Maria Shipley

A Good Reason to Travel

Maria — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 23:44:31 +0000

One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.

- Henry Miller -

Fasching in Germany

Maria — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 10:57:12 +0000

The days between Thursday (Altweiberfastnacht) and Tuesday (Faschingsdienstag) are the craziest days for Fasching enthusiasts.

While looking at the clear blue skies we had at 9:30 this morning, I also caught sight of these young people on the road below.

A case of beer, a few with an open bottle in hand, some in costume, were marching home from last night’s party to the tune of the church bells (rings every 15 minutes until the service begins at 10:00).

Fasching in Germany on a Sunday morning

I hope they had a good time.

A Good Reason to Travel

Maria — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 23:42:09 +0000

One always begins to forgive a place as soon as it’s left behind.

- Charles Dickens -

Kraut on the Autobahn

Maria — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:25:41 +0000

When a sauerkraut-transport truck rammed the rear of a car on the A5 Autobahn this morning, lots of good old Kraut was spilled. Read The Local‘s article Frozen Kraut Jam leaves Autobahn Drivers Sauer for more information.

Fortunately, nobody was seriously injured in this Kraut jam. But to read of Kraut frozen-stuck to the roads, made me think of the German dish Eisbein und Kraut (pork knuckles with kraut).

Somebody else saw a bit of humor in this (the first comment on The Local’s article) by stating that ” … if the second truck had been loaded with Bratwurst, they would have been in good shape.”

I have read of accidents with spilled goods before, but this is the first one involving Sauerkraut.

A Good Reason to Travel

Maria — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 23:35:35 +0000

It is far easier to travel than to write about it.

- David Livingstone -

American Military leaving Schweinfurt and Bamberg

Maria — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 20:03:40 +0000

We knew it would happen sooner or later. The decision to close the military posts in Schweinfurt and Bamberg was made this very afternoon. You can learn more from the Mainpost article Army verlässt Schweinfurt.

It will take another two to three years before the last U.S. soldier is sent back, but both towns have to prepare for the coming changes, especially in the local economy.

As much as opponents have decried the U.S. presence, there are many others who are very likely to suffer from the G.I.s’ absence.

Ledward Barracks, Schweinfurt, Germany

Well, it is time to move on. The U.S. has spent taxpayers’ money for an extra 20 years of military presence, beyond the end of the Cold War. It is time to reinvest.

Bye bye Schweinfurt, a rap song by the group Royal Riches from Schweinfurt.

Frilly Thrills in Paris

Maria — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:51:18 +0000

If you are heading to Paris for some thrills, then visit the newly opened haunted house Manoir de Paris. Located in a building under historical preservation protection, near the Gare de L’Est (on 18 rue de Paradis 75010 Paris), visitors get to enjoy 13 chilling tales or horror.

Take some friends with you when walking through the 1000-square meter haunted house. The Hunchback of Notre Dame, the Phantom of the Opera, the bloodthirsty pastry chef… and others… are there to welcome you.

Entrance fee: € 20 for adults, € 18 discounted (children and students)

Hours:

Thu and Fri: 17:00 – 21:00

Sat and Sun: 15:00 -19:00

Access :

Metro: Gare de l’Est / lines 4, 5, 7 or Poissonnière / line 7

Bus: Faubourg Saint Denis (line 32)

Cold and Homeless around Frankfurt

Maria — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:08:08 +0000

With temperatures supposedly dropping to an all-time low in the coming days, the homeless are the ones who suffer most. Temps can get as low as – 25°C ( -13 F).

If you are in Frankfurt or the surrounding area… if you see any homeless without a warm place to sleep, please call the Kältebus (an organization to pick up homeless during very cold periods) at 069 – 43 14 14.

While I’m at it, here is the number for the Kältebus in Hamburg: 040 – 40 17 82 15; In Berlin, call 0178 – 52 35 838

Winter can be deadly

Thanks for caring and sharing.

Edited on 3 Feb 2012:

Kältebusse 2012

A Good Reason to Travel

Maria — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 23:22:57 +0000

I wonder if one of the most important steps on our journey is the one in which we throw away the map.

- unknown -

Cold Front from Siberia

Maria — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 19:03:21 +0000

After a very mild winter, some snow in mid-December, and a green Christmas, we finally had our first snow of the year 2012 just yesterday.

Snow in Oberursel/Germany

This path leads up to our home. Some of these trees are protected by German law, because they provide nesting sites for wild birds.

Any kind of traffic in this area is foot traffic and therefore the snow usually stays white (except for the occasional yellow discoloration). Germans love their dogs, too.

Now the weather news tell us there is a Siberian cold front moving into Eastern Europe and it might move on to Germany. I just love the photo web. de provided. We can expect temperatures as low as – 25°C (- 13 F) in the next few days.

If you are a regular reader, you might already know I love winter and snow.

But if you are new and wondering about my sanity, in regards to my affinity for winter, then rest reassured. As a German, I just love the frische Luft in winter time.