Oberservations en Deutschland

I head out to England this weekend, so here are a few observations so far from my month in Germany:

Shopping
1. The stores have very specific hours. If you are a working professional, Saturdays are your only days to really run any errands. Also forget Sunday was an actual day of the week, because almost nothing is open on Sundays.

2. You have to go to a few stores to get the items you need to run a household. There is no Target-like stores here folks. And Walmart failed here. Say you want aspirin - you wouldn't go to the Schlecker (like a Walgreens, CVS), you would have to go to the Apotheke because it is medicinal. I just recently went to the doctor and they wrote me a prescription. I had to go to the Apotheke to fill the prescription, then bring it back to the doctor to administer it.

3. Shopping malls are few and far between. A law was passed against them, as to not take away business from the smaller, downtown shopping areas - the mom and pop stores.

Food/Eating
1. You can find all sorts of cuisine here, you just have to look for it.

2. I have purchased fake cheese - nacho cheese, I didn't think it was possible. However, I am still on the hunt for canned or jar jalepenos.

3. Food can be really cheap. The essentials can be found at the cheap stores that are ALDI-like.

4. Germans really like their sweets. I think I passed about 20 bakeries on the main road in Mannheim. I was looking for something other than my usual favorite, chocolate croissants - something healthier.

5. Expect bad service in a restaurant, and be pleasantly surprised if it's good. Maybe living abroad will help my pickiness when eating out at restaurants - however, I still won't go near sour cream or mayo!!

6. Choose your dishes wisely. Germans do not waste and will clean their plates entirely. If you take too much or something you don't end up liking - you may feel compelled to choke it down to clean your plate.

Other
I was planning to take full advantage of internet services while in Europe such as netflix instant viewing, online library systems and network sites (abc, nbc, fox, etc.) to keep up on my shows this fall. Having a Mac + being out of the country = NOT possible. Quite Irritating! So I Tunes, may have to be my new best friend - so I can keep up with Greys, DH, Brothers & Sisters, Ugly Betty, etc.