German Tidbit #2: The German National Smell

Here's another quick little tidbit to tantalize your odorous senses. I know, you are all thinking that none of my little stories or tidbits are ever quick and short. But you know you want it!

So, there is a certain scent in the air that comes along in the spring and summer here in Bavaria. And it is so prevalent that when we lived here last, I gave it the official name of the German National Smell. Now Peter's family knows it as this as well, and they all joke about it. It has sort of become like a weather forecast for me now. So, what's the smell? Well, as I have stated before we are in farmland. Our front yard is farmland and our walks and drives consist solely of large fields growing all sorts of things. Where there are fields and farmers, there are of course farm animals, and where there are animals, of course there is lots of juicy manure. The farmers take this manure and make it into a liquid form for free fertilizer. They then put these huge tanks of this liquid waste onto the back of their tractor, and distribute across their fields in a back and forth motion much like you would fertilize your grass, covering every inch. The lovely scents from this distribution permeates everywhere, so all you smell is poop. Thus, the German National Smell. The funny thing is that the farmers watch to see when it is supposed to rain, and they all go out and give their fields a good dose the day and night before a rain. So, I have a virtual weather forecaster for rain right outside my window! It sounds gross, and it kind of is, but also just adds to the charm of living in the country. I'm starting to feel like Zsa Zsa Gabor in Green Acres!

Tschuss (Bye)