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General Category => General Talk => Topic started by: Summoner on November 09, 2008, 11:17:55 pm

Title: So anybody from or been to Germany?
Post by: Summoner on November 09, 2008, 11:17:55 pm: So yeah, after I leave my USAF tech school at the end of march my first duty assignment is Ramstein AFB, Sembach Annex near Kaiserslautern, Germany. I'm extremely excited because the main reason I joined the military was to go overseas and I'm wondering what I can expect from this place.

If you could give me any info on living in germany or things to do,places I should visit and such as well things I should know in general, it would be greatly appreciated.
Title: So anybody from or been to Germany?
Post by: Lyndon on November 09, 2008, 11:21:04 pm: yeah I went Berlin this summer. It's completely badass. Out of all the places in Europe I went this year, Germany is probably my favourite (Poland being the worst)

Everywhere I went in Berlin seemed to sell cocktails, so if you like cocktails it'll help
Title: So anybody from or been to Germany?
Post by: Vesper on November 09, 2008, 11:30:19 pm: the beer is cheap

all you need to know
Title: So anybody from or been to Germany?
Post by: Wash Cycle on November 10, 2008, 12:50:00 am: ich spreche deutsch aber habe ich niemals da drüben gegangen oder gewohnt :(

seit ich nicht in ein deutsch Klasse bin, ich werde es alles vergessen. und meine nutzungsform ist schlecht, ebenso wie immer. ich habe am jeden tag nicht benutzt so ich werde slechter bekommen :(

I dont really know anything about living in germany. It seems like a pretty cool place and all the people I know that have lived there really like it there, but it just seems so conservative and GAHMAN to me. Dunno if I could do it

but yeah cheap good beer for sure
Title: So anybody from or been to Germany?
Post by: Farren on November 10, 2008, 01:01:11 am: I heard its cold as shit. Haven't been there yet but thats about all I know.
Title: So anybody from or been to Germany?
Post by: crone_lover720 on November 10, 2008, 01:22:08 am: That's in west germany? I've been to Berlin, Dresden, Regensburg and Munich, spent the most time in munich. they're all in east germany/bavaria so idk if I can help you unless you're prepared to travel pretty far. I think essian was out that way tho?
Title: So anybody from or been to Germany?
Post by: Belross on November 10, 2008, 01:37:05 am: Finally done with tech school? Didn't you say you were becoming a weatherman or whatever?

Congrats on the assignment, you got a good one. I'm jealous of people who get overseas assignments because I really really want one, but they're pretty hard to get in my career field. I had the opportunity to stay overnight in Ramstein a couple of months ago. It's difficult to get the feel of a place in only one night, but it seemed cool. Most of the people appeared to speak English, but if you ever wanted to learn a foreign language, now will be an excellent time to start. Pick up something like Rosetta Stone for some of the basics, and then when you arrive you can start to immerse yourself in ZE DEUTSCHLAND.
Title: So anybody from or been to Germany?
Post by: big ass skelly on November 10, 2008, 01:38:00 am: I've been to germany, there seemed to be a lot of ugly people there so bear that in mind

I don't know about places to go because this was a long time ago and I don't remember much. I remember I visited the cathedral in cologne though which is big and fuckin impressive
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Koelner_Dom_bei_Nacht_1_RB.JPG
I'm guessing since you're in the military though you should visit brothels and stuff not gothic cathedrals heh

Also I was only in germany for a day or two but I saw TWO CHOCOLATE FOUNTAINS while I was there so maybe fountains of chocolate are pretty common there lol
Title: So anybody from or been to Germany?
Post by: crone_lover720 on November 10, 2008, 03:36:33 am: I actually noticed P MUCH the opposite about the people there. you're kinda right about the chocolate fountains tho, that's pretty weird!!
Title: So anybody from or been to Germany?
Post by: AdderallApocalypse on November 10, 2008, 04:46:52 am: I went to Germany last summer. Actually, I only went through it on my way to Turkey, and I think it was the Munich airport I stopped it. I didn't have time to do anything there, because as soon as I stepped into the airport terminal after arriving, I had to immediately board my next plane. I remember it was fairly cool(50s or so) for being in the middle of July when I went. Otherwise, I can't tell you much more about it, except for my relatives immigrated from there and I have a strange German surname.
Title: So anybody from or been to Germany?
Post by: esiann on November 10, 2008, 04:52:41 am: well i have never been to germany but i have eaten german food so i can tell you that you should pack a coat. haha brr!

