The "Dult" Regensburg, Germany

He who drinks beer sleeps well, 

He who sleeps well cannot sin, 

He who does not sin goes to heaven. . . 

Amen. 

- Unknown German Monk

Passing Dom Cathedral (Regensburg, Germany) on the way to the "Dult."

Crossing Stone Bridge and checking out the Danube River in Regensburg, Germany

Hubby and I found ourselves back in Germany's Bavarian region yet again. We made a trip back to Regensburg, Germany to see our friend Reece, take pictures of the city in the sunshine (Lets be honest, I was the only one taking pictures), and to experience the "Dult." You pronounce "Dult" exactly the way it is spelled; and Reece said that we absolutely had to come back for Regensburg's "mini Oktoberfest." I am not exactly what you would call a "beer fan," but I'm always up for something new, cultural, and "blog-worthy." I quickly realized that the Dult offers a whole lot more than half liters of beer in 20-pound steins! 

Walking into the Dult was like entering a really clean, well maintained medieval fair.

Regensburg is a city full of history and whispered stories of days past. One can trace the city's history back to Roman times (there's an ancient Roman wall from 179 A.D. that still stands in the city center. Read my blog about it if ya want), and zipping forward a few thousand years, the enormous Thurn and Taxis palace is still inhabited by the beer-brewing, royal family. 


Germans seem to find any excuse to drink beer! They are very particular about their drink of choice, even down to the fact that each beer has its own specially designed glass/mug. If by chance you receive your beer in the wrong glass/mug, you'll most likely receive embarrassed apologies from the bartender. Everything seems meticulous and thought through in Germany, and I suppose they party hard because they work hard too. 


The Dult did not disappoint! I really did not know what to expect when Reece said that this was Regensburg's "mini-Oktoberfest." They have the festival for three weeks at the end of spring to celebrate the coming of summer and again for three weeks during the fall to lament the end of summer. I figured there would be a big tent with lots of beer being spilled on my feet, but I was not prepared for the intensity of the whole event. It was like a photographers dream with all the costumes and bright swirling colors, and I tried to capture the moments as best as I could. 

There was not a seat open in the Dult! A very festive atmosphere!

All night people were trying to climb this greased poll and ring the bell at the top.

Lederhosen - The German outfits that men wear. Whole groups of guys could be seen wearing the same exact outfits and dancing together on the tables. 


Dirndl - The outfits for women. Most of the women were wearing these lacy, bust-enhancing, apron type outfits. Super cute and I felt a little left out. I decided, then and there, that I would never show up in Germany again without my own dirndl. 


Table etiquette in Germany - No open tables? Not a problem. In Germany you just squeeze in anywhere possible. This is totally strange for Americans, but really if there is open space on a nearby bench, you ask if you and your friends can occupy it. It usually works and you make new friends. 


"PROST" - "Cheers" in German. Be prepared to "prost" at least once every 10 minutes! Clink your glass against the bottom of your bench-neighbors glass to avoid breakage. Even the thick glass steins can break when over zealous beer drinkers offer up a "prost." Trust me!

Our new bench-friends at the Dult in Regensburg, Germany. 

My Hubby and Reece sent me around the enormous tent to find a place to sit (or rather stand). It was so insanely packed! People were jumping up and down on precariously thin benches, the cover band was playing a blend of German drinking songs and popular 80's hits, and the dirndle-wearing-waitresses were pushing through the crowd hugging 6+ steins full of beer. Right near the stage, I found a group of guys who let us share their flimsy bench. They were a little disappointed when I brought two guys rather than two girls to the table with me, but they quickly embraced us with a loud round of "PROST" and deemed us new found friends. 

Our new friends in the matching red lederhosens.

Hellloooo from the Dult in Regensburg, Germany!

Dancing the night away on our flimsy little bench at the Dult!

Reece's mug totally broke when our new found friends offered up a "PROST."

The Thurn and Taxis royal family outdoor beer garden at the Dult. 

Specific mugs for their beer!

What sort of tourists would we be if we didn't get a bratwurst at the Dult?!

The best pretzel IN THE ENTIRE WORLD was found at the Dult in Regensburg, Germany!

If you're ever around Regensburg in either the spring or the fall, make sure to get to the Dult. The three week bi-anual festival promises fun for the entire family! Fair rides, arcade games, giant pretzels, beer, costume sightings, bratwursts, dancing on tables . . . it's all there! 

PROST!

Happy New Year!!

I know it is a little late, but for what it is worth, HAPPY NEW YEAR!

How has 2012 been treating you so far?

We are almost all the way through January!

Can you believe it!?

This year is flying already!

Are you keeping up with your New Year's resolution(s)? 

