Westy's Wild World

 

 

 

 

April 5, 2008

 

 My German Saga, Part 4;

First Impressions
Life in Germany was quite different then the States back in 1969. Lots of the conveniences that we already knew, they didn't have yet.... or couldn't afford.

My future in-laws had only recently bought their first TV, of course still black and white, and my father-in-law was quite an addict. I remember one of his favorite shows was "Bonanza"! All shows were syncronised in German.... good for me to learn, bad for me to enjoy.

My mother-in-law's washing maschine was something else. It had no spin, that was done in a separate maschine. And back then you couldn't buy dryers so all the wash was hung out on the line in the yard or in the attic.

We got our milk at the local farmer and it had to be cooked before you could drink it.... and it tasted horrible, at least to me. I managed to drink if I mixed Nesquick in it.

Of course they tried to teach me the German style of cooking and baking (all from scratch, no package mixes back then). And I had to learn driving a stick shift! Still today you don't find as many automatics... the Germans prefer shifting (besides automatics being more expensive).

I also experienced my first winter... with LOTS of snow! I even tried to ski, for the first and last time! Here I am with my future sister-in-law, Petra.

 




I was brought up Catholic, and even going to church was different. Back then, I was used to wearing a skirt to church and covering my head with a hat or something. I'll never forget the first time we went to church together (yes, they were also Catholic) and Petra had pants on. For them it was no big thing. And a hat? They only laughed. Of course mass was in German, no more Latin, so I couldn't recite along. In the States they has also changed to English. To this day I prefer the Latin! So, that was all quite a shock for me.

Then came Christmas and New Years! Christmas is celebrated on Christmas Eve. We all got dressed up and gathered around the piano which my father-in-law played while everyone sang carols. Already back then it seemed so "forced" or staged.... not my thing. Then one after the other unpacked the presents.

This was me admiring their Christmas tree.

 


On New Years we again got all dressed up. I had never celebrated New Years before. This was kind of fun, too. A very traditional drink is a "Feuerzangenbowle", a "fire punch". It's made of red wine and spices and heated. The bowl is then placed over a candle. On top of the bowl there's a small metal bridge with sugar cubs or a sugar cone on top. High prozentage rum is then poured over the sugar and lighted. As the sugar melts, the flames dance on top of the wine.

Here's my FIL adding spoon fulls of rum on top of the sugar as it burns, with Petra and me watching on.

 


There were lots of other things done different so you could safely say life was a real culture shock for me. In spite of having one year (whoopee) of German at San Diego State before coming over here, I couldn't communicate much. Luckily everyone spoke at least some English.

By this time plans for the wedding were in full swing.....

To be continued....

Westy

 
 
 
# 1, dianne19947 wrote this on 04/05/08 Censor | Mark as spam

This bio is so much fun to read!! I am very much enjoying reading about your history!!!
 
 
# 2, likeisaid wrote this on 04/05/08 Censor | Mark as spam

This is wonderful, Westy, and the pictures are adorable. You look like a baby. :) We had the same kind of Christmas Eve, sitting around the piano singing carols. It alwasy seemed forced to me too. Now I miss it! I can't wait to read the other parts of the saga...like when you had your kids and how did you get to what you're doing now? Soooo interesting!
((hugs))
 
 
# 3, Westy wrote this on 04/05/08 Censor | Mark as spam

thanks ladies!

Of course I'm just writing the interesting stuff and leaving the fine details out! lol
 
 
# 4, Odom-Groh wrote this on 04/05/08 Censor | Mark as spam

Some day I must visit the land of my ancestors.
:-)
 
 
# 5, NiceFlyer wrote this on 04/05/08 Censor | Mark as spam

What's really neat is that FIL sits around the house in a suit. Now I know where the Beaver Cleaver family got it.
 
 
# 6, periwinkle wrote this on 04/05/08 Censor | Mark as spam

You were so cute! :)
 
 
# 7, lowandslow wrote this on 04/05/08 Censor | Mark as spam

I think it would be fun and scary at the same time to be tossed into an altogether different culture. Since you now spend 50 weeks (?) a year in Germany and only a couple in the USA, is it a bit of shock in reverse when you come back here to visit?

S
 
 
# 8, MrScribbler wrote this on 04/05/08 Censor | Mark as spam

You're a natural storyteller! Must have inherited that from Dad. ;-)
 
 
# 9, japee wrote this on 04/05/08 Censor | Mark as spam

Eeew. I remember having to boil the mild too. I never enjoyed drinking a glass of milk. All we used it for was cooking and in tea.
 
 
# 10, Westy wrote this on 04/05/08 Censor | Mark as spam

good morning and thanks for the comments... it's nice waking up to them! :-)

L&S, yes... sometimes I don't know where I belong... that, too, is an entry of it's own...
 
 
# 11, Xanadu7726 wrote this on 04/05/08 Censor | Mark as spam

The story is intriguing, and you look like a princess in that last photo. I've heard of that drink you described, but never tasted it. Ready for the next chapter. Hugs.
 
 
# 12, southerncharm wrote this on 04/06/08 Censor | Mark as spam

I am enjoying your tale of life in Germany too! The cultural differences you encountered are interesting to hear about, and the pictures really add to your story. :)

I think for Catholics who grew up with Latin, that is what they always prefer. Once I had a neighbor who felt that way too. Something about it makes the mass more meaningful/enjoyable.

Thanks for sharing this with us! :)

*Hugs*
 
 
# 13, Netmale wrote this on 04/06/08 Censor | Mark as spam

I'm glad that for the words where you use German spellings I am still able to understand what you mean :-)

I like the photos. There's something homey about aged color film.
 
 
# 14, Westy wrote this on 04/06/08 Censor | Mark as spam

WHICH spelling Netty? geez, I try to watch for that! Scribby once told me my writing is sometimes "too Germanized" LOL

Xanadu and Charmy... thanks! I still have MANY tales to tell *wink*
 
 
# 15, traytable wrote this on 04/06/08 Censor | Mark as spam

Your dress in the NY pic reminds me of my mother, she had a dress very similar when she got married the first time... until a few years ago she still had it & when I was little I used to try it on!! :p
 
 
# 16, southerncharm wrote this on 04/06/08 Censor | Mark as spam

RE. "High prozentage rum"

I love it when you have those lapses and throw in a little German... ;)

Have a good Monday!
 
 
# 17, Westy wrote this on 04/06/08 Censor | Mark as spam

aaarrrrgghhh THAT was the word! I didn't even notice it LOL There are so many words that are similar in German and English and I stop, and think, and wondre which version is RIGHT! then I pull out my old dictionary heehee

it's now Monday morning and I must get ready for work :-( ...
 
 
# 18, Country-Girl wrote this on 04/07/08 Censor | Mark as spam

What a cool story and pictures! I am going to have to read the other parts! My Mom and Dad lived in Germany while he was stationed there in the 70's. They loved it there. :-)

I can't wait to read the next part!

Take care,