More than a Treasure Hunt....

We laughed that it was a little ironic that as Jason headed to out to “Hugo Boss” to do a little shopping, I headed downtown to the “Flohmarkte Karlsplatz-Stuttgart”.  That translates into Flea market.

The first time I made my stroll under the big trees in this historic square, sifting through all of the potential prizes I could purchase and take home, it wasn’t quit the same since I had my five year old son in tote.  Something about constantly looking up and having to say, “Cooper don’t touch that…Cooper be careful that will break…Cooper get out from under the table…No, it’s not time to go home yet” took some of the “hunt” out of the treasures.

However, since I didn’t have to utter one single word this past Saturday (unless it was to ask “Was Kostet das) it had all of the magic I am coming to love about this event.  The pictures don’t come close to capturing the variety of goods for sale, nor the atmosphere that I think is one of the most affordable attractions so far here in Stuttgart!  I realized the Flohmarkt was more than a treasure hunt for me…….

·      Lots of Eye Candy

·      An intense German lesson

·      An education on both antiques and junk (there is plenty of both)

·      A walk down memory lane (I had forgotten how much I loved my grandmother’s purses until I similar ones were displayed on a table for sale)

·      A trip to the Twilight Zone (There is an awful lot of “strange” mixed in with everything else-notice the manikins for sale underneath the historic statue)

·      Great people watching (I could just camp out all day in one spot…maybe on top of the rugs that are so nicely layed out on the ground for all to shop)

·      A little “fast food” (if you consider homemade German Linsen suppe ‘fast’)

·      A nice walk (and you don’t even realize you are getting exercise)

China everywhere

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Cookie cutters?

really?!?!?

The simple things in Germany....

Sometimes it's just the simple things that give me the most anxiety here in Germany.  I mean, I can do what I consider the “hard” parts of daily living here... like speak German the majority of the day, or park my car in a spot meant for a flea.  BUT, it seems the tasks that are supposed to be simple, can send me into a cold sweat.  For example, a few weeks back, my car was in desperate need of a wash.  I was aware of the “Car Wash” rules here in Germany basically stating,” you are only allowed to wash your car in a designated place and such places must have the facility to remove oil and detergents from the water and also to recycle water” which translates to you better not even try to sneak washing in your driveway.  So, I headed off to the local car wash.  What I thought would be a breeze, turned into more like a hurricane....and I SWORE I would never do THAT again….

It went like this….

I pull up to the car wash doors, put the car in park, step out to go pay but am stopped as a man begins walking briskly towards me and speaking German just as briskly.

 (My conversation with me)

Oh-NO!....he is speaking too fast and I have no idea what he is saying.  Just smile, be strong and speak in German “Hi, I am just getting my car washed and not getting gas."  Whew-I did it without stumbling on a single word….wait, he is looking me like I’m crazy and speaking even faster to me in German.  Smile bigger this time and say you don’t understand.  Wait, I think he just said he couldn’t get his car out….OH RIIIIGHT-I understand now… he wants me to move my car so he can get his out of the car wash.  Just tell him sorry and move you car quickly.  Why are all of the other patrons looking at me while they pump gas?  Don’t worry people…I can’t speak good German but I can drive a car.  Well maybe, where am I supposed to put my car in this 2x4 gas station while I go pay?  UGH! Ok people-please stop looking at me-yes I just left my car sitting in the middle here..

Next, I went inside to pay and ask what the “code” is for the wash. 

(My conversation with me)

Oh Brother, what did the cashier just say to me.  You can do it…don’t be nervous just because a large line is forming behind you….1,2,3-in German tell him that you don’t understand what he just said…quit being scared, TALK.  Why is he handing me a plastic card?  what did he just tell me to do with this card?  I think I just heard the man behind me sigh deeply…look and see if it was him....wow! the line behind me is really long now…just grab the card and walk back to the wash.  Whew…I’m glad to be out of there, now what. 

must be good..has my maiden name. 

Instruction

I head back and try to decode the big sign giving me all the instructions-in German.  I’m pretty sure I understand good enough to make it all happen and drive into the garage, all while reading the bright red German words that are flashing at me.  I close my car door, walk out of the garage, and slip my card into the machine to start this process. 

(My conversation with me)

The sun feels really nice.. this isn’t bad standing here waiting for my car.  I am really proud that I survived all that bad communication.  Oh shoot, the garage doors aren’t closing….WAS I supposed to close them myself…please just close..please, please, please.  They aren’t moving and here comes the attendant running towards me….um, not sure what he just said so very quickly.  Ok, so he thinks if he talks louder, I will understand.  Man, stop talking so loud, everyone is looking at us now.  Ok, I am never showing my face here again-who needs a clean car. Good-he gave up on me.  wait, why is he walking into the car wash with it running towards my car.  Ugh... he is handing me my car antenna he just unscrewed.  I guess that is in the list of instructions since he just pointed to the sign.  Oops. 

Danke is all I can muster up and as I look up with embarrassment, I notice the garage doors are finally closing…how did that happen?  Yep, sometimes it is the “simple” things here in Germany that can cause me the most anxiety-but I will survive.  And, even though I swore to Jason, “I WILL NEVER WASH A CAR AGAIN HERE IN GERMANY!!!”… I did just that yesterday!

Muttertag

I intended to write this blog post last night, but ended up doing an impression of my grandmother sitting on the couch “reading” with her eyes closed.  Seems in the Hoff House, my children acknowledge Mother’s Day everyday, or so I assume, since I hear (rather loudly) "MOMIEEEE" numerous times throughout the day.  I have been a very fortunate mother this year.  I have two children that have moved across the world and are trying very hard to acclimate to everything in their life being new. (This isn’t always easy even for us adults)  They continue to keep a positive attitude even though they miss their house and friends in Alabama.  And even when I get their wonderful compliments like the one I received this week, “Mom, your hair is so colorful…it has WHITE, Black, and RED”, I wouldn’t change a thing…well…maybe a few things like whining.

