Munich, Germany is the home of the largest Oktoberfest in the world. However, Kitchener, Ontario, Canada hosts the biggest Oktoberfest outside of Germany. This town is buzzing with a few hundred thousand visitors every October.
Kitchener was once called Berlin because it was settled by hard-working, industrious Germans.
Unfortunately, the name was changed after the first world war. The surrounding towns remain the same: Baden, Breslau, New Hamburg, Mannheim, Heidelberg.
Some of the original settlers to this are of Ontario were Mennonites. We still have some Mennonites who ride with horse and buggies and dress much as they did two hundred years ago.
Some do not have telephones in their homes, but now many have cell phones!
My cousin Marion brought me a stylish black Trachten blouse (with red gingham ruffles) from Munich which I wore during Oktoberfest. I can dress it down with jeans and dress it up with a skirt.
We went shopping in a German gift shop and Marion bought me this lovely floral tapestry jacket. Thank you my dear! She has great taste and is very fashionable.
Afterward we drove to the St Jacobs Market and enjoyed the autumnal decorations. We bought lentil noodles, apples and blueberries.
St. Jacobs Market is a fun day trip if you live an hour or so away from Kitchener/Waterloo. Marion, Lara and I went to the market twice during their stay. Be sure to visit the charming town of St. Jacobs which will be next Friday’s post.
You always have this positive aura in each of your photos. It is not simply because of the smile…it is a natural feeling I receive. I cannot quite put my finger on it.
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Always a pleasure to read and view your blog….you never fail to please the senses.My, but your clothes closet is neatly arranged. Is Marion inwardly smiling?
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You look fantastic!
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Thank you so much!
❤ carmen
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I love St. Jacobs. I’m glad they were able to rebuild after the devastating fire.
I did not know that the Mennonites have cell phones. That is a bit silly! LOL
bisous
Suzanne
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Thankfully, no one was hurt, but it was a huge loss.
Wish I had my camera ready when I saw the man with the cell phone LOL.
Thanks for stopping by! Always so happy to see you!
Have a great week!
❤ carmen
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Lovely pitures …sounds like you had a fun day ❤
http://www.theeche.com
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Thank you! Yes, we had a good time!
Thanks for stopping by!
❤ carmen
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Haha this is great I need to show this badge to my boyfriend….and what a lovely jacket! Can’t wait for your next post!
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Thank you dear Ute! The jacket is a very good quality and was on sale.
I should have bought the badge and wear it. Glad I made you laugh! 😀 I can laugh now, but there was a time I never told anyone I was German for fear of being hated. My childhood years in Toronto in the 50s were very difficult: being called a Nazi and my young brother was called a Hitler. I still remember him coming home from school asking my mom, “What’s a hitler?” We didn’t even know what that was, but we changed our names and never told anyone we were German after we moved to the suburbs.
In my teen years, I had a dear Jewish girlfriend: her parents were Jewish, my parents were German and they were good friends till we moved again. I was thrilled to meet up with her at a school reunion a few years ago.
I still have a bit of hesitation when I meet someone, but I’m forcing myself to let go of fear. I have enough people who love me and I don’t need to worry about those who don’t. I teach Israeli Dance and have several Jewish friends who are wonderful.
Peace, love. joy!!!
❤ carmen
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You know sometimes I feel a bit uneasy still too, but then we were born after the war and it is not our fault. Other countries had their terrible times. Peace, love. joy!!!
Ute
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Perhaps you have just suggested why my Dad used the phrase “Pennsylvania Dutch”. I have never thought of myself as German….I, my Dad, my Grandfather were all born Canadian.
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