No matter what the season, many Germans love to sit outdoors, eating and drinking all the while.

The photo was taken on 22 February at the Biergarten at the Viktualienmarkt in Munich in the early afternoon.

This is winter, but we just bundle up and do what other nationalities might only do in warmer temperatures. Germans are hardcore when it comes to eating, drinking, and having a good time – outdoors.

There is an old saying Es gibt kein schlechtes Wetter, nur schlechte Kleidung (There is no bad weather, just insufficient clothing).

München Viktualienmarkt in February 2012

 With friendly permission from Margit Appleton, a Munich resident, and an avid photographer.

More about Margit on:

http://lifeinmunich.posterous.com/

http://interculturalmusings.blogspot.com/

With temperatures supposedly dropping to an all-time low in the coming days, the homeless are the ones who suffer most. Temps can get as low as – 25°C ( -13 F).

If you are in Frankfurt or the surrounding area… if you see any homeless without a warm place to sleep, please call the Kältebus (an organization to pick up homeless during very cold periods) at 069 – 43 14 14.

While I’m at it, here is the number for the Kältebus in Hamburg: 040 – 40 17 82 15; In Berlin, call 0178 – 52 35 838

Winter can be deadly

Thanks for caring and sharing.

Edited on 3 Feb 2012:

Kältebusse 2012

After a very mild winter, some snow in mid-December, and a green Christmas, we finally had our first snow of the year 2012 just yesterday.

Snow in Oberursel/Germany

This path leads up to our home. Some of these trees are protected by German law, because they provide nesting sites for wild birds.

Any kind of traffic in this area is foot traffic and therefore the snow usually stays white (except for the occasional yellow discoloration). Germans love their dogs, too.

Now the weather news tell us there is a Siberian cold front moving into Eastern Europe and it might move on to Germany. I just love the photo web. de provided. We can expect temperatures as low as – 25°C (- 13 F) in the next few days.

If you are a regular reader, you might already know I love winter and snow.

But if you are new and wondering about my sanity, in regards to my affinity for winter, then rest reassured. As a German, I just love the frische Luft in winter time.

Yesterday, The Local reported about the first snow fall in Germany: Cold front blankets Brocken in snow.

Based on this German Weather Forecast, we can expect a normal to slightly cooler winter period 2011/2012.

Well, the Glühwein (mulled wine) and Lebkuchen (gingerbread) are already on the local supermarket shelves.

Glühwein und Lebkuchen

After having been cooped up for a few days, we decided to take a drive through the Taunus mountains.

I realized once more how beautiful our area is, especially in the winter time. All of these pictures  were taken  within 20 km (about 12 miles) driving distance from Oberursel.

Taunus in winter time

Just outside of Oberems/Taunus

Taunus in the winter

One of these days, we hope to spend a full weekend in Oberems (population: 700).