Happy New Year!

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Just arrived home from a wonderful 10-day trip to Germany.  My wife and I spent time with family in Bremen before moving on to Bonn/Koenigswinter and Frankfurt.  This was my first trip to Germany during Christmas and I have to say that this Jewish kid from New Jersey was impressed.  There really is something special about the way Germans celebrate the season, from decorating their trees with real candles to meeting friends and family at the local Christmas market.  It’s much less commercial and much more family oriented.

The food was simply amazing.  I could easily hibernate for the rest of the winter on the amount of Bratkartoffeln and German meats that I ate during the week.  And let’s not even go into the pastries, chocolates and cookies.  Every morning started with a relaxing trip to the local cafe.  No one bothers you with a check or with having to vacate your table.  You can sit as long as you like.  My kind of place.  As always I am sad at having to return.  I find Germany to be completely absorbing and I can even envision spending a year abroad if the opportunity ever presents itself.

On this 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation I want to wish all of you a Happy New Year.  Let’s make it a good one.

For now it’s off to bed.

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7 comments… add one
  • Lyle7 Jan 2, 2013 @ 11:54

    I was an exchange student at the University of Bonn. Lovely place.

  • Jazzeum Jan 2, 2013 @ 4:46

    Kevin,

    Welcome back. Germany is a fascinating country. I was in Nuremberg several years ago on business and managed to get a day to myself. It was a day to remember. The downtown was beautiful and the history, particularly the old parade grounds where Hitler held his rallies, fascinating. When I returned home and told my mother (who is from the WW II generation) that it was a great place she scrunched up her nose at me and frowned!

    Brad

  • TFSmith1 Jan 1, 2013 @ 16:31

    Sounds like a fun trip. Great quote from the better half in “War as Murder” – I’ve heard something along those lines from the spouse as well.
    Have to say, you appear to be punching above your weight class – as am I.
    All the best,

  • bummer Jan 1, 2013 @ 10:01

    Glad you are back. Happy New Year to you and yours.
    Bummer and Family

  • bummer Jan 1, 2013 @ 9:57

    Glad you are back. Happy New Year to you and yours!
    Bummer

  • Andy Hall (was AndyinTexas) Dec 31, 2012 @ 19:26

    Happy New Year, y’all!

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