to be picked up. Beware, it's not edible. However, it's fun to make it a collection. We did end up opening chestnut like a Durian. Hahaha.
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| Chestnut found in our backyard |
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'Kung-Fu' Jumpshot in Berlin. Believe it or not, its a carpark.
Credits to Jia Sian |
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The Winter
The freezing wind from the alps sweeps the land. When the first snow falls, it changes the landscape into a winter wonderland. It's a miracle for me, I never see snow before! I only know it from the romanticized version in stories and movies. Day 1 of snow, i was fascinated. I would scream out my heart with amazement. After that, I experienced the harsh cold nature of winter. It was freezing cold, it can hit -15°C
During winter, daylight reduces to a few hours day. Night falls earlier day by day. The sky is always dark or grey. Making the surrounding rather depressing. But when there is full moon, the white snow reflects the moonlight softly. making the ground glitter along with the stars above the night sky. Simply beautiful...
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German People
Common stereotype of Germans is the one always in a lederhosen (leather shorts), with a beard and a jug of beer. And whenever they speak, they are literally shouting. Yup, they only look like that only during Oktoberfest. In fact, they are friendly, kind and earnest. Surprisingly, unlike the stereotype, they are actually polite and gentle. I mean they are really really polite. Well, I like them. Although they are individualistic (not interested in others business), yet Deutschlander have strong sense of community, where they care about other's well-being and always clean-up their own trash for the convenience of others. Besides, they are very outgoing, and they do know how to enjoy life. After work, they straight hit the road, and have some fun. All I can say is they are master of "Work Hard and Play Hard"
These are the reasons why I like Deutchlander soo much, it is my ideal type of society. I'm glad that i am able to blend in easily (except I don't know how to speak Deutsche). :P
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Christmas
Christmas in Germany is very enchanting and 有气氛. Christmas here s not only celebrated for just on the its self, but its a month long event. They have an calender know as the Advent-calender to count down to Christmas and they count the days by eating off the chocolate contained inside the calendar. That's really cool!
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Stuttgart Christmas Market
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Christmas market is the highlight of Christmas in Germany, where fellow Germans set up stalls at plaza or city square that illuminates in the cold dark winter. This is where you can find homemade goods and it is sure a holiday maker for family to gather and enjoy delicious Christmas delicacy. One of my favourite is the Glühwein which is special Christmas beverage served hot that consists of mixed herbs and wine. Its definitely will warm your body after a long walk in the cold.
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| Glühwein in a boot-shaped mug, Munich Christmas market |
There is a celebration 2 weeks before Christmas known as the St. Nickolas Day. This is day is to remember Saint Nickolas, a very kind bishop from Greece, provides material needs and food for unprivileged people. He usually appears at the night when everyone is asleep, and put stuff such as bag of coins into their shoes. Today, its an event for children where they receive mysterious gifts from the St. Nickolas. The night before St.Nickolas, kids puts their shoe outside, then when they are asleep, parents quietly snick presents into it.
Hey, I notice the their decoration is very special, their Santa Claus is climbing the stairs to reach the second floor.
Nope, that's the St. Nickolas, this historical figure gave inspiration for the modern Santa Claus we all know. But actually, to the Germans, Santa Claus is another figure, he is the Father of Christmas which is rather strict then jolly (somewhat like a judge that checks through the lists and give verdict), and he wears green clothing instead of red. After, the tradition of Christmas reached Colonial America, these two figure merged into one. That gave Christmas a whole new meaning. That's why it's called the season of giving.
Wow, that's a mind blowing fact.
By the way, on that morning, the grumpy bus driver grabbed my hands gave me a St.Nicholas Chocolate. And a mysterious colleague left one too on my office desk. Awww... that's so sweet (i meant the chocolate)
Although I'm not able to be there for Christmas, but I'm glad to able to experience bit and parcels of Christmas in Germany A memory worth keeping.
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Food
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| Breakfast... there are a lot of meat and ham! |
Yum yum, delicious. A different savor worth tasting. There are different specialty in different region. Generally, when we thought of Germany, he first thing that came into our mind is Beer and Wurst (Sausages). One of the most famous one is the Currywurst from Berlin which a roasted sausages added with ketchup and sprinkled with curry powder. It's damn nice!
