Summer Urlaub!

So, this year, I booked our summer holiday and we've left the holiday-maker-packed beaches of southern Europe, and ventured to low season Asia... Very excited!

We reached the resort quite late in the evening, slightly disorientated and jet-lagged, but that did not deter us from strolling down the beach in search of a beach-shack restaurant in which to sup.

Little did we realise, that the incoming tide would turn into a ferociously wild surf that would completely drown the entrance stairs while we ate.

We may have left by the back door...

While we're on the subject of Easter....

• My first ever attempt at Hot Cross Buns produced a batch of hot cross scones.
• My 2nd batch was far more successful. On advice from my father (the baker) - use at least a third more yeast than you think... and double the sugar... and never get it started in milk -regardless of what the recipe says. (Guess what my recipe said?) Milk contains acid that yeast doesn't like.. always use warm water. Ok then.
• That said... I think there is also a place for hot cross scones. Quite tasty.

GODAMMIT! Wish I thought of this...

very original idea for a 5 year old's birthday party...

A behind the scenes look @ Düsseldorf International Airport!

The invitation was in the form of a boarding card, we went on the sky-train, and then met our guide who took us all on a special bus across the tarmac, in front of planes, (pilots waved at us), and past all the small jets, and fire trucks, and then we saw police helicopters land, before parking at the end of the runway and watching planes come over our heads to land.

How cool is that?

HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?

We've returned from high summer in Oz, to sub-zero temperatures here in Deutschland and the magic of snow... and as I downloaded photos from various apparatus, I was struck by a sudden realisation:

I seem to be raising one of those pretentious twats... The sort that thinks it's completely normal to surf through the summer, snowboard in winter, and who very much intimidated me when I was in my twenties!

I'm dreaming of a humid Christmas!

Just like the ones I used to know...

In a mere 2 days we're making a seasonal pilgrimage to the land of Oz, to celebrate Yuletide with beloved friends and family. It has been 3 years since our last Australian Christmas... and there is much I am looking forward to:

-Sun

-Beach

-prawns, moreton bay bugs, oysters, lobster & mud crab

-people who understand all the verses of six white boomers!

-watching rhino-beetles ricochet off ceiling fans

-cricket and the Sydney to Hobart yacht race

- the afore mentioned beloved friends & family

But it must be said, there is something, well, magical about Christmas in Deutschland. The candles, the elegance, the sparkling golden lights, the famed markets, the scents everywhere of cinnamon and clove and evergreen, Glühwein, and the promise of snow.

Not for the first time, I want to be in two places at once! I also want to know (as I select our suitcases) if Santa Clause et al, can be persuaded to employ a drop shipment policy.

Day 1 of week 2 of Kindergarten summer holidays...

And may we present the flower, the laid tree, the green rabbit (with carrot), the blue whale, the yellow giraffe-necked creature, red rat and hybrid snake.

Works in Plasticine.

We have also baked, swam, painted, playgrounded (yes, that is too a verb), and thrown more tantrums than all the world's red-headed sportsmen and diva popstars combined. I think we might need an organised summer program... or, perhaps, a responsible adult to look after us...

The Shopping List (version 1):

Needed to make sure I put it somewhere where I won't lose it... as I seem to be loosing things quite a bit lately. [My black winter beret, phone numbers, and most annoyingly - my memory... have looked everywhere- but it hasn't turned up yet. Bet it's in the same place I put my sense of humour... that's gone missing too...]

1. Eucalyptus Oil.
2. Lucas' pawpaw ointment.
3. BIG bottle of vanilla essence.
4. Vegemite. (Tubes not tubs. Negates butter smear issues.)
5. New Clarks summer sandals (which will NEVER be worn with socks) for the Caspi-Man.

Am sure there are many other things we need. Might have to come back and edit this when I've located my missing memory.

ONLY TWO WEEKS TO GO TILL WE LEAVE FOR OZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Deck the halls with -NO! NO! Olli !!!!!!"

Last week was the Caspi-Man's 4th birthweekend. (Yes, LONG birthWEEKEND. Why have just a birthDAY when international timezones, and local superstitious customs, mean the festivities can last soooo much longer?)

THE CASPI-MAN IS NOW FOUR and had no less than 3 parties to celebrate it.

I should note here (for the official record) that only one of these parties was his actual 'birthday party'. (Saturday). The second was instigated by the in-laws (Sunday), and the third (Monday) was necessitated by the Kindergarten. (Needless to say I was expected to cater for them all...)

So, with the Caspi-Man's birthday well and truly celebrated - we were free this weekend to prepare in earnest for the upcoming Christmas Season.

"How about we go get a Christmas tree this afternoon?" said the Ger-Man over breakfast yesterday morning.

