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The reason we drink beer in September and call it October (Oktober)

September 3, 2018 by Notourguideneeded Leave a Comment

Beer at Oktoberfest munich, Germany

It is all very confusing for people who do not understand the story of Oktoberfest.  We have an October festival in September.  Are we confused? Drunk? Little of both?  Maybe, but that isn’t the point.  The festival is more than just a bunch of people sitting around drinking.  There is history that you should know so you can impress people sitting at the beer table with you.

First let’s clarify something – Germany calls it Oktober.  If you speak English it is October.  Same word, different spelling.

On another note, Germany does not call itself that either.  It’s Deutschland, but I digress.

The Wedding

So take yourself back in time to October the 12th 1810.  Then Prince Ludwig was being married to Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen (or Therese of Bavaria to be easier to remember).

Their wedding was the very first Oktoberfest.

The reception was in the fields of Bavaria renamed Theresienwiese (“Therese’s Fields”) to honor the Crown Princess.  Everyone was invited to celebrate the occasion – “Wiesn”.  It is still held in these original fields (although more of a fairground than a field now) and as tradition remains, free and open to all people.

The Confusion of Dates

There isn’t really any confusion once you understand.  Germany can get really cold come mid-October. So rather than starting Oktoberfest on Oct 12, it gradually started moving back to September.  The tradition now is that it is two full weeks (16 days total) where the last weekend is the first weekend of October or October 3 (whichever is later).

The Beer

Back in the day, beers were stored in March and not processed during the hot summers.  So, the beers that are opened during Oktoberfest are referenced as March Beer – or Marzen or Marzenbier.   This beer is traditionally stronger than an average beer (6%) and is richer and fuller.

You can get Oktoberfest shipped out to other parts of the world, but only Oktoberfest beer (Marzen) is sold at the fairgrounds.  Well that and some wines, but I digress again.

So, now that you have some basic history, you can enjoy your LITER of beer and know that you are carrying on a tradition from 1810.

Prost!

The open gates in 2012
The open gates in 2012
Beer at Oktoberfest
The waitress carried all of these in one trip!! WOW.

Filed Under: Adventures, amusing, Europe, Festival

Morocco: Kindness and Olives

December 17, 2017 by Notourguideneeded Leave a Comment

As part of our cruise in Spain, we headed down the north west part of Africa to the Canary Islands.  In the area, the ship stopped off in Casablanca, Morocco.   I had mixed emotions. First there isn’t really much to do in Casablanca.  Since going, anytime I tell any Moroccan that I went to Casablanca, they consistently look at my funny and say “why?”.   Marrakesh is a four hour drive and while we had time, I had no desire to get in a bus and sit for that long.  We decided to relax and we would come back another time when we can do Marrakesh right.   However, I was excited to be in Morocco and able to check Africa off my continent list.

Things to do in Casablanca

I did extensive research on Casablanca.  I had maps, addresses, etc and researched places to eat and things to do.  Then on the ship, there was a an advertisement for an excursion that took us to the Mosque and a City tour.  At first I was a little annoyed with taking an excursion because I had (thought) I did my research.  Well, let me say this… if you think you are just going to walk around Casablanca and check out the sites, you might find yourself very tired, lost and frustrated.

(read more on our cruise here)

I am glad we took the city tour because we had this wonderful woman tour guide.  Tours are essentially made or broken by the guide and she was a star!  A spunky woman who carried a cane around with her and I swear she was ready to use it.

Anyway, we drove around the city and stopped at the Mosque and a few spots in the city.  The Mosque tour was fabulous and was one of the highlights of the whole trip.  However the city tour was really just of the city.

Kindness and Olives

As we were walking around the city with the tour guide we were really getting frustrated as it was just a city.  I started regretting that we didn’t go to Marrakesh and do some serious shopping.   Then we walked in the area of the market where there were tons of vendors selling the most amazing olives I have ever seen.  The variety and smell was overwhelming.  I was in heaven seeing this.

The currency for Morocco is dirham.  We had none.  We took the tour because everything was included so we wouldn’t have to exchange money.  This area was a proper market where it was cash only.

We asked one of the sellers if they would take credit and he didn’t speak English or Spanish.  The tour guide was leaving.  The hubs and I really wanted to experience these olives.  We showed him Euros.  He didn’t take them.

Then this gentleman did something so kind I will never forget it.  He grabbed a bag and filled it up with olives for us.  We tried to explain that we didn’t have money to pay and he clearly understood.  This was his gift to us.

I’ll never forget the experience.  Us trying to fully appreciate the culture and he understanding what we wanted.  We didn’t need words.

He gave us enough that when we finally found our bus (and a slightly annoyed tour guide) we were able to share the experience with those around us.

And those olives were like nothing I have ever tasted here.

Now, when I think of Casablanca and people ask me “why?” I reply “have you had olives there?”.

