Hectic, hectic. We left house enroute to visit my sister-in-law. Her husband is celebrating his 60th birthday. They booked us a room in Romantik Hotel Dorotheenhof, a hotel which was formerly a country estate, was renovated and "set idyllically in its own park close to the city". They have really a lot to offer. Not only was the food superb ( as it is made according to the recipes in Goethe’s times, but the staff were also great. Friendly, polite and very much attentive to the guest’s needs.
A friend of a friend once said that she was warned of how a German party is. That they only serve bretzels and coffee. Well, this birthday party that we were invited to was exactly the opposite. The actual birthday of the celebrant was 04.04.04. The party kicked off with a visit to the city of Weimar, famously known as the cultural capital of Germany, where Goethe and Schiller created their biggest works. I did not say his birthplace, because I have heard that he was actually born in Frankfurt.
On the morning of the second day, Saturday,the third of April, the guests were given a priviledged tour to the Stahl factory were the celebrant is the Manager. The tour lasted about an hour, followed immediately with cakes and coffee. Then the guests were given enough time for siesta. At exactly 18:00 of the the same day, champagne was served at the main lobby of the Hotel Dorotheenhof to commence the Night celebration, which would then last until after midnight of April 04, the real birthdate of the celebrant. Greetings and introductions were made official.
From the lobby, we moved on to the Dining Hall of the Hotel, where more wine was served. Shortly after, apperatiff started. First came the creamy soup. Served elegantly by the friendly crew. Food was abundantly prepared on the long buffet table. With plenty of choises from cheese, tomato salad, fish fillets, bacon and ham, baked mushroom on cucumber and plenty more. Then came the main course, with Rindfleisch, Pasta with mixed vegetables, Poularde which was wonderfully cooked and served in just the right temperature. All night long, the drinks were overflowing. Italian and German red and white wine was offered. Beer was on the offing, waiting just to be ordered. There were different presentations prepared by family members, friends, colleagues from work and distant relatives.
At around midnight, a touching presentation of the everlasting birthday song was sung. After all the congratulations, the kids of the celebrant made a video presentation. Pictures of the celebrant from way back on the day of his birth, childhood days, school days, excursions up to when he started working was shown. The next part was when he got married the first time followed by the births of his three children. Then his lifelong dedication to his job and family were also shown. The last part of the 20 minutes presentation was all about how he met his second wife, how they spend their time together at work or during vacations. The tribute was really very impressive and touching.
All night long, drinks were available. Dessert was on the buffet table, waiting to be picked up by whoever has the guts to gain more calories and fats. It turned out to be a grand celebration. Until around three a.m. people were still eating, drinking or simply enjoying the talks all around the place. Some even started dancing to the slow music which was playing from somewhere in the background.
I on the other hand, had to go back early to our room. It was very difficult to leave the crowd, but I still have some preparations to make for a training that I will be joining Tuesday the following week. I don’t want to sound like a Killjoy, but, this training is really necessary for the new job that I applied for.
I therefore conclude, that NOT All German celebrations are boringly dry where they only serve bretzels and coffee. BOW!!!
Posted by missP at April 5, 2004 09:58 PM