Germany in December

[Brisketexan 104465]

When you wanna party Mardi Gras-style, but have to slaughter the insolent bastards in the neighboring duchy first….

[Brisketexan 104465]

Some scenes from the Rheinland. Schloss Marksburg, incorporating existing basalt in the construction, some of which dates back to 1200-1300. And the last photo is the Deutches Eck, the intersection of the Mosel and the Rhein at Koblenz. We were down there yesterday.







Also, did it get any better than a castle with a built-in shitter?



No. No it did not.

Spent the last two days with our friends in Saffig. Wandered about the Rheinland. Had a leisurely breakfast discussing politics, family, and life. And in a couple of days, their son will join ours on the flight home to spend the Christmas holidays with us.

Castles, Roman ruins, historical and powerful rivers are cool and shit, but people are the best part of traveling. Being welcomed into someone’s home, sharing in their lives and hometown for a spell, and returning the favor…it blows me away every time. Hated to part ways, but to Copenhagen we go, on a late flight tonight.

[Brisketexan 104465]

Late lunch in Koblenz: flammkuchen and tomato orange soup.

[The Ace of Aces 5106]

I almost fell down the hill climbing up to that castle. Good times - our tour guide spoke German so fast my wife who lived 20 km down the river for 16 years had no idea what he was saying.  

[Kennythetiger 9333]

A shitter that nice probably even has Cottonelle with aloe. 

[Brisketexan 104465]

A shitter that nice probably even has Cottonelle with aloe. 

Pro tip: a real noble wipes his ass with the softest available peasant.

[Brisketexan 104465]

At our hotel in Copenhagen. Denmark requires that you be vaxxed to enter, but maybe because we were coming from the EU…the airline didn’t ask for it at check in (I just checked the box that said we were Eledge leaving to enter). Or boarding. And nobody checked on exit. Or at hotel check in. Seems kinda sloppy.

Denmark does have a few more restrictions than Germany, restaurants have to close at 11, stuff like that. We’ll see how things look in the morning.

[PenelopeWitherspoon 19074]

1 hour ago, Brisketexan said:

At our hotel in Copenhagen. Denmark requires that you be vaxxed to enter, but maybe because we were coming from the EU…the airline didn’t ask for it at check in (I just checked the box that said we were Eledge leaving to enter). Or boarding. And nobody checked on exit. Or at hotel check in. Seems kinda sloppy.

Denmark does have a few more restrictions than Germany, restaurants have to close at 11, stuff like that. We’ll see how things look in the morning.

I love Copenhagen.  

[tx 3 putt 76159]

1 hour ago, PenelopeWitherspoon said:

I love Copenhagen.  

 

it's a great place to kill 3 days

 

[Brisketexan 104465]

At one of my wife’s favorite restaurants in the world….Grod, a simple danish porridge shop with a location in the Torvehallern.

She got her standard porridge with apple, caramel, almonds and such.

I got a mushroom barley with fresh herbs and danish cheese. Chilly outside, so good.



And, even though their cases are going up and restrictions too….they’re somewhat lax about masks, and nobody has checked our vax app anywhere.

[Brisketexan 104465]

And my favorite smorrebrod on top: liver paste with bacon and lingonberries.

[Brisketexan 104465]

And….had our first swing-and-a-miss of the trip, at the end. Denmark just closed their Christmas markets. Still plenty to do in Copenhagen, but that’s a miss.

[PenelopeWitherspoon 19074]

2 hours ago, Brisketexan said:

And….had our first swing-and-a-miss of the trip, at the end. Denmark just closed their Christmas markets. Still plenty to do in Copenhagen, but that’s a miss.

I was there during some of their Christmas markets.  They aren't great, so you probably aren't missing much.  Go to Mikkeller.  Also, hot dogs.

[Brisketexan 104465]

I was there during some of their Christmas markets.  They aren't great, so you probably aren't missing much.  Go to Mikkeller.  Also, hot dogs.

