things I love about Germany

*Feiertage. They get the days off and there's always some kind of fair or something that most people in the city participate in. And usually it's a real holiday, like a Christian holiday. And the whole country gets the day off and they hang out on city squares, eating their horrible food and pretending like it makes a difference whether your hot dog comes from a cow or a pig, or if you slice it up or eat it whole. But they also drink, and so...
*Apfelwein! It's so tasty, and so cheap, and healthy. It's the best drink in the world. Seriously. For 1,60 Euro you get a good-sized glass of something that's a bit like cider and a bit like white wine. Mmmmmm...
*Mass. It's crazy, they use loads of incense and the dude plays the organ, I think on the loudest possible setting, and trying to press as many pedals and keys as possible, I think, all at once. Everyone kneels on the floor or on hardwood slabs. At first I would lay a scarf down or something, because it hurts, but no one else does that. And I think they think it's part of the point, kneeling is a sign of respect because it's uncomfortable. Anyway, so I leave mass and I can't feel my legs, my ears are ringing, I'm not quite sure I said the right words in the liturgy, and for an hour I can only smell the church incense, which must have seeped into my clothes somehow. Anyway, I leave with the feeling that something has been done to me, and I think we miss that sometimes in the US parishes, with the emphasis on comfort, catering to people's tastes and so on. And the feeling of not being catered to, while I am sure it is heightened by my not speaking the language so well, is sometimes a nice feeling. I'm taking part in something that's not just me, that's not just how I like it. And that makes it better.
*Free movies online! It's crazy!
*Apfelwein. Seriously, it's awesome.
*I'm learning to speak German! It's kinda cool, to speak another language.