Some sweet memories from the city of light…

Macaroons Kissing.

 

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Paris I breathe you in….

 

Just back from trip to France where we visited both Paris and  Fontainebleau ( a short train right outside Paris). It was really the best of both worlds as we spent some time in the forest climbing and also got to have some time in the city of lights.

 

 

Although I try to stay vegetarian, I will make exceptions. I was of course not disappointed.

 

 

To say that France is more relaxed than Germany is well…correct. Perhaps the trains don’t run on time, but everything else makes up for it in milestones. The bread, quiches, pastries, are heavenly. Fashion exists, and I just feel more myself there.

 

 

 

Frühstück der Könige (Breakfast of the Kings)

Germans really do it up for a good breakfast or brunch. I’m always ravenous in the mornings so I truly enjoy the one meal it seems they actually take serious. All the different  meats, cheeses, brotchens, croissants, chocolate croissants, butter, nutella, yogurt, fruit, it’s just not lacking. Scrambled eggs, hard boiled? They do that too. I personally like an Aperol Spritz with this spread. A Mimosa however, you’ll need to ask for as Orangensaft mit Sekt or have a beer.

We also enjoyed a few of these charming lux breakfasts at a close Bavarian’s friend home recently…sehr lecker. If anything it’s taught me how to host a wild brunch at some point myself!

The Magical Power of Belgique Pommes

I like to take it up a notch, if there are Christmas Markets to go to, let’s for sure go to those near Castles. We are in Germany….

After a brief but steep walk up to the entrance, we passed the usual handcrafts, medieval this and that, candles, but really it’s all about the hot Glühwein and food stands.  It was then I  saw the Pommes in their hands, beyond the entrance of Schloss Drachenburg’s Christmas Market,  I spotted them. “Belgique Frites” (Belgian style). Yes, absolutely, I had to have them.

After a near 45 minute wait in line, being of course pushed obnoxiously this way and that with not the faintest “Entschuldigung” (sorry) , we remained with our eyes ahead towards the golden deliverance of pommes in our near future. Getting used to the shoving and pushing goes without question here. It’s the brutal reality of the German way.   The girl behind us in line bailed after 15 minutes.  We held out though. These Belgique Frites were exceptional, and tasted extraordinaire with mayo and next to a good beverage.

What I find worth noting about this specific Christmas Market (only held 2 weekends in December), is you can literally take your food or beverage with you and go stand outside the castle, cup or food in hand, with a dreamy view of the Rhine…sehr schön.

La Dolce Vita in the Alps

Italy is like a sweet and endearing friend who always welcomes me back with open arms.  The village of San Martino, Val di Mello, where we ventured for the outdoors  and general disconnect from our German world,  was nothing short of heaven. Stunning views, dramatic mountains and turquoise blue waters that made it feel like a dream I wished to not wake up from.

Ethereal turquoise color.

Ginseng Espresso from bar Kundaluna in San Martino, Val di Mello.

A rainy day called for some down time in a chill  bohemian style bar in  town. Café exploration happened  in the form of a Ginseng Espresso. A state of Zen in a cup you can’t find in Deutschland.  The local dried beef, Bresaola , was also a winner and a must to try while in this area.

Oscar, our doxie, had no problems taking it easy at the bar.

There is just something transcendental about wandering cobblestone streets and drinking pristine water from beautiful little fountains. How could there not be? This is perhaps my most revered detail of la dolce vita. Instead of looking for the next bottle of water from a market or filling one up with horrible tasting tap water, you always have access to pure water. Drinking from these fountains whenever I please is close to fairytale living. Good water is the basis for everything. Seems simple.

Now that we are back, I feel refreshed and am looking forward to my evening German language course again.  Crazy, right? Oh dearest Germany, despite your cleanliness, well maintained landscape and orderliness, I believe it’s quite crucial to one’s wellbeing to venture down south for a break when possible, …Bis später!

Biergartening

Last weekend we ventured to a large park area with a biergarten.

When the sun is out,  it’s kind of a must to get outside when this happens (it can be a serious balmy and depressing hue of grey intermixed with sunshine even in the summer which drives me crazy). Do I like beer? No, I much prefer wine…but they seem to generally have a decent dry white wine at most places at least, so I can handle it.

Making our way by bike I realized how many people on bikes here young and old, use this as a definite means of transport and so some are not taking a leisurely ride. They are cruising at a fast speed.  You have to be really aware of this, and make sure to get out of the way when necessary.I’m not much of a beer drinker but I do like wine,  and they always seem to have a dry white wine to my liking.  The almost inconceivable picturesque green in these parks. when the sun is out is amazing. Couple this with a good sparkling beverage and you’re set.

I discovered the Germans version of a white wine spritzer accidentally when ordering with my bad Deutsch accent and was delivered a Weiss wein Schorle. Since I don’t really drink beer, these biergartens had previously annoyed me. I now had discovered a way to fit in, Weiss wein Schorles. Perfect.

Eating is a big deal here, which is a good thing since my world has always revolved around food.  I like that you can generally always count on at least some kind of tasty tidbits to nosh on when you go out to a bar, be it Pommes Frites, Currywurst, and bread.  This time I chose the currywurst and was not displeased. One of the best I’ve had here so far.

2 Schorles later, back on bikes ( much more relaxed)  as we headed home towards the setting sun…not the Tuscan sun, but it will do for now.