We kind of figured that they would be more of the same (we probably at least passed through around 20 markets in Germany, large and small -- not kidding).  But still, we were looking forward to at least seeing the lights and festivity and such.  Still, lots of lights and pretty scenery about, and good grub.
And yeah, I had a hot dog for a mid-day snack....
 



Tonight, to Københavner Cafeen, one of the older joints in town, old-school traditional Danish food.  And what happens to be the special on Mondays?  The national dish, Stegt flæsk med persillesauce:

Tomorrow, dinner at Høst.

[PenelopeWitherspoon 19074]

56 minutes ago, Brisketexan said:

We kind of figured that they would be more of the same (we probably at least passed through around 20 markets in Germany, large and small -- not kidding).  But still, we were looking forward to at least seeing the lights and festivity and such.  Still, lots of lights and pretty scenery about, and good grub.
And yeah, I had a hot dog for a mid-day snack....
 



Tonight, to Københavner Cafeen, one of the older joints in town, old-school traditional Danish food.  And what happens to be the special on Mondays?  The national dish, Stegt flæsk med persillesauce:

Tomorrow, dinner at Høst.

Have you been to Host yet?  I went almost every trip I was in Copenhagen.  I love it.  

I am seriously thinking about going for a NOMA res and just making a trip around that.  

[Brisketexan 104465]

Have you been to Host yet?  I went almost every trip I was in Copenhagen.  I love it.  
I am seriously thinking about going for a NOMA res and just making a trip around that.  

Never been, looking forward to it.

Tonight was more low key. Very traditional Danish grub (including a Christmas rice pudding that we realized our daughter actually made for us last year at home). Fried crispy pork belly with parsley sauce….not bad at all.






Just some scenes, including the gals who are having a big old time at dinner. You’ll notice that the Danes are a super homely people. 0% attractive Viking stock in the genes, clearly.

And just some street scenes from this afternoon and our walk home after dinner.

[The Ace of Aces 5106]

Good luck getting home @Brisketexan if you’re flying LH. They’re canceling so many long haul flights due to no pilots out of Frankfurt - and US airlines are about to all melt down. 

[Grimas 658]

On 12/19/2021 at 8:47 PM, tx 3 putt said:

 

it's a great place to kill 3 days

 

Visiting there is great - living there for a few years, not so much...

[Brisketexan 104465]

Good luck getting home [mention=593]Brisketexan[/mention] if you’re flying LH. They’re canceling so many long haul flights due to no pilots out of Frankfurt - and US airlines are about to all melt down. 

Saw that….what a shitshow. Thankfully, we got home last night. I’ve got plenty more to add to this thread, but damn, seems like we got home just under the wire.

[Brisketexan 104465]

Visiting there is great - living there for a few years, not so much...

Curious to hear why that’s the case? I mean, I’m not contemplating it, it would love to hear your experience.

[Grimas 658]

12 hours ago, Brisketexan said:

Curious to hear why that’s the case? I mean, I’m not contemplating it, it would love to hear your experience.

I equate Denmark to California - it does have some great places to visit and things to do. Would I ever want to live there again? Absolutely not... It is a great place to raise young kids and for the most part is very safe (as long as you avoid the areas where the Middle Eastern refugees have taken over).

It's expensive as hell - my income tax would have been 57% but because of a waiver, I "only" paid 47% income tax. Then add 25% VAT on everything, cars have over 100% tax on the value ($65K for an Opel wagon with a stick!) and additional taxes added to everything... We would do a monthly run to buy cases of beer, soda and beef in Germany as the Danish taxes were much higher on these than in Germany... (Norwegians go to Sweden to shop while the Swedes go to Denmark and the Danes go to Germany...)

