All restaurants are open - well, in Vienna this is definitly not true. I'd say more than 70% are closed on sunday, not so much in the inner city, but even there you find closed ones.
@@herb6677 Since this is mostly said about germany, i think austrians should decide if they want to be included to that, and stick with it ^^ I feel like austrians like to jump into the spotlight casted on germany for all the good parts, but when talking about ww2, mustache-man suddenly is 100% german and austria had nothing to do with it... lol
Regarding closing for siesta: You need to realize that you are experiencing Barcelona in winter (even though to us it does not feel quite that way). Now imagine the city in summer, when it gets really hot. I promise you, 2 to 4 pm are no longer the most productive hours of the day under those conditions. :)
That would suit if you work outside more in the south of Spain. I have also worked in Catalonia in 2 companies. So in the north. In the first company there was a 2-hour lunch break. After 20-30 minutes I was already done with lunch and the rest I was bored and was on the internet or driving around in the car. For me it was wasted time. The second company was more international and the break was only 30 minutes long and I was able to finish work at 5:00 p.m. instead of 7:00 p.m. That was a big advantage, because I could still attend the language school in the evening, which was not possible before.
yeah, the more "backwards" a country is the more little shops can keep up & pay the expenses. the more "modern" the society becomes the more big brands, corporate companies move in, rent goes up, gentrification takes hold, which in the end in smaller towns ends up with vacant shops for years, by now even since decades. culture destruction is a thing nowadays.
In Germany, many shops also used to have a midday break, which usually was 1-2 hours somewhere between 12 and 3 pm. It was only during the 90s, maybe late 80s, that this habit was more and more dropped. Maybe shops in big cities dropped it even earlier.
@@MontanaShowalter I'm from the west of Germany and would agree with that. Sometimes you still find stores that have midday breaks, always small stores and usually in smaller towns though
I grew up in the 70s and 80s. I can remember very good. Life was so much slower then. Grocery stores where seldom, even in bigger cities. Their number started to raise in the midth 70s. And except grocery stores or malls, that where even more seldom, everything opened at 8:00 and closed on 12:00 and opened again on 14:30. Some at 14:00, others at 15:00. In the evening they all closed at 18:30. Or even at 18:00. On Saturdays most shops closed at 12:00. Grocery stores at 14:00. Except at the "long Saturday" once a month (I think it was the first Saturday). Then all shops closed on 16:00. except for grocery stores or shops in bigger cities. They closed at 18:00. (I always wondered, who goes shopping on Saturday afternoon. Shops always where nearly empty.) Shops where allowed to open at 7:00 but most did not. Well, 89 they started the "long Thursday". On every Thursday shop's could stay open till 20:30, but most closed at 20:00. Midth 90s the law changed an it was allowed to open between 6:00 and 20:00. Nowadays depending of the state it is even more free, there are states who allow 24h. Bavaria ist more strict in this. Oh, and to stay open on Saturdays past 18:30 was first allowed 2003. Looking back, life was more relaxed before 89 and I miss it.
I remember that, too. I think it changed in the 80s because many more women got a job and were no longer tied to kitchen and household. In former times they could organize their day differently and so it was no problem that shops were closed in the middle of the day. Most of the shops were rather small with only few employees if employees at all (Tante Emma Laden) and the people who worked there had to have a meal and a break as everybody else.
Hey, Montana, I am from Barcelona, if you need anything, let me know. Also, there are a few very good ice cream places you should try. The one that comes to mind is called Horchatería Sirvent, and it's close to Sant Antoni metro station. You should seriously try GOOD spanish ham, it is a bit expensive, but you should try it at least once to see if you notice the difference with the more cheap Spanish ham. And it is more of a Catalan thing, but right now it is the season of "calçots", which are a kind of elongated onion, which is eaten with a special sauce, and there's a whole cultures around organising events called "calçotades", which are like barbacues, but specially for eating calçots (but also meat and sausages, like a normal barbacue), if you have some catalan friends who are doing a calçotada, you should totally go, even if it is just for the gathering. But one more thing about food: I also love a dry sheep cheese called "Manchego". And a big recommendation for you to visit, that's close to Barcelona is Sitges, a small town south of Barcelona, it is quite touristic and expensive, but it's such a beautiful place, very much worth it and some nice beaches in Sitges too. Of course, further away, to the north there is the Costa Brava, and a lot of nice places and towns, like Cadaquès, but it is a bit farther away from Barcelona than Sitges. On the other hand, I'll tell you something about the 2-4 pm break for a lot of shops. In Catalonia, some people do Siesta, but a lot of people don't. It is more of an extended lunch break. You'll probably have realised that in Spain, lunch is the largest meal of the day, and many people like to take tehir time to socialise over the lunch (at least traditionally). And the most common time poeple in Spain take lunch is at around 2 pm. It seems so late in comparison to other european countries (I've lived in Poland and there lunch is also a big meal, but it is usually at around 12 or 1 pm). Actually, everything in Spain seems to be later in the day than in central and northern Europe, we eat dinner at around 9 or even 10 pm, and many go to sleep at 11 or even 12. But there's an interesting fact about Spanish time: we are in the wrong timezone. We have the same timezone as Germany, but if you look on the map, Spain is geographically just south of Britain, so geographically, we should be in the same timezone as England. That is because in Spain, during WW2, we had a fascist dictator called Francisco Franco, who was ideologically aligned with Hitler, so he decided he wanted Spain to have the same timezone as Germany. But you see, geographically, we should have one hour less, so taking into account that, our lunch is a bit later than in most European countries, but not that much.