One of my resolutions this year (along with losing a few pounds, and perfecting my Serbian) was to stay in touch a little better (Skype!) with our friends from home as well as constantly building community wherever we happen to find ourselves. 

Chris and I rang in 2012 not once, not twice, but THREE times! We are serious about tackling that New Year's resolution!

Two of my best friends from Kentucky. 

Since Chris and I were in the States on December 31st, we celebrated the upcoming year with some of our best friends from Kentucky. It was a fabulous evening!

Chris and his great friend trying out Chris' automatic bottle opener.  This picture just makes me laugh!

Great friends

Of course we missed the December 31st parties and celebrations all over Subotica, but lucky for us, most Serbians celebrate the New Year twice! Since Serbia is primarily Orthodox, the county still observes the old Julian Calendar that places Christmas on January 7th and the New Year on January 14th. Most of the world follows the Gregorian Calendar (The one Americans are used to) and some families in Serbia, who are not Orthodox, follow that calendar as well. As you can imagine, there are many mixed families in Serbia where one parent is Orthodox and one Catholic (etc.). Rather than observe one set of holidays, most people just party through the entire season and celebrate two Christmas' and two New Years'. From December 1st - January 14th, Serbia comes alive with Slava's (Saint's Days - to be explained in a later blog), two doses of Christmas, Holiday markets, rakija drinking, two New Year celebrations and excessive gun shooting. Most companies significantly slow down as well and often people take vacation for several weeks at a time since little happens at work. 

Crowded bar in Subotica for the Serbian New Year.

By the time January 13th rolled around, we were back in Serbia ready to ring in the New Year AGAIN. Chris and I and 10 friends spent the evening at a bar in Subotica called "Bulivar." A 6-piece band played well known Serbian songs heavy with sounds of the accordion. I am not going to lie, Chris and I did not recognize much of the music, but it was fun to watch the whole place erupt with dancing and arm waving when a familiar song filled the air.

Towards the end of the evening, the band started playing a famous 1980's song by the infamous Lepa Brena titled "Mile Voli Disko" (Mile loves Disco), and I knew that song! In fact, I was able to sing almost every word in Serbian. As we all danced around and belted out the lyrics, I felt like I belonged. Chris didn't exactly have the same experience of belonging, but he did get a few good laughs at my expense. There is a video that may make it onto the blog soon. 

Posers. 

Promotional girls - or Santa's little helpers (wearing very little)

 I just had to share this photo. On a busy weekend night, it is typical to see two "promotional girls" dressed in the exact same thing, selling cigarettes, lighters, or some sort of alcoholic beverage. I guess they make money because promo. girls show up everywhere. These two ladies cracked me up because they were dressed in dirty-santa-lingerie on January 13th and they were selling spiked cider. I was trying to discretely take this picture, but I think one of the girls caught onto what I was doing. Oh well. . . anything for the blog!

Torley Promotion at The Code Subotica, Serbia (pic from their website)

The following evening, we went out AGAIN! I promise, we don't EVER go out this much! We said we were celebrating 2012 for a third time, but in all honesty, we went to The Code Nightclub because our friend, David, was hosting a Torley Champagne Party. Friends don't let friends promote champagne alone! 

Chris and Champagne Dave.

Yeah friends! (Pic borrowed off The Code website) 

Welcome 2012! We think you'll be a great year!

After three celebrations, Chris and I are ready for 2012!

Hope you're ready for it too!

Make this year absolutely unforgettable!

Chase your dreams, and Live Your Like Like a Best Seller!

Out on the Town - Subotica

 When we started planning our big international move, the two things that most frequently popped up on "Subotica" Google search were the Narodno Pozorište u Subotici (National Theater of Subotica - now under construction) and pictures of The Code nightclub. While looking for a suitable home to rent, Chris was the first to lay eyes on our new city, and the report I heard back from him went something life this: 

"Lana, that beautiful theater is gone! I mean it is still there - sort of, but those Roman-looking pillars are completely covered up with a billboard and everything else is under construction!" 

Picture borrowed from Wikipedia 

It is true. The National Theater has been under construction for several years, and this once stately building has become more of an eyesore than a stunning piece of architectural history. It seems that a lot of the money to complete the reconstruction has gone missing, and responsibility keeps being passed from one construction company to another. Chris and I would love to attend a play here before our three year contract is up, but the locals seem skeptical that these doors will welcome theater goers any time soon. 

The Code nightclub is still open and hopping, so after three and a half months, we figured it was time to check out one of the hot spots in town. The truth is that Chris and I did not want to go out alone, and we finally were given an excuse to put on our dancing shoes and show Subotica our "moves" (if that's what you want to call them. . . ). 

Hey there DJ!

