Butcher. Baker. Candlestickmaker.

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When teasing about Germany’s superiority, I often remark how even German kids are just, well…more precious somehow. Perhaps there’s something about their mannerisms. I still have yet to put my finger on it exactly, but after two weeks of living here, I can offer at least 2 concrete examples of my German little dumpling adoration:

1) their shoes. playful, leather, pouch-like slip-ons to cuddle the toesies.
2) their use of play-doh.

Now, what American kid could use an entire cup of the stuff to produce only items found in a “Metzgerei” - or butcher? We had long wursts, short wursts, sweet, sour, fat, thin, herbed, spiced, linked and Bavarian specialties. Thilo, the 6-year-old kid I get to cohabitate with, could have used two cups of red play-doh and still not have molded or named all of the cuts he knows.

Generally speaking, there’s something in the specialization of work here in Germany that demands pride and perhaps glory. I suppose it could also lead to compartmentalization.

For, in play-dohing (I love how German allows making a verb out of just about anything) we could not begin making “Brezeln” or baguette or one of the 500 different kinds of grain breads without first shutting down the Metzgerei. I was indeed happier to be “Baecker,” baker, and astounded even myself with the delicacy of my play-doh pretzel-making abilities.

Photos of Bakers and Candlestickmakers to come. Not to mention German cows. Speaking of cows and the flexibility of this sexy language, did you all know that in 1999, the new "longest word of the year" was prompted by mad cow disease?

Rindfleischetikettierungsüberwachungsaufgabenübertragungsgesetz (63 letters)

meaning: beef labeling regulation & delegation of supervision law. i have yet to see an "oko" or "bio" vegetable law with such a hefty, impressive title.

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Photos

Butcher.
he was just getting started...

superhero free demo
as if he got his wardrobe from marvel, this guy was no joking around when slicing, dicing, skinning. a lot less guck then splattered in senegal, but also took a lot more time. i don't think i'll be making use of his tips

coffee, cake and of course...
bier!
bizarre with this garten, instead of oom-pahs, there was charlie mingus being played by a 3-piece ensemble. go figure. this haut couture of west berlin...

the skinheads...
well. while i clearly don't agree with their arbitrary selection of privileged mammals...some of their philosophy makes for uplifting graffiti.