Schmuck?

Sharing my adventure with a schmuck - I mean friend!
 
Living in Germany has been an interesting adventure and about a month ago I got to share all the fun with a dear friend. My friend flew in from Pittsburgh....the Frankfurt airport is pretty easy to navigate, but finding a meeting spot is not so easy.  I allowed myself plenty of time to get to the airport.....and you all know how well I knew JFK...I could just swing around to baggage...but Frankfurt would be a different story.  I parked on the 13th floor.....(looking back this could have been a sign.....) and off I went with my IPhone fully loaded just waiting for the text saying....I'm here!  Once I found the right terminal (went to the wrong one first) we were golden.  Tim's company has a meeting post right smack dab in the middle of the airport...so that is where we met!  Mission accomplished.  I told her to pack light.....don't sport the blinger anymore....and anything more than a carry on would be tricky to get in the boot (aka trunk - can you tell I passed the German driving test - got the lingo and everything) of 'junior'.  We headed out re-tracing my steps perfectly - in hindsight probably dropping crumbs would have worked better.  Who would think that there was a set of elevators going to the 13th floor....but we were parked on 1301...so that would of course be the 13th floor of the elevator one door down from the original elevator we took - see how the crumbs may have helped.  The luggage fit in perfectly...and we were off.  The whole parking deal in Germany is very different from that in the states...and the language barrier doesn't make it all that fun.  You have to find a row in the parking garage that has a green light.  You take your ticket....park the car and then always take your ticket with you into the airport - because you have to pay before your leave the terminal building...and you don't pay a person - but put your money into a very intimidating machine somewhat like my ATM experience...after a bit of vertigo set in as we drove round and around the 13 floors of the parking ramp....we were on route to Kronberg.  I simply plugged in the address to the good old nav and in a mere 12 kilometers we would be home. Because we were so excited to see each other and were chatting away.....(and the lady's voice on the nav is set way too low).....we must have missed her say " in 400 meters stay to the right, then stay to the left and exit right".....I swear it's in english....but I still don't get it...and our 12 kilometers turned into 32....oh well!  Welcome to my new normal!

I'm so excited when friends and family visit...what a treat!  I always say before they arrive that Kronberg is a bit like standing in the middle of Epcot...but so much better.  I won't elaborate on all the details of my visit with Laura.....but I will let you know that we had plenty of schnitzel and beer.....shopped til we dropped, tried on clothes the 'German way' basically in the middle of the store......I backed into a car...and like the good German I have become.....we got out.....acted as if we were writing something down....looked at the damage (which there wasn't any) - got back in and drove away.......we drove down a few einbahnstrasses the wrong way....we had a lot of fun....and the language always was good for a few chuckles....hence the picture below!

 It was only 1 euro for this schmuck......with a 50% discount.....too funny!  Gotta love the language.....we can always go back to gut fahrt...that's always worth a laugh or two.  One of the funniest parts of the weekend was as we finished lunch and a nice glass of wine in a lovely restaurant in Wiesbaden.  We knew that there was an Easter market going on in Kronberg...at the burg (Kronberg Castle) and we really wanted to get back to see it......I now know that you can sit at restaurants in Europe for hours...once you sit down - it's your table....and unless you specifically ask for the rechnung(bill) you could be there for hours.  As time was ticking away.....Laura looked at her watch....and said, "Amy....it's almost 3:00 we must get back to the castle".  OK it was only a glass of wine....but the way she said it made us sound like we were Cinderella and well you know the rest....we still laugh about it to this day.  Well, our chariot didn't await...but we made it back to the castle in plenty of time.......and it was a weekend with my schmuck I will cherish forever.

A little monkey business

Monkeyin' around on holiday in Spain!

I will begin by saying that we love Animal Planet.....and have talked about how cool it would be to do an African Safari someday.....well - that was until we met the monkeys in Gibraltar.  When you think of Gibralter - I think of the Rock of Gibraltar.  It is indeed a rock.....and it remains a British Colony which is quite fascinating as we parked on the Spanish side and walked across the border into the land of red phone booths!