anyway i went to the same places as earl except lucerne instead of dresden and as a tourist on the other side of the country umm i liked it and the food is good if you like starch and meat. really even if you don't it should be good. the weather was nice although i've heard that bremen, which is also way far away from where you're going, is really dreary. basically this should be sweet so hooray you
Title: So anybody from or been to Germany?
Post by: Wil on November 10, 2008, 05:50:14 am: ich spreche nur ein paar deutsch, dann ich bin neue deutsch studentin. ich moechte zum Deutschland besuchen, und ich soll naechstes Jahr Deutscheland besuchen.
Quote
ich habe am jeden tag nicht benutzt so ich werde slechter bekommen
besser als mich :/

i live with 2 german guys and it's true about Berlin, it's supposed to be the most fun. Personally I would take the train and visit Amsterdam if you get time.
Title: So anybody from or been to Germany?
Post by: dada on November 10, 2008, 07:27:38 am: I've never been there but apparently Berlin is hot stuff these days. Everybody is going to Berlin and everybody loves it.
Title: So anybody from or been to Germany?
Post by: FrostyPink on November 10, 2008, 11:17:21 am: I spent a while in Germany before moving on to other Euopean countries, but it's a good place to go if you like the style of old European architecture and towns. And yes, good cheap beer.
Title: So anybody from or been to Germany?
Post by: GaZZwa on November 10, 2008, 08:11:21 pm: I've been to Berlin and Munich. Both are utterly fantastic places.
Title: So anybody from or been to Germany?
Post by: Eki on November 11, 2008, 03:22:51 pm: I've been there, but I don't really know what you should expect. I think the culture differs a lot between Bundesländer (is that how you say it? It's almost like states in the USA but really different, I think).

Und ich spreche auch ein bisschen Deutsch. Das Auto des Vaters, ich bin du bist er es sie ist wir sind ihr seid sie Sie sind. Lang, länger, am längsten.

Well, basically all you need to know in German is "Achtung Knoblauch!". Why? No reason, but it's such a cool phrase, I'm trying to spread it to the world.
Title: So anybody from or been to Germany?
Post by: esiann on November 11, 2008, 04:04:28 pm: Bundesländer, and i don't think they're that different from states in the US apart from being smaller

yeah i agree that is really cool. achtung knoblauch!! knödel hosen! käse affe?!?!?! der affe des käses?
Title: So anybody from or been to Germany?
Post by: FrostyPink on November 11, 2008, 04:52:46 pm: Quote from: esiann on November 11, 2008, 04:04:28 pm
Bundesländer, and i don't think they're that different from states in the US apart from being smaller
On the surface they seem similar, but when you dive into the cultural stuff, you find some things to be more exclusive to some countries in Europe than others and it's often to a greater degree than in the US' states. Food, language, history, art, TV and music can be harshly different going from each country, not to say the US doesn't... Just not to the same degree, I personall think.
Title: So anybody from or been to Germany?
Post by: esiann on November 11, 2008, 05:44:16 pm: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/States_of_Germany

these are the bundesländer, bundesländer are not european countries, i am confused by what you are saying
Title: So anybody from or been to Germany?
Post by: crone_lover720 on November 11, 2008, 05:55:08 pm: US states are like bundeslaender but expanded over a larger area. brandenburg and bavaria are about as different as PA and SC
Title: So anybody from or been to Germany?
Post by: FrostyPink on November 11, 2008, 05:57:48 pm: Quote from: esiann on November 11, 2008, 05:44:16 pm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/States_of_Germany

