10: Single Stuff Oreos

If you know me at all, you know how much I love Oreos. But single stuff Oreos are like throwing a javelin half as far; it’s just not a good thing. Lucky for me I know how to make Oreo cheesecake.

9: Lack of breakfast

Google Germany and they have a history of large breakfasts. Full of deli meats, breads, and cheeses; like going to Costco and sampling everything they have to offer. But this is simply a lie, or at least in Offenburg. The family I stay with has toast and tea and goes about their day. I can’t wait to cook them a full American breakfast.

8: Gas Prices

American’s keep complaining about gas prices, but the prices here more than double the US/Oregon average. When I get home I will be feeling very fortunate!

7: Traffic

While the traffic is not that bad and they don’t have a speed limit on the autobahn, they have many odd things about their street traffic. At stop light intersections everyone gets a turn, streets are super narrow, which makes it look like people are driving on the sidewalks, and there are traffic circles everywhere! Add it all up and you get everywhere much slower. 60kph seems to be the average according to the GPS in my training partner’s car, but when I drive to Portland I try and get 60-65 mph (100kph – 60% faster).

6: Bread

Bread in Germany is downright awful. It’s dry like toast, it lacks flavor, and even the imitation “American” bread falls way short. Next time I may have to pack a few loaves in my checked baggage to survive. There is simply no way to make a sandwich here in Germany, but I think they have the same view on American bread.

5: Closed on Sundays

Hopefully you didn’t want to get anything done on Sundays because almost everything is closed. The convenience of most places being open almost 16 hours a day, 7 days a week in America has not been adopted in Germany.

4: Closed on Sundays

I am big on having fresh bread and fresh fruit in my house. This means I have to go to the grocery store almost daily. The problem is in Germany the supermarkets are tiny. They are more like a convenience store, which is great for buying bananas since I eat 2-3 a day, but with a smaller store comes a lack of selection. Good news I found an “Edeka” the other day and it’s like a big Safeway. Now only if I had a car so I could purchase all my groceries there.

3: No Ice Water

You can’t find ice anywhere… And for an athlete with sore muscles/joints that could be a problem. I think this is a whole Europe thing, but the Germans tell me in the summer they serve ice in their drinks. But be sure to ask for flat (still) water or else they will give you sparkling water. Also when in restaurants, don’t drink your soda or water too fast in Europe because there are no free refills.

2: Lack of Flavor

Open any American spice drawer and you will probably find 50 spices of everything you need. Especially Johnny’s Seasoning salt which is essential for men in the kitchen, but here you would be hard pressed to find 50 spices in the grocery store. Add to that they don’t add enough sugar to desserts and over cook everything by 10-15 minutes, leads me to get very excited to cook American meals for my German family.

1: Friends and Family

Hardest part for sure is leaving the people you really care about. While Skype and Facebook make it a little easier, nothing quite compares to being with your family and friends.

 

Did you like the Not Top 10? Check out the Top 10 of Germany here