Before I start this entry, I want to give a shout out to my friend Big Tal... What up Big Tal!! BK in da house!!!
Anyway ... I'm finding that the price of food here is very reasonable. In downtown Cologne, much to the chagrin of my German friend, I went to an Italian restaurant a couple of nights ago. (I was extremely hungry, really just wanted to try a Kölsch, and the restaurant was right in front of me. ) I ordered a dish of gnocchi, had two Kölsch, and a premium Italian bottled water. ( As anyone who's been to Europe knows, non-carbonated water is scarce compared to in the States. I've been filling up on tap water before I leave the hotel room. ) My bill came out to 14.70 Euro. 2.50 for each of the Kölsch, and 1.90 for the glass bottled water. In Chicago, the premium beers are $4-5 -- as is the water. In Europe, a tip is not expected as well. The waiters here do not live off of their tips; they are paid a generous wage. I was still going to pay a little tip, but I paid with credit card, and there was no line on the invoice for a tip. So I left a downtown restaurant paying only 14.70 -- not bad at all.. (the 14.70 also included 2.35 in tax which, as an American, I can get back if I really wanted to go through the paperwork. The reason is obviously that I shouldn't have to pay for the roads and other governmental amenities here...)
At the Christmas Markets, the prices are cheap as well. All of the food items are 1-3 Euros, as well as the beers and other alcoholic drinks. The price for a beer at block parties and other fairs is generally $5. You also don't have to purchase annoying tickets as you do for Chicago block parties, and there is no tax added. The price you see is the price you pay.
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4 comments:
Good to hear that food is reasonable. When are you meeting with CH Robinson Germany?
Grandma B wants to know if you've had any of the really good bread at the markets? I told her sweets and alcohol were probably on the high end of your list and didn't know about bread!! You didn't mention if you had anything interesting to eat when not able to translate the item!
you little son of a! glad you're having such a great time hon. i'm enjoying your blog.
I won't be going to Düsseldorf to the CH office, but the couch surfer, Anna, told me that I probably wouldn't have a problem getting a job here in Freiburg at the Irish bar here which only hires native English speakers. She also has a Canadian friend working at a high end language school here which only hires native speakers as well. I'll apply to it, but I'm being told I would have to be here for the interview. Expensive interview knowing that you may not get the job..
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