"Endlich!!! [Finally!!!!]" exclaimed the Caspi-Man in a manner that implied we'd been purposely depriving him of some essential life element, "Unseren Weihnachtsbaum!!!!! [Our Christmas Tree!!!!]"

And, so yesterday, we found our Christmas Tree.

And this afternoon, it was decorated.

And tonight, someone thinks it's Christmas. (And that someone is definitely NOT either Herr & Frau Grumpypants downstairs!)

The Ger-Man said -

that this picture of Olli, that the Caspi-Man and I had photoshopped to adorn this year's Christmas Cards, could be viewed as "undignified"...

To which, I said:

Sorry, firends and family. But sometimes these things have to be done...

The Christmas Markets -

in Düsseldorf have officially opened.

And, I'm beginning to sense a recurrent theme:

Christmas 2006:

(Caspi-Man on green tractor)

Christmas 2007:

(Caspi-Man on blue/yellow tractor)

Christmas 2008:
(Caspi-Man on blue/yellow tractor)

To be fair - he also likes the fire-engines and the little areoplane. And, I must admit I quite like the Glühwein stand next door.

Park Play & Art

Eh-Gads! We've had A VERY BUSY week - and to top it off - the Kindergarten changed their Sommerfest from Saturday (as planned) to a Friday (yesterday) afternoon.

Cue many parents hastily rearranging work schedules to spend the afternoon BBQing on the banks of the Rhein. (It's a tough life being a parent!)

The afternoon ended with an un-programmed Spiel - How may small children can fit in a single tree?




I think the official answer is 23. (Reminded me of the goats we saw in Morocco doing a similar thing.)

Afterwards, strolling home through the Hoff-Garten, we stumbled upon many pieces of "installation art". Projects (I think) by local students.

This path (with one stone step elevated using 3 carrots) was my favourite:

"Hasen Falle".

"Rabbit Trap".

5 things we learnt in Morroco.

1. The Caspi-Man likes camels.

In this, he takes after his great-grandfather who also had a thing for camels. In fact, it is widely believed that one actually shared my grandfather's backyard (in a suburb of inner Sydney) for a while. I've been told (since early childhood) that sand was regularly bought to keep this camel happy.

During our time in Morocco, the Caspi-Man developed a special fondness for one camel in particular. This camel goes by the name of Masoot. Masoot also liked the Caspi-Man. Especially after the Caspi-Man shared his bread roll with him.

So strong was the Caspi-Man's natural camel riding ability - that Masoot's owner said the Caspi-Man has the potential to be a great camel jockey. Perhaps he could even become a "camel whisperer"...? So now I'm adding that to the list of his potential future career options. Along with fireman, pilot, street beggar, master chef and supreme dictator. (Yeah, don't ask.)

2. A holiday must be clearly defined.

The Caspi-Man strongly believes that the term "holiday" only applies to the things he finds fun. So any engaging in non-beach / non-swimming /non-camel riding activities (for example: strolling through the Souks of Marrakesh, or meandering in the Tombs of the Sultans) will have him loudly asking - "can we please go back to holidays, now?".

3. There are very few foods that cannot be enhanced by clever addition of cinnamon.

OK, I admit that this is more a preference rather than a 'learning' (as such). And it is an opinion not necessarily shared by all. Including the Ger-Man. Which is a shame. (In my opinion.)

We also discovered that it is a wise idea, when buying spices (or indeed any food stuff) from Moroccan Souks, to indicate how much you want by price. As in: "I want 20 dirhams of Cinnamon / lamb / mint / olives / etc, please". Any other approach will find you astounded by how much it is possible to spend / buy.

4. It is rather expensive to call Morocco from Australia.

My mother discovered this by dialing our hotel with a cheap calling card and learning that $10au credit would buy her 18 seconds talk time. (She quickly hung up and sent a text instead.) My sister, meanwhile, is dreading her next phone bill after calling direct and babbling with the Caspi-Man for half an hour.

5. That:

• All 3 of us like to laze on the beach. (Ok, 1 of the 3 of us prefers to splash in the sea.)
• All 3 of us like to laze by swimming pools. (Ok, 1 of the 3 of us prefers to splash in the pool.)
• 2 of the 3 of us like to make random attacks with water pistols.
• 2 of the 3 of us like to enhance our lazing with trashy paperbacks.
• 2 of the 3 of us find cinnamon in foods extremely yummy.
• 1 of the 3 of us really likes camels. (Had I already mentioned that?)
• All 3 of us had a truly brilliant and unforgettable time.
  
  

The Mission:

To book a family holiday.

OK then, let's discuss the criteria... we'll start with the essentials. What is most important?

The Ger-Man:
-At least a full week. Warm. Sunny. Beach. Relaxation.

The Caspi-Man:
-Lollies. And a big plane. A big plane with TVs on it. (The Caspi-Man always feels the need to clarify that when he says "big plane" he means the "big planes that have TVs on them".)

