Ikea, Mannheim

Ikea, Mannheim 

There has always been an Ikea in San Diego for as long as my adult life and memory can tell me, however it has never been a store I frequent. When Antonio mentioned he wanted to drive out to Ikea on this lovely Saturday morning I was all about it! Particularly because it involved no effort by myself what so ever! :)

So we set out on the road to ikea! 52km away from our house according to gps, about 48 mins estimated. It was a beautiful drive, green, fields, vineyards and trees. Nothing like were used to coming from Okinawa! This is more like the country. It reminds us of the East Coast.

When we pulled into the parking lot we were surprised & excited to see the strip mall next door with an electronics store, a bike store but more importantly a bratwurst stand! Of course I had to stop to try one, it was lunch time!!! I chose the traditional brat to get my taste buds their first whirl. They had a huge selection of ketchups (extra spicy, mild, currywurst, Asian) and mustard. The mustard isn't like American or Heinz mustard it's just delicious. I tried the extra spicy currywurst ketchup and my favorite was the mild ketchup, it had a nice twang! The brat was soft, the skin was not tough at all, and the grilled flavors were delicious! Although it's not the most appealing sausage it's the taste that matters. The crunchy fresh baguette it was wrapped in was a delicious compliment to the soft meat. All in all it was an experience. Very different than our usual 'johnsonville beer brat' we would boil in beer then grill up & think was something special. Man we were humbled today. As we assumed, moving to Germany would change our perspective on the American sausage or bratwurst BBQ..... It was the best bratwurst Antonio & I have both ever had!

So back to Ikea!!! We got there.... Eventually!!

Huge, overwhelming and beautiful for someone coming from the island life in Okinawa Japan (oki residents will understand)! 

We found a ton of things we loved but only have the Mini & needed to be realistic. Although it was a long drive we can only fit so much we compromised and made some decisions. We picked out a nice shelving unit that allows you to manipulate the shelves sizes and additions like crazy. (I'll add a display photo from the store too). It's pretty cool how much it can be customized. So we got the shelves for the pantry. Also got the dark brown bathroom shelving for towels etc. we got some curtains, small shelves for Antonio's speakers, and a towel rack for the bathroom. The tall dining table was just too expensive but I loved it so I snapped a photo. Overall, we were very excited about the items we found. Most can be useful for the long haul not just Germany. 

I got super parched and was begging Antonio to come with me to grab a drink. We parked our cart full of items in a secret undisclosed location & headed to the Cafe. It was a cafeteria like place where you get what you want and get in line to pay after. I was only interested in a drink, couldn't find bottled water so at check out requested water and the ice cream cone she had sitting in front if her. The 'water' is a carbonated water to Germans, NOT cold refreshing water an American girl would expect. It is not refreshing and for someone who doesn't even really drink soda it is just awful to me! It does not quench any thirst! But that ice cream cone!! 1 euro gets you the large size and waffle cone. It comes out in a machine and it does all the work for you! Man it was delicious and the machine is awesome!!! That was the highlight of our afternoon!!! You receive a coin from the cashier after you pay, place your come in the machine, push the ice cream button (lit up) & BAM your perfect delicious ice cream come comes out! 

So real quick I'll explain what we did at ikea for people who haven't been in a decade like myself (Antonio helped me a ton!) OR for those in Germany who want their money back!

Step 1: Pick out your item(s) Step 2: Write down the numbers on the card attached to the item (aisle/item) it corresponds for getting it at the end. Step 3: Find the number & item of your stuff (double check colors) & fill your cart with the things you loved. Step 4: Proceed to check out & buy your items (tax included). Step 5: Head to customer service (to your right of the exit) with your VAT form. Step 6: Go back through the check out (closest register to cust serv is ok to cut through) and collect your 19% tax back in euro that you just paid. Step 7: Leave happy & satisfied as a military member or family member who just got their tax free new items from the wonderful Ikea Germany.

PS the new Kaiserslautern IKEA will open in 2015. It will soon no longer be an hour drive away! 😃