Archive for the ‘General’ Category
DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME is coming soon !!!!
So don’t forget your clocks get turned back one hour.
On Sunday the 30 Oct the time changes at 3am, so Sunday morning all the clocks need to be changed back one hour.
That means we get to sleep one hour longer !!!!
Shopping in Germany
One thing I hear over and over is, how expensive everything here in Germany is, so I figured, time to share some insight of how things became expensive and how to cut some corners “German style”.
At the start of the year 2002 Germany introduced the euro and all Germans had to exchange their beloved mark to the euros. The initial exchange rate was 2 marks equal 1 euro (about). Back then a lot of stores used that exchange for some hidden price hikes. They rounded up or just exchanged 1 to 1.
It where small increases so you didn’t notice it too much. By now with inflation and food prices on the rise, oil prices that went trough the roof and income staying pretty much the same, Stuff now costs the same in euro then it used to be in marks (your not supposed to, but if you would do an exchange your paying double what you did 12 years ago).
This has made life here a lot harder especially for lower income families and has forces a lot of stay at home moms to join the workforce.
Wen we came back home to Germany in 1999 1 US $ got you 1.20 DM nowadays 1 US $ gets you .70 Euro (if your lucky) that is a pretty big loss.
Summer break countdown, Day 12
Have you been to the small town of Schwetzingen yet?
No? !!!
It’s a must! Especially in the spring and early summer the town is a buzzing marketplace, farmers stands lined up one after another selling bundles of fresh white asparagus and strawberries. The “Marktplatz” ,just recently renovated, with its many cafes and restaurants is also “the place” to hang out for the hip crowd.
One of the restaurants sports their very own brewery and many traditional German dishes.
Walking down along the main street you find many nice stores and boutiques.
The main attraction is and has always been the Palace with its breathtaking gardens.
Schloss Schwetzingen, or Schwetzingen Castle is a palace in the German state of Baden-Württemberg. Schwetzingen was the summer residence of the Electors Palatine Karl III Philip and Charles Theodore. It is situated in Schwetzingen, roughly equidistant from the electors’ seats at Heidelberg and Mannheim, and is most notable for its spacious and ornate gardens. Other than these exceptionally well preserved gardens and the castle proper, the compound also features one of the few surviving theaters in the rococo style. It is the principal venue for the annual Schwetzingen Festival
Summer break countdown, Day 11
Today, we are exploring the city of Speyer.
With a beautiful old city center many small streets and beautiful old houses along a lovely little stream, Speyer is one of those places that you picture when you think of Germany.
Located in the center of the old town is the beautiful cathedral .
This is of the Speyer Homepage :
The imperial Cathedral of Speyer, the foundation of which is in the form of a Latin cross, is one of the largest and most significant Romanesque edifices in Germany.
It was built by the emperors and designated as their last resting place as a symbol of their power. Construction began around 1030 under the Salic Emperor Konrad II and it was consecrated in 1061. Under Heinrich IV renovations and extensions were undertaken. The cathedral of Speyer is the first known structure to be built with a gallery which goes around the whole building. The system of arcatures added during these renovations was also a first in architectural history.
Summer break countdown, Day 10
This post is for the Dads…
And what do dads like more then Moms? … Cars … and big things that go “wroooom”…
So if your all into that you should check out one or better both of the big Car and technic Museums in the area.
Located in Sinsheim is located at:
Museumsplatz
74889 Sinsheim
The Auto & Technik MUSEUM SINSHEIM is open on all 365 days of the year.
Monday till Friday from 9am to 6pm.
Saturday & Sunday open from 9am till 7pm.
Of the homepage :
“the Auto & Technik MUSEUM is inviting you to view more than 3,000 exhibits from all areas of technical history on more than 30,000 sq.m of indoor space and in our open air ground. The exhibitions include a genuine CONCORDE from Air France and the Russian Tupolev TU-144, more than 300 classic cars, 200 motorcycles 40 racing cars the largest permanent formula-1 exhibition in Europe, 60 airplanes 20 locomotives, and much more.
Summer break countdown, Day 9
Since I took the time for a little break, and I figured the last countdowns where all about family and kids… its time for a Mom fun day !
