Who knew parrots have gone rogue in Cologne??
Posts under ‘Mein Gott!’
Earthquake with Chocolate
One of my funniest German language mistakes happened recently at a Christmas market, when I stopped at one of the huts that had mountains of sweets. Without thinking, I mixed up Erdnuss (peanut or “earth nut”) with Erdbeben (earthquake) and asked for an earthquake with chocolate. And, oh, the ground shook when I tasted it.
Decorating with Dead People
The hulking beast that is the Cologne Cathedral (Dom) clearly dominates the Cologne skyline and hogs up all the attention in this town, and for good reason. But what many people may not realize is that Cologne is also renown for its 12 Romanesque churches hidden prettily in the Altstadt (old town). These churches, roughly [...]
The Foreigner
I know I’m back in my own culture when people start lining up in a neat, long, well-spaced line while waiting to board a U.S.-bound plane at the Frankfurt airport. Two other Americans in line start random conversations with me. Oh yeah, this is how it is to talk to strangers. On the plane I [...]
Some things just don’t translate well
Doktor Schiwago (Doctor Zhivago) now comes with, um, a happy ending. Presented by Cremissimo ice cream, no less. Oh Herr Doktor Schiwago, you nasty thing, you.
Peeking out from under the covers
Where on earth is Resident on Earth?! Well, I haven’t vanished inside the bowels of the Cologne cathedral, I can assure you of that. I can see that happening, by the way. You know that book/movie combo “Where the Heart Is” where Natalie Portman is pregnant and her boyfriend abandons her at Wal-Mart and she [...]
Avoiding Karnival
I have to admit, Karnival is not my favorite thing. So when I say that I went home this weekend to our town and avoided the whole Cologne Karnival scene (THE place for carnival in Germany), don’t be mad at me. Last year I certainly participated by going to a parade in our area, and [...]
The German Toilet Exposé
Germany is a country that suffers from a lack of imaginative bathrooms. Whether in private homes or public places, bathrooms/restrooms/toilets/water closets (WC)/whatever you call them are typically plain and clinical with sensible white or gray tile covering the floors and walls, giving one the impression of being in a hospital clinic giving a urine specimen. [...]
Struwwelpeter, Frightening Children Since 1845
Struwwelpeter is a German institution. It’s a children’s book written in 1845 that basically terrorizes children into good behavior. It teaches children morals through delightful stories such as: Struwwelpeter (literally, “Shaggy Peter”), a boy who would not comb his hair or trim his nails. A little girl who plays with matches and consequently lights herself [...]
I'm a Europhile living with my German boyfriend ("The Mann") and splitting my time between Cologne and the Frankfurt area, Germany.
