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Living in Germany can be wonderful
Living in Germany can be wonderful, exciting and a great learning experience, while many Germans do speak English, you'll be surprised how far a few words in German will get you. To help you better understand and appreciate your German hosts, we have listed a few of their customs, traditions and laws. When introduced to a German say "Guten Morgen" (good morning), "Guten Tag" (good day), "Guten Abend" (good evening), or simply "Tag." It's customary to give a greeting when entering a small business; when leaving say "Auf Wiedersehen" (good bye). It's considered impolite not to greet people at such times.
Help with the language
You'll have the opportunity to take a short course called German Head start when you in process. The course offers and introduction to the German culture and the language. Additionally, the USO offers German classes for a fee. If the language barrier is still holding you back, there's lots of help available on the web in the form of translation services. The translations provided by these service aren't perfect, but they do get the message across. If the computer translation on a site comes back too confusing to use, try the same text on a different site: World.altavista.com, www.freetranslation.com, www.systransoft.com, or www.linguadict.de. Online dictionaries are also useful. Try looking up individual words at one of these sites: dictionary.reference.com/translate/text.html or worldreference.com/de
German Dining
Bratwurst stands, Imbiss, McDonalds, Burger King, KFC and Pizza Hut provided fast food opportunities. In German Gasthauser and restaurants you can spend a relaxing time enjoying the freshly prepared dishes. Visit a café for your favorite beverage and a snack, and many kinds of cakes and cookies. It's customary to spend an hour or more at a café. A bistro's menu is similar to that of a diner's. The emphasis is on hot food that doesn't take too long to prepare. A Gasthaus offers a fixed menu of complete meals and other assortments. A restaurant in Germany is basically the same as in the U.S., but without the rush. Be prepared to wait 20-30 minutes for your meal. Food is served when it's ready; some members of your party may receive their food much earlier than others in your party. Often they eat their salad with the meat and not before. Traditional American tipping isn't done in Germany. Instead, when paying your bill at a restaurant, simply round up or add one or two euros to your bill for the waiter. For large bills and great service rounding up five euros is reasonable. Many restaurants take reservations.
Quiet Hours
By German law, 1–3 p.m. Monday through Saturday are reserved for the Mittagsruhe, or mid-day-rest. The law states there can be no loud or unusual noise which would disturb people who may be napping. Another German law provides that there should be no disturbance of the solemn character of Sundays and holidays. This includes mowing the lawn and creating noise. Quiet hours are in effect all day Sunday and on all German holidays. Quiet hours apply on the kasernes as well.
Post Office
The German post office is very different than an American post office. At the Bundespost, you can pay telephone and utility bills, buy German stamps and make telephone calls.
Climate
European weather is mild. The spring and summer weather in Germany is best described as cool and damp. The winter is cold and wet. The average winter temperature is 38 degrees Fahrenheit. Summer average temperatures stay in the mid 70s. Annual precipitation for the region is 24 inches.
Festivals and Events
You will find monthly events, festivals and many happenings in Germany throughout the year. The U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden Public Affairs compiles a Things to Do weekly that usually has information on the festivals and events in and around the area of Wiesbaden. Additionally, the Herald Union newspaper also lists cultural events and movie schedules.
Germany is a country rich in festivals throughout the year. Some are not as well known as others but all are worth experiencing. Starting in the last days of September and ending two weeks later, Oktoberfest is Germany's most famous festival. It takes place in Munich, the capital of Bavaria, and includes carnival rides, acts, food and beer. Each year, the Oktoberfest sells hundreds of thousands of kegs of beer from Munich's most famous breweries. Though better known for its beer, Germany is one of the largest wine producers in the world. For two weeks in September, Bad Durkenheim throws a party. Germany has hundreds of wine festivals each year, but this is one of the biggest. It's a great way to familiarize yourself with German wine, people and all the festivities.
At the end of June and early July, Berlin holds the annual Berlin Film Festival, one of the biggest and most exciting motion picture awards ceremonies held in Europe. It's a chance to see fine international films and to catch sight of some of the world's brightest stars. To order a program, or book a reservation, write to Berlin Festipiel, Budapest Str. 50, 1 Berlin 30. The Cannstadt Volksfest is help September through October near Stuttgart, Germany. It's second in size only to Munich's Oktoberfest. It was initiated by King Wilhelm I more than 150 years ago and is held on a large grassy field in the suburb of Stuttgart. This festival offers many amusement rides, booths selling handicrafts, food stands and beer tents with live music.
Fasching, also called Carnival, Fastnacht and Fasnet is central Europe's name for Mardi-Gras. It's a time of merrymaking that precedes the Lenten fasts. It officially begins Nov. 11 and ends Ash Wednesday. The main celebration takes place on Rosenmontag, the Monday before Ash Wednesday, with parades, parties and dancing in the streets. Many cities host Fasching events, however, the biggest parades take place in Mainz, Cologne, Munich and Dussledorf.