Me:
- Some cultural diversity would be nice. And yummy food.

Ah-ah. That narrows it down. Not. How about we move on to "desireables"?

The Ger-Man:
- Maybe somewhere we haven't been before? A bargain package deal for a 5 star hotel with half-pension? Directly on the beach - would be nice.

The Caspi-Man:
-Lollies. And on a big plane. With TVs on it.
-But that's the same as what you said before. What else?
-More lollies?

Me:
- Maybe some exotic markets to stroll through. Historic significance would also be good.

Six weeks - and countless internet searches later:

It has white beaches, it's mostly warm and sunny, planes fly there, (can't guarantee they'll have TVs on them - but when you're three and a half- you're already used to the fact that everything is always a compromise), Hotel - 4 and ½ stars (not bad) - directly on the "strand", famous markets, and all in a country (continent even!) that we haven't been to, and is fabled for having the most diverse range of food in the world. (Suspect it even has lollies.)

We'll Take it!

So -while it's true that we may not "always have Casablanca" - by this time next week there's an incredibly strong possibility we might always have Marrakesh...

Mission Accomplished!

We leave for Morocco on Friday!

Routinely muddled

It’s an odd week, this one.

Monday was a holiday. An extra day off for Pfingsten/Pentecost/Whitsunday (although why the observance of a special holiday for a group of islands off the North Queensland coast is a bit beyond me). May certainly abounds with public holidays in this region.

And today (while not a holiday) there is no kindergarten for the Caspi-Man. The workers are having a ”professional development” day. Hence I also have a holiday from my English Course – but alas no professional development for me. Unless you count watching “Playschool” DVDs with the Caspi-Man.

The brilliant thing about all these “days off” is that have been accompanied by brilliant weather. If you’ve been wondering why I have failed to moan about weather lately it’s because over the past fortnight we’ve been experiencing warm sunny days. An average high of about 25 degrees and not a rain-cloud in sight. (So not much watching of DVDs, then, with the Caspi-Man.) Some have already started moaning about the "heat" (not gonna specifically mention the Schwierig-mutter here).

So far, we’ve had 3 BBQs (or “Grillen” in local tongue) at various locations, 2 picnics in our “backyard”, and plenty of struggles with the Caspi-Man applying suncream to his exposed bits. He insists he can "do it ganze (completely) alone" - but he's not very thorough. And he's developed a bit of a taste for it - so some always gets eaten in the process.

So, am afraid there's no chance this week of us getting into routine (as much as I like to pretend we actually have one).

Oh Mother!

After learning about the illustrious history of the Germanic Father's Day - I was curious to find out what the origin of Mother's Day (as celebrated here) might have been.

This is what I discovered:

"Germany's first Muttertag observance took place in 1922, Austria's in 1926 (or 1924, depending on the source). Muttertag was first declared an official German holiday in 1933 (the second Sunday in May) and took on a special significance as part of the Nazi motherhood cult under the Hitler regime. There was even a medal—das Mutterkreuz—in bronze, silver, and gold (for eight or more Kinder!), awarded to mothers who produced children for the Vaterland. (The medal had the popular nickname of "Karnickelorden," the "Order of the Rabbit.")"

Yes, um, well...

Absolutely no chance of any "Order of the Rabbit"s in this household, but this morning, I was presented with this (all together way more desirable) card:

The Caspi-Man was also very excited to present me with a (truly gorgeous) pair of silver stud earrings he’d bought himself. With his own money. It would seem his money-box was carried into the shop and coins were counted out at the counter. So, he understands the value of my present (against his personal conversion rate: the number of “goes” on the Helicopter ride down the street).

How very, very lucky am I?

Happy Mother's Day, Mum.

(Don't tell the Caspi-Man - but if I could've - I'd have brought you lollies in bed for breakfast "if you wanted"!)

love,

Pyjamamel

A day of Witches, Workers, and Fathers.

Today is the first of May.

It is traditional in these parts to dance your way into May. Perhaps in more traditional times a Maypole was even involved. But these days, many (presumably those without young children) choose to do this at parties, or nightclubs, or on the crowded streets of the Altstadt, assisted by great quantities of alcohol to keep them jiving through to full daylight.

The Ger-Man and I honoured this tradition in our own special way. By donning pajamas and shuffling towards bed assisted by hot cups of tea. Boy, do we know how to party or what?

I think the night of the 30th April is called Walpurgisnacht (in these parts) and Freinacht (down south in Bavaria - where they talk funny).

Walpurgisnacht is named after an English girl who ran away to Germany in the eighth century to become a nun, die and become a Saint. As one does. (Can imagine it's even easier these days with the whole EU set-up). Anyway the first of May is her saint day. But earlier than that - a pagan festival to scare away Hexen (witches) and Teufel (devils) was celebrated on the night of the 30th April and somehow - post Christianity - this festival attracted the saint's name.

