Oct 18, 2021

German Idiom of the Day: Alter Schwede

When your former coworker, whom you haven’t seen in a year or more, greets you with ‘Alter Schwede’ (Old Swede), you might wonder what he is referring to.

This is an idiom, which was coined by the Prince Elector Friedrich Wilhelm of Brandenburg. During the 30-year war (1618 – 1648), he recruited Swedish soldiers to train his men. These Swedes were so popular with his German soldiers, they addressed them with a congenial ‘Alter Schwede!’

This idiom is still being used when we see an old friend after a long time. We also use it to express appreciation, respect, or amazement.

When speaking German, we use it with people of any nationality.

Oct 17, 2021

A New View onto the Mountain Lodge Camp King, Oberursel

Last year, quite a few trees in our neighborhood had to be taken down because of the drought from previous years.

The removal of these trees opened up a new view onto the Mountain Lodge after almost 25 years.

When you look closely, you can see the steeple in the center of the photo.

The droughts of 2018 – 2020 are definitely changing some the landscape in Germany.

Sep 10, 2021

Parking at the Marketplace in Oberursel

Based on the cars featured in this historical postcard, it might be safe to say this image is from the 1960s. Parking is no longer allowed there though.

Oberursel Marketplace 1960s

Other than the absence of parked cars, not much has changed since this photo has been taken.

The marketplace is still a sloping ground, and the farmers market takes place there on Saturday mornings.

Sep 9, 2021

German Word of the Day: die Pflastersteine

In a conversation about last week’s Hof Flohmarkt (courtyard flea market), when most of Oberursel’s Altstadt (old part of the town) opened its courtyard gates to many visitors, I also mentioned to wear good shoes around the area as high heels make walking difficult.

The conversation turned then to farm house courtyards, and their original purpose. There is also a difference between the original cobble stones and the new ones to fit the Altstadt flair.

This is a sample of the old Pflastersteine (cobble stones), which are a significant part of Oberursel’s Altstadt.

Old cobble stones 13th century

These cobble stones look like they date from a more recent era.

This is another alley near St. Ursula Church, where only cobble stones are found.

Oberursel Hof Flohmarkt 2021

Around the Altstadt, even the stairways are made from cobble stones.

Stairway to St. Ursula Church, Oberursel

der Pflasterstein (Singular), die Pflastersteine (Plural)

But das Pflaster by itself is a band-aid.

Sep 4, 2021

Tour of Camp King in Oberursel, Germany

There will be a tour of Camp King with our local town guide, Sylvia Struck, (in German) on Saturday, 18 September 2021.

The tour covers the history of the area from the time of the Reichssiedlungshof in the 1930s to the the end of the U.S. Army occupation in 1992.

The meeting point is the Kinderhaus in the Jean-Sauer-Weg at 14:00. The tour costs 3 euro.

Anyone wishing to partake in this tour should register beforehand by calling 06171 502-232 or writing to tourismus@oberursel.de by 17 September as spaces are limited.

A negative COVID-19 test and wearing a face mask are recommended.

I happened to come across Mr. Manfred Kopp, also known as Mr. Camp King, at an event in Oberursel today.

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