So today Clover my dog and I dropped in for a few minutes to see if we could catch a photo or two of the Obama’s as they toured the races…we were lucky enough to get pretty close to the red carpet as they had a rather young security detail.

The Dragons have returned once again to our little sleepy bend in the Neckar river. Ladenburg hosted the 6th annual Dragon Boats races with 55 teams from local areas competing. The atmosphere was alive, especially because our long running heatwave broke the evening before the races, thus encouraging everyone to come and participate.

Our small stretch of beach was also transformed into Tropical beach bars with bonfires lighting up the night sky. It seemed like just about everyone came to party in Ladenburg this weekend.

I have been lucky enough to photograph 4 of the 6 years of this event and each year it gets more fun. This year, I tried to find a new perspective and came prepared with my amazing Keen waterproof shoes. I just walked right into the cool Neckar river, creating a very unique perspective to capture my shots.

So I am really hoping you enjoy this slide show of images I put together to share with you.

So yesterday I had a thought, how about we not only celebrate the amazing country we fortunate to call home, but in the light of the catastrophe in the Gulf….why not make it an Independence from Oil day.

We decided we needed a few things to round out our festive 4th of July meal and so we pulled out our bikes and peddled our way to our local farms.  Most of the year the farms are closed on Sunday but demand is high in the Summer months so they do things “Self Service.”  Even Farmers need to rest on the 7th day.

Selbstbedienung is one of my favorite German words…it simply means, Self Service.  Back home in the US we call it the honor system.

We here at BTI hope you enjoyed an amazing Independence Day, full of friends, family, fireworks and FREEDOM!
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In Spring time all around Germany there are parades celebrating the battle of the Summer Sun over Winter.

A few weeks ago I attended the city of Heidelberg’s Sommer Parade because a friend of ours plays the role of Winter King each year.

What an exciting and colorful event after many months of darkness. A parade travels up the main street in Heidelberg, wheeling along a giant paper figure of the Winter King and the excited children follow along carrying their colorful wands decorated with pretzels and eggs.

Once the parade arrives in front of the town hall, the eerie white figure of the Winter King carrying his sword ready for battle, slinks out of the building and into the crowd. The children obviously hold their breath at his entrance. Following quickly behind him is the elegant golden figure of Summer.

Upon a stage surrounded by excited children Summer and Winter battle. Thankfully Summer wins and the large paper representation of the Winter King is set a blaze to the happy cheers of children. Then the first birds to arrive here in Germany apparently, the crows dance about.

It was a wonderful experience and at the very end everyone is given a pretzel to eat.

I hope you enjoy the slideshow of images and don’t forget to cheer on Summer!

Happy Easter to you all!

I find this a fascinating season. Symbolism is everywhere. no matter your beliefs. We have been blessed to live in many different areas of Germany and as different the landscape so diverse are their customs.

We once took an apartment in a sleepy little village in the Franconian region near Würzburg. One morning we woke to an incredible racket. We raced to the windows to find groups of young children with large wooden box like rattles strapped to their chests, chanting and rattling their “instruments”. My husband and are were flummoxed. Later that day we just HAD to ask…first of all…how long would this be going on and WHAT THE HECK was this all about??!!

It was explained to us first of all…”Did you not know you took an apartment in a Catholic village?”. Apparently, at this time of year, Easter, the bells of all the churches go back, (theoretically) to the Vatican and are blessed. So, it is the job of the village children to “recreate” the bells. These children also go do to do asking for donations for various charities.

Currently I live in a town along the Neckar River in Baden Württemburg, near Mannheim. We are at the foot of the Odenwald forest. In this region they are keeping alive the tradition of the Osterbrunnen or Easter Wells. Easter is a holiday where you can see the obvious mix of Pagan and Christian symbolism most clearly and these Wells remind us all of an earlier time. All town wells are decorated ornately with colored eggs, greens and Spring blooms. Some can be as large as 15 feet tall and are quite impressive. For me this year, the most touching display of Springs rebirth, I found on a wander in the Odenwald.

While taking a friend to see a location for some photography, we passed by some remote fountains where people still take water daily. There on this stone fountain head, thickly carpeted with moss, were small tokens of thankfulness to the one who provides all our Earthly bounties. Small posies in colorful bowls and hand painted jars, were secretly left by pilgrims on their way into the forest. Whatever your beliefs…these cultural differences are fascinating.

I am attempting to do some iPhone Videos, to help share my world with you. Let me know what you think about their addition to the blogs. Thanks so much!

Fasching or Carnival season is upon us here in Germany, Carnival is a time of frolic before the forty days of Lenten fasting.  I managed to visit two Faschingsumzug or Fasching parades in one day while visiting in the mountainous region of Garmisch.

