Bayern game

One of the few perks of having a husband that travels a lot is that he gets special ways to enjoy his free time. My in laws came to town and we were able to show them our new car and then go to the Bayern Munich game. We had terrific seats on the field courtesy of Lufthansa.

The game was exciting and they expectantly won against the Wolfsburg Wolves with a score of 4:2. The beginning of the game was a bit intense, but Bayern came back.

The fan section was right near us and it reminded me of the college basketball games at my university. The people were very rowdy and added to the spirit. I was surprised how small many of the players are. Stefan pointed one out that was the same height as he is and he looked massive compared to everyone else.

Oktoberfest

I'm amazed that Oktoberfest is already here. Stefan and I spent the afternoon enjoying the Wies'n. There were definitely plenty of tourists and visitors. Many of them had already imbibed too many beers - that's one of the downsides to the celebration.

We also saw a group of very young teens asked to leave because they simply weren't old enough (under 16) to be partake in drinking. Stefan and I joked that because the tables are so crowded that someone probably asked the security to give an age check so they could steal their table. Then again, they were being rather loud and not exactly avoiding attention.

The other occasionally unfortunate aspect is the tracht. I am partial to the more conservative longer dirndls with the 'less is more' approach. It's really delightful when it's done well, however there are a lot of fashion faux pas that are made - especially with shoes. Boots and tennis shoes are just not acceptable. I am always surprised at the variations that I see... including this 'I just escaped from jail, but I am glad I found my tracht so I can blend in' look.

I'm also not entirely certain how I could forget, but Oktoberfest is seriously sensory overload. Not only is there plenty of beer flowing, the smell of roasted nuts in the air, and loads of décolletage, but there are the carney rides with blinking lights and interesting music to accompany them. I am curious how many people lose the contents of their stomach on many of these rides. I just hope I'm not underneath them when it happens.

Then there is the bathroom situation. It always pains me to have to wait in line for the restroom, because just like every other place the ladies line ends up being miles longer than the mens. While waiting there are inevitably interesting characters who want to talk... especially if you have a dirndl on. A few girls from one of the Contiki tours even asked to touch Stefan's lederhosen. They asked me if I come every year and if it was always this cold as they stood around in t-shirts in 50 degree weather.

For some reason I seemed to recall more people wearing tracht the years prior to this one, however the colder temperatures could definitely have something to do with that. Oktoberfest is definitely alive and well even with cooler weather.

I can't wait for Lauren to arrive on Wednesday morning (at 5:55am! - ouch). Then I will be able to play tourist with her and help her find a suitable dirndl. I already know she is going to have a heyday commenting on people's poor fashion choices.

P.S. ich liebe dich

It's a pretty fitting theme for this week. I just happened to put it on our Amango list and it arrived today.

Amango is for Germany what Netflix is for America. If that analogy still isn't working for you, it's a home DVD delivery service where you pick the movies you want on their handy website, walk to your post box and pick them up.

It's even more of a simple process in America, where you can put mail back in your box to get picked up. Germany would rather make it's residents hunt for yellow boxes.

The anticipation for a new movie ranges between picking up a roll of film and discovering the old photos you don't remember taking (who still uses film!?) and knowing someone has a wonderful surprise for you (right Stefan?). It depends who is picking the movie. Stefan and I both have access to our list, so I can always bump my movies to the top or if I'm feeling especially nice I'll add something he didn't even realize was out on DVD.

I have wanted to see 'P.S. I love you' since I first saw the trailer in at the theater - and then even more once I found out my very own cousin has a minor speaking roll in it.

So tonight is my night. Stefan will just have to watch it again this coming weekend, because he is a sucker for romantic movies... OK, usually comedies, but I'm sure he'll sit through it so I can scream out 'hey that's my cousin!' and because he loves me so much.

Isn't love sweet?

The world at your doorstep

When I'm home one of my favorite things to do is stock up on books. Ohio is fortunate enough to have a store called Half Price Books, which are always a mix of old and new, exotic, and somewhat commonplace, but there are plenty of treasures to be found. I'm always drawn to the Travel section (for obvious reasons), the non-fiction memoirs, and the pop culture books that tie into everyday life's seemingly mundane things.

Caitlin reminded me of a book that I picked up in college about off beat travel places in the US. It includes all of those small towns that are named after more international counterparts. It also contains many well known landmarks and art works that have been replicated, so people don't have to leave the US to experience all of the wonders the world has to offer. (Such as 'Touch down Jesus' as he is affectionately called - located between Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio.)

During college, Roger, my art history professor that I adored, shared my interest in provential art and ways that art came up in the news. He photocopied a map from my book that depicted these offbeat locations, and had it on his office door for the rest of the year. He also made sure everyone in the class had a copy. Pyramids, Stonehenge made of cars, and more... all can be found in good old America.

During my trip home, I picked up another odd travel themed book that has 'experiments' and travel ideas to be the antithesis of tourist. Among the suggestions are back packing your hometown and staying at a hostel where you can meet other people that are actual tourists, or going to a city and staying up all night investigating things to do until dawn.

