Today is September 11th. An important day for the whole world, honestly, but an extra special one for me. On 9/11 (the 9/11), of course, we had the World Trade Centers incident.
At the same time, though, my baby sister was being born. It made for a very surreal experience. Tragedy and happiness all at once.
I think, maybe, the reason I feel like being reflective right now is because of the day. It's my sister's birthday, it's the anniversary of a very important moment in American history, and, incidentally, it marks the end of my first month in Germany as a full time Starcraft 2 caster.
So, with no further adieu, here are some musings from Germany:
wtf, why don't Germans ever drink normal water. When I was casting Gamescom, I was in a room that was housing, literally, at least 100,000 nerds. The temperature, and the humidity... the smell... it was almost suffocating. I was sooo thirsty. But there was no normal water anywhere to be found. It's all sparkly.
Back in the states, I lived on a diet of grape juice, jalapeno Pringles, and chocolate milk. These are things that are also ridiculously hard to find in Germany. I've always said "appreciate the little things", but damned if I never knew what it meant until the first time I walked into a store that was literally named "Juice Store" only to be disappointed by their lack of grape juice. (Carmac eventually came through and bought me some grape juice, but I would be lying if I said it was anywhere near being as delicious as Welch's White Grape)
One thing Germany has no shortage of is stairs. People joke all the time about the "fat, lazy, American" stereotype. I would have never grouped myself in with that segment of the population... Until moving here. I walk down 40 stairs every morning, on days where I'm early to the office walk up and down about 60 more, am constantly going up and down stairs at the train station(s), and, on most days, have to go up stairs just to have a seat on the train that I take between Cologne and Dusseldorf. On the up side, walking up and down stairs is really good for you!
Going back to Gamescom, let's talk about the "nerd-funk". Listen guys, in normal society I can understand the importance of maintaining your nerd-funk. When in public, and surrounded by people whose gamer friendliness is unknown, the nerd-funk allows us to easily distinguish one another. "Is that guy a nerd?" *sniff "Yep." But when we gather in the hundreds of thousands, for the love of God buy some deodorant.
Living in Germany is turning out to be a really incredible experience. The people here are some of the friendliest in the world, and the gamer culture here seems a lot more widely accepted than it might be back in the states. For example, last Friday I went out with Rotterdam and my girlfriend. We were stopped twice on the streets by fans in the course of like 4 hours. Obviously its nothing like the attention a real celebrity would get, but the fact that two nerds who sit in a studio and talk about Starcraft all day would EVER get recognized in public just seemed really cool to me.
I really like riding trains. As a child, I once rode a train from Atlanta to Washington DC and it will forever stand out in my memory as one of the most fun trips I've ever been on. Here in Germany I get to repeat that little piece of my childhood every day. I can't even put my finger on why I think its so great. It's just really, really fun for me. This is, of course, excluding the times when I get hopelessly lost, which happens far more often than I'm prepared to admit to.
Working with Rotterdam has been so fun. I really love this guy. He's intelligent, talented, and really fucking good at Starcraft. If you're a North American reading this, and you don't know who Rotterdam is, shame on you. Go find some of his VODs and check the dude out.
Being here in Germany is great. I think my decision to come over here was absolutely the right one, but I would be lying if I said I didn't miss home. I really do love America. I love the South. I love Georgia. I miss my friends, my family, the family dogs, and American food. I want to thank everyone on TL for supporting me, for reading this, and for being so fucking awesome. The online community in general... well it can be kinda shit sometimes. The e-sports community virtually never disappoints, though. The Starcraft community represents the best of e-sports online, and the Team Liquid community is truly the best of the best.
Love you guys, and I hope y'all will continue to tune in!
Find the nearest REWE, you will get grape juice there guaranteed, as well as pringles and chocolate milk. For regular chips and chocolate milk, every discounter will do, whatever is nearest to you (Aldi, Penny, Lidl, Netto, Edeka - the last one should also carry Pringles and grape juice).
Edit: Chocolate milk comes either in glass bottles or tetra packs, labeled Kakao, Kakaotrunk or something like that.
Edit 2: Grape juice usually comes in 1 liter tetra packs, atleast in Rewe markets. They have either red or white juice, labeled Traubensaft.
