Tell me about Germany transportation and communication.

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

So what’s the cellular and wireless tech like in Germany right now? Do they have any fast cellular internet for laptops like Verizon Wireless. Can my US Verizon Wireless EVDO Card even work over there? If there is aircard service over there, how fast and how expensive is it?

Cell Phones.
Right now I have T-Mobile Samsung. I’m pretty sure that’s not going to work over there. But I was reading something about how you can still use your US Phone number with a European Cell Phone. I think you need a simcard phone for that, but mine doesn’t have one. But if it did, how much would that cost? And when people called me, they would just pay normal rates, but would I have to make up the difference on my end and pay huge fees?

Driving Around:
When you go to into another country, what’s the borders like? Similar to US/Canada? US/Mexico? Florida/Georgia? Would I need a passport to drive from one country to another?

2

[QUOTE=Bear_Nenno]
Driving Around:
When you go to into another country, what’s the borders like? Similar to US/Canada? US/Mexico? Florida/Georgia? Would I need a passport to drive from one country to another?
[/QUOTE]

In general, inside the EU there are no border checks. Going outside the EU it’s like, well, crossing a border. It varies from country to country.

3

I can’t help you much with the wireless or cell phone questions. All cell phone networks use GSM at 900 MHz or 1800 MHz - other bands than in the US, but many GSM phones support multiple bands. The only wireless high speed system with reasonable coverage is UMTS. Publically accessible (free or paid) Wi-Fi certainly exists but from what I have heard it’s far less common than in the US.

All countries bordering Germany are at least signatories of the Schengen Agreement. Poland, the Czech Republic and Switzerland haven’t implemented it yet. At the borders to these countries there are still checkpoints. Inside “Schengenland” there are no regular checks (see the link for typical border crossings.) You have to carry a passport, just as you are supposed to do inside Germany, but in real life nobody will want to see it at the border.

4

[QUOTE=Telemark]
In general, inside the EU there are no border checks. Going outside the EU it’s like, well, crossing a border. It varies from country to country.
[/QUOTE]

Could I get a stamp in my passport if I wanted it though? Or is there no place near the border to even do that?

5

[QUOTE=Bear_Nenno]
Could I get a stamp in my passport if I wanted it though? Or is there no place near the border to even do that?
[/QUOTE]

Nope, just a white line on the road. I was pretty bummed myself.

6

Well, if nobody knows more about cellular internet in Europe, what can you guys tell me about life in Munich or Bavaria in general. Is there much to do besides drinking pints in the pub and doing that dance where you slap the shit out of each other?
All I know is what I’ve seen on tv. Enlighten me.

Thanks.

7

Oh, and if anyone can tell me about gun laws in Germany that would help. What’s involved with buying and owning firearms. Are shooting ranges common? Are guns an expensive hobby in Germany? I mean, more expensive than the US. Do they have funky laws that lead to bolt-action AR-15s like in the UK?

8

re social life: about the same to do as every where, I guess. Socialize in bars or at home, pursue hobbies, volunteer for something, do something in local politics, or sit at home before your computer.

In cities the range of social activities is large, of course; in village the typical clubs (no t necessary in that order) are

  • football (soccer) or general sports club (including youth sports as schools don’t do any competitive sports activities)
  • fire brigade (includes youth branch)
  • choir/band club
  • shooting club (Schützenverein)
  • carnival club (Rhineland)/fools’ club (Baden/Swabia) - seasonal carnival activities
  • church/charity work.
9

Could you explain the Fire Brigade? That is a volunteer firefighter/EMT thing? Are non-German speakers welcome?

Are there any waterparks or rollercoaster type parks anywhere? What’s the one alltime gotta go see it place around Bavaria?

Am I right that there are more pubs and bars than night clubs?

10

re gun laws - typically you get a gun license in one of the following cases

  • professional, armed security guard (not many of them)
  • individual under concrete threat of violence (handled restrictively. You’d have to be an official under a credible terrorist threat etc., or have had credible threats made against you personally)
  • active member in good standing of a sports shooting club (competition weapons, stored at the club)
  • active hunter (needs to pass a license with extensive training in law, ecology, shooting etc, then needs to lease hunting rights to an area, which entails some wildlife management responsibilities (cull quota for certain species, liability for damage to crops by wild pigs etc. from that area, responsibility to track and kill animals that have been reported to have limped away from an accident))

Shooting ranges are usually those of sports shooting clubs, used with competition weapons.

11

[QUOTE=Bear_Nenno]
Could you explain the Fire Brigade? That is a volunteer firefighter/EMT thing? Are non-German speakers welcome?
[/QUOTE]

Yes, it’s the volunteer firefighters (medical emergency services are done separately, by professionals helped by conscientious objectors serving their stint). You’d need training and pass tests - I don’t think they’d welcome casual participation (also they need people who work locally, obviously). Also good German would be required for safety reasons alsone - these guys do get in hairy situations.

12

[QUOTE=Bear_Nenno]

Are there any waterparks or rollercoaster type parks anywhere? What’s the one alltime gotta go see it place around Bavaria?

Am I right that there are more pubs and bars than night clubs?
[/QUOTE]

Sure, there are large entertainment/theme parks. Also large seasonal fairs with rollercoasters etc. in cities. Don’t know the alltime gotta see place - a few of the cities, Munich, Regensburg, etc., also the lower and the higher alpine regions.

Much more pubs and bars than night clubs, right - even if you count discotheques among the latter (they’re popular with teenagers mostly).