Another idea was the yellow arrow project, which is a global public art project that enables people that find the yellow arrows to obtain messages from the people that left them and draw attention to details that people commonly overlook. The website looks like it is going under some changes, but you can still look up your hometown or many other cities. Innsbruck, Austria - once again has something that is beckoning me with over 400 arrows. Stefan and I are considering a trip this coming weekend.

I really enjoy things that are happened upon and suggested by others, so this fits perfectly. Finding willing counterparts to accompany me may be more of an obstacle.

Here are a few really interesting websites for strange destinations: 

• Roadside America
  
• Hometown America
  
• Unusual Hotels of the World
  
• Most Unusual Restaurants of the World
  
• and my favorite Web Urbanist
  

And in Germany, there is Pullman City - a knock off wild west. 

Let me know about your offbeat destinations! 

Ohio Safari

I really don't know how I had never heard of The Wilds before, but I hadn't, and neither had my family. I recently read about it and learned that it opened in 1994, and visitors are welcome. Over the last 14 years it has progressively added more animals to their menagerie, and grown to become the largest conservation site in the entire US, and one of the largest in the world... right here in Ohio!

The goal of The Wilds is to advance science and conservation through experience, so my parents and I decided to take part in that experience.

Our adventure took us to Cumberland, Ohio - home of the 10,000 acre conservation site. We weren't entirely sure of what to expect, but I was like a giddy child. We decided to go on the open air safari rather than the closed air conditioned one, which was a great pick, minus the dust from the roads... but I guess that's part of the safari experience.

As the two and a half hour tour weaved around the landscape there were points in time where I wondered if I was even in Ohio. The land was spectacular and the animals were well tended to and seemed content. The hills rolled and it was speckled with lakes as well as various species in separated enclosures.

The first animals we spotted were deer at a lake and then we saw some Persian onager, which look like donkeys. They are threatened due to hunting in their native lands and have fortunately found a lovely new home. Unfortunately they are also one of two animals at the center that are branded because they will rip out each other's ear tags.

The safari ride was very informative. Our guide told us about the struggles that the animals face and what they were doing to help them repopulate. Many of the animals are from zoos and being studied for various reasons or are working to be reintroduced to their homelands.

Here are a few other interesting things that I learned:

• Przewalski's wild horses are the only true wild horses that have never been domesticated. There are less than 250 in the wild. They were very beautiful to watch and I especially loved seeing them groom each other, which looked so affectionate. 

• Some rhinos will sharpen their horn using trees and rocks to form it the way they like. They also mark their paths with dung to know where they have been and often go in the same place. 

• Many of the giraffes above didn't have to travel too far because two have died from urinary infections at the Columbus zoo, so they are currently being evaluated. 

• The African dogs will work in teams of two chasing their prey until they are tired and then another pair will take over the job. This continues until the animal is tired and then it is repeatedly bitten and disemboweled while still alive. Our guide said a human would not last 10 minutes in their inclosure. 

• The female cheetahs pick their mates. There is a female that will soon be choosing out of 6 suitors. As of now they have three females and two males. The other four males are going through their quarantine and preparation. 

• Some of the beautiful Scimitar-horned oryx have been reintroduced to their native Tunisia. If they lose their horns they do not grow back. One oryx had lost both of its horns, while another only had one. 

• There hasn't been a definitive study as to whether zebra stripes are white and black or actually a dark brown. Some people say they are white with black stripes since their stomachs are white. 

• Scientists from around the world come to The Wilds to work without pay. 

• Osprey and the Trumpeter swan have been introduced. The Osprey return to the place where they learn to fly, while the swans came from Alaska and have since made friends and brought them to The Wilds. 
  

Zoological centers and ecology around the world has greatly benefitted from having a program like this. It was so nice to be a part of it and see the animals up close and a great weekend activity to do with my parents. 

It made me a bit depressed that humans are encroaching on the natural habitats of these animals, but at this point people have to do what they can for preservation. The animals are truly spectacular. 

blueberries

We just got back from a fun filled afternoon of picking blueberries. I have a slight obsession with them. They were even between the layers of my wedding cake.

I had never picked blueberries and I will probably want to go back every weekend that they are in season. I loved it.

Blueberry picking is quite easy to do. They aren't as messy as picking strawberries and it's amazing how plentiful they were. Not only was it mess free and simple, they are beyond delicious and filled with healthy antioxidants.

I have never had blueberries that are so fresh.

After filling up the largest bowls that we had, we were surprised to find we had just accumulated 4 kilos (8.8 Lbs.) of blueberries for about 30€. In traditional style we even found one shaped like a heart... or at least as much as a blueberry could be.

I realize this may sound crazy to many people, but it was a fantastic way to enjoy the afternoon, and I have no doubts that we'll find a variety of ways to enjoy them over the coming days... that is if they last that long.

Seriously.

Walchensee

Today we joined some friends for a nice hike and a day at a hidden treasure that is only one hour from Munich. The climb was a bit intense and it was kind of our friend Timm to over estimate our abilities, however it was much more strenuous than anyone anticipated.

