Bart’s Ramstein Bazaar Top Ten

The Ramstein Bazaar was an amazing experience; I hope I can participate again next year.

These are the TOP 10 things that I observed, that amused me, or otherwise tickled my fancy from the Bazaar this year.

10) People with hats like this buy books.  Yep, it’s no joke.  I don’t think these Hunter Caps are very common … though I did see them frequently in Ireland last year.  Of the 7-10 people I saw sporting one of these, almost all stopped to talk books, and half of them purchased one.  (Thanks!)

9) Reisenthel bags must be made of cocaine … they sell like crazy.  I’m thinking about asking the Reisenthel vendor if we can package up my books with them next year … Can you say New York Times Bestseller?

8) Procrastinators Unite Tomorrow.  I mentioned it already, but I saw a T-shirt with that emblazoned across the front, and I’ve laughed about it ever since.

7) Two or three people said something like, “Umm, I’m sorry, but I don’t know who you are …” when they’d come over to check out my books.  Frankly, this baffles me … Stephen King, Lee Child, Shakespeare, Bart Hopkins … how could they not know me?  Seriously though, I understand, I’m an Indie author trying to build a following grass-roots style.  I don’t expect people to know my name … yet.

6) A lady said that I was very easy on the eyes … oh, yeah, I still got it!

5) I learned a wonderful new phrase.  One of the German vendors nearby had a customer who’d been drinking.  The vendor told me he could really smell the red wine emanating from the lady, that she reeked.  He said: “Sie riecht wie ein WeinFass,” … which literally means, “She smells like a wine barrel.”  I like that.  Feel free to use it, as appropriate.

4) Some people come to the Bazaar for the food booths:  beer can chicken, authentic tacos, Dunkin’ Donuts, pork steak sandwiches, etc.  Some people come for the goods.  Some people come to socialize.  I think most probably come for a combination of all three.

3) There were a few times I saw kids have a little tantrum.  I remember those days.  When my oldest daughter was 2 or 3,  she sometimes dropped to the floor in the most awkward (and public) places, laid on her back, and pushed herself around while crying.  We called it mopping the floor.  Parents: it’s okay.  We’ve all been there.

2) Cheese, wine, and Belgian beer.  No real point here.  Just yummy.

1) The ROSC is the most awesome group of people ever … hard working, always smiling, and friendly.  Did I mention that they are all volunteers?  It’s incredible that there are people so ready to give of themselves like that.  I’m at a loss for words: my hat is off to you.

Good night,

Bart