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-The first thing I wanted to discuss was the usage of bikes. In the United States, cyclists are often considered annoying or in the way.  My Guest mother explained that it simply doesn't make financial sense to drive cars everywhere. Bicycles remain on the sidewalk which remains a cheaper and easier option than driving.
-The second thing I wanted to discuss was the bathroom size. My guest mother could not understand why anyone would need a bathroom bigger than the ones in Germany. What seems like an annoyance to me is just a better use of space to them making the bathroom an excellent example of the environmental aspect of the LESCANT model.
-Next I wanted to ask about the rolling shutters because I see them all over the place. I think they are really interesting because they don't look aesthetically like the shutters in the United States which serve no purpose. I don't think houses would sell as easily with the rolling shutters as we don't necessarily need them. My host mother said that they are certainly very convenient and are not present to look good but rather to serve their purpose.
-Finally I wanted to ask about the garden. She grows several varieties of plants including rhubarb (which we got to try for the first time). We discussed the difference between American gardens, which typically consist of mostly flowers and tomatoes, and German gardens. I told them that it's easier, faster, and cheaper to just buy produce from the store which we will sometimes even let go to waste. I like the idea of utilizing every area of land for a productive purpose instead of just planting grass

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When buying a bottled drink in Germany, you must also pay for the bottle. Then you bring it back and receive the money spent exclusively on bottle. This photo most closely relates to the social organization aspect of the LESCANT model as this practice is shared throughout the whole society. It's important for households to keep used bottles to avoid overspending when making grocery purchases.

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Because the Germans tend to have a closer relationship to nature, it is common to see Gardens where they can grow their own food. This self sustaining mindset not only uses less water than a lawn, but gives a sense of pride to the owner along with the fresh fruits and vegetables. I think this relates most to the environment aspect of the LESCANT model as it shows how Germans make the most of their limited space.

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One can see these shutters in many windows of houses. I think this photo can relate somewhat to the time aspect of the LESCANT model. The sun rises early and sets late in Germany, so it makes sense that they would utilize this convenient gadget to completely block out the sun when it should be night time. The shutters give them an easy way to manage their precious dark time and organize their ideal sleep pattern.

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We all know that Germans recycle more than Americans but I had no idea the extent to which households participate in sorting trash. Different colored bins specify where specific objects go so that the society can reuse and leave as little behind for the landfills. This photo relates most closely to the social organization aspect of the LESCANT model as it shows how the society as a whole works together to leave behind the least amount of waste.

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One interesting difference between German and American households is the method of heating the house. I believe they use radiators because they lack the ventilation system that would be installed with air conditioning, making this observation similar to the open windows. This photo relates most closely to the social organization aspect of the LESCANT model as this method is universally used to the point where they don't think twice about the heating system, while an American might find it to be out of place in more modern houses.

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One interesting difference between German and American households is the frequency with which they go shopping for food. Americans, more likely to eat out or stock up our massive refrigerators, will go to the store once every few days while Germans go at least every other day. This photo best represents the social organization aspect of the LESCANT model as it shows how a German household typically operates on a daily basis. It's also interesting to note how close the store is to our house (it's in the background at the end of the street). This also allows them to take a short walk or bike ride to remain independent and environmentally friendly.

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It is certainly not uncommon to see duplexes in America but the idea of sharing buildings for households is far more common in Germany than in the United States. This photo best represents the environmental aspect of the LESCANT model as it shows how Germans make the most of their limited space. Instead of claiming a whole house and large yard for a small family, they can share and be more efficient.

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While solar panels are certainly present in the United States, they are not utilized to the extent that german households use them. This photo best supports the social context aspect of the LESCANT model as it specifically illustrates a sense of independence that is shared throughout the whole society through this alternative energy source.

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Germans share an enthusiasm for nature even when living in a shared building such as an apartment. One way they get to experience their slice of the Earth is by using a small plot of land to grow any plants that they choose. This photo best illustrates the environment aspect of the LESCANT model. They utilize what little space they have to get the most out of their environment which I find both admirable and interesting.

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A big difference between German and American households is the use of clotheslines instead of dryers. This photo best represents the Environmental aspect of the LESCANT model as is shows how a German household makes the most of it's space while using the least amount of external energy. It shows that they also want to waste as little of that energy as possible when performing tasks that could be handled by nature.

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Although I have found that Germans prefer to keep every door shut in their home at all times, it doesn't imply that they are secluded or closed off people. I believe this photo best represents the non-verbal aspect of the LESCANT model, as it seems to be a mostly unspoken rule to keep the doors closed. Its just the way things are done. Perhaps it is done to keep the rooms temperature more easily controlled or to even keep the house quieter.

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One thing one will notice when traveling to Germany is that they always keep their windows open. This relates well to the social organization aspect of the LESCANT model. Everyone in the society contributes to this tendency as they would rather cool their house with good air flow and less air conditioning. As a society, they take the more efficient method which is developed through strong social organization.

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This photo shows a simple thermometer that can be found in many households throughout Germany. I think this tool of the home life relates most to the social organization aspect of the LESCANT model. Not only is it interesting that their society utilizes an entirely different system of temperature measurement but the tool also shows the German people's urge to communicate and be involved with nature.

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An interesting part of the German household is the size of the bathrooms. Much smaller and more confined, this relates well to the environmental aspect of the LESCANT model. They also seem to conserve more water in in effort to be less wasteful for the environment. The bathroom size also shows how they can make the most of a confined space to be as efficient as possible.

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An important aspect of home living is one of the most common methods of transportation in Germany. The bicycles relate mostly to the environmental aspect of the LESCANT model. Not only are bikes utilized to help preserve the environment, but they also illustrate other facts such as a higher population density and the country's positive attitude toward cyclists in general.

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One part of the German home life that is interesting is their use of house shoes. In America we would usually just wear socks or perhaps slippers; however, they prefer this footwear around the house. This photo relates well to the non-verbal aspect of the LESCANT model, as we can gather many clues about a culture from their clothing which of course require no speaking. Of course they wear these to keep their floors cleaner which could tell us that Germans like to keep their homes neat and clean.