Spring 2019
Ms. Denae Avila Dickson Fat Tire Tours The Mebane Family Melange Travel Sight Seeker’s Delight Ms. Deb Jacobson Travel Leaders Ms. Maja Niemeyer Ms. Betsy Meyer-Miller Mr. Jayson Maples Mr. Kevin Garcia Mr. John Robertson Mr. John Delaney Ms. Catherine Murphy Ms. Veronica Panizzo Mr. Gianluca Buccilli Mr. Sauro Bison
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Hello! Bonjour! Ciao! Guten Tag! Welcome to Across the Pond, a travel magazine made by students of the Liberal Arts and Science Academy. Throughout the process of writing and designing this magazine, we have discovered amazing and beautiful countries, each with a unique character and personality. There is France, with its bustling, glowing cities; Ireland with its green, rolling hills; Italy with the crystal-blue water crashing on the shores of its beaches; and Germany, with its powerful and dominant towers looming over quiet towns. We have been able to dive in, head first, into all of these countries to explore all of the treasures that they hold. So please, come with us to explore these beautiful nations! We hope you have as much fun as we did.
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Sally Edwards
Noah Williams
Maddie Bisang
Jane Fulton
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C’est la vie
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Touring the Emerald Isle
Oh the Places You’ll Go
How to Pack Smart
Buon Appetito
Cover by Maddie Bisang Inside Cover Photo Credit by Maddie Bisang Special Thanks by Sally Edwards Letter From the Editors/Meet the Editors by Maddie Bisang and Jane Fulton Table of Contents by Maddie Bisang Game Page by Noah Williams Back Cover Folio : by Sally Edwards
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Photo Credit: 8 Noah Williams, 12 tookapic, 14 and 18 Maddie Bisang, 20 Veronica Panizzo, 24 and 26 Jane Fulton, 32 Pete Bates, 34 Wokandapix
How to Enjoy the Airplane
Games Page
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The Traditional Germany
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by Noah Williams
A Look into Ireland’s Tourist Industry and Most Popular Destinations
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ith Castles, Cliffs, and Causeways, Ireland is a lush land of stunning landmarks and magical feeling sites. “[It’s]such a popular tourist destination because there is a good mix of really beautiful scenery in the rural areas of the country, and cities like Dublin have lots going on in them” John Robertson, a Dublin resident, said. Ireland’s cities are very compact, so getting around them is very easy. Ireland also has vast swaths of country and farmland, so have fun exploring, as Ireland’s cities and the country is full of attractions. “It’s easy to get around, you get to see so much and such a diverse range of attractions without having to travel long distances.” said John Delaney, an Irish
The Cliffs of Moher are beautiful 155 meter tall cliffs that go on for 14 kilometers along the West coast of Ireland.
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Businessman. “The Irish people are [also] very welcoming and helpful.” Ireland, or the emerald isle, is part of the British Isles and has 33 counties, 6 of which are part of Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom, so you will have to bring a UK passport because the UK is no longer part if the EU. The Giant’s Causeway is a volcanic rock formation on the coast of In Ireland’s cities, everything is very close together, so traveling around County Antrim. is very easy. Dublin is especially convenient as it is the ninth most densely populated city in Europe. Many Dubliners do not even have cars.“The best way to get [around] is by bus, walking (Dublin is a really easy The best way to get [around] city to walk around) and by train,” said Robertson. is by bus, walking (Dublin “You also can get a card that you put money on, and it lets you on public transport for a discount.” When is a really easy city to walk traveling in between cities or into the country there are around [because everything also many different travel-friendly options like renting is so close together]) and a car or flying Aer Lingus, Ireland’s local airline. “Get on a tour bus!” Delaney said. “This allows you to relax by train and enjoy the view while listening to the tour guide -John Robertson, student in explaining the key sites to you” If you want to take a tour of Dublin and the river that runs through it called Irland
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Photo Curtacy of Irish Cenetral (left)
