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a feel good travel blog

8 Things I Really Learned (Looking Back) From Living in Hannover, Germany

2/29/2016

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It’s no secret that moving abroad changes people. Mostly for the better, your views and perceptions about the world and yourself change. Now, I must admit living in Germany was never my dream. I always wanted to live in Australia and conquered that dream at 20 and 23 respectively. But Germany? 

Why the hell would I want to live in this dark and cold place that completely fucked millions of lives and thousands of historical sites back in the 1940’s? It wasn’t my dream. Spain or Greece was my dream, but not Germany. It was my husband’s life-long and dying dream to live in Germany and learn the language.

There’s a backstory to why I never had the desire to move to Germany.  My great grandmother lived in a small Ukrainian village and my Great Grandfather was from Krakow, Poland. I talked to my great grandmother who we called Baba about her horrific journeys of being taken from her village by the SS and sent on trains to work/displacement camps to Budapest, Vienna and later in Berchtesgaden, Germany. Hearing these stories made it seem that Germany and Germans are dark, cold and cruel. My great grandmother passed a couple years ago at 92, and I always wondered what she would have thought about me moving to Germany - a place where she survived a "nightmare."

Before moving, I had these visions of sitting in a detainment cell with my two cats getting quarantined because my American veterinarian filled out the USDA paperwork with black ink instead of blue and the fear that the Germans would euthanize my cats. My poor relaxed veterinarian had to deal with my stringent reminders of “you MUST do this.”

Well, anyways, looking back I had an amazing and positive experience. And I could not have imagined living anywhere else in Europe other than Hannover, Germany. Here are the eight things I really learned about Germans.
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Living a Modest Life
As an American, I feel two things that rule most of our existence is money and success. With a rising cost of living, money, and wanting more of it, caused me so much stress throughout my life. What I learned in Hannover and Northern Germany is that I can survive off the basics and do not need as much stuff in my life. I moved to Germany with two suit-cases, only to find myself wearing 1/3 of the clothes that I actually brought. It reminded me of how much shit we accumulate and never use. If I had to live in northern Germany, I realized that I can live a great life if I could earn around 2,000 Euros per month.  Although the cost of living is less than the United States, I realized that my happiness combined with a modest life (balanced with work and pleasure) sounds much more enriching than a life slogging it for the big bucks.

I Got Tough
I really hope this stays with me, but the German’s method of efficiency and brutal honesty toughened me up. Most people can view the Germans as rude and some as complete jerks. I didn’t become an asshole, but I became a realist. At times in America, I felt like an old weathered chair - beaten down from the daily grind and "giving" myself unconditionally.
I now have no problems saying “no” to the things that no longer serve me. Before I would worry about my reputation or what people would think if I didn’t accept certain opportunities. I now really value that my time is money. And I too need to eat and pay my bills, especially when it comes to people over-stepping boundaries and wanting free services all the time. 
But the German attitude helped me in my coaching business because it allows me to be kind but blunt, which before I needed a bit more “umph” in that department. It was there all along, hiding in the back of my throat, but the Germans brought that out in me.
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Independence
I’ve been an independent person my entire life. In fact, at times I’ve been so independent or have done too many things solo that it borders “lonerism.” What traveling taught me is that I want complete control and independence of my life. Some of that includes this desire to be a full-time freelancer so I can dictate my vacation schedule, but I cannot help this inner drive that wants to be free of constraints (and 10 days of vacation per year).  

Life is Short
For all you #YOLO fans, I know you’ll agree with me. The one thing that traveling opens my eyes to is the fact that life is short. You never know if there will be a tomorrow or whether or not an obstacle will block your road to success. I don’t necessarily agree with some YOLO people I know who party non-stop, because you know, you only live once. I’ve found too much of anything is never a good thing.  What I’ve discovered is a balance of pleasure, doing what you love and finding hobbies that make you happy. 

