I am not sure if yesterday or today was/is St. Martin's Day here in Germany, but Niki's KiGa celebrated yesterday and Jenna's today.
The tradition goes that Martin was in the Roman Army and he cut his cloak in half to share with a beggar during a snowstorm, to save the beggar from dying of the cold. That night he dreamed that Jesus was wearing the half-cloak Martin had given away. Martin heard Jesus say to the angels: "Here is Martin, the Roman soldier who is not baptised; he has clothed me." (As ye have done it unto me...) He left the Army to lead a peaceful life but the church wanted him to become a leader in the church. According to legend, Martin was reluctant to become bishop, which is why he hid in a stable filled with geese. The noise made by the geese betrayed his location to the people who were looking for him. Thus he became a Bishop.
They celebrate it by having a little parade where kids carry lights through the village. Niki's KiGa just colored this white bags and put them over flashlights. Jenna's class made more elaborate ones where you have a little stick with a battery white light at the end and hang a paper lantern attached around it.
Our village did a little re-enactment of the scene then the kids sang some songs and did a little circle dance and we walked around the village. Luckily the weather was cooperative (always an if at this time of the year) and it was some-what warm with no rain but a bit windy. After walking around everyone gathered back at the KiGa and they gave small bread geese for the kids and the adults could buy drinks and food. (Apparently part of the story is that St. Martin hid in a barn and the geese protected him from the Army).
I know this is blury but I like the how the lights are emphasized. Wish I knew more about the camera and could have done something special with it that wasn't blury.
The re-enactment:
The umpa band that lead us around the village while the children sang. (One song is sung to the tune of "It's raining, it's pouring..." and goes "Laterne, Laterne, Sonne, Mond und Sterne...")
I love the feeling of community that these traditions promote.
After staying in the hosptial for a week with Jenna, I have a bit to say about the differences.
First off, you must bring your own towel, even though they do supply the bed linens and a pillow (which is not like our pillow--it is like a giant square marshmellow) and comforter (duvet--they don't have top sheets you just snuggle in the comforter).
Breakfast is brötchen (large roll with crusty shell) which you put meat and cheeses (but if you are like me you put Nutella on them). Lunch is the big meal of the day. They serve something we would have for dinner. Then dinner is light--a few pieces of bread and meat (for a sandwich) and a little salad. they don't offer desserts other than rice or regular pudding. If you want to drink you must get your own sprudel (carbonated water) but if you want plain water you have to get it out of the sink.
There are no phones in the room (and cell phones are forbidden but everyone sneaks them). To my surprise, they had internet connection--which is not always the case, but the hospital Jenna was in was a university one so we were lucky! We didn't have a TV in the room (hense why the computer was so important--I could play DVD's and show pictures). I asked the nurse about the TV because when I was in a German hospital for my miscarriage D&C's they had one but you had to wear these funny ear phone tubes that were like the old fashion ones on the airplane. She explained in our ward (Pediatric Neurology) they don't have them because often the children have a lot of sensitivity to noises and light, and this is avoided.
The bathroom was only for the children--parents/visitors had to go off the ward to use the public one (which meant going through another ward on the way off to the elavators).
They had a play "room" but only the children were allowed in--no parents. They did allow me to come in to get some puzzels or crayons, but I had to leave right away. I couldn't figure it out since the ladies (they looked like nuns) said we could leave the child in there but they never would let me leave Jenna. I don't know if you had to have an apointment or something. Still a mystery to me!
They had a mother's room on another floor which I shared with another mother--it was like a basic dorm room. (Frankly, I don't know if they have those in the American Hospital since I didn't have kids then).
I had to take Jenna around to all the apointments. Some were across the campus and I had to use a stroller or just walk with her.
I think I already (briefly) mentioned some traditions, but I will repeat them again.
The season really starts on the 4th Sunday before Christmas. But before then most people have their lights and all the stores are filled with the goodies long before that.
Decorations: A lot of homes have candle bridges in their windows.
Some people have stars in their windows and paper snowflakes. Some put up live wreaths on their doors or by the door. They do put lights on their houses and trees (mostly white lights) and in recent years they are starting to have more plastic santa decorations around. They do use the traditional colors of red and green but also a royal blue is very popular (and this year orange for some reason).