For the beer especially Bavaria beer, its specially brewed. I gotta admit it tasted not bad, as it is smooth at the throat. Believe it or not, they even have non-alcoholic beer. Hmm... the myth of the Halal beer it's true.
While in Baden-Württemberg, it is famous for its Black-forest cake. It is added with a little special touch, cherry wine, and they do have cherry in it. When you take a bite, its soft in mouth and the aroma of cherry fill your mouth. Ah... paradise. >.<
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| Currywurst |
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| Blackforest cake (Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte) |
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| Special Kirsch Wein (Cherry Wine) |
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| Berlin style Pork Knuckle (Schweinshaxe) |
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Blackforest
Black forest (
Schwarzwald) is listed as one of the
"Top 10 Places to Visit Before you Die" destination for its enchanted beauty of nature. The forest, the flowing river, the sheep grazing on the green field... its enchanted beauty had captured my heart. The forest ain't exactly black, its actually dark green due to the color of pine trees. It's a great place to get lost in the wild.
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| Town of Triberg where it is famous for its Cuckoo Clock |
The Blackforest is a wooded mountain range situated at the state of Baden Württemberg, near the border of France and bounded by the Rhine River. Most attraction are located in the town of
Triberg, such as the
Triberg waterfall, the
World Largest Cuckoo Clock and
House of 1000 Clocks. For adventure seeker, its and ideal place for hiking and snowboarding during winter. You also can stop by at any cake shop to enjoy the famous
Blackforest cake and try the flavorful
Blackforest ham. Besides that, Titisee is a place worth visiting for its serene lake. As well specially brewed
Cherry Wine and
Blackforest Ice cream (cherry wine flavor, only 1 Euro). During winter, the lake frozen and becomes a giant ring for on-ice activities.
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| House of Thousand Clock - with all type of cuckoo clock for display and sell |
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| Take a stroll in the forest |
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| A view of Blackforest during winter from my window |
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The Nature and Landscape
I will let the picture tell the story...
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| Double Rainbow at Villingen-Schwenningen |
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| Sunrise during winter, Somewhere between two towns. |
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| First snow in a field in Villingen-Schwenningen |
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| Road that divide the field of farmland |
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| Country side view from Hohentwiel castle. Another castle can be sited not far away, over-viewing the landscape. |
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| Autumn in Füssen |
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Architecture
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| University at Jena, and view of the city from Jenoptik Tower |
Germany is rich with wide diversity of architecture style, ranging from the medieval, to Gothic, and even new-edgy modern design. Castles, cathedrals or churches, and Rathaus (townhall) of every town have its special characteristic that is built in different era. What I can say, it simply beautiful, look at the details.
Even their small cottage looks beautiful to me. For your info, Germans like to build their own house, even the piping, wiring and insulating system (Well, they like to DIY, that explain why Germans are good engineers)
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| Inside the Munich Frauenkirche |
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I'm not sure what's the name,
but its taken in Berlin |
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Last but not least...
The Supermart
Their supermarket is the best. You can get almost everything in a affordable price and have the best quality (except Asian stuff). Fruit and vegetables are fresh and humongous. I can say it is a cook's best friend. Grocerry shopping can be say one of the favorite past time, hunt for ingredients for dinner which can be found abundance here yet is rare in tropics. Usually my weekly grocerry is about an average of 15 Euro (including snacks).
Rows and rows of shelves stocked with quality goods with different choices depending on your needs. spoilt with choices trying to make up my mind what to buy
Guess what, Ritterspot chocolate is only 0.85 Euro! (Nearly 50% cheaper than what I can get in my place)
Did you know... bottle recyling machines are installed in most major supermart as an effort of going green. Well, they are in-charged of bottles collection, and refund a deposit for using plastic bottles (0.25 Euro).
Intersting ~
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| Chocolate!!!!!!! |
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These are the reason why I love Germany so much, I want to go there again.
I hope I will be back soon enough.
Until the next time...
Zen
The common stereotype of tourist is the one who always with their hat on, put on shades, wearing a Aloha shirt, bermudas and flip-flop. You can easily spot them from far away due to their clothes bright colors. When it comes to traveler, some may think of a backpacker. To them, the purpose of travel is to learn and experience new things. They like to blend into the local communities and interact with them. Staying low and observe the lifestyle of locals. These travelers often dress casually and comfortably because they have a long journey (and they do sweat a lot).