Our friend was the DJ for 70's Night at The Code, and I don't need too much convincing to dress up, make a fool of myself, dance, and have fun with friends. Chris sometimes needs a little more coxing after a long week at work, but in the end, he is the best dance partner a girl could ask for. 

We started the party at our place and then headed out to The Code around midnight. We had a great time and we danced and simply enjoyed being with our friends until the wee hours of the morning. The non-stop night life in Serbia is not for the faint of heart, or for those who have to wake up at 6:00 a.m. I've heard that our first night out in Subotica does not even come close to the night life in Novi Sad and Belgrade. We will have to rest up before we attempt going out in either of those cities.  

It is easier to find 70's attire for women. . . "70's" somehow turned into "plaid and blue jeans" for the guys. 

Me and Lela.

Chris, Darko and Marko

My fabulous dancing queen - Sanela.

So, everything I wore was from my closet. My best friend just said to me, "Lana, anything that you can wear to a theme party should probably find its way OUT of your closet." She may be right, but at least I had an outfit for the occasion, and all of my friends had a traveling disco-ball dancing right next to them. 

The last three pictures are borrowed from The Code Facebook page. 

Ohhh, this is the fabulous Rade. He gets paid to dance at The Code on the weekends, and he is a hairdresser by day. He will probably be my new Serbian hairdresser.

The best dance partner in the world. We have fun!

I love this picture! Totally sums up the evening. 

Symbol Budapest, Hungary

"Have you checked out the Budapest nightlife yet? That city parties until like 8am on Friday and Saturday; seriously, it is like nothing you have ever experienced before!" 

After three months in the Balkans, we were yet to experience the infamous Budapest nightlife. (Or any nightlife for that matter.) I know, I know, lame-o! I try to blame it on my age, but let's be honest, that excuse doesn't even work yet. When I think of "nightlife," I envision a dark, sticky establishment where scantily clad, under aged sorority sisters do everything and anything for a free (watered down) cocktail in a plastic cup. The guys all look the same and they stand around the bar making bets to see who will get the hot chick in the red tube top. No one dances until they've had a few too many shots, and once the dancing starts, you can expect to have at least three beers spilled on your new Express dress. It appears that the bathrooms have not been cleaned in years and they never have paper towels once you get desperate enough to use their toilet. Just wipe your hands on your Express dress and get on with your night. Gross. 

Ohhh the joys of the American pick-up bar. Other than the occasional bachelorette party or night out with the girls, I didn't even like going to those places when I was single. Now that I'm married, I have lost all desire to check out the local "nightlife." 

Since we live so close, Chris and I agreed that we had to see what everyone was talking about in Budapest. At least once. What made their "nightlife" any better than the sticky places we avoided in the States? We wanted to go, but we did not want to go alone.

When David excitedly announced that after the fashion show, we had VIP tickets to Symbol (Nightclub) Budapest, I knew that we were in for a treat. David was the perfect person to introduce us to the infamous Budapest scene. The man rarely does anything half-assed. For instance, if David drinks, he drinks only the most quality red wine and champagne. He loves ambiance and David would never be seen in a seedy, sticky pick-up-bar, so I knew my Express dress and my dignity were safe with him. 

Symbol Budapest is a nightclub you might expect to see in New York or on a Hollywood movie set. Imagine walking into a world where you can instantly transport yourself to any sort of bar/club/restaurant. Below is a picture of the room you walk into, and from that room, you can choose to hang out in a sports pub, cafe and lounge, Italian fusion restaurant, art gallery, live music club, 200 year old wine cellar and restaurant, or outside garden. We stayed in the live music club where only fashion show attendees grooved to hip club music and sipped Torley champagne. The models from the fashion show ditched their designer duds and slipped into jeans and tank tops ready to dance the night away with a room full of short people. Everyone danced, and while the models were constantly being hit on, it didn't seem that people were there JUST to hook-up. Sure, some of that probably happened, but overall, it seemed that most were there to simply have a good time. 

It was about 2 a.m. when we left Symbol, and there was a line of 300-ish people waiting to get into the club. It is quite a happening place, and I would recommend it as a "must-see" if you are the clubbing type. Even if you are not into the club scene, it is a great place to do a little people watching. I did a lot of that!

I didn't take many pictures, but I posted the few pictures that I did take below. There are some great pictures of the Symbol Budapest website if you're at all interested. 

Photo taken off the Symbol website.

The main room you walk into. They were hosting a beauty pageant when we arrived. 

The live music bar we stayed in all night. The cover band was pretty funny. 

This is what the main room looked like when we left at 2 a.m.

Don't pay a fortune for Cirque du Soleil tickets. . . just visit Symbol Budapest.