Tomorrow is the First of May. Nice, you might think, hopefully the weather is good. It is also a holiday (comparable to Labor Day) in Germany, as in many parts of Europe. Even better, you may be thinking. Enjoy! And surely we will, but this year the date falls on a Saturday, so many Germans are griping about being cheated out of a day off from work. Whenever I hear this, I secretly wonder how anyone here can complain, as there are so many other holidays where they are guaranteed a free day. Wikipedia tells me that in Hessen, the German state where we live, there are 9 days legally considered holidays, mostly of a (Christian) religious natur; other states have up to 5 additional ones. That may not sound like more than in the States (I count 10 Federal holidays for the USA), but there is a huge difference in definition.
By law, Germany holidays are meant for the purpose of "rest from work, and spiritual edification" and as such no stores or businesses are allowed to be open (the same rules also apply to every single Sunday). There are exceptions, especially in tourist towns, but don't count on buying anything unless it is available at the local at gas station. OK, ok, it is true that on Sundays and some special holidays, bakeries and flower stores may be open for a few hours in the morning. Otherwise, unless you work in a hospital, at a restaurant, or as a pilot or train conductor, or, ofcourse somewhere in the clergy, you have the day off. Which is a wonderful thing. Only you are somewhat restricted in what you may do on the holiday. Besides not being able to shop, there is also the ban on making noise of any kind, so mowing the lawn is definitely out. Even depositing old newspapers and glass in the appropiate containers is a no-no. You are supposed to be resting and relaxing, maybe even going to church, and not puttering around the house. And if you don't think the ordinary Hans and Helga will care, think again. In our town, people have given us dirty looks and an earful when we once tried to surrepticiously get rid of our recyclables in town on a normal Sunday. If you are lucky enough to own a free-standing house, you may do as you please within your own walls, but in an apartment building or townhouse, hammering, drilling and any extra noise are defintely frowned upon, although most people are pretty understanding when people move in or out. I will say we have great neighbors, for they are quite forgiving when we bend the rules a bit, like the time one of our boys was celebrating his confirmation on Pentacost Sunday and the guests decided to have an impromptu basketball tournement. It was quite loud and boisterous, but we heard no complaints.
So, tomorrow is Saturday, but also a holiday, so no shopping or mowing the grass, but like any good German, I took care of the grocery shopping yesterday and just now sent our youngest son Sam out to do the lawn. Obviously I waited until after 3 P.M., as the daily "quiet time" rules require (a topic for another day). Still I am hoping that tomorrow Chris will help me with some silent garden work. Thanks to Marga and Christine, who went with me to buy plants, and to Monika, who spent her Friday morning putting them in the ground, our garden is really beginning to look quite lovely, but there is always more to do.
Have no fear, we will have our share of fun this weekend too. The asparagus season is in full swing, and there is no dearth of good places eat it. The Weinprobierstand ("Wine-tasting stand") opens for the first time this year, and ofcourse the Rheingauer Schlemmerwochen ("gourmet weeks in the Rheingau") are still going on. And now that we are have our tandem, we are good to go. Jjust hope the weather cooperates.......................
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