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the Liffey, take a Viking tour. These DUKW’s (amphibious vehicles) can let you see Dublin from the water and land. Like any country, Ireland has its share of tourist traps, which are attractions that’s sole purpose is to take money from unsuspecting tourists. Due to Ireland being such a popular destination, there are lots of them, so you must be aware of them when traveling. “The Temple Bar [a very popular tourist destination in Dublin] Blarney Castle is a site located in county Cork, which is home to area in the city centre is overcrowded and can be full of the infamous Blarney Stone. fake type Irish bars and restaurants that may overcharge because tourists frequent the area.” Robertson said. The Blarney Stone, another very popular tourist destination, isn’t supposed to be a tourist trap, but getting in a 1-2 The Wax Museum in the hour line too “snog” a rock that countless others have city is another place that doesn’t all seem to great. The Blarney Stone has been named the most unhygienic tourist attraction in the caters only for tourists and world. However, just below on the castle grounds are is really expensive to visit. many things that make trip worthwhile. Due to Ireland’s -Katherine Murphy, resident of place in fairy tales and lore, a large tourist industry had been built off of that. “[an] example is “The Leprechaun Ireland Museum” in the city - there is no such thing as leprechauns anymore, but it is marketed to tourists who think leprechauns are real and associated with Ireland; it is really expensive to get in and costs between €10 and €16. The Wax Museum in the city is another place that caters only for tourists and is really expensive.” Catherine Murphy, an Irish Mother, said. Watch out for souvenir Folio: shops too. Quite a lot of them have trinkets that
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were made cheaply in other countries. Ireland has an extremely rich culture and is filled with amazing places to learn about. Whether you are in the country or city, you will see some absolutely wondrous things in this mystical country. Cliffs of Moher: The Cliffs of Moher are beautiful 155 meter tall cliffs that go on for 14 kilometers along the West coast of Ireland. The cliffs are home to the O’Briens tower, which marks the highest point of the cliffs. While walking along the cliffs, you can get a great view of Irish coastline and ocean. Giants Causeway: The Giant’s Causeway is a volcanic rock formation on the coast of County Antrim. It is a crazy structure formed out of hexagonal pillars. Legend has it that it
was part of a land bridge used by Giants to travel between Ireland and Scotland. Blarney Castle: Blarney Castle is a site located in county Cork, which is home to the infamous Blarney Stone. The stone itself is a tourist trap, involving waiting in line for up to 2 hours, and kissing a rock (and countless other people). However, the castle grounds are home to Ireland’s poison garden, and countless cool druidic structures and tunnels, Tayto Park: This crisp theme park is located a little above Dublin in the County Meath. This park has many rides, including Europe’s first wooden Roller Coaster, and a splash ride that has been built using methods that were used by the vikings 1000 years ago, and uses 1.7 million liters of water.
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The Temple Bar area in the city centre is overcrowded and can be full of fake type Irish bars and restaurants -John Robertson, student in Ireland
Tayto park is a crisp themed park located a little above Dublin in the County Meath.
Photo Courtsey of Will Pantaleo (left) and Tayto Park (right)
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When packing, get creative! Utilize all extra space in you suitcase! For example, stuff your socks into your tennis shoes! Pack a dryer sheet with your clothes to keep them smelling fresh. Put heavier items, such as thick jackets, near the wheels.
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by Sally Edwards String necklaces through a straw to prevent them from getting tangled! Did your shoes get dirty after a long, rainy day? Place them in the complementary shower caps from your hotel so that they don’t get your other clothes dirty!
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Sally Edwards explores the unique attraction of the country of France.
by Sally Edwards Photo Courtesy of Magda Ehlers
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magine waking up to the sounds of vendors in the street of Paris and the Effiel tower peeking into the window of your flat. Take a morning walk along the historic beaches of Normandy, where world powers fought against tyranny and oppression to preserve democracy and freedom. Spend your afternoon strolling around the vineyards of Bordeaux, sampling wines and cheese that have aged to perfection. End the day with a delicious meal along the Seine and perhaps an excursion to take in the skyline from atop the glittering Effiel Tower. When visiting the country of France, a tourist is able to do all these things! The country of France is a nation of life, history, and culture. It attracts people from around the world to come and experience its unique attractions and beautiful landscapes. France, with an impressive reputation of culture and vivacity, welcomes tourists from around the world. According to The Local, a France news bureau, more than 89 million tourists from across the globe visited France in 2018. France provides something for every visitor, whether it is beautiful vineyards, museums full of artistic masterpieces, or the delectable cuisines. Local Parisian and owner of the tourist company Sight Seeker’s Delight, Karen Reb Rudel, shares what distinguishes the country and highlights the beauty of its diversity. “No one else has the Mona Lisa; no one else has 300 different kinds of cheese and wine; no one else
Tourists enjoy a unique view from under the Arc de Triomphe de l’Étoile.