You've basically been Germanized. 😀The first thing you have to do when living abroad as a German is complain about how you miss German bread! When I was studying abroad in England, me and all the Germans there did it all the time. Once we discovered a stall at a "German Christmas" market in England which sold German bread. It was the highlight of our week! 😁
That's true about the bread. Of course there are also bakeries in Barcelona, but the quality is still not that good. Most people in Catalonia only eat baguettes, like in France. So simple white bread, which also contains a lot of chemicals. I lived there for 5 years and my digestion got pretty wrecked.
Montana! I have been living in Barcelona for almost 10 years now, if you need anything let me know. You can find Brezeln in the bakeries called Maxcipan, I figured that they are the closest to the german ones 😉😉
These are nice compliments for Germany - especially because I am aware of what a great city Barcelona is (I have been there 25 times). Enjoy the pleasant climate, the beaches and the old town around the Ramblas, Gaudi (Sagrada Familiar, Park Güll etc.) and Picasso. When you come back to Germany, I highly recommend you to come to Hamburg in the north - like Barcelona a port city with lots of music and culture, even more water and much more nature. But of course, the wonderful Barcelona has other advantages, especially the Mediterranean old town. The size of Hamburg is also similar to Barcelona. It's great how much you immerse yourself in Europe here and like our continent. In Germany, it's often also the wonderful culinary specialties from other countries, especially Italy (ice cream, pasta and pizza) but also Spanish and (in Hamburg even more) Portuguese food.
So ... Außenalster Walk around the Outer Alster (about 5 miles). On the east side there is the "Alsterperle", where you can unconventionally sit or stand outside and drink or eat something. There you have a wonderful view across the water to the city. Or (on the same side) in the Häuschen on the jetty with a view of the water. Nice Spanish food you can also go at the "Spanish Steps" - also directly on the water. And on the other side of this Alster canal even more beautiful an Italian restaurant, the "Anleger 1870"! The Außenalster is surrounded in all streets (around) by thousands of classicistic as well as art nouveau influenced architecture and Art Deco villas - this is also beautiful and impressive. On the north side (only 300 meters from my apartment is the Bobby Reich with boat docks - also quite nice to drink coffee or Aporol Spritz. On the west side are beautifully landscaped meadows and the Cafe` "Cliff". If you walk past the meadows there, you have on one side a beautiful view over the water, on the other side at the meadows the villas of Hamburg celebrities (Jil Sander, Karl Lagerfeld, Wolfgang Joop, Michael Stich ...). Kunsthalle On a day like today, when it rains, you can go to the Hamburg Kunsthalle. A traditional focus is the 19th century. The museum has the departments for Old Masters and Modern Art. For today's art there is a separate complex of buildings (that is the white cube). The buildings are connected with each other. Speicherstadt Or you can go to the Miniature Wonderland. This is often more for men who enjoy that sort of thing. This is the second most visited attraction in Germany. But it is so lovingly and hugely organized and built by over 300 employees and developed over decades that it will be interesting for everyone. North America was also built there. Small trains, cars and planes fly everywhere. This is in the historical and also worth seeing Speicherstadt. This is still used today for the coffee and carpet trade. 100 meters to the right is a good coffee roastery with cafe. Hafencity Right next to the "Speicherstadt" is the new "Hafencity". The Elbphilharmonie belongs to it. You can always visit it on the plaza and walk completely around it (I would reserve beforehand for 2 euros on the Internet, then you have a place for sure). If you are lucky enough to get a ticket for the Great Hall, you can see and hear fantastic in all seats I found every concert there impressive so far. Treppenviertel Blankenese The S1 (a public transport train) is a good way to get to Blankenese. There are the captains' houses and neat houses and villas beautifully laid out on the hillside, along countless paths and stairs. I always like to have a coffee in the Strandhotel (original Andy Warhol pictures hang on the walls). "Fischmarkt" Important and interesting is the fish market (there is a traditional pub scene). It is known mainly for the market that takes place there. But it took place this morning, as every Sunday between 5 and 9:30 a.m. directly at the Elbe and attracts every time up to 70,000 visitors to the Elbe and looks back on a history of more than 300 years. Walkway on the Elbe and the Elbe beach From there - the fish market - you first pass modern buildings to a beautiful path past old capitol buildings on one side and always beach sections on the Elbe. Again and again you can stop and eat and drink something. Cult is the Strandperle (simple pub on the sandy beach with a view of the Elbe and passing container ships). Theoretically, you can walk along the Elbe as far as Blankenese. Jenisch Park and Jenisch House You pass Jenisch Park and… Cafes Nice cafes are, in addition to those mentioned on the Alster, the "Cafe Paris" near the City Hall, the cafe "Gnosa" in the Lange Reihe (near the train station) and the "Cafe Canale" (around the corner from me at Pölchaukamp). In the Hafencity there are several coffee roasteries where you can buy very good freshly roasted coffee in whole beans or try it right there with cake. The Elbgold chain (roastery and cafe) is also great. Especially the cafe by the Sternschanze subway station. Also the "Alte Mädchen" next door from Elbgold is great if you like to try different kinds of beer in small glasses. There's also food there. At Cafe Canale you can also pass by canoe from the outside and order cappuccino and cake outside and have them handed to you in the boat. Canoeing You can rent a canoe at Isekai 1 and sail on the canals of the Alster. The most beautiful are the Leinpfadkanal, the Rondeel and the Rondeelkanal. This all hangs together, is a bit narrower and nicer than the wide canals. These small canals (also the Goldbekkanal) are all at in the immediate vicinity me in Winterhude. Sadttpark and observatory One of the most modern observatories in the world in the Stadtpark. There are of course astronomy events or even concerts in very comfortable seats. Also the city park itself is quite nice (not far from me). Elbphilharmonie Definitely try to attend a concert in the "Großer Saal".
