Top 5 Reasons I'm Glad to be Back in Germany

Because positive thinking is good for you.

1. Houses insulated and heated to a sufficient German standard. Yes it is minus temperatures outside, and the howling gale is strong enough to blow headphones right out of your ears, but inside it's toasty and warm. I am much warmer than I would be at home/ in student houses in England, despite the actual temperature being colder over here.

2. A powerful shower. This is probably not German specific, but it's specific to my flat, and it's so much nicer than a weak shower that just drips on you, and takes about half an hour to rinse your hair.

3. Gritted pavements. There are laws in Germany, stating that houseowners are required to clear the snow and grit the pavement outside their house. Yes, I read about them, I was that bored. But it's such a good idea, despite the snow, I can actually walk around without the risk of cracking my head open or getting some other serious injury. So thankyou to all the German houseowners who go out at ridiculously early hours of the morning, and do their duties so that everyone can get around.

4. 'Getrennt oder zusammen?' 'Getrennt, bitte.' This little exchange when you ask for the bill at any place that you have eaten or drunk anything establishes whether you want the bill 'getrennt' -divided up into what everyone had- or 'zusammen'- everything together. If you ask for getrennt, they divide the bill for you, sometimes even print out separate receipts. It just makes it so much easier when paying with a group of friends, and avoids all the time you spend trying to read the bill, figure out what you had, and work out what to do when noone has the right change. As you pay separately, everyone gets change, and if there is a difference of opinion on whether to leave a tip or not, it's down to the individual, and they can tell the waiter to take as big or as small a tip as they feel appropriate. It would be great if this caught on in England.

5. Going to the Bäckerei. Uninspired choice, but it is nice to go in and get a few Brötchen to eat with your soup, maybe even treat yourself to a Nussschnecke or a similar baked treat. And this isn't even starting on the many variety of Frühstücksangebote-mainly becuase I am yet to have one this year. But yes, fresh bread, good place to get change for the bus, and one of the few places open on Sundays. What's not to like?

So there you go, I may be exiled in Germany, and it may be freezing outside, but it's not all bad!

I quite like this top five format, if anyone has any suggestions on what to make a list of, I'd be happy to hear them!