Filed Under: Adventures, amusing, Cruise, Europe, Favorite Places, NEW POST

Going to Copenhagen via a Train on a Boat

May 21, 2017 by Notourguideneeded 2 Comments

Canals in Copenhagen

A few years ago we went to Berlin and were looking for a second place to go on this leg of the vacation. My husband wanted to go to Copenhagen and I was rather indifferent.  Since that trip, Copenhagen has become one of my favorite cities and I cannot wait to return.  Getting there was worth the trip itself.  We took a train up to Hamburg.  Then the train to Copenhagen.  But wait – how did the train go over the water?  The train got on a boat.  

 

Logistics of the Train on the Boat

Well, it is actually a ferry.

Think about a ferry that one would take normally.  You park your car and get out and the ferry takes you across.  It is basically the same concept.

The cars and pedestrians are loaded first.  Then on the next level the train follows tracks and boards the ferry too.   Once the train comes to a stop, the passengers are asked to leave the train and go to the ferry.

A gentleman sitting next to us said that we need to remember which doors we go through because sometimes there is more than one train on the ferry and people get lost.  I’m glad he gave us this tip, because there was in fact another train and coming back down was a bit confusing.

 

The Ferry to Copenhagen

The ferry seemed to be like a very small cruise ship.  There were shops to buy clothes or random items. There was a duty free store with candy and liquors.  The cafe sold food cafeteria style and it was a good stop for a snack.

The time on the ferry is about an hour, so just enough time to stretch your legs from the train ride.

 

The Route

The route from Hamburg to Copenhagen is roughly five hours.  You will start in Hamburg and then take the ferry from  Puttgarden in Germany to Rødby in Denmark.   Once the train disembarks the ferry, you will then travel along to Copenhagen.   Check the route for which stops there are between.  This site here will give you some good information too.  Also review what Seat61 has to say about the route.

 

I highly recommend taking this option if you have the chance.  Anyone can ride a plane, but not many people can say they rode a train onto a boat!!

 

Canals in Copenhagen
Canals in Copenhagen

 

Filed Under: Adventures, amusing, Europe, NEW POST, Travel tips

How to Peacefully Travel with your Partner

April 22, 2017 by Notourguideneeded 21 Comments

The popular saying of “You do not really know someone until you travel with them” is quite true. This is why many couples go on road trips together before deciding to get married. It is impossible to maintain any sort of falsehoods that you may have during extended travel.  My husband and I have traveled to all sorts of remote areas of the world. The saying is true. You are missing out on a big part of your partner’s personality until you have your living conditions or safety compromised.
 
Before your trip, I recommend you spend some time discussing your pet-peeves and expectations. Learning them on the road is a waste of time and can lead to hard feelings. Here are some things I wish we would have worked through before heading out the first time:

 

The Order of Things

The biggest challenge that we have during travel is order. My husband is highly organized and very minimalist. I am in the process of working on my clutter. This can cause a lot of unnecessary stress if not discussed early on and with open dialogue.I thought that using the chair and desk for my things was a common practice. Unpacking my items and putting them in the dresser never crossed my mind. My disorganization was driving him crazy. On the flip side, it was stressing me out with his constant organizing and spending time putting things away. Let’s get out and see the world and unpack later! Over time, I have learned to appreciate the organization. When your temporary home has clutter, that creates unnecessary stress for everyone.
 
To keep organized in my own way, I bought myself a hanging packing cube set. Everything stays neat and organized. Packing is easier. He is in a better mood and the time in the room is much more enjoyable. I am also able to find things much easier so it is a win for me as well.
 

Eating

Our second biggest challenge is food. We have very different eating habits and they are noticeable when traveling. I do not eat meat or gluten. Meat makes me ill and gluten makes me bloated.

My husband’s favorite thing to eat anywhere is a baguette with ham. We will be walking around any city and both starving. He sees a sandwich shop (they seem to pop up when he is hungry) and inevitably that is what he will want to eat. Most sandwich shops in America will usually have a salad for me, but in Europe it is not always the case.

So, I will have a choice – make a fuss and have us both mad because we are hangry, or have a darn sandwich. I have eaten a ton of mozzarella sandwiches across Europe.

Perspective of Time

Another thing to consider is how you both perceive time. If a flight is boarding at 5pm, I would get there at 5pm. My husband would like to be the first to stand in the line and arrive at the gate at 4:30. So, I line up with him and then go to the bathroom, buy stuff from the shops etc., and meet him back in line. It drives him crazy.
 
If we have dinner reservations at 8pm, I feel we should arrive at 8pm. My husband likes to get there early, have drinks at the bar and mingle. On the road this conflict creates tension. His perspective is: we are in a foreign place, lots could go wrong. My perspective is: so what?
We have learned to work around this by coming up with a schedule before hand. We agree on what time we want to arrive, how much time to get there, and then agree on a “leave time”. That has helped us so much because that “how much time to get there” is very different for each of us.
 