Pretzels as such are definitely an all-German tradition. You find them in the 1865 comic story 'Max und Moritz', at 'Sechster Streich' ('Sixth Trick'), where the boys try to steal pretzels from a bakery. The artist Wilhelm Busch grew up in northern Germany and most of the second names in the story are northern or middle German. But these pretzels were *sweet* pastries made with sugar as Easter holiday goodies - the story explicitely says so. This makes them different from the 'Laugenbrezel' type of Pretzels customary today, which are treated with soda or lye and salt-sprinkeled, giving them their distinct taste.
In Salamanca where I have lived for a year as a student now, the Carrefour Expresses are open on sundays :) and if you want to know what stores are closed midday (in Salamanca always 14 to 17 o clock), you can get orientation from whether it’s a chain and by how many people run the store. I think the rule is, that if there is an employee kitchen or a cafeteria where workers can get food, they don’t have to get a big midday break. If they do have those facilities, they can shorten it! Also, in clothing stores like Zara or a Corte Ingles they can have afternoon workers pick up the work from the morning workers and get around the break thingy, as well
There are several ALDI (i.e. ALDI Nord) and LIDL stores in Barcelona (all can be found on google). If you really need a break from Barcelona for a day: There a several tourist places on the Costa Brava that are noticably influenced by German expats (especially Empuriabrava and Lloret de Mar). But even there I can't remember having ever seen a Butterbrez'n. I guess traditionally Cataluna as a holiday destination is mostly a thing in the western/southwestern parts of Germany, while Bavarians rather go to Italy, so in a German bakery in Cataluna you might rather find rheinische Mutzemandeln or a Stutenkerl than a handmade Brez'n. The closest you'll get might be the frozen Laugenstangen and Brez'n at Lidl.
Are you sure there is that much of a divide in where ppl go on holiday? I would have never thought so. Except for north Germans to be more likely to go to Denmark and Sweden, maybe. Especially if they are part of the Danish minority
@@hayati6374 This is just my personal theory, based on my own observations. My family owns an appartment at the Costa Brava, so I have been there basically once a year since the early 1980s. Most german cars I see have plates from NRW, Hessen, RLP or the Saarland. I very seldom see someone from Bavaria (or, for that matter, hear an Bavarian dialect). Granted, I haven't been there in the main season for quite a while, (I usually go around Easter orin October) but I don't think this will make much of a difference. Besides, since I'm living in Bavaria myself since 2013, the second part of that assumption is based on where my colleagues go on holiday - usually either to somewhere out of Europe, or to either Austria (for skiing or hiking) or Italy.
I agree that siesta is a real inconvenience, something you understand if you were born in a spanish speaking country. But just like you did in germany, you need to get with the program. Then you will have reverse culture shock when you return to US or germany.
Ich lebe in Deutschland und hier hat auch fast kein Bäcker Brezeln. Man kann Laugenstangen bekommen, aber Brezeln gibt es fast ausschließlich an Bahnhöfen. Es ist eine südddeutsche Spezialität und nicht überall so einfach zu bekommen.
El Corte Inglés an der Placa de Catalunya ist ein großes Kaufhaus und Carrefour Market, Carrer de Roger de Flor, 168, Barcelona ist ähnlich wie Kaufland.
nice 2 hear how u doin over there in spain. about Brezeln in our german bakery : Depends where u live in germany coz here in Hamburg you'll not find 'em in every bakery. And spanish Siesta.. well... sucks, right? What do ppl do in those 2 hrs? Go shopping? lol.. no possible. Having lunch in a restaurant? Also closed, right? So they just come home and chill I guess... but what if home is like 1 hr away? ^^ Have a nice stay over there...
Really, Spanish people are really tired everybody saying "siesta" this and "siesta" that... when a shop is closed because the workers are eating (and casually, the hours of the day when other people are eating and there's no much movement... except for tourists, the ones complaining, of course). Also "siesta" when a restaurant is closed between services, when their workers are eating (yeah, they also have the right ot eat) and preparing the restaurant for the evening shift. Hard to find bretzels in Spain? Not the same "delicious food"? wow! The times when i visited German, it was hard to find the food I like.. I dont know why they don't have Spanish food everywhere.. .. and i don't want to speak about the taste buds inherited in some countries (experienced 'thanks' to work collegues)
The myth that "in germany everything is closed on sundays". That is not the case. Everything that is ment for relaxing, being social and simply have a break from the every-day-chores is open. Restaurants, bars, cinema, theater, concert halls, parks, zoos, swimming pools etc. etc. I do just fine with one day per week when I have not to run to any store and buy groceries or stuff. Just enjoy the one day of peace.. 🤗
I can't anymore with Americans saying "everything is closed on Sundays". Shops are NOT "everything". Don't people have anything else on their minds other than shopping?
ÍHola Montana! ÍMe gusta que eres in España ahora! Aprendo español desde hace 1.5 años y soy de 🇩🇪 y también hablo inglés. Podemos hablar o escribimos en español, inglés y aleman. 😎 Te deseo mucha suerte por tu tiempo en España.
If you want to eat something like schnitzel I think you could search for „Milanesa“ it means something from Milan but it looks the same. I don’t eat meat anymore, though so I can’t tell you for sure 😅
Irgendwie ist mein Kommentar verschwunden, also hier noch mal: -Deutsche Sachen gibt‘s bei „Noah‘s Market“ - Brezeln (halbwegs ok) gibt‘s bei Lidl (z.B. der bei Tres Torres an der Ronda de Dalt) - Gute katalanische Alternativen wenn man keinen Fisch mag: Mandonguilles (kleine Klöße), Botifarra amb Mongetes (Bratwurst mit Bohnen), Estofat (Eintopf). - Brot ist definitiv problematisch, aber in Gracia gibt es einige ganz gute Bäcker. Ist aber definitiv nicht vergleichbar mit Deutschland. - Und wenn du mit Freunden Essen gehen willst, ist jetzt die Saison für „Calçotada“. Das sind über dem offenen Feuer geröstete Lauchzwiebeln mit einer sehr leckeren Soße und anschliessendem Barbecue. - zum Abschluss und wenn dein Heimweh nach Deutschland zu groß wird: per Flieger ist man in zwei Stunden in München. Ryan Air ist günstig, Easyjet so in der Mitte. Für 100,- EUR sollte man hin und zurück kommen! Viel Spass!