Edit 3: And theres not better place for riding trains (real ones, not S-Bahnen or shit like that) like the Ruhrgebiet. If you have the time, try visiting "Münster", though. Should be about 2hours via train from Düsseldorf, but it has so fucking much history and most of the city is kept like it was around the turn of the last century. Quite a few TL.net members study there too if I remember correctly, so you could get hooked up with a tour
On September 11 2011 18:34 Celial wrote: Find the nearest REWE, you will get grape juice there guaranteed, as well as pringles and chocolate milk. For regular chips and chocolate milk, every discounter will do, whatever is nearest to you (Aldi, Penny, Lidl, Netto, Edeka - the last one should also carry Pringles and grape juice).
Edit: Chocolate milk comes either in glass bottles or tetra packs, labeled Kakao, Kakaotrunk or something like that.
Edit 2: Grape juice usually comes in 1 liter tetra packs, atleast in Rewe markets. They have either red or white juice, labeled Traubensaft.
The chocolate milk I've found isn't chocolate milk at all. It's like... Chocolate water. Basically its YooHoo.
I took a vacation to Germany 2 months ago and I too was surprised! A man can't get a nice cold glass of regular water without asking specifically for it! (ice costs money too D::
beautiful country and I love the european transit system, but boy is it expensive
Then give the 0,5L tetra packs from Netto a shot, make sure to take the brown ones, not the light blue ones. I like them alot.
Or get some "Kakaopulver" and mix it yourself 8[ Usually 500g boxes, and usually yellow. There are brand ones and non-brand ones, at the top of the brand ones would be something like Nesquick, but a good middle-way would be Kaba or something. For the brand ones you need to go to Rewe, every other discounter has their own non-brand ones.
haha, nice blog post. Here some tips from someone having spent all of his life in Germany:
Water: fill your glass with water from the sink! You can buy water in stores, but rarely does anyone ever do that. The water you get from the sink in Germany is super clean and can be drunk without any problem Try it.
I totally know what you mean about the Grapefruit Juice. I regularly spend a couple of weeks in Colombia, a paradise of fruits and thus, juice. Germany lacks a LOT of fruits and good juice
I actually had to laugh at your comment about stairs in trains to get to the upper floor ^^ but, as you hint at later, riding trains in Germany is awesome. You can get everywhere, lots of different and interesting people do it, and you see a lot always enjoyable, apart from the regular delays the trains have.
I was at GamesCom as well and I can relate to what you said. However, it was about 25°C outside and the halls were crowded, really crowded. Heat within the halls was massing up to be around 30°C. You can't really fight this with deodorant
On September 11 2011 18:34 MisterD wrote: i like sparkly water.. non-sparkly water is just so .. boring to drink!
yea, I there is a reason we drink it, it's not only more delicious but also healthy as it's more than "just" water. I heard from someone that it's impossible to find it in the USA, that must be really sad, I hate to drink normal water o,o
I have never understood why it is so hard to find grape juice in Europe. I almost never see it in stores, even large ones that have 50 different kinds of juices. Fucking lychee juice is more common than grape juice in Sweden. But if you check the table of contents of many of the other juices and drinks that you find they often contain grape juice as their main ingredient. It boggles my mind.
Also about the water. At least where I live, if you want non-sparkly water you just poor some from the tap. I don't know anyone who would buy bottled non-sparkly water when you can get the same stuff for free at the nearest tap. As an example, at Dreamhack they handed out free empty bottles and had set up refilling stations spread out all over the event.
huh, you've been on german trains for a while and still like it? must have been lucky with delays and such then I guess nah just kidding I like trains as well (esp. old ones) even tho I have to deal with delays around hamburg every single day :o
about the food/water. I'm used to this of course, I don't like sparkly water either. I just always had to buy evian/vittel or something like that if I wanted water. about the other stuff, you should really be able to find it as long as you're looking for it in a proper market (rewe would be my first try, don't try aldi .. they have weird brands and stuff in my opinion)
glad you like it here and I would definetly stop you guys on the street, but I'm never around cologne :/ (*cough* hamburg is just better *cough*) greetings and gl in the future
edit: yeah tap water is ok too, sometimes when you ask for "stilles wasser" in a restaurant you get tap water :D but german tap water is good as well, nothing to worry about here
I have a thing for trains too. I guess it's part of the Japanese stuff and being obsessed with/getting to ride bullet trains when I was a kid. As long as I have my mp3 player, there's just something relaxing about watching things whiz by when you're not controlling anything.
