"Without a word, a man grabbed Mary's suitcase, hustled it to the top of the stairs, plopped it down, and continued on his way--all without saying a word. Seconds later, a young woman in a business suit did the same for my suitcase."

Peg, that gave me a chuckle since I've witnessed such scenes more than once when tourists with a lot of luggage were entering or leaving a train. Strange people just disappeared with their suitcases, with at most some mumbled words and not waiting for a reply. The thoughts could be clearly seen in the expressions, first alarm, followed by puzzlement, then anxious counting and relief that all luggage was left standing on the platform or in the train.
I'd feel the same if something like that happened to me in a strange country

Great thread! I'm enjoying all the responses and the good suggestions for new places to see and things to eat.

In addition to what has already been mentioned, some of the things I like:
- the custom of "coffee and cake" in the afternoon, it reminds me to "eat dessert first"
- fresh bread, and the many varieties
- all the "brillen" stores and their fabulous window displays
- the restaurants on the autobahn
- the beautiful doors, both old and new
- so many types/brands of yogurt and dairy products
- spending an entire evening at your table in a restaurant and not being rushed out
- regional and seasonal festivals, more than just Oktoberfest and Christmas markets

There are many, many more...

<i> the custom of "coffee and cake" in the afternoon, it reminds me to "eat dessert first</i>

A friend of mine made me laugh on his first visit.
On his very first day he wanted to buy a cake for dessert, and was devestated when I told him that we (usually) don't eat cake as dessert here.
His mood changed rapidly when he learned that it is an additional treat for the afternoon hours.

From that day on, he had to be fed at least two, if not three or four different pieces of cake (the big ones that are called "Torte" here) each and every day in the afternoon.

When I finally dropped him off at the airport for his return flight I was tempted to use the exit for the cargo area


re. help with luggage: You should get a bit worried if someone "helps" you with your purse or daypack nowadays. ;-)

The spa at Baden Baden
Heidelberg Castle
Boat cruise on the Nekar River
Kathe Wolfahrt store

Well, 45 years ago, as a naive Aussie on a big European adventure, I fell in love with a "Koelner Jung" and we married then and there. I love Koeln! The Rhinelanders have a most delightful sense of humour, which I've learned to appreciate more and more over the years, as I didn't really study German till in my fifties.

I love going into the bank on the Neumarkt with the fountain that spills Eau de Cologne.
I love the Pieta statue which almost rivals Michelangelos in one of the churches, and the Black Madonna in another
The Rheinpark and its views over to the old city.
Watching the trains on the bridge near the Cathedral.
The food and wine
The train tables, which show where your seat is

And I love the structure of the language - eg Himmelfahrt is "sky journey" ie Ascension, and so many more.

This is what I love about Germany after having lived here for so many years (I am sure Logos would like me to leave too)

* The trains and public transportation
* Fests, street fests, castle fests, Christmas markets, etc.
* Farmers markets, twice a week in my neighborhood, but they are in every neighborhood at least once a week.
* Seasonal produce, eat lots of cherries, or strawberries, or asparagus, or mushrooms when they are in season and then wait til next year to stuff your face again
* Schnitzel, Rouladen, Knödel, Gruene Sosse, Pfifferlingen, and all the breads and cheeses
* Sense of history. I like being in the cathedral where the Emperors were crowned, or standing where Roman soldiers once bathed, or walking in a cloister admiring the 500 year old wall paintings meant for the monks
* Medieval churches, their architecture and artwork always amaze me

A couple of extras, related to living here and not just being a tourist
* Travel to other countries is so easy, cheap and quick
* It is enjoyable living with people from so many different countries, I like the different clothes they wear and hearing all the different languages every place I go.
* Feeling safe, know that I can walk down any street without fear, that the chances of someone breaking into my house is extremely slim
* Health insurance for all, I never have to worry that our lives will be ruined if one of us gets a devasting disease.

I love this thread!

The main thing I love about Germany is my husband was born there!

Coffee
endless variety of pastries
jaegerschnitzel mit pommes frites
Berchtesgaden
castles
green meadows filled with flowers
boat cruises
lush forests to explore
clean gasthofs/hotels
fresh spargel
cobblestone streets winding through a small village

Can't wait to go back soon!

The scenery
bread
flower boxes
cars (until I have to repair them-major money)
farmer's markets
castles
churches

All this and more even though it rained and/or snowed every day of my trip. I'm going to make the same trip again eventually and hope to see Germany and Austria in the sunshine.

I don't know girl, do you behave yourself or are you a troublemaker?

Mark Twain wrote an interesting piece on the German Language in his book "A Tramp Abroad."

The Awful German Language:
http://german.about.com/library/blmtwain01.htm

And other observations: http://userweb.port.ac.uk/~joyce1/ab...whygerm12.html

The Awful German Language is a wonderful piece for anyone who has tried (and struggled) to learn German. I shared it with my German teacher, who had never heard of it before. And it made me feel better to know that I wasn't the only one who was frustrated with that crazy language!

May I just reiterate...I too love eating asparagus, strawberries, and mushrooms at the appropriate time of year, and I always enjoyed the fact that entire menus were devoted to these fresh seasonal ingredients.

Carrabella, what a nice story - and how lucky you are!

You are all making me very sad as I reminisce about my time in Germany...but it is also heartening to know that so many of you share my enthusiasm for this fine country.

Logos being from Bavaria - well that does explain a lot - redolent of 'Mad'Ludwig, King of the Bavarians

Pal, you wouldn't want your spelling and all the other factual errors (esp. Names and Places) to be corrected. I'd leave it at that. But yes when you quote Google as referece for proper German, then that's rather funny.

Germans tell me that 'proper German' ain't spoken in provincial Bavaria - is that true?

And yes have a Gute Fahrt thru life!

Auweia Pal. Sei nett, Du hast doch sonst keine Alternative .
You really don't know that much.
Reminds me of this Tarantino movie, where the English guy can get away with his bloody accent until he orders 3 scotch without showing his thumb. I liked it.

Yavole!

See, that's my pal.

The best thing about Germany is the German people. They are kind, humorous, polite and straight forward. (Kinda like the people on this blog)

I love it all and must add "cleanliness"

For those of you missing Germany I just recently found www.germandeli.com through a post I had on this site. I have placed two orders, one of which included REAL brotchen shipped from Germany. I almost cried when I bit into the first (and yes two of us ate the whole bag the first night). the food quality they ship is excellent and the packaging is very German (Ha....you'll see)!

I make spaetzle and schnitzel regularly - both are easy (if you have a spaetzle press) - standard food in our house.... Now I can add jaeger sauce and mildess sauerkraut thanks to having found this site (HollydaleK - they have rahm sauce too)

Logos, the 'Mad' Bavarian- how is my German here:

"Prost" ?

perfect