  

We had heard a lot about the tours in Gibraltar and one thing the kids were dying to see were the monkeys.  As we walked across the border there was Paul just waiting for us.  It was a little like when you get off the plane in Mexico...and there are cars lined up along the street with tour guides everywhere....but we had a good feeling about Paul. (and we were right)  He was going to be our tour guide for the day.  We jumped in the car and off we went........Paul said that there will be several stops along the way....and the tour would last about 2 hours.  We began to climb the winding roads (with no side rails - who needs those, anyways) and took in the absolutely amazing scenery.  

One of our first stops was to take in St. Michael's Caves.  As Paul's car pulled up we could see the monkeys everywhere.  Sitting on the rails, in the trees, they were a little too close for comfort.....but being the strong, always optimistic, animal-loving mother that I am.....I said, 'oh aren't they cute so up close and personal'.  The kids were thrilled.  Paul told us that the pirates way back in history were the ones that brought the monkeys in on their ships.....and they have multiplied, multiplied and multiplied....and now they are the very famous monkeys of Gibraltar.  Paul did say that we shouldn't get too close....but some of the tour guides actually bring food with them so the monkeys can sit on their shoulders for a picture....now, I've had a parrot or two sit on my shoulder over the years....but I wasn't too keen on a monkey....and Paul was just fine with that...he wasn't an advocate of feeding the monkeys...as they have had some problems in the town...where the monkeys associate any plastic bag with food...and they come down from the top of the rock and attack people in town.  We got out of the car....snapped a few photos and took in the caves!  I will admit that as I walked through the dark, damp caves (which were amazing) I kept thinking that one of those darn monkeys was following me......

 When we finished touring the caves, there was a little gift shop on they way out....everyone was a little hungry and just needed a little pick me up....take a look at the sign below.

As Americans that don't often see Hershey bars and Reese's peanut butter cups too often these days......we opened the fridge and just couldn't decide.  Caleb grabbed a Hershey bar....and all I remember is looking over at Caleb and seeing this monkey the size of him come in and in a blink snatch it out of his hand....the storekeeper came in with a stick and tried to 'shoo' it away.  Caleb's color drained from his face.....the rest of us just stood there completely stunned.....and slammed the fridge closed.  Enough of the monkeys.....they were cute from the car...but not so cute so close up!  Luckily it did not break the skin on Caleb's hand - but definitely left a little red mark...which he is proud to show off to his buds at school.  A story that will remain to be told for many, many years.  The photo below is Caleb holding a stuffed monkey.....you can see the color in his face (or lack there of)...and the next picture is the 'culprit' on top of Paul's car!  As you can see we did get one family picture on the top of the rock.....you can see a monkey off to the right. Noah kept his distance...and our animal-loving Hannah got a little too close (even for Paul's comfort).

It is amazing to think that Morocco is only 15 kilometers away from Gibraltar.  A 35 minute ferry ride.  You can see the continent in the picture.  When I think of Morocco I think of Aladdin at Epcot...so to see it like this is amazing.

The picture below was taken the next day.....just so none of you are worried about Caleb and the monkey attack...he is no worse for the wear.

We are so lucky to have the possibility to travel, and are coming to truly appreciate what it is to 'holiday' in Europe.  I fell in love with Spain.....I have always loved Mexico...but Spain may be my new favorite.  Maybe it's the language....you just can't say 'hola' without a smile. The Spanish language and the Spanish sunshine is just good for the soul.  Dinner is eaten at 9 or 10 at night......and the workday does not begin before 9:30 or 10:00 - ain't too shabby.  I took a picture of the streets in Old Marbella....all the places to eat....a cute little old man strumming the ukelehle.

 Another place we explored was Ronda.  It is a white village - all the homes are white - they are on extremely narrow streets so that on the hot days they get some shade.  We took the tour with Frank.  The kids loved the jeep....and we all loved Frank....The oldest bull fighting ring in Spain is in Ronda....happy to say that a bull fight was not on the agenda.  They harvest chestnuts and cork in the little villages before you get to Ronda....there is no internet, really no modern conveniences.....and the white villages outside of Ronda have about 200 residents.  One of the villages we toured is in the 'blue zone' - people work hard....and live long lives.  They go out into the field and pick chestnuts.....they make about 10,000 euro a month for two months...and they live on that......it's an amazing place. 