Each of the 4 Sundays before Christmas they light a candle on a flat wreath (to represent the 4,000 years before Christ came) and eat some of the seasons goodies (we use it to sing songs and tell the nativity story too). Since the majority (at least in our area) are Catholic, they attend mass on those Saturdays or Sundays too. One Christmas Day the large candle in the middle of the wreath is lit.
The advent calandars are HUGE here. People gave us some and I already bought some for the kids, but there are all kinds. The simple ones have little cardboard doors marked with the day and a chocolate behind it. Others have pockets, drawers, bags handing on hooks etc. Their are (expensive) ones for adults as well.
"Christbaum" or as we know, "'Tannenbaum" is popular. Most people don't put up the Christmas tree until Christmas eve. So on Christmas morning it is quite magical for the children. The trees often have candle clips (even in thei day of fire safety) with small candles in it. They also hang chocolates wrapped in decorated tinfoil around the tree. Some people still even hide nuts, apples and oranges in the branches too. They do put some colored glass bulbs on and some people use tinsel too. The humpelman is a popular tree ornament too.
There is a Bavarian Christmas tree tradition that is known as the "Brides Tree." This is where 12 ornaments are hung upon a tree to help bring good fortune to a newly married couple. The 12 ornaments symbolize the following: angel (God's guidance), bird (joy), fish (Christ's blessing), flower basket (good wishes), fruit basket (generosity), heart (true love), house (protection), pine cone (fruitfulness), rabbit (hope), rose (affection), Santa (goodwill), and teapot (hospitality).
But they don't go all out like the Americans with inside (or even outside) decorations like the Americans do. Pointsettas (Christmas stars) are popular--they even put glitter on the leaves of some and I have seen some wild colors (I wonder if they are died or bred that way).
Many people have a Nativity pyramid here. Originally from the Erzgebirge region of Germany, the wood or rope pyramid was the "poor man's Christmas tree." Today it is a popular Christmas decoration in many parts of Germany, usually made with candles and bells that ring as the heat from the candles turns a wooden rotor at the top.
Surpringly, very few German's have "nutcrackers" or "smokers", although they are available for the Americans--ha ha. Of course we have crèche or krippe (nativity scene) apleanty.
Santa Claus is Father Christmas around here and is seen around (but not so prevlant as in the States). He is in red and has a white beard but usually wears a robe or mantle rather than a jacket (with the black belt). At parties he brings bags of goodies (peanuts, chocolates and small candies) as well as little gifts for the kids. But he also has tree branches (switches) and WILL hand those out (much to my horror)--but it is usually to adults--as a joke. The tradition is connected with the original Bishop Nicholas of Myra (now called Turkey) is where the tradition started and is celebrated on the date of his death 6 December in the year 343. He was later granted sainthood. The German Sankt Nikolaus, dressed as a bishop, brings gifts on that day. (Also see "Ruprecht" above.) According to legend, it was Bishop Nicholas who gave us the Christmas tradition of hanging stockings by the fireplace. The kindly bishop is said to have thrown bags of gold for the poor down the chimney. The bags landed in stockings that had been hung by the fire to dry. This Saint Nicholas legend may also partly explain the American custom of Santa coming down the chimney with his bag of gifts.
Mainly 6 December is Saint Nikolaus Tag. St. Nicholas (patron Saint of children) is known by several names in different parts of Germany. These include Klaasbuur, Rauklas, Bullerklaas, and Sunnercla, but mainly Weihnachtsmann or Father Christmas. In the eastern part of Germany, he is Ash Man, Shaggy Goat, or Rider. The word "Kris Kringle" is a corruption of Christkindl. The word came into American English via the Pennsylvania Germans, whose neighbors misunderstood the German word for the bringer of gifts. With the passage of time, Santa Claus (from Dutch "Sinterclaas") and Kris Kringle became synonymous. The Austrian town of Christkindl bei Steyr is a popular Christmas post office, an Austrian "North Pole." Anyway, the traditon is where the children put their boots or shoes onside and they are filled with nuts, oranges, chocolates and other sweets--sometimes small gifts. (We just use the American style stocking and have it indoors. )
Holiday Goodies: The goodies during the season include Lebkucken--the most popular (sort of like gingerbread), dominos(stacked with bread-like bottom then a jelly layer then carmel and covered with chocolate, marzipan galore (some covered in chocolate), macaroons, Zimtsterne (cinnamon stars), spectulas(flat butter cookies sometimes with slices of almonds on the bottom), Weihnachts Stollen (fruit bread). I am sure there is a lot of others I am leaving out too. Sorry.
