- while Germany is slightly smaller than Montana, it is divided into 16 Bundeslander, or Federal States?
- nine different countries share borders with Germany? Can you name them??
- there is a 19% sales tax on everything (except food purchased in grocery stores, 7% sales tax) in Germany, and it is the lowest rate in the European Union?
- we live in Bavaria (Bayern), the largest German state with Germany's tallest peak, the Zugspitze, located in the Bavarian Alps?
- Germans recycle EVERYTHING???
For example, a quick "We're living on pre-packaged microwaveable food in this small hotel room" lunch consisting of Bagel Bites, an apple, and a bottle of Coke would be recycled in the following manner:
1) The outer packaging of the Bagel Bites box = cardboard and would be recycled in the paper bin.
2) The inner packaging of the Bagel Bites = plastic and "layered packaging" and would be recycled in the yellow bag (if living in Lupburg, which we are!).
3) The apple core = food waste and would be recycled in the green "bio bag."
4) The bottle of Coke --- is it glass? is it hard or soft plastic? was it purchased on the Germany economy or at the Shoppette on post? is it labeled Mehrweg Flasche (return for deposit to any store) or Pfandfrei (no deposit, just recycle)?
Someone, get me a glass of water. But wait ... that water could be carbonated, slightly carbonated, mineral, still, or tap ...
Did you know that after just a little over a month of living in Germany, we still have so very much to learn?!?
2 comments:
Wow. So glad darling baby girl waited until you learned a bit of this. I'll be counting this as some kind of school time when I share it with the girls:) So much learning! Blessings, friends.
The trash separation has been something to learn here in Italy, too. And organic trash has to be taken out and handed to a garbage guy or gal who stands out by the bins for a few hours every morning! Typical Italian efficiency. :-)
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