Tag Archives: Germany

Notes on Oktoberfest

It seems I was not alone in being slightly off-put by Oktoberfest this year. I suspect those carted off after a drunken brawl were a tad miffed, too. They’re common enough that police only record the ones that involve someone having a beer stein smashed into his head (there were 58 this year), but cram a jillion drunks into a small space and fights will happen. The Italians are considered the biggest troublemakers, the Germans and Russians the most likely to break into song. There were 48 children lost during Oktoberfest this year, but all were eventually found. It’s not true that many of these were simply traded ... [Read More]

Oktoberfest and the Madness of King Ludwig

    It seems I'm becoming irritable and dull in my old age. I recall once enjoying Oktoberfest, but this year the annual celebration of beer evolved from raucous fun to annoying frat-party. Munich, the birthplace of Oktoberfest, is home to 1.4 million permanent residents. More than seven million visitors showed up for the annual two-week beer-swilling festival this year, of which I believe about 4 million should be shot. None of these people whose demise would considerably improve society have personalities much improved by the addition of alcohol, nor is their regard for personal space. The 14 beer-tents seat about 100,000 people, leaving the rest to mill around the 100-acre ... [Read More]

Beer, bashing and betrothal…

Traveling with Adam has not only proved to be full of excitement, but filled with once-in-a lifetime experiences and adventures. It's crazy but amazing to think we've already been to 6 different countries in barely 6 months. Friends often ask me which country has been my favorite and I can't give them an answer -- I love each and every one of them for the different and wonderful memories they hold. It's the equivalent of asking a parent with more than one child which child is your favorite. This blog is a brief recap of just a few of those memories. Germany holds a very special place in ... [Read More]

A Tesla Encounter in Essen

During a media tour hashing over the "structural change" in the historically coal, steel and beer-driven economy of the Ruhr region in Germany's North Rhine-Westphalia, one of the sessions was about e-mobility, i.e. how to go about getting everyone into electric cars. It may not surprise you to learn that our host was RWE, one of the handful of German utility giants. What may be surprising was that they gave us test rides in a distinctly non-German vehicle: the Tesla Roadster, made in the U.K., from technology developed in northern California.   When the first two of us folded themselves into the tiny, low seat ... [Read More]

Drinking and driving in Germany

What came first: the Mercedes or the Autobahn? I pondered this question as I reflected on the many reasons I love Germany, especially Mercedes Benz and German beer. My father has always had an intense love for German cars, which he instilled deeply in me, so you can imagine how excited I was to actually visit the home country of the world’s best cars and beer. My excitement, like Pinocchio’s nose, only grew every time these graceful and elegant vehicles zipped past us on the Autobahn. The driver made me stop when my nose grew so long that it was poking the back of his head. I ... [Read More]

Mesmerizing München

A day after enjoying the raucous spectacle of Oktoberfest in Munich it was back to work, so early this morning I set off from the Westin Grand for Expo Real, the massive property investment conference held annually on the heels of Oktoberfest. I’ve stayed at the Westin Grand many times without problems, so this trip they decided to make up for their previously spotless record with mishaps like losing my reservation, sticking me in a room with two twin beds by the elevator and, 24 hours after I checked in, assigning a colleague to my room and giving him keys, which he used to walk in ... [Read More]

A cold, blistery first day!

When Adam asked me if I wanted to accompany him on his trip to Germany, my mind began automatically formulating a reason to say no. Those of you who know me realize that I can take only so much of one person for a very short period of time before my nerves become frayed. My hairs will literally stand on edge like an irritated cat. This trip demanded 10 days…10 straight days of seeing the same person every day without a break. Turns out going with Adam was one of the best decisions I’ve made in a long time. Not only is he a great travel partner, ... [Read More]

Oktoberfest in Munich

Munich

Over the decades Oktoberfest has come to be celebrated and enjoyed the world over, mostly as an excuse to party and drink beer. Munich, Germany, however, is the only city which can lay claim to having the original Oktoberfest, and boy do they do it right! It’s by far the largest in the world, and from what I’ve experienced, absolutely the most fun. I wanted to entitle this blog “Germans behaving badly,” because I thought that would be cute, but the fact of the matter is that’s just not true. (If a fight breaks out at Oktoberfest it’s likely to involve Italians.) The Germans can be ... [Read More]

no flies on Leipzig

In America something is considered “old” or “historic” if it was around when I was a child. In Europe something is historic if it were around when America was a child. You’ll find plenty of history in Berlin. After finishing the day's meetings in Germany's capital city Oliver announced that we absolutely had to see the best available view of Berlin before leaving, so he took us to the Fernsehturm, Berlin’s famous TV tower and the fourth-tallest free-standing structure in Europe, whose topside view offers stunning panoramic scenes of this centuries old city. At least we’re told it offers stunning views of Berlin. The line of people waiting 2-hours to go to ... [Read More]

KLM sucks. Berlin doesn’t.

Delta has regrettably cut many international routes, causing them to dump their passengers off on “partner” carriers like KLM. This is not a good thing. I hadn’t flown KLM in more than a decade. I now remember why. Forget for a moment that the plane appeared to have been made long about the time I stopped wearing diapers (which, contrary to what my friends will tell you, was not in my early 20s.) Forget also that the bathrooms smelled like a science project gone bad, even before take-off. Forget that the remote for the video player, which worked only occasionally, was housed in a little pocket next to my ... [Read More]