In 2018, I was gifted a trip to Germany for my birthday. It’s been 13 years since I last saw my grandparents, so I’m sure you can imagine the shock. Previously, I was a tiny human filled with bizarre ideas… nothing has changed.
The difference between the airport in Toronto and the airport in Munich: In Canada, we travel looking like we are going to bed. In Europe, the entire population dresses like they have an important meeting at Google Headquarters. #truefacts
Home is where… you get fed…. a lot
FACT. Grandparents are there to make you gain weight and love you unconditionally. Also, they crafted my mother into the wonderful human being she is today. Germans are the absolute greatest, and their food is out of this world! Their quality is miles beyond what we have here in North America. We need to take MAJOR notes asap! You seriously haven’t lived unless you’ve had Deutsche Semmeln, Spätzle, and do not even get me started on Deutsche Schokolade! I came back with so much chocolate that my luggage was borderline exploding, and the wheels popped off from all the weight.
My grandparents live in a beautiful village with the most delicious bakeries! I thoroughly enjoyed every moment I spent there. Every evening, we would sit downstairs and play an intense game of Canasta or Rummy.
I also need to brag about my grandma’s insane decorating skills. She literally has the perfect home. It’s cozy, cute, and she makes a house into a home.
Chemnitz, Germany
I was on a mission to find quality German knives… for cooking obviously and we went to Chemnitz. I did end up finding the knives, and I also found a super delicious spot to grab a cappuccino. They really know their coffee down here. It tasted like it was crafted from golden hands. As an added bonus, it was only 2 Euros.
I was also fortune enough to stop by the Karl Marx monument, and we got free parking because my great aunt knows her way.
Breitenbrunn, Germany
It’s 3oclock somewhere! Germans are notorious for their “Kaffee und Kuchen zeit”. This translates to my favourite time of day. Ever. I still practice it to this day. Although it’s mainly meant for socializing over a cup of coffee and a piece of cake, I will happily do this alone. Go big or go home. Also, 4+ meals a day is always a good time. I learned that valuable lesson from my amazing dad.
Schloss Augustusburg, Germany
The entire time I was roaming the grounds, I was thinking of that scene in The Office where Michael Scott is on the booze cruise and yells, “I’m king of the world!”
Dresden, Germany
Capital of Saxony. I ate the most epic plate of Käsespätzle here and I thoroughly regret not taking a photo.
Czech Republic
One of our day excursions was hopping the border to check out the Czech Republic. We saw this incredible castle on the drive down there. The Czech Republic had some really cool stuff, but beware of the vendors! A lot of them will try to pressure you or make you shell out more cash then you have to. It can be quite bombarding.
At the end of the day, I managed to score a sweet, thick, turquoise hoody for only 25 Euro. It’s still in mint condition to this day and I’ve worn it and washed it a lot.
Crafty Germans and their Crafty Wood
“If you cut down a tree in the morning, is it considered morning wood?” – Canuck Kitchen
Miscellaneous Photos
My grandparents had a cat for over a decade. Everyone, meet Mickey! He was an incredible little guy, and we miss him dearly. Other pictures are a cappuccino I had while traveling, a graveyard we visited to pay respects to my great grandma, and a photo of my favourite bakery of course.
For more escapades, check out our “Lifestyle” section.