Gift are opened on Christmas Eve, not Christmas Day. Which has caused some contention in our home. But I am holding out because of reason--the kids would be too wound up and wouldn't go to bed if we did it in the evening. Then they have the whole day to play and tire of them before we put them to bed.
Christkindlesmarkts are open-air Christmas markets which appear in many cities and some villages, the most famous ones being those in Nuremberg.
They are quite festive with lots of booths of crafts, food and people mingling.
The holidays end with the Three Magi celebration on January 6th, the day the three Magi came to visit the Christ Child.
My post (6 May 2006 juournal) about the differences here in Germany was interesting to many of you. I have been making a list of other things to add, but these posts take longer to write and research than my daily ones. I've decided to do this is more installments--it will be a surprise to you when one pops up!
Clothing:Most people think of the German clothing as "Lederhosen" and "Dirdl" .
They do wear these for Octoberfest and occasionally you will see women in a nice Dirndl at a special occasion, or church. The men just wear vests and jackets that have special buttons (in the Edelwies motive and bone-like buttons) but only wear the "shorts" at Octoberfest.
But the regular everyday clothes are the same as in the states, except they wear jeans quite tight (and the women often have skinny legs and no hips--go figure when all they eat is meat, potatoes and bread over here). Sometimes the women often wear soft, silky scarves tied in a knot midchest, to dress up an outfit. People have far less clothing than Americans. Here is a webpage to peruse if you want to see some fashions.
Shoes: Their shoes are ultra-modern. I am not sure if the styles have made it over to the states yet, but some look like bowling shoes and squared toes are popular for both women and men. Here is one not-so-great example:
Of course we are in the land of Birkenstocks, so you see those everywhere.
The children wear strumpfhosen in the winter. They are a thick knit stocking. I like them except they usually have some cutesy pattern on the calves. They really don't care about matching colors and styles, in particular with kids.
They bundle up their kids too--any time of the year (it seems). Often Americans here are frowned upon when we just send a child out with a coat on (often unzipped), because they put thick hats, mittens and have several layers under the coat. All there kids wear much larger clothes to accomidate for this layering. As far as I can tell (from my husband--not a large sample poole, I'll admit), it is because they think if they are cold, they will catch a cold! It doesn't matter what I tell my husband about germs and such, he still tells me every time he thinks he would be cold in what I am wearing.
Since Europeans are fairly economical (by necessity, since things are more expensive over here) they try to find ways to make clothes last a long time. One way is to turn up the cuff on the pants (for both children and adults) and they have special elastic waistbands with a button wear you can expand or tighten them. Here is an example with a pair of Niki's pants:
For rain (which seems like it is constant), the children have rubber pants (matchhosen) to wear and of course the rubber boots.
They don't have pajamas for kids either. The kids have sleeping sacks. There are light ones for the summer months and thick ones for the winter. Some have sleeves that can velcro on and off. Some zipper, others tie, snap or button. Here is a picture of our kids in them--Niki's is too small and Jenna's too large (I love them--both the shlafsaks and the kids):
It is expected you take off your shoes when you come into a home. Children have special house shoes to wear. They store their shoes on shoe stands inside the doors.
Also, here I "weigh" less (in kilos) but BIGGER in sizes! Including shoes (size 40).
I want to get this posted, so I will end here. I have a few other topics with the culture I am working on too!
Martinstag (11. November)
November 11th is a special day in the U.S., Canada, and German-speaking Europe, but when North Americans are observing Veterans Day/Remembrance Day, most Austrians and German Catholics are celebrating a different holiday.