Nice blog, glad you like it in germany, hope your gf does as well. If milk is too watery for you try landliebe, their products often have a natural 3.8 fat percentage. Was nice to meet you, hopefully ill be at next IEM again
I will never be able to relate to the concept of buying water, it's just absurd to me as a swede, you might as well be talking about buying air to breathe.
Are you kidding me about grape juice? It's pretty common stuff in Germany actually. It has an image of a kids' drink so serious juice stores maybe won't have it, but try the local supermarket. It will likely be in carton packs, too, instead of bottles.
Grape juice is really easy to get in stores, although I have no idea how it compares to the variant you're used to. Sparkling water is indeed pretty German, so are deposit bottles that come with it and many other beverages. I have been so used to drinking sparkling water for all my life that I really don't like non sparkling much, although I have recently been "training" myself to drink non sparkling (tap).
Distances in Germany are generally much shorter than in the US, getting to an Airport, checking in, [...], checking out/pickking up luggage, leaving airport takes so much time, that it often is much more convenient to take the train.
As for stairs/elevators, I think the only instance of me regularily taking an elevator is when I go see my dermatologist who has his practice on the 7th floor somewhere. Anything else I take the stairs. Granted, I don't live in a big city, to buildings generally don't have a lot of floors. When I still lived in Munich I had a lot of escalators to use for the subway though, ofc.
Some of the most horrific culinary inventions I've encountered are from Germany.
These people drink a 50-50 mix of Fanta and Coca-Cola and it's one of the most "mainstream" drinks in the country. They also drink apple juice mixed with sparkling water, so it's a perfect blend of the worst features of sparkling water and none of apple juice's benefits.
Germans also eat currywurst which is a very very averagely-tasting sausage with some kind of tomato ketchupy sauce and curry dust on top. I do not understand. Nor do I understand french fries with mayonnaise.
Also on topic of juices - Ze Germans most certainly do have a different pallate. They all taste differently.
Sweets and candy is pretty damn epic in Germany, though!
On September 11 2011 22:50 Carmac wrote: Some of the most horrific culinary inventions I've encountered are from Germany.
These people drink a 50-50 mix of Fanta and Coca-Cola and it's one of the most "mainstream" drinks in the country. They also drink apple juice mixed with sparkling water, so it's a perfect blend of the worst features of sparkling water and none of apple juice's benefits.
Stop flaming our drinks!! xD
Well but I think you can get everything in Germany, it just depends on what store you visit. Just try different things and you'll eventually find what you like.
EDIT: I can imagine that you won't find very specific stuff, some things in Germany aren't really allowed when it comes to drinks n food, which may be allowed in other countries.
On September 11 2011 22:50 Carmac wrote: Some of the most horrific culinary inventions I've encountered are from Germany.
These people drink a 50-50 mix of Fanta and Coca-Cola and it's one of the most "mainstream" drinks in the country. They also drink apple juice mixed with sparkling water, so it's a perfect blend of the worst features of sparkling water and none of apple juice's benefits.
Germans also eat currywurst which is a very very averagely-tasting sausage with some kind of tomato ketchupy sauce and curry dust on top. I do not understand. Nor do I understand french fries with mayonnaise.
Also on topic of juices - Ze Germans most certainly do have a different pallate. They all taste differently.
Sweets and candy is pretty damn epic in Germany, though!
Fanta & Coke mix is disgusting, but then again I don't like Coke or Fanta either.
Apfelschorle (apple juice + sparkling water), however, is delicious and very refreshing, especially when you use quality apple juice.
You know, I just enjoy reading other people's opinions about my country, and I'm glad it sounds like you're having a good time there. I must say, I'm pretty happy about the German role in e-sports, and hearing something similar from a US citizen seems like a big compliment!
As for the food--I totally get you. Of course we have all the stuff you like in Germany, but it doesn't taste the same. For me it's the same whenever I travel to NA. Similar things taste different, and when you've had something all your childhood, anything different will just not be satisfying.
On September 11 2011 22:50 Carmac wrote: Some of the most horrific culinary inventions I've encountered are from Germany.
These people drink a 50-50 mix of Fanta and Coca-Cola and it's one of the most "mainstream" drinks in the country. They also drink apple juice mixed with sparkling water, so it's a perfect blend of the worst features of sparkling water and none of apple juice's benefits.