Whatever you wish to call it - it's basically an all-night festival of dancing & drinking to scare away evil spirits. No wonder early unions of workers wanted the next day off to recover.

This year, Labour Day, has also by some freak of the calender, aligned with Christi Himmelfahrt. Which literally translates as Christ-Heaven-Drive. (Or what we from Antipodean lands would call Ascension Day - if we weren't mostly such a mob of heathens.) It is usually also a public holiday. The workers have been ripped off this year!

During the middle-ages it became fashionable here in Germany to have a religious procession on Ascension day, honouring "Gott, den Vater". This very quickly turned into a day to honour all fathers and by the 1700's Father's day was well and truly a tradition. (So it would seem the Caspi-Man and I cannot ever invoke the "imported American commercialism" clause).

So there you have it. The 1st of May. A day of Witches, Workers, and Fathers.

Happy Father's Day, Ger-Man!

love,

the Caspi-Man

Eurotrashing is not quite what it used to be...

Granted, I have a small child these days which somewhat intrudes on my ability to pack-up and head off on hedonistic adventures at a moment's notice. And there is the other small matter of the said small child's ever developing schedule: agendas and obligations that now need to be factored in. Between Kindergarten, playdates, gym classes, reading groups, occasional birthday parties etc. etc. it can be hard to find a space for spontaneous "city-breaks" . Actually, come to think of it - the Caspi-Man could really do with a personal assistant. Oh- hang on a sec - he has one...

Last weekend, encouraged by a visiting friend from OZ, I took unpaid leave from my PA position (citing phrases to the Ger-Man like "quality boy time" , "unlimited watching of Fussball on TV", "processed meat product meals" & the absolute cincher: "happy wife") and the friend and I were free to pack-up and head to the (somewhat warmer) Austrian climes of Vienna to meet up with a mutual English friend for a weekend of pure indulgence.

It was our first time in Vienna so much singing of favourite tunes from The Sound of Music was obligatory. As was Sacher-torte. (Except that we kept getting distracted by the enormous range of gorgeous other tortes). And Viennese coffee with extra cream (we're hard-core - so none of the wussy Melange [coffee with steamed milk] for us). Then between, there were the obligatory stops for carbohydrate and protein rich meals that needed to be washed down with lots of locally fermented grape juice.

I think it is fair to say we waddled around Vienna.

We managed to secure last minute tickets to see Carmen at the Volksopera. The seats didn't even have columns in front of them. (But we all agreed that if one had a vision-impaired friend these seats would be great value at 7 Euro a pop). Besides the obvious, Carmen had the added advantage of banishing our Sound of Music created ear-worms, and replacing them with Bolero.

And then there was the Sunday morning, front row tickets for the Wien Spanische Hofreitschule (Spanish Riding School). This had the English friend and myself sobbing emotionally into tissues while the Oz friend scratched her head in befuddlement, stating- "but the horses haven't even come in yet!"

Ahhhh yes. Eurotrashing. Not what it used to be. It's not how I remembered it. It's much, much better.

home from "the shire"

The Darss region of the Ostsee, from whence we have just returned, shall be from now on referred to as "the place where Hobbits live".


Seriously - can't you imagine that these are just the sort of dwellings that those furry footed creatures would inhabit?


While we didn't actually site any Hobbits (they must all still be in NZ and only migrate to Darss to claim their homes for the summer months) we did lay eyes on many, many numbers of a far more disturbing type of creature.

Travelling in pairs they were EVERYWHERE. Couples of a distinct age - sporting obligatory- matching windcheaters. Not just the occasional sighting - not even just a few here and there- they were everywhere! Three on the boat trip we did (pale blue, black with red shoulder feature, and a purple goretex), another four passed on the forrest hike to the lighthouse (dark green, more pale blue, very swish orange & red combo, and black with a large coloured lotto motif/advertisement on the back), and many more strolling the streets of the picturesque villages we visited.

I really fail to understand this phenomena. I currently have no desire whatsoever to dress like the Ger-Man, and if, with the advancing years it ever seems like it could be a good idea, I'm relying on you, family & friends, to revoke my clothes shopping rights.

However, the pair-spotting was an enjoyable passtime and overall, a nice time was had; the Caspi-Man spent quality time with his Godfather, the Ger-Man got to read some books, and while it would've been nice to have had it 15-20 degrees warmer, at least the sun did shine...

Roadtrip with the Ger-Man

1. Route planner (from www.Map24.de) printed out with hand scribbled notes in margin?
Check
2. Country and regional Maps?
Check
3. Hire car with a GPS?
Check

Don't think we're gonna get lost ...