The Captain gave out roses to the Mothers

Fest and Vineyards in distance

To celebrate the day, we headed down to the Nekar River to hop on a short roundtrip cruise through the Cannstatt lock up the river.  It was nice sipping my glass of champagne watching Stuttgart’s scenery from the top deck.  I think we were all most intrigued as we rode past the “Frühlingsfest Fest” watching the roller coasters do numerous flips.  This is a large Festival that runs through May 15^th and will probably be next on our list…

After our boat ride, we headed to “Stadtstrand” (a.k.a-City Beach) for a small bite to hit and some sunrays.  This outdoor grill beach brings in 120 tons of sand in the spring to start off their “beach season”.  It was funny to see the kids building sandcastles right in the middle of the city as Jason and I lounged in the comfy chairs.  

perfect Mother's Day

Danger Zones in Stuttgart

I feel very safe here in Stuttgart and find myself walking around without ever looking over my shoulder as one might in other cities.  However, I have found one 'DANGER ZONE' that scares me to death.  When I get near this zone, I can not proceed with caution, however I just can’t seem to avoid it.  You see… the diverse and delectable restaurants that surround us here in Stuttgart are numerous and can be considered dangerous if I want to stay on the 'healthy charts'.  We have lived on the dangerous side lately and wanted to share two of my favorites.

Pro Arte http://www.proarte-stuttgart.de/

We enjoyed a quiet dinner this week at one of my favorite neighborhood restaurants that serves the most surprising Mediterranean meals.  As I finished my Zucchini Carpaccio topped with warm cheese and olive oil, the waitress came to suggest desserts.  After Jason ordered the homemade Anise-Orange Tiramisu, she turned and asked me what I would like.  As I looked up at her and responded (in my very good German...wink-wink) “Ich möchte nur einen Tisch zu essen” I noticed she was wearing a look of astonishment on her face. I thought to myself; maybe ordering an extra spoon to share a dessert is not kosher.  As I looked at Jason and saw him chuckling, I realized I had not ordered an extra spoon but instead had responded, “I only want the table to eat”.  Hmmm…I am glad I am continuing German classes-it brings humor to all.

Ambiente Africa http://www.africarestaurant.de/            

traditional dining room

A few weeks ago, I joined a group of women for dinner at this popular Stuttgart African restaurant.  I have wanted to try this restaurant since I first heard about it shortly after moving to Stuttgart and after I read it’s outstanding review in ‘Prinz’ Magazine I knew I must go.  I was delighted when my friend called and suggested we all go here for dinner.

It was an extra perk to meet the owner and chief, Daniel Yaccob, as he greeted us upon entering.  I could understand why my neighbor spoke so highly of him as I watched him continuously check on each of his guests throughout the meal.  His passion for the food and atmosphere shines brightly in the cozy dim restaurant area.  The family is originally from Eritrea on the Red Sea and learning their history made my meal all the more intriguing. I was  surprised when my friend told me he had originally trained as a French chief. 

After glancing at the menu, I became a little skeptical of this tummy’s ability to taste some of their entrees ---“Ostrich, Crockodile, Zebra, or Antelope”  Since my neighbor and her family have been eating here since it’s beginning, over 12 years ago, us newcomers let her order our meal.  I held my breath as I listened to her ordering the various selections for us to share and slowly exhaled when my ears didn’t hear “Zebra”.  I understood enough to know we would be eating some Crocodile but I figured that was pretty similar to the Alligator I had tried and liked in New Orleans.  As our large bowl was placed in the middle of the table, the descriptions began and my taste buds watered.  First lesson-we will eat with our fingers.  As my friends showed the “newbie” how to first pinch off a little piece of the ingera (soft millet flat bread), and use it like a personal tong to pick up the spicy mix of dishes, I began to wonder if I should let my belt buckle out a notch.  My favorite was the Gari (mashed cassava root), rice and sweet potatoes.  And yes, I tried the exotic meat and it was also good…as long as I didn’t think about what I was eating.  Our meal was complete as we finished with their traditional African coffee ceremony.   

the smell was like breathing caffeine

This whole meal was such a great learning experience for my taste buds and me.  I STRONGLY recommend trying this educational charm, but make reservations a few weeks in advance. I can guarantee I will continue to venture into these 'Danger Zones'....but sometimes living dangerously is fun!

My favorites from our dinner

Kudu (East African savannah antelope)

Grilled Kudufilet Dzama flamed with rum (specialty from Madagascar), fresh vegetables and sweet potatoes

Shikor Patata Sga

Sweet potatoes with lamb, chicken in tomato sauce with eggplant, carrots, peppers, fresh tomato, chilli, garlic and sweet banana

ebainetu

Red and yellow lentils, spinach, okra and Alicha

Shikor Patata

Sweet potatoes in tomato sauce with eggplant,

Carrots, peppers, fresh tomatoes,

garlic and sweet banana

Stuttgart in the springtime

I’m guessing there wasn’t a songwriter that visited Stuttgart in April…otherwise, I am sure there would be a song titled "Stuttgart in the springtime".  If I didn’t know better, I would think I have a rather large Gardenia taped under my nose as I walk around and a very loud bird clinging to my ear singing me sweet melodies all thru the day (starting at 5:00 AM!). I guess I should not exclude the yellow pollen we all seem to be wearing as our latest accessory!  Stuttgart may not have the Eiffel Tower, but it definitely has an incredible “Spring Show” that I rate a "TEN".  Here is a little live glimpse….