This influences the work practices there - since they are taxed so high on what they make, don't spend a moment working longer than is required... (Fair enough regarding the work/life balance)

It's a totally socialist society - if you think your neighbor had a car that is too expensive for what you think they make? Report them to the tax authorities and they will get audited...  (Side note: While Denmark doesn't do this, in Norway they actually publish everyone's salary and taxes once a year so you can keep track of what your neighbors/co-workers make...)

The whole system is based on everyone working full-time jobs - a stay-at-home mother is unheard of except in the expat community. Work stops at 4 so you can run to the school to pick up your kid and then rush to the grocery before it closes at 6 to buy food for the evening. (This has since changed and you can shop some stores until 9).

My wife went into our bank to try to have her government child subsidy check - all women regardless of income - get paid around a $800/kid/month until the kid is 18 - into our joint account and the woman banker tried to convince her not to as I might "steal her money" from our account. The wife had a good laugh with that one as she told the banker that she is actually stealing all my money...)

Danes love to talk American politics with you and tell you how screwed up the US is regardless of who is in power.  But if you ever try to discuss Danish politics, you are basically told you don't have the right to discuss their politics since you aren't a Dane...

Not to be sexist but women run the country and the men have all been neutered.  As a male, if you disagree with the comment or opinion that comes from a Danish woman, you get the evil glare of death or are told to F-off... The Danish men know better than to have a different opinion and just sit there and nod because they know what will happen if they disagree...

This is the basic mindset of those living in the Scandinavian countries called the the "Law of Jante":

You're not to think you are anything special.
You're not to think you are as good as we are.
You're not to think you are smarter than we are.
You're not to imagine yourself better than we are.
You're not to think you know more than we do.
You're not to think you are more important than we are.
You're not to think you are good at anything.
You're not to laugh at us.
You're not to think anyone cares about you.
You're not to think you can teach us anything.

Edited December 24, 2021 by Grimas

[tx 3 putt 76159]

Very good work here @Brisketexan !!

thanks for sharing and good luck to lil Brisket and applying to colleges 

Edited December 24, 2021 by tx 3 putt

[Brisketexan 104465]

I equate Denmark to California - it does have some great places to visit and things to do. Would I ever want to live there again? Absolutely not... It is a great place to raise young kids and for the most part is very safe (as long as you avoid the areas where the Middle Eastern refugees have taken over).
It's expensive as hell - my income tax would have been 57% but because of a waiver, I "only" paid 47% income tax. Then add 25% VAT on everything, cars have over 100% tax on the value ($65K for an Opel wagon with a stick!) and additional taxes added to everything... We would do a monthly run to buy cases of beer, soda and beef in Germany as the Danish taxes were much higher on these than in Germany... (Norwegians go to Sweden to shop while the Swedes go to Denmark and the Danes go to Germany...)
This influences the work practices there - since they are taxed so high on what they make, don't spend a moment working longer than is required... (Fair enough regarding the work/life balance)

It's a totally socialist society - if you think your neighbor had a car that is too expensive for what you think they make? Report them to the tax authorities and they will get audited...  (Side note: While Denmark doesn't do this, in Norway they actually publish everyone's salary and taxes once a year so you can keep track of what your neighbors/co-workers make...)

The whole system is based on everyone working full-time jobs - a stay-at-home mother is unheard of except in the expat community. Work stops at 4 so you can run to the school to pick up your kid and then rush to the grocery before it closes at 6 to buy food for the evening. (This has since changed and you can shop some stores until 9).

