It's official.....525,600 minutes in Germany! We've reached our 1 year anniversary! (and we're just getting the hang of it)
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| Let it snow..... |
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| Outside my window..... |
It is funny that one year ago today we experienced the 'blizzard of 09' in New York and our flight to Germany was delayed a day...and as I write this morning we are hunkered down with a snow day in Germany. Ironic!
We are enjoying our first Christmas season in Germany filled with lots and lots of Gluhwein....it does have an acquired taste....but on a cold evening in Germany, walking through the myriad of village Christmas markets.....it warms the heart! (and the feet....depending on how many you have). My in-laws were able to partake in a bit of holiday cheer...Germany style - and the verdict is still out on the gluhwein...but they did enjoy the cute little mugs and a couple made their way back in their suitcases.
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| Wiesbaden Market and some hot gluhwein |
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| Frankfurt Christmas Market |
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| Good friends enjoying a local market |
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| Prague Christmas Market |
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| One of my favorite treasures: Riquwihr, France |
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| A local peering out over the market in the Alsace Region |
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| Strausburg, France |
Speaking of suitcases....living here for a year I have had the honor of many visitors (I am so thankful)...and with visitors come suitcases packed to the brim bearing good old American treats. I'm fairly certain that the TSA doesn't even bother to look through the bags anymore.....can you really make something crazy from fruit-rollups or pop-tarts? We celebrate when things arrive from the U.S. - they all sit out on the counter in the kitchen. We admire them (and all their additives) before devouring them in a week or two.....who knew that stove top stuffing would taste so much better in Germany.....but what a treat! You really do miss things.....not only foods....but things like XM radio - you are hard pressed to find many Christmas songs played on the radio. Starbucks drive-thrus - and not to mention Germany doesn't have peppermint mochas....I found them in London and Prague...but not Germany! Oh well....I'm adjusting and found a new favorite...white mochas!
Amazon.de has become bookmarked on my computer these days.....and I've improved a bit with my German so not quite as much frustration as last year when I was trying to navigate the site to find a crockpot.....thank you to my very resourceful sister-in-law who had it delivered right to my doorstep. On a weekly basis we receive things in the mail from the German authorities....we have figured out how to translate the speeding tickets.....and parking fines....but some other things we do our best to translate using our other frequently visited bookmarked site: Google Translate.....but most make their way to Tim's Admin......we are ever so appreciative!
It's a blue day!
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| Not our bins...ours are always overflowing |
We have developed this little system....actually I should say a big system of recyling in Germany. Germans have rules...and garbage is no exception. Last year when I moved in, my relocation specialist gave me a copy of an Abgallkalender. I remember looking at it and not understanding a word...but could figure out the color codes. I have 3 different colored bins in my driveway.....and yellow sacks as well....certain things go in certain bins....and I think 525,600 minutes later I may have this system down. Paper gets picked up once a month...so that is a challenge and usually is overflowing. Most of my neighbors set out 1 gelb (yellow) sack every other week....but the Schmidt family continues to lead the 'weg' with at least 3 or more at a time. I can't tell you how many times I've walked to the local Rathaus (city hall) requesting more yellow bags....I'm sure I'm on a 'wanted' list somewhere in town. It has become a part of our breakfast ritual...."kids, what color is today"......."oh, it's a black day" so I roll my black can to the base of the driveway...which if you knew me in Connecticut was about 1/2 mile....and here it's about 10 steps! I am proud to call myself a diligent recycler.....my good friends in the U.S. would be so proud! I will have to snap a picture one day of the bins as they line the 'weg'. The only ones that are overflowing are "Schmidt - party of 5". We have acquainted ourselves with the local dump....and every Saturday we make our way to get rid of our rubbish (love that word) and sometimes they don't even charge us the 2 euro.....we are certainly known at the dump! I think I may just bake them some Christmas cookies to show our appreciation! If it weren't for that weekly trip to the dump....we would have our garage filled with rubbish....yuck!
I have also figured out the bottle recyling system....it's just part of my routine. Every time I have a visitor and 'they shadow me for a day' it usually includes a little walk to the spot where I throw my wine bottles....and we seem to have quite a few of those floating around. I do abide by those good old German rules....can't throw them in during quiet hours....and don't take them on Sunday (it's quiet all day on Sunday)...but I got it down. I also love the getranke mart (drink mart)....I just load the back of my car with the used bottles.....head to the local mart...they load, unload - it's one thing that I consider easy here in Germany.
Now that I can reflect on the last year....I have definitely figured some things out. I have a long ways to go....but it's getting easier. One thing that is always easy....having visitors! We absolutely love our company! I have been blessed with many this year...and look forward to many more. Having my mom and dad visit was certainly a highlight....now as we talk on the phone they can picture exactly where I am...or what I'm doing. My in-laws have made three trips to Germany in the year....and we are so lucky that they are willing to travel the distance to see us. Several good friends from the U.S. visited this year....and just to have them live a little Germany with me; I'll forever treasure.
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| Mom and Dad |
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| Mom and Dad in Eltville, Germany |
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| A family affair...watching the Packers on the good old slingbox |
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| Our first visitors......we love you Schmidt family and can't wait for Italy |
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| Laura and I in Rudesheim, Germany |
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| Chairlift over the Riesling Vineyards |
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| Cheryl and I taking on France |
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| The two grandpas! (Happy to be watching the Packers all the way in Germany) |
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| Bon Apetit! |
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| What a treat to have Colleen with us! |
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| Brendan and Colleen visiting Kronberg, Germany |
The kids have done a fantastic job with the transition and have grown in so many ways. They are more accepting of cultural differences....and have experienced things that have allowed them out of their box. They have friends from places I've never heard of... As I've said before we are forever changed from this experience. We are continuing to take advantage of the European holidays...and travel places I never dreamed I'd experience. We have developed good friendships. Most are like-minded, so when you really need something - they've all been there...done that....so we have support when we need it. We've adjusted to our 'new normal' over the last year and look forward to what's to come! We'll keep you updated!
