You know you're in Germany when:

on your way home from work, you stumble upon ... the annual bread festival. Well, maybe "festival" is exaggerated, but definitely a festive market.

24th Annual Stuttgart Bread Market

This stand is selling, for example:

-the wild mushroom loaf

-the chili pepper loaf

-onion bread

-flower blossom bread (it's a trend)

-sauerkraut bread (basically sauerkraut stromboli)

-wooden oven-fired bread

I don't know what the "pirate loaf" is ... maybe a reference to the political party? Speaking of which, EU elections are coming up on May 25. Stuttgart is covered in campaign posters, and where American campaigning might be more vicious than German campaigning,* I think Germany has won for some of the most ridiculous photos and poster graphics. One candidate's picture reminds me of a character straight out of MAD Magazine. Perhaps I need to post some of those photos next.

*Given that there are at least 6 major German political parties and many other smaller regional parties, it's more difficult to launch party-vs.-party (e.g. U.S. Democrat-vs.-Republican) attacks. A multi-party system also makes for much more interesting elections and at least some diversity of opinions.