Getting Hitched In Germany Is No Stretch In The Plaza

For an item madly in love, there is nothing more satisfying than to seal each other's assurances of love in matrimony. Friends and family turn out to join in the merriment that mark the union of two different individuals who share the dream of spending their lives conjointly. There are various habits regarding marriage that are followed all over the world -- from the romantic to the out-of-this-world variety. If you and your fiancee want to get hitched in Germany, especially in a small village, there are certain funny habits that both of you have to be aware of.

During the wedding celebration, the bride is often snatched off by the couple's friends. The poor groom is then required to find her by going around the local pubs. Once the bride is found, the groom invites each person for a drink and is expected to shoulder the account. One can only hope that the barroom sells cheap drinks or the groom will be left without money after paying an expensive tab. Another comical yet annoying -- depending on the point of view -- wedding habit that Germans have is to make sure that the happy couple's first night together will be difficult for them. Friends do this by either trashing the bedroom or by hiding a multitude of alarm clocks all over the place to wake them in the most unanticipated hours at different intervals. Though extremely comical and stressful, these pranks may have been done to ensure that the couple gets to experience a certain degree of unease and frustration that the two will surely encounter during the course of their married life.

Using Dunkel For An Added Relish To Germany's Famous Desserts

The regions in Germany may have their own versions of established dishes, but they all have one thing in common, and that is their using of beer or dunkel for added relish. The word "Dunkel" generally refers to one of Germany's pride, the true dark lager beer. Originating from the Bavarian villages, this dark-colored liquid is a staple beverage in the German cuisine, and is typically a central ingredient of some of the country's luscious desserts. The alcohol level of this savory drink is so low; it is naturally used as a cooking ingredient for meat dishes as well as potato salads.

While meandering along the streets of Berlin, I was able to taste the delectable Dunkel Gingerbread with Chocolate Chunks. This lovely dessert has a soft and milky texture, perfected with a sprinkle of confectioner's sugar on top. Copious servings of dark German chocolate are also used to make this local dessert. The ultimate way to enjoy this dessert is by eating it while sipping a hot cup of bona fide German coffee. The sweetness of the Dunkel Gingerbread is so mild, it doesn't override the rich relish of the coffee. A whole cake is commonly good for 12 people, making the Dunkel Gingerbread a heavenly party food.

The Fine Spot of Shopaholics

I am a certified shopaholic that after a country expedition, I will almost always bring home an extra big luggage. I do not plainly know what’s with shopping malls but they never really fail to seduce me. Is it because of the fancy items, amicable customer service, or fine food selection?

Take, for example, my KaDeWa (Kaufhaus des Westens) expedition during my much-coveted getaway in Germany. I’ve excitedly turned to a handful of reviews about it days before my flight but I never took them seriously. Had I considered the articles, I would never have dropped my jaw in utter disbelief after landing my foot on the ground.

Claiming to be the second after the extraordinary Harrods, KaDeWa is said to be the most spacious shopping mall across Continental Europe. I challenge you to think of any gorgeous brand name, you will find it in the impressive department store. But aside from the huge number of signature products, the finest goodies are also all over the area, giving any shopper a vast pool of selection.

Surpassing two great crusade and with its 100th anniversary celebration at hand, how can KaDeWa be more enchanting? I can’t answer that for now 'cause I’m still thinking of a shopping listing.