This year I set out to capture as many traditionally carved masks and costumes as possible.  On some great advice I was able to capture images in two old Alpine villages.  My first stop at 10:30 am, was the ancient village of Farchant.  It was a bitter dark morning but laughter, joy and more than a few schnapps warmed the environment.  This parade didn’t last long, a very chilly hour perhaps and then it was back on the road again.

The sun came out about noon, which seemed to be how the days were while we were there…dark mornings revealing later the amazing Alps and rich blue skies in sunshine.

We entered the village of Krün at about 12:30 and there were a few costumed revelers wandering about with their carts full of schnapps and Krapfen, (jelly doughnut).  For 2 euros you would get a shot and a stamp on the back your hand which we figured out later gave you cheaper drinks and a great way to get out of buying more drinks from the forceful sales women.  All in fun, these women, some even on balloon festooned bicycles, sold their wares with the funds going towards next years festival.  For my husband who isn’t a big drinker, (I am always the one sacrificing my liver for anthropological reasons) discovered he could just show the ladies his already stamped hand and they would leave him in peace.

Many of these costumes pre-date Christianity and are of pagan origin.  They were originally created as a way to chase away the evil spirits of Winter and awakening Spring.   Since most of the Earth is covered in snow these days with this crazy Winter we are having….I hope these images help bring a sunny Spring to you soon.

For more information on this colorful ancient holiday stop by and read a few great sites I found:
harwoodgruss
History of Fasching

Please Click the link below to view a slideshow of images from the parades.

When I first moved to Germany I was fascinated by the symbols scribbled in chalk above most houses in the village.  Luckily on e day while I was home around January 6th a group of children rang my door bell.  To my surprise there were 4 children, 3 dressed like the Three Kings of the bible and one was holding a large star.  They sang some songs while one of the Kings clutching an incense burner, scented my whole hallway with the ancient scent of frankincense and Myrrh.

When they finished the tallest child reached up and in chalk market these letters and numbers above my door…20 + C + M + B + 10.  Each letter represented the names of the Kings, Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar and the numbers, the year.  I have also heard it also means “Christus mansionem benedicat” (Christ bless this house).

It is these touching small town old world moments that move me and each year I look forward to seeing which village children will get the great honor to be this years Kings.

If you are interested in reading more about this tradition in Germany here is a great link:
Epiphany in Germany

Sunday, Dec 6 th here in Germany all the little children awake to find that Saint Nicolas visited their homes and filled their boots full of wonderful things.  Most times those gifts are bright shinny apples and colorful oranges.

I found this wonderful description on a website  “The Saint Nicolas Center” and I want to share it here with you.

“In Roman Catholic areas of southern Germany, such as Bavaria, Sankt Nikolaus still comes as a bishop with flowing beard and a bishop’s miter and staff. Houses are thoroughly cleaned and children clean and polish their shoes or boots in preparation for the saint’s visit. On the evening before St. Nicholas Day, children put letters to the good saint along with carrots or other food for his white horse or donkey on a plate or in their shoes. These are left outside, under the bed, beside a radiator, or on a windowsill in hopes of finding goodies from St. Nicholas the next morning. During the night Sankt Nikolaus goes from house to house carrying a book in which all the children’s deeds are written. If they have been good, he fills their plate, shoe or boot with delicious fruits, nuts and candies. If not, they may find potatoes, coal, or twigs.

Children practice poems and songs for Sankt Nikolaus and make little presents for him. Friends and neighbors come to share in the fun. Candles on the Advent wreath and the big Christmas pyramid with a nativity scene in the center are lit. Stories are read or songs sung as everyone waits for a knock on the door. When it comes, they all know it is Sankt Nikolaus, who comes in with his big book, golden crozier, and a big heavy sack. One of the children gets to hold the golden staff. Each child (and sometimes adults, too) stand in front of the saint. Nikolaus asks each child, “Have you behaved yourself?” “Do you do your homework?” “Do you keep your room tidy?” “Do you help your parents?” Then he opens his big sack and gives presents and candies and treats for all to share. And they give him the little surprises. Nikolaus leaves quickly as he has many places to visit. He travels with a white horse or a donkey and sometimes Ruprecht, his most common German companion, is with him.”

Last evening while walking into the Christmas market in my town I saw in all the shop windows, tiny clean boots with little notes describing who they belonged to, their age and where they live.  I asked a shop keeper about them and he told me that today the children will find which shop has their boot and with excited faces, they will find out what Saint Nicolas left for each of them.  He told me a large bag of goodies.

Here’s hoping you remembered to put your boots out and that they and your life are filled with wondrous JOY!

Happy St. Nicolas day to you all!
St.Nicolas