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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Today while you gather with friends and family, making burgers and having cold drinks…..Please take a moment to think about those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, past and present.   Say a small prayer, sending loving thoughts, whatever you believe to those currently serving in lands far from home and the families whose hearts await their safe return.

Today and always they are in my heart.

The photo above I captured in Normandy France while working for the U.S. Army’s 1st Infantry Division.  I was tasked to travel with a group of Soldiers as they performed Memorial day ceremonies through out the country.  In this image we are standing on the bluff above Omaha beach, reading the names of 1st Infantry Division soldiers who died there in WWII.  I think the steady rain, hid most of our tears.

God bless and keep them all.

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.

Suddenly I saw a large blue colored bird flit down and land in his hand.  The whole thing happened so fast and I was so perplexed by the action that I never even lifted my camera.  Of course I was a twitter with excitement as well as the dog that I thought the bird would just fly away.

There he sat, just a bit out of reach in a bush so my husband handed me a dog treat to see if he would repeat his visit.  Instantly this large, and rather heavy bird I might add, landed in my hand.  Fearing I would chase him off, I slowly and carefully lifted the camera with my free arm and started to shoot.  He really seemed to enjoy the attention.

He stayed with us till the dog cookies ran out which was but a few minutes but that moment will stay with us forever.  His simple visit lifted our hearts and made for one of the best Christmas gifts we received this year.

I now carry a few suet and bird seed balls in one of my many pockets in my coat to hang about the forest when I am out on my walks…just to return the kind gesture.

For some more images of this amazing experience please click and enlarge the flickr slideshow at this link:

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

Happy New Year 2010!