Frank took us to his friend's restaurant for lunch.  It was in a tiny village...with one school with 10 students in it.  Of course...not a meal goes by without a little sangria....and a little tapas.  

Being in Spain just before Easter was great.  In each village they have nightly processionals.  We were told that 60% of Spain is Catholic and the other 40% is Agnostic.  We were able to see the Processional in Old Town Marbella one night.  People lined the streets outside of one of the churches......it was almost so packed you couldn't move.

 You can see from the picture that we were a little nervous not knowing what to expect.  There were soldiers that walked right next to us armed to the nines....and lead the processional through old town.  It started at 8:00pm - and proceeds through the village until 4am.

The pictures don't really do the experience justice.  The 'floats' depict the Passion of the Christ.....hundreds of men lift the 'floats' which are gold trimmed and lined with so many flowers.....language barrier precluded us from understanding the words.....but of course we know and cherish the story.......and when the crowd said the Lord's Prayer in unison.....in Spanish....it was breath-taking.  It was worth all the claustrophobic moments.....and having dinner at 10:00....as it's something our family will never forget and presented many teachable moments with the kids.

We may not be planning on seeing monkeys any time soon.....but traveling to Spain is good for the soul! (and the disposition for a wife who has moved to Germany just 3 months earlier........oh, some vitamin d)

Home is where the heart is......

There's no place like home - 

I've heard that saying so many times....but as my flight from Budapest descended, and I saw the lights of Frankfurt below....it felt like home.  Germany....home...how can that be?  It's only been 11 weeks (but who's counting).  As an Expat you are quickly immersed in a new culture....a new community and you realize that your home is where your family and children are.....no matter where that may be!  There are certainly numerous differences....but when those wheels touch down.....you are home.  

There was a funny thing that happened on my flight yesterday that made me realize that things are easily lost in translation, and it's not quite like home.  I was lucky to be sitting in the front row of the Malev Airlines flight from Budapest.....although the bulkhead wasn't quite what I was expecting, as there was this green drape that separated economy and business class.....and every time the flight attendant would come down the aisle and open the green curtain....the velcrow would stick to my pant leg!  When I sat down I said 'hello' to my 'row-mate' - he acknowledged and simply went back to reading. (Oh, and I did step on the toe of the passenger behind me - that was definitely not lost in translation)  As we descended I asked where he was from...he simply replied "Germany" - Germans for the most part are private people.....but I wasn't really being annoying....(at least I didn't think so)!  'Everyone has a story, right'.  He did loosen up a bit, and was quite pleasant. I found out that his connecting flight was delayed.....and he had a few hours to spare.  I mentioned to him that he may need to get a coffee before he boards his next plane to stay awake......at that moment I got a peculiar look.....actually I think the color drained from his face....and he replied "Oh no, I don't need to get a coffee with you".....at that moment if there was a bubble above his head it would say, "I think she's coming onto me".......I guess I have to watch what I say.....but I chuckled to myself as he got on the complete opposite end of the shuttle bus that took that took us to the terminal.  He probably was thinking I was some crazy American!

I spent the weekend in Budapest with a lovely group of ladies that invited me along.  The Expat community is filled with such interesting women....and I find them to be accepting and welcoming - they've 'been there, done that' and we all share a similar story. We explored the city of Budapest.....and I found it to be an odd little place.  When you arrive in some places you are embraced with a feeling of warmth.....I didn't get that in Budapest...it felt kind of sad to me....I thought the architecture was interesting....but I got this feeling that it's a country still trying to get on its feet....it's amazing to think that it was a communist country until 1989.  That seems like yesterday. 

 

  

The currency in Hungary is not so easy.....and with my math skills (heck I can't even handle Hannah's 7th grade math). 

  

  

It was a little strange as I withdrew 25,000 from the ATM at the airport...yikes!  I am just getting used to the Euro.....and all the coins!  I did have a hard time paying 2000 for a silly little gnome.....but that ended up being only about 8 euro....thankfully someone has now introduced me to a 'conversion' app!  Perfect!  I do agree with the commercial that says, "there's an app for that".  

Home is where the heart is...and all the to-do lists and chores that go along with it no matter where you are!  Home sweet home! 