Germans also eat currywurst which is a very very averagely-tasting sausage with some kind of tomato ketchupy sauce and curry dust on top. I do not understand. Nor do I understand french fries with mayonnaise.
Also on topic of juices - Ze Germans most certainly do have a different pallate. They all taste differently.
Sweets and candy is pretty damn epic in Germany, though!
You had me with the Cola-mix but you clearly crossed a line with the Currywurst flame hehe...I hope you are at least aware of the prestigious history of your so called "average tasting sausage".
On September 11 2011 22:50 Carmac wrote: Some of the most horrific culinary inventions I've encountered are from Germany.
These people drink a 50-50 mix of Fanta and Coca-Cola and it's one of the most "mainstream" drinks in the country. They also drink apple juice mixed with sparkling water, so it's a perfect blend of the worst features of sparkling water and none of apple juice's benefits.
Germans also eat currywurst which is a very very averagely-tasting sausage with some kind of tomato ketchupy sauce and curry dust on top. I do not understand. Nor do I understand french fries with mayonnaise.
Also on topic of juices - Ze Germans most certainly do have a different pallate. They all taste differently.
Sweets and candy is pretty damn epic in Germany, though!
French fries are awesome with mayonnaise!
Currywurst is kinda disgusting, mostly because the sausage tastes horrific most of the time, it's way too "meaty" for my taste.
On September 11 2011 22:50 Carmac wrote: Some of the most horrific culinary inventions I've encountered are from Germany.
These people drink a 50-50 mix of Fanta and Coca-Cola and it's one of the most "mainstream" drinks in the country. They also drink apple juice mixed with sparkling water, so it's a perfect blend of the worst features of sparkling water and none of apple juice's benefits.
Germans also eat currywurst which is a very very averagely-tasting sausage with some kind of tomato ketchupy sauce and curry dust on top. I do not understand. Nor do I understand french fries with mayonnaise.
Also on topic of juices - Ze Germans most certainly do have a different pallate. They all taste differently.
Sweets and candy is pretty damn epic in Germany, though!
French fries are awesome with mayonnaise!
Currywurst is kinda disgusting, mostly because the sausage tastes horrific most of the time, it's way too "meaty" for my taste.
On September 11 2011 22:50 Carmac wrote: Some of the most horrific culinary inventions I've encountered are from Germany.
These people drink a 50-50 mix of Fanta and Coca-Cola and it's one of the most "mainstream" drinks in the country. They also drink apple juice mixed with sparkling water, so it's a perfect blend of the worst features of sparkling water and none of apple juice's benefits.
Germans also eat currywurst which is a very very averagely-tasting sausage with some kind of tomato ketchupy sauce and curry dust on top. I do not understand. Nor do I understand french fries with mayonnaise.
Also on topic of juices - Ze Germans most certainly do have a different pallate. They all taste differently.
Sweets and candy is pretty damn epic in Germany, though!
Regarding currywurst : It really depends on where you get it Oftentimes it really is just what you said, but a lot of places make their own sauce (like my lovely Dönninghaus Bratwursthaus here in Bochum <3 best currywurst ever !) , and its a lot better.
And if you don´t understand french fries with mayonaise, never visit the netherlands :D (Although you probably should do, its a lovely country, I´m living about a 1 hour drive from the border/ 3-4 hours to the ocean and try to get there for a few days in summer every year)
as for food, gotta get doner. its like gyros with this crispy bread pocket instead of a pita. and more vegetables and awesomeness.
never was taken by currywurst. just a brat was always better to me. then again im never a big fan of heavy sauces. also there are some great regional wursts like frankfurt rindwurst and munchener weisswurst. like people diss germany and their sausages but damn do they taste amazing especially with some potatoes(bratkartoffeln yum) and beer.
I love trains too because the scenery is often better than on highways and I can actually read on them. If I try to read on buses or in cars I get sick but trains are fine for me.
I want to thank you for comeing to the european scene. I think you're, together with Rotti, europes bester casters. Im glad you like it in Germany and you hope you will be staying a long time. The best way to get good chocolate milk in my opinionon is buying cocoa powder and mix it yourself with sugar and milk. Or get Chocomel, which rotti should already have told you about though. The only downside of central europe is that the stairs are out to get you.
To be honest before I saw you on ESL tv I was merely aware of your name and that you did some zergy stuff. Your in depth game knowledge is very impressive, and from what I've seen so far you seem to be an excellent coach. If you plan on giving protoss coaching after The grass is always greener ends, I'm definately going to get me some coaching.
