At Kevvy's and Ina's Haus

About a ten minute walk around the corner and a little ways up the foothills. 

No trolls under any of the bridges. Sophia throws rocks every time she passes over to make sure.

Sophia Philomena. Check out the size of that maple leaf! Sophie understands both English and German, but speaks mostly English, because Momma and Daddy usually converse in English together. Her English has a slight bit of a German accent, though, that makes it sound sooo cute!

There are many things about Germany and the culture of the people that differ from America. Neither good nor bad -- just different, and fun to note and wonder about. There are no "super stores" here, for one thing -- something I love and hate at the same time. As an American, I'm just used to the convenience of one-stop shopping, but seeing how the many small specialty stores keep the little German villages alive and thriving with multitudes of family-owned businesses -- I mourn for the days that this was also true in America -- when more people were actually able to work for themselves. It does make for slightly awkward shopping for an American, though, who can't figure out where to find things... 

On the subject of shopping, many might not realize how much less expensive groceries are here! Good deli meat and cheese is half the cost that we were used to a year ago (can't even keep up with how high it must be getting now in the US...). An 8oz can of diced tomatoes, for instance, costs less than half a dollar. Pasta is half the US cost. Shampoo and cleaning products seem to be about the same, though. German chocolate is excruciatingly inexpensive... (And Germans do love the sweets like danishes, etc. Very tempting on the breakfast table, let me tell you!) And breads! So many good hearty breads! These are about the same or a bit less the cost than America, but taste better and there's more variety. Produce seems to be roughly the same prices, too -- maybe cheaper, depending on what it is. But -- no Monsanto here, folks. You are getting a far better product!  Eggs in Germany (about the same price as home) are stored in the cabinet and not in the fridge because the "bloom" here is not washed off. (I wish it were done that way in America!) Almost everything comes in smaller sizes than we are used to, though, as far as product packaging, in general. A large coffee in Europe is a small coffee in America. 😒 Good luck finding a 2 liter or gallon jug of fruit juice. You just have to buy two! Don't bother asking for ice. If they bring you any, it'll be three pieces in a little dish. (Not kidding.) Here's a funny thing, too. You can't find cheddar cheese! Or at least it's not common. (Gosh, how I take cheddar for granted!) Most of the cheese is white cheese -- and varieties that I've never tasted before. It is all very good, though! And the sausages! Lekker! This is the place to come for deli meats! 

On the other hand, pricewise, we took a little walk down the main street of Reit im Winkl village and looked in at some of the clothing stores -- and, undoubtedly because this is a tourist destination (ski village) -- the prices were astronomical! (Well, at least to a thrift store shopper like I am, they were! A sweater for $75 was typical.) Most of the very expensive clothing, though, was the traditional folk styles, made of real wool and very high quality. Clothing that lasts a lifetime. If I had a million dollars, I'd buy dirndls and lederhosen for all of my grandchildren!  (Sorry, though, kids.)

What else stands out as different in Bavaria? Engineering, as you might guess. The windows and doors are all better construction than we usually see at home. Many or most windows (and doors, too, occasionally) have hinges that allow you to open them two different directions -- outward like normal, hinged on the sides, but also upward, with the hinge on bottom and a vent-like opening at top. Skylights are very common, too. I'm not sure how common it is, but I've see several houses (including here at Haus Davis) where the curtain rods extend out a good deal further from the window than we are inclined to hang our curtains in America. I'm not sure why. And windows don't have screens -- but bugs don't seem to be a problem. Not sure why that is, either! 

There are horse troughs scattered throughout the
little Bavarian villages -- but no public restrooms.

In the way of function, I've come to the conclusion that Germans are just tougher than we are, as it seems they don't have -- probably don't want -- the big squishy couches and chairs that we're used to in the US. More relaxing and visiting occurs around tables here, I've observed. The living room furniture I've seen so far is straighter, stiffer, and composed of more wood than the American way. It seems common, too, that many of the glasses and dishes in German households are not stored in the kitchen proper, but in the dining room, and only food is stored in the kitchen, along with pots and pans and silverware. This is true, for sure, in Haus Davis -- but I've seen it elsewhere, so am guessing it's a thing. Kevvy and Ina have high quality cabinetry in their gasthaus kitchens with bi-fold cabinet doors that open upward instead of outward. (I'm going to have to get a picture to show this, as it is hard to explain -- but very cool.)

  

On the subject of  storage furniture, closets aren't common here; most folks hang their clothes in wardrobes. Fireplaces seem to be standard. At least in this part of the country, Germans seem to especially appreciate wood heat -- and extraordinarily tall woodpiles are a common feature in German yards and patios. Yards in the towns are tiny for the most part, but parks and walking trails crisscross the whole countryside and are very much used. The German people are walkers! (My feet are killing me, I tell ya!) 

Unlike stereotypical Americans, most Germans pretty much stay to themselves -- even before the Chinavirus days, this was true. They are not rude (like the French, bless them. 😬), but -- in a public situation, like in a store or airport -- they are not gregarious by any stretch of the imagination. Let's say they are guardedly polite. But Germans are efficient. And healthy! And neat. All the towns in this corner of Bavaria, at any rate, are just lovely. They are required by some kind of coding to adhere to a certain style of Bavarian architecture, full of balconies, window boxes, shutters, and chimneys. All the houses have a wood or wood-look trim and balconies -- over wood siding or what I think must be white stucco, and most roofs are some kind of terra-cotta colored slate or tile (?). All hedges are trimmed perfectly (they must use levels!), and the gardens are almost always tidy. By American standards it is rather regimented, I guess, but no more than some neighborhood associations require. And the effect is beautiful. Very traditional -- and what, in your mind's eye -- you picture when you think of a vacation in Heidi Country, snow-covered mountains included. This is in the little corner of Bavaria that Kevin and Ina live in, mind you. I haven't been much north of Munich, so can't vouch for all of Germany!

 

In the two trips I've gotten to take overseas so far, I have learned one thing overall: travel is definitely mind expanding. You can't help but learn there are are a bazillion ways to skin the proverbial cat. In other words, if you're going to get the most out of  a European adventure, you really have to leave your American habits and pre-conceived notions behind! Without regret. Jump right in as much as you can! I love finding out new ways of doing things (Ina grinds a lot of her grains for breadmaking, for instance!) -- being guilted into habits I know I should adopt (like lots more fresh air and exercise!)  -- and being amazed at cultural differences that aren't really that different! (Everyone loves good coffee, beer, and bakery items!) 

But there's also this: Another great benefit of seeing the world is that you learn a new appreciation for what we have and how we do things in America. (Big Coffee, ice, and slouchy couches, to name a few). Getting to see a little part of Europe has definitely forced me out of my American cocoon -- in a good way. I see where we could definitely do some things better in the US, but I love my country all the more for the contrast, too. I would never want to live anywhere than the good ole' US of A. But a little piece of me is permanently over here in Bavaria now, because my son and his family are here! And is it beautiful here -- and rich in tradition and history -- particularly of a Catholic variety here in Bavaria! I'm looking forward to more explorations of this beautiful, historic world -- but the best thing about being here is just getting to enjoy this far-flung, but very dear, branch of the Davis family tree! Deo Gratias that I've had the opportunity! No telling what the future holds. Don't waste a moment.

TTFN!

I'll check in as I'm able!

God Bless!

Last Nine Days of the Month of the Rosary

Ferial Day

PS> I forgot to mention recycling. Aye Yi Yi. That is a whole other subject. They take trash to a whole other level here in Germany... More on that another day!