Sophomore’s summer visit to France and Germany: a world of stunning architecture and no tips

A view of the Rhine Bank.

Sophomore recalls differences between Europe and the “Saratoga bubble,” such as tipping expectations, architecture and charm.

The summer heat warmed the dusky sky as sophomore Eliza Lin gazed at the dangling carts on a ferris wheel next to quaint dwellings painted in brown and red. The view out on the balcony, where she could admire the glistening water along the Rhine Bank of Germany, was something Lin said she would never forget.

Lin’s adventure in Europe began last summer with the intention of visiting her relatives who lived in Germany. She later visited France to explore new sights and have fun. Though she had previously been to France, Lin said she was excited to see Germany for the first time.

Throughout the trip, she discovered more of Europe’s culture and beauty. Lin vividly recalled the magical feeling of seeing the majestic Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany peeking out behind clouds of verdant trees and hiking in nature on a Black Forest trail.

“It’s such an architectural feat because it was all hand-built,” Lin said of the castle. “It must have taken such a long time, and the symmetry of it was incredible for something created without modern power tools.”

Though not abnormally hot, the climate was considerably warmer than in the Bay Area.

Additionally, Lin noticed the varied cityscape and building structures. Artistic fountains, rare in California, were found almost everywhere in Germany. Each was carved with intricate designs ranging from baroque-style to chicken-inspired shapes. They also used specially sanitized water so people could play in it. Lin observed children splashing and dogs running around in the spray since the summer heatwave was in full swing.

Another considerable difference between the U.S. and Germany was the tipping expectations, or the lack thereof, in Germany.

“What was interesting is that here, you’re expected to tip your life savings on a cup of Starbucks,” Lin said. “In Germany, it’s pretty much tipless, but instead you order drinks. If you’re having dinner, instead of tipping $10, you would just buy an expensive drink.”

Beautiful architecture also abounds in Europe. Colmar, France, in particular, was stunning, Lin said. Each building in the town was archaic and had a whimsical quality to it. Many of the houses were built next to a stream and painted with vibrant shades of pink, yellow and blue.

“The buildings we live near [in Saratoga] are only about 100 years old,” Lin said. “But in Colmar, I saw buildings built in 1035. Going to Europe left a really strong impression on me, and I’ll treasure that forever.”