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No one else has the Mona Lisa, no one else has 300 different kinds of cheese and wine, no one else has the Eiffel Tower -Karen Reb Rudel, owner of Sight Seeker’s Delight has the Eiffel tower,” Rudel said. In addition to its world-renowned culture, France boasts unique geography thanks to its many different landscapes, each beautiful and unique. There are the beaches of Normandy, the vineyards of Bordeaux, the bustling city of Paris, and the mountainous Alps. And according to Mr. David Mebane, owner of the bike tour company Fat Tire Tours located in Paris, the varied geographic landscapes are a factor which
A view from the top of a peak at the beach of Normady. Photo Courtesy of Lisa Fotios (top right), Cristan Ruberti (bottom left)
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constantly proves to be an attractive element of France for many tourists. “[You’ve] got all kinds of different geographic landscapes,” Mebane said. “You’ve got the Alps. You’ve got the oceans: the English Channel, the Atlantic, the Mediterranean. You’ve got the Provence, which is a fabulous area of France of beautiful hills. Of course, you’ve got Bordeaux and Burgundy, which are incredible vineyards and wineries.” Along with being recognized as a nation full of historic and
Caramel fleur de sel, rasberry, passion fruit, orang blossom and rose macaroons from Laudree.
breath-taking landscapes, France is the home of delicious cuisine and wine. After all, France is where some of the world’s most celebrated chefs, such as the icon Julia Child, have come to learn to cook! Robin Locker Lacey, travel blogger, owner of the Mélange Travel agency, and selfdeclared foodie, believes that the traditional, family recipes which are used to cook dishes make the cuisine even more enticing.
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The culture and the way that they live is totally opposite of us, and in my opinion, they have it right, and we have it wrong - Robin Locker Lacey, owner of Melange Travel
“I think for food lovers, a lot of the draw to France is the fact that you know that you will be able to find great food and wine when you go over there,” Lacey said. “A lot of their dishes are traditional and have been used forever, so there is a big incentive toward local artisans, whether that be material or goods or food and wine, I feel that know that you will find that Foliopeople : 14
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A street vendor sells his paintings.
quality in France.” From quality cuisine to quality of life, tourists enjoying an elaborate French meal are also struck by the carefree pace of life. France embodies a relaxed, laid-back lifestyle, which is a quality Lacey has noticed through the years that she has worked and traveled throughout France. “The culture and the way that they live is totally opposite of us, and in my opinion, they have it right, and we have it wrong,” says Lacey. “[Americans] typically work so much that we don’t have Arc de Triomphe de l’Étoile at sunset.
a chance to live life and enjoy it, whereas in France it is the opposite. They prefer to live life and enjoy it and then the work kind of comes second. I think that they place such a high importance on long, leisurely meals and very small pleasures.” France is a country of life and vivacity, recognized around the world as an enchanting nation. It provides all who travel there with a distinctive experience where they can have an adventure exploring the beaches at Normandy, savor a croissant at a local cafe, enjoy an afternoon picnic by the Eiffel Tower, or simply relax while strolling around the vineyards of the country, all in one single trip.
A tourist laughs infront of the Effiel Tower on a beautiful spring day. Photo by Atikh Bana.
“It is really just a magical spot,” Mebane says. Photo Courtesy of Avila Dickson (top left), Ilnur Lalimullin (bottom left), William West (top right), Atikh Bana (bottom right)
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Source: United Airlines Graphic by Maddie Bisang Map baced on work by Alexrk2
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Europe is one of the many places that is most convenient for travel since the countires of the region are so close together. Most countires are just a quick 1-3 hour flight away from eachother. 2h 35m
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ne of the first things that pop into peoples mind when they think of Italy is the food. Italy is known for producing delicious food we all know and love like pizza and pasta. But food for Italy is so much more than just something to fill people’s stomachs. Food is something that people in this country use to get together with family, it is traditions passed down from generations to generations, and it is something that people put their lives work into. An important part of Italian culture is having food help to create traditions, another important part is the actually making the food. Many different Italians learned to cook from different people, normally family members. This contributes to the traditions people make and is a reason why food is so important for some people and families.
