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Slushy spring skiing

We popped down to Austria for a final ski trip of the season yesterday. It’s so easy to do this that I’m having a hard time remembering that Austria is, in fact, another country. You’d think after two years in Switzerland I’d be over the novelty of popping into another country for a day trip, … Read more

Munich Whisky Festival

Last night we visited the Munich Whisky Festival. That is, we paid a hefty 15-euro entry fee for the privilege of hanging out in a hot, crowded exhibition space with a whole lot of whisky salesmen. There was a line to get in, the coat check was full, and at times the room was so … Read more

I’ve got friends in low places

We just got back from a long weekend in the Netherlands, visiting friends in Rotterdam and Amsterdam. The trip was a fabulous mix between catching up, sightseeing, eating, drinking, and relaxing. I highly recommend convincing some of your friends to move to this country, too. We started out in Rotterdam, a city I’d never been … Read more

Strike 2! Or is it 3? I’ve lost count…

In an effort to give their country more of an Italian feel, German train workers will most likely be striking again starting at midnight tonight (with no planned end scheduled, so this is actually less fun than an Italian strike). The train strike includes the S-Bahn in Munich, but the U-Bahn, trams, and buses should … Read more

Urban is the new Black

When I lived in Germany in the 90s, I was somewhat bemused to learn the term ‘Black Music’. This basically referred to any and all music performed by African-American artists. The term was used on posters, in advertisements, and in clubs. A ‘Black Music’ party or CD could include everything from Janet Jackson to Naughty … Read more