Nadja's views on naked Germans

OK, some Germans, not all as the stereotype may suggest, love taking their kit off. They do it anywhere that offers a patch of grass or that can by some stretch of the imagination be interpreted as "nature". They call this Freikoerperkultur (free body culture) and it has led to various interesting stories in the international press. One fondly remembers the naked German hikers who descended on the tiny ueberconservative canton of appenzell http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8019766.stm (this is a remote part of Switzerland where people still dress in traditional attire, even on normal workdays, including cow bell earrings for the guys). On the banks of the beautiful river Isar, one can observe many of that particular species, the naked Teutons. What I find most amazing about this unabashed nakedness is that people actually manage to talk to one another without seemingly noticing whatever is dangling in front of them. I mean COME ON, and this comes from a seasoned sauna user, it is virtually impossible to talk to a naked person in front of you without noticing their bits, even if you'd REALLY rather not. That's why sauna's are great. The light is dim, it's so hot you have trouble thinking clearly anyway and you usually sit next to one another or on some kind of bench that makes it easier to ignore one another's privates.
Anyway, on the pebble-covered banks of said river, naked Germans were frolicking in all shapes and sizes, literally, and I couldn't help noticing (for above mentioned reasons) that most men were sporting Brazilians, and I am not talking about some beautiful eye candy hanging off their elbow! Now, don't get me wrong, I am all for equality of the sexes and all but you are already naked, why take it that step further? Why discard even of that little bit of obvious inhibition nature has so graciously endowed us with? But of course that's just me.
Regarding the Brazilians, male version, it might just be some weird European fashion. Any ideas anyone? More about other fascinating European habits later.

the closest equivalent to Brazilian Jujitsu

As many of you know i love my Brazilian Jujitsu and mix martial arts.

Im suffering withdrawal right now and really missing my great club Strikeforce in Aotearoa.

I havent found a gym to train at in Munich but in Chur found i could do the closest Swiss equivalent. It's called Schwingen :)




(which is actually more similar greko roman wrestling)

astroTV

TV here in Germany is just as bad as in the rest of the world.

Watch this and cringe

Life in Munich

Leon is such fun! Every day he is so smily and so happy. We are keeping him busy taking him around Munich and Bavarian, having an incredible time. Its really special actually and we are loving every day. Nadjas mum and brother have visited a couple of times already (as have we) and we have many more friends planning to come over soon. We still havent got our own apartment (living at the companies apartment) but hope to move into our own place soon. We just applied for a great place right in the heart of town, a very trendy place. High ceilings, French restaurant downstairs, room with a view. Anyway, if we get it we will move in on the 15th August.

Munich is really a wonderful city, i love it. It's low rise, so it feels like a big village, very very easy to get around, awesome publich transport so we probably go without a car. SO much to see and do, its really feels like we are on a holiday. Probably our favourite place is the famous Munich Bier Gartens (Beer Gardens), or their lovely Isar (river).

Of course we are missing our wonderful friends in NZ, and when people ask me about NZ i sound like i work for the tourist commision as i cannot stop saying enough things about how wonderful it is.

Work Summer Party

July 2010 in Baveria (near the Austrian border), 35C and a beautiful day for the company summer party.

400+ people, (lake) beach, human table footbal, a bull ride, boats to hop on, climbing walls, tones of wonderful food (Bavarian BBQ), unlimited drinks, great band, hotels for all, and lots of fun.

Im not used to having company parties in July, i kept wishing everyone Merry Xmas. Apparently the company xmas party is another big event that usually takes place high up in the Austrian Alps.

PS im in the second photo playing the human table soccer

i used to think Mac fans were a little crazy

but now im one of them.

My work got me a beauty, a top of the like MacBook Pro, 8GB ram, and SSD (i mainly run Windows on it though).

Still waiting for the wider release of the iPhone4.

Im also shopping for a cool MacBook Bag or Sleeve, if you have any recommendations let me know.

Summer in Munich.

Been about 33C.

Here are some more photos from the permanent wave on the river.

These photos are taken from the bridge over head, the width of the river here is only about 10 meters. The surfers are amazing, they do 360s and tricks.

As an Australian I shame my country for not being able to surf it!