So for the shopaholics that love snooping for bargains…
The Zweibruecken Designer outlets are a must.
Located in the
Zweibrucken Style Outlet
Londoner Bogen 10-90
D-66482 Zweibrücken
They offer everything from Adidas to Versace in a huge shopping park with restaurants and cafes. my personal favorite is the Lind Chocolate outlet store.
they are opened from Mo-Sa.: 10:00 – 19:00 h and there is lots of parking available. there is also a visitor center with layout maps and sale events.
For desert I would like to introduce you to the Pirmasens Chocolate Factory “WAWI Schokoladenfabrik”
Located on: 
Unterer Sommerwaldweg 19-20
3 Pirmasens
Tel.: 06331-23999-0
You can actually take a tour to see how chocolate is made they have a factory sale a nice café with delicious chocolates and so much more. Make sure to check out the chocolate museum while you are there.
Summer break countdown, Day 8
If you like sightseeing and old beautiful buildings you will love the old German cathedrals.
As part of any old downtown there is plenty of them in Germany, from different epochs and of many different styles.
A Must see is the Cologne Cathedral:
Cologne Cathedral (German: Kölner Dom, officially Hohe Domkirche St. Peter und Maria, English: High Cathedral of St. Peter and Mary) is a Roman Catholic church in Cologne Germany. It is the seat of the Archbishop of Cologne (currently Cardinal Joachim Meisner, and is under the administration of the Archdiocese of Cologne. It is renowned as a monument of Christianity of German Catholicism in particular, of Gothic architecture and of the continuing faith and perseverance of the people of the city in which it stands. It is dedicated to Saint Peter and the Blessed Virgin Mary. The cathedral is a World Heritage Site, one of the best-known architectural monuments in Germany, and Colognes most famous landmark, described by UNESCO as an "exceptional work of human creative genius".It is Germany’s most visited landmark, attracting an average of 20,000 people a day.
Summer break countdown, Day 7
Wow, first week down already, it’s going quick!
It’s another humid day here in Heltersberg with thunderstorms in the making…
Perfect time for some spelunking!
So today is cave day!
The Schellenberg Ice Cave:
This Ice cave is the biggest and the only Ice cave within Germany open to the public. The cave can be reached by foot or cable car. The cable car is actually located in St. Leonhard on the Austria side of the mountain so be sure to bring your passport. Take the Untersberg cable car from St. Leonhard to the summit and then it’s just a one hr. hike down to the cave.
If you decide to hike, be aware that it’s approximately a three hour hike from the nearest parking area in Markschellenberg. The cave is located at 1,570m (5.150 ft.) elevation, so be sure to bring appropriate clothes, good sturdy walking shoes and warm clothes for the cave.
Summer break countdown, Day 6
Rainy Days….
So its raining and you don’t really know what to do…
Why not check out a couple of the awesome public pools we have in Germany.
Now these are not just indoor pools, they are miniature vacations.
First one is the Miramar in Weinheim, one of the nicest pools in Europe featuring slides, swim courses for children, a spa and even laser shows, yes you heard right …laser shows.
Around 18 Euro per person gets you an all day pass to every area and then you can purchase extra amenities including Massages, Physiotherapy, and Hammams.There was a plethora of different heated salt pools, saunas (including different temps, scents and even lights), showers, whirlpools, places to eat/drink, and footbaths. Be aware that there’s a portion of the place where clothing is optional and that on certain days after a certain time, the entire place is FKK.
Adress: Miramar, Waidallee 100, 69469 Weinheim
Summer break countdown, Day 5
Little late today but never less, here is day 5
Limestone caves in Dreimuehlen, close to Mechernich:
This limestone rock, witch is about 300k years old, was inhabited by Neanderthals around 80000 years ago. According to Legend a giant named Kakus was once the occupant of this place.
At the entrance of the Kakus- or Kartstone cave, you can find information in German. Here is a short summary in English:
300.000 years ago the kartstone rock developed. It is 20 meters thick and younger than the underground consisting of limestone. The so-called travertine develops when limestone dissolves in water, "falls out" and then settles somewhere else. Layer by layer, over a very long period of time, the travertine builds up. Tension in the material leads to gaps and tears, and erosion then enlarges these gaps into caves.
Aalia Winter