The Feast of Saint Martin, (Martinstag celebration) is more like Halloween and Thanksgiving rolled into one. Martinstag commemorates Sankt Martin (c. 317-397), Whom was a Roman Soilder that became the Bishop of Tours. The best-known legend connected with Saint Martin is the dividing of the cloak (die Mantelteilung), when Martin (then a soldier in the Roman army), tore his cloak in two to share it with a freezing beggar at Amiens--his traditions are remembered when people act charitably.
In the past, Martinstag was celebrated as the end of the harvest season (thanksgiving). For workers and the poor, it was a time when they had a chance to enjoy some of the bounty and get a few crumbs from the nobles' table (“einige Krümel vom reichgedeckten Tisch”).
Today in many parts of Europe the feast is still celebrated by processions of children with candle-lit lanterns (Martinslaternen - see the German children's song "Ich geh mit meiner Laterne") and a banquet of roast goose (die Martinsgans). Jenna made a little lantern in KiGa yesterday--which had a tea lite in it. I am sure our village will have a little child parade in the evening tomorrow as they proceed with their lanterns.
In former times, Martini was the “official” start of winter and the 40-day Christmas fast. Today Martinstag is the unofficial start of the Christmas shopping season in German Europe! I will post more on the Christmas tradtions as the season comes (that is where Niklas got his name, since he was born in December).
Every so often I notice how different the culture is here as compared to the states and I've wanted to post on it for a while. It will be lengthy, and there is no order to it other than what comes to my mind! And I am not saying it is good or bad, just different from what Americans are familiar with.
* Food: There aren't a "dozen" eggs here--only 10 in a carton (so much for that metaphor). The local villages have active butchers and bakers--that is where eveyone gets fresh meat and bread, and have for generations. Most larger grocery stores have their own bakeries and butchers as well. Only the smaller stores have packaged meats or breads. The cheese and yogurt selections would boggle your mind--and this isn't even France! Just recently have I noticed lower fat products too! Most people get their food fresh (daily) and have very little fridges to store food in. Twice a week there are fresh produce and fruit markets (and they also have flowers). They drink a lot of beer but also buy sprudel (which is carbonated water) that you can add to a little bit of apple juice and make apfelsaftschorle.
* Recycling: you must have separate places in your home for: paper, biodegradable (most people have a compost), general garage, plastics/metal cans(refractables), glass (into green, brown and white). You must find bins around the villages to put them in. They have big containers for clothing recyling all over too.
* Shopping--you must put a coin in a slot on the grocery cart to pull it out (which is refunded once you return the cart to the row with the rest), and you must bring your own bags and must bag your own groceries in every store (not just the bargain ones). When you park in a parking garage (at a department store) you must take a chip and either get it validated in the store or put it in a machine to pay before you go to your car. Credit cards are not so popular here, although debit cards (E-Z karte) are taken most places. They don't have checks at all. Everyone transfers money directly to accounts (for house payments, utilities or other debts). The biggest shock is how there is very little "customer service". I have stood waiting to talk to a clerk for 15 minutes while they chatted with a friend on the store phone. They simply will not make eye contact. Most will say it is another department or person's job. Then when you find the "right" person they act like you are really inconviencing them. The one place I have found customer service is optical stores. They will clean and repair (small problems) for free!