My wife went into our bank to try to have her government child subsidy check - all women regardless of income - get paid around a $800/kid/month until the kid is 18 - into our joint account and the woman banker tried to convince her not to as I might "steal her money" from our account. The wife had a good laugh with that one as she told the banker that she is actually stealing all my money...)
Danes love to talk American politics with you and tell you how screwed up the US is regardless of who is in power.  But if you ever try to discuss Danish politics, you are basically told you don't have the right to discuss their politics since you aren't a Dane...
Not to be sexist but women run the country and the men have all been neutered.  As a male, if you disagree with the comment or opinion that comes from a Danish woman, you get the evil glare of death or are told to F-off... The Danish men know better than to have a different opinion and just sit there and nod because they know what will happen if they disagree...
This is the basic mindset of those living in the Scandinavian countries called the the "Law of Jante":

You're not to think you are anything special.
You're not to think you are as good as we are.
You're not to think you are smarter than we are.
You're not to imagine yourself better than we are.
You're not to think you know more than we do.
You're not to think you are more important than we are.
You're not to think you are good at anything.
You're not to laugh at us.
You're not to think anyone cares about you.
You're not to think you can teach us anything.

Counterpoint: the women are breathtakingly gorgeous. A Nordic 6 is an American 9.5.

That’s gotta count for something.

[Brisketexan 104465]

Some Copenhagen street scenes:








And an amusing shot of the 7-11 by the Norreport train stop. Important in our family lore because last time we were there, we went out for a super fancy dinner…and the teenage boy was still hungry after. So on the way home, he made us stop at this 7-11 so he could get a burrito. A 7-11 burrito. In Denmark. Sheesh.

My favorite smorrebrod, and some others being prepared:

[tx 3 putt 76159]

I’d go back to Copenhagen to eat at NOMA again 

[Grimas 658]

28 minutes ago, tx 3 putt said:

I’d go back to Copenhagen to eat at NOMA again 

In a sec! (I used to have a connection that could get me a table easily but no mas...) Kiin Kiin is also great (Only Asian restaurant with a Michelin star)

[tx 3 putt 76159]

7 minutes ago, Grimas said:

In a sec! (I used to have a connection that could get me a table easily but no mas...) Kiin Kiin is also great (Only Asian restaurant with a Michelin star)

I’d eat there too 

[HenryJames 65868]

These Danish food pics are making me hungry for non-Danish food.

[Grimas 658]

43 minutes ago, Brisketexan said:

Counterpoint: the women are breathtakingly gorgeous. A Nordic 6 is an American 9.5.

That’s gotta count for something.

Agreed and they like to show their tits! My single friend had a blast once he invited out to never disagree with a woman.  He used to get picked up at bars all the time but finally "settled down" when he went home with a chick and found her male "partner" bottle feeding her kid and he got up and said "bang her brains out - its her night out this month...". Too much for him so he bailed...

 

[tx 3 putt 76159]

Next year there will be 12 of us with brisket and his wife 

[Grimas 658]

2 hours ago, Grimas said:

Agreed and they like to show their tits! My single friend had a blast once he invited out to never disagree with a woman.  He used to get picked up at bars all the time but finally "settled down" when he went home with a chick and found her male "partner" bottle feeding her kid and he got up and said "bang her brains out - its her night out this month...". Too much for him so he bailed...

 

invited = figured

[CooterBrown 17875]

Counterpoint: the women are breathtakingly gorgeous. A Nordic 6 is an American 9.5.

That’s gotta count for something.

The pics aren’t showing up.

And don’t tell us your wife will catch you. Just tell her up front it’s required for Surly. She’ll get it.

[elfenix 34168]

9 hours ago, Grimas said:

(Only Asian restaurant with a Michelin star)

🤔

[elfenix 34168]

World's oldest brewery happens to be within spitting distance of the Munich airport out in Freiberg. Had some cream of mushroom soup with bread dumplings as well.

Hit up the Hofbrau Haus because it's what you do. Also found this monument taken over by Michael Jackson.

[Chewbacca 7727]

On 4/24/2022 at 2:33 PM, elfenix said:

World's oldest brewery happens to be within spitting distance of the Munich airport out in Freiberg. Had some cream of mushroom soup with bread dumplings as well.

Hit up the Hofbrau Haus because it's what you do. Also found this monument taken over by Michael Jackson.

Those huge dumplings are just the worst.  Does anyone like them?  Meat and cabbage look tasty, though.