On the first Saturday in June, July and September, the famous Heidleberg Castle presents and illumination and fireworks display. Also during the summer, "Rhine Aflame," is held one night each month. This is an incredible evening of fireworks along the Rhine River with numerous castles as a breathtaking backdrop.
You probably remember the story of the pied piper of Hamlin from your childhood. Now you can visit the town made famous by the legend and enjoy a show in its honor. Every Sunday at noon in July and August, the old town of Hamlin commemorates the fateful kidnapping of the town's children on June 26, 1284 in a two-part pageant and festival. For more information, see www.armygermany.com.
Cultural attractions
Germany is a land rich in cultural history and sites. Keep in mind that you're just hours away from some of the most amazing historical landmarks in the world. There's a caste in almost every city and town. Admission is usually minimal, one to five euros. The USO and Outdoor Recreation sponsor a wide variety of activities and trips throughout Germany at reasonable prices. Recreation
Germany comes alive in the summertime with bicycles as the primary mode of transportation and walking a close second.
There are thousands of miles of biking and walking trails throughout Germany. Volksmarching is an all-season activity for the entire family. You can walk for points, prizes or just for the dun o fit. Swimming enthusiasts can take advantage of the lakes, pools and thermal pools all within a short distance. If you're a winter sports person, ski and snowboard areas are within an hour's drive and the fabulous Alps are close enough for weekend trips. Talk to the USO or Outdoor Rec about their trips.
This is the country for outdoor enthusiasts. If you like camping, hiking, climbing or jogging, golfing, fishing, swimming, white water rafting, canoeing, kayaking, scuba diving, windsurfing, skiing, skydiving and sightseeing in general, you'll love it here. Employment
Opportunities for civilians are more restricted than in most stateside locations. Personnel who are not fluent in German have fewer employment options on the economy. Jobs affiliated with the military are highly sought after by local nationals, retired military and Americans living in Europe, as well as dependents of active-duty military. Because of the limited positions and stiff competition, it can take time to find a job.
Individuals desiring to work for German companies must comply with German work laws and regulations. Most civilians associated with the military population have several alternatives when seeking employment, although generally these have a connection to the military.
Wiesbaden and Mainz
Although located on the outskirts of the city of Wiesbaden, Wiesbaden Army Airfield is distinctly located between two capital cities; Wiesbaden (in the state of Hessen) and Mainz (in the state of Rheinland-Pfalz).
Wiesbaden
Elegant and beautiful, Wiesbaden is without a doubt one of the most attractive cities in Germany. The capital city of Hessen is sometimes referred to as the "Nice of the North" and rightfully so — considering the many mansions, the historic Kurhaus, the casino and the magnificent State Theater.
Wiesbaden has been well known as a great spa city since ancient times. But it was during the mid-1800s that the city developed a reputation as an international and cosmopolitan spa city. At the time, J.W. von Goethe, Johannes Brahms and Fyodor Dostoyevsky, as well as various royal families, frequented Wiesbaden.
Today, Wiesbaden's 27 hot, saline springs and its mild climate and park-like setting continue to make it a popular resort and conference center. And while Wiesbaden has a long illustrious history, it is also the modern state capital of Hessen.
The Rhein River and wine are inseparably linked with Wiesbaden. Numerous producers of German sparkling wine (Sekt) are located in and around Wiesbaden. Nearby, the Rheingau wine-growing region — with its distinctive wines and culinary delights also await discovery. Each summer, the Rheingau music festival highlights spectacular performances set against the backdrop of the historic local vineyards.
Wiesbaden is also known for its elegant hotels. One of the focal points of Wiesbaden is the Kurhaus, where guests reside while they take in the waters. At the nearby casino, you can test lady luck in a spectacular setting. And if you like to shop, head to the famous antiques quarter, elegant retail arcades or the boutiques along Wilhelmstrasse. Stroll along the cobblestone streets where small shops and boutiques are nestled between half-timbered houses in the historic city center.
Mainz
The capital of Rhineland-Pfalz, a center of carnival celebrations in Germany has a beautiful, richly decorated six-towered cathedral from the 12th‑13th centuries. The archbishops of Mainz were powerful electors in the Middle Ages, belonging to a group of seven princes who chose the emperor.
Narrow streets with half-timbered houses from the 16th and 17th centuries, palaces of the nobility and impressive churches from various time periods surround the cathedral in the old section of the city.
Johannes Gutenberg (1398–1468), the inventor of the printing press, came from Mainz. The Gutenberg Museum, called the "World Museum of the Art of Printing," honors this with its rich collections.