* Houses: The first thing most American's will notice is that the houses do not have closets (you must buy a schrunk, or wardrobe as we call it). Houses are taxed on the number of rooms it has, so they don't want to pay more taxes for closets! If you have a room, it must have a window also--so you see the laws start causing problems with creativity. Further, the houses do not come with kitchens built-in either (most people buy theirs and take it with them to whatever house next live in). There are stores where you buy furniture and you get kitchens there--they are sold in sections and put together in whatever configuration you need. The refridgerators are built-in (with same wood venear as the cubbord, and they are small. The strange thing is that the kitchens are small (with little counter space) and the bathrooms are large! Go figure. Speaking of bathrooms, there are no built-in bathroom vanities either. You must buy those, and sometimes people take all their fixtures (sinks, toliets etc.) with them. A lot of bathrooms have bidets, but most Americans don't know how to use them, so they put a big plant in it! The showers are hand-held but most have a holder for it--so you can get it to spray down. A lot of people have towel heaters too. The little guest bathroom (WC--water closet) rarely has hot water or heating. You must bring your own light fixtures. When you move in there are just wires hanging out the ceiling--and that is what you get! Not many homes have double garages, and even fewer have electric openers. They don't have doors from the garage into the house--you must go in the front door! The windows tip open at the top as well as open to the side. They don't have screens on them either! Most windows have rolladens--plastics coverings that roll down over the whole window and can make it completely dark (keeps tempeture better from heat or cold, is more private and secure). The older houses have wooden shutters that people use in the summer. Newer houses are made from thick cement blocks (like cinder blocks filled with insulation) that are motared together and covered with a smooth layer of stucco, then painted. The older houses (at least in our area) are built with thick (8 inches) red sand stones. So these houses don't burn down! The second stories often have low gables so half the room is lost with the slant of the roof. The houses all have ceramic tiles on the roofs (never composite shingles or shakes). Most homes have only tiles on the floor (with area rugs) some with floor heating (water circulates under tiles) and the rest with radiators that are under the windows. They do not have central (forced) air, nor do they have airconditioning. Sometimes they do have wall-to-wall carpet, but it is very low pile--like the kind you find in bussinesses. Most German's are meticulous with cleaning and will sweep their sidewalks AND part of the street--especially the gutter! The often wash their front steps and windows.
Home Furnishings: They don't use lamps, except in children's rooms. The furniture is either ultra-modern or looks like something left over from the 70's. They don't have box springs on the bed frames (which are low to the ground) rather these flexible boards (lattenrost) that the mattresses go on. Most couples have separate mattresses (like a twin size) that fits their comfort. They only have a fitted sheet (not usually cotton, but jersey material) and a duvet. So we have our own comforters (I like mine hot, so I get down) but we have matching duvets--which are folded in half at the end of the bed. A lot of Germans hang this duvet out their window in the morning to refresh it. They also have gigantic fluffy pillows. When I buy the duvets (they come with pillow cases) I have to sew them in half to fit my pillow!
*Real Estate: Most people can't afford to own a house and rent their whole lives (unthinkable to us). You will never see a "for sale" sign anywhere. Europeans just are not "mobile" like Americans. They often move in the same village as their parents (or even have a separate apartment in the same house) and never leave--the next generation "inherits" it! If you are looking to buy a house there are no central listings for the area. Each bank will list houses on their bulletin boards or the real estate agents represent their own listings--and they only sell those. You must go around to every bank and place that may list, separately. If you want to buy a house they make you work for it. You must go to different banks and negotiate what the interest will be--there is no set rate and they do not TRY to get your bussiness. You must provide them a lot of paper work before they will even talk to you. We were dual (good) income at very stable jobs and they still gave us a hard time.
*Employment: People do not expect or even desire to change jobs very often, if at all, during their careers. They expect to stay their until retirement. There are mostly fixed salaries (exception: the boss or self employed) and they don't "move up" in companies because jobs don't come free very often. And they don't "change" professions either.
*Taxes: People pay about 40% of their gross income in taxes. You must pay a church tax unless you are exempt by proving you pay each year to another church (other than Catholic or Protestant--the only two "acceptable" religions here--which are supported by the government taxes). Everyone must pay mandatory unemployment taxes, social security, state as well as nursing taxes. The people on welfare live quite comfortably. And I have never seen a homeless person yet! Families don't get a tax deductions by number of dependant children, rather then get "kindergeld" each month (150 euro per child) until the child is 25 or until they are finished with their education.
