Advent

Today is the second Advent, which Germans observe.  We've indirectly mentioned Advent before, but haven't done a post about it.  The four Sundays before Christmas are the 4 Advents.  They observe them by lighting a candle, sometimes on a wreath on the table.  On the first Advent you light 1 candle, the second you light 2 candles, etc.  Advent calendars are also popular.  You open one door each day, from December 1 to 24.  They either have a Christmas-related picture behind the door or a piece of chocolate.

Happy Halloween!

In case you don't know, it's Totoro and the cat bus (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096283/).

Fall

I thought there should be some mention of three excellent things about Germany in the fall: fresh-pressed apple cider at the market, free apples, and neue wein ("noy-a vine"). Apples and apple cider are not specific to Germany, but I look forward them. A stand at the twice-weekly market starts making apple cider in the fall and continues for a few months. There are apple trees planted on public land, which is genius. I mentioned neue wein once before, but didn't explain much (you could also read the wikipedia article I linked to). Wine makers make it when they start harvesting grapes, so it's only available for a short time in the fall. You have to drink it within a few days of making it, because otherwise it will ferment too much. It has less alcohol than wine, so it's more like grape juice, which I like very much. Germans, at least in certain regions, eat it with Zwiebelkuchen (onion tart), which is also seasonal. I personally don't think onions should be a main ingredient, but many people would disagree with me.

Things You Don't See in the US #12

Lederhosen and Dirndl, collectively known as Trachten (traditional costumes).  It's Oktoberfest!  Normal stores sell them this time of year. 

Another Visit from a Politician

Peer Steinbrück visited Ulm yesterday.  He is the main challenger for Chancellor.  There was a different setup than for Angela Merkel, so I was able to get slightly better pictures.

Die Kanzlerin

German Chancellor Angela Merkel visited Ulm today. Elections are in September. I didn't get very good pictures.

Fischerstechen

We went to see the Fischerstechen last weekend.  It only happens every four years.  It's like jousting on canoes.  The competitors and others parade through town beforehand and do some dances in some of the squares.  The competitors play different people from Ulm's (and Neu-Ulm's) history and townspeople, such as Emperor Karl V, the King of Bavaria, farmers, and jesters. New this year were the Sparrow (a symbol of Ulm) vs Albrecht Berblinger, who tried to fly across the Danube.  The winner, i.e., the one who stayed standing the most, was the King of Württemberg, so he will face this week's winner.
UPDATE: The King of Württemberg beat the King of Bavaria in the final.