What do your Sundays (Sonntag) look like?

In Germany most stores are closed on Sundays. Sundays are designated as a day of rest. This tradition has been lawfully protected by labor unions and churches in Germany.

Sunday hours are not listed window signs

Each state (Bundesländer) can decide how may Sundays stores may be open each year. It ranges from 4 to 8 per year. Its hard to believe isn't it? Coming from the US, Sunday is a day to finish errands before the week starts up again. When we first arrived in Germany I felt antsy on Sunday. There was first a sense I was missing or forgetting something, which transitioned to, I am falling behind in getting stuff done, which transitioned to, what in the world should we do today?!  Luckily it just took two Sundays till I too was enjoying the serenity of Sundays.

Join a remote control boating club with Sunday meetings

If you urgently need to buy something you can go to the larger main train stations where the stores are able to remain open, otherwise cafes, museums, gyms, churches, gas stations and movie theaters are your options.

So with all this time, what do Germans do with their Sunday of solitude? Sundays are days to meet with friends and family, visit over Kaffee und Kuchen, go for walks, bike rides, church and enjoy the scenery.

If you are feeling a bit of shopping withdrawal you can always stroll through downtown and admire some pretty architecture and shop windows with your family.

Pretty store windows to help the weekend shopper

Stroll through romantic alleys

You can do all sorts of things with your free time EXCEPT mow the lawn or use loud power tools that may disturb your neighbors tranquility or hang up your laundry outside.

You can always go for a whirl on the Autobahn!

During winter be sure to visit a frozen lake and watch ducks walk on water. They do look a bit out of place.

-Enjoy your Sonntag-

References:
http://www.verkaufsoffener-sonntag.com/verkaufsoffene-sonntage-in-den-einzelnen-bundeslaendern/
http://blogs.wsj.com/expat/2015/03/20/zzzontag-sunday-is-germanys-ode-to-silence/

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Everywhere you go......

I have been humming this tune a lot the past week. The town has been busy! The shop windows are looking festive, the city has lights strung across the downtown pedestrian shopping areas, the Christmas trees are up and the smells in the air from the Christmas Market are just starting! Deeeelicious

Fudge Stand

Gingerbread (Lebkuchen) Stand

Every year in Germany the Christmas Markets spring up in the city center squares and consist of a garden variety of stands. You can find all sorts of great gift ideas from local businesses and delicious traditional and regional cuisines. Yummmmmm...

A sausage stand

You can add toppings from the topping station

The Christmas Markets in Germany should definitely be on your bucket list. The markets begin in late November and continue everyday till Christmas eve.

Activities for kids

Cafes join the fun with blankets and outdoor heating  

Strung lights make the evening atmosphere magical

Once you're chilled and need a tasty, steaming beverage to warm up with, remember to sip some Glühwein (mulled wine) with a friend :) Here is a recipe link in case you can't wait that long!

Glühwein- http://allrecipes.com/recipe/20538/gluehwein/

Frohe Weihnachten!