The home of Munich's 1972 Summer Olympic Games, the Olympic Park. A revolutionary, pioneering design, its sweeping acrylic glass canopies symbolized a new democratic, transparent and optimistic Germany, their shape a panoramic view of the Bavarian Alps. But the dream was broken.

Fashion was inseparable from politics in former East Germany, with a one style fits all mentality. A sewing machine, needle, thread and "Sybille", a culture and fashion magazine supplying dreams as well as patterns, made possible a world of individuality and escape from every day grayness.

Cooling drinks for those hot days during a German summer range from all types of colorful Fruit Punch and Radler to Apfelschorle and Cola-Schoppen. "Summer in a Glass" to suit not only all tastes but also sunless as well as sunny days.

Vanilla Sauce flavored with vanilla beans or extract is a favorite all over Europe. Sometimes known as "Crème Anglais" it is served warm or cold, and used to accompany everything from fruit to cakes as well as a base or filling for all types of desserts baked goods.

Rote Grutze made from summer's berries is one of Germany's most popular desserts. Light, refreshing and easy to make, it was for centuries simple 'every day' home cooking in northern Germany, but now the 'fruit salad with a difference' is a menu favorite even in upscale restaurants.

It is a strange looking chair but for generations a wicker beach basket, the 'Strandkorb', once likened to an upright wash basket and originally designed for an aristocrat with rheumatism, has not only sheltered beach goers from wind, rain and sun now it is a part of Germany's culture.

Kaeseigel, the Cheese Hedgehog, a "Retro" party snack from Germany. Now enjoying a popular and widespread renaissance, it was the ultimate cold buffet food during the 1960's and 1970's.

Germany has two "Children's Days" to celebrate, June 1st is International "Kindertag" while "World Children's Day" is honored in September. Holidays which are still divided into 'East' and 'West' as they were in the years before the country's unification.

The minute spring's first rays of sunshine appear it's gardening time. And the "garden" can also be a balcony container, or a Schrebergarten. Little rented plots on a city's edge, or even in its center surrounded by asphalt and exhaust fumes, the pride and joy of millions of city-dwellers.

Used for everything from a topping for ice cream to a 'cure' for arthritis in Germany, 'Elderflower Cordial', also known as Elderflower Syrup, is fragrant, refreshing, easy to make and comes from the elder shrub found in the wild almost everywhere.