My Ramstein Bazaar Top 10 from 2013

Hello World,

I don’t have the time or the brain power to think of a new topic tonight, however, I thought I would do a TBT post and go back to my post from the 2013 Ramstein Bazaar.  Most of these still hold true, especially the Reisenthel phenomena.

Here goes…

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