 

    

C'mon I must be on candid camera.......(Daily)

Culture Shock! 

I've read many a book over here about moving overseas and culture shock headlines at least one chapter in all of them.....what is it?  People experience it when they are confronted with a different culture in daily life!  BINGO - that would be me!  Today was another day when I was asked this all to familiar question, "Is this your first international move?" - after 9 domestic ones I thought I was a pro....but this overseas thing is a challenge.  I am constantly meeting people that are such seasoned expats! For me,today was the day I just wanted to master ONE thing - and like magic that would make my life easier.....think again....with culture shock there is no one single thing to master.....it's a million little things that you never have to think about at home......should I actually look up and acknowledge this person when he walks by - but they might thing I'm a stalker.  Can I talk to a person in the checkout line.....oh, that might be a little too personal....heck...I'm still trying to back 'junior' out of the driveway without backing into my neighbors stone wall......and how do they keep their cobblestone driveways so neat?  I think you could eat off any one of them and you wouldn't find the hard macaroni noodles like you do on my dining room floor.

Today the sun was shining.....the birds are singing and it's time for me to get that winter crud off my car.  With my 'wee one' in tow (home sick today) we set out for what should be a very simple thing.....which turned into an adventure!  Any guesses from the picture?

 

  

I realize that a car wash should be simple.....we pull into a local gas station!  The same station that I took junior to for the first time and couldn't figure out what to use......no aha moment for me...they all looked the same - other than diesel - and there was no unleaded!   This is the same station I had to walk in and kindly ask how, and what to fill my tank with......BENZENE!  As I walk in the door today to ask about the car wash....I could see he recognized me......oh no, the American lady who doesn't speak much German!  Guten Tag (the appropriate greeting for 11:00am) because we're an hour past Guten Morgen (that ends at 10:00am.)  I get my code for the carwash and try to interpret what the heck he's telling me to do.....charades may have been helpful at this point.  Caleb and I head to the machine...I have flashbacks to the ATM at the bank.....everything is in German - the door to the carwash is closed.....we just talked with friends about the carwash and they said it's German engineering at it's best.  I remember my mantra - EVERYTHING WILL BE OK!  I'm 9 euros in at this point (about 11+ dollars) and I'm not turning back.  I push in the code and nothing happens....the machine says 'bitte nieren'....now what???  Caleb sees a big green button on the side of the garage door...it was like an episode of Blues Clues...the button was huge and it's almost as though it came to life and said push me...you crazy American!  Caleb pushed it and the garage door opened....we jumped in the car and drove in the 'box' - if there was one thing I got from the gas attendent in any language was......EXIT the garage!  We turn around and dash out....the door closes and junior is having the first real 'car spa' experience.  We waited about funf minuten and the door opened again....there isn't even an inch (or centimeter) to spare when you open your door....so we get in as fast as we can and have to back out before the door closes...and at this point there is a line of cars....and not much room to back out! I was sure the door would close and there we would be....the cover of the latest Kronberger (local paper) - 'Crazy American stuck in the carwash'......

All in all we made it - I mastered one thing today....and even attempted to vacuum the car as well.....one euro lasted about 2 minuten....but as we were vacuuming we noticed this on one of my car mats and it made our adventure worth every minuten.

Gute Fahrt.....gotta love Germany!

 

14 Rides Up And Down The Mountain In Austria - PRICELESS!

Ski Break has arrived and we are off like every other European family to ski the Alps....I still can't believe I'm actually saying that....ski the Alps...I never would have imagined that a year ago.  As every busy mom of 3 (well 4 including dad) knows....the packing for this type of holiday takes days......but we were locked and loaded and ready to hit the Autobahn......

 

We also had a couple of sleds and helmets to add to the mix.....take note of the case of wine - we were well prepared.  We pack our smiling children into the car (ain't no sport utility) - but we were ready for the adventure.

 
 

We drove as far as Munchen (Munich) the first night.....we had heard many a story of this 6 hour trip taking 11!  We arrived in Munchen about 10PM - got a good night of sleep and were up for the 180km the next day.  No Problem....well...think again......we did hit a bit of traffic on the good old Autobahn.....