Exploring the Famos Cuisine of Italy
by Maddie Bisang “My parents were in the food industry since I was a child, so it was natural to me to have to do with food,” chef Sauro Bison, who owns a restaurant in Codigoro said. “However I did not attend a culinary institute, I attended high school and after that a university. I came back to my hometown when I was 22 and since then I started cooking professionally. At the beginning under my parent’s guide and under my tutor Yasutaka Yukino, a Japanese chef practicing Italian kitchen that taught me the basics with a Japanese approach, that is to say diligently, relentlessly, politely and with immense respect for food.” Bison took over his father’s restaurant and is now the head chef at the restaurant. It is an “intimate and romantic kind of restaurant,” said Bison, that specializes in eel, being one of Bison’s father’s specialties. Unlike Bison, Gianluca
Carbonara (bottom left) is a pasta dish from Rome made with eggs, cheese, guanciale, and papper. Coliflower (top right) is one of many vegstables that are found at traditional makets in Italy.
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Photo Courtesy: All photos by Veronica Panizzo
Buccilli’s, a native from Tre Viso, family has a different cooking style. “Mainly my wife Erica [does the cooking], and I would say sometimes my daughters and I, I would say rarely me,” Buccilli said. “Erica learned mainly from her mother but she also took classes, cooking classes. That is when I was assigned abroad she wanted to improve her cooking abilities when we were supposed to have guests international guests because of my assignment.” each of them. This means Just as the cooking is passed down from that their work allows them to generation to generation, take time families also take pride for lunch to come home, in passing down family eat, then go back to recipes to younger work depending on the generations. Italian of the country. The Italian family has part families have different Every customs for eating differ recipes that are passed its own specialties, each in each part of Italy. The down throughout the main difference in food family that are special mom or grandmother and is between the north and dishes for them. nowadays also dad and the south.
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“Every Italian family has husbands have their culinary its own specialties, each secrets and favorite recipes mom or grandmother - Sauro Bison, head chef and nowadays also dad and husbands have their culinary secrets and favorite recipes,” Bison said. student at a culinary Since families have their own recipes and traditions with food this helps to show the people’s culture in Italy. This also helps illustrate the importance of food in people’s everyday lives and helps to shape the importance of food in Italian culture. For some Italians, they have the traditional three meals a day, but they come back home for
“The north is more industrial the people are more busy than the south so it’s simple,” Veronica Panizzo, a institute in Venice said. “In the south, they pay more attention so they prepare a croissant and cappuccino that bring joy and meal is more important in the south. In the north they are busy so for lunch it is an important meal but we do not have time for it we only have an hour for to come from work back home cook something and then relax yourself the important meal is not so important because we eat the
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dishes that are ready to eat.” The importance of meals often depends on what region of the country you live in. For instance, the type of food and beverage consumed at a certain time are different in the two regions. For breakfast, you wake up and make your cappuccino, but if you are in the north maybe you get a bombolone but if you are in the south you may get a cornetto. Before noon may Italians will have an “aperitivo” with prosecco if you are in the north or compari if you are in the south, both a type of wine. Lunch could consist of a pasta course with a cream or oil based sauce in the north or a tomato-based sauce in the south. And of course after lunch espresso! For dinner is generally the same as an aperitivo; cured meats like prosciutto, culatello, or mortadella, and fresh cut cheese like mozzarella di bufala. Dinner could be any meal that is decided to cook that night.
In Italy, the tradition of food allows people and family to be brought together. This is a time for Italians when people are able to come together who you may not see very much and share a meal. “Because of tradition [food is important] but we usually spend time with family,” Panizzo said. “I think it is important because we spend some time with our mother, cousins and that is an important thing for us” Food is also associated with holidays like Christmas and Easter, which are largely celebrated in Italy. The holidays are a time for families to come together to celebrate. Lots of food is cooked and shared amongst everyone. There are special foods that you cook based on what holiday is happening. “Well for us you know it is the Catholic holidays,” Buccilli said. “Christmas or for Easter on that occasion you have special lunch and of course special food and a lot of food. Some wines for adults. I would say at Easter you have
Sfogliatelle is a shell shaped pastry that is native to the Campania in Italy. Gelato (top right) is a type of ice cream populare in Italy that is made without eggs.
