Monthly Archives: July 2022

Around the World in 80 Days – Famous People From Germany

Johannes Gutenberg was born in Germany in 1400. His invention led to the first printing press.

Grimm’s Fairy tales, originally written in German, have been translated into 160 languages.

Amalie Emmy Noether, born in Bavaria, was a German mathematician best known for her contributions to algebra and theoretical physicals. Many people (including Albert Einstein) called her the most important woman in the history of mathematics.

Born in 1875 in Germany, Albert Schweitzer studied music, science and religion. He won the Nobel Peace Prize and is probably best remembered for bringing modern health care to Africa  in the early 1900s. He said something that you might want to think about: “Constant kindness can accomplish much. As the sun makes ice melt, kindness causes misunderstanding, mistrust, and hostility to evaporate.”

Albert Einstein, born in Germany in 1879, lived in Italy, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, the  Netherlands and Israel before becoming a US citizen. As a child he loved to build houses out of playing cards. He is best known for his scientific theories, but he also worked to support the United Nations, nuclear disarmament, and civil liberties.

Anne Frank, born in Frankfurt, Germany, was a Jewish Holocaust victim who kept a diary while in hiding in the Netherlands. Her diary become one of the most important books in history and has been translated into 60 languages. In 1999, Frank was labeled as one of “the most important people of the century” by TIME Magazine. Many organizations, foundations and memorials have been set up in her name.

Around the World in 80 Days – Canadian Cooking

For some amazing Canadian recipes, check out the Food Network.  Berry Bannock Bread  Pudding looks amazing!  How about trying Uncooked Danties?

Mix Together

  • 1/4 cup margarine
  • 2 cups white sugar
  • 1/2 cup warm milk

Add

  • a few drops artificial vanilla
  • 3 cups rolled oats
  • 1 cup coconut
  • 6 tbs cocoa
  • 1/2 – 1 cup raisins
  1. Mix well and form into balls on ungreased cookie sheet.
  2. Place in fridge till chilled.

Submitted by Melissa Cleasby from Canada, au pair in Massachusetts 2004

Photos by: Jen Arr {flickr}

Camp Au Pair – Dinosaurs

This week’s Camp Au Pair theme is Dinosaurs.

Crafts, recipes, activities, and games related to dinosaurs can all be found here on the Camp Au Pair – Dinosaurs pinboard.

Consider these awesome activities –

Field Trips can be a great way for kids to learn and have new experiences. Here are a few places to go, that fit this theme. Remember to discuss any outings as a family unit to determine what activities your family is comfortable with given COVID19.

Videos – Look for fun videos on YouTube about dinosaurs. Dinosaurs for Kids is a great video that explains dinosaur history and what paleontologists do.

The Good Dinosaur, Land Before Time and Ice Age are all great family movies that fit with this theme. For older kids, consider movies like Journey to the Center of the Earth and Jurassic Park (which is rated PG-13).

Books –

Photo: aaron parecki {flickr}; David Kryzaniak {flickr}

Around the World in 80 Days – Israel

ISRAEL

Western Asia/Middle East
Capital: Jerusalem
Languages: Hebrew, Arabic
Predominant Religion(s): Judaism

COMMON CHARACTERISTICS:

  • Israeli applicants usually do to their au pair year after two years of military service or social service.
  • Israeli applicants are generally quite independent, responsible, and mature. They already have had many experiences in life and are capable of dealing with stressful conditions.
  • Israelis stand up for their rights but will also open up to those who value and respect them.

FUN FACTS:

  • Israeli people are said to be like the “sabres fruit” (“prickly pear,” a cactus that grows in Israel) – tough on the outside but very sweet on the inside.
  • Sometimes, Israeli names can sound strange and uncommon in English and applicants “adopt” new names in the USA. For example the common name “Hen” is another word for chicken in English.

