Franconian Beer Message Board
Too much tourism |
| Posted by barry on 2017-08-17 03:06:36 |
| Of course, Jason, I know that you are greatly enjoying your life in Bamberg - why not, apart from the beer, it is a beautiful place. I classify my three favourite European cities (not necessarily my three favourite places) as the three B's: Bamberg, Bath and Bruges. 'Ruining your dream' was a bit of poetic licence! Curiously, this morning, I opened Facebook to find a piece on exactly the same subject (https://www.dublininquirer.com/2017/08/15/protest-and-resistance-in-the-tourist-city-reviewed/), so you can see that concern is universal but, I'm sorry to say, tourism is probably irreversible. I like the fact that Bamberg is a student city, it gives it a special atmosphere - it's one of the reasons why I like Faessla (probably I'm trying to recreate some semblance of my own youth!). Unfortunately, the cruise ship tourists are a real pain everywhere in the world. Personally, I can not understand why people want to go on holiday with loads of others, all doing the same thing, at the same time, in a really regimented way. Re Zoigl: thank you for the compliment, it's part of the above. When I find something that I like, I have to really find out about it - just a strange personal quirk, I suppose. Essentially, that part of the Oberpfalz is an area in severe decline. Remember that, once, Eschawo had a porcelain factory that employed thousands, including many Italians, also a large glass factory. The porcelain factory is easy to see but the glass facotry is tucked away to the left of the station as you exit - in the opoosite direction to that which most of us go. As I understand it, the development of the Zoiglstub'n was, in part, an attempt to develop tourism in order to replace these industries. Unfortunately, work in this kind of tourist industry doesn't really appeal to the local young, who leave in droves for Regensburg and Munich - something we see everywhere in the world. I have felt honoured to be asked by people in Eschawo to help promote 'echte Zoigl', thus my English translation on the Zoiglbier info page. In my many weeks in Eschawo/Neuhaus, the number of foreign tourists observed is quite small and dwarfed by the people who come into town at weekends from the surrounding towns and villages. I have also met many German visitors who have come to the area and are totallly unaware of the Zoigl tradition and don't visit the Stub'n! Surprising to us but probably confirming the notion that beer in Germany is taken for granted by most, who think of it as something to buy by the crate at the local supermarket. Re Spezial: I like it as well! Had a lovely couple of hours there with Frank last May on a quiet Sunday afternoon but, all too often, like Schlenkerla, it is just unapproachable. As for the Kerwa (etc.) and taking beer into already licenced premises, I agree, certainly not cricket, but would German people do it? I've no idea. |