T̶w̶o̶ One p̶e̶r̶p̶e̶t̶u̶a̶l̶ ̶e̶x̶p̶a̶t̶s̶ immigrant settling into home country number five.
I’m beginning to wonder if it really is going to be possible to visit all of Munich’s Christmas markets. I mean, there’s only so much hot spiced booze one can drink, oder? At any rate, I definitely want to make it back to the small market at Rindermarkt again. Technically it’s called the Kripperlmarkt am … Read more
Next stop on our tour of Munich’s Christmas markets: the Schwabinger Weihnachtsmarkt. As we all know, Schwabing is Munich’s tragically hip neighborhood, and naturally they throw a Christmas market that lives up to the reputation. The lights and other decorations were whimsical and creative. The food on offer was more diverse than that at the … Read more
The Christmas markets (Weihnachtsmärkte) are in full swing, and I have taken on the responsibility of visiting all of the ones in Munich. In the name of scientific research of course. I know, it’s a big challenge, but I think I’m up for it. First up, the market at Chinesischer Turm, everyone’s favorite biergarten in … Read more
Over the years, I’ve been to every type of expat Thanksgiving imaginable. The potluck with other expats. The ‘American’ restaurant. The Italian-restaurant-tries-to-make-turkey. The expat housewife extravaganza. The potluck-with-mostly-Europeans-who-bring-shit-like-cole-slaw. But never did I expect to see the day where I’d spend Thanksgiving at the Hard Rock Cafe. The venue was chosen because of its promises of … Read more
Little wooden huts are being constructed all over the city. All over the country, really. The huts are being filled with Christmas kitsch of every kind. They will open for business at the end of the week. I can’t wait! The snow and cold weather this week have more than put me in the mood … Read more
Anyone have a guess at what today is? That’s right: Fronleichnam*! It just sounds fun, doesn’t it? You know you’ve plumbed the depths of obscurity when even the Italians haven’t heard of your Catholic excuse for a day off of work. Not that I’m complaining, mind you. I think all countries could benefit from the … Read more
The city center inMunichgets a little crazy for the last three days of carnival (Fasching). The locals don costumes and down lots of booze in one big street party (and at lots of littler parties). It’s fun to see an entire city party together. The costumes people were wearing were much more… themed than the … Read more
Hi there. This week I’m in New York City, one of my favorite places to spend Christmas. I’m a couple trips behind on my blogging, but here are a few New York Christmas photos to keep you entertained until I have a chance to catch up. Merry Christmas, if you’re into that kind of thing. … Read more
On Saturday I rolled my jetlagged behind out of bed and headed out to the Christopher Street Day (CSD) celebrations that were taking place in downtown Zurich. CSD is the local version of a Gay Pride parade, and gets its name from the NYC street where a major police raid took place in 1969.
Easter in Italy is always marked by the omnipresent giant chocolate eggs. No bunnies, no peeps, just big chocolate eggs. If you’re lucky, there’s an exciting surprise awaiting you inside your giant chocolate egg. These surprises can range from cheap plastic toys to fine jewelry, depending on where your egg came from. They’re kind of like giant Kinder Surprise eggs.*