USEFUL PHRASES:

  • How are you?             Ma Shlomcha?
  • Fine, thanks.               Tov Toda.
  • My name is…             Hh Shem Sheli…
  • Nice to meet you.        Nechmad lifgosh otach.
  • Thank you.                  Toda.

Photo by: 16:9clue {flickr}

Around the World in 80 Days – Argentine Milanesas or Schnitzels

Milanesas or Shnitzels

Ingredients

  • 6 veal rounds
  • 2 eggs, whipped
  • 1 cup of bread crumbs
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Dip the milanesas (veal rounds) in the whipped eggs and in the bread crumbs with salt and pepper.
  2. Shake of the excess bread crumbs.
  3. Fry the milanesas until golden, or bake in the oven at 350°F (place the milanesas in a pan, cooked them for 10 minutes, then turn them over and baked them 10 more minutes). You can make them a la napolitana with tomato sauce and mozzarella on top.

You can served them with French fries, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, salad or rice.

Submitted by Betiana Turteltaub, au pair in Villanova, Pennsylvania, 2004-2005

Photo by: Matias Berhardt {flickr}

Around the World in 80 Days – Ireland

IRELAND

Western Europe
Capital: Dublin
Languages: English, Irish
Predominant Religion(s): Christianity (Roman Catholic, Anglican) – most other religions are represented

COMMON CHARACTERISTICS:

  • Irish people are often said to have the “Gift of the Gab” (the talent of talking rings around most other people).
  • The Irish are very musical.
  • Irish people consider themselves passionate, funny and creative!

FUN FACTS:

  • The Irish flag has three vertical bands of green, white, and orange; officially the flag colors have no meaning, but a common interpretation is that the green represents the Irish nationalist (Gaelic) tradition of Ireland, orange represents the Orange tradition (minority supporters of William of Orange), and white symbolizes peace (or a lasting truce) between the green and the orange.
  • Ireland covers five-sixths of the island of the same name; the remaining one-sixth of the island is Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom.
  • The world famous Guinness beer is from Ireland – it originated in the Dublin brewery of Arthur Guinness.

Photo by: Raul AB {flickr}

Around the World in 80 Days – Hungary

HUNGARY

Central Europe
Capital: Budapest
Languages: Hungarian
Religion(s): Christianity
(predominantly Roman Catholic)

COMMON CHARACTERISTICS:

  • Around two-thirds of the Hungarian people are Roman Catholic; around a quarter are Calvinist; and the rest of the population either belongs to the Lutheran, Jewish, or Greek Orthodox faith.
  • It is common for friends, family members and close acquaintances that have not seen one another for a while to greet each other/say goodbye with pecks on both cheeks.
  • Hungarians are resourceful, helpful, intelligent and hard working. They have a good sense of humor, good accommodation skills and a strong sense of identity.

FUN FACTS:

  • The Hungarian language is known as Magyar and is the direct descendant of the language  spoken by the “Huns.” It is not an Indo-European language and has only two related languages in Europe: Finnish and Estonian.
  • Hungarians have invented many important items over the years including the electric motor, the Telephone Exchange, and BASIC programming language. Laszlo Biro invented the ballpoint pen and Erno Rubik invented the Rubik’s Cube.
  • Hungarians are very good at sports. The most successful sports in Hungary’s Olympic history are fencing, water polo, swimming, kayak-canoe and wrestling.

USEFUL PHRASES:

  • How are you?             Hogy vagy?
  • Fine, thanks.:              Köszönöm jól.
  • My name is…:            A nevem ….
  • Nice to meet you.:      Örülök hogy megismerhetem.
  • Thank you.:                Köszönöm.

Photo by: Josu Orbe {flickr}

Around the World in 80 Days – Hunter’s Stew (Poland)

This is a recipe for Hunter’s Stew also called Bigos. It is a harmonious blend of flavors and is known as the Polish national dish.

