Kaffeesteuer

January 14, 2009 By 2 Comments

Kaffeesteuer is a tax on coffee in Germany.  The tax is included in the price of coffee that is bought in German shops.

The tax originally started in Prussia, but was confirmed in its current form before the formation of the Federal Republic in 1948 in is even mentioned in the German basic law (Grundgesetz).

This causes problems for people who buy their coffee outside of Germany, for example in Dutch supermarkets or by mail order.  Theoretically they should declare the coffee and pay the tax, and failure to do so can cause the tax office to investigate the non-payment.

Whilst the mail-order situation may be clear, buying the coffee for one’s own personal use and bringing it back to Germany causes a conflict between various German tax and custom laws, not to mention EU laws.

To hear a simple explanation and a short discussion in German, listen to the podcast:

(Press the “play” button to listen to the podcast)

Download the MP3 file | Subscribe to the podcast

Filed Under: Food & Drink, German Words Explained, Podcasts, Tax Tagged With: , , ,

Radio La Plata celebrates 65 years of broadcasting

January 13, 2009 By 2 Comments
Radio La Plata - 26th July 2000

Radio La Plata - 26th July 2000

I missed an anniversary at the end of last year, and only found out about it by reading the Correo del Sur website – the local newspaper in Sucre.

I didn’t realise that the station had been going so long!  The reason I am particulary interested is that this is the radio station that I gave an interview at when I was in Sucre many years ago.

At the time I had been learning Spanish for about 18 Months and the interviewer asked me about my trip with the Scouts to Bolivia.  I am pleased to say that I was able to understand most of what he was asking, but he professionalism showed through when he asked me something that I didn’t understand and was able to read in my eyes that was having trouble with the question.  Before I even had a chance to say anything, he rephrased it and hopefully the listeners did not even notice.  I was so proud to have given my first Spanish press interview!

So, even if it is a bit late: ¡Feliz cumpleaños, Radio La Plata!

Filed Under: Bolivia, Sucre, TV & Radio Tagged With: , , ,

Lanzarote Guidebook – Winter Edition

January 13, 2009 By 1 Comment

With temperatures in the UK dipping well below zero, you could well be forgiven for starting to think about travelling to a warmer climate.  In which case, you might like to take a look at the winter edition of the Lanzarote Guidebook.

The 104 pages are packed with useful information about the towns and villages on the island, as well as information about places to visit and things to do. The Lanzarote Guidebook also features a handy Essentials section containing lots of practical information from bank opening times and ferry timetables through to emergency phone numbers and tips on driving locally.

This edition also contains information on the forthcoming music festival and carnival season.

And when you’ve read the Guidebook – visit the Homepage.  Here you can book holidays, flights, hire cars, villas and hotels in Lanzarote via island based companies – often at prices far more competitive than can be found in any High Street travel agency.

Download your free copy of the Lanzarote Guidebook here.

Filed Under: Books, Lanzarote Tagged With:

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