You are a Sum of Your Experiences

On December 15, 2016December 16, 2016 By Isobar ExpeditionsIn Germany, India, morocco, Photo Challenge, South America6 Comments

There are many factors that ultimately shape who you are as a human being. Whether you believe in nature or believe in nurture as the fundamental building blocks to us as human beings, there can be no escaping the fact that your experiences add to who you are as a human being. The people that you meet, the places that you see, the customs and cultures that you learn to understand, all have an indelible impact upon how you view the world around you. There might be some factors that are bestowed upon you at birth, but we believe that your experiences do influence the way that you interact with the world. The Daily Post Discover Challenge this week is Finding Your Place, talking about the places that have shaped who we are. For us, it is a simple and yet complex answer. The places that have influenced us the most are those that have pushed our cultural limits. With that in mind, here are a few photos from the places that have stretched our limits the most, India, Morocco, Bolivia, and even Germany due to the length of time that we have been here. Each of these locations have left a distinct imprint on our souls and we will never be the same without these unique opportunities to view the world through different eyes.

The Coast of Morocco on the Atlantic Ocean

Tasting the Local Beers (Biers)

On December 7, 2016 By Isobar ExpeditionsIn Germany, Recipes7 Comments

One of the things that we have enjoyed is trying the various local beers at each of the cities and towns that we have visited. We had heard before moving to Germany that you can only find the local beer in each of the towns and that you couldn’t find anything else. That might be true in certain pubs and restaurants, but for the most part we have found that you can find some of the national favorites in addition to the local brew. With that said, we try to taste the local beer, especially a seasonal one, wherever we visit.

One of the First Beers from here in Frankfurt

Blurry, but from a Wonderful Restaurant in Koblenz where Albert Einstein used to Visit

We prefer bolder beers, usually more of an amber or brown beer, but we have had several pilsners as well, which are often the favorite of the locals. Here in Frankfurt, Bitburger seems to be the most popular and it is always served with a coaster around the stem of the glass. One other thing to note is that every beer, even seasonal ones, are served in glasses specific to that particular beer. You won’t find a generic glass or mug, each beer has it’s own special glass with the logo of the brewery and the specific type of beer clearly displayed.

From Cologne, but can be found in the US

Whether you like beer or not, while in Germany, you should at least try a few of the local offerings. If you do, don’t just go from ones on tap as some of the best can only be found in a bottle. Just like with all of the food that we have been eating, we try to taste them in moderation and try to get some extra steps in during the day to offset the calories. Germany also has some wonderful wines with plenty of local vinyards, so don’t limit yourself to beer during your visit. Sitting in a pub with a pint in your hand may not change your life, but you may gain a few friends as it is a popular pastime here.

Frankfurt’s Christmas Markets

On December 5, 2016 By Isobar ExpeditionsIn Germany4 Comments

The Christmas markets started last week and they dominate the areas where we normally shop and eat. The markets have definitely been everything that we were expecting and heard that they would be. Lots and lots of food, Glühwein, Apfelwein, beer, candy, and souvenirs galore. We understand that Frankfurt’s markets are one of the larger Christmas markets, at least in terms of attendance, and the crowds have definitely shown up in full force. We aren’t ones to stay out too late, but from what we have heard, the crowds can get quite boisterous and it is quite the party with everyone who has had the fill of alcohol and food. It is hard not to have a good time with everyone enjoying themselves and a general feeling of celebration in the air.

During the day, it is definitely a family affair as kids ride the merry-go-rounds and are amazed at the festively colored temporary buildings. It is amazing how elaborate these stalls can be considering that they are only in place for a month including restaurants with tables, wine stands with indoor seating areas, and stores with hundreds of shelves. As the day turns into night, the markets turn to more of an adult playground as more and more young adults make their way out to party with the Christmas spirit.

We made our way down to Alten Limpurg, one of favorite restaurants, but it was quite difficult to get there and we were lucky to get a seat. We definitely won’t be going there over the weekend as it is far to busy for us. The party goes on seven days a week, though, so we can probably make our way down there during a weekday when the crowds are not quite as bad. We have had bratwurst and currywurst from the stands and we will definitely be getting some roasted chestnuts soon. We have also had some chocolates and will have a few specialties from Frankfurt over the coming weeks.