It's Spargelzeit! (The Trouble with Spargel)

Although I have lived in Germany for many years, there are still lots of things about German culture that puzzle me.  
Why is there no speed limit on some motorways?
Who on earth decided that a mobile phone should be called a "handy" (pronounced hendy)?
Why are Germans so obsessed with “krimis” (in other words, thrillers)?
But most troubling of all is:
Why do Germans get so excited about white asparagus? 
When I say excited, I mean over-the-top ecstatic.

Typical stall selling white asparagus

 

Strawberries I can understand... cherries I can understand, but tasteless white asparagus?!?

After all the years I've lived in Germany (I’ve already reached my tenth anniversary), I still have no idea what the fuss is all about. 

One of the typical ways of eating Spargel - as they are called here - is drenched in hollandaise sauce, which says a lot about their taste. In fact, you need a really good dressing to be able to taste anything at all.

Having said that, asparagus soup is all right I suppose...

Some devoted German Spargel eaters have tried to make their case, but whatever they say I just don't get it. Or at least I think it’s more about the fact that Spargel is synonymous with spring and good weather rather than good taste. 

Personally I believe that you have to be either German or have grown up in Germany to really appreciate white asparagus.

In any case I have a feeling that the question will continue to trouble me for many more white asparagus seasons to come.

It's a dog's world

Darling come back!
Not so fast!
Stop!
This way!
Be a good boy (or girl)!  
Well done! 
Aren't you a sweetie pie...
Wait for me! 
Slow down!
Don't put that into your mouth. Spit it out!
STOOOOOP! COME BAAACK!  I said NO!!! 


Have you ever heard someone talking to their dog and wondered whether they might instead be talking to a child?
If you have, then that's at least two of us.

I'm not sure what is more disturbing: the fact that people talk to their dogs the way parents talk to their children or the fact that parents communicate with their children the way humans talk to dogs???

In fact, until I became a parent myself, I never realised how much parents and dog owners have in common: 

• They can't just go on holiday whenever they like.
• They need babysitters (or dogsitters).
• They need to make special trips to the paediatrician (or vet).
• Dogs have leashes - children have walking reins.
• Children and dogs like making a mess, but their parents and owners are not so keen to clean up after them.
• Parents and dog owners get lots of free exercise and fresh air.
• Parents always talk about their children - dog owners always talk about their dogs.

As far as I can tell the main differences are

• Dogs don't shout "Ich bin nicht müde; Ich will wach bleiben!" (I am not tired; I want to stay awake!") at bedtime.
• Your dog is always happy to see you - that's not always the case with your child.
• Chocolate is toxic to dogs, but addictive to children.
• Dogs don't lie (but mummy said I could watch a cartoon!!!)
• You can train a dog (having said that, I know some German parents that have done a pretty good job of training their children)
•  And a parent would never say: "Don't worry: he's not dangerous!" when their child runs up to a stranger.

 

To bio or not to bio

When it comes to organic shopping, we Berliners are absolutely spoiled for choice. I have counted over 80 (yes eight zero) organic supermarkets in Berlin. In my neighbourhood alone there are more than a dozen different organic supermarkets, bakeries and grocery shops. This does not include the local weekly markets and the ever-growing organic selection offered by all the traditional supermarkets, as well as the low-cost chains. So you can imagine my bewilderment when this bio-monster (see picture on the right-hand side) recently emerged, complete with white and green balloons.  Do we really need ANOTHER organic supermarket?!?

It seems that the answer is a loud and clear yes.
Berliners' appetite for organic products (be it vegetables, dairy products, soaps and detergents, water or toilet paper) keeps getting bigger and bigger.  Given the composition of the typical Prenzlauer Berg residents: families with small children, young professionals, ecofreaks, health fanatics, vegans, earth conscious dog owners... the emergence of yet another organic supermarket is not entirely unexpected. What I found more surprising was the appearance of a large organic supermarket on Sonnennallee in Neukölln - it definitely stands out amid the Turkish grocery shops, bakeries, doner kebabs, shisha cafés and shops selling colourful bridal wear. More recently I was even more astonished to witness the dramatic change of Antonplatz in Weissensee, where two large organic supermarket chains have opened shiny local branches and another one is opening just down the road. The word "expansion" features prominently on the websites of all the big organic supermarket chains and some even ask for suggestions as to where to expand next. So Marzahn watch this space!

Is organic booming where you live as well?