these are the bundesländer, bundesländer are not european countries, i am confused by what you are saying
I failed, but I thought you meant bundesländer as a place.
Don't worry I'll take a Banana sticker off myself.
Title: So anybody from or been to Germany?
Post by: tuxedo marx on November 11, 2008, 05:59:46 pm: i once went to germany in a lancaster bomber. it was a blast!
Title: So anybody from or been to Germany?
Post by: Herr Artischocke on November 12, 2008, 07:39:25 am: I just got back from a 6 week trip to Europe, and I was in Germany for 4 of those weeks. I went to a handful of amazing cities and took about 2000 pictures. Germany is gorgeous, but the people are very harsh and cold; if you can speak some German they will be more polite. Germany can be very expensive, especially in some of the more popular cities like Berlin and Munich, but if you get a monthly bus/train ticket and book trips to great cities in advance, you can get great deals.

Some tips:

* ALWAYS BUY A TICKET FOR THE CABLE CAR/TRAIN. The Deutsche Bahn workers don't patrol much, but if they do, and you are caught without a ticket, they charge you a 40 Euro fine. I learned this the hard way.
* Almost everything is closed on Sundays.
* There are ICE and IC (bullet) trains that go around 250 miles an hour that can take you all across Germany and even to nearby countries like France, Belgium, Netherlands, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, and Denmark within a few hours.
* Stay in youth hostels, as they are the cheapest accommodation in Germany. A room in a dorm will run you at 15 - 35 Euro per night. Hotels are extremely expensive.
* I have included a price guide. A single $ sign is cheap. $$ is good. $$$ is expensive. $$$$ is a fortune.

Now for pictures of the cities I visited: Düsseldorf, Köln (Cologne), Koblenz, Berlin, München (Munich), and Rothenburg ob der Tauber.

Düsseldorf[/u] - 4.5/5 stars

In the North Rhine-Westphalia state. A gorgeous city in Germany, known as the "little Paris." The Rhine River runs all around and along it, and is home to one of the biggest airports in Germany. It is also home to the Benrath Palace, and it is only a half hour away from Köln, a cool little city that is home to the huge Köln Dom. You can also see the old town in Düsseldorf. It is only a ferry ride away, and it has a charm all its own. Düsseldorf can be expensive, especially at restaurants, but if you look far and don't go near or in the main train station, you can find good deals. I suggest taking a ferry boat on the Rhine River. It is gorgeous.

(http://gamingw.net/pubaccess/50597/duesseldorfcity1.jpg)
Düsseldorf City overlooking the Rhine River.

(http://gamingw.net/pubaccess/50597/duesseldorfcity2.jpg)
Sunrise in Düsseldorf.

(http://gamingw.net/pubaccess/50597/duesseldorfoldtowncastle1.jpg)
The old town castle.

(http://gamingw.net/pubaccess/50597/duesseldorfschlossbenrath.jpg)
The Benrath Palace.

Food: $$ - $$$
Hotels: $$$ - $$$$, Hostels: $ - $$
Transportation: $$, To other cities: $$ - $$$

Köln (Cologne)[/u] - 3.5/5 stars

In the North Rhine-Westphalia state. Only 30 minutes away from Düsseldorf by IC or ICE train, Köln is nice to visit just to see the monstrous Köln Dom. It is relatively cheap here, but there is not much to do except see the gigantic castle.

(http://gamingw.net/pubaccess/50597/kolndom.jpg)
About 1/8th of the Köln Dom.

(http://gamingw.net/pubaccess/50597/koln1.jpg)
Some architecture in Köln

Food: $ - $$
Hotels: $$, Hostels: $
Transportation: $$, To other cities: $$ - $$$

Berlin[/u] - 5/5 stars

Berlin is the capital of Germany, and has some of the most interesting architecture, landscape, and culture I've come across. You can go to Park Sanscoussi, a park with about eight different palaces, each you can explore inside for a hefty price, but the best things are free, and those are the views. Berlin has the Tiergarten/Berlin Zoo, which are all very beautiful and home to thousands of species of animals, especially birds. Berlin is kind of expensive, but it is worth every cent.

