Because of all our exciting upcoming weekend activities the rest of this month, we had planned to take it easy this past weekend. We had a few things planned, but we had no idea how busy – or fun – our Saturday would turn out to be.
We woke up at 9:40, which was the latest we have slept since before mid-March. It was nice to sleep that late, but I also woke up in a panic because it was already so late in the day. We made it out the door an hour later and went to Schwetzingen to check out Spargel Samstag (Asparagus Saturday). Schwetzingen is known as the Spargel capital of the world. Yes, we moved from the music capital of the world to the asparagus capital. Exciting, I know.
Anyway, things were just getting started at the festival, and there wasn’t much exciting to do except maybe have a beer and watch older ladies model European fashion for their generation. Slightly entertaining, yes, but worth our time? No. I had really wanted to eat Spargel at the festival, but surprisingly, there were no booths like that. Oh, I must show you – this is what Spargel looks like:
Image taken from www.alibaba.com
Apparently, the farmers cover up the asparagus with soil in order to prevent photosynthesis. Thus, the asparagus tastes white. I have yet to taste it, but I have heard it’s sweeter and tender than green asparagus. C N Heidelberg posted her attempt at making Spargel mit Kratzete (white asparagus with pancake bits) here, and I’d really like to try to make it as well. It looks yummy!
Ok, I’m getting off track. Back to our day… since the festival wasn’t what we expected, we decided to grab a table at the Kaffeehaus and enjoy sandwiches for lunch. We headed back home to take Béni for a quick run to the park before doing the fastest change into nice clothes ever and going to the college graduation of a woman in John’s office. We left as soon as she walked the stage, which was about 2 hours later.
After running an errand or two, I convinced John to head over to Leimen, which is where I went to the Apotheke (pharmacy) earlier in the week. When I was there, it looked like they were also setting up for a festival, and I wanted to check it out.
It was a cute little spring festival, and we really had a good time. We both had bratwurst and a local beer while wandering around. I especially loved examining all the really old architecture in the city. Like Schwetzingen, Leimen dates back to the 700s. Crazy, right? These cities are 1,000 years older than the US!
One other thing that was great about the festival was the live music. An old man stood about 8 feet to the right of the conductor and did his own conducting and dancing to the music. It was incredibly endearing as well as entertaining!
I’m sorry if the play-by-play account of our Saturday was a bore. I really wish I had taken some photos to spice up the post, but I left my camera at home (probably a first for me!). Next time we’re in Leimen, I’ll be sure to take some good photos to share with everyone!
– Sarah
I don’t mind reading play by plays. Sometimes- it’s just nice walking in the shoes of another person. But, I couldn’t get your picture to load! I’ll google it and see what I get.
Oh, bummer! Is anyone else having trouble seeing the Spargel photo??
And thanks, Sarah J! 🙂
I can see it. Doesn’t look appetizing to me. I love asparagus but for some reason, I only like the skinny ones. I hate fat asparagus, and that picture is fat! I’m sure it would be good chopped in a pasta dish though.
I had never had mini asparagus (the skinny stuff?) until last week. I grilled it and made an orange-y dipping sauce. I’ll have to post the recipe soon!
Wow those are pretty, I’ve never had white asparagus either. Sounds like a fun festival day. And wow a building from the 700’s is amazing!
Yeah, the history in Europe is one thing that never ceases to amaze me.
i can just tell from the way you are writing that you had a fantastic time and almost couldn’t type fast enough to tell all about it! what fun! around here we have a ramp festival (you know those nasty garlicy wild onions that grow in people’s yards here in tennessee??) and a kudzu festival. no lie.
not hardly on the same level as an asparagus festival. but at least they could have had some asparagus funnel cakes!! sheesh!
Haha yes. And hey, even if the reason for the festival is a bit odd, at least most festivals are fun. What’s funny is that Germans seem to fest EVERYTHING – spring, asparagus, the coming Lent (like Mardi Gras), the fall harvest, summer, Christmas, etc.