Archive for the ‘FAQ’ Category

So you thought your car is safe out there on your favorite parking spot? You say its covered, locked and has an alarm?

Well it may not be as safe as you would hope …

Martens, adorable little ferret looking animals call Germany their home, and while usually harmless to humans, they will defend their territory fiercely. Sometimes during long summer nights you can hear them growl and fight… they have very creepy sounds.

Either way once one of your friendly neighborhood marten noticed that another marten has been in or around his territory (including your car… which is really his… you just didn’t know it) they get quite mad and will tear and bite anything to shreds that has been marked by a strange marten including your brake lines or sparkplug cables, who needs those anyways…?

The Marten lives in attics, sheds or wherever it can find a spot and especially during cold autumn nights there is nothing better than a nice preheated motor in a protected car.

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Free German classes are held from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesdays at the Landstuhl and Miesau libraries. No sign–up required. Come learn and practice your German. For details, call the Landstuhl Library (Bldg. 3810) at DSN 486-7322 or 06371-86-7322/8390 or the Miesau Library (Bldg. 1324) at DSN 481-3755 or 06372-842-4355. Classes are also held on Fridays at the Kleber Library (Bldg.. 3205). Call DSN 483-1740 or 06371-411-1740 for details.

The USAG also offers German classes, for more information call DSN 493-4203 or 0631-3406-4203

This is kind of my baby here and since we just faced a lot of these issues ourselves, I thought it would be a good Idea to share.

German food wrappers are, just like the American brands, required to show what is in the product. But the nutritional info is a bit different as in the US.

For example most carbs for diabetics are measured in either BE (Broteinheit) or KE (Kohlenhydrateinheit). Now one BE comes out to 12 carbs and one KE to 10. So a pudding with 3 BE has 36 carbs.

Also German servings are usually by 100 grams so you have to weigh how much you want to eat and then divide it to make sure you get the right carb count.

For example 100 grams of chocolate have 50 carbs, but you only want to 50 grams, you would give yourself enough for 25 carbs.

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Ever sat in front of the perfect parking spot, but were unsure if you are allowed to park there?

Well you’re not the only one.

In Germany parking can be a pain, so there are some hints and tricks. If you want to sightsee in one of the many cities in Germany try looking for a parking garage, if you see parking along the streets make sure it is not for “Anlieger frei” or people with a parking permit only, that usually means that it is only for residents.

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 Since November 2010, the law regarding winter tires in Germany has changed quite a bit. Here is the scoop on that for you:

Snow tire Law:

There is no set date to where you have to put on snow tires, but the law clearly states that under icy conditions (Black ice, Snow, Slush, Ice and Frost) you must not drive without snow tires on your vehicle. In Germany we go by the rule “O. to O.”, October until Easter.

One of the things that are new in the law is, for drivers caught without snow tires or who have an accident in winter conditions without snow tires on their vehicle have to pay double the amount in fines.

It also now specifically tells you what is considered a winter tire. All tires with the markings M+S (Mud and snow) and all-year or all-weather M+S tires qualify.

The fine for being caught without proper tires is 40 euros and 1 point , unless you are involved in an accident. Then your fine jumps up to 80 Euros.

How does preschool work on the German side?

Depending on the area you live you may have several choices for your little one.
Normal here is to start Kindergarten with 3 years of age till the child turns 6 years. You have to register them in advance though to make sure you get a spot. If you didn’t have time to do that, you may have to check with several Kindergartens, to get a slot for your child.

Some Kindergartens may take a child as small as 2 years old. There are 2 kinds of Kindergartens, Church ran or State ran and prices will vary. Even the opening hours will be different from Institution to institution and you may have to register your child in one Kindergarten in your area because they go by where you live.

So if you want to take advantage of off base childcare, your best bet is to check out one of the Kindergartens close to you.

For Heather:

I found a hedgehog, now what?If you run into a hedgehog here in Germany, you are supposed to let it be*(unless it is getting close to a road then you may move it to safty, I do recomend using a pair of oven mits to do that though), they are considered an endangered species here and are therefore protected under the endangered Wildlife Laws.

Usually they only come out around dusk or during the night, so you won’t usually encounter one. If you do, enjoy the sight.

*There is an exception:
If you find a small hedgehog (1lb in weight or less) in the fall October/November you are able to take it in. Reason behind it is…the young hedgehogs that were born during the summer have to gain a certain amount of weight, to be able to make it through the hibernation in the winter. If they weigh less than 400 grams they will not make it.

For Ed:
What if I hit a deer on the road?

As with any accident, secure the site (Warning Triangle) and make sure everyone in the car is ok and safe. (If you hit a wild boar STAY inside the car, if injured, those can be very aggressive).

Next call the police – 110 – depending on how bad the damage, they will instruct you to wait or drive to the nearest station. Now you will need a police report if you need to make any claims on your insurance!

If the animal is dead or injured make sure to let the police know, they will call the responsible hunter of the area to take care of it. You cannot pack it up for dinner, because you will get fined for that.

For Kristy:
I am trying to find stores where I can buy school supplies and such

For the normal stuff (paper, pens, crayons) I usually go to stores like Globus or Real in Kaiserslautern but you can find that stuff at any other big store like that anywhere. Especially at school start they have huge sales on that stuff.
For the specialty items like the acctual School books they use in class i go to GHornberger in Waldfischbach. Its a book/stationary store in Waldfischbach, Hauptstr. 80

for Heather;
Are any pets against the Law in germany?

It really depends on the pet.

If you’re planning on bringing any exotic pets, make sure you have all the papers showing that you legally bought the pet and are not trying to export an endangered animal from its country of origin. This may require some extra research.

We do have 4 breeds of Dogs no longer allowed in Germany, they include the  American Staffordshire Terrier, the Bullterrier, the American Pit bull Terrier and the Staffordshire Bullterrier. 

For reptiles and poisons snakes it depends on witch state you live in inside Germany, each one of them has different regulations, but remember, if your animal runs away or gets lots you may end up having to pay a hefty fine for authorities to find your pet again.