eins… zwo… drei… jetzt geht’s los aufm Wasen!

What is one of the first things that comes to mind when most people think about Germany? A horrible event in its past, Lederhosen, small cars, Apfelschorle, but… aren’t I forgetting something? Well, Germans are also, perhaps above many other things, known for their beer and their festivals involving copious amounts of it. It turns out that the German drinking culture has deep historical roots (see Reinheitsgebot), starting centuries and centuries ago when the Church finally removed the ban on alcohol drinking during lent (or something like that), so, what were monks (Paulaner!) to do? Brew rich and tasty beer to help with the nourishment; rumor has it that seven small beers equal a Schnitzel, but I’m not entirely sure about that. Drinking is also not a taboo and is not slightly demonized as it is in the states, for example, as mentioned in an earlier entry, there is a famous Biergarten here in Freiburg (Hausbrauerei Feierling) that is next to some kind of, well, Kindergarten or childcare place. Beer at Church? Warum nicht? A couple of weeks ago I went on a hike in the neighboring mountains and went to the St. Ottilien Chapel. I think she, Ottilien, was born without sight and abandoned by her father who wanted to kill her, but later regained her sight and did some healings, or something of the sort, but back to the point. Next to this Chapel there was another Biergarten! I can already hear some of you gasping, but it is totally acceptable here, because nobody thinks anything bad about enjoying a beer or two with friends and family. That is exactly the point: enjoying it, but with moderation. It seems people here know how to better control their drinking and, even though they might be ganz besoffen, most will not do anything bother others, do something stupid, or drink themselves to death.

Lots of drinking was what happened last week, during the Cannstatter Volksfest (colloquially/better known as „Wasen“) in Stuttgart. This was one of those events that will stay with me until the end of my life and it will always bring a smile to my face. Why? Well, imagine thousands of strangers sitting at benches, singing and drinking together like best friends without worrying about much else, being one, singing in unison. Sons, fathers, and grandfathers; together. What more can I say? Watch this video I made:

Da simmer dabei! Dat is prima, VIVA COLONIA!
Wir lieben das Leben, die Liebe und die Lust
Wir glauben an den lieben Gott und hab’n noch immer Durst!