Ingredients

  • 3lbs. sauerkraut
  • 2lbs green cabbage, chopped like sauerkraut
  • 2lbs. ham with bone, pork spareribs or pork rib roast
  • 2 tablespoons butter or margarine
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1oz. dried mushrooms, chopped
  • 1lb. Polish smoked sausage, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
  • 20 black peppercorns
  • 1lb. Polish white sausage with garlic, cubed
  • 10 allspice berries
  • 1 lb. bacon, cut up
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 11 cups beef broth, bouillon or water

Instructions

  1. Rinse sauerkraut with cold water, drain well.
  2. In a large stockpot, combine sauerkraut, ham or pork, bay leaves, mushrooms, peppercorns, allspice and salt.
  3. Add 6 cups broth, bouillon or water. Cook uncovered, 15 min. over medium heat.
  4. Cover and simmer over low heat 45 minutes. Remove meat. Let meat cool.
  5. Place cabbage in a large saucepan. Add remaining 5 cups broth, bouillon or water. Bring to boil.
  6. Cook, uncovered, over medium heat, 1 hour or until cabbage is tender. Add to sauerkraut mixture.
  7. Bone cooked meat; Cut the meat into 1/2-inch cubes.
  8. Melt butter or margarine in a large skillet. Add cooked meat, smoked sausage and white sausage. Saute over medium heat 10 min or until browned. Add to sauerkraut mixture.
  9. In same skillet, saute` bacon over medium heat until crisp. Drain bacon on paper towels. Add to sauerkraut mixture. Cover; cook over low heat 1 hour or longer.
  10. Remove and discard bay leaves. Serve hot. Makes 12 to 14 servings.

USE ONLY MEAT WITH LARGE BONES, SO BONES CAN BE REMOVED EASILY. THE SECRET OF OLD-TIME BIGOS IS THAT IT IS BETTER AS IT’S REHEATED ON SUCCESSIVE DAYS, PEAKING AT THE 6TH OR 7TH DAY. IN BETWEEN, STORE COVERED IN THE REFRIGERATOR.

Contributed by Magdalena Popek, au pair in Illinois 2004

Photos by: Laurel F {flickr}; Eugene Kim {flickr}

Around the World – Czech Republic

  1. The Czech Republic has more Internet Service Providers than any other non-English speaking country.
  2. Half of all men in the Czech Republic work in a factory. What products do you think they make in the Czech Republic?
  3. It has the most castles in Europe. There are over 2000 castles and chateaux in the Czech Republic, more than in any other country in Europe.
  4. Prague’s Old Town is home to the third oldest astronomical clock in the world. Every hour, it’s mechanical processional of apostles delights tourists.
  5. It’s most popular sport is ice hockey.
  6. Soft contact lenses were invented by a Czech chemist, Otto Wichterle in 1959.

Photos by: Chiara Marra {flickr}, Govisity.com {flickr}

Around the World in 80 Days – Germany

GERMANY

Western Europe
Capital: Berlin
Languages: German
Predominant Religion(s): Christianity
(Roman Catholic/Protestant)

COMMON CHARACTERISTICS:

  • Germans are often seen as open-minded, ambitious, polite, responsible and reliable.
  • Germans are interested in world affairs and/or cultural exchange.

FUN FACTS:

  • Germans generally have a strong passion for soccer and are very proud of being the World Champions in 2014!
  • Even though the country is not that large (357,168.94 square km), you will find many different accents and dialects by traveling from north to south, and from east to west.
  • One of the best known quotes that shows the closeness of the United States and Germany is the one by John F. Kennedy: “Ich bin ein Berliner” (1963), with which he expressed U.S. support in the reconstruction of Germany.

 USEFUL PHRASES:

  • How are you?:    Wie gehts dir?
  • Fine, thanks.:     Gut, danke!
  • My name is…:     Ich heiße…
  • Nice to meet you.:    Schön, dich kennen zu lernen!
  • Thank you:      Danke!

Photo by: Stewart {flickr}