Page 4 - GC-May-June-2023

German Leckerbissen – Part 11

by Daniel Schwarz 500 € Banknote - Did you know €500 had grown too popular in the
ne of the closest words to that the €500 (euro) banknote, the funding and facilitation of drug traf-
tidbit in German is Lecker- highest denomination that started to ficking, human smuggling, and
Obissen. Literally Leckerbis- be distributed in 2002 has gone on even terrorism! The European me-
sen means tasty morsels or bits. The the ash heap of discontinued curren- dia ominously coined the moniker
following may include some tidbits cy as of April 2019, just as the 500 for the note as “the Bin Laden”. It
of German culture, foods/drinks, USD did in July 1969, but for differ- was previously believed that orga-
traditions, history, language, and ent reasons. You may wonder why? nized crime relied on the U.S. dol-
current events. Well, it was out of concern that the lars, especially the 100 USD notes.

But while the €500 note was widely Yes, this game and beer drinking
available it took center stage. It was together has evolved, so don’t get to
easier to transport, because for ex- close to the action, and hope they
ample, with $10k worth of 100 USD run out of nails before someone gets
notes it would be about 1” thick, but nailed.
with the €500 notes only ¼” thick. Did U Know (Schon Gewusst)?
But don’t worry, if you still have – A tidbit fun fact about Vienna,
any €500 bills, they are still valid as Austria, as reported in the famous
legal tender, they just aren’t making historic Sacher Hotel’s guest maga-
any more. zine, that up until 1950, the Vien-
Addressing envelopes to Ger- nese had to pay a fee to the so-called
many – Addressing an international “chairwoman (Sesselfrauen)” if
envelope to someone in Germany is they wanted to sit in the park.
somewhat like the US, except for German Common/Business Ab-
some minor differences you will breviations – Some of the more
note in the following: first line – common abbreviations that you
persons name; second line – street may come across include: G.m.b.H.
name (street is Strasse or abbreviat- is a limited liability company (Ge-
ed as str, and can be part of the sellschaft mit beschränkter Haftp-
street name or a separate word), flicht - od. Haftung); z.B. means
then house number; third line – post “for instance” (zum Beispiel); e.V.
code (Postleitzahl – PLZ, like our is a registered association or incor-
Zip Code) which is a 5 digit number porated association such as an ama-
plus a capitol “D” in front, such as teur sports club or a charity (an
“D-67756”, then the city or town eingetragener Verein); usw. means
name; fourth line – country such as “and so on” (und so weiter). It
“Germany”. Also, don’t forget to should be noted that after all abbre-
include USA on your return address. viations there is a period, even if it
Hammerschlagen – This is a occurs in a sentence.
game where a nail (nagel) is ham- ETIAS Update – The ETIAS
mered (geschlagt) into either a tree (European Travel Information and
stump or thick board. There are Authorization System) visa wavier
many different versions of this program which will require all non-
game, from solo playing to multiple EU passport holders to get pre-trip
players, and the winner is the fastest permission to enter the EU bloc of
to pound their nail fully into the countries which includes Germany.
wood. Also rules for this game need It was scheduled to start this year,
to be discussed before starting. This but is now proposed for 2024. This
game has even been associated with requirement applies for short stays
wedding parties, to show that the (up to 90 days within every 180-day
new couple can work together in a period) for tourism, business, medi-
task. The most basic rules involve cal treatment, or transit purposes.
setting the minimum 2” long nail The wavier will be valid for 3 years
firmly in place, starting with the and can be obtained online. For up-
hammer resting on the log, and in dated ETIAS information see
one swift movement raising the www.schengenvisainfo.com. The
hammer above one’s head and down US already has this type of visa
toward the nail, hopefully down on wavier requirements in place as ES-
the head of the nail. Some rules TA (Electronic System for Travel
limit the hammer raising up to one’s Authorization) for those planning to
ear. Seems more civilized doing board a plane or vessel bound for
that. The hammer needs to be about the US. However, additional re-
2 pounds heavy and have a blunt quirements must be met in order to
wedged end and a flat edge. The enter the US, which may include an
wedged end is used for this game. actual visa.