Dining Out- The German Way

When in Germany, Do as the Germans do. In many ways, the german way of dining out is similar to that anywhere. When dining out, we usually make a reservations days before the date. Once you're seated in the restaurant, you need to order first your drinks followed by the food. Back home, for some strange reasons, we expect a glass of water to automatically appear on our table.

It is polite to have both hands above the table at all times, but elbows should not rest on the table. Germans eat everything on their plate. You should not leave a tip on the table, giving a tip is always done at the table with the waiter or waitress who served you. While burping is a sign that you enjoy your meals, for germans it is not acceptable.

Melamine Scare

Products across the globe containing milk imported from china seem to have been affected. Authorities from different countries including the Philippines are withdrawing milk formula, candies, soup, coffee & tea drinks, etc in the market believed to be contaminated with melamine.

Melamine is a man-made substance commonly employed in a variety of industrial products and processes. It is sometime added to food products in order to increase protein content as in the case of milk. It causes fatal kidney stones to babies that are not resistant to this kind of toxic in the body. The previous toy and canned goods scandal and other bad image about china's product will really affect the economy of China.

It's good that my other grandaughter is being breastfed by her mother. There's really no more safe place on earth. Let's pray that all this scares will be over soon.

Man's Best Friend

Dogs have lived and worked with humans in so many roles that their loyalty earned them as "man's best friend". They are highly social animals in which their playfulness and their ability really fit into human households and social situation. Class distinction between people have no part in a dog's life. They can also be a faithful companion to either rich or poor.

Kikay, our adopted dog in the Philippines is considered a family member. Our brood is increasing with the addition of five puppies. She fits easily into our family life and thrives on praise and affection.

A Beefy Sunday

Today our german colleague Beate invited us to have a late lunch or rather early dinner at their place. She prepared Rindrouladen, a beef roll with fillings and matched it with noodles and vegetable salad.

It was very delicious and her husband Heinz also offered us white wine, beer and champagne in which i politely decline. It was indeed a nice afternoon with the Burkhardt and next time it will be our turn to host lunch or dinner with our very own Philippine foods.

German Unity Day

Today marks the anniversary of german unification in which
German Democratic Republic(East) acceded to the Federal Republic of Germany(West)in 1990. More than remembering the berlin wall, the fences, and armed guards that separated east from west, its a time to look forward and continue to surmount economic and demographic challenges.

BIRTHDAY CELEBRANTS

Dap blowing her birthday cake

Daphne Antonette, my cute grandaughter is also celebrating her 4th birthday today, the same with my friend Rose.

The birthday celebrant (in red pullover) with friends

Offenburg Trade Fair

The Offenburg Messe is one of Germany's leading organizers of trade shows and exhibitions. For three hours, dirk and me browsed around the oberrhein halle for some interesting stuff for our future retirement house.

Exhibitions are windows into the future. This is the thinking that inspired exhibitors every year to showcase their products to thousands of visitors. Different products for agricultural needs, energy & power supply, household goods, information technology, electronics and other consumer goods were offered.

A Visit to the Optician

The act of actually seeing the world around us is a wonderful thing. Our eyes are the most sensitive and delicate organs we posses. As we grow older, common eye problems arises. For the past weeks, i'm experiencing headache and my eyes hurts a lot. I have this Myopia (nearsightedness) in which far objects appeared blurred but near objects are seen clearly. Eye examination was done and i really need a new pair of eyeglass just for my driving.

My new eyeglass

Dirk also visited his optician today who will provide him the corrective lenses he needs based on a prescription of his opthometrist. Both of us tried the contact lenses before but it didn't work. The optical shop was also kid and animal friendly with the presence of television sets and a playroom.