You are at a party, and you hear those notes… Duhda Duhda Dadah Da…clap clap clap clap… and suddenly the dance floor is flooded with people flapping their arms and shaking their tail feathers. It’s the Chicken Dance Song! (or is it a Duck?). Where did the Chicken Dance originate? And how is it that a song labeled “the most…
Author: karenanne
My Oma’s Schoko-Nusskuchen Recipe- A Nut-lover’s Favorite
My cousin Linda made my day when she sent me our Oma’s recipe for Schoko-Nusskuchen along with the note, “This is the cake Oma always baked for our Birthdays.” This simple little cake may not be a fancy Torte, but flavorwise, it packs a delicious punch, reminding me of my favorite mid-day pick-me-up treat, a Hanuta. It’s hazelnut and chocolate,…
The Linden tree in Germany – The Tree at the Heart of Germany
A friend sent me a clip from a news story out of West Virginia about the removal of a Linden Tree. What made him curious was not the toys found under the tree; it was the tree itself. This particular tree was the last survivor of three Linden trees brought to the United States by German immigrants. Why, he asked,…
The Speicherstadt Hamburg- More than just Warehouses…
How did a warehouse district manage to get UNESCO Status? Well, the Speicherstadt Hamburg is incredibly photogenic. Rows of neo-Gothic brick warehouses tower over the water and are connected by bridges (fun fact: Hamburg has more bridges than Venice). But it’s more than just how it looks. Think of the Speicherstadt Hamburg as a city within a city. A customs-free…
Old World Village in Huntington Beach- A slice of Bavaria in California
Just 10 minutes from one of Orange County’s famous surfing spots, you’ll find the Old World Village in Huntington Beach. This special enclave of shops and restaurants was conceived and built in the late 1970s by Josef and Dolores Bischof to transport guests and residents to a Bavarian Village. Today, the cobblestoned streets, muraled buildings, flower baskets, and, of course,…
Germany and Coffee- Coffee Culture and History of German Coffee
“Komm, lass uns einen Kaffee trinken“… words I’ve heard my whole life. Come on, let’s drink a coffee. Mornings before a big day, the middle of the afternoon on a shopping trip, or just while sitting and chatting. Germany and coffee go hand in hand. Germans might actually drink more coffee than beer. They certainly import more coffee than any…
What is a Radler? – The History of a Drink Named for a Cyclist
I realize that this might be considered blasphemy, but I’m not much of a beer drinker. I just never developed a taste for it (apparently, I make an “eeewww” face from the bitter flavor when I drink it). And soda is just too sweet to be refreshing. Fortunately, an innkeeper in Deisenhofen, Germany, came up with a solution when he…
Dirndls from Rare Dirndl – Tradition with Modern Flair
My One-of-a-Kind Dirndl from Rare Dirndl My mother was visiting when the big box from Rare Dirndl arrived. She couldn’t wait to see what was inside, so we tore off the wrapping… and then I lifted the lid and pulled back the tissue. Inside was my special one-of-a-kind Dirndl from Rare Dirndl. Over the years I’ve purchased a few Dirndls,…
Titan-RT! Crossing the Longest Suspension Bridge in Germany
After spending time touring old buildings in Quedlinburg, it was time for adventure. Time for the Titan RT! Now, I don’t do well with heights. All the symptoms, shakes, sweats, nausea, wash over me in a wave. So, what was I doing on the longest suspension bridge in Germany? My fearless partner convinced me it “would be fun”. (Keep in…
Oktoberfest Party Ideas- Plan An Oktoberfest Party!
Even if you can’t make it to Munich, you can still celebrate! Plan an Oktoberfest Party at home with these Oktoberfest Theme Party Ideas! All you need is beer, food, music, and some fun Oktoberfest party supplies/ decorations to get everyone in the mood! You can go big! Rent a tent, hire a band, and tap a keg or two. Or…