"No turn is a wrong turn"
Can Bavaria be like…. Texas?
So says one independent travel writer who made the comparison
during an e-mail exchange on the AOL Germany travel board.
Being a multi-generation Texan by birth, and a person of German heritage with strong, generations old “living and
working standards” so evident today throughout Bavaria, I understood the comparison. I also have been known to
brag like a Texan and imbibe like a Bavarian…. Or is it the other way around?
Bavaria, like Texas, is a “State of Mind first, and a State of the Union second!”
Now, chill out and relax, because in all my travels throughout the U.S. and foreign countries I have also found
other states/countries/locals etc. who can easily make the same claim.
In the U.S. New England area, states and regions both enjoy the same pride-in-heritage of their home, ancestors,
and peculiar customs. In Texas, we have the Alamo. In New England, they have the Mayflower, Plymouth Rock, lay
claim to starting lots of holidays such as Thanksgiving, and many older traditions. To a Vermont yankee, “going
south for the winter” often means wintering in Connecticut. Some things you just learn best by being there and
getting to know the local folks.
In northern England, I find the same pride in family, home, customs and heritage. The Brits personalities of understatement
do keep their pride buried within until they feel comfortable around you, and the conversation then loosens as
the ale flows. The wonderful little soot-gray stone buildings, homes and taverns. Are they gray from chimney
soot, or from the slate used to build them… or both? And the Taverns….they’ll garner a full return trip themselves,
with their customs and traditions…..and ales!
But let’s talk a little more about Germany, which has numerous states. How many German states can you name?
Let’s see… “There’s Bavaria……….uh….ummm…” That’s where the foreigner’s list usually stops. To see a good website
with all the German states, go to http://userpage.chemie.fu-berlin.de/adressen/bl/bundeslaender.html
In Bavaria (Bayern), the pride really is more like Texas. Prideful Bavarians are more boastful, highly colorful
(are we together yet?), display their “blue/white diamond” colors on flags waving from their May poles (we feature Longhorns), and
their distinctive dress, including lederhosen
(we wear Levis), short brimmed herrenhut (traditional hat)
(we wear 10 gallon jobs with big brims), big hutfeders and gamsbart (we have
little hat feathers and snake rattles), they have tall hose (we have tall boots) etc.
Bottom line: In Bavaria, 100 years is about the same as 100 miles in Texas.
Vive La Difference, which excites me immeasurably. It’s this amazing, fun, never ending difference that brings
me back each year. To Germany. To Austria. To Switzerland. To Europe and its wonderful, back roads, innocent,
insignificant differences that so many others overlook, but I see standing out in quiet splendor.
(YOUR favorite place) is a “State of Mind first, and a State of the Union second!”
Now it makes a little more sense, doesn’t it?
Happy…and HEALTHY… travels to you all!