(http://gamingw.net/pubaccess/50597/berlintiergarten.jpg)
Berlin Tiergarten.

(http://gamingw.net/pubaccess/50597/berlinzoo.jpg)
Berlin Zoo.

(http://gamingw.net/pubaccess/50597/berlinoldcastle.jpg)
Cool architecture near the Tiergarten/Zoo.

(http://gamingw.net/pubaccess/50597/berlinparksanscoussi1.jpg)
One of the palaces in Park Sanscoussi.

(http://gamingw.net/pubaccess/50597/berlinparksanscoussi2.jpg)
Park Sanscoussi.

(http://gamingw.net/pubaccess/50597/berlinparksanscoussi3.jpg)
The "New Palace."

(http://gamingw.net/pubaccess/50597/berlinparksanscoussi4.jpg)
Another large palace.

Food: $$$
Hotels: $$$ - $$$$, Hostels: $$
Transportation: $$, To other cities: $$$

Koblenz[/u] - 5/5 stars

In the Rhineland-Palatinate state. Not very well known, but it should be. Koblenz is affordable, beautiful, and has the most amazing views from the Rhine River. The finest attraction is Stolzenfelz Castle high in the mountains. Definitely, definitely take a ferry boat ride across the Rhine River, as it has some of the most interesting sights across the Rhine. Only two hours away from Düsseldorf and Köln.

(http://gamingw.net/pubaccess/50597/koblenz1.jpg)
Stolzenfelz Castle.

(http://gamingw.net/pubaccess/50597/koblenz2.jpg)
At the top of Stolzenfelz Castle with a view of the Rhine River.

(http://gamingw.net/pubaccess/50597/koblenz3.jpg)
Taken from a Rhine River ferry boat ride.

(http://gamingw.net/pubaccess/50597/koblenz4.jpg)
People love to jet-ski on the Rhine.

Food: $ - $$
Hotels: $$, Hostels: $ - $$
Transportation: $$, To other cities: $$ - $$$

München (Munich)[/u] - 4/5 stars

In the state of Bavaria. One of the biggest tourist cities in Germany, I also think it is overrated. It is a fortune to stay and eat here unless you book well ahead in advance and eat cheap take-away food, and some of the best attractions, like the Olympia Tower, Schloss Nymphenburg, and the Deutsche Museum are insanely priced. Souvenirs are also beyond the normal price range. But Munich is still a charming and interesting place, especially the Olympiapark. The views from the tower are incredible. You can take a train to the Bavarian Alps, probably some of the most beautiful green mountainside in the world. For a price, of course.

(http://gamingw.net/pubaccess/50597/munichschlossnympenburg1.jpg)
Schloss Nymphenburg, home to many birds, with a lot of swans. It is huge.

(http://gamingw.net/pubaccess/50597/munichschlossnympenburg2.jpg)
A view from the top of Schloss Nymphenburg.

(http://gamingw.net/pubaccess/50597/municholympiapark1.jpg)
Some enchanting scenery in the Olympiapark.

(http://gamingw.net/pubaccess/50597/municholympiapark2.jpg)
The Olympia Tower.

(http://gamingw.net/pubaccess/50597/municholympiapark3.jpg)
View of the Olympia Stadium and Munich from the Tower.

(http://gamingw.net/pubaccess/50597/municholympiapark4.jpg)
View of BMW Museum from the Olympia Tower.