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a lot of meat it is mainly meat and eggs. In Christmas, it is a lot of pasta or lasagna or roast beef” Family is a major part of the holiday too. Relatives that you may not be able to see all the time are able to gather together. The food portion of the holiday helps to bring people together to have conversations while eating and help bond with each other while preparing the meal. “We usually spend Christmas Day with our families and sometimes we go to restaurants, Panizzo said. “But usually my grandmother always prepares something, it is a tradition and we spend some time or we go out not so much. My family especially. Easter oh yes, we usually cook sample rabbit that is typical of our country and polenta is a typical dish typical ingredient in our country.” Family and food is important for Italian’s and helps bring them together as a part of their culture.
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I think it is important because we spend some time with our mother, cousins and that is an important thing for us
Italian food in many ways helps impact the culture of Italy, from food differing from region to region, to the tradition that comes with it. The food of Italy allows friends and family to come and spend time together. Food is able to connect people and bring them together to share delicious food with quality ingredients that go beyond the expectation. Italian food is one that is loved worldwide. “And I don’t know maybe Italian food is cool and stylish,” Bison said.
-Veronica Panizzo, culinary student
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Airplane Seats: 1. Classes: Whether to opt for first class or economy really depends on your flight. A good rule of thumb is only try to get first class seats if your flight is longer than six hours. Six hours or more of jetlag can really mess you up, so you would want a comfortable seat. 2. Seat Rows: If you don’t get up much during your flight, try to get a window seat, because you can rest and be undisturbed by the other passengers. If you do like to get up occasionly and feel a little claustrophobic, book an isle seat, so you can easily get up and walk around. Avoid sitting in the middle as much as you can. 3. Where to not sit: Do not sit in the back of the plane. The back of the plane gets the most turbulence and sitting there on a long flight is very likely to cause airsickness. 4. Other good seats: The emergency exit seats and seats at the front of a section are great choices... if you can manage to get them. Since the seats at the front have nothing in front of them, you will get more legroom. The emergency exit seats are next to a door and have lots of legroom so people can get to the door easily.
Entertainment: 1. What you should bring: On any flight, make sure you know how to entertain yourself. Airplanes don’t have wifi, so you will have to download any shows and movies onto your device before leaving. If you plan to play video games on your flight, keep in mind that any that use wifi will not work. Lastly, remember to bring a charger and a usb port. Most planes will have outlets on the seat in front of you. 2. What Airplanes might have: Longer flights almost always have TV’s on them. Some airlines will make you pay to use them and others won’t. Some Airplanes will supply you with free earbuds, some will make you pay. When booking your flight, make sure you research the company and plane model. 3. What to buy: Try above all to bring your own things, because products on airplanes are quite expensive and badly made. If you don’t have any, buying headphones is a good idea. You can use them to listen to music, TV, and block out the Folio : airplane engine sounds. 22
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Medical Issues: 1.Air Sickness: Airplanes can be quite bumpy, so airsickness is quite easy to get. If you get airsick easily, avoid holding electronic devices close to your face (They will shift and dizzy you even more). There are airsickness pills, so try to get some of those before boarding. If you don’t have any you could just try to sleep so it won’t affect you as much. 2. Ear Pressure: During take off and landing, the plane is changing altitiude frequently. This causes the air in your ears to expand or shrink and is pretty painful. To avoid this, yawn and chew gum. Yes, it is a weird remedy, but it works because it loosens your ear and balances the air pressure out. 3. Jetlag and Joints: On longer flights, sleep is very important so you don’t wake up in the wrong time zone. However, it is bad to stay immobile, because your joints will stiffen. Avoid looking down at a book or electronic, because after holding that position, your neck will make sure that the next few days are not very comfortable for you.