I remember to this day my memory of landing in Australia on my 20th birthday. The memory is so fresh, it’s like the air I am breathing in right now. In that moment, I knew I wanted to write and live a life full of happy memories. Somewhere in my mid-20’s I forgot that and had hunger for success, reputation and money. But, thanks to seeing how Germans live, I flushed my ego down the toilet and am not attached to what people think of me or how I live my life. Sure, I still worry about money (you need it to survive) but it’s not consuming my happiness.
  
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I Got Balanced
Like living a modest life, Germans really understand work-life balance. Although globalization and world-wide jobs are changing this, most Germans know how to enjoy life outside of work. People have a social life during the week and are not glued to their phone checking their work email. Some of my twenty-some year-old friends had no idea (nor understood the point) of Twitter. Work is work. You do it, you earn cash and then you go live your life. 

I loved how many Hannoverians would work a half day Friday and immediately bike to the Maschee Lakes for a barbecue, swim and laugh with friends. It's the most ultimate freeing experience. And it reminds me of how much wasted work time we have in America when many jobs give you 30 hours of work, but have to sit there for 40. 

But I transformed into a middle-of-the-road person in every aspect of life - diet, exercise, politics - somewhere the truth lies down the middle. 

Germans are Actually Kind People
Germans are like a coconut. Hard on the outside, but when you break through their thick skin, it’s all warm, gushy and sweet in the center. Somehow this made us question, “How the hell did Germans actually do WWII?” They are so kind and sweet that I could not understand this. 
Now I think anyone is susceptible to brainwashing, but when you see the obedience and “follow the rules” culture, it made realize how the hell something like this happened. 

Germans are excellent at making things better. Ever heard of “German Engineering?” Their peculiar and critical thinking minds excel at making some of the best products in the world. But when it comes to innovation and breaking the rules, Americans got that all the way. Some of the best things were created when breaking the rules and well, I relate to that as my inner rebel wants to flee mainstream ideas and products. 

So I found my initial perception interesting. Compared to Americans, Germans are not exactly the friendliest culture, but there are pockets down south where Germans smile on a daily basis. For some, the biggest worry of their day is what type of “kuchen” (cake) they’ll eat that afternoon. Isn’t that a fantastic worry?
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​Eat Cake and Be Happy
Many moons ago in graduate school, I was so hardcore about everything that I ate. I would never eat processed foods nor eat anything laden with chemicals, sugar or salt. Even today, everything I buy is organic and mainly whole foods. What I never realized was the level of intensity and stress this caused me. Every minute of the day, I worried about every morsel of food that I put into my mouth. I spent more time reading labels than I did reading my school books. In some ways, my social life suffered because I chose not to eat many things off the menu. 

There is no doubt that America has food problems, but thankfully more sustainable and healthy foods are hitting the restaurant. What Germans taught me is this sense of pleasure that surrounds food and one’s social life. So yes, eating cake has sugar in it and may not be vegan (all classical European baking contains dairy and sugar but is healthier than American sweets because it does not have as much sugar) but the memories imprinted in my brain of sitting with my Canadian friend and eating cake out of the oldest (and best) bakery, The Kakao Stube,  in Hannover is priceless. 

Coming back to the states, I can’t express how much time people focus on their food, diabetes, creamer in their milk, body image and fear of getting fat. I never had a conversation with any European about weight or the need to not eat cake because they’re on a diet. They didn’t worry about it and used common sense that too much of anything is rarely a good thing.
 

Being back in the states, sometimes I feel more like a bud than a blossom as my approach to health, diet and exercise are so balanced I don't know where I belong. I'm not as extreme as many fitness philosophies, but sometimes I'm too logical for the yoga crowd. So, where do I fit in?

In Hannover, I felt like a thriving rose that opened its pedals to the sunny side of life. I was in-tuned with the locals, and I felt accepted for just being me. 
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What Exists in America Doesn't Exist Elsewhere
Although rainbows can be seen everywhere on this planet, I cannot believe how lucky the American life really is. My Hannover lessons of balance, being modest and scarcity made me realize that America is like it's own planet. 

I love peasant food and cooking simple foods that come from the earth. In Hannover, grunkohl or what we call kale in America is only sold at markets and stores during the winter harvest months. In America, you can find all types of kale year round at every single grocery store, especially since its a trendy "superfood." 