13

[QUOTE=Bear_Nenno]
Well, if nobody knows more about cellular internet in Europe, what can you guys tell me about life in Munich or Bavaria in general. Is there much to do besides drinking pints in the pub and doing that dance where you slap the shit out of each other?
All I know is what I’ve seen on tv. Enlighten me.

Thanks.
[/QUOTE]

tschild lives there, so is far more informed than I am and has explained a lot.

My own suggestion would be to learn as much German as possible - yes, many do speak a smattering of English, but certainly not everybody and you will find yourself in many a situation where a few common German phrases will come in very handy.

Speaking of cell phones (they call them “handies” there, go figure) Germany, like many European countries, is miles ahead of the USA with cell phone technology - so I would look into seeing what they have, buy one there and then worry about getting that phone to work over here. One big difference is that it costs more to call a cell phone than it does to call a land line - so be aware of that if you call someone with a “handy”. Even from the US, when I call a regular land line I get a cheap rate, but when I call someone with a cell phone, the rate goes up fast.

As far as what to do - well, that is sort of like asking what is there to do in Boston or NYC…there is lots to do, but depends on what you like doing. Bavaria has some great areas for sports and there are lots of mountains and woods nearby for hiking and skiing and climbing and whatever. Munich is very cosmopolitan and has all the amenities a major city in the US has- and then some. The museums are quite good, nightlife is excellent and there are lots of big rock concerts as well as theater and opera and other live performances. Prostitution is legal as well, in case the opera is a bit boring and you leave early.

I lived briefly in Munich, and much longer in Berlin. For most of Northern Germany, Munich and Bavaria are what we in the US would consider a “red state” - meaning more more conservative politically and the people can be a bit cool towards strangers. Munich direct will probably be less so, but once you leave the city and hit some of the smaller villages, you will notice the difference. Not necessarily a bad thing, but just thought I would mention it to let you know there are some pretty big regional differences in Germany, just like here. Plus, Bavarian dialect is pretty thick, so even if you do speak a bit of German, in some of those Bavarian villages it will be like going to the Mississippi backwoods and chatting with the guy who makes moonshine for a living.

You didn’t mention how long you will be there - can I assume you are moving there for a year or so? If that is the case, then I strongly suggest you dig right in with learning the language - it is not all that hard to make yourself understood in German and to be able to pick up on what they are saying to you. Trust me when I say that learning German will make all the difference in the world while you are there and you will never regret learning it.

Have a great time - and Munich is a beautiful city, with more than enough to keep you entertained for as long as you stay there.

14

Thanks for the info everyone!

[QUOTE=DMark]

You didn’t mention how long you will be there - can I assume you are moving there for a year or so? If that is the case, then I strongly suggest you dig right in with learning the language - it is not all that hard to make yourself understood in German and to be able to pick up on what they are saying to you. Trust me when I say that learning German will make all the difference in the world while you are there and you will never regret learning it.
[/quote]
I should be calling that country home for the next 3 years. I intend to learn as much German as I can. I don’t want them to have to try and speak my language to talk to me. I will try theirs.
Just like in Korea. It’s ironic how the same Americans who have the “you’re in my country, learn the language!” attitude, are the same ones who go to a foreign country and still bitch about no English speakers and never attempt to learn the language.

How about getting from city to city, though. I will be living around Vilseck. Is there a highway that goes from there to Munich, or is it mostly small country roads? I know the Autobon runs all through Germany, but not specifically where.
Are cabs cheap? Trains? How long is a drive from Vilseck to Munich? How about Munich to Berlin?

Thanks guys.

15

Oh, I also notice that it’s only 350 miles to Amsterdamn. But that’s straightline distance. What’s that drive like?

16

Train times, and my preference of road journey planners is www.viamichelin.com, which I find to be fairly good at estimating trip times. Looks like your drive to Munich is mostly on Autobahns, but the train via Nuremberg is faster and probably cheaper.

17

[QUOTE=Bear_Nenno]
Oh, I also notice that it’s only 350 miles to Amsterdamn. But that’s straightline distance. What’s that drive like?
[/QUOTE]

Never driven it, but the train journey is ace.

18

[QUOTE=Bear_Nenno]
Cell Phones.
Right now I have T-Mobile Samsung. I’m pretty sure that’s not going to work over there. But I was reading something about how you can still use your US Phone number with a European Cell Phone. I think you need a simcard phone for that, but mine doesn’t have one.
[/QUOTE]

FYI, all phones used by T-Mobile are GSM and therefore have SIMs. That yours is a Samsung means it probably would work overseas, but you’ll need to call T-Mobile and ask for the code to unlock it so you can use non-T-Mobile SIMs in it. They won’t give you any hassle if you just tell them that you’re traveling and want to take your phone with you.

Life in Germany? You’ll have to ask the Germans. I just know about phones.

19

[QUOTE=Bambi Hassenpfeffer]
That yours is a Samsung means it probably would work overseas, but you’ll need to call T-Mobile and ask for the code to unlock it so you can use non-T-Mobile SIMs in it.
[/QUOTE]

T-mobile is a subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom, so won’t a domestic German T-mobile SIM just work without unlocking?

20

[QUOTE=Struan]
T-mobile is a subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom, so won’t a domestic German T-mobile SIM just work without unlocking?
[/QUOTE]

Not guaranteed, and even so then he’d be locked into using T-Mobile DE instead of being able to shop around for a better deal with prepaid or with another provider’s postpaid services.