German hospitality
- 6 Jul 06, 10:57 AM
HELMSTEDT - There is always a bit of risk in accepting an invitation to a stranger's house.
So we weren't quite sure what to expect when blog reader Stephan offered us beer and a barbecue at his mate Sebastian's place while watching the France v Portugal semi-final.
We needn't have worried as the evening was another victory for German hospitality - and Fletch is certainly still feeling the effects.
First off, Sebastian has a great flat - with a pool table, a TV projector and more than 3,000 vinyl albums in his front room (no CDs).
Secondly, the spread they laid on for a couple of strangers like us was remarkable - a massive meat stock for the barbecue and a barrel of the local pils.
It was a real change to actually sit down and watch some football in a comfy chair, having seen most of this tournament on big screens in town squares.
Not really deterred from watching football by their own team's defeat on Tuesday, the German lads were cheering for France as their basketball team often goes on tour to Brittany, and the was well received.
But that was just the beginning of the evening's sport.
What began as a friendly pool competition between Fletch and Rippe - also known as Kinky Afro for his hairstyle - turned into a drinking competition and ended with the substantially proportioned Rippe lying on top of Fletch, wresting-style, in the town's main square.
I've just enjoyed a great breakfast but Fletch is yet to emerge from Svan, I'm surprised he made it back there actually.
So chalk up another one for the Germans - although we're just happy they weren't a bunch of wierdos who wanted to lock us in their basement.
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Never get into a drinking competition with a German. I have German friends and from experience I can tell you that once started, they just will not stop drinking beer.
The men still do National Service in Germany and from the stories I have heard it consists of 10 months of eating good food and training for drinking competitions.
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I am one of the lucky ex servicemen to have spent some time in Helmstedt. I drove to Italy 90 from there, however was in the town centre when Germany won the final, after returning to camp that night it was impossible to sleep as the intire town wanted to come past our main gate and let us all inside know who were world champions.
Glad you enjoyed your stop over, I definatly enjoyed my 2 years in the town
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Get up Fletch, you're a disgrace.
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What the hell were you boys imbimbing last night? Never mix yer drinks :-)
I concur with #1, only the foolhardy challenge Germans to a drinking competition. They'd win a WC Drinking Competition hands down!
Flat Coke is what Fletch needs to revive him, works every time after a heavy sesh.
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hi fletch
consider this as a training exercise for next monday :)
cheers
flo
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Nice one Sebastian - very decent and hospitable of you.
Great read. Another fine example of Germany putting on a superb and hospitable World Cup.
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Well done Fletch, you done the rapper proud.
Drink up, peace out
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I only managed to spend 5 days in Suttgart from 23rd-28th but watched the England game in the Schlossplatz and every German I met (even the ones in the tents that had been serving beer for hours) was warm, welcoming and friendly.
I look forward to going back to Germany for holidays, the definate first one is Oct-fest in Stuttgart, it's as big as Munich (barring two tents) but not as busy, bring it on!!!
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What a great story and typical of the level of German hospitality which has really come to the fore during this World Cup.
It's also great to hear so many English fans commend our German hosts for their superb organisation, humilty and friendliness during the past month.
Not sure we could pull off the same level of hospitality in the UK towards German travellers, which is a shame.
Vielen Dank Deutschland! Wir sind jetzt bestimmt gute Freunde!
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To those of you who'd like to come back to Germany for one of our great festivals (beer or wine festivals I should add) here are the dates of some of the best ones:
August 11-20: Wiesbaden (nearest airports Frankfurt/Main and Frankfurt/Hahn) - Weinwoche (Wine Week). Wiesbaden is the capital of the Rheingau wine area, a strip of Germany many call the Tuskany of the Rhine. All across downtown Wiesbaden there's a huge wine festival with very dry Riesling (pure or Schorle, i.e. Spritzer) is the drink. Several stages with live music around the central square
Sept 16 to Oct 3: Munich - Oktoberfest: World's single largest beer festival. 14 tents each seating between 5.000 and 15.000 people, live music, beer sold by the liter... no further comment necessary
Sep 23 - Oct 8: Stuttgart - Cannstatter Volksfest (similar to Octoberfest, only a tad smaller).
And don't forget about our Christmas Markets. Every city has got one!
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And in case you can't make it this year anymore: The oldest beer festival in the world will be Mai 24 to June 4 in Erlangen (near N眉rnberg). Infos on this years festival (incl. pictures) you can find here (German only, sorry):
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As an expat living in Berlin the past few weeks have been great. The Germans have shown the world what they're really like. Friendly, hospitable and peaceful. I think it's about time the English attitude towards Germans and Germany changes. All too often they are automatically associated with Nazis and war. Come on get real! The Germans aren't stuck in the past when it comes to the English. So why are we? Congratulations must go to Germany for putting on a great World Cup.
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The world's biggest wine fest is in Bad D眉rkheim, nearby Mannheim/Heidelberg.
It is called Wurstmarkt (Sausage Market):
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Come on Fletch you come from an international drinking family Helen drank more last friday.
Take a deep breath and unglaze the eyse and you will go on for hours more
Big T
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I got a hangover just by watching the picture!
Greetings from Dortmund!
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Yes, the Bergkirchweih in Erlangen is great! You have one big part for all the shops and roundabouts so that it is even wort to visit with the whole family. But there is also the other part, the big party zone with beer, bratwurst and umpah-bands, as you call them, playing 'Summer of 69' and 'Hey, hey baby' etc. And, this is probably the only alife leftover from wwII in whole Germany, there are two last songs each evening, Lily Marlen and a south tyrolian partizan march. Real fun!
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Hi!
I'm glad that you all had a great time in Germany (I'm German). I'm doing an internship in Newcastle at the moment and have to say: all the compliments you made on Germany's hospitality also apply to England. People are always friendly and I really enjoy my time here.
It really is "a time to make friends"...
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Now I really agree on Oktoberfest :)
Though I'm german and 30, it was my first time there last year, and I was simply impressed.
It's very international as well!
We were at one table with americans and russians, the russians paid a beer for everyone of us, the spanish next to us were cheering with us, we explained the americans why every german in the hall is going crazy to the "Heidi" song or the Kufsteinlied... and the combination of Lederhosen and tattoos/trendy hairstyle at the young generation just let my chin go to the floor...
great great event and many, I mean... MANY italians!!! And even more beer
:D
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Question: Did Fletch get up in the meantime? :-)
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Great picture, but I have the feeling that Fletch might have been cheated (never trust continental Europeans when it comes to fair play...;-): If you have a look at it closely you will realize that Rippe did not exactly drink the beer but spilled it over his shirt instead while poor Fletch must have been boozing...
Greetings from Germany!
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Having been to the oktoberfest 4 times in the early eighties i can just imagine what great partys have been going on all over Germany. Well done Germany
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Ever since I was a little child I have been loving to watch the 主播大秀 programms broadcasted to germany.
I owe a large part of my general knowledge as well as highly komplex specific knowledge to the 主播大秀.
The highly educational claim of its programs always attracted me.
I am very pleased that I had the opportunity to meet the people behind all this.
Dear Fletch and Ricco
You are always welcome again
See you next time in England
WE WILL CALL ON YOU
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