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Lost in Translation

There are a lot of unique expressions in German that don´t translate well into English. I´m sure you have heard of some, the word Wanderlust recently became a popular German word that was adopted into the English language - to the point where you will hardly hear a German use it. It´s the desire to wander. Another German term that you might here is Ohrwurm or ´ear worm,´ which just sounds gross in English - but it´s what a German would call a song that easily gets stuck in your head (or your ear, I guess). One of my personal favorites is Fernweh, which directly translated means distance pain; it is the antonym to ´home sickness´ or Heimweh. Fernweh is a general longing to be somewhere else, or to go on vacation. That restless feeling you get when you want to travel (yes, this term is very similar to Wanderlust, but more likely to be used by a German). Another great term is Kummerspeck, which stands for the weight you´ve gained through emotional eating. Kummer meaning something like sorrow and Speck meaning fat (or Bacon, in case you ever see the term on a menu). Or maybe you know someone with a Backpfeifengesicht, I know that´s a mouthfull: I´d say it´s pronounced something like Bak-Feif-En-Geh-SiCHt. The ´CH´ is prounced like a cat hissing. This is a term for someone who has a face that´s just begging to be punched. Yep, we all know there´s that one guy or gal whose face is just irritating to us. So now you have a word for it.

Despite the fact that the English language is full of its own expressions, there are still phrases, and especially jokes, that can´t be translated. As a student of Anthropology (the study of human kind; culture, linquistics, archeology, etc.) I have discussed this topic in great depth with my bilingual mother. She said that because German is her Muttersprache or ´mother language´ - which is again, one of those phrases you can´t really translate, that it´s often easier for her to find the right words in German. Jokes, in particular, are hard for her to bring over, because Germany has a different Witzkultur or ´joke´ culture than America does. Something you may realize if you´ve ever heard the prank calls on the German radio (yes, that´s what that is) or seen the absurd political floats in a parade. To summarize I´d like to include a quote from Laura Ahearn´s book Living Language: An Introduction to Linguistic Anthropology.

"Every time a child, adolescent, or adult enters a new school, region of the country, religious community, profession, or other social group, the general process of becoming socialized into that community is accomplished largely through linguistic interactions and is often accompanied by the learning of new words or usages. Conversely, as people gradually become competent members of a new community, their relationship to both written and spoken language often changes."

I hope you can all enjoy your time in Germany, embracing the challenges and changes that can occur when living in a new country. It´s a wonderful experience, and there are many things to see, do, and learn!

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Mawell Resort

An extremely classy resort. Thanks to the open design and the integration of the hotel to the nature, guests experience another world! The slogan "It Starts Here" allows you to suddenly forget your everyday life, and the forest-infinity pool gives you the opportunity to relax completely.

Arrival

Approximately 60 miles from Stuttgart, you find Germany´s most beautiful infinity pool. If you plan to visit the Landesgartenschau in Öhringen, why don´t you come here afterwards for a nice relaxing stay.

Already leaving the highway, you will slowly start to relax. The remaining drive takes you through small villages, valleys, meadows and woodlands. Finally, you will reach Langenburg, the smallest town in Baden-Württemberg. A short time later you will arrive at the Mawell ResortR16;s parking lot and breathe in the fresh country air.

Above the entrance is to be read "It starts here", we are up for it, and entered the building. Here already a member of staff is available to take your luggage to the front desk with a golf cart. Should nobody be present, you can, if required, contact the reception for someone to pick up your luggage.

The approximately 100m long entrance area eventually leads you directly to the reception. The room is large, open and bright. Located behind the front desk, you find the large spa area which extends over three floors. Although the reception is integrated in the spa area, the areas are well separated from each other.

The staff is very friendly, will explain the different floors to you, meal times and take you to the room.

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Landesgartenschau (County Horticultural Show) in Öhringen

Do you want to experience a nice day with the family?

Fun, adventure, interesting facts, tranquility, shopping, and enjoyment. All that can be found at the Landesgartenschau in Öhringen! For the adults, there are suggestions for your own garden, gardens that delight the eye, music and a beach bar that invite you to relax. For children there are several playgrounds, hands-on activities and a climbing course with Flying Fox (attraction).

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The Euro Cup 2016 “Public Viewings"

With the Union of European Football Associations European Soccer Championship OR The Euro Cup // Europäische Meisterschaft (EM) starting this June, you might hear or see the term "Public Viewing" quite frequently. You might hear/see this on the radio, at a bar, a restaurant, or in the paper. If you are unfamiliar with the term, it might cause quite a bit of confusion. So to clear things up, here´s everything you need to know about celebrating the EM in Germany this summer. Well, not everything but here are the basics:

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American BBQ and Root Beer float in Stuttgart at TC BBQ

American BBQ and Root Beer

I like to say I am a person of food and culture. I have been fortunate enough to have traveled most of my life and have had amazing experiences with different people. My love for food came from the basic need of wanting to eat something good.

I attended culinary school in Washington D.C. While in school I did some catering and worked multiple venues throughout the district. After graduation, just as I was finding my way in the culinary world, the opportunity to live in Germany presented itself.

Since being here in Stuttgart, I have taken in the German food culture and also what Europe has to offer for the culinary world. Everyday I stay connected with food trends and take every opportunity to cook, travel and eat.

I never thought that I would ever have an actual root beer float in Germany, let alone order one in a German restaurant. So needless to say I was pleasantly surprised when I saw an A&W root beer float on the menu at TC Original American BBQ.

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