Weindorf

So I thought about writing about our recent adventures in the Fortress and the Residenz, but Numa already did! Click on her name on the right side of the page to see what she's posted here. :)

n-1 at Weindorf, pic by Thomas

What else have we done? Well, we are finally all settled in and have tackled all the logistical/legal requirements for being here all summer. Germany is very particular about these things; whenever anyone takes up residence in a new city, they have to register with the city...even if they're from another country. But nine of us are officially residing here--and in a few short weeks, Victoria will make us a perfect ten. I wish I could show you a picture of all of us, but we've actually been unable to all be in the same place at the same time since we've arrived! We consistently peak at n-1, where n is the number of people here. So here is a picture of a time at Weindorf when we thought we might have n people.

Krautschupfnudeln

What is Weindorf? It is like nothing I've ever seen. It is giant, week+-long, open-air...bar. Except it's not a bar. It's, well...it's a Wine Fest. They use two huge sections of the city square and set up tents and tables, complete with tablecloths, flowers, and menus. The menus are only for wines {and Apfelschorle (Mineralwasser + apple juice) and Mineralwasser (carbonated water)}, though. If you want food, you go to one of the concession stands scattered throughout and order things like Bratwurst mit Brötchen {a Bratwurst kolache} or Krautschupfnudeln {a very good and very filling dish made of a traditional Bavarian dish containing Spätzle (a thick noodle), Sauerkraut, and a bacon-like meat}.

I wouldn't bother mentioning Weindorf at all {I suck at the whole wine-tasting thing}, except that it is such a HUGE deal to the people of the city. Our tutors were so excited to see them setting up the wine fest when we arrived, and they informed us that we must go. Our research groups have all gone or made plans to go this week. It is a BIG DEAL to the people of Würzburg...and especially their physics department. What do Germans do for fun? It is not a lie to say that wine is on that list and possibly at the top {or a close second to German soccer}. There are local wineries featured at the festival, and everyone goes and enjoys a large table with wine and friends. It is another one of those things that I've seen here that I can't compare to anything in America. We do outdoor food festivals, but not with nice tables and waiters and waitresses.

Not to mention the Pfand. It literally means "deposit," but what it is is your freedom to walk out of a restaurant--or throughout Weindorf--with your glass of wine. Or your plate. Here's how it works:

1. Order a glass of wine and pay €0.50 more than the menu price.
2. Enjoy your wine. Walk across the Weindorf, or through the city, or all the way up to the Fortress!
3. Return to the original vendor or restaurant and give them your wine glass.
4. They give you €0.50! Someone in our group said it felt like getting paid to eat {they give you back €2.00 for a plate}.

After navigating a couple of Pfand situations--I tried to order one the first time I saw a menu, haha--I made a startling observation: they don't use disposable plate-ware here. No paper plates, no Styrofoam cups, or plastic forks. The people of Würzburg prefer to stay classy with real dishes {though I have seen people drinking wine with a straw, over on the Main Bridge}. See--I told you we had nothing like this in the states. When was the last time you went to any sort of festival--a free festival!--featuring real dishes. Class and environmental stewardship. {I know all you TX people are groaning at the amount of water will be required to wash all those dishes...but trust me, there is no lack of water here. They actually landscape. More on that later.}