 
 

There is usually a pretty steady stream of traffic along the route to Austria....so we were prepared with ample snacks...and limited elbowing or name-calling took place as we were all well entertained with what we saw along the way...note the bottom picture....there were several large buses taking groups.....and from time to time they would just stop - open the luggage cabin of the bus and pull out some 'brewski's' - and as you can imagine with all that beer they drank along the way there were many men jumping off at all times along the bumper to bumper traffic to go to the bathroom.....the hills weren't alive with the sound of music, but we had some entertainment nonetheless....never seen anything like it!  But we made it..........safely......

 
 

We were staying just outside of Innsbruck...where two Olympic Games have been held over the years....just perfect for my skiing ability (no laughing, please).  We got to our authentic Austrian Chalet.....checked in, unloaded...and headed to the mountain to get situated for the week!

 
 

  

Stubai Glacier here we come......can you believe it...skiing on a glacier!

   

We pulled in and what do my wandering eyes did appear.....no not 8 tiny reindeer...but the tallest, biggest most intimidating site I've ever seen......the Stubai Gondola......now for the record...I'm not the best with heights...but being the strong and able mother of 3 that I am......I hopped on without hesitation (well actually - I think they almost had to carry me.....and with a couple of nudges I made it on before the doors closed).......breathe, breathe........how long could this last?  Can't be too bad.....I'll just close my eyes and picture the beach and the waves crashing in......and just at that moment we got to the station.....putting my feet on the ground and ready to hop off......one of the kids tugged on my hood and pulled me back in......that was just the mid-point!  I thought seriously about becoming a Sherpa at this point and walking up the rest of the way....and I was the color of my jacket - green!  I looked out and noticed we were above the tree line.....I figured that was a bonus with my skiing ability - nothing in the way.......this could turn out alright!

 
 

When we finally reached the top - 25 minutes later...reality set in....I have to go back down.....and we were here for 6 days....that's 12 trips......need I say more!

But all in all....it was absolutely breath-taking.  The mountains looked like they were topped with powdered sugar.....the sun was shining bright and the sky just a perfect blue.  We did notice as we were fitted for our equipment that being on top of a glacier.....does provide some wind.....so we look like a family of ninjas....but we were warm! Not to mention all of the signs were in German. The skiing was some of the best we have ever done.....incredible! I still pinch myself......

 
 

Of course I now am the weakest link of the Schmidt clan when it comes to skiing.....Tim and all the kiddos skiied from the top!  I continue to picture it in  my mind....as I made it about 3/4 of the way!  

 
 

  

  

  

 

  

 Caleb had a blast at ski school....and even though it was mainly taught in German - there was not much lost in translation....and he pulled off a Bode Miller impression by the end (see photo above) - He now wants to take up alpine - Austrian style!

As we left the mountain each day and took the trip down the gondola....we were exhausted and headed back to the chalet......every hotel looks just as you might imagine....wooden chalets!  Lederhosen is the outfit of choice (not for our clan) but each night we sat down for a 4 course Austrian meal.....except the last night when veal knuckle and turkey stew....along with pickled beets just didn't cut it....so we headed out to a local pizzeria!

 

Since we have been watching the Olympics on a regular basis....we took a day to explore Innsbruck.....and were fascinated by the bobsled run and the ski-jumping stadium.....as you can imagine by this point in the week I have mastered my fear of heights as I stood atop the ski jump - not for the faint of heart!

   

  

The picture above was the real thing....I caught it just in the right time....may not be the quickest on the slopes....but my shutter speed ain't bad!

  

  

To reach the top of the ski jump you took a cable car up the side....then two elevators to reach the top......and as you stand at the top you peer over the city of Innsbruck......nerves of steel for sure!  

  

Our holiday was complete with a sleigh ride.....and a hit with Hannah as you can imagine!  Our driver was an Austrian man that had rigged his sleigh with a hydraulic system so we could be on wheels for the non-snowy parts....and with a little pumping action (actually a lot of pumping action) we were down on the skis as a sleigh.....we ventured through the forests and mountains and were joined by our friends from Australia......my feet were on the ground......and our week came to a close......something I'll never forget...and I will play the DVD in my mind over and over!  

 
 

 

 

 

 In summary - skiing and chalet lots of euros........last trip down the gondola, PRICELESS!