Trip to Deutschland

[LoyalTubist]

Not having been to Germany since I leaving the 298th Army Band (Berlin) in 1982, I think the reunification of Germany (Berlin was about 130 miles inside the Iron Curtain) and the Euro would be big differences. I remember having four different types of money in my wallet...

• US Dollars (for purchases made at the PX, Commissary, and other US military doings)

• French Francs (for purchases at l'Economat and other French military doings)

• West German Marks (for everything else requiring money in West Berlin, including dealing with British Forces and purchases at the NAAFI Club)

• East German Marks (technically, it was illegal for us to have them... they were supposed to be on par with West German Marks but we could get them at most any civilian West Berlin bank at a rate of about 6:1... we went to East Berlin often with the consent of the West Berlin Commanding General... we had to wear a dress uniform without a name tag and we had to call each other by first name!)

Things have changed!

[trseaman]

Very cool...

It's awesome that you had a good experience. Ate good food, drank good beer and got a taste of German culture first hand!

As a young man in the military I spent a number of years in southern Germany, not far from Nurnberg at a place called Herzo Base. Many of those bases have now been returned to the Germans but my memories haven't changed at all. (everyone is still 20 yrs old!) Even though it's been over 20 years, I remember how the American way of life was becoming the norm for the Germans. First a Mc Donald’s and then a Burger King... Not quite the same as the little bratwurst stands where the menus consisted of bratwurst sausage & a roll, french fries & mayo and warm sodas.

I have always wanted to return and someday, hopefully in the near future it's something that will come true...

Old memories don't go away, they just become blurred and seem more distant than ever...


Tim

[tubatooter1940]

Love Europe! My German brother-in-law promised me to guide us on a tour of Germany and then my wife's sister divorced him. There went my German tour!
Loved the pics, Doc. Looks like you had a great time.
What did the Germans say about you guys' music?

[chhite]

I have found the Germans, and European audiences in general, love the music we play, especially Big Band. Every time we get to "In the Mood" the oohs and aahs and lots of applause spontaneously erupt. This is probably the most satisfying musical experience that I have had. A complete contrast from the States, where it is extremely difficult to get an audience, especially in large cities. We play in some of the best concert halls, and some not-the-best halls, but every time the house is packed and they want to hear more. Nothing like an appreciative audience.

[ArnoldGottlieb]

Sounds cool Doc, it reminds of a lot of the reasons I'm thinking of moving back after living there for more than 5 years. At least I can get the beer in New York.......
Peace.
ASG
ps
here's another reason
4 song samples are up (sorry, no tuba)
http://ton-3.de/hoeren.html

[ArnoldGottlieb]

Sweet.

I thought about you while I was over there, AG. I can see why people want to live there. Weissbier (.5L) was 1 Euro in the small towns. Gotta love it. Here, when you can find it, is between $2.50 and $6.00 a bottle.

Yeah it's great, and stuff is considerably more expensive since the Euro became the currency........
I remember buying bier for a 1 DM (less than half a buck) in 1996.
Peace.
ASG
p.s. I dig your band on myspace

[corbasse]

Those "Umlaute" can´t be found on the british and american computer keyboards,wonder why,therefore I can´t write E-mails with the sign for the brtish pound,which looks like an "L",it´s simply not there.............

If you set the keyboard to us international you can type most accents and umlauts.
The ' " ^ ` and assorted keys turn into "deadkeys" and react on the key pressed after them. So you type " then u and end up with ü. if you want the symbol you press space after it.

Linux has a similar keyboard setting and for mac there's a plugin available doing the same.