When we moved to Germany eight years ago, my German landlord said we must visit the nearby Bruchsal Palace. It was one of his favorites. During our three and half years in Germany, we never made it to his favorite palace. We visited many other palaces and castles across the continent, but never his highly… Read More Aiud, Romania; Bruchsal, Germany – The pride of the locals
We have a routine the first day. Whether it’s a cross-country move or international relocation, the first day sets the tone. After struggling through a night of jet lag, unfamiliar beds and feeling our way to the kitchen for a stomach-in-the-wrong-time-zone induced snack, at some point in the morning everyone is finally awake. Some semblance… Read More Germany – The first day in Anywhere
Cochem Castle is a neo-gothic castle located along Germany’s Moselle River. It is superbly preserved and worth the winding detour off the autobahn. The joy of such an architectural highlight is in the details. ****************************************************************** Do you have a photo you would like to share as part of the Eye-Catching Architectural Detail series? Email it to me… Read More Part IV: Cochem Castle, Cochem, Germany
When we travel and stay with friends and family, we have time to do things I would like to do more often at home – like go on walks. Few other house responsibilities call and, without their regular schedule of activities and toys, I have to ensure the children have things to occupy their minds.… Read More “Treasures” to toys
The first time I experienced this bounty I was hiking an ancient trail alone in the hills above Genoa, Italy. The trail started near my youth hostel and I simply happened upon it while taking a walk that balmy fall evening before sunset. I was surprised when I espied numerous ancient Roman ruins in the… Read More Part I: Surprised by BOUNTY
One Saturday last month we walked down Koenigstrasse – King Street – in Stuttgart, Germany. Koenigstrasse is Stuttgart’s Michigan Avenue or Champs-Élysées of shopping and people watching. We were reliving memories of years gone by, years when we had only one baby. Now we have three children and they each needed a fresh German pretzel… Read More Happening Upon Solidarity – Stuttgart, Germany
It’s the little things that trigger happy memories – memories of family togetherness during travels or times living abroad (or in another state). Little things like dessert. World Market does it to me every time. For a minuscule obligatory donation, I return home with an edible item that will trigger smiles, laughter and stories of… Read More World Cup ready dessert OR Dessert fit for Berlin
The young German sipped a mug of gluhwein and chatted with his American buddy. Standing behind us, he spoke with a thick German accent. “You can go to L.A., New York, you don’t see a Christmas market like this.” There you have it. America’s Second City boasts the country’s largest, most authentic German Christkindlmarket. The… Read More Chicago’s German Christmas market – context gives pleasure
Trier, Germany is notable for its well-preserved Roman ruins. Indeed, some of the buildings I would not even call ruins and are still very intact. I remember the impressive architecture, but I also remember Trier as the place my daughter got her first taste of “real” food. No, watery rice cereal doesn’t count as “real”… Read More Parenting by Fear OR Spargelzeit and baby’s first food – Trier, Germany
As I’ve mentioned before in previous posts, when I drink a good cup of coffee I am transported back to other good coffees – not just the drink, but the entire experience. Like the cup of coffee served on a rickety table by the Moroccan octogenarian inside the blue gate in the old city of… Read More A German rose to recall
will travel with kids 