Food and Comfort: 1. Food: On longer flights you will have food supplied to you by the airline. There usually aren’t many choices so you can’t afford to be picky. Shorter flights might make you pay for the food so make sure you eat up before your flight, unless you want to spend ten dollars on some onion rings. 2. Pillows and blankets: On longer flights you will also be given pillows and blankets, so use these to get some sleep. You might be woken up later if your flight serves breakfast, so tell your flight attendent whether you want to be woken up for it. 3. Latrines: Go to the bathroom before you board. Airplane bathrooms are cramped, noisy and awkward. Avoid using them as much as you can.
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A small town in southern Germany. This town has traditional architecture and buiding style. Photo courtesy of Tama66.
Celebrations and Why People Like Them
By Jane Fulton
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hen thinking of Germany, many things might come to mind like Oktoberfest, beer, or sausage but Germany has so many more things to offer. A country with a long history and an abundance of culture, Germany has a uniqueness to it no other country has. They hold the background to so many cool traditions as well as ones that can only be found in Germany. “There are things I love, there are things I don’t love, I have one foot in Germany and one foot in America,” said Betsy Meyer-Miller, an American who moved to Germany. “ Germany is such a beautiful and special place, there are so many cool things to explore and so many cool people to meet. Folio: 24
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Germany is such a beautiful and special place, and there are so many cool things to explore and so many cool people to meet.
- Betsy Meyer Miler, american living in Germany
Photos (right page) Courtesy of MoreLight, Scholty1970, Jh146, Kai Pilger
Christmas While many German traditions have religious origins, they have evolved so those who are not religious can celebrate in a secular way. The Christmas traditions have a religious background but many who are not religious still celebrate.
People swinging on a ride at Oktoberfest. It is the largest folks festival in the world.
The festivities of Christmas last throughout December. A big tradition is advent, the German Christmas season officially begins on the first Sunday of Advent and during this time many different traditional sweet treats are baked. The Advent wreath is a tradition originating with the Lutherans in the 1600s, they are similar to the wreaths Americans hang on their door, but instead, are decorated with four candles. “There are four candles on it and maybe it’s decorated with some ribbons or pine cones and on each of those Sundays, you light one more candle,” Meyer-Miller said .
People walking along the a river in Lubeck. Lubeck is a city in northern Germany
This tradition has been changed throughout time and has spread all over the world but has its origins in Germany. The advent calendar is another German invention that has become more commercialized and spread all over the world. The original advent calendars were made from cardboard with 24 opening flaps on it and one would be opened everyday counting the days down until Christmas. Inside would have a christmas scene or motif, but more recently toys and chocolate can be found. “Advent calendars are very good for involving kids in the holiday season because they have something to look forward to everyday,” Meyer-Miller said.
Neuschwanstein castle is famous for its history and was the inspiration for many Disney castles.
During Christmas time in Germany, most, if not all, cities or towns have Christmas markets or in German, Weihnachtsmarkt. These are huge markets illuminated with candles and lights where the people of the town gather together to celebrate the holidays. Meyer-Miller said, “The Christmas markets are beautiful, they sell all the traditional handmade ornaments and wooden things.” A traditional drink called gluhwein, which is mulled red wine mixed with spices, is often served along with hot
Reichsburg castle, sitting on a hill, overlooking the Moselle river. This castle is known for its renaissiance furniture.
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There is also a counterpart to Nikolaus and he is called Krampus or Knecht Ruprecht. “There is a tail that there is Knecht Ruprecht and he is the one who punishes bad kids.” Said Niemeyer, a native German. One difference between Germany and the United States is the way Germans prepare and celebrate Christmas. Germans don’t buy their christmas tree until December 24, but it stays up until February. Decorating is also left until Christmas Eve. “It used to be that parents would say[to the kids] ‘Out of the room’ wherever the tree is and they would have to go into a separate room for hours while the parents would put up the tree and decorate it,” MeyerMiller said. “And then in the evening, they would ring a bell and the kids would come and the tree would be lit with candles, which they still do.”
People watch the Karneval parade, as the floats travel through the streets. Karneval is an important tradition for the Germans. Photo Courtesy of Skeeze
cocoa and other traditional German treats. To include children, there is also a drink called Kinderpunsch which is essentially cranberry or apple juice that is warmed up and mixed with various spices. Back in the 14th century these christmas markets would be the only place for people to buy their christmas decorations, but now it has evolved into a fun event for the christmas season.