Thank you for beeing the awesome person you are, have fun in Germany.
PS: If you want to visit vienna (one of europe's most historic cities) some time I can give you a tour.
as a sidenote... i don't use deodorant at all anymore. or even worse: anti-transpirant.
i figured out people actually don't start to smell if they take a daily shower. not even after a profoundly sweaty sport session. not even then! think about it... (no showering after the sport session, just changing clothes)
On September 11 2011 19:41 DrainX wrote: if you want non-sparkly water you just poor some from the tap. I don't know anyone who would buy bottled non-sparkly water when you can get the same stuff for free at the nearest tap.
Oh my god... I never thought about it like this before.
On September 11 2011 19:41 DrainX wrote: if you want non-sparkly water you just poor some from the tap. I don't know anyone who would buy bottled non-sparkly water when you can get the same stuff for free at the nearest tap.
Oh my god... I never thought about it like this before.
America should really follow this example
Well, the problem with tap water is that the taste differs from city to city (or even from house to house).
In the north (Hamburg and Flensburg) it was really good and sometimes when i don't want to bother with buying something to drink, i just fill a bottle with tap water and drink that all weekend. However, in Munich it tasted so horrible that i actually bought non-sparkly water (aka still water).
On September 12 2011 01:01 beg wrote: as a sidenote... i don't use deodorant at all anymore. or even worse: anti-transpirant.
i figured out people actually don't start to smell if they take a daily shower. not even after a profoundly sweaty sport session. not even then! think about it... (no showering after the sport session, just changing clothes)
It depends on the person. Personally, i don't even start to smell after sport sessions, but i know several people that shower twice a day and still start to smell even without doing any sports.
To MrBitter: It's really fun to read what people from the states think about germany, though i still think you need to work on your purchasing-skills, i can't understand a lot of the things you complained about, like not being able to find good choclatemilk or grape juice as they are available in every single store in my area and it's not choclatewater either.
Also, it's interesting to learn that traveling by train is actually an important childhood memory for you... for me it's "well, did that a thousand times, whats so special about it?". I think it was 2002 or 2003 where i traveled a total of about 100'000 km by train in that year alone and never found it to be anything special (and the delays aren't as bad as a lot of people say). And there wasn't a single year from my birth on where i didn't sit in a train a few times. The US should really work on it's train system. Yeah, they are a lot slower than planes but they are also 10 times more relaxing (mostly due to no check-in/check-out).
About the stairs, they can be annoying even for germans that are used to them. About 7 years ago i spent 1.5 years every workday going down 132 steps in the morning and 132 steps up in the evening after work. I think at that time i was in the best physical condition in my life.
I'd kill to go to Germany. Heck, I'd go right this second if I could...
I've never had sparkly water. What is it? Is it like soda? Drinking water straight from the tap is a privilege several countries can offer. I wish it was like that here in America, but guess we'll have to stick to our weekly supply of bottled water.
On September 11 2011 19:41 DrainX wrote: if you want non-sparkly water you just poor some from the tap. I don't know anyone who would buy bottled non-sparkly water when you can get the same stuff for free at the nearest tap.
Oh my god... I never thought about it like this before.
America should really follow this example
Well, the problem with tap water is that the taste differs from city to city (or even from house to house).
In the north (Hamburg and Flensburg) it was really good and sometimes when i don't want to bother with buying something to drink, i just fill a bottle with tap water and drink that all weekend. However, in Munich it tasted so horrible that i actually bought non-sparkly water (aka still water).
Exactly. Even in the same house it can taste different, it depends on the tap as well.
The south has a much higher amount of calcium carbonate, so it's better to filter the water unless you like that terrible-tasting water.
On September 12 2011 03:32 EsX_Raptor wrote: Jesus Christ, this blog makes me moody.
I'd kill to go to Germany. Heck, I'd go right this second if I could...
I've never had sparkly water. What is it? Is it like soda? Drinking water straight from the tap is a privilege several countries can offer. I wish it was like that here in America, but guess we'll have to stick to our weekly supply of bottled water.
Sparkly water is basically just water with gas. Soda-water if you so desire
On September 11 2011 22:50 Carmac wrote: Germans also eat currywurst which is a very very averagely-tasting sausage with some kind of tomato ketchupy sauce and curry dust on top. I do not understand. Nor do I understand french fries with mayonnaise.
