Ribbons Undone

It is an understatement to say that Fußball in Germany (and Europe in general) is popular. During the World Cup, it is CRAZY. Maybe because it happens only every 4 years? And why is it not that popular in the States? Especially since so many kids there grow up playing it- I mean, the term “soccer Mom” has to come from somewhere, right?

The World Cup seems to be the only time when Germans outwardly show their national pride by flying their flag (VERY different from America – where we fly our flags everywhere all year long).

Here’s a picture of Quinnie during the last World Cup when she was 3 (in San Diego). Opa was kind enough to send us some Germany gear.

I haven’t been very good about taking pics of all the craziness here- but here are some…

Most of the kids here have these German Fußball team binders that you get from your local Rewe grocery store. Inside it shows pictures of the whole 2014 German Fußball team. Every time you go grocery shopping they hand out a stack of collectible cards of all the different players. They are wrapped so you don’t know who you’ll get. The object of the game is to collect all of the team players and put them in their proper spots in the binder. Then you have a keepsake to remember the 2014 World Cup forever. Quinnie’s pretty into it- Kiera not so much (this year at least).

chocolate soccer balls

If you think American sport stars are paid a ridiculous amount of money, you don’t want to know how much Fußball stars make here! It crazy (in my opinion).

In Simon’s bathroom at work…

Lots of products at the grocery store have been specially repackaged for the World Cup

Even Coke and Snickers are in on it! (among MANY others)

Check out these Cokes that are specially packaged for the World Cup. (And check out my crazy husband behind them!).

This is what they look like unwrapped- each can has a German team player name on it!

“Dribble King”

Check this link out– it’ll give you an idea of what a big deal the World Cup is here…

Yesterday was the big game between Germany and America. This was on the front page of the newspaper (above). It loosely translates to “Crush the Americans, boys!” While the Germans won (1-0) I am happy to say that they didn’t “crush” America like so may thought they would. Simon said that the German team is technically much better but that the Amis had a strong defense. I couldn’t watch the game- I can’t handle the stress.

Below is a pic I took at Kiera’s school. They had a big board where the parents could bet on what the final score of the game would be.

As you can see, expectations for the Amis (I love that nickname for Americans by the way) weren’t very high. So America makes it into the next round and gets to play again!

This is what Kiera thinks of all of the hubbub (below). Simon took this pic of her while they were watching a game. Neither of the girls is that into it this year. If we are still living here in 4 years for the next World Cup (they’ll be 9 and 11 then!)- it will be interesting to see if they’re more into it then. I have a feeling they will be- having been immersed in this crazy Fußball culture!

Go Amis!!!

Here are some pics that didn’t make it into any of the other Bavarian posts…

On the way there and back were hundreds of miles of these yellow flower fields on both sides of the Autobahn (intermittently interrupted by cute little villages- often with cute little castles upon their hills). I looked the yellow flowers up when I got home and there were a few options that they could be- I think it’s Rapeseed though. Beautiful.

So many times I wanted to pull over and get photos but we had 6 hours of driving to get through with 2 kids so we just steamrolled right through. The girls actually did GREAT during the driving. We only stopped once for a potty break. They hardly complained at all. And this is WITHOUT any movies or games on phones, etc. Just looking at the views out the window and talking to entertain us. I remember reading Annie Leibovitz’s autobiography where she talked about her family going on innumerable road trips when she was growing up. She said that all of those countless hours of looking out the car windows was the beginning of her seeing the world framed through a lens (the lens being her car window). I always thought that was interesting.

The next 6 pics were hastily snapped from our car as we drove by…

check out those wood stacks!

We saw a few villages with no paved roads- just grass.

little church on a hill

Onion dome churches everywhere!

All over Germany (especially in Bavaria) you’ll see these strange markings in chalk written on doorways. These are marked on Epiphany (Jan. 6th)- celebrating the arrival of the Magi visiting newborn Jesus. In addition to being the initials of the 3 wise men (Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar), the letters also stand for the Latin phrase Christus mansionem benedicat-“May Christ bless this house.” The little crosses separating the letters remind all who enter that the house has been blessed in the year (20+14, etc.- depending on the year). Those who donate to charities get their doors chalked up in thanks, and the marks are left on the door. (I got this information from Rick Steve’s Germany book- which I HIGHLY recommend).

this one’s on Quinnie’s school door

Had to pull over and get a pic of this (just down the road from the farm where Simon used to vacation as a kid).

Simon spotted this- check out the hats on the road crew (you can click to enlarge)

even their garages are cool

Papa cuddles

The girls loved playing with this huge stone ball that floats on water that you could spin (in a fountain in Garmisch).

Happy Girl

in Garmisch-Partenkirschen

Window shopping in Oberammergau.

Kiera’s drawing of us leaving our home (The Weckschnapp) and driving to Bavaria.

Quinnie’s drawing of The Alps

Kiera’s drawing of The Alps.

Whew! Finally done posting for our Bavarian vacation. I should make it easier on myself on our next vacation and not take so many photos, but I can’t seem to help myself! I hope these posts do their job and keep these wonderful family memories alive for our girls. Hope you enjoyed them also!

Fußball Fever!

Last Bavarian Vacation Post- Random Pics