Food: $$$ - $$$$
Hotels: $$$ - $$$$, Hostels: $$ - $$$
Transportation: $$, To other cities: $$

Rothenburg ob der Tauber[/u] - 5/5 stars

In the state of Bavaria. Two and a half hours away from Munich. In my opinion, this is the most gorgeous village in the state of Bavaria. Rothenburg is a medieval old town with crazy cool architecture and buildings, and you can get some extraordinary views of Rothenburg, Bavaria, and the Bavarian Alps if you go to the top of a tower (there are a couple.) There is a fun and large Christmas shop that will delight young and old. The food in Rothenburg is delicious Bavarian cuisine. While it is beautiful, it is also extremely affordable - everything from souvenirs, food, admissions to the top of a tower, and hotels are very cheap, and since it is so beautiful, you will want to stay for a while.

(http://gamingw.net/pubaccess/50597/rothenburg1.jpg)
A view of Rothenburg, a forest and the Bavarian Alps from a tower.

(http://gamingw.net/pubaccess/50597/rothenburg2.jpg)
View of Rothenburg from a tower.

(http://gamingw.net/pubaccess/50597/rothenburg3.jpg)
You can go to the top here (a rough trek, however) to get incredible views.

(http://gamingw.net/pubaccess/50597/rothenburg4.jpg)
Some of the great and medieval buildings in Rothenburg.

(http://gamingw.net/pubaccess/50597/rothenburg5.jpg)
The town gate.

(http://gamingw.net/pubaccess/50597/rothenburg6.jpg)
The most popular street in Rothenburg.

Food: $$
Hotels: $$
Transportation: WALKING, To other cities: $$ - $$$

Hope this helps, man! :cool:
Title: So anybody from or been to Germany?
Post by: Ragnar on November 12, 2008, 04:27:11 pm: Rothenburg looks like being inside an RPG

Edit: The Elder Scrolls: Rothenburg
Title: So anybody from or been to Germany?
Post by: Doktormartini on November 12, 2008, 08:34:58 pm: That pic with the birds is pretty awesome!
Title: So anybody from or been to Germany?
Post by: crone_lover720 on November 12, 2008, 09:26:57 pm: ARTICHOKE that is probably the most well-known building in Berlin and you have it labeled "oldcastle.jpg" .K.A.I.S.E.R. .W.I.L.H.E.L.M. motherf*er
also inside the new one: http://photos.igougo.com/images/p57379-Berlin-Kaiser_Wilhelm_Gedaechtniskirche.jpg

idk I have some nice pics of Dresden and Neuschwanstein but who knows if I would post them
Title: So anybody from or been to Germany?
Post by: Seawed on November 12, 2008, 09:30:19 pm: I spent like a day in Trier this summer. We didn't do much though, we just basically walked around the town ( Porto Negro or something like that?) and ate some fish in this restaurant.
Title: So anybody from or been to Germany?
Post by: BlackRaven on November 12, 2008, 09:53:34 pm: I only go to Germany to buy cheap liquor.
Title: So anybody from or been to Germany?
Post by: headphonics on November 12, 2008, 10:22:07 pm: Quote from: earl chip on November 12, 2008, 09:26:57 pm
ARTICHOKE that is probably the most well-known building in Berlin and you have it labeled "oldcastle.jpg" .K.A.I.S.E.R. .W.I.L.H.E.L.M. motherf*er
also inside the new one: http://photos.igougo.com/images/p57379-Berlin-Kaiser_Wilhelm_Gedaechtniskirche.jpg

idk I have some nice pics of Dresden and Neuschwanstein but who knows if I would post them
WHO KNOWS IF I WOULD POST THEM

what is it with you and photos man. you are like steelpaladine circa 2004. we really don't give a shit it's not like we're waiting to hunt you down.
Title: So anybody from or been to Germany?
Post by: crone_lover720 on November 13, 2008, 12:48:00 am: nah that's not it in this case. its just I would have to find my sister's webshots and I didnt think summoner was really asking for photos anyway
Title: So anybody from or been to Germany?
Post by: Evangel on November 14, 2008, 12:18:14 am: Quote from: Mr. Artichoke on November 12, 2008, 07:39:25 am

(http://gamingw.net/pubaccess/50597/rothenburg6.jpg)
The most popular street in Rothenburg.