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The tall stick candles were attached to the tree and lit every night. The night before december Everything shuts down and Usually there wasn’t sixth, children place their newly cleaned shoes, or a boot everybody dresses up and they much color involved, it was mostly neutral outside on their front step, and go watch parades and they party colors with candles to Nikolaus comes and leaves various things like nuts, fruit, - Jayson Maples, an American who light the tree up. As the holiday has become or candy. This day is called moved to Germany more commercialized, Sankt Nikolaus Tag, meaning people decorate with Saint Nicholas Day. Through more colors and instead stories, Saint Nicholas became the protector of the children and was the one who of candles, they use string lights. On the day of the 24, the tree is decorated with presents underneath it that anonymously leaves gifts for the children. come from the Christkind. Instead of Santa, they have “Nikolaus is a big thing, a lot of schools will have the Christkind which originally was the angel of Jesus adults dress up or they’ll a hire a rented Nikolaus or a who comes and delivers presents for the children. After teacher and they’ll go in and have a big list of all the the exchange of gifts, families will often read poems or things about the kids and tell them something they’ve sing traditional songs. There is also the second and third days of Christmas which are the days following the 25. done well Folio : that year or something they need to work on,” Meyer-Miller said. “Or they’ll just give out “Nobody works on these days, so christmas is extended 26 Across the Pond significantly,” Meyer-Miller said. candy.”
New Years Eve Following Christmas is New Year’s and New Years eve. There are a couple customs surrounding this holiday as well. Every New Years Eve most Germans watch an 11 minute black and white special called dinner for one. The story is about an older lady sitting at a big table that is set for multiple people but there is nobody else there. The only two people are the woman and her butler who is continuously drinking throughout the show and by the end he is completely drunk. The old woman is talking to the people as if they were there and the butler is serving drinks to the invisible people.
For children going into first grade, their first day is one day later than the official start date for school, so every grade except for first grade starts on the official school starting day. The whole idea behind it is that the kids bring this big cone to school and it is supposed to make them less scared for the first day, so they will go to school more comfortable and then they get to go home afterwards and get to see what fun surprises are inside. Every kid goes into first grade with a “godparent.” This is a student who is older, in the fourth or fifth grade so they can help the first graders through the first year of grade school. Most parents are allowed to miss work on this day.
“Everybody sits and watches this before they start their New Year’s Eve festivals” said Jayson Maples, “ You come home, you have a party like you have a full an American who married a German and now lives in Germany. “The country shuts down and they watch dinner for one... even Germans don’t know why.” For New Years eve festivities, Germans are very big on fireworks. In germany you can buy fireworks at any grocery store but you can only buy them on New Years Eve. On this day, everyone goes outside to their front yard and sets off fireworks with their neighbors. In the bigger cities, people go out into the street and walk down them with their friends and light fireworks. “There are people all over the place, you look out into the street and there are just people everywhere just setting off fireworks,” Meyer-Miller said. Every house buys fireworks, as it is legal to set them off in the city. “For me the first time it ever happened I was like holy cow the police are going to come, what is going on… but its just nonstop,” Maples said. First Day of School One of the few traditions that don’t have religious background in Germany is the first day of first grade. In Germany when children go into the first grade, a big celebration is made out of it. Every child makes a big bag, called a Schultute, which is shaped like an upside down cone but it is huge. Inside are many different things from candy to toys to school supplies. “They are filled with things that they might need on the first day of school like pens, pencils, erasers… sometimes toys as well. It is very common and everyone does it.” Niemeyer said.
A girl going into first grade holding a traditional Schultute. Photo Courtesy of Jayson Maples
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People walk through a christmas market. These are very important to the German Christmas season.