Hey again, Montana! I'm german. Now down under, the prices for an iceberg-salad where up to 6€. So: I'm happy to still be here. One guy, residental on Maui posted, that he would come back to Germany every summer. And buy 200 bars of "Ritter Sport" chocolate. To take it back home to the US. Saving him 600$. (Half the flight?) More fun: I was up in Denmark, back in 1988. The Radio-stationx where shutting down at 8pm. Silence, on the radio. (Stay at home and sing with your family and friends? A culture shock for me.) But I'm sooo happy for you: to experience that! People. coming to you and saying: "Bla. blablabla..." You'll ne the one to say: "Wait a minute! Have you ever been there?" A VERY important thing in this world of lies. In this way, I'm glad that you chose Spain over Germany: YOU KNOW. From personal experience. Right today. You are a person, to compare. Not the past. Just what it is, in 2023. What I always liked, beeing in the US, beeing in Denmark, beeing in Australia: to be in the situation. Not a visitor, a tourist. That can never be matched. Pls keep us updated. The things, you have to tell are lessons to learn for so many.
I have ordered a bunch of Ritter Sport from Germany once but found out that it's not such a great idea when you are living in Texas (package was covered in chocolate even on the outside). Too bad because it's $2.90 for one bar of chocolate here and they only have like 5 different varieties.
Hi Montana, well, I think after a while you will get to used to spanish food. Ok, bakeries is a different world outside of Germany for sure. I hope while in europe again you have planned at least couple days in Germany before you go back to the US again. May be you can afford a short trip from Barcelona to Munich to meet old friends again. I am sure there will be lots of offers. Anyway, I wish you all the best, lots of fun with other international students and being successfull with your studies. CU
Brezel are not only Bavarian!! There are Badische, Schwäbische and Bayerische Brezeln. Sie haben unterschiedliche Details. In Norddeutschland waren sie lange quasi nicht verfügbar.
Haha, there you see again how Americans are trained to consume and convince. I wish we had siesta here in high summer in Germany. The worst playgrounds in Germany are at McDonalds. 😭🤣
Kann dich gut verstehen, ich müsste mich auch erst umgewöhnen. Nur Brezeln würde ich nicht vermissen. Die scheinen hauptsächlich in Bayern und BaWü verkauft zu werden. Hier bei mir in Westfalen sehe ich die eher selten in den Bäckereien.
Ah my god, to tell that some german generic mozzarella sandwich is better than any spanish bocadillo ... some people have weird taste. On the other hand, the comment on lack of spanish playground is so on point. And even if there is any, there is never shadow, meaning half of the year the playground is basically useless.
Ein Tip von mir. Schau dir mal Empuriabrava an. Eine schöne Stadt. Ca 1 Stunde mit dem Auto von Barcelona entfernt. In der Bucht von Rosas. Ich habe da oft Urlaub gemacht. Viel Spaß noch. Ich liebe Spanien. Die Kultur, das Essen, die Musik und die Menschen. Mfg
To say that German food is better than Spanish food is completely missing the point. In the southern countries there is much better food. The Mediterranean diet is known to many. While in southern Europe there was civilization for centuries, in Germany they ate raw meat and climbed trees. The towns from the south had to go to take them down.
Hey kartoffel, enjoy relaxed Livingstone in catalunya, Not spain, you are still in nothern Europa, cross river Ebro, than you'll meet being out of europe, be catched by Espanya
So, Americans do need a special "Survival-Training" ... in GERMANY,... to be able to live in SPAIN ? ;-) To survive the cruel Siesta ?! =D Haha ... WOW ? 8-o Really ? 8-/ A so called "German Bakery" in Spain,...which does NOT offer Brezen/Pretzels ? 8-o That´s incredible ... a Sacrileg ! 8-P They should be deprived of their Title !
I’m confused when people say everything is closed on Sundays. All restaurants are open, bakeries are open, museums are open, theaters are open etc..
All restaurants are open - well, in Vienna this is definitly not true. I'd say more than 70% are closed on sunday, not so much in the inner city, but even there you find closed ones.
@@herb6677 Since this is mostly said about germany, i think austrians should decide if they want to be included to that, and stick with it ^^
I feel like austrians like to jump into the spotlight casted on germany for all the good parts, but when talking about ww2, mustache-man suddenly is 100% german and austria had nothing to do with it... lol
Regarding closing for siesta: You need to realize that you are experiencing Barcelona in winter (even though to us it does not feel quite that way). Now imagine the city in summer, when it gets really hot. I promise you, 2 to 4 pm are no longer the most productive hours of the day under those conditions. :)
it's pretty cold here, much colder than I expected, but I'm sure I won't be complaining about winter when the temperatures get super hot!
That would suit if you work outside more in the south of Spain. I have also worked in Catalonia in 2 companies. So in the north. In the first company there was a 2-hour lunch break. After 20-30 minutes I was already done with lunch and the rest I was bored and was on the internet or driving around in the car. For me it was wasted time.
The second company was more international and the break was only 30 minutes long and I was able to finish work at 5:00 p.m. instead of 7:00 p.m. That was a big advantage, because I could still attend the language school in the evening, which was not possible before.
Sehr interessant, die Unterschiede in den verschiedenen Ländern durch Deine Augen wahrzunehmen. Vielen Dank!
