*Reformations Brötchen*

Around this time of year, because of the celebration of the Protestant Reformation, bakeries boast rolls called "Reformationsbrötchen." They are sweet rolls with raisins and zitronat in the bread and a dollop of jam in the middle. Some also have glaze or almonds on top.





Their background isn't very clear, but apparently they are supposed to look like Martin Luther's symbol of the rose, which had five points. Another theory is that it represents a bishop's miter (yeah, I had to look it up, it's one of those pointy hats Catholic bishops wear).

But anyway, I love Reformationsbrötchen and on Reformations Day tomorrow I'm going to bake some. You can read more about them here (in German--translate on Google if you can't understand).

*Kastanien Sammeln*

Maybe I was just out of the loop, but I've never seen anyone suggest we go out to gather spiky green things that fall from trees (okay, I found out they're chestnuts) and acorns and leaves and such until I moved to Germany. Not that I mind it--I was always an autumn leaf gatherer anyway. And Jenny made the most beautiful wreath out of everything we found.

*Emergency Vehicles*

This is what a German ambulance sounds/looks like:



This is what a German police car sounds/looks like:



Quite honestly, I don't even remember what they sound like in the U.S. So I looked that up too:

American police car:



American ambulance:



Now that I've heard both of those, I think they have the same siren. Is that true? I never noticed before. Maybe we should take a look at fire trucks? Ah, yes:

American:



German:



I think I'd rather get out of the way of the American fire truck, with that annoying honk.

*Juice*

You know you're German if you mix juice with water. Especially if it's carbonated water.




(Picture from http://www.landwirtschaft-mlr.baden-wuerttemberg.de/.)

*Dating Werewolves*

Though I love, love, love Germany, I will never, ever, ever understand all the darling German girls who are in serious (okay, as "serious" as you can get in Germany without marrying) relationships with very unattractive guys. These aren't just homely men, they are scrawny, unstylish, and they sport what I call "the werewolf look," meaning they have long, greasy hair pulled back into a droopy ponytail. Many of them look girlier than the girl.

I just don't get it. There are lots of cute German guys. Why do the girls go for those ones? Or why don't they encourage their boyfriends to get haircuts and a new wardrobe, work out a little . . . ?

Okay, so I'm being a little shallow. But I just can't picture myself dating someone whose hair is longer than mine, unless he had well-taken-care-of dreds. But then again, I think everyone deserves love and I'm glad someone can look past those things.

(And a note: check out this cute couples in Berlin blog. This one gives you an idea . . . )