Funny you should mention that. My girlfriend(bavarian) went on a student exchange program to Poland and the family she stayed with ate nothing but cabbage rolls which she loathes. So after three days of barely eating they went out for pizza, potentially saving her from starvation. So the pizza comes to the table and she's super fucking excited, but guess what. There is a 2cm thick layer of curry ketchup covering the whole thing.
I found the sparkling water really annoying too. There is nothing worse than being hot and sweaty at 35 degrees wanting nothing more than the biggest glass of cold water to chug but all there is available is warm sparkling water that burns the whole time you drink it. It's so unsatisfying. The first few first days staying at the GF's parents, they thought I was drinking tap water to be polite rather than drinking their bought water
Germans don't refrigerate anything, and their refrigerators aren't even kept at a cold temperature. Not a huge problem for food because they usually shop for groceries almost daily. But again, there is never anything cold to drink. 25 degree orange/apple juice from the counter is fucking nasty. I had to buy ice cube trays(also hard to find, thank god for real) for her parents house. They are probably still filled with the ice I put in them a couple years ago. Germans will always tell you that the cellar keeps the beer and juice cold enough, don't believe that propaganda and come with ice cube trays!
I don't mind Spezi or Mezzo mix, aside from the fact that it's warm. Radler on the other hand is a foul abomination. I weep when I sit in the holy land of beer and there are tables upon tables in the beer garden drinking that swill.
On September 12 2011 04:46 Myrkskog wrote: Germans don't refrigerate anything, and their refrigerators aren't even kept at a cold temperature. Not a huge problem for food because they usually shop for groceries almost daily. But again, there is never anything cold to drink.
Hahaha this is so true Myrkskog. And don't get me started on the lack of air conditioning everywhere. Summer can be hell here with the German's apparent hate for coolness.
On September 12 2011 04:46 Myrkskog wrote: Germans don't refrigerate anything, and their refrigerators aren't even kept at a cold temperature. Not a huge problem for food because they usually shop for groceries almost daily. But again, there is never anything cold to drink.
Huh? What are you talking about oO
Maybe he means the things in the shop, we have hardly drinks in a fridge, just a few for "on the way", because there is no reason to cool the beer, water, coke etc in the shop when you carry it in your hot car to heat it up again on the way home just a way of wasting energy.
@Mr. Bitter: just send Rotti shopping, he should be good in meanwhile
French Fries with Mayo is not normal in the south part of Germany and if you want something to drink, Schorle and Radler gonna help you.
It may have been a phenomenon of the town I was staying in. The sparkling water, juice, and pop were all kept on the counter in the homes I went to, even after opening. The only thing that was refrigerated was the milk.
On September 12 2011 05:19 zatic wrote: Hahaha this is so true Myrkskog. And don't get me started on the lack of air conditioning everywhere. Summer can be hell here with the German's apparent hate for coolness.
Seriously the lack of proper air condition is ridicolous. How can you be expected to work efficiently in a 30°C room.
@fridges. I don't remember a single parents houshold were the frigdes were on a cool setting. Normally something like 7°C. Apperently it's not really healthy to drink to cold drinks, also there is some food you don't want to be to cool like butter (obviously), cheese or imported fruit that still need to mature. That's why you normally have 3 compartements ( -20°, ~0°(for stuff like vegetables), and the main compartement with something like 5°-7°.
There is no air conditioning in Germany because 1. rarely is it really hot outside and 2. rarely does it get really hot inside. From my experience, unless you live in the appartment below the roof building isolation is very good in Germany and it rarely gets to a point where you can't stand the heat any more.
most german houses are build from stone instead of wood, so there's a lot of places that just don't need air conditioning. However this lack of air conditioning then also transfers to buildings that would actually need them, there's just not such a big market for that here due to a lot of houses not needing them.
regarding fridges: it's true most fridges run around 7°C, and most households also have a freezer (either integrated into the fridge or separately in the basement or whatever) at around -18°C. What's the "standard" temp for american fridges? oO
MrBitter and Rotterdam do a great job at casting and make their shows entertaining and educational to watch. You have a good synergy going and I enjoy your mixture of jokes and explanations a lot. You also do a great job and talking and casting. Damn I was sitting exciting in my chair and yelling/laughing when you coached Rotterdam on Zerg and he got promoted. That was a great moment, thank you for your dedication and keep it up!