"All these little stores" we had in Germany too, decades ago. Most have closed. Which is not necessarily a good thing.
yeah, the more "backwards" a country is the more little shops can keep up & pay the expenses. the more "modern" the society becomes the more big brands, corporate companies move in, rent goes up, gentrification takes hold, which in the end in smaller towns ends up with vacant shops for years, by now even since decades. culture destruction is a thing nowadays.
Hey Montana! So good to see you again and know all is well! Stay healthy and live your best life!
In Germany, many shops also used to have a midday break, which usually was 1-2 hours somewhere between 12 and 3 pm. It was only during the 90s, maybe late 80s, that this habit was more and more dropped. Maybe shops in big cities dropped it even earlier.
oh wow really! where in Germany was that?
@@MontanaShowalter I'm from the west of Germany and would agree with that. Sometimes you still find stores that have midday breaks, always small stores and usually in smaller towns though
I grew up in the 70s and 80s. I can remember very good. Life was so much slower then.
Grocery stores where seldom, even in bigger cities. Their number started to raise in the midth 70s.
And except grocery stores or malls, that where even more seldom, everything opened at 8:00 and closed on 12:00 and opened again on 14:30. Some at 14:00, others at 15:00.
In the evening they all closed at 18:30. Or even at 18:00.
On Saturdays most shops closed at 12:00. Grocery stores at 14:00. Except at the "long Saturday" once a month (I think it was the first Saturday). Then all shops closed on 16:00. except for grocery stores or shops in bigger cities. They closed at 18:00.
(I always wondered, who goes shopping on Saturday afternoon. Shops always where nearly empty.)
Shops where allowed to open at 7:00 but most did not.
Well, 89 they started the "long Thursday". On every Thursday shop's could stay open till 20:30, but most closed at 20:00.
Midth 90s the law changed an it was allowed to open between 6:00 and 20:00.
Nowadays depending of the state it is even more free, there are states who allow 24h. Bavaria ist more strict in this.
Oh, and to stay open on Saturdays past 18:30 was first allowed 2003.
Looking back, life was more relaxed before 89 and I miss it.
I remember that, too. I think it changed in the 80s because many more women got a job and were no longer tied to kitchen and household. In former times they could organize their day differently and so it was no problem that shops were closed in the middle of the day. Most of the shops were rather small with only few employees if employees at all (Tante Emma Laden) and the people who worked there had to have a meal and a break as everybody else.
Hey, Montana, I am from Barcelona, if you need anything, let me know. Also, there are a few very good ice cream places you should try. The one that comes to mind is called Horchatería Sirvent, and it's close to Sant Antoni metro station. You should seriously try GOOD spanish ham, it is a bit expensive, but you should try it at least once to see if you notice the difference with the more cheap Spanish ham. And it is more of a Catalan thing, but right now it is the season of "calçots", which are a kind of elongated onion, which is eaten with a special sauce, and there's a whole cultures around organising events called "calçotades", which are like barbacues, but specially for eating calçots (but also meat and sausages, like a normal barbacue), if you have some catalan friends who are doing a calçotada, you should totally go, even if it is just for the gathering. But one more thing about food: I also love a dry sheep cheese called "Manchego". And a big recommendation for you to visit, that's close to Barcelona is Sitges, a small town south of Barcelona, it is quite touristic and expensive, but it's such a beautiful place, very much worth it and some nice beaches in Sitges too. Of course, further away, to the north there is the Costa Brava, and a lot of nice places and towns, like Cadaquès, but it is a bit farther away from Barcelona than Sitges.
On the other hand, I'll tell you something about the 2-4 pm break for a lot of shops. In Catalonia, some people do Siesta, but a lot of people don't. It is more of an extended lunch break. You'll probably have realised that in Spain, lunch is the largest meal of the day, and many people like to take tehir time to socialise over the lunch (at least traditionally). And the most common time poeple in Spain take lunch is at around 2 pm. It seems so late in comparison to other european countries (I've lived in Poland and there lunch is also a big meal, but it is usually at around 12 or 1 pm). Actually, everything in Spain seems to be later in the day than in central and northern Europe, we eat dinner at around 9 or even 10 pm, and many go to sleep at 11 or even 12. But there's an interesting fact about Spanish time: we are in the wrong timezone. We have the same timezone as Germany, but if you look on the map, Spain is geographically just south of Britain, so geographically, we should be in the same timezone as England. That is because in Spain, during WW2, we had a fascist dictator called Francisco Franco, who was ideologically aligned with Hitler, so he decided he wanted Spain to have the same timezone as Germany. But you see, geographically, we should have one hour less, so taking into account that, our lunch is a bit later than in most European countries, but not that much.
You've basically been Germanized. 😀The first thing you have to do when living abroad as a German is complain about how you miss German bread! When I was studying abroad in England, me and all the Germans there did it all the time. Once we discovered a stall at a "German Christmas" market in England which sold German bread. It was the highlight of our week! 😁
That's true about the bread. Of course there are also bakeries in Barcelona, but the quality is still not that good. Most people in Catalonia only eat baguettes, like in France. So simple white bread, which also contains a lot of chemicals. I lived there for 5 years and my digestion got pretty wrecked.
Montana! I have been living in Barcelona for almost 10 years now, if you need anything let me know. You can find Brezeln in the bakeries called Maxcipan, I figured that they are the closest to the german ones 😉😉
I love your videos! Great job
These are nice compliments for Germany - especially because I am aware of what a great city Barcelona is (I have been there 25 times). Enjoy the pleasant climate, the beaches and the old town around the Ramblas, Gaudi (Sagrada Familiar, Park Güll etc.) and Picasso. When you come back to Germany, I highly recommend you to come to Hamburg in the north - like Barcelona a port city with lots of music and culture, even more water and much more nature. But of course, the wonderful Barcelona has other advantages, especially the Mediterranean old town. The size of Hamburg is also similar to Barcelona. It's great how much you immerse yourself in Europe here and like our continent. In Germany, it's often also the wonderful culinary specialties from other countries, especially Italy (ice cream, pasta and pizza) but also Spanish and (in Hamburg even more) Portuguese food.
thank you so much! I am trying to plan a trip to Hamburg this semester, so if you have any suggestions for must do's please let me know!
