October in Germany!

October starts with a holiday in Germany: October 3rd is the day of German reunification. For many people it is a nice day off from work. TV repeats the old news and many documentaries are shown.

October is also the month when geese and cranes fly over Germany on their way to Africa for the winter. All of a sudden you can hear them above you and it is the most beautiful thing to watch. If you drive through a village and you see people on the street staring into the sky it is the right moment to stop because the birds will be right above you. I feel very privileged to live in an area where I can watch this.

In October the leaves change colours and by the end of the month they fall down. It is nice to watch and it is also nice to take a walk through the forest. The sun shines through the leaves and the light seams to be as golden and sugarsweet as honey. Mushrooms can be seen everywhere and people go and collect chestnuts to decorate with.
As it is getting cold soon October is the best month to start preparing your yard for next spring. e.g. tulips need to be planted now to bloom next March.
Old pear and apple trees can be found everywhere on the fields and in the woods and it is fun to hike and pick some.
Local firestations or farmers arrange little get-togethers for their village like "potatoe day", where you can eat the traditional potatoe dishes or "pumpkin day".
The days get shorter and people start to turn the heating on, to sit in front of the fireplace at night and to enjoy the cosy atmosphere.

Halloween is no big deal in Germany. It has become a little more popular within the last years but it concerns only a little decoration like a jack-o' lanterns (If you see more than three in one street you can regard it as a record) or sweets like bat-shaped candy. We do not have the whole trick-and-treat-thing, neither the parties. Some Irish Pubs celebrate Halloween Parties though.