Food: $$
Hotels: $$
Transportation: WALKING, To other cities: $$ - $$$

Hope this helps, man! :cool:

Isn't this the beginning of a Counterstrike level??
Title: So anybody from or been to Germany?
Post by: Artis Leon Ivey Jr on November 14, 2008, 12:20:27 am: Quote from: headphonics on November 12, 2008, 10:22:07 pm
you are like steelpaladine circa 2004.

so many replies but im going with *folds arms, raises eyebrow quizzically*

its ridiculous how none of my friends had a digital camera for a very long time.
Title: So anybody from or been to Germany?
Post by: big ass skelly on November 14, 2008, 12:53:59 am: Quote from: Evangel on November 14, 2008, 12:18:14 am
Isn't this the beginning of a Counterstrike level??
yeah that's cs_italy right there
Title: So anybody from or been to Germany?
Post by: ase on November 14, 2008, 12:57:45 am: wow. Rothenburg looks amazing. Considering I lived in Poland for many years and visited three times, it's pathetic I haven't gone there yet.
Title: So anybody from or been to Germany?
Post by: Herr Artischocke on November 14, 2008, 04:53:35 am: Quote from: Seawed on November 12, 2008, 09:30:19 pm
I spent like a day in Trier this summer. We didn't do much though, we just basically walked around the town ( Porto Negro or something like that?) and ate some fish in this restaurant.
Yeah I went to Trier as well...it was very nice from the pictures I saw in my travel guide, so I traveled an hour from Koblenz to go there.

OBESE PIC WARNING (Click to reveal)
(http://gamingw.net/pubaccess/50597/IMG_5436.JPG)
Title: So anybody from or been to Germany?
Post by: Eki on November 15, 2008, 03:58:25 pm: Quote from: bevis simpson on November 11, 2008, 04:04:28 pm
Bundesländer, and i don't think they're that different from states in the US apart from being smaller
That r was actually a typo (it's true), it was the plural I was uncertain of.

Anyway, the city I was in, Lübeck, has some nice stuff as well, and marzipan. I don't like marzipan myself, but they had statues made out of it. Like that wax museum in London but eatable (you weren't allowed to eat it, just pointing that out. But you could buy some smaller things. I think there was a pretty large boat among other things).
Title: So anybody from or been to Germany?
Post by: Summoner on November 15, 2008, 09:51:01 pm: Thanks for everything guys. I definately will be traveling alot.

Any tips on actually living there? because I will for the next 2 years probably
Title: So anybody from or been to Germany?
Post by: Herr Artischocke on November 16, 2008, 11:37:43 pm: Learn German, seriously. A lot of Germans don't know English, and treat you with less respect if you can't utter much German. Uh it rains a lot, so bring an umbrella all the time, even if the sky looks fine; it just starts raining all of a sudden. That's what happened to me in Berlin and in Munich.
Title: So anybody from or been to Germany?
Post by: crone_lover720 on November 16, 2008, 11:45:16 pm: Quote from: Herr Artischocke on November 16, 2008, 11:37:43 pm
Learn German, seriously. A lot of Germans don't know English, and treat you with less respect if you can't utter much German. Uh it rains a lot, so bring an umbrella all the time, even if the sky looks fine; it just starts raining all of a sudden. That's what happened to me in Berlin and in Munich.
if it's obvious that you PUT AN EFFORT into it it means a lot. but you should def know greetings/salutations, basic phrases and words etc. it's not a big deal if you aren't even semi-fluent in the language.

also pretty much all young/educated germans know english but that doesn't mean you should rely on it.
Title: So anybody from or been to Germany?
Post by: Wash Cycle on November 17, 2008, 06:49:36 pm: and german isnt really that difficult

if you have a good grasp on your english grammar it will not be difficult to pick up german after a couple months of immersion. granted if you're on base you might not be using it every day or be completely surrounded by it, but german is a very logical and precise language that isnt really that difficult to learn if you understand how the grammar of your own language works