Before leaving America, I was still writing my memoir, Finding Om. I took workshops, classes and seminars about how to become an author. They kept saying, "Ebooks are the new thing. Print books are going obsolete and will leave the market in the next decade." I believed all this bullshit until I lived in Hannover. 

Another funny story is that our American friend stayed with us for a couple of days in Hannover. Once we met, she talked about how she couldn't believe how many iPhone 4 & 5's she saw even though the iPhone 6 has been on the market for several months. 

I find this funny because Germans (and Europeans) are practical and realistic people. 

Book stores thrive, people still use flip phones and locals eat cake, bread and ice cream and are some of the happiest and most emotionally balanced people on the planet.
 

The first time I moved to Australia, I had this burning desire to move back before I even left the country. I couldn't explain why, but i felt as if I picked up a piece of my soul and it was my duty to return. I too feel the same way about Hannover. Somehow and somewhere I will make it back. Until then, I can only dream about the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, which i call - Hannover. 
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Amsterdam’s Red Light District: A Self-Guided Tour of Sex, Drugs and Really Sugary Waffles

2/22/2016

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​For a long time, I’ve known about Amsterdam’s Red Light District. In the back of my mind, my imagination envisioned seedy, desolate side streets lit by glowing red lights while perverts of all sorts meandered the streets with sunglasses and a low-browed hat, trying to remain anonymous.
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Upon my first visit to the RDL, I was pleasantly surprised by the beauty of the quaint Dutch buildings nestled alongside a gently flowing canal decorated with locked bikes on the metal gates. The beauty turned to chaos as I watched overly high and drunken British blokes stumble out of coffee shops and finding the nearest dumpster (or corner) to piss on.
 
I thought, “This place is not so scary.” In fact, the AMS RDL is a jam-packed tourist hotspot filled with curiosity to discover “the dark side of Amsterdam.” Finding a coffee shop, actually a café where they served lattes and not bud-infused lollipops, I uploaded a picture of the RDL canals on my Facebook wall.
 
Ping. Ping. Ping. What the heck is that noise? I glanced down at my phone to notice people are commenting on my pictures. Nearly every sexually conservative American posted, “Get the hell out of there. Stay away from that area. Stay safe.” Get out of here? Is this place supposed to be dangerous? I felt as if I sinned against the Holy Bible itself.

I felt safer in the RDL than I do in many pockets of America. But anyways back to the good stuff. The “modern day” RDL bustles with people from around the world to explore the “puff puff pass” culture and gaze or “window shop” at the strangely XXL dildos and condoms that “hang” around.  
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This place was so out of the box for me (since the Aussies once teased me that I was that ‘sexually prude American’), I couldn’t help but wonder how the hell people can actually do this stuff? I found it amusing as it’s a culture that I completely do not relate to. But if you are a sinful lover than AMS is for you. (If you’ve seen the recently released movie Brooklyn then you can categorize me in that old-fashion romance culture).
 
But trust me, everyone else found it amusing including the two Asian girls next to me in a sex shop holding a 2-foot tall sexual device and taking selfies with it. I’m not sure that’s the type of picture I’d send home to mom, but ya know, when in AMS – explore the culture.
 
Bizzare? Yes. Extremely strange? My god yes! I don’t think it’s a place to take the kids (or your passport), but it’s certainly interesting to explore at least once in your life.
 
I couldn’t help but look at the women in the windows. Although most were very attractive, and probably Eastern European, my feminist side kicked in and my stomach dropped thinking of what that life must be like.  In that moment, I could not help but thank the universe for being me. I could not imagine being subjected to that life of soul-sucking energy.  

​Just a side note, do not dare to take pictures of the women in the windows.
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Right around the time I moved to Europe, Seattle passed its law making marijuana legal. Although my experience with this was slim to none, I could not help but notice how many people enjoy getting high. Trust me, now-a-days drugs are not just for the bums. People of all ages and backgrounds enjoyed a “little bit of something” at the coffee shops. Each coffee shop, decorated to fit its brand, catered to a variety of budget-friendly to high-class smokers. Many shops played house or electronic music to stimulate that extra-sensory feeling.
 