So ...
Außenalster
Walk around the Outer Alster (about 5 miles). On the east side there is the "Alsterperle", where you can unconventionally sit or stand outside and drink or eat something. There you have a wonderful view across the water to the city. Or (on the same side) in the Häuschen on the jetty with a view of the water. Nice Spanish food you can also go at the "Spanish Steps" - also directly on the water. And on the other side of this Alster canal even more beautiful an Italian restaurant, the "Anleger 1870"! The Außenalster is surrounded in all streets (around) by thousands of classicistic as well as art nouveau influenced architecture
and Art Deco villas - this is also beautiful and impressive.
On the north side (only 300 meters from my apartment is the Bobby Reich with boat docks - also quite nice to drink coffee or Aporol Spritz.
On the west side are beautifully landscaped meadows and the Cafe` "Cliff". If you walk past the meadows there, you have on one side a beautiful view over the water, on the other side at the meadows the villas of Hamburg celebrities (Jil Sander, Karl Lagerfeld, Wolfgang Joop, Michael Stich ...).
Kunsthalle
On a day like today, when it rains, you can go to the Hamburg Kunsthalle. A traditional focus is the 19th century. The museum has the departments for Old Masters and Modern Art. For today's art there is a separate complex of buildings (that is the white cube). The buildings are connected with each other.
Speicherstadt
Or you can go to the Miniature Wonderland. This is often more for men who enjoy that sort of thing. This is the second most visited attraction in Germany. But it is so lovingly and hugely organized and built by over 300 employees and developed over decades that it will be interesting for everyone. North America was also built there. Small trains, cars and planes fly everywhere. This is in the historical and also worth seeing Speicherstadt. This is still used today for the coffee and carpet trade. 100 meters to the right is a good coffee roastery with cafe.
Hafencity
Right next to the "Speicherstadt" is the new "Hafencity". The Elbphilharmonie belongs to it. You can always visit it on the plaza and walk completely around it (I would reserve beforehand for 2 euros on the Internet, then you have a place for sure). If you are lucky enough to get a ticket for the Great Hall, you can see and hear fantastic in all seats I found every concert there impressive so far.
Treppenviertel Blankenese
The S1 (a public transport train) is a good way to get to Blankenese. There are the captains' houses and neat houses and villas beautifully laid out on the hillside, along countless paths and stairs. I always like to have a coffee in the Strandhotel (original Andy Warhol pictures hang on the walls).
"Fischmarkt"
Important and interesting is the fish market (there is a traditional pub scene). It is known mainly for the market that takes place there. But it took place this morning, as every Sunday between 5 and 9:30 a.m. directly at the Elbe and attracts every time up to 70,000 visitors to the Elbe and looks back on a history of more than 300 years.
Walkway on the Elbe and the Elbe beach
From there - the fish market - you first pass modern buildings to a beautiful path past old capitol buildings on one side and always beach sections on the Elbe. Again and again you can stop and eat and drink something. Cult is the Strandperle (simple pub on the sandy beach with a view of the Elbe and passing container ships). Theoretically, you can walk along the Elbe as far as Blankenese.
Jenisch Park and Jenisch House
You pass Jenisch Park and…
Cafes
Nice cafes are, in addition to those mentioned on the Alster, the "Cafe Paris" near the City Hall, the cafe "Gnosa" in the Lange Reihe (near the train station) and the "Cafe Canale" (around the corner from me at Pölchaukamp). In the Hafencity there are several coffee roasteries where you can buy very good freshly roasted coffee in whole beans or try it right there with cake. The Elbgold chain (roastery and cafe) is also great. Especially the cafe by the Sternschanze subway station. Also the "Alte Mädchen" next door from Elbgold is great if you like to try different kinds of beer in small glasses. There's also food there.
At Cafe Canale you can also pass by canoe from the outside and order cappuccino and cake outside and have them handed to you in the boat.
Canoeing
You can rent a canoe at Isekai 1 and sail on the canals of the Alster. The most beautiful are the Leinpfadkanal, the Rondeel and the Rondeelkanal. This all hangs together, is a bit narrower and nicer than the wide canals. These small canals (also the Goldbekkanal) are all at in the immediate vicinity me in Winterhude.
Sadttpark and observatory
One of the most modern observatories in the world in the Stadtpark. There are of course astronomy events or even concerts in very comfortable seats.
Also the city park itself is quite nice (not far from me).
Elbphilharmonie
Definitely try to attend a concert in the "Großer Saal".
Pretzels as such are definitely an all-German tradition. You find them in the 1865 comic story 'Max und Moritz', at 'Sechster Streich' ('Sixth Trick'), where the boys try to steal pretzels from a bakery. The artist Wilhelm Busch grew up in northern Germany and most of the second names in the story are northern or middle German. But these pretzels were *sweet* pastries made with sugar as Easter holiday goodies - the story explicitely says so. This makes them different from the 'Laugenbrezel' type of Pretzels customary today, which are treated with soda or lye and salt-sprinkeled, giving them their distinct taste.