Personal Space Invaded

Then there are the basic hygiene factors to consider. In our first trip to Paris, the hotel booked us a single rather than a double. A single room is only for one person. It has a twin bed and is so tiny. We were there for a holiday weekend and the hotel was completely sold out.
 
It was early in our relationship and we thought it would be romantic to share a tiny room, so we went with what they gave us. I had not considered how well we were going to get to know each other using that tiny room. The bathroom was closet sized where you could shower while sitting on the toilet. That also meant the toilet was 3 feet away from the bed.
 
How was this going to work?? He also had the same concerns and would leave me to get ready and wait in the lobby and I the same for him. This started a thing we do now of giving each other privacy of the room. I highly recommend it.
 
We seem to work better if we each have our space and not rushed by the other person. While we are over modesty issues, giving each other space to prepare the day is a sign of respect.
 

Have a Plan

Traveling with a partner, spouse, or anyone else for that matter can be tough. Consider your differences before the trip, and work on plans around them to reduce the stress. Yet, it is those little nuggets that you had no idea about that you must handle as they happen.

It is also good to remember to tell your partner what is bothering you before it becomes an issue. Plan on things bothering you and have a plan on how to handle it.

And to quote my favorite priest: When things get stressful have a nap. You will make everyone happy.

Below are pictures of places we called home for a few nights.

camping in Venezuela jungle
You have to sleep like this in the jungle. Bugs, animals, etc.
Hotel in Venezuela
This was our hotel room in Canaima. That was it.
Hotel in South France
This is a hotel.

Filed Under: amusing, NEW POST, Travel tips

Will you watch my cans? Another adventure in Rio

September 4, 2016 by Notourguideneeded 11 Comments

The Beach in Rio

When we travel to other parts of the world, we like to go where the locals go.  Especially for drinks.  We sometimes find ourselves in funny situations, like this one time in Rio where a guy asked us to watch his stash.


We went to Rio for my birthday a few years ago.  I have written about Rio before and how the culture is so different there that several things threw us off.  For example, we could not find a place to buy souvenirs anywhere.  We looked and looked.  Then we went and laid on the beach and there they were! People were walking around selling stuff.  It was a great idea – what do you need a store for when you can go to your customers.

One night we went to listen to some music.  I had read about Bip Bip and how the music there is outstanding.  I was overwhelmed.

The place is tiny.  And ridiculously informal.  There are no waiters.  You grab a chair and sit in the sidewalk/street area.  Want a beer – they are in the fridge in the back.  Walk on in and help your self.  You let the owner (or his helpers) know you took a beer.  They write it down.  You pay when you leave.  Do not dare try to tip.  He got really offended when we wanted to tip.

The musicians play the music inside and a few people can sit in there with them, but why?  All of the action is outside.  Don’t make too much noise because you are there to listen to the music, but there is plenty to see.  Tourists who have no clue what they are doing, lovers on a date, families and even the occasional eccentric person.

So, we were sitting there listening to the music and noticed that this guy, who was wearing a chefs jacket collecting cans.   I guess you can get some money for them by recycling.  After people finished their beers, he would grab the can from you.  No one cared as that meant you didn’t need to get up.

After awhile we noticed he had quite a large bag full of cans. He then started arguing with someone about something.  Clearly he needed to be somewhere else.  He came over to us and asked us in Portuguese if we would watch his cans.

We speak Spanish but it was clear enough that he wanted us to keep an eye on his stash.  So we did.  We told people to put their cans in his bag.  We told other people to leave the bag alone.  The bag became our bag.  His cans became our responsibility.

And then we had enough.  Ready to go home.  But the guy was no where in site.  Where did he go?  Was he coming back?  Did we just think he asked us to watch his cans but he was really, I don’t know, telling us they were ours?  Sigh.. now what do we do?

We took the responsibility of watching the cans.  How could we just turn our backs on them? Especially now that time was invested in them.

What is the appropriate amount of time when asked to watch something that you can abandon your post?

So we decided.  When we finished our final beer, our shift was over.   We got up, paid the bill and left.

As we walked back to the hotel, we felt so bad.  What if that guy needed his cans?  What if..

And then there he was.  Standing in front of the restaurant having a smoke.  Clearly one of the cooks. We waved.  We told him his cans were over there.   He didn’t really care.


If you find yourself in Rio, go check out Bip Bip.  But do not watch anyone’s cans.

For safety concerns, we did not take our cameras out at night with us in Rio.  It might have been okay, but we did not want to risk leaving it anywhere.  Instead you can see my photos of the beach!

If you want to see what Bip Bip looks like, this site has a great photo of the place.  Also see Here or Here.

 

 

Copacabana Beach in Rio
Copacabana Beach in Rio
The Beach in Rio
The Beach in Rio

Filed Under: amusing, South America

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