On September 12 2011 05:19 zatic wrote: Hahaha this is so true Myrkskog. And don't get me started on the lack of air conditioning everywhere. Summer can be hell here with the German's apparent hate for coolness.
Seriously the lack of proper air condition is ridicolous. How can you be expected to work efficiently in a 30°C room.
@fridges. I don't remember a single parents houshold were the frigdes were on a cool setting. Normally something like 7°C. Apperently it's not really healthy to drink to cold drinks, also there is some food you don't want to be to cool like butter (obviously), cheese or imported fruit that still need to mature. That's why you normally have 3 compartements ( -20°, ~0°(for stuff like vegetables), and the main compartement with something like 5°-7°.
You should put fruit into the fridge, the main purpose of a fridge is to keep the food healthy, this is accomplished better at lower temperatures.
Edit: I meant you should not put (most) fruit into the fridge.
It's awesome for me when a foreigner writes about my home country. It pleases me that you like it here. Many people here don't know how lucky they are. Keep up your good work.
I always drink Volvic, imo the best non sparkling water. For choclate milk you should watch out for Müllermich, tastes pretty good and for grape juice get the one from Granini.
On September 12 2011 05:19 zatic wrote: Hahaha this is so true Myrkskog. And don't get me started on the lack of air conditioning everywhere. Summer can be hell here with the German's apparent hate for coolness.
Seriously the lack of proper air condition is ridicolous. How can you be expected to work efficiently in a 30°C room.
@fridges. I don't remember a single parents houshold were the frigdes were on a cool setting. Normally something like 7°C. Apperently it's not really healthy to drink to cold drinks, also there is some food you don't want to be to cool like butter (obviously), cheese or imported fruit that still need to mature. That's why you normally have 3 compartements ( -20°, ~0°(for stuff like vegetables), and the main compartement with something like 5°-7°.
You should put fruit into the fridge, the main purpose of a fridge is to keep the food healthy, this is accomplished better at lower temperatures.
There's tons of fruit (and some vegetables also) that don't belong in the fridge actually. I'm not home atm, so I can't check, but I'm pretty sure my fridge is at 4°C, fresh veggie compartment at 0°C and the freezer at -18°C. And yes I keep stuff to drink in my fridge :p
Although in principle drinking cold is not ideal, especially when it's hot (there's a reason people drink hot tea in many hot countries), I stil like it better that way.
As for air conditioning it would probably be only worth it for a couple of weeks max. in many regions of Germany
On September 11 2011 22:50 Carmac wrote: Germans also eat currywurst which is a very very averagely-tasting sausage with some kind of tomato ketchupy sauce and curry dust on top. I do not understand. Nor do I understand french fries with mayonnaise.
Funny you should mention that. My girlfriend(bavarian) went on a student exchange program to Poland and the family she stayed with ate nothing but cabbage rolls which she loathes. So after three days of barely eating they went out for pizza, potentially saving her from starvation. So the pizza comes to the table and she's super fucking excited, but guess what. There is a 2cm thick layer of curry ketchup covering the whole thing.
I could understand the cabbage rolls, but it's extremely unlikely that any Polish family would eat the same thing three days in a row. Bollocks, I say!
On September 12 2011 05:19 zatic wrote: Hahaha this is so true Myrkskog. And don't get me started on the lack of air conditioning everywhere. Summer can be hell here with the German's apparent hate for coolness.
? ... what. My train has air conditioning. The building I work in has it. I do cool all my drinks... and all persons I know do the same. Totally couldn't disagree more with Myrkskog.
Ah yes, the fabled air conditioning in German trains... It's so awesome it starts to overheat at temperatures over 30° C or 35° C or something like that and then fails completely, so it pretty much only works when you don't need it.
most of my friends and I drink water (medium sparkle ^.^) most of the time. The rest is coffee, juice and beer. And if you wanna taste great german food try a homemade duck - it is amazing (if done right).
Choo-Choo!!!! I love trains, such a relaxing and fun way of travel. Have you gone anyplace really cool in Germany? I know its a beautiful and very interesting country with an absolute TON of history. Very high on my list for my next trip to Europe. Glad you like it.
Now i visited that pages and looked through the products i really want to try some american food/sauces/etc. Will do that next week. :-D Any "must try" (vegetarian) advise?