Baked, like a fresh brownie coming out of the oven, coffee shops overflowed with smoke flowing outside every time the front door opened. And what else to try when you’re flying high as a kite than to eat a freshly baked Dutch waffle.

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Sweet, sugary and ultra-addicting, Dutch waffles are the perfect treat for your magic carpet ride around town. Whether you are high or low, one bite of a Dutch waffle will ignite Iggy Pop flashbacks and the days where bowls of cocaine were as prevalent as daytime desk job candy jars. Seriously, there is a reason why cocaine and sugar light up the same parts of the brain – it’s addicting!
 
So, if you’re looking for the real deal, buy the fresh waffles or the inexpensive ones made at the Albert Heijn grocery store. Every sugary morsel will melt in your mouth faster than an ice cube.  Those premade ones at the local French-fry and bakery shops are not-so-tasty. Besides getting a seizure from a diabetic coma, the thick glaze and whatever else preserves these waffles and they sit for days (I think). I’m not a food snob, but I have a sweet tooth and high expectations for dessert. 
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If drugs, sex and sugar addictions scare the pants right off your legs, visit the RDL during broad daylight. Whether the RDL was once a seedier or a classier place, it’s now a spectacle for “stag and hen” parties, happy hours and student-discounted cafes. It’s a cool place to grab a hangover shake or admire hipster graffiti. And we can’t forget the hippies. Hippies have changed nearly every shit-holed area in major cities around the EU (and the world) making it cool before developers gentrify the neighborhood pricing artists and creative minds with young families who are flushed with cash.
 
Whenever you have drugs and sex together, it certainly attracts the seedier crowd. But, there’s no need to fear – use common sense, keep your head on straight and your pockets tight. I find the RDL to be harmless, not to be confused with being naive. No matter where you are in the world, if you seek trouble, it will find you. If you want to explore (or have a laugh at) the underground sex culture, buy flowers from a market, taste-test Dutch cheese or photograph a historic church - you can discover everything that (not so) normal people do (without sugar coating it).    

And avoid what the British do – overconsuming high quantities of drugs and alcohol. Things take time to capture the essence and so do the overhead cameras located on every street. 
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We're Growing! Love Your Lemon Tree on Bloglovin.com 

2/19/2016

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12 Detailed Pictures that Shows Austria's Classy Side

2/17/2016

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I walked through Salzburg noticing the fine details and class that this German-speaking culture exudes. From "five-star" graveyards to brezels delicately twisted by bakers to hand painted egg ornaments, Salzburg is as fine and beautiful up close as it is a far. Whether you want to experience medieval tombstones or modern-day coo-coo clocks, you'll find everything here with a touch of class hinted by detailed perfection. 
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Tallinn, Estonia: A Walk Down Medieval Memory Lane

2/15/2016

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One of the lesser visited European countries and Baltic States, Estonia, was by far one the most unique places I’ve ever visited. I felt as if I walked back into time where the new town displayed signs of Soviet reign and the walled-up Old Town flourished medieval culture and lifestyle. To say the least, Estonia is a conglomerate of historic treats.
 
With no plans, the best way to explore Tallin is to get lost. Enter through the medieval gates and open your heart to the energy of Tallinn.
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One of the most unique aspects to many Eastern European old towns is the “nook and cranny” alleyways hidden away from the main streets. Tallinn’s Old Town alleyways are a mystical exploration to find historic cafes and modern day art shops. Similar to Prague, each alleyway and shop decorates to its own charm. 

Especially on a cloudy winter day, there is no better day to enjoy Tallinn cafes than with a bite of chocolate washed down by a frothy café latte. Sitting in a red velvet chair accompanied by a dresser topped with a candle and a guestbook, I could not help but contemplate how many souls (and visitors) have sat in this very spot. The deep-rooted history is wild. 