Hey Montana...thinking about you today (April 4) and wishing you a lovely day!🎉 I enjoy catching your posts.....Aunt Nancy
In Salamanca where I have lived for a year as a student now, the Carrefour Expresses are open on sundays :) and if you want to know what stores are closed midday (in Salamanca always 14 to 17 o clock), you can get orientation from whether it’s a chain and by how many people run the store. I think the rule is, that if there is an employee kitchen or a cafeteria where workers can get food, they don’t have to get a big midday break. If they do have those facilities, they can shorten it! Also, in clothing stores like Zara or a Corte Ingles they can have afternoon workers pick up the work from the morning workers and get around the break thingy, as well
Great reaction 👍🏻 greetings from Austria 🇦🇹
The siesta hours make a lot of sense in the extremely hot summer months though.
There are several ALDI (i.e. ALDI Nord) and LIDL stores in Barcelona (all can be found on google). If you really need a break from Barcelona for a day: There a several tourist places on the Costa Brava that are noticably influenced by German expats (especially Empuriabrava and Lloret de Mar). But even there I can't remember having ever seen a Butterbrez'n.
I guess traditionally Cataluna as a holiday destination is mostly a thing in the western/southwestern parts of Germany, while Bavarians rather go to Italy, so in a German bakery in Cataluna you might rather find rheinische Mutzemandeln or a Stutenkerl than a handmade Brez'n.
The closest you'll get might be the frozen Laugenstangen and Brez'n at Lidl.
Are you sure there is that much of a divide in where ppl go on holiday? I would have never thought so. Except for north Germans to be more likely to go to Denmark and Sweden, maybe. Especially if they are part of the Danish minority
@@hayati6374 This is just my personal theory, based on my own observations. My family owns an appartment at the Costa Brava, so I have been there basically once a year since the early 1980s. Most german cars I see have plates from NRW, Hessen, RLP or the Saarland. I very seldom see someone from Bavaria (or, for that matter, hear an Bavarian dialect). Granted, I haven't been there in the main season for quite a while, (I usually go around Easter orin October) but I don't think this will make much of a difference. Besides, since I'm living in Bavaria myself since 2013, the second part of that assumption is based on where my colleagues go on holiday - usually either to somewhere out of Europe, or to either Austria (for skiing or hiking) or Italy.
I've been to Aldi! I'm going to look for those pretzels next time, and thank you for all the advice!
Makes sense. Holiday in Spain to meet people from home.
I agree that siesta is a real inconvenience, something you understand if you were born in a spanish speaking country. But just like you did in germany, you need to get with the program. Then you will have reverse culture shock when you return to US or germany.
Ich lebe in Deutschland und hier hat auch fast kein Bäcker Brezeln. Man kann Laugenstangen bekommen, aber Brezeln gibt es fast ausschließlich an Bahnhöfen. Es ist eine südddeutsche Spezialität und nicht überall so einfach zu bekommen.
Thanks! Fun video to watch! I wonder to what degree you expected German goods in Spain tho and why?
Well, you got Churros and Chocolate there. Yummy!
El Corte Inglés an der Placa de Catalunya ist ein großes Kaufhaus und Carrefour Market, Carrer de Roger de Flor, 168, Barcelona ist ähnlich wie Kaufland.
Naja das sind ja eigentlich Ketten und es gibt sie öfter 😅
@@hayati6374 Ja, gibt es auch in Girona. Dort habe ich meist meine Jacken und Hemden gekauft.
nice 2 hear how u doin over there in spain.
about Brezeln in our german bakery : Depends where u live in germany coz here in Hamburg you'll not find 'em in every bakery. And spanish Siesta.. well... sucks, right?
What do ppl do in those 2 hrs? Go shopping? lol.. no possible. Having lunch in a restaurant? Also closed, right?
So they just come home and chill I guess... but what if home is like 1 hr away? ^^
Have a nice stay over there...
Really, Spanish people are really tired everybody saying "siesta" this and "siesta" that... when a shop is closed because the workers are eating (and casually, the hours of the day when other people are eating and there's no much movement... except for tourists, the ones complaining, of course). Also "siesta" when a restaurant is closed between services, when their workers are eating (yeah, they also have the right ot eat) and preparing the restaurant for the evening shift.
Hard to find bretzels in Spain? Not the same "delicious food"? wow! The times when i visited German, it was hard to find the food I like.. I dont know why they don't have Spanish food everywhere..
.. and i don't want to speak about the taste buds inherited in some countries (experienced 'thanks' to work collegues)
The myth that "in germany everything is closed on sundays". That is not the case. Everything that is ment for relaxing, being social and simply have a break from the every-day-chores is open. Restaurants, bars, cinema, theater, concert halls, parks, zoos, swimming pools etc. etc. I do just fine with one day per week when I have not to run to any store and buy groceries or stuff. Just enjoy the one day of peace.. 🤗
I can't anymore with Americans saying "everything is closed on Sundays". Shops are NOT "everything". Don't people have anything else on their minds other than shopping?
ÍHola Montana! ÍMe gusta que eres in España ahora! Aprendo español desde hace 1.5 años y soy de 🇩🇪 y también hablo inglés. Podemos hablar o escribimos en español, inglés y aleman. 😎 Te deseo mucha suerte por tu tiempo en España.
Naja, sie ist eigentlich in Katalonien, wo die Hauptsprache Katalanisch ist. Spanisch kann man dort aber auch gut in Sprachschulen lernen.
If you want to eat something like schnitzel I think you could search for „Milanesa“ it means something from Milan but it looks the same. I don’t eat meat anymore, though so I can’t tell you for sure 😅
Irgendwie ist mein Kommentar verschwunden, also hier noch mal:
-Deutsche Sachen gibt‘s bei „Noah‘s Market“
- Brezeln (halbwegs ok) gibt‘s bei Lidl (z.B. der bei Tres Torres an der Ronda de Dalt)
- Gute katalanische Alternativen wenn man keinen Fisch mag: Mandonguilles (kleine Klöße), Botifarra amb Mongetes (Bratwurst mit Bohnen), Estofat (Eintopf).
