So every Saturday, I take the time to make sure that I have all the foods that I think I'll need for the week!
Another interesting difference is that Germans do not refrigerate their eggs! This has its conveniences because my fridge is shared between three roommates and myself. It's interesting to also note that eggs are not refrigerated in shops. This is because if eggs are not washed after being laid, they have a natural antibiotic coating that can prevent spoiling for quite some time. In contrast, in the U.S., due to the way that chickens are raised, eggs are washed and as a result lose this natural coating. It did make for a frustrating hunt around the supermarket looking for the refrigerator that contained eggs, which of course I couldn't find!
Sharing Culture:
Just as experiencing the culture of Germany has been extremely fulfilling, it has equally been satisfying to be able to share my American culture with my new German friends, as well as a great way to soothe my home sickness.
It took nearly a month to organize, but I hosted my first ever Thanksgiving outside of the U.S.! I had to find all the essential elements: the turkey, the cranberries, the pecans for the pecan pie... there are a surprising number of ingredients which are harder to find than I would have thought. But, with the help of my American friends here in Germany, some of whom are also taking part in the Fulbright program, we put together a Thanksgiving feast for 14 people, nine of whom were German! It made me feel so happy and at home to be able to share such an important American celebration with them.