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Meandering down the cobblestone alleys, I could not help but envision life as a peasant walking to a fro with the biggest worry of, "How will I afford my next loaf of bread?" Today, I worry, "Where is a cafe with free wifi?" I sort of wish life wasn't like that. But among the many secret alleys, you will find dated remedies of art and symbols carved into old stone, which is now displayed on one of the main "secret roads."
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Tallin is also a shopper's paradise. There is no lack of modern, traditional and authentic gear. Since the Baltic is temperate, but has the damp-cold of the Pacific Northwest, visitors can find a myriad of handmade sweaters, gloves, socks, scarves and hats all flaunting the Baltic-look. 
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During winter, one of the downfalls about traveling to a place is that you do not experience the true bustling squares filled with street side cafe tables and chairs. Although big and still semi-bustling for winter, the church bells struck another of delightful discovery. Medieval restaurants hired peasant-dressed fellows to bargain a token (for a free drink) in exchange for a table underground surrounded by stone walls and dried herbs. 

The Baltic is known for its sauna and spa culture, and healing tea concoctions.. Exploring Old Town we ran across Tallinn's oldest public bath house, Kalma. I stripped off my clothes and entered the tiny and basic bath house only to see three older women with unshaven legs beat the shit out of each other with bushels of leaves and juniper. the saunas are hot and found my mind crashing after several minutes with the need to plunge into the ice-cold bath. Taking my breath away, I walked an old bushel of wet sticks and leaves. I looked at the old women and said, "Can I use this?" In broken English they replied, "Ah no good. No good. Fresh! Fresh!"

After several saunas and ice bathes, I walked into the locker room feeling refreshed. One women also came into the locker room and opened her hot tea canister where she steeped fruit tea. 

She said, "You want?" I obliged and there she handed me a small cup and said, "Tea good. It makes you..." as she lifted her arms and flexed her muscles. I replied, "Oh strong. Yes! Yes! Teas makes you strong." Naked, we smiled and sipped tea and I proceeded with the adventures in Tallinn. 
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Feeling refreshed we ended up at a Soviet cafe where the only thing that has changed were the owner's age. Still kickin' it with 1970's Soviet-inspired decor, Josh ate a bowl of soup and bread that cost around 3 Euros. I opted in for one of three of my vegetarian and vegan expeditions, which I might add Tallinn has an active plant-based eating scene. 

Walking up Toompea, the limestone hill, we explored the castle, neighborhood and the cafe built inside the stone wall. How unique, how amazing. Walking up those stairs was not only a mighty-fine glute workout, but I couldn't help but wonder how 5'2" nobles made it up these deep stairs. The doorways were as tall as chin and I huffed and puffed my way to another tea. 

Tallinn's old town, completely left untouched of mainstream bullshit and tourism invited me into a world filled with unique history. From soldiers shooting bow and arrows out of castles to ancient knowledge on the healing powers of tea - Tallinn is by far a spectacle that is true to its roots. Now we must head off to the ferry for our day trip to Helsinki. 

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Twitter: @Brainbodykovar

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Enter a GoodReads Giveaway to Win 1 of 3 Autographed Copies of Finding Om!

2/14/2016

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Are you looking for a good read? On goodreads.com I am giving away 3 autographed copies of my travel memoir, Finding Om. 

The giveaway is to celebrate the month of February, Charles Dickens Birthday and all things literary. 

To enter just go to my Goodreads.com link, fill out the form and click enter! It's that simple and easy - no strings attached! Namaste! Contest ends March 1! 
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Santorini Greece: 21 Pictures that Prove Heaven is on Earth

2/4/2016

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Is there such a thing as heaven on earth? Upon my first foot step onto Santorini island, I realized, "My God. Yes! THIS IS HEAVEN ON EARTH." From black rock beaches to the gentrified, chic streets of Oui (thanks to the hippies kick starting the coolness many years ago) I felt at home or "Ommmm" (at peace) on Santorini. 

It's one of those places I wish I stayed longer and know I must return in the future. Until then, I will never forget Santorini....

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    Author

    Elizabeth Rae Kovar is a Fitness Trainer, Author of Finding Om, Presenter, Yogi, Vegan & lover of the World. View her portfolio at www.elizabethkovar.comor health-based blog at mindbodysoul-food.com

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