- Brot ist definitiv problematisch, aber in Gracia gibt es einige ganz gute Bäcker. Ist aber definitiv nicht vergleichbar mit Deutschland.
- Und wenn du mit Freunden Essen gehen willst, ist jetzt die Saison für „Calçotada“. Das sind über dem offenen Feuer geröstete Lauchzwiebeln mit einer sehr leckeren Soße und anschliessendem Barbecue.
- zum Abschluss und wenn dein Heimweh nach Deutschland zu groß wird: per Flieger ist man in zwei Stunden in München. Ryan Air ist günstig, Easyjet so in der Mitte. Für 100,- EUR sollte man hin und zurück kommen!
Viel Spass!
Hey again, Montana!
I'm german. Now down under, the prices for an iceberg-salad where up to 6€. So: I'm happy to still be here.
One guy, residental on Maui posted, that he would come back to Germany every summer. And buy 200 bars of "Ritter Sport" chocolate. To take it back home to the US. Saving him 600$. (Half the flight?)
More fun: I was up in Denmark, back in 1988. The Radio-stationx where shutting down at 8pm. Silence, on the radio.
(Stay at home and sing with your family and friends? A culture shock for me.)
But I'm sooo happy for you: to experience that! People. coming to you and saying: "Bla. blablabla..."
You'll ne the one to say: "Wait a minute! Have you ever been there?"
A VERY important thing in this world of lies.
In this way, I'm glad that you chose Spain over Germany: YOU KNOW. From personal experience. Right today.
You are a person, to compare. Not the past. Just what it is, in 2023.
What I always liked, beeing in the US, beeing in Denmark, beeing in Australia: to be in the situation. Not a visitor, a tourist.
That can never be matched.
Pls keep us updated. The things, you have to tell are lessons to learn for so many.
I am amazed if that person eats that chocolate on their own in a year 😂
I have ordered a bunch of Ritter Sport from Germany once but found out that it's not such a great idea when you are living in Texas (package was covered in chocolate even on the outside). Too bad because it's $2.90 for one bar of chocolate here and they only have like 5 different varieties.
In Berlin we pay around 1,50€ for a scoup of ice cream.
Schön dich wieder mal zu sehen
Is it Serrano ham?
Pricey ↔️ Tourist hotspot
Hi, du müsstest einmal nach Mallorca mit dem Schiff fahren, da solltest eigentlich alle Backwaren bekommen:D Ist so ziemlich alles Deutsch da:D
Hi Montana, well, I think after a while you will get to used to spanish food. Ok, bakeries is a different world outside of Germany for sure. I hope while in europe again you have planned at least couple days in Germany before you go back to the US again. May be you can afford a short trip from Barcelona to Munich to meet old friends again. I am sure there will be lots of offers. Anyway, I wish you all the best, lots of fun with other international students and being successfull with your studies. CU
Kürbiskern-Brötchen 😃
Brezel are not only Bavarian!! There are Badische, Schwäbische and Bayerische Brezeln. Sie haben unterschiedliche Details. In Norddeutschland waren sie lange quasi nicht verfügbar.
I hiked around Spain for 4 weeks. The food was a challenge as I don't eat seafood. What the Spaniards call bread is not bread.
Ich liebe Spanien hatte dort meine Abschluss Fahrt, möchte so gerne zurück😕
Haha, there you see again how Americans are trained to consume and convince. I wish we had siesta here in high summer in Germany.
The worst playgrounds in Germany are at McDonalds. 😭🤣
Kann dich gut verstehen, ich müsste mich auch erst umgewöhnen. Nur Brezeln würde ich nicht vermissen. Die scheinen hauptsächlich in Bayern und BaWü verkauft zu werden. Hier bei mir in Westfalen sehe ich die eher selten in den Bäckereien.
Leben ohne Brezn ist möglich, aber sinnlos.
Ah my god, to tell that some german generic mozzarella sandwich is better than any spanish bocadillo ... some people have weird taste. On the other hand, the comment on lack of spanish playground is so on point. And even if there is any, there is never shadow, meaning half of the year the playground is basically useless.
Ein Tip von mir. Schau dir mal Empuriabrava an. Eine schöne Stadt. Ca 1 Stunde mit dem Auto von Barcelona entfernt. In der Bucht von Rosas. Ich habe da oft Urlaub gemacht.
Viel Spaß noch. Ich liebe Spanien. Die Kultur, das Essen, die Musik und die Menschen.
Mfg
To say that German food is better than Spanish food is completely missing the point.
In the southern countries there is much better food. The Mediterranean diet is known to many.
While in southern Europe there was civilization for centuries, in Germany they ate raw meat and climbed trees. The towns from the south had to go to take them down.
Brezel aren’t a Bavarian thing
Hi Montana ich möchte dir nur sagen das du sehr hübsch bist. Und danke für deine Videos
Hey kartoffel, enjoy relaxed Livingstone in catalunya, Not spain, you are still in nothern Europa, cross river Ebro, than you'll meet being out of europe, be catched by Espanya
Ur so cool!
😊
So, Americans do need a special "Survival-Training" ... in GERMANY,... to be able to live in SPAIN ? ;-) To survive the cruel Siesta ?! =D Haha ... WOW ? 8-o Really ? 8-/ A so called "German Bakery" in Spain,...which does NOT offer Brezen/Pretzels ? 8-o That´s incredible ... a Sacrileg ! 8-P They should be deprived of their Title !
Montana denkt wieder nur ans Essen.
she has just been officially germanized 🥰
Wir haben dich schon ein bisschen versaut, oder? 🤣
We dont have "Siesta" time, we have lunch time. This is another stereotipe BS from anglos.
Stop gping to Spain