barbecue at the house for your child for their first day of before Ash Wednesday. school,” Maples said. “So everybody basically is letting everything out and Karneval then when ash Wednesday starts for lent everybody A tradition that is very big in Germany is Karneval, which parties until then and then starting at lent basically is the name typically used in in northwestern Germany everybody gives up something until Easter,” Maples or Fasching in southern Germany. In the United states, said. Karneval is the same as Mardi Gras. Kaneval starts on November eleventh at 11:11 a.m. For people in Germany, This ends the day before good Friday in order to they do not need to work on Karneval days. celebrate Easter traditions. Even those who are not religious still participate in Karneval. “Everything shuts down and everybody dresses up and they go watch parades and they party” Maples said. St Martin’s Day St Martin’s Day is another very large holiday The big day is Monday of Karneval, called Rosenmontag . and tradition for Germans. This holiday is on the November 11, and it dates back all the way to the “On Monday, it’s called Rosenmontag and its where a lot of Roman days. The traditional story is there was a the parades are and then you have Tuesday which actually poor man begging on the street when it was very starts ash Wednesday,” Maples said. cold outside. Then comes along this bishop, Saint Martin, and he sees the man begging on the street. On the Thursday before Rosenmontag, it’s a day called He then takes his sword and uses it to cut his cape/ weiberfastnacht, or ‘women’s carnival night’. The big coat in half and gives it to the beggar on the street. tradition for this day is the women get to cut off the tie of any man. This custom dates back all the way to he 1800s. This “Every year in Germany all the little kids, make Folio: part of Karneval is the same lanterns and they march out through the streets and around the world but the big sing certain songs and celebrate saint martin and this 28 Across the Pond idea is to let everything out is a huge, huge thing” Meyer-Miller said.
In some smaller towns, they have a horse ride through German goods. In addition to the town to serve as the horse that Saint Martin rode on. Oktoberfest, there is Herbstfest which comes at a similar time but “The first year I moved here, I hadn’t heard of it and I was is a celebration for the coming of sitting in my apartment doing my German homework fall. and along comes a horse, I live in the city so I don’t see many horses in the street, with probably 200 kids with “It’s not just Oktoberfest, lanterns following him,” Meyer-Miller said. there’s Herbstfest which is called fall Because of St. Martin, a huge tradition has come out fest,” Maples said. of it. Many cities have a huge bonfire to resemble the warmth that he gave the begging man on the street. On Tatort this day kids make lanterns with either a real candle or There is a a fake candle in it and march down the street singing German TV songs, celebrating Saint Martin. show called Tatort which The people who march start at a church in the town and is about a then walk all the way down to the public square where d e t e c t i v e . there is a big fire with food and drinks. They have different “The lanterns came from the St Martin’s bonfire so it’s episodes with kind of a tradition to keep the fire alive,” Maples said. different actors coming 20 different cities from Oktoberfest Switzerland, Austria, and An important tradition for Germany is Oktoberfest Germany. In each episode, which is the largest folks festival in the world. People there is a murder within the first few minutes from all over travel to southern Germany to experience There is a murder in the first few minutes of the episode this festival. There, people gather to hang out with and the rest of it is trying to figure out who commited friends, ride rides, eat food, and purchase traditional the crime. “Sunday night everybody goes home and watches Tatort,” Maples said. “If you’re a foreigner living in Germany, you don’t get it.” Those who are foreigners in Germany come to think of Germany as their home. “If I were to leave here there would be lots of people and lots of things that I would miss,” Meyer-Miller said. “There are so many cool traditions that I have come to love.”
A sign overlooking a hill in the German Alps. Photo Courtesy of Dar1930 (top left), Jane Fulton (bottom right)
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Burg Eltz
Lichtenstein Castle Lichtenstein Castle is one of Germany’s newer castles, built only in the 19th century to honor the medieval knights of Lichtenstein.
Hohenzollern Castle
Neuschwanstein is one of the most popular of all the palaces and castles in Europe. It was built in 1869 by King Ludwig ll and unlike most castles, it was not built for defense purposes but for a fanciful retreat. King Ludwig ll intended to live in it but passed away in 1886.
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Graphics by Jane Fulton
Eltz castle is a medieval nestled in the hills above the Moselle River between Koblenz and Trier, Germany. It has been the ancestral home of the RĂźbenach, Rodendorf and Kempenich families since it was built in the 12th century.
The original castle was destroyed over the centuries with only the chapel remaining. The present castle was built in the mid-19th century by King Frederick William IV of Prussia. This castle is the ancestral home of the Hohenzollern family.
Maximillian II, father of Ludwig II, discovered Hohenschwangau Castle when he was still the Crown Prince. He later bought the castle and renovated it and used it as a hunting lodge and summer palace.
By Jane Fulton
Hohenschwagau Castle
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