Stefan and I climbed about 1/3 of the way and then decided we would rather spend our day enjoying the beautiful lake and noticing the little details along the way down as opposed to speeding to the summit.

I am so astounded by the beauty of nature and love to look a little bit closer and see the details that everyone misses along the journey. We noticed a snake, two salamanders, a rather large and nicely camouflaged frog, many beautiful wild flowers and a hard to miss, yet adorable, dog who was climbing up that mountain with some serious stamina.

The flowers I always seem to pay close attention to. I'm not sure what they were, but they were very beautiful. I love seeing nature at work and how it is so mysterious and complicated. The insects were at work and the animals were blending into the surroundings - it was just fascinating to observe.

The flowers were quite unusual and striking. Here are some of my favorites from the day.

Stefan and I made up stories along the way stating that there was a mammoth toothpick that had been carved out by woodpeckers and the spiders occupying a fence had their own apartments, which faced the river and since rent was so high for the view not all of the spaces were occupied.

We saw what eerily looked like the face of Frankenstein made from moss, stone, and other detritus.

After hiking back down the mountain side we walked past a family of cows and went to the lake and enjoyed the fantastic views.

There were plenty of wind surfers and a lot of activity at the lake. We could not get over how crystal clear the water was and the turquoise water reminded us of the Maldives.

The mountains surrounding the lake really added to the ambiance and of course having someone wonderful to share the day with never hurts either.

I've been thinking about getting a sailing license which would be a wonderful way to spend the weekends.

Why wouldn't I when we could enjoy views like this? Now I just hope it fits into our schedule!

Staycation

Stefan and I are currently planning a staycation - a vacation in our hometown. It's difficult because we always leave when we have a few free days, however these are some of the things we need to do on a long weekend or perhaps with some vacation days.

The difficult part of living in a wonderful city is getting too comfortable. There are plenty of things that we have not yet done and many museums we have not visited. While we realize this is rather tragic, we are doing what we can to correct that.

On our list of places to visit are the Deutsches Museum, which we pass too frequently and always comment we should visit, yet never have. Perhaps we will do a popular bike tour or join one of the 'hop on hop off' style bus tours and pretend to be tourists for the day. We have already done the free city tour, which was excellent.

There are also the Hangmen, Whores, and Hags tour and the haunted Munich ghost tour. Or perhaps the fairy tale tour.

Other unique things are climbing the tents of the Olympic stadium or visiting the Bavaria Film studios where The Never Ending story movie was filmed. I also recall my favorite TV show, The Amazing Race, making a trip there.

Maybe for a more active staycation day we'll go to the Müllersches Volksbad, which is a beautiful Art Nouveau pool or rock climbing at the Ostbahnhof Heavens Gate.

I'd also like to sample some new restaurants. The tourist oriented medieval dinner at the Welser-Kuche or a 'Blind Angel' dinner in the dark.

There are many options and so many great things we've yet to do here.

Here is a helpful List of museums in Munich. I am already thinking of what exactly a visit to the Potato museum would be like.

We have a few days in mid-July that we are still deciding if we are going to head somewhere last minute, or perhaps if we'll spend more time on our apartment and enjoying a nice little staycation where we check out some of Munich's offbeat things.

German style cookout

Yesterday we went to a cookout with Stefan's coworkers and it was really a nice time. There are a few differences from German and American cookouts - namely there isn't a 'potluck' aspect. The American side of me still feels that it is necessary to bring something, so I brought brownies and some fresh picked strawberries. There were also insane options in terms of meat - sausages of every variety, steak, and lamb - but no hamburgers, veggie burgers, or hot dogs. The sauces are also not as good - Germans really don't eat anything remotely spicy.

I was so happy that we brought the strawberries because I could not get enough of watching the twins devour them. They both kept reaching up to grab another one - it was so cute.

It was also nice to chat with various coworkers and their 'plus one' partners. We were happy to to see our friend Martina who we will be visiting next weekend in Amsterdam. I'm already looking forward to seeing her again and I know she'll have some great stores and restaurants for us to visit.

I practiced my German quite a bit and came home very worn out, so I guess it was a successful evening. The friends make it worthwhile, but it makes me crave an American style cookout. It's too bad I won't be home for the 4th of July.

Picking Strawberries

This afternoon Stefan and I made it to pick strawberries right before it started to rain. I'm always surprised how many we walk away with - and how inventive I have to get to use them all. Right now I am thinking we'll be having strawberry margaritas and perhaps trying strawberries with balsamic, which I hear is delicious. What's also surprising is that 2 large bowls of strawberries only cost 6€!

We saw some interesting things in the field - Stefan tossed me a heart shaped strawberry and he spotted conjoined (or mating) may flies. My favorite finds were the strange shaped strawberries - one even looked like a star.

If you live in the Munich area, you can find nearby fields at Erdbeerzeit in München. This website also lists nearby fields for raspberries and blueberries as well.

I have a feeling we'll be checking those out soon!