Not a "novel" idea - was done in ATL:

http://theplug.net/28/strangerphotos.htm

I lived in Germany for 14 years, always admiring the ability to take public transportation practically anywhere with high efficency. I have seen no where else in the world with the same ability.

I do hope this was an oversight on the part of the DB, as it would be a very special circumstance. And I am glad to hear that the little girl was ok in the end.

I have been there. If you are into crystal, specifically Swarovski (like my Mother), this is the Holy Grail trip. They have a room that you stand in and feel like to you are standing inside a crystal. It's pretty cool and is in a very beautiful part of the world. (I lived about a hour away, in Garmisch, Germany).

Ok - this drives me crazy. I use 2 spaces because that is what I was taught. "Who" says that is wrong? For me, two spaces indicates the definative end of the sentence (yes, I know the punctuation mark is the end, but have you ever edited a newspaper?) It "looks" better, to me, and makes me happy. If you have a problem with my extra spaces, tough....

"The worst part is that local men actually dress up like Krampus (just like many men dress up as Santa in America) and terrorize the streets."

I beg to differ - that is the best part, at least if you are of legal drinking age and enjoy running from drunk men dressed as Krumpus. I have seen grown men "beat" with whips until they bleed through their jeans and I have seen plenty of women who use their charms to get the whips from the men.....all in fun...

I miss living in Southern Germany....

***Sigh***

I lived in Germany from 1990-2004, making me an "undesireable" candidate for giving blood (due to mad cow). It's frustrating to know that I have something that could help another person, yet, I am not allowed to give...

I don't know what the game is, but how much fun it looks like! I love her dress and the relaxed atmosphere (it is a party after all!)

Congrats to the couple!

The original.

I love Time Burton and Johnny Depp, but Gene Wilder freaked me out as a kid (just like the book), so he will always be the best.

I am there! Sign me up. I hope this truly comes to fruition. I will be asking my artist about it the next time I am at the shop.

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE (cue Jason Mraz) IKEA! I currently live in Atlanta, and we have IKEA, H&M, and Trader Joe's, so I feel content! However, I used to live in Germany and since I have lived in Atlanta (4 years in the ATL, 14 years in Germany), IKEA is the one place that I truly feel at home....sad, I know, but the truth. I was there last weekend, and will be going again this weekend. This time, when I go, I will have to use my imagination to see what I can come up with in the store to use as something else besides it's designed purpose. Thanks for the post!

qwhacker - be wary of the smell in May, but flooding should not be a problem

I hope they get the Flood Controls working as soon as possible. Venice is my favorite city to visit.

This post and the article really made me want to cry.

qwhacker: Any time if year is a good time to go....

In May, depending on what towns you are near, they may be putting up the May Pole. Each town has it's own and they are replaced after several years. Big ceremony, lots of beer (hey, it's Germany).

And, since it is spring, there will be plenty of fests going on.....more beer....

What part of Germany are you visiting?

(and I am JEALOUS!)

I cannot tell you how excited I was to see this post. I lived in Southern Germany for 8 years (Garmisch to be exact). Whenever I try to explain what happens when this time of year comes around, no one believes me. Yes, it is yet another reason to fill a mass and drink, but it is also one of the most fun, yet scary Christmas traditions. The town that I went to for Krampus is Berchtesgaden. There are several "hordes" of Krampus (you can hear them coming as they have HUGE cowbells) that roam the town over, looking for people to whip. Yes, I said whip (made from long willow branches braided together). The point is to whip the bad out in order to let the good in. St. Nicolaus also roams the town with a band of merriment men (elves). So, imagine this.....every bar in town is packed with people, drinking and being merry....there are gluwein stands everywhere (alcoholic of course)....you hear the bells, you know they are coming....you try to hide behind others, so you don't get picked to be whipped, but you cannot help by watch as others get the crap whipped out of them (I can tell you stories that involve blood and jeans...)...then you go back to drinking and having a good time. Now, if you do happen to be chosen, they are supposed to "mark" you with black soot to show that you have already received your beating, but that tends to make you a target for others. For woman, the name of the game is to snag the whips from the Krampus. I'm sure you can imagine what can be done (lots of kissing under costumes). All in all, it is a fun tradition to witness, just beware of the whips! I miss living in Germany....

It's a medieval torture device. Used to "catch" witches or criminals.