*Education:They start their kids in "kindergarten" (that is where we got the word) at age 3, but you must pay for it and it is really a pre-school, where they play and do activites. They don't focus on teaching them, just let them have fun. Then at age 6 then go to schule. The first day is VERY big where the parents take off work and fill these giant cones with candy and the kids take them with them to their desk (I guess it is to soften the blow to the hard world they are entering). All children (except handicapped ones--Sonderschule) go to this school (Grundschule) until age 10. At that point the teachers (consulting with the parents) decide which direction their education will go. There are three "tracks". The lowest is Hauptschule. They will learn a trade there (more what we consider blue-collar work) and do an apprentiship. They finish at age 15. Then apprenticeship for 3.5 years. The next level is Realschule where they also learn a trade but usually these are more "professional" trades such as bank workers, accountants, electricians and administrative jobs. They finish in this school at age 16. They also do an aprentiship for 3.5 years (under a master). The highest level is Gymnasium where they prepare for the university. They finish this at age 19 and must take an exam called an "arbitur" which is a comprehensive exam about languages, biology, German, math, chemisty, geography, history etc. When they pass they have what would be an equivalent to an associates degree. In gynasium they must be fluent in 3 languages--German (of course), English and another (usually French, but some take Latin--like Günter or Italian or even Spanish). The universities are completely free for anyone that qualifies. They even get "bafög" which is a small stipend to live on(500 euro/month). The univeristy studies take 5 years and are completely concentrated in the field of study (no general education)--even medical and law degrees. Actually in Günter's field (mechanical engineering) he did 3 years for a "vordiplom" then another two years of even more specialized work. They are reuqired to so a thesis. So he has what would be equivalent to a Masters Degree. Of course they do have Ph.D programs as well in a lot of fields. At the university level the campuses are divided by studies. So in Heidelberg it is Medical, Law, teachers and language. Günter's university had engineering and sciences.
*Medical--The medical training seems to be comprable and they do use state-of-the-art technology, but the medicine itself is different. They prefer to use homeopathic first. The amazing part is that when you go to the pharmacy they will actually mix up the concoction right then and there--so those pesky pharmacuetical companies can't survive! They are reluctant to give traditional medicine and only will give antibiotics (and pain medicine) in extreme cases.
*Holidays:
Christmas (1st & 2nd day) & New Years Day, Good Friday (crucification day) & Easter Monday (resurrection), Labor Day (May 1st), Christ's assension (40 days after Easter) then Pentacost (Holy Ghost given to the apostle--in May or June), German reunionification (3 October). The German's don't have the holidays on Fridays or Mondays (to make long weekends) but have them on the day, no matter when it is. If it lands on a Saturady or Sunday then they just don't get a paid holiday. Everything closes down on holidays. There isn't a grocery store or bakery open! It is considered a family day and they really spend it with their families eating and talking (and, I am sure, drinking!). They also have at least 4 weeks vacation but most it is 6 weeks (some companies are trying to reform this in Europe to be less). They don't like to do the fast paced see-everything-you-can-in-2-weeks like Americans. They like to go to a beach or forest and just relax there--no touring around! They work only 35 hours, by law (or unless they are on salary, they just work until it is done).
*Hygiene: It's long been a joke about the Germans not shaving. Here is the truth: They don't shave their pits, but do shave (or wax--OUCH) their legs. I am just the opposite (at least in winter--probably too much info, right?). Unfortunately I have discovered that many don't wear any deoderant. In the stores they sell deodorants but not anti-persperants. I guess they see that as "natural" and don't want to interfere with it?! I have very strong feelings about this, so I am sure that my perception is skewd, but I think MANY of them smoke. I HATE it! I stay away from resturants for that reason and even make faces at people smoking around the kids. Thankfully France and even Italy have passed laws banning smoking in public places, so hopefully Germany will follow suit! (I honestly can't understand it, they have laws for every little thing but this is a useful one, and they don't have it!)
Traveling: Cars park in the street and it is expected that you will pull up behind them and let the other lane go by, then you can pass. Trucks will park right in the middle of a busy road. The Autobahns really are what the rumors say--fast driving. A lot of people have BMW's, Mercede's or Audi's and they go over 130 kph--80/mph. I can't tell you how annoying it is when they tailgate you or flash their bright lights to tell you to get over to the next lane so they can be on their way...probably going 100 mph! If you think gas is bad in the states, then get this--1 liter of super is 1,35 euro or converted to 5.11 euro/gallon or $6.15/gallon!!!!!!!! The only good thing I can say is that a lot of cars are fuel-efficient. Ours get about 42 miles/gallon. The only SUV's over here are the ones the Americans are driving--and they get gas on base, which is comprable to the prices in the states.
I may add more things